Food heating device comprising bowl provided with reduced inner cavity

Abstract

The food heating apparatus (2) comprises: a base (3) provided with a receiving surface (5) and lower heating means (6); a bowl (8) resting on the receiving surface (5) and defining an inner chamber (9) for containing food, the inner chamber (9) of the bowl (8) being less than 1.3 liters; and a lid (23) comprising an upper heating element (25) and configured to be placed over the bowl (8).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for heating food products, in particular for cooking the food products. BACKGROUND

[0002] In a known manner, an electric cooking apparatus comprises: - a base comprising a main casing provided with a receiving housing opening upwards, a cooking vessel housed in the receiving housing and delimiting a cooking chamber for containing food, and a lower heating device configured to heat the food contained in the cooking vessel; - a lid mounted so as to move with respect to the main casing between an open position, in which the lid permits access to the cooking chamber, and a closed position, in which the lid prevents access to the cooking chamber; and - an upper heating device fixed to the lid and configured to be positioned facing the cooking chamber delimited by the cooking vessel when the lid occupies the closed position.

[0003] Such an electric cooking apparatus allows cooking the food contained in the cooking chamber according to different cooking modes.

[0004] However, when the food contained in the cooking chamber of such an electric cooking apparatus is cooked, the user should transfer these foods into another container, for example a bowl or a plate, in order to taste the food, in particular because of the fact that the shape, the size, the volume and the high temperature of the outer surface of the cooking vessel are not suitable for eating the food directly from the cooking vessel. Thus, the use of such an electric cooking apparatus requires at least cleaning the cooking vessel and the container used, which can be cumbersome for the user.

[0005] Moreover, the cooking vessel of the electric cooking apparatus of the above-mentioned type generally has a large inner cavity, which makes its cleaning more cumbersome.

[0006] Therefore, the user can be reluctant to use an electric cooking apparatus of the above-mentioned type to cook a small quantity of food, for example to prepare a meal for one person. SUMMARY

[0007] The present invention aims at overcoming these drawbacks.

[0008] The technical problem underlying the present invention is therefore to provide an apparatus for heating food products which is compact and ergonomic in structure, while allowing to easily and quickly heat and / or cook various foods.

[0009] To this end, the present invention relates to a food heating apparatus comprising: - a base comprising a main casing provided with a receiving surface, and a lower heating device; - a bowl, said bowl being removable and configured to rest on said receiving surface of said base, said bowl comprising a bottom and a sidewall delimiting an inner cavity for containing food, said sidewall of said bowl comprising an upper peripheral edge delimiting an upper opening through which food can be introduced into said inner cavity of said bowl, said lower heating means being configured to heat food contained in said bowl when said bowl rests on said receiving surface; - a lid, said lid being supported by said base and configured to be placed above said bowl when said bowl rests on said receiving surface, said lid comprising an upper heating element configured to heat, for example at least by radiation, food contained in said bowl.

[0010] The inner cavity of said bowl is less than 1.3 liters and for example less than 1 liter. This configuration of said bowl ensures an efficient and fast cooking of food contained in said bowl (due to the close proximity between said lower heating means and said upper heating element and the food to be heated and due to the small volume of the cavity to be heated), confers a great compactness to the food heating apparatus according to the application and encourages the user to use the food heating apparatus according to the application to prepare meals for one person. Moreover, the small volume of said bowl confers a better energy efficiency to the apparatus equipped with such a bowl and reduces the environmental impact and the costs associated with the use of such an apparatus. Furthermore, the small volume of said bowl allows using the same container to prepare / cook and eat directly in it, which reduces the number of dishes to be cleaned by the user and also avoids the transfer of food between two different containers.

[0011] The food heating apparatus can also have one or more of the following features, which can be used alone or in combination.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the application, said bowl has a height less than 12 cm and preferably less than 10 cm.

[0013] This feature has the advantage of facilitating the grasping of said bowl with a single hand by placing the thumb on the upper edge of said bowl and the other fingers of the hand against the lower surface of said bowl.

[0014] This feature also allows facilitating the heating of food contained in said bowl with said lower heating means and said upper heating element contained in said lid.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the application, said bowl has a width less than 20 cm.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the application, the base comprises a support structure extending from the main casing at a height and configured to support the lid, the support structure being configured to extend around only a portion of the perimeter of the bowl when the bowl rests on the receiving surface of the base and to be configured to dispose an access opening configured to allow access to the bowl.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the application, the access opening extends at least 180°, for example at least 220°, from the perimeter of the bowl when the bowl rests on the receiving surface.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the application, the access opening is configured so that at least 50% of the circumference of the side wall of the bowl is exposed, i.e. directly accessible to a user, when the bowl rests on the receiving surface. This configuration of the access opening allows a user wishing to remove the bowl from the receiving surface at the end of cooking to firmly grasp the bowl with both hands and thus to transport the bowl safely to a tasting position. This configuration of the access opening also allows the bowl to be positioned on the receiving surface and similarly removed from the receiving surface according to various orientations angularly offset from one another, which confers enhanced ergonomics on the food heating appliance according to the application.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the application, the support structure extends only along a portion of the perimeter of the main casing.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the application, the access opening is configured to allow access to the bowl resting on the receiving surface from a first lateral side of the food heating appliance and from a second lateral side of the food heating appliance.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the application, the support structure is curved and extends substantially over an angular sector centered on the central vertical axis of the base and having an angle of between 10° and 180°, advantageously between 20° and 140° and for example between 30° and 120°.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the application, the support structure has a substantially circular arc-shaped cross-section along a plane section perpendicular to the central vertical axis of the base.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the application, the support structure is located in the rear of the base. This arrangement of the support structure confers further enhanced ergonomics on the food heating appliance according to the application, since the support structure does not hinder access to the bowl when the bowl rests on the receiving surface.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the application, the access opening is configured so that the bowl portion accessible through the access opening is exposed over its entire height when the bowl rests on the receiving surface. This configuration of the access opening further facilitates the access to the bowl when it rests on the receiving surface.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the application, the access opening has a height greater than the height of the bowl.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the application, the support structure is configured to extend substantially vertically when the food heating apparatus rests on a horizontal surface.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the application, the lower heating means is housed in the main casing of the base and can for example be disposed below the receiving surface.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the application, the lower heating means is an induction heating means. The induction heating means can for example comprise an induction coil configured to generate a magnetic field when the induction coil is powered.

