Electric cooking appliance comprising cooking accessory

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electric cooking appliance (1) configured to cook food and comprising: a lower housing (2); a cooking plate (5) supported by the lower housing (2); a cooking vessel (6) comprising a vessel bottom (21) and configured to occupy a use configuration in which the cooking vessel (6) rests on the cooking plate (5). The electric cooking appliance (1) comprises positioning means (24) configured to position the container bottom (21) substantially horizontally when the cooking container (6) assumes the use configuration and the lower housing (2) rests on a horizontal receiving support.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to an electric cooking device for cooking food.

[0002] The present invention is particularly applicable to grill-type electric cooking devices that utilize at least one hot air cooking mode. Background Art

[0003] From the prior art it is known to use an electric cooking device which is configured to cook food and comprises:

[0004] - a lower housing configured to rest on a storage support;

[0005] - a cooking plate supported by the lower housing and comprising a plate bottom configured to be inclined relative to a horizontal plane when the lower housing rests on a horizontal storage support;

[0006] a cooking container comprising a container bottom and peripheral walls delimiting a content cavity, the cooking container being configured to occupy a use configuration in which the cooking container rests on a cooking plate;

[0007] a cover configured to occupy a closed position in which the cover is mounted over the content cavity and an open position in which the cover permits access to the content cavity; and

[0008] - A heating element configured to heat and cook food present in the content cavity.

[0009] This device allows a user to cook food inside a cooking container which is placed in a use configuration by resting on a cooking plate.

[0010] This type of device is particularly well-performing because it allows the user to cook the food inside the cooking container without having to remove the cooking plate. However, this device has major disadvantages, the first of which is the tilting of the cooking container due to the use of the cooking plate as a support, which causes sauces or liquids in the recipe to accumulate towards the front of the cooking container. Another disadvantage is the unsafe positioning of the cooking container on the cooking plate, which can shift on the bottom of the plate and thus prevent the lid from closing properly during cooking. Summary of the invention

[0011] The present invention aims to partially or completely overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages.

[0012] The technical problem at the basis of the present invention is therefore to provide an electric cooking device configured to ensure uniform cooking of the food present inside the cooking container, the electric cooking device having a simple, compact and economical structure.

[0013] To this end, the present invention relates to an electric cooking device configured to cook food and comprising:

[0014] - lower housing;

[0015] - a cooking plate supported by the lower housing, the cooking plate comprising a plate bottom and a peripheral edge extending from the plate bottom and defining a first content cavity at the plate bottom, the plate bottom being configured to be inclined relative to a horizontal plane when the lower housing rests on a horizontal storage support;

[0016] a cooking container comprising a container bottom and peripheral walls extending from the container bottom and delimiting a second content cavity, the cooking container being configured to occupy a use configuration in which the cooking container rests on a cooking plate;

[0017] a lid configured to occupy a closed position in which the lower housing and the lid delimit the cooking volume and prevent access to the cooking container when the cooking container occupies the use configuration, and an open position in which the lid is configured to allow access to the cooking container when the cooking container occupies the use configuration;

[0018] - a heating system configured to heat and cook food received in a cooking cavity, for example on a cooking plate or in a cooking container;

[0019] The electric cooking device comprises positioning means configured to position the container bottom substantially horizontally when the cooking container occupies the use configuration and the lower housing rests on a horizontal receiving support.

[0020] This configuration of the electric cooking device allows to achieve a uniform cooking of the food present in the interior of the cooking vessel.In fact, the horizontal position of the plate bottom of the cooking vessel allows to avoid mixing of the food on one side of the cooking vessel.

