Electric cooking appliance

Abstract

The invention relates to an electric cooking appliance configured for cooking food and comprising a housing (2) including a receiving compartment (3), a cooking container (4) configured to be housed at least partially inside the receiving compartment (3), the cooking container (4) including a base (6), a cooking plate, and a hot air heating system (11) configured for heating and cooking the food. The cooking appliance includes a positioning system configured to position the cooking plate in at least a first cooking position in which the cooking plate extends into a first cooking plane and is located at a first distance from the base of the container (6), and in a second cooking position in which the cooking plate extends into a second cooking plane and is located at a second distance from the base of the container (6) that is less than the first distance. Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: Electric cooking appliance technical field

[0001] The present invention relates generally to an electric cooking appliance for cooking food products according to at least one hot air cooking method. State of the art

[0002] It is known from the prior art to use an electric cooking appliance configured for cooking food, and comprising:

[0003] - a housing comprising a receiving compartment;

[0004] - a cooking container configured to be housed at least partially inside the receiving housing, the cooking container comprising a base and peripheral walls extending from the base of the container and delimiting with the base of the container a cooking volume;

[0005] - a cooking plate configured to be supported by the cooking vessel and to support the food being cooked; and

[0006] - a hot air heating system configured to heat and cook food present inside the reception accommodation according to a hot air cooking method.

[0007] Such an electric cooking appliance allows the user to cook food products inside the cooking container, and more particularly on the cooking plate when the cooking plate is supported by the cooking container.

[0008] This type of electric cooking appliance is particularly efficient because it allows the user to cook food products inside the cooking container in an extremely simple way; all that is needed is to place the food products on the cooking plate and start the electric cooking appliance. However, such an electric cooking appliance has limited cooking performance due in particular to the specific position occupied by the cooking plate relative to the cooking container. Summary of the invention

[0009] The technical problem at the basis of the invention therefore consists of providing an electric cooking device, designed for cooking food products according to at least one hot air cooking method and which is modular, while being of simple, compact and economical structure.

[0010] To this end, the present invention relates to an electric cooking appliance configured for cooking food, and comprising:

[0011] - a housing comprising a receiving compartment;

[0012] - a cooking container configured to be housed at least partially inside the receiving housing, the cooking container comprising a base and peripheral walls extending from the base of the container and delimiting with the base of the container a cooking volume;

[0013] - a cooking plate, such as a cooking grid for example, configured for to be supported by the cooking vessel and to support the food being cooked; and

[0014] - a hot air heating system configured to heat and cook food present inside the reception accommodation according to at least one hot air cooking method;

[0015] The electric cooking appliance includes a positioning system configured to position the cooking plate according to at least a first cooking position in which the cooking plate extends into a first cooking plane and is located at a first distance from the bottom of the container, and according to a second cooking position in which the cooking plate extends into a second cooking plane and is located at a second distance from the bottom of the container which is less than the first distance, and the positioning system includes a support part disposed in the cooking container and a bearing part disposed on the cooking plate and configured to be supported by the support part, and therefore to bear on the support part, when the cooking plate occupies the first cooking position.

[0016] Such a configuration of the invention allows the cooking plate to be positioned in different positions relative to the bottom of the container, and thus to modify the distance between the food placed on the cooking plate and the heating system when the cooking plate rests on the cooking container. These arrangements make it possible to optimize cooking performance, and for example to obtain food that is more or less toasted or grilled, depending on the cooking position occupied by the cooking plate.

[0017] In addition, it is, for example, easier to catch salmon fillets when they are cooked on the hob in the first cooking position, rather than when cooked on the hob in the second cooking position.