[0029] According to one embodiment of the application, the lid comprises a heat shielding portion configured to be disposed inside the bowl, in particular to protrude inside the bowl, when the bowl rests on the receiving surface, so that the upper peripheral edge of the bowl is not directly subjected to the radiation of the upper heating element. The particular configuration of the lid, more particularly the fact that the lid is equipped with the upper heating element and the heat shielding portion, allows an optimal heating and / or cooking of the food contained in the bowl, while avoiding an excessive heating of the upper peripheral edge of the bowl. Thus, at the end of the cooking of the food, the user can safely grasp the bowl resting on the receiving surface of the base in order to taste its meal, without necessarily having to have a gripping handle present on the bowl, which would have the drawback of significantly increasing the manufacturing cost of the bowl and the volume of the bowl. Moreover, the user can safely taste its meal directly from the bowl used to cook the meal, without the risk of being scalded due to the contact with the peripheral edge of the bowl, since the temperature of the peripheral edge is low. Thus, the food heating apparatus according to the application allows an easy and quick preparation of a meal, while allowing a safe tasting of the meal directly from the bowl used to cook the meal.

[0030] According to one embodiment of the application, the heat shielding portion is configured to extend at least partially downwards when the food heating apparatus is in a condition of use.

[0031] According to one embodiment of the application, the heat shield portion and the receiving surface are spaced apart from each other by a separation distance less than the height of the bowl when the food heating apparatus is in the condition of use. Thus, when the food heating apparatus is in the condition of use, especially when the lid is in the closed position, the heat shield portion is at least partially inserted into the inner cavity of the bowl and reduces the volume of the cooking and / or heating cavity configured in the bowl. This feature allows to make the cooking or heating more efficient. This feature also allows to prevent the user from inserting his hand inside the bowl and to avoid the user from being scalded by contacting the lower surface of the lid.

[0032] According to one embodiment of the application, the upper heating element comprises a heating resistor.

[0033] According to one embodiment of the application, the upper heating element is configured to extend facing the bottom of the bowl when the food heating apparatus is in the condition of use and the bowl is resting on the receiving surface.

[0034] According to one embodiment of the application, the heat shield portion is configured to extend between the upper peripheral edge of the bowl and the upper heating element. This arrangement of the heat shield portion further limits the risk of heating of the upper peripheral edge of the bowl.

[0035] According to one embodiment of the application, the heat shield portion comprises an outer circumferential surface configured to extend facing the inner circumferential surface of the bowl, more particularly the inner circumferential surface of the upper portion of the side wall of the bowl.

[0036] According to one embodiment of the application, the food heating apparatus is configured so that, when the food heating apparatus is in the condition of use and the bowl is resting on the receiving surface, the central axis of the heat shield portion substantially coincides with the central axis of the bowl.

[0037] According to one embodiment of the application, the heat shield portion has an outer diameter less than the inner diameter of the upper peripheral edge of the bowl.

[0038] According to one embodiment of the application, the heat shield portion and the bowl are configured to delimit a space extending around the heat shield portion, advantageously an annular space. This configuration of the lid allows to facilitate the insertion of the heat shield portion inside the bowl and to move the hot portion of the lid away from the upper peripheral edge of the bowl and thus further limits the risk of heating of the upper peripheral edge of the bowl.

[0039] According to one embodiment of the application, the lid comprises a peripheral closing portion configured to cooperate, for example in a sealing manner, with the bowl so as to prevent the flow of hot air between the upper peripheral edge of the bowl and the heat shield portion. This configuration of the lid further limits the risk of heating of the upper peripheral edge of the bowl.

[0040] According to one embodiment of the application, the lid comprises a protection member, for example a protection plate or a protection grid, configured to prevent the user from accessing the upper heating element, the protection member being configured to extend below the upper heating element when the food heating device is in a condition of use. The presence of the protection member allows to reduce the risk of deterioration of the upper heating element by protecting it from food splashes. Advantageously, the protection member is removably mounted on the lid so as to facilitate its cleaning.

[0041] According to one embodiment of the application, the protection member is substantially transparent to the wavelengths of the radiation emitted by the upper heating element. Thus, the protection member does not hinder the cooking of food by the radiation emitted by the upper heating element.

[0042] According to one embodiment of the application, the base comprises a centering member protruding upward from the receiving surface and the bowl comprises a centering receptacle opening into the lower surface of the bowl and configured to receive the centering member when the bowl rests on the receiving surface. The centering member and the centering receptacle ensure an optimal positioning of the bowl relative to the receiving surface, in particular relative to the induction heating device when the food heating device is equipped with such an induction heating device.

[0043] According to one embodiment of the application, the lid comprises a steam evacuation circuit configured to evacuate the steam generated in the inner cavity of the bowl to the outside of the food heating device. The presence of such a steam evacuation circuit allows to reduce the steam pressure in the bowl and thus the risk of escape of steam through the upper peripheral edge of the bowl, which further limits the risk of heating of the upper peripheral edge of the bowl.

[0044] According to one embodiment of the application, the steam evacuation circuit comprises a first circuit end opening into the lower surface of the lid and a second circuit end opening into the upper surface of the lid.

[0045] According to one embodiment of the application, the steam evacuation circuit is arranged in a central portion of the lid and, for example, opens into a central portion of the lower surface of the lid. This arrangement of the circuit further limits the risk of heating of the upper peripheral edge of the bowl.