[0021] The electric cooking device may also have one or more of the following features, which may be used alone or in combination.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the lower housing includes a storage receptacle, and the cooking plate is configured to be at least partially received in the storage receptacle.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the cooking cavity is a closed cavity.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the invention, the lid is configured to be mounted over the cooking plate and the cooking container when the lid is in the closed position and the cooking container occupies the use configuration.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the invention, the heating system comprises a lower heating device, such as an electric heating resistor, which is arranged below the cooking plate, and a hot air heating device, which is arranged in the cover.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the invention, the hot air heating device comprises air circulation means configured to generate an air flow over food received in the cooking cavity, for example on a cooking plate or in a cooking container, when the lid occupies the closed position.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the invention, the hot air heating device comprises a heating member, such as an electric heating resistor, which is configured to heat an air flow generated by the air circulation device.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the air circulation device includes, for example, a ventilator.

[0029] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the hot air heating device comprises a driving device configured to drive the air circulation device to rotate.

[0030] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the driving device includes, for example, an electric motor.

[0031] According to one embodiment of the invention, the air circulation device and the drive device are arranged in the cover.

[0032] According to one embodiment of the invention, the air circulation device is configured to extend substantially opposite the cooking container when the lid occupies the closed position and the cooking container is in the use configuration.

[0033] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the lower heating device is arranged in the lower housing.

[0034] According to one embodiment of the invention, the container bottom has a substantially rectangular shape.

[0035] According to one embodiment of the invention, the positioning device comprises at least one positioning member, such as a positioning rib, which is arranged on the cooking plate and protrudes from the bottom of the plate, and the at least one positioning member is configured to raise at least a part of the cooking container relative to the bottom of the plate when the cooking container occupies the use configuration.

[0036] According to one embodiment of the present invention, at least one positioning member has an arc shape.

[0037] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the cooking container has a substantially rectangular shape, and the positioning device comprises four positioning members which are arranged on the cooking plate and protrude from the bottom of the plate, each positioning member being configured to extend facing a corresponding corner portion of the container bottom.

[0038] According to one embodiment of the invention, the cooking vessel is configured to rest, for example only rest, on the positioning member when the cooking vessel occupies the use configuration.

[0039] According to one embodiment of the invention, the positioning member is configured to index the cooking container to a predetermined position when the cooking container occupies the use configuration.

[0040] According to one embodiment of the invention, the positioning device comprises at least one positioning element arranged on the cooking vessel, the at least one positioning member being configured to be received in the at least one positioning element when the cooking vessel is in the use configuration.

[0041] According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least one positioning element is a peripheral groove which is provided on the lower surface of the container bottom and extends over the periphery of said container bottom.

[0042] According to one embodiment of the invention, the cooking plate comprises four positioning members arranged to extend on the side of each of the corners of the cooking vessel. This configuration of the invention allows indexing and thus facilitating the positioning of the cooking plate of the cooking vessel in the use configuration. In fact, the specific shape of the positioning members and the positioning elements advantageously allows the "centering" positioning of the cooking vessel on the cooking plate. Thus, the closing of the lid of the electric cooking device is not prevented by a wrong positioning of the cooking vessel in the use configuration.

[0043] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a cooking plate includes: a first pair of positioning members, which are located in a front portion of the cooking plate and have a first height; and a second pair of positioning members, which are located in a rear portion of the cooking plate and have a second height that is less than the first height.

[0044] According to an embodiment of the invention, the positioning members belonging to the first and second pairs each have a bearing surface, and the first and second heights are defined such that the bearing surfaces define a substantially horizontal support plane when the cooking container is in the use configuration.

[0045] According to one embodiment of the invention, the lower surface of the container bottom is substantially flat.

[0046] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the electric cooking device comprises a collecting trough configured to collect cooking juices from the cooking plate, and the cooking plate further comprises a drain hole opening into the first content cavity and configured to be plumbed vertically to the collecting trough. Advantageously, the drain hole is configured to allow the cooking juices contained in the first content cavity to flow into the collecting trough by gravity.

[0047] According to one embodiment of the invention, the collecting tank is arranged in the front part of the lower housing.

[0048] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the collecting trough is configured to be located at least below the cooking plate.

[0049] According to one embodiment of the invention, the plate bottom comprises at least one inclined guide surface configured to guide and direct the cooking juices contained in the first content cavity towards the direction of the emptying hole.