[0018] The electric cooking appliance may also have one or more of the following characteristics, which may be taken alone or in combination.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the invention, the cooking plate and the support part are one piece.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the invention, the cooking plate is configured to be positioned within the cooking volume at least when it occupies the second cooking position, and for example also when it occupies the first position cooking only when it occupies the second cooking position.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the invention, the hot air heating system comprises a fan configured to generate an airflow in the cooking volume, and a drive unit configured to rotate the fan.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the invention, the hot air heating system is provided in an upper part of the housing.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the invention, the fan is configured to extend substantially opposite the cooking plate.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the invention, the hot air heating system further comprises a heating element, such as an electric heating resistance, configured to heat the airflow generated by the fan.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the invention, the cooking container and the cooking plate are configured to cooperate by complementary shape.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the invention, the cooking container has a cross-section of substantially rectangular or square shape.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the invention, the base of the container extends substantially horizontally when the cooking container is housed in the receiving housing and the housing rests on a horizontal surface.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first cooking surface and the second cooking surface are substantially parallel, and are configured to extend substantially horizontally when the housing rests on a horizontal surface.

[0029] Such a configuration of the invention advantageously allows good distribution of food on the cooking plate when the cooking plate occupies one or the other of the first and second cooking positions and when the lower housing rests on a horizontal surface.

[0030] According to one embodiment of the invention, the cooking vessel has an access opening delimited by an upper peripheral edge of the cooking vessel, the access opening being configured to allow the placement and removal of the cooking plate in and out of the cooking area, and in particular to allow the cooking plate to be placed in the first cooking position by at least one vertical translational movement, that is to say, substantially perpendicular to the bottom of the vessel. Such a configuration of the invention and of the access opening allows for simplified placement and removal of food from the cooking plate.

[0031] According to one embodiment of the invention, the support part comprises support members provided on the cooking vessel and configured to cooperate with and support the portion of support placed on the cooking plate when the cooking plate is in the first cooking position.

[0032] According to one embodiment of the invention, the cooking plate has a lower face configured to be oriented towards the bottom of the container and an upper face on which food to be cooked is intended to be placed, the support members being configured to cooperate with a peripheral portion of the lower face of the cooking plate when the cooking plate is in the first cooking position, said peripheral portion forming the support part.

[0033] According to one embodiment of the invention, each support member comprises an upper support face configured to support the bearing part disposed on the cooking plate, and more particularly with a respective portion of the lower face of the cooking plate, when the cooking plate occupies the first cooking position.

[0034] According to one embodiment of the invention, each support member is configured to protrude inside the cooking volume.

[0035] According to one embodiment of the invention, each support member is configured to extend substantially vertically when the housing rests on a horizontal surface.

[0036] According to one embodiment of the invention, each support member is a positioning block.

[0037] According to one embodiment of the invention, the support members are configured to allow the cooking plate to move from the first position to the second position by tilting the cooking plate around an axis of inclination. Such a configuration of the invention makes it possible to move the cooking plate from the first cooking position to the second cooking position without requiring any mechanical modification of the cooking plate.

[0038] According to one embodiment of the invention, the axis of inclination is a substantially horizontal axis passing through two of the opposite peripheral walls of the cooking container which do not have a support element.

[0039] According to one embodiment of the invention, the cooking plate, and advantageously the lower face of the cooking plate, is configured to rest on a lower support surface provided on the cooking container when the cooking plate is in the second cooking position, said lower support surface forming part of the positioning system.

[0040] According to one embodiment of the invention, the lower support surface extends over the inner perimeter of the cooking container, and over each of the peripheral walls, such that the lower support surface defines an internal peripheral border in the cooking volume.

[0041] According to one embodiment of the invention, the support members are provided on at least two of the peripheral walls of the cooking container.

[0042] According to one embodiment of the invention, the support members are distributed on two peripheral walls of the cooking container which are opposite each other.

[0043] According to one embodiment of the invention, the positioning system includes positioning recesses, such as positioning grooves for example, provided on the cooking plate, the positioning system being configured so as to allow movement of the cooking plate into the second cooking position, for example by a substantially vertical translational movement, when each support member is located opposite a respective positioning recess.

[0044] According to one embodiment of the invention, the positioning recesses are asymmetrical with respect to a median plane of the cooking plate which is perpendicular to an extension plane of the cooking plate.