[0046] According to one embodiment of the application, the steam evacuation conduit is configured to extend substantially vertically when the food heating device is in use.

[0047] According to one embodiment of the application, the upper heating element extends at least partially around the steam evacuation conduit.

[0048] According to one embodiment of the application, the lid comprises a lid insert which is removably mounted in the steam evacuation conduit. This feature allows to modify the degree of steam restriction of the interior of the bowl and thus to adapt the cooking mode according to the desired result. The removability of the lid insert also allows to add ingredients during the cooking process through the steam evacuation conduit without having to open the lid and to manually stir the content of the bowl using a tool, for example a spoon, which can be inserted into the steam evacuation conduit. It also allows to visually access the interior of the bowl and in particular to visually check the cooking level.

[0049] According to one embodiment of the application, the lid insert comprises a steam guiding portion and an upper end wall, the steam guiding portion being tubular and configured to be fluidly connected to the inner cavity of the bowl, the upper end wall partially closing an upper end of the steam guiding portion, the upper end wall being provided with at least one steam evacuation opening.

[0050] According to one embodiment of the application, the bowl comprises a bowl body which at least partially delimits the inner cavity of the bowl and which comprises at least one thermal insulation layer which at least partially surrounds the bowl body.

[0051] According to one embodiment of the application, the thermal insulation layer comprises a thermal insulation coating made of a thermal insulation material, for example an elastomer, and which at least partially covers the outer surface of the bowl body.

[0052] According to one embodiment of the application, the bowl body is metallic and is provided with a bottom wall and a peripheral wall extending from the bottom wall. This configuration of the bowl allows on the one hand to cook the food contained in the bowl in an optimal manner since these foods are in contact with the bowl body which is metallic and whose heat conduction facilitates the cooking of the food, on the other hand allows that the bowl can be easily and safely handled since the presence of the thermal insulation coating avoids a direct contact between the fingers and / or the hand of the user and the bowl body which is relatively hot at the end of the cooking.

[0053] According to one embodiment of the application, the thermal insulation coating is molded independently of the bowl body and is then attached on the bowl body by folding a metallic element carried by the bowl body or by gluing.

[0054] According to one embodiment of the application, the thermally insulating coating is fixed to the bowl by overmolding.

[0055] According to one embodiment of the application, the thermally insulating coating is fixed to the bowl by overmolding.

[0056] According to one embodiment of the application, the thermally insulating coating comprises a lower surface configured to rest on the receiving surface. This configuration of the thermally insulating coating allows to position the bowl directly on a temperature sensitive support and / or to support the bowl by its lower surface after removal of the bowl from the receiving surface at the end of the cooking without the risk of scalding.

[0057] According to one embodiment of the application, the induction heating device comprises a temperature sensor configured to monitor the temperature of the bowl.

[0058] According to one embodiment of the application, the temperature sensor forms the centering member.

[0059] According to one embodiment of the application, the thermally insulating material is substantially transparent to the magnetic field generated by the induction heating device.

[0060] According to one embodiment of the application, the thermally insulating coating at least partially covers the outer surface of the peripheral wall of the bowl and at least partially covers the outer surface of the bottom wall of the bowl.

[0061] According to one embodiment of the application, the thermally insulating coating completely covers the outer surface of the peripheral wall of the bowl. This configuration of the bowl significantly limits the risk of scalding for the user when handling the bowl.

[0062] According to one embodiment of the application, the thermally insulating coating covers the upper end of the peripheral wall of the bowl and at least partially delimits the upper opening of the bowl. This configuration of the bowl further limits the risk of scalding for the user when handling the bowl or tasting the food contained in the bowl.

[0063] According to one embodiment of the application, the thermally insulating coating completely delimits the upper opening of the bowl.

[0064] According to one embodiment of the application, the thermally insulating coating partially covers the inner surface of the peripheral wall of the bowl, for example the inner surface of the upper end portion of the peripheral wall of the bowl. This configuration of the bowl further limits the risk of scalding for the user when tasting the food contained in the bowl.

[0065] According to one embodiment of the application, the thermally insulating coating extends over a height of at least 1.5 cm above the upper end of the peripheral wall of the bowl body, advantageously over a height of at least 2 cm. This feature allows to limit the heat emission in the upper part of the bowl, since the metal peripheral wall of the bowl body is not present in this area. This configuration thus allows to limit the risk of burns for a user who holds the bowl by grabbing the upper end of the peripheral wall with his thumb. This feature also allows to obtain a deformable upper end of the bowl, thus allowing to obtain a good seal between the lid and the bowl once the lid is in the closed position.

[0066] According to one embodiment of the application, the upper end of the peripheral wall of the bowl body delimits a retaining accommodation, for example an annular retaining accommodation, provided with an insertion opening, for example an annular insertion opening, opening into the internal cavity of the bowl body, and the thermally insulating coating comprises a retaining portion, for example an annular retaining portion, which is housed and retained in the retaining accommodation. This configuration of the bowl ensures a durable and solid fixing of the thermally insulating coating on the bowl body, which significantly limits the risk of separation of the thermally insulating coating and the bowl body and thus limits the degradation of the bowl.

[0067] According to one embodiment of the application, the thermally insulating coating comprises a lower opening positioned facing the bottom wall of the bowl body and configured to expose a central portion of the bottom wall of the bowl body.

[0068] According to one embodiment of the application, the temperature sensor is configured to extend through the lower opening when the bowl is resting on the receiving surface, and for example to be in contact with the bottom wall of the bowl body.