[0050] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the at least one inclined guide surface is configured to be inclined relative to a horizontal plane when the lower housing rests on a horizontal surface.

[0051] According to one embodiment of the invention, the drain holes are arranged on the plate bottom.

[0052] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a cooking plate includes support ribs disposed on a bottom of the plate and configured to support food disposed on the cooking plate.

[0053] According to one embodiment of the invention, each supporting rib has a height which increases in the direction of the front edge of the cooking plate.

[0054] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the supporting ribs each include a contact surface configured to extend substantially horizontally when the lower housing rests on a horizontal surface.

[0055] According to one embodiment of the present invention, at least one positioning member protrudes relative to the upper surface of the supporting rib.

[0056] According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one positioning member has a height that is equal to or greater than a height of the supporting rib.

[0057] According to one embodiment of the invention, the supporting ribs define cooking juice flow channels which are configured to guide and direct at least a portion of the cooking juices contained in the first content cavity in the direction of the emptying aperture.

[0058] According to one embodiment of the invention, the cooking plate further comprises a collecting channel configured to collect cooking juices flowing in the cooking juices flow channel and to guide and direct said cooking juices in the direction of the draining hole. Advantageously, the collecting channel comprises a container bottom which is inclined and which is configured to guide and direct the cooking juices contained in the collecting channel in the direction of the draining hole. The collecting channel may, for example, extend along the front edge of the cooking plate.

[0059] According to one embodiment of the invention, the cooking container further comprises a flow hole, which is configured to extend vertically plumb to the cooking plate when the cooking container is in the use configuration. This configuration of the invention advantageously allows the cooking juices to be directed from the cooking container to the cooking plate through the flow hole, and then from the cooking plate to the collecting tank through the drain hole.

[0060] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the cooking plate is detachable relative to the lower housing.

[0061] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the cooking container is detachable.

[0062] In the absence of any contrary indication, the term "substantially" in this document means "exactly or within 10% or 10°". BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0063] The present invention will be clearly understood from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals correspond to elements that are the same or similar in structure and / or function.

[0064] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of an electric cooking device according to the present invention;

[0065] Figure 2 Belongs to Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of a cooking container and a cooking plate of an electric cooking device;

[0066] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A three-dimensional top view of a cooking container and a cooking plate;

[0067] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 A three-dimensional top view of a cooking plate;

[0068] Figure 5 yes Figure 2 A three-dimensional bottom view of a cooking plate;

[0069] Figure 6 yes Figure 2 A three-dimensional top view of a cooking container;

[0070] Figure 7 yes Figure 2 A three-dimensional bottom view of a cooking container;

[0071] Figure 8 yes Figure 1 A three-dimensional top view of a cooking device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0072] Figures 1 to 8An electric cooking device 1 is shown, which is configured to cook food. The electric cooking device 1 comprises, in particular, a lower housing 2, which delimits a receiving housing 3, a cover 4, which is mechanically connected to the lower housing 2, a cooking plate 5, which is configured to rest on the lower housing 2 and is at least partially accommodated in the receiving housing 3, and a cooking container 6, which is configured to occupy a use configuration in which the cooking container 6 rests on the cooking plate 5.

[0073] The cover 4 is more particularly mounted to pivot about a pivot axis A1 and between a closed position and an open position relative to the lower housing 2. Advantageously, the pivot axis A1 is substantially horizontal when the lower housing 2 rests on a horizontal surface.

[0074] like Figure 1 As shown, when the cover 4 occupies the closed position, the lower shell 2 and the cover 4 define a cooking cavity 7, which can accommodate the cooking container 6 when the cooking container 6 occupies the use configuration, and the cover 4 is configured to be installed above the cooking plate 5 and the cooking container 6 and prevent access to the cooking container 6 when the cooking container 6 occupies the use configuration.