[0045] According to one embodiment of the invention, the median plane defines a symmetry of the cooking plate's contour (excluding positioning recesses). Such a configuration of the invention allows cooperation between the cooking plate and an upper part of the cooking container in at least two orientations of the cooking plate, the two orientations being separated by 180° around an axis of rotation that is transverse to the first cooking surface. Advantageously, such a configuration of the invention makes it possible to obtain a cooking plate configured to move from the upper cooking position to the lower cooking position by a simple translational movement, and to obtain a cooking plate that rests on the support elements when the cooking plate is positioned within the cooking volume after a 180° rotation around the axis of rotation that is transverse to the first cooking surface.

[0046] According to one embodiment of the invention, each of the support members comprises two lateral guide portions substantially parallel to each other and configured to allow indexing and guidance of the cooking plate during its movement to the second cooking position.

[0047] According to one embodiment of the invention, the two lateral guide portions are configured to extend substantially vertically when the housing rests on a horizontal surface.

[0048] According to one embodiment of the invention, the lower portion extends from the bottom of the container to the lower support surface. Advantageously, this prevents food on the cooking plate from sitting in cooking juices when the cooking plate is positioned in the second cooking position.

[0049] According to one embodiment of the invention, the cooking container is removable from the housing.

[0050] According to one embodiment of the invention, the cooking container further comprises a gripping handle configured to allow the cooking container to be placed in and removed from the receiving housing, for example by a translational movement. Advantageously, the electric cooking appliance is configured such that the translational movement is substantially horizontal when the housing rests on a horizontal surface.

[0051] According to one embodiment of the invention, the gripping handle is provided on an outer face of one of the peripheral walls.

[0052] According to one embodiment of the invention, the gripping handle extends substantially vertically.

[0053] According to one embodiment of the invention, the cooking plate is configured to be housed in the cooking container both when it occupies the first cooking position and the second cooking position.

[0054] According to one embodiment of the invention, the housing comprises a cover configured to alternately occupy a closed position in which the cover prevents access to the receiving housing, and an open position in which the cover allows access to the receiving housing.

[0055] According to one embodiment of the invention, the cover is mounted pivoting around a pivot axis which is substantially horizontal when the housing rests on a horizontal surface.

[0056] According to one embodiment of the invention, the cooking plate includes gripping means, such as gripping fingers for example, which are configured to allow the cooking plate to be gripped by the insertion of the user's fingers, when the cooking plate is in the first cooking position or in the second cooking position.

[0057] According to one embodiment of the invention, each of the support members comprises two lateral guide portions substantially parallel to each other and configured to allow indexing and guiding of the cooking plate during its movement to the second cooking position.

[0058] According to one embodiment of the invention, the cooking plate is perforated, so that cooking juices produced by food placed on the cooking plate can flow by gravity into a lower portion of the cooking container.

[0059] The invention further relates to a method of using the electric cooking appliance according to the invention, the method of use comprising at least one step of pivoting the cooking plate around a pivot axis to reach one or the other of the first and second cooking positions.

[0060] According to one embodiment of the invention, a step of moving the cooking plate from the first cooking position to the second cooking position may comprise the following steps:

[0061] - lifting the cooking plate from the first cooking position and to distance from the support elements, for example according to a first upward translational movement substantially perpendicular to the first cooking surface,

[0062] - pivoting of the cooking plate around a pivot axis which is sen possibly perpendicular to the first cooking surface, so as to position the positioning recesses opposite the support elements, the pivoting of the cooking plate being for example achieved by a rotation of the cooking plate of 90° or 180° around the pivoting axis,

[0063] - movement of the cooking plate towards the bottom of the container until to reach the second cooking position, for example by means of a second downward translational movement substantially perpendicular to the first cooking surface.