[0069] According to one embodiment of the application, the bowl comprises a metal insert configured to abut the lower opening configured in the thermally insulating coating. This metal insert allows to ensure the mechanical fixing of the thermally insulating coating at the edge of the lower opening. In particular, the metal insert has a portion which, in a first stage of the manufacturing process of the bowl, is inserted inside the lower opening, then, in a second stage, is bent against the lower surface of the thermally insulating coating to clamp the thermally insulating coating. This feature allows to ensure a sealed connection between the insert and the thermally insulating coating, and to avoid water penetration, in particular when the bowl is being washed.

[0070] According to one embodiment of the application, the thermally insulating coating is fixed to the metal insert, for example by overmolding.

[0071] According to one embodiment of the application, the lower heating means is a convection heating means or a conduction heating means or a radiation heating means, for example an infrared radiation heating means. According to this embodiment of the application, the lower wall of the bowl is exposed, i.e. not covered by the thermally insulating coating, so as to allow the bowl to be heated by the lower heating means.

[0072] According to one embodiment of the application, the lid is mobile between a closed position, in which the lid is configured to cover the bowl and to prevent access to the inner cavity of the bowl when the bowl is resting on the receiving surface, and an open position, in which the lid is configured to allow access to the inner cavity of the bowl when the bowl is resting on the receiving surface. This configuration of the lid allows the bowl to be easily positioned on the receiving surface when the lid is in the open position and also allows the bowl to be easily removed from the receiving surface, which provides a further enhanced ergonomics to the food heating apparatus according to the application.

[0073] According to one embodiment of the application, the food heating apparatus is in a condition of use when the lid occupies the closed position.

[0074] According to one embodiment of the application, in the closed position, the lid does not rest on the upper edge of the side wall of the bowl. In other words, a space is configured between the upper edge of the side wall of the bowl and the lower surface of the lid facing it. This feature allows to limit the heating of the upper edge of the bowl by avoiding a conductive heat transfer between the lid and the bowl.

[0075] According to one embodiment of the application, the open position of the lid is stable.

[0076] According to one embodiment of the application, the lid is mounted to pivot with respect to the base around a pivot axis, which can for example be located in the rear of the base. Advantageously, when the base is resting on a horizontal surface, the pivot axis extends substantially horizontally.

[0077] According to another embodiment of the application, the lid is fixed and positioned facing the receiving surface provided on the base.

[0078] According to one embodiment of the application, the lid comprises a protruding gripping portion configured to be grasped by a user when the lid is displaced between the open position and the closed position, the protruding gripping portion being configured to protrude beyond the side wall of the bowl when the food heating apparatus is in a condition of use and the bowl is resting on the receiving surface, and for example to extend radially beyond the side wall of the bowl. This configuration of the food heating apparatus according to the application allows a user wishing to displace the lid into the open position to firmly grasp the lid by the protruding gripping portion, which is remote from the hot portion of the lid, and thus to subsequently handle the lid safely. The presence of the protruding gripping portion thus significantly limits the risk of burns for a user when handling the lid.

[0079] By "protruding beyond the side wall of the bowl" can be understood that the protruding gripping portion protrudes horizontally beyond the side wall of the bowl and protrudes towards the outside of the food heating apparatus.

[0080] Advantageously, the protruding gripping portion is configured to protrude beyond the side wall of the bowl by a protruding distance greater than 1 cm and for example greater than 2 cm.

[0081] According to one embodiment of the application, the protruding gripping portion extends over at least a portion of the periphery of the lid.

[0082] According to one embodiment of the application, the protruding gripping portion is at least partially located in a front portion of the lid, i.e. in a portion of the lid intended to be positioned facing a user located in front of the food heating apparatus.

[0083] According to one embodiment of the application, the protruding gripping portion extends from a first lateral side of the lid to a second lateral side of the lid by passing through a front portion of the lid.

[0084] According to one embodiment of the application, the protruding gripping portion has a lower surface, for example a substantially flat lower surface, configured to be at least partially positioned facing the upper peripheral edge of the bowl when the food heating apparatus is in a condition of use and the bowl is resting on the receiving surface.

[0085] According to one embodiment of the application, the receiving surface is substantially circular.

[0086] According to one embodiment of the application, the receiving surface is flat.

[0087] According to one embodiment of the application, the lid comprises a reflector configured to deflect at least part of the radiation of the upper heating element towards the bowl when the food heating apparatus is in a condition of use and the bowl is resting on the receiving surface.

[0088] According to one embodiment of the application, the reflector is configured to extend above the upper heating element when the food heating appliance is in a condition of use.

[0089] According to one embodiment of the application, the reflector and the protective member delimit an inner portion, for example an annular inner portion, in which the upper heating element is arranged.

[0090] According to one embodiment of the application, the bowl is not provided with a gripping handle.

[0091] According to one embodiment of the application, the food heating appliance comprises a single bowl.

[0092] According to one embodiment of the application, the food heating appliance comprises a ventilator, which is mechanically connected to the lid and is configured to generate an air flow, the upper heating element being configured to heat the air flow generated by the ventilator. Thus, the food heating appliance according to the application allows cooking the food contained in the bowl according to a hot air cooking mode.

[0093] According to one embodiment of the application, the lower heating element has a power less than 1200 W and preferably less than 800 W.

[0094] According to one embodiment of the application, the upper heating element has a power less than 1200 W, preferably less than 800 W and advantageously between 300 W and 500 W.

[0095] According to one embodiment of the application, the lower heating element has a power higher than the power of the upper heating element. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0096] The application will be better understood with the help of the description that follows, with reference to the appended drawings, in which identical references denote structures and / or functions that are identical or similar.

[0097] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a food heating appliance according to the application.

[0098] Figure 2 is a front view of the food heating appliance of Figure 1 .

[0099] Figure 3 is a side view of the food heating appliance of Figure 1 .

[0100] Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the food heating appliance of Figure 1 .