[0075] In the open position, the lid 4 is configured to grant access to the cooking container 6 when the cooking container 6 occupies the use configuration or to allow access to the cooking plate 5 when the cooking container 6 is not in use.

[0076] The electric cooking device 1 further comprises a heating system 8 configured to heat and cook food present in the cooking cavity 7. More specifically, the heating system 8 is configured to heat and cook food received on the cooking plate 5 or in the cooking container 6.

[0077] According to the embodiment shown in the figure, the heating system 8 comprises a hot air heating device 9.1 (see Figure 1 ), the hot air heating device 9.1 is configured to cook food received on the cooking plate 5 or in the cooking container 6 according to at least one hot air cooking mode.

[0078] The hot air heating device 9.1 comprises an air circulation device 10, such as a ventilator or a blade, which is configured to generate an air flow over the food received on the cooking plate 5 or in the cooking container 6 when the lid 4 occupies the closed position. The hot air heating device 9.1 also comprises a drive device 11, such as a motor, which is configured to drive the air circulation device 10 in rotation. The hot air heating device 9.1 comprises a heating member 40, such as an electric heating resistor, which is configured to heat the air flow generated by the air circulation device 10.

[0079] In order to simplify the material integration and limit the overall size, the air circulation device 10 and the drive device 11 are arranged in the cover 4. Also advantageously, when the cover 4 occupies the closed position, the air circulation device 10 is configured to extend toward the cooking plate 5 or the cooking container 6 when the cooking plate 5 or the cooking container 6 is in the use configuration, so that the hot air flow generated by the hot air heating device 9.1 is effectively guided to the food present in the cooking cavity 7 according to the hot air cooking mode when the electric cooking device 1 is used. Alternatively or supplementally, the heating system 8 can include a lower heating device 9.2, such as an electric heating resistor, which is arranged in the lower housing 2 and is configured to heat the cooking plate 5.

[0080] Figure 4 and Figure 5 More precisely, the specific construction of the cooking plate 5 is shown. The cooking plate 5 comprises a plate bottom 12 and peripheral edges 13 which delimit a first inner cavity 14 with the plate bottom 12. The plate bottom 12 is configured to be inclined relative to a horizontal plane when the lower housing 2 rests on a horizontal storage support.

[0081] Advantageously, the plate bottom 12 comprises an inclined guide surface 15 configured to guide and direct the cooking juices contained in the first content cavity 14 towards a drain hole 16 provided on the plate bottom 12. The inclined guide surface 15 is configured to be inclined relative to the horizontal plane when the lower housing 2 rests on a horizontal surface.

[0082] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the cooking plate 5 comprises support ribs 17, which are arranged on the plate bottom 12 and are configured to support food arranged on the cooking plate 5. Each support rib 17 has a height that increases in the direction of the front edge of the cooking plate 5. Advantageously, the support ribs 17 each comprise a contact surface configured to extend substantially horizontally when the lower housing 2 rests on a horizontal surface.

[0083] The support ribs 17 more specifically delimit cooking juice flow channels 18, which are configured to guide and direct the cooking juices contained in the first inner cavity 14 in the direction of the drain hole 16 during cooking. The cooking plate 5 further comprises a collecting channel 19, which is configured to collect the cooking juices flowing in the cooking juice flow channels 18 and to guide and direct said cooking juices in the direction of the drain hole 16. Advantageously, the collecting channel 19 comprises a bottom, which is inclined and which is configured to guide and direct the cooking juices contained in the collecting channel 19 in the direction of the drain hole 16. The collecting channel 19 may, for example, extend along the front edge of the cooking plate 5.

[0084] Advantageously, the electric cooking device 1 comprises a collecting trough 20 configured to collect cooking juices coming from the cooking plate 5 and flowing through the drain hole 16. The collecting trough 20 is configured to be vertically positioned plumb to the drain hole 16. Advantageously, the drain hole 16 is configured to allow the cooking juices contained in the first inner cavity 14 to flow into the collecting trough 20 by gravity. The collecting trough 20 is arranged in the front part of the lower housing 2 and is configured to be located at least below the cooking plate 5.