[0064] According to one embodiment of the invention, a step of moving the cooking plate from the first cooking position to the second cooking position may comprise the following steps:

[0065] - lifting the cooking plate from the first cooking position and to distance from the support elements, for example according to a first upward translational movement substantially perpendicular to the first cooking surface,

[0066] - pivoting of the cooking plate around a first pivot axis possibly parallel to the first cooking surface in a first direction of pivoting and at a first pivoting angle between 10 degrees and 70 degrees, advantageously between 20 degrees and 60 degrees, and for example 40 degrees,

[0067] - movement of the cooking plate between the support members and in the direction of bottom of the container until the cooking plate is positioned below the support elements, for example, by means of a second downward translational movement substantially perpendicular to the first cooking surface,

[0068] - pivoting of the cooking plate around a second pivot axis possibly parallel to the first cooking surface, in a second direction of pivoting opposite to the first direction of pivoting and at a second angle of pivot substantially identical to the first angle of pivoting, so that the cooking plate extends substantially parallel to the second cooking surface,

[0069] - placing the cooking plate in the second cooking position, by example according to a third downward translational movement substantially perpendicular to the second cooking surface.

[0070] The first and second toasting effects of the food being cooked differ from each other due to the respective distance between the cooking plate and the system of heating in the first cooking position and the second cooking position.

[0071] Unless otherwise stipulated, the term "approximately" means, in this document, "exactly or to within 10% or to within 10°". Brief description of the figures

[0072] The present invention will be better understood with the aid of the following description with reference to the accompanying figures, in which identical reference signs correspond to structurally and / or functionally identical or similar elements.

[0073] [Fig-1] is a perspective view of an electric cooking appliance according to a first embodiment of the invention;

[0074] [Fig.2] is a side cross-sectional view of the electric cooking appliance of [Fig.1];

[0075] [Fig.3] is a top perspective view of a cooking vessel belonging to the electric cooking appliance of [Fig.1];

[0076] [Fig.4] is a schematic cross-sectional view of the cooking vessel of [Fig.3];

[0077] [Fig.5] is a schematic cross-sectional view of the cooking vessel of [Fig.3] in in which a cooking plate is positioned in a first cooking position;

[0078] [Fig.6] is a schematic cross-sectional view of the cooking vessel of [Fig.3] in which the cooking plate is positioned in a second cooking position;

[0079] [Fig.7] is a schematic cross-sectional view of the container in [Fig.3] in which the cooking plate moves from the first cooking position to the second cooking position;

[0080] [Fig.8] is a top perspective view of a cooking container and a cooking plate belonging to an electric cooking appliance according to a second embodiment of the invention;

[0081] [Fig.9] is a top perspective view of the cooking vessel and the cooking plate of [Fig.8] in which the cooking plate occupies respectively the first cooking position and the second cooking position;

[0082] [Fig. 10] is a top view of the cooking vessel of [Fig.9] in which the cooking plate occupies respectively the first cooking position and the second cooking position. Detailed description

[0083] Figures 1 to 7 represent all or part of an electric cooking appliance 1 configured for cooking food and according to a first embodiment of the invention. The electric cooking appliance 1 includes, in particular, a housing 2 defining a receiving compartment 3, a cooking container 4 configured to be housed inside the receiving compartment 3, and a cooking plate 5 configured to be supported by the cooking container 4 and intended to support the food to be cooked.

[0084] As shown in the figures, the cooking container 4 comprises a base 6 and peripheral walls 7 extending from the base 6 and defining, together with the base 6, a cooking volume 8. The base 6 extends substantially horizontally when the cooking container 4 is housed in the receiving compartment 3 and the housing 2 rests on a horizontal surface. The cooking plate 5 more specifically comprises a lower face configured to be oriented towards the base 6, and an upper face on which food to be cooked is intended to be placed.

[0085] The cooking vessel 4 further comprises a lower support surface 9 which extends over the inner perimeter of the cooking vessel 4 and over each of the peripheral walls 7, such that the lower support surface 9 defines an internal peripheral border in the cooking volume 8. Advantageously, the base of the vessel 6 and the lower support surface 9 define a lower portion 10 of the cooking vessel 4 whose function will be detailed below.

[0086] According to the embodiment shown in figures 1 to 7, the cooking container 4 has a cross-section of substantially rectangular shape, and is configured to cooperate by complementarity of shape with the cooking plate 5.