[0101] Figure 5 isFigure 4 enlarged view of a detail of the food heating appliance of

[0102] Figure 6 Figure 1

[0103] Figure 7 Figure 1

[0104] Figure 8 Figure 1

[0105] Figure 9 Figure 1

[0106] Figure 10 Figure 1

[0107] Figure 11 Figure 10

[0108] Figure 12 Figure 11 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0109] Figures 1 to 12 A food heating appliance 2, more particularly an electrical cooking appliance, for cooking food, for example meat, fish, vegetables, rice, etc. is shown.

[0110] The food heating appliance 2 comprises a base 3 configured to rest on a flat support, for example a work plane. The base 3 comprises a main housing 4 provided with a receiving surface 5. Advantageously, the receiving surface 5 is flat and circular.

[0111] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the base 3 comprises a lower heating device 6 (see Figure 4 and Figure 9 ) housed in the main housing 4. Advantageously, the lower heating device 6 is an induction heating device and comprises an induction coil 7 located below the receiving surface 5 and configured to generate a magnetic field when the induction coil 7 is powered.

[0112] ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​The food heating device 2 also comprises a bowl 8 which is removable and which is configured to rest on the receiving surface 5 of the base 3 and to be heated, in particular by the lower heating means 6. The bowl 8 delimits an internal cavity 9 for containing food. Advantageously, the internal cavity 9 of the bowl 8 is less than 1 liter. Preferably, the height of the bowl is less than 10 cm and advantageously less than 8 cm, the width of the bowl is less than 20 cm and advantageously less than 16 cm. For example, the height of the bowl is approximately 7 cm and the width of the bowl is approximately 15 cm.

[0113] The bowl 8 also comprises a bottom 8.1 and a lateral wall 8.2 provided with an upper peripheral edge 11 delimiting an upper opening 12 through which food can be introduced into the internal cavity 9 delimited by the bowl 8.

[0114] More particularly as shown in Figure 11 , the bowl 8 comprises a bowl body 13 which is metallic, for example made of stainless steel, iron or similar material, and which at least partially delimits the internal cavity 9 of the bowl 8, and a thermal insulation coating 14 made of a thermal insulation material, for example an elastomer, and which at least partially covers the outer surface of the bowl body 13. Advantageously, the thermal insulation material is transparent to the magnetic field generated by the lower heating means 6.

[0115] The bowl body 13 comprises a bottom wall 13.1 and a peripheral wall 13.2 extending upwardly from the bottom wall 13.1, and the thermal insulation coating 14 at least partially covers the outer surface of the peripheral wall 13.2 of the bowl body 13 and at least partially covers the outer surface of the bottom wall 13.1 of the bowl body 13. The thermal insulation coating 14 comprises in particular a lower surface configured to rest on the receiving surface 5.

[0116] Advantageously, the thermal insulation coating 14 completely covers the outer surface of the peripheral wall 13.2 of the bowl body 13 and comprises a lower opening 15 (see in particular Figure 11 ) positioned facing the bottom wall 13.1 of the bowl body 13 and configured to expose a central portion of the bottom wall 13.1 of the bowl body 13. According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the bowl 8 comprises a metallic insert 16 fixed by welding or gluing against the bottom wall 13.1 of the metallic bowl body 13. The metallic insert 16 has a portion which, in a first stage of the manufacturing process of the bowl 8, is inserted into the internal opening 15 and then folded against the lower surface of the thermal insulation coating 14, clamping the thermal insulation coating 14 against the bottom wall 13.1 in order to keep the thermal insulation coating 14 in place and to ensure a sealed connection between the metallic insert 16 and the thermal insulation coating 14.

[0117] As shown in Figure 4 and Figure 6As shown, the base 3 comprises a centering member 17 which projects upwardly from the housing surface 5 and the bowl 8 comprises a centering housing 18 which is formed by the metal insert 16 and the bottom wall 13.1 of the bowl body 13 and which is configured to house the centering member 17 when the bowl 8 rests on the housing surface 5. This configuration of the base 3 and of the bowl 8 ensures an optimal relative position of the bowl 8 with respect to the lower heating device 6 and in particular with respect to the induction coil 7.

[0118] The centering member 17 can for example be formed by a temperature sensor which belongs to the lower heating device 6 and which is configured to monitor the temperature of the bowl body 13. Advantageously, the centering member 17 and thus the temperature sensor are configured to be in contact with the bottom wall 13.1 of the bowl body 13 when the bowl 8 rests on the housing surface 5.

[0119] More particularly as Figure 12 shown, the heat-insulating coating 14 covers the upper end of the peripheral wall 13.2 of the bowl body 13 and also partially covers the inner surface of the upper end portion of the peripheral wall 13.2 of the bowl body 13. Advantageously, the heat-insulating coating 14 extends over the entire inner periphery of the upper end portion of the peripheral wall 13.2 of the bowl body 13, completely delimiting the upper opening 12 of the bowl 8 and forming the upper peripheral edge 11 of the bowl 8.

[0120] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the upper end portion of the peripheral wall 13.2 of the bowl body 13 delimits a retaining housing 19, for example an annular retaining housing, for example an annular retaining groove, provided with an insertion opening 21, for example an annular insertion opening, which opens into the bowl body 13, and the heat-insulating coating 14 comprises a retaining portion 22, for example an annular retaining portion, for example an annular retaining flange, which is housed and retained in the retaining housing 19.

[0121] The food heating device 2 also comprises a lid 23 which is supported by the base 3 and which is configured to be placed above the bowl 8, i.e. to extend above the bowl 8 when the bowl 8 rests on the housing surface 5.

[0122] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the lid 23 is mounted so as to pivot about a pivot axis with respect to the base 3 between a closed position (see Figure 1 ) in which the lid 23 is configured to cover the bowl 8 and to prevent access to the content cavity 9 of the bowl 8 when the bowl 8 rests on the housing surface 5, and an open position (see Figure 7 ) in which the lid 23 is configured to permit access to the content cavity 9 of the bowl 8 when the bowl 8 rests on the housing surface 5. Advantageously, the open position of the lid 23 is stable and the pivot axis extends substantially horizontally when the base 3 rests on a horizontal surface.