[0085] exist Figure 6 , Figure 7 and Figure 8 , a cooking container 6 is shown, which is configured to cooperate with the cooking plate 5 in the use configuration. The cooking container 6 has a generally rectangular shape and comprises a container bottom 21 and peripheral walls 22, which delimit a second content cavity 23. The container bottom has a substantially rectangular shape and is substantially flat. According to a variant of the embodiment of the invention not shown in the figures, the cooking container 6 can also include a flow hole configured to extend vertically plumb to the cooking plate 5 when the cooking container 6 is in the use configuration. This configuration of the invention advantageously allows the cooking juices to be guided from the cooking container 6 to the cooking plate 5 through the flow hole and then from the cooking plate 4 to the collecting trough 20 through the emptying hole 16.

[0086] The electric cooking device 1 further comprises positioning means 24 configured to position substantially horizontally the container bottom 21 of the cooking container 6 when the cooking container 6 occupies the use configuration and the lower housing 2 rests on a horizontal storage support. Such a configuration of the electric cooking device 1 according to an embodiment of the invention allows to achieve uniform cooking of the food present inside the cooking container 6. In fact, the horizontal position of the plate bottom 12 of the cooking container 6 allows to avoid mixing of the food on one side of the cooking container 6.

[0087] According to the embodiment of the invention shown in the figures, the positioning means 24 comprises four positioning members 25, such as positioning ribs, which are arranged on the cooking plate 5 and protrude from the plate bottom 12. The positioning members 25 are configured to raise a portion of the cooking container 6 relative to the plate bottom 12 when the cooking container 6 occupies the use configuration. Each positioning member 25 has an arc shape and is configured to extend facing a corresponding corner portion 26 of the container bottom 21, which advantageously allows the cooking container 6 to be indexed to a predetermined position when the cooking container 6 occupies the use configuration. The indexing advantageously allows the cooking container 6 to be centered on the cooking plate 5. Therefore, the closing of the lid 4 of the electric cooking device 1 is not prevented by a wrong positioning of the cooking container 6 in the use configuration.

[0088] Advantageously, the cooking container 6 is configured to rest only on the positioning members 25 when the cooking container 6 occupies the use configuration. Advantageously, the cooking plate 5 comprises: a first pair of positioning members 25, the first pair of positioning members 25 being located in the front portion of the cooking plate 5 and the first pair of positioning members 25 having a first height; and a second pair of positioning members 25, the second pair of positioning members 25 being located in the rear portion of the cooking plate 5 and the second pair of positioning members 25 having a second height less than the first height. The positioning members 25 belonging to the first pair and the second pair each have a substantially flat support surface, and the first height and the second height are defined so that when the cooking container 6 is in the use configuration and the lower housing 2 rests on a horizontal surface, the support surface defines a support plane, which is substantially horizontal.

[0089] Furthermore, each positioning member 25 protrudes with respect to the upper surface of the support rib 17 .

[0090] The positioning device 24 also includes a positioning element 27, which is arranged on the cooking container 6. Each positioning member 25 is configured to be received in the positioning element 27 when the cooking container 6 is in the use configuration. Figure 7 As can be seen more particularly in FIG. 2 , the positioning element 27 is a peripheral groove which is provided on the lower surface of the container bottom 21 and extends over the periphery of said container bottom 21 .

