Electric cooking appliance with a cooking accessory

Abstract

The invention relates to an electric cooking appliance (1) configured for cooking food, comprising a lower housing (2), a cooking plate (5) supported by the lower housing (2), and a cooking container (6) comprising a base (21) and configured to occupy a usage configuration in which the cooking container (6) rests on the cooking plate (5). The electric cooking appliance (1) includes a positioning device (24) configured to position the base (21) substantially horizontally when the cooking container (6) is in the usage configuration and the lower housing (2) rests on a horizontal receiving support. Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Electric cooking appliance comprising a cooking accessory technical field

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

[0002] The invention finds particular application in electric grill-type cooking appliances using at least one hot air cooking mode. State of the art

[0003] It is known from the prior art to use an electric cooking appliance configured for cooking food, and comprising:

[0004] - a lower housing configured to rest on a receiving support,

[0005] - a cooking plate supported by the lower housing and comprising a base of plate which is configured to be tilted relative to the horizontal when the lower housing rests on a horizontal receiving support,

[0006] - a cooking vessel comprising a base and peripheral walls defining an internal volume, the cooking vessel being configured to occupy a usage configuration in which the cooking vessel rests on the hob,

[0007] - a cover configured to occupy a closed position in which the The lid surmounts the internal volume, and an opening position in which the lid allows access to the internal volume, and

[0008] - a heating element configured to heat and cook the food present in the internal volume.

[0009] Such a device allows a user to cook food products inside the cooking container, the cooking container being in the configuration of use resting on the cooking plate.

[0010] This type of device is particularly efficient because it allows the user to cook food inside the cooking vessel without having to remove the cooking plate. However, such a device has major drawbacks, the first being the tilting of the cooking vessel resulting from using the cooking plate as a support, which leads to the accumulation of sauces or liquids from the recipe towards the front of the cooking vessel. Another drawback lies in the precarious placement of the cooking vessel on the cooking plate, as the cooking vessel can move on the plate's surface and thus prevent the lid from closing properly during cooking. Summary of the invention

[0011] The present invention aims to remedy, partially or totally, the aforementioned drawbacks.

[0012] The technical problem underlying the invention therefore consists of providing an electric cooking device designed to ensure homogeneous cooking of food products inside a cooking container, which is of simple, compact and economical structure.

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

[0014] - a lower housing,

[0015] - a cooking plate supported by the lower housing, the cooking plate comprising a plate base and peripheral edges extending from the plate base and defining with the plate base a first internal volume, the plate base being configured to be inclined relative to the horizontal when the lower housing rests on a receiving support which is horizontal,

[0016] - a cooking vessel comprising a base and peripheral walls extending from the base of the container and defining a second internal volume, the cooking container being configured to occupy a usage configuration in which the cooking container rests on the hob,

[0017] - a cover configured to occupy a closed position in which the The lower housing and lid define a cooking volume and prevent access to the cooking vessel when the cooking vessel is in its operating configuration, and an opening position in which the lid is configured to allow access to the cooking vessel when the cooking vessel is in its operating configuration.

[0018] - a heating system configured to heat and cook food received in the cooking volume, and for example received on the hob or in the cooking container,

[0019] The electric cooking appliance includes a positioning device configured to position the bottom of the container substantially horizontally when the cooking container is in the operating configuration and the lower housing rests on a receiving support which is horizontal.

[0020] Such a configuration of the electric cooking appliance allows for even cooking of the food inside the cooking container. Indeed, the horizontal position of the base of the cooking container prevents the food from sticking together on one side of the cooking container.

[0021] The electric cooking appliance may also have one or more of the following characteristics: the following risks, which can be taken alone or in combination.

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

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

[0024] According to one embodiment of the invention, the lid is configured to surmount the cooking plate and the cooking container when the lid is in the closed position and the cooking container is in the operating configuration.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the invention, the heating system comprises a lower heating device, such as an electric heating element for example, disposed under the cooking plate and a hot air heating device disposed in the lid.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the invention, the hot air heating device includes an air circulation device configured to generate an airflow over the food received in the cooking volume, and for example received on the cooking plate or in the cooking container, when the lid is in the closed position.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the invention, the hot air heating device includes a heating element, such as an electric heating resistance for example, configured to heat the airflow generated by the air circulation device.

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

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

[0030] According to one embodiment of the invention, the drive device comprises an electric motor, for example.

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

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

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

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

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

[0036] According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one positioning member has an arc-shaped circular form.