[0123] The lid 23 is more particularly configured so that, when the lid 23 occupies the closed position and the bowl 8 rests on the receiving surface 5, the central axis of the lid 23 substantially coincides with the central axis of the bowl 8, and so that, when the lid 22 occupies the open position and the bowl 8 rests on the receiving surface 5, the central axis of the lid 23 does not intersect the bowl 8.

[0124] As Figure 4 illustrated, the lid 23 comprises a lid body 24 and an upper heating element 25 fixed to the lid body 24. The upper heating element 25 is more particularly configured to heat the food contained in the inner cavity 9 of the bowl 8 by infrared radiation. Advantageously, the upper heating element 25 is a heating resistor and is configured to extend facing the bottom wall 13.1 of the bowl body 13 when the lid 23 is in the closed position and the bowl 8 rests on the receiving surface 5. The upper heating element 25 can for example extend at least partially around the central axis of the lid 23.

[0125] According to one embodiment of the application, the food heating device 2 can be provided with a contactor (not illustrated in the figures) configured to detect the displacement of the lid 23 towards the open position, and the food heating device 2 can be configured to cut the power supply to the upper heating element 25 when the contactor detects the displacement of the lid 23 towards the open position. This feature has the advantage of limiting the inconvenience for the user and the risk of burns associated with the radiation of the upper heating element 25 when the lid 23 is in the open position.

[0126] According to the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the lid 23 further comprises a reflector 26 fixed to the lid body 24 and configured to deflect at least part of the radiation of the upper heating element 25 towards the bowl 8 when the lid 23 occupies the closed position and the bowl 8 rests on the receiving surface 5. Advantageously, the reflector 26 is configured to extend above the upper heating element 25 when the lid 23 occupies the closed position.

[0127] According to the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the lid 23 further comprises a protection member 27, for example a protection plate or a protection grid, fixed to the lid body 24 and configured to prevent the user from accessing the upper heating element 25, in particular when the lid 23 occupies the open position. The protection member 27 is configured to extend substantially horizontally below the upper heating element 25 when the lid 23 occupies the closed position and the base 3 rests on a horizontal surface. According to the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the protection member 27 is substantially transparent to the wavelengths of the radiation emitted by the upper heating element 25 and can for example be made of glass or glass-ceramic. Advantageously, the reflector 26 and the protection member 27 delimit an inner housing, for example an annular inner housing, in which the upper heating element 25 is disposed.

[0128] As Figure 4As shown, the lid 23, and more specifically the lid body 24, comprises a heat shielding portion 28 configured to extend downwards and protrude into the bowl 8 when the lid 23 occupies the closed position and the bowl 8 rests on the receiving surface 5. In other words, the heat shielding portion 28 and the receiving surface 5 are spaced apart from each other by a separation distance smaller than the height of the bowl 8 when the lid 23 occupies the closed position and the bowl 8 rests on the receiving surface 5.

[0129] The heat shielding portion 28 is more specifically configured so that the upper peripheral edge 11 of the bowl 8 is not directly subjected to the infrared radiation of the upper heating element 25 when the lid 23 occupies the closed position and the bowl 8 rests on the receiving surface 5.

[0130] As Figure 4 shown, the heat shielding portion 28 has a substantially cylindrical shape and is configured to extend between the upper peripheral edge 11 of the bowl 8 and the upper heating element 25. The heat shielding portion 28 comprises an outer circumferential surface 29 configured to extend facing the inner circumferential surface 31 of the bowl 8, and more specifically facing the upper portion of the side wall 8.2 of the bowl 8. Advantageously, the food heating device 2 is configured so that the central axis of the heat shielding portion 28 coincides with the central axis of the bowl 8 when the lid 23 is in the closed position and the bowl 8 rests on the receiving surface 5.

[0131] The heat shielding portion 28 has an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the upper peripheral edge 11 of the bowl 8. Thus, the heat shielding portion 28 and the bowl 8 are configured to delimit a space 32 extending around the heat shielding portion 28, advantageously an annular space. Advantageously, the space 32 has a width, measured in a radial direction with respect to the central axis of the bowl 8, comprised between 2 mm and 4 cm, for example between 2 mm and 1 cm.

[0132] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the lid 23 further comprises a steam evacuation conduit 33 configured to evacuate steam generated in the inner cavity 9 of the bowl 8 to the outside of the food heating device 2. The presence of such a steam evacuation conduit 33 allows to reduce the steam pressure in the bowl 8 and thus the risk of steam escaping through the upper peripheral edge 11 of the bowl 8, which further limits the risk of heating of the upper peripheral edge 11 of the bowl 8.

[0133] As Figure 4 shown, the steam evacuation conduit 33 is provided in a central portion of the lid 23 and the upper heating element 25 extends around the steam evacuation conduit 33. The steam evacuation conduit 33 can for example have a substantially circular cross-section. Advantageously, the steam evacuation conduit 33 is configured to extend substantially vertically when the lid 23 is in the closed position and the base 3 rests on a horizontal surface, and the protection member 27 comprises a central opening 27.1 configured to fluidically connect the inner cavity 9 of the bowl 8 to the steam evacuation conduit 33.

[0134] According to the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the lid 24 comprises a central passage forming the steam discharge circuit 33 and comprising a first passage end opening onto the lower face of the lid 23 and a second passage end opening onto the upper face of the lid 23, and the lid 23 comprises a lid insert 34 which is removably mounted in the central passage.

[0135] The lid insert 34 more particularly comprises a steam guide portion 34.1 which is tubular and which is configured to be fluidically connected to the internal cavity 9 of the bowl 8, and an upper end wall 34.2 which partially closes the upper end of the steam guide portion 34.1 and which is provided with a plurality of steam discharge openings 34.3.