[0087] In order to facilitate the handling and cleaning of the cooking container 4, the latter is advantageously removable in relation to the housing 2.

[0088] According to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 7, the cooking plate 5 is perforated and can be considered a cooking grid. This configuration of the cooking plate 5 advantageously allows the cooking juices produced by the food during cooking to flow by gravity into the lower portion 10 of the cooking container 4.

[0089] The electric cooking appliance 1 further comprises a hot air heating system 11 configured to heat and cook the food inside the receiving compartment 3 according to at least one hot air cooking mode. The hot air heating system 11 is advantageously provided in an upper part of the housing 2 and includes a fan 11.1 configured to generate an airflow in the cooking volume 8. The hot air heating system 11 further comprises a drive unit 11.2 configured to rotate the fan 11.1 when the electric cooking appliance 1 is used in hot air cooking mode. The hot air heating system 11 further comprises a heating element 11.3, such as an electric heating element, configured to heat the airflow generated by the fan 11.1. Advantageously, and in order to obtain efficient hot air cooking, the fan 11.1 and the heating element 11.3 are configured to extend substantially opposite the cooking plate 5, and consequently, opposite the food on the cooking plate 5.

[0090] The electric cooking appliance 1 further comprises a positioning system 12 configured to position the cooking plate 5 in a first cooking position in which the cooking plate 5 extends into a first cooking zone P1 and is located at a first distance from the bottom of the container 6, and in a second cooking position in which the cooking plate 5 extends into a second cooking zone P2 and is located at a second distance from the bottom of the container 6 that is less than the first distance. Such a configuration of the invention makes it possible to modify the distance between the food positioned on the cooking plate 5 and the hot air heating system 11 when the cooking plate 5 rests on the cooking container 4. This advantageously makes it possible to influence the expected result during cooking, namely, food that is more or less grilled or browned, for example.More specifically, cooking food placed on the cooking plate 5 in the first cooking position produces an initial charring or browning effect, while cooking food on the cooking plate 5 in the second cooking position produces a second charring or browning effect that is less pronounced than the initial charring or browning effect.

[0091] More specifically, the first cooking surface PI and the second cooking surface P2 are substantially parallel and are configured to extend substantially horizontally when the housing 2 rests on a horizontal surface. Such a configuration of the invention advantageously allows for good food distribution on the cooking surface 5 when the cooking surface 5 is in either of the first or second cooking positions and when the lower housing 2 rests on a horizontal surface.

[0092] For obvious reasons related to the use of the electric cooking appliance 1, the cooking container 4 has an access opening delimited by an upper peripheral edge 13 of the cooking container 4. The access opening is configured to allow the cooking plate 5 to be placed in the first cooking position and removed by at least one upward vertical translational movement, that is to say a movement which is substantially perpendicular to the bottom of the container 6. Such a configuration of the invention and of the access opening allows for a simplified placement and removal of food on the cooking plate 5.

[0093] The positioning system 12 includes in particular a support part 12.1 disposed in the cooking container 4, and a support part disposed on the cooking plate 5 and configured to be supported by the support part 12.1 when the cooking plate 5 occupies the first cooking position.

[0094] According to the first embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 1 to 7, the support part 12.1 comprises support members 14 provided on the cooking vessel 4 and located in the same plane of extension which is parallel to the bottom of the vessel 6. The support elements 14 are configured to protrude inside the cooking volume 8 and are similar to positioning blocks.

[0095] The support members 14 are configured to cooperate with and support a peripheral portion 15 of the underside of the cooking plate 5 when the cooking plate 5 is in its first cooking position. Thus, according to the first embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 1 to 7, the peripheral portion 15 forms the aforementioned support part, and the cooking plate 5 and the support part are a single unit.