[0091] Of course, the invention is in no way limited to the embodiments described and shown, which are given merely as examples. Modifications may still be made, in particular from the point of view of the arrangement and construction of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

1. An electric cooking device (1) configured to cook food and comprising: - a lower housing (2); - a cooking plate (5) supported by the lower housing (2), the cooking plate (5) comprising a plate bottom (12) and a peripheral edge (13), the peripheral edge (13) extending from the plate bottom (12) and delimiting a first content cavity (14) with the plate bottom (12), the plate bottom (12) being configured to be inclined relative to a horizontal plane when the lower housing (2) rests on a horizontal storage support; a cooking container (6) comprising a container bottom (21) and a peripheral wall (22) extending from the container bottom (21) and delimiting a second content cavity (23), the cooking container (6) being configured to occupy a use configuration in which the cooking container (6) rests on the cooking plate (5); - a cover (4) configured to occupy a closed position, in which the lower housing (2) and the cover (4) delimit a cooking cavity (7) and prevent access to the cooking container (6) when the cooking container (6) occupies the use configuration, and an open position, in which the cover (4) is configured to allow access to the cooking container (6) when the cooking container (6) occupies the use configuration; - a heating system (8), the heating system (8) being configured to heat and cook food received in the cooking cavity (7); Characterized in that the electric cooking device (1) comprises positioning means (24) configured to position the container bottom (21) substantially horizontally when the cooking container (6) occupies the use configuration and the lower housing (2) rests on a horizontal storage support.

2. The electric cooking device (1) according to claim 1, wherein: The heating system (8) comprises a lower heating device (9.2) arranged below the cooking plate (5) and a hot air heating device (9.1) arranged in the cover (4).

3. An electric cooking device (1) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein: The positioning device (24) comprises at least one positioning member (25) arranged on the cooking plate (5) and protruding from the plate bottom (12), the at least one positioning member (25) being configured to raise at least a portion of the cooking container (6) relative to the plate bottom (12) when the cooking container (6) occupies the use configuration.

4. The electric cooking device (1) according to claim 3, wherein: The at least one positioning member (25) has an arc shape.

5. The electric cooking device (1) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein: The cooking container (6) has a generally rectangular shape, and the positioning device (24) comprises four positioning members (25) arranged on the cooking plate (5) and protruding from the plate bottom (12), each positioning member (25) being configured to extend towards a corresponding corner portion (26) of the container bottom (21).

6. The electric cooking device (1) according to claim 5, wherein: The positioning member (25) is configured to index the cooking container (6) to a predetermined position when the cooking container (6) occupies the use configuration.

7. An electric cooking device (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein: The positioning device (24) comprises at least one positioning element (27) arranged on the cooking container (6), and the at least one positioning member (25) is configured to be received in the at least one positioning element (27) when the cooking container (6) is in the use configuration.

8. An electric cooking device (1) according to at least claim 7, wherein: The at least one positioning element (27) is a peripheral groove which is provided on the lower surface of the container bottom (21) and extends over the periphery of the container bottom (21).

9. The electric cooking device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein: The electric cooking device (1) comprises a collecting trough (20) configured to collect cooking juices from the cooking plate (5), wherein the cooking plate (5) further comprises an emptying hole (16) leading to the first inner cavity (14) and configured to be plumbed to the collecting trough (20) in a vertical position.

10. The electric cooking device (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that The plate bottom (12) of the cooking plate (5) comprises at least one inclined guide surface (15) configured to guide and direct the cooking liquid contained in the first content cavity (14) in the direction of the drain hole (16).

11. The electric cooking device (1) according to any one of claims 9 or 10, wherein: The drain hole (16) is arranged on the plate bottom (12) of the cooking plate (5).

12. The electric cooking device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein: The cooking plate (5) comprises support ribs (17) disposed on the plate bottom (12) and configured to support food disposed on the cooking plate (5).

13. An electric cooking device (1) according to at least claims 9 and 12, wherein: The support ribs (17) define a cooking juice flow channel (18) configured to guide and direct at least a portion of the cooking juice contained in the first content cavity (14) toward the drain hole (16).

14. The electric cooking device (1) according to claim 12 or 13 in combination with claim 3, wherein: The at least one positioning member (25) has a height equal to or greater than a height of the supporting rib (17).

15. An electric cooking device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The cooking container (6) further comprises a flow hole, wherein the flow hole is configured to extend vertically plumb to the cooking plate (5) when the cooking container (6) is in the use configuration.

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