[0136] According to the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the lid 23 comprises a peripheral closing portion 35 which is configured to cooperate, for example in a sealing manner, with the bowl 8, in particular with the upper portion of the side wall 8.2 of the bowl 8, so as to prevent the flow of hot air between the upper peripheral edge 11 of the bowl 8 and the heat shield portion 28.

[0137] The lid 23 also comprises a protruding gripping portion 36 which is configured to be gripped by a user when the lid 23 is displaced between the open position and the closed position. The protruding gripping portion 36 is configured to protrude beyond the side wall 8.2 of the bowl 8, in particular to extend radially beyond the side wall 8.2 of the bowl 8, when the lid 23 is in the closed position and the bowl 8 rests on the receiving surface 5. The protruding gripping portion 36 can for example be configured to protrude beyond the side wall of the bowl by a protruding distance D which is greater than 1 cm.

[0138] Advantageously, the protruding gripping portion 36 extends over at least a portion of the periphery of the lid 23. The protruding gripping portion 36 can for example extend from a first lateral side of the lid 23 to a second lateral side of the lid 23 by passing through the front portion of the lid 23, so as to in particular allow the lid 23 to be easily and safely gripped by a user positioned in front of the food heating device 2.

[0139] As Figure 5 illustrated, the protruding gripping portion 36 comprises a lower face, for example a substantially flat lower face, which is configured to be located above and at least partially facing the upper peripheral edge 11 of the bowl 8 when the lid 23 is in the closed position and the bowl 8 rests on the receiving surface 5. Advantageously, the lid 23 is configured so that the lower face of the protruding gripping portion 36 is located at a distance from the upper peripheral edge 11 of the bowl 8 when the lid 23 occupies the closed position and the bowl 8 rests on the receiving surface 5.

[0140] According to the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the base 3 comprises a support structure 37 extending from the main casing 4 at a height and configured to support the lid 23. Advantageously, the support structure 37 is located in the rear portion of the base 3 and is configured to extend substantially vertically when the base 3 rests on a horizontal surface.

[0141] As illustrated, the support structure 37 has a substantially circular arc-shaped cross section along a plane perpendicular to the central vertical axis of the base 3 and extends only along a portion of the perimeter of the main casing 4. The support structure 37 is configured to extend only around a portion of the perimeter of the bowl 8 when the bowl 8 rests on the receiving surface 5 of the base 3. Advantageously, the support structure 37 extends over an angular sector centered on the central vertical axis of the base 3 and having an angle, for example, comprised between 60° and 120°. Figure 8

[0142] The support structure 37 is more particularly configured to configure a reach opening 38 configured to allow reaching the bowl 8 and to allow positioning or removing the bowl 8 by at least one translational movement parallel to the extension plane of the receiving surface 5. The reach opening 38 extends from the perimeter of the bowl 8 by at least 180°, for example, at least 240° when the bowl 8 rests on the receiving surface 5. Thus, the reach opening 38 is configured so that at least 50% of the circumference of the side wall 8.2 of the bowl 8 is exposed, i.e. directly reachable by a user, when the bowl 8 rests on the receiving surface 5. This configuration of the reach opening 38 in particular allows a firm grip of the bowl 8 by the user with both hands in order to remove the bowl 8 from the receiving surface 5, in particular when the lid 23 occupies the open position. Advantageously, the reach opening 38 has a height greater than the height of the bowl 8 and is configured so that the bowl portion reachable through the reach opening 38 is exposed over its entire height when the bowl 8 rests on the receiving surface 5.

[0143] According to the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the reach opening 38 is configured to allow reaching the bowl 8 resting on the receiving surface 5 from a first lateral side of the food heating device 2, from a second lateral side of the food heating device 2 and also from the front portion of the food heating device 2.

[0144] The food heating device 2 also comprises a control unit 39 configured to control the operation of the food heating device 2 and a human-machine interface 41 configured to allow the user to select at least one operating parameter of the food heating device 2. Advantageously, the control unit 39 is provided in the main casing 4 of the base 3 and the human-machine interface 41 is provided in the front portion of the main casing 4 of the base 3.

[0145] One example of a method for cooking food using a food heating device 2 according to the application is described below.

[0146] ​This cooking method comprises the following steps: - moving the lid 23 into the open position; - positioning the bowl 8 on the housing surface 5; - inserting the food to be cooked into the inner cavity 9 of the bowl 8; - moving the lid 23 into the closed position; - selecting the operating parameters, such as the cooking temperature and the cooking duration, using the human-machine interface 41; and - cooking the food according to the selected operating parameters.

[0147] When the food cooking is completed, the user grasps the protruding grip portion 36 and safely moves the lid 23 into the open position, then firmly grasps the bowl 8 with one or both hands and transports it to its eating location.

[0148] The particular configuration of the access opening 38 allows in particular the user who wishes to remove the bowl 8 from the housing surface 5 at the end of the cooking to firmly grasp the bowl with one or both hands according to various orientations and to remove it from the housing surface 5, which confers enhanced ergonomics to the food heating apparatus 2 according to the application.

[0149] During the transportation of the bowl 8 to the eating location, if the user has grasped the bowl 8 with both hands, the palms of the user's hands are in contact with the outer surface of the thermal insulation coating 14 and therefore do not come into direct contact with the bowl body 13, which has a high temperature. When the user transports the bowl 8 with only one hand, the user generally positions the palm transporting the bowl 8 in contact with the outer surface of the thermal insulation coating 14 and positions the thumb of the hand transporting the bowl 8 against the inner circumferential surface of the upper part of the side wall 8.2 of the bowl 8 to ensure a firm grasp of the bowl 8. However, since the thermal insulation coating 14 defines this inner circumferential surface, the user's thumb does not come into direct contact with the bowl body 13, which has a high temperature as mentioned above.