[0096] Advantageously, the cooking container 4 comprises four support members 14 distributed on two opposite peripheral walls 7 of the cooking container 4 such that two of the support members 14 are provided on a first peripheral wall 7 and the other two support members 14 are provided on a peripheral wall 7 opposite the first peripheral wall 7. Each support member 14 comprises an upper support face 16 configured to support a respective portion of a lower face of the peripheral portion 15 when the cooking plate 5 is in the first cooking position.

[0097] According to the first embodiment of the invention, the support members 14 are configured to allow the cooking plate 5 to move from the first cooking position to the second cooking position by tilting the cooking plate 5 around an axis of inclination that is substantially horizontal and passing through two of the opposite peripheral walls 7 of the cooking container 4 which do not have a support member 14. Such a configuration of the invention makes it possible to easily move the cooking plate 5 from the first cooking position to the second cooking position, without any mechanical modification of the cooking plate 5.

[0098] According to the first embodiment of the invention, the lower support surface 9 forms part of the positioning system 12, and is configured to support the cooking plate 5 horizontally and in the second cooking position.

[0099] A method of using the electric cooking appliance 1 according to the first embodiment of the invention is described below.

[0100] When a user wishes to cook food on the cooking plate 5 in the second cooking position, and more particularly to move the cooking plate 5 from the first cooking position to the second cooking position, the operating procedure includes the following steps:

[0101] - lifting the cooking plate 5 from the first cooking position and to distance of the support members 14, for example according to a first upward translational movement substantially perpendicular to the first cooking surface PI,

[0102] - pivoting of the cooking plate 5 around a first pivoting axis sen possibly parallel to the first cooking surface PI (and therefore substantially horizontal) in a first direction of pivoting and according to a first pivoting angle between 10 degrees and 70 degrees, advantageously between 20 degrees and 60 degrees, and such as for example 40 degrees,

[0103] - movement of the cooking plate 5 between the support members 14 and in direction of the bottom of the container 6 until the cooking plate 5 is located below the support members 14, for example according to a second downward translational movement substantially perpendicular to the first cooking surface PI,

[0104] - pivoting of the cooking plate 5 around a second pivot axis possibly parallel to the first cooking zone PI, in a second direction of pivoting opposite to the first direction of pivoting and at a second angle of pivot substantially identical to the first angle of pivoting, such that the cooking plate 5 extends substantially parallel to the second cooking zone P2,

[0105] - movement of the cooking plate 5 towards the bottom of the container 6 until to reach the second cooking position, for example by means of a third downward translational movement substantially perpendicular to the second cooking plane P2.

[0106] A user wishing to move the cooking plate 5 from the second cooking position to the first cooking position could easily carry out the operations described above in reverse chronological order.

[0107] A second embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 8 to 10. The second embodiment of the invention differs from the first embodiment essentially by the positioning and configuration of the support members 14.

[0108] According to the second embodiment of the invention, the cooking container 4 comprises three support members 14, two of the support members 14 being provided on a first peripheral wall 7 while the third support member 14 is provided on a peripheral wall 7 opposite to the first peripheral wall 7.

[0109] The configuration of the support members 14 also differs between the first and second embodiments of the invention in that each of the support members 14 comprises two lateral guide portions 17 that are substantially parallel to each other and configured to allow indexing and guidance of the cooking plate 5 during its movement to the second cooking position. Each lateral guide portion 17 is configured to extend substantially vertically when the housing 2 rests on a horizontal surface.

[0110] Figures 9 and 10 each show the cooking plate 5 respectively in the first cooking position and in the second cooking position.

[0111] The second embodiment of the invention also differs from the first embodiment of embodiment of the invention in that the cooking plate 5 further comprises positioning recesses 18, such as positioning grooves for example, provided on the cooking plate 5. The positioning system 12 is thus configured so as to allow movement of the cooking plate 5 into the second cooking position by a substantially vertical translational movement when each support member 14 is located opposite a respective positioning recess.