[0150] The particular configuration of the bowl 8 according to the application thus avoids any risk of scalding for the user when transporting the bowl 8 after cooking the food contained in the bowl 8.

[0151] Furthermore, the user is not scalded during the eating of the food, since the upper peripheral edge 11 of the bowl 8 has a low temperature due to the fact that, during the food cooking step, the upper peripheral edge 11 of the bowl 8 is not directly subjected to the infrared radiation of the upper heating element 25.

[0152] According to one embodiment of the application not shown in the figures, the thermal insulation coating 14 can be fixed to the bowl body 13 by overmolding or gluing.

[0153] According to one embodiment of the application not shown in the figures, the thermal insulation coating 14 can be removable with respect to the bowl body 13.

[0154] According to an embodiment of the application, not shown in the figures, the lid 23 can be fixed with respect to the base 3 and has a lower surface facing the positioning of the housing surface 5 provided on the base 3.

[0155] According to an embodiment of the application, not shown in the figures, the lid 23 can be mounted in translational movement with respect to the main casing 4 of the base 3, in a displacement direction which is substantially vertical when the base 3 rests on a horizontal surface.

[0156] According to an embodiment of the application, not shown in the figures, the lower heating means 6 can be convection heating means, conduction heating means or also radiation heating means. According to this embodiment of the application, the lower wall of the bowl 13 is exposed, i.e. not covered by the heat insulating coating 14, so as to allow heating of the bowl 13 by the lower heating means 6.

[0157] According to an embodiment of the application, the food heating device 2 can comprise a ventilator, mechanically connected to the lid 23 and configured to generate an air flow, and the upper heating element 25 is configured to heat the air flow generated by the ventilator.

[0158] Of course, the application is in no way limited to the described and shown embodiments given by way of example. Modifications can be made, especially with regard to the configuration of the various elements or by substituting technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of the application.

Claims

1. A food heating device (2), comprising: - Base (3), the base (3) includes a main housing (4) provided with a receiving surface (5) and a lower heating device (6); - A bowl (8), which is detachable and configured to rest on a receiving surface (5) of the base (3), the bowl (8) including a bottom (8.1) and a side wall (8.2), the bottom (8.1) and the side wall (8.2) defining a content cavity (9) for containing food, the side wall (8.2) of the bowl (8) including an upper peripheral edge (11), the upper peripheral edge (11) defining an upper opening (12) through which food can be introduced into the content cavity (9) of the bowl (8), the lower heating device (6) configured to heat the food contained in the bowl (8) when the bowl (8) rests on the receiving surface (5); - A lid (23), which is supported by the base (3) and configured to be positioned above the bowl (8) when the bowl (8) is placed on the storage surface (5), the lid (23) including an upper heating element (25) configured to heat the food contained in the bowl (8); The inner cavity (9) of the bowl (8) is less than 1.3 liters.

2. The food heating device (2) according to claim 1, wherein, The base (3) includes a support structure (37) that extends from the main housing (4) at a certain height and is configured to support the lid (23). The support structure (37) is configured to extend only around a portion of the periphery of the bowl (8) when the bowl (8) is placed on the receiving surface (5) of the base (3), and is configured to provide an access opening (38) that allows access to the bowl (8).

3. The food heating device (2) according to claim 2, wherein, The access opening (38) is configured to allow access to the bowl (8) resting on the storage surface (5) from the first side and the second side of the food heating device (2).

4. The food heating device (2) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein, The support structure (37) is curved and extends substantially over a corner sector centered on the central vertical axis of the base (3) and having an angle between 10° and 180°.

5. The food heating device (2) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein, The support structure (37) is located in the rear part of the base (3).

6. The food heating device (2) according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein, The access opening (38) is configured such that the portion of the bowl that can be accessed through the access opening (38) when the bowl (8) is placed on the storage surface (5) is exposed at its entire height.

7. The food heating device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, The lower heating device (6) is an induction heating device.

8. The food heating device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein, The bowl (8) includes a bowl body (13) that at least partially defines the content cavity (9) of the bowl (8), and the bowl (8) includes at least one thermal insulation layer that at least partially surrounds the bowl body (13).

9. The food heating device (2) according to claim 8, wherein, The bowl (13) is made of metal and has a bottom wall (13.1) and a peripheral wall (13.2) extending from the bottom wall (13.1).

10. The food heating device (2) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein, The thermal insulation layer includes a thermal insulation coating (14) made of a thermal insulation material, and the thermal insulation coating (14) at least partially covers the outer surface of the bowl (13).

11. The food heating device (2) according to claim 10, wherein, The thermal insulation coating (14) covers the upper end of the peripheral wall (13.2) of the bowl (13) and at least partially defines the upper opening (12) of the bowl (8).

12. The food heating device (2) according to claim 11, wherein, The thermal insulation coating (14) partially covers the inner surface of the peripheral wall (13.2) of the bowl (13).

13. The food heating device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein, The cover (23) includes a heat shield (28) configured to be located inside the bowl (8) when the bowl (8) is placed on the storage surface (5), so that the upper peripheral edge (11) of the bowl (8) is not directly exposed to radiation from the upper heating element (25).

14. The food heating device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein, The cover (23) includes a protective member (27) configured to prevent a user from touching the upper heating element (25) and the protective member (27) is configured to extend below the upper heating element (25) when the food heating device (2) is in use.

15. The food heating device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein, The lid (23) includes a steam exhaust pipe (33) configured to exhaust steam generated in the inner cavity (9) of the bowl (8) to the outside of the food heating device (2).

16. The food heating device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein, The lid (23) moves between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the lid (23) is configured to cover the bowl (8) and prevent access to the contents (9) of the bowl (8) when the bowl (8) is placed on the storage surface (5). In the open position, the lid (23) is configured to allow access to the contents (9) of the bowl (8) when the bowl (8) is placed on the storage surface (5).

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