[0112] The positioning recesses 18 of the cooking plate 5 are asymmetrical with respect to a median plane of the cooking plate 5 which is perpendicular to an extension plane of the cooking plate 5. The median plane defines a symmetry of the contour of the cooking plate 5 (excluding the positioning recesses 18). Such a configuration of the invention allows cooperation between the cooking plate 5 and an upper part of the cooking container 4 in at least two orientations of the cooking plate 5, the two orientations being angularly offset by 180° around an axis of rotation which is transverse to the first cooking plate PL

[0113] According to the second embodiment shown in Figures 8 to 10, the cooking plate 5 advantageously comprises gripping means 19, such as gripping openings, configured to allow the user to grip the cooking plate 5 by inserting their fingers. The gripping means 19 advantageously allow the user to grip the cooking plate 5 in both the first and second cooking positions.

[0114] According to the second embodiment of the invention, the cooking container 4 further comprises a gripping handle 21 configured to allow the cooking container 4 to be placed in and removed from the receiving housing 3, for example by a translational movement. The gripping handle 21 is provided on an outer face of one of the peripheral walls 7 and extends substantially vertically. Advantageously, the electric cooking appliance 1 is configured such that the translational movement is substantially horizontal when the housing 2 rests on a horizontal surface.

[0115] A method of using the electric cooking appliance 1 according to the second embodiment of the invention is described below.

[0116] When a user wishes to cook food on the cooking plate 5 in the second cooking position, and more particularly to move the cooking plate 5 from the first cooking position to the second cooking position, the operating procedure includes the following steps:

[0117] - lifting the cooking plate 5 from the first cooking position and to distance of the support members 14, for example according to a first upward translational movement substantially perpendicular to the first cooking surface PI,

[0118] - pivoting of the cooking plate 5 around a pivot axis which is sen possibly perpendicular to the first cooking surface PI, so as to position the positioning recesses 18 opposite the support elements 14, the pivoting of the cooking plate 5 being advantageously achieved by a rotation of the cooking plate 5 of 180° around the pivoting axis,

[0119] - movement of the cooking plate 5 towards the bottom of the container 6 until to reach the second cooking position, for example by means of a second downward translation movement substantially perpendicular to the first cooking plane PI,

[0120] A user wishing to move from the second cooking position to the first cooking position could easily carry out the manipulations described above in reverse chronological order.

[0121] In addition to the two embodiments of the invention described above, the electric cooking appliance 1 may have variant embodiments detailed below. The housing 2 could include a cover configured to occupy alternately a closed position in which the cover prevents access to the receiving compartment 3, and an open position in which the cover allows access to the receiving compartment 3. In this variant embodiment, the cover is pivotally mounted about a pivot axis that is substantially horizontal when the housing 2 rests on a horizontal surface.

[0122] Of course, the present invention is in no way limited to the embodiments described and illustrated, which have been given only by way of example. Modifications remain possible, particularly with regard to the construction of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

Claims

1. An electric cooking appliance (1) configured to cook food, and comprising: - a housing (2) comprising a receiving housing (3); - a cooking container (4) configured to be housed at least partly inside the receiving housing (3), the cooking container (4) comprising a container bottom (6) and peripheral walls (7) extending from the container bottom (6) and delimiting with the container bottom (6) a cooking volume (8); - a cooking plate (5) configured to be supported by the cooking container (4) and to support the food to be cooked; - a hot air heating system (11) configured to heat and cook the food present inside the receiving housing (3) according to at least one hot air cooking mode;characterized in that the electric cooking appliance (1) comprises a positioning system (12) configured to position the cooking plate (5) according to at least a first cooking position in which the cooking plate (5) extends in a first cooking plane (PI) and is located at a first distance from the container bottom (6), and according to a second cooking position in which the cooking plate (5) extends in a second cooking plane (P2) and is located at a second distance from the container bottom (6) which is less than the first distance, and in that the positioning system (12) comprises a support part (12.1) arranged in the cooking container (4) and a support part arranged on the cooking plate (5) and configured to be supported by the support part (12.1) when the cooking plate (5) occupies the first cooking position.;

2. Cooking appliance according to claim 1, wherein the cooking plate (5) and the support part are in one piece.

3. A cooking appliance according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first cooking surface (PI) and the second cooking surface (P2) are substantially parallel, and are configured to extend substantially horizontally when the housing (2) rests on a horizontal surface.

4. A cooking appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cooking container (4) comprises an access opening delimited by an upper peripheral edge (13) of the cooking container (4), the access opening being configured to allow the placement and removal of the cooking plate (5) in and out of the cooking volume (8).

5. Cooking appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the support portion (12.1) comprises support members (14) provided on the cooking container (4) and configured to cooperate with and support the support portion arranged on the cooking plate (5) when the cooking plate (5) occupies the first cooking position.

6. Cooking appliance according to claim 5, in which the cooking plate (5) comprises a lower face configured to be oriented towards the bottom of the container (6) and an upper face on which food to be cooked is intended to be placed, the support members (14) being configured to cooperate with a peripheral portion (15) of the lower face of the cooking plate (5) when the cooking plate (5) occupies the first cooking position, said peripheral portion (15) forming the support part.

7. A cooking appliance according to claim 5 or 6, wherein each support member (14) is configured to project into the cooking volume (8).

8. Cooking appliance according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the support portion, arranged on the cooking plate (5), is configured to rest on a lower support surface (9) provided on the cooking container (4) when the cooking plate (5) is in the second cooking position, said lower support surface (9) partly forming the positioning system (12).

9. A cooking appliance according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the support members (14) are provided on at least two of the peripheral walls (7) of the cooking container (4).

10. A cooking appliance according to any one of claims 5 to 9, wherein the positioning system (12) comprises positioning recesses (18) provided on the cooking plate (5), the positioning system (12) being configured so as to allow movement of the cooking plate (5) into the second cooking position, when each support member (14) is located opposite a respective positioning recess (18).

11. A cooking appliance according to claim 10, wherein the positioning recesses (18) are asymmetrical with respect to a median plane of the cooking plate (5) which is perpendicular to an extension plane of the cooking plate (5).

12. Cooking appliance according to any one of claims 5 to 11, in which each of the support members (14) comprises two lateral guide portions (17) substantially parallel to each other and configured to allow the indexing and guiding of the cooking plate (5) during its movement towards the second cooking position.

13. A cooking appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the cooking plate (5) is perforated, such that cooking juices produced by food placed on the cooking plate (5) can flow by gravity into a lower portion (10) of the cooking container (4).

14. A method of using an electric cooking appliance (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, the method of using comprising at least one step of pivoting the cooking plate about a pivot axis to reach either the first cooking position or the second cooking position.

15. A method of use according to claim 14, wherein the electric cooking appliance is according to claim 10 or 11 and wherein a step of moving the cooking plate (5) from the first cooking position to the second cooking position comprises at least the following steps: - lifting the cooking plate (5) from the first cooking position and away from the support members (14), - pivoting the cooking plate (5) about a pivot axis which is substantially perpendicular to the first cooking plane (PI), so as to position the positioning recesses (18) opposite the support members (14), - moving the cooking plate (5) in the direction of the container bottom (6) until reaching the second cooking position.

16. A method of use according to claim 14, wherein the electric cooking appliance is according to any one of claims 5 to 9 and wherein a step of moving the cooking plate from the first cooking position to the second cooking position comprises at least the following steps: - lifting the cooking plate (5) from the first cooking position and away from the support members (14), - pivoting of the cooking plate (5) around a first pivot axis substantially parallel to the first cooking surface (PI) in a first pivoting direction and according to a first pivoting angle of between 10 degrees and 70 degrees, - moving the cooking plate (5) between the support members (14) and in the direction of the container bottom (6) until the cooking plate (5) is located below the support members (14), - pivoting the cooking plate (5) about a second pivot axis substantially parallel to the first cooking surface (PI), in a second pivoting direction opposite to the first pivoting direction and at a second pivoting angle substantially identical to the first pivoting angle, such that the cooking plate (5) extends substantially parallel to the second cooking surface (P2), - placing the cooking plate (5) in the second cooking position.

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