[0037] According to one embodiment of the invention, the cooking container has an overall rectangular shape, and the positioning device comprises four positioning members provided on the cooking plate and protruding from the bottom of the plate, each positioning member being configured to extend in relation to a respective corner part of the bottom of the container.

[0038] According to one embodiment of the invention, the cooking container is configured to rest, and for example to rest only, on the positioning members when the cooking container is in the usage configuration.

[0039] According to one embodiment of the invention, the positioning members are configured to index the cooking container in a predetermined position when the cooking container occupies the usage configuration.

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

[0041] According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one positioning element is a peripheral groove provided on an underside face of the bottom of the container and extending around the perimeter of said bottom of the container.

[0042] According to one embodiment of the invention, the cooking plate comprises four positioning elements designed to extend from each corner of the cooking vessel. This configuration of the invention allows for indexing, and therefore easier positioning, of the cooking plate and the cooking vessel in the operating configuration. Indeed, the specific shape of the positioning element and the positioning component advantageously allows for centering the cooking vessel on the cooking plate. Thus, the closure of the lid of the electric cooking appliance is not obstructed by incorrect positioning of the cooking vessel in the operating configuration.

[0043] According to one embodiment of the invention, the cooking plate comprises a first pair of positioning elements which are located in a front part of the cooking plate and which have a first height, and a second pair of positioning elements which are located in a rear part of the cooking plate and which have a second height which is lower than the first height.

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

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

[0046] According to one embodiment of the invention, the electric cooking appliance includes a collection tray configured to collect cooking juices from the cooking plate, and wherein the cooking plate further includes a drain opening into the first internal volume and configured to be located vertically directly above the collection tray. Advantageously, the drain opening is configured to allow the cooking juices contained in the first internal volume to flow by gravity into the collection tray.

[0047] According to one embodiment of the invention, the collection tray is arranged in a front part of the lower housing.

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

[0049] According to one embodiment of the invention, the base of the plate comprises at least one inclined guide surface which is configured to guide and direct cooking juices contained in the first internal volume towards the drainage orifice.

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

[0051] According to one embodiment of the invention, the drainage orifice is provided on the bottom of the plate.

[0052] According to one embodiment of the invention, the cooking plate has support ribs provided on the base of the plate and configured to support food placed on the cooking plate.

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

[0054] According to one embodiment of the invention, the support ribs each have a contact surface which is configured to extend substantially horizontally when the lower housing rests on a horizontal surface.

[0055] According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one positioning member protrudes from the upper faces of the support ribs.

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

[0057] According to one embodiment of the invention, the support ribs delimit cooking juice flow channels configured to guide and direct at least part of the cooking juices contained in the first internal volume towards the drain orifice.

[0058] According to one embodiment of the invention, the cooking plate further comprises a collection channel configured to collect cooking juices flowing into the cooking juice drainage channels and to guide and direct said cooking juices towards the drainage outlet. Advantageously, the collection channel comprises a container base that is inclined and configured to guide and direct the cooking juices contained in the collection channel towards the drainage outlet. The collection channel may, for example, extend along a front edge of the cooking plate.

[0059] According to one embodiment of the invention, the cooking vessel further comprises a drain orifice configured to extend vertically above the cooking plate when the cooking vessel is in its operating configuration. This configuration of the invention advantageously allows cooking juices to be conveyed from the cooking vessel to the cooking plate through the drain orifice, and then from the cooking plate to the collection tray through the discharge orifice.

[0060] According to one embodiment of the invention, the cooking plate is removable from the lower housing.

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

[0062] Unless otherwise stipulated, the term "substantially" means, in this document, "exactly or to within 10% or to within 10°". Brief description of the figures

[0063] 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.

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

[0065] [Fig.2] is a cross-sectional view of a cooking container and a cooking plate ap part of the electric cooking appliance of [Fig.1];

[0066] [Fig.3] is a perspective view from the top of the cooking vessel and the plate of the cooking of the [Fig.2];

[0067] [Fig.4] is a perspective view from the top of the cooking plate of [Fig.2];

[0068] [Fig.5] is a perspective view of the underside of the cooking plate of [Fig.2]

[0069] [Fig.6] is a perspective view from the top of the cooking vessel of [Fig.2];

[0070] [Fig.7] is a perspective view of the underside of the cooking vessel of [Fig.2];

[0071] [Fig.8] is a top perspective view of the cooking apparatus of [Fig.1]. Detailed description

[0072] Figures 1 to 8 represent an electric cooking appliance 1 configured for cooking food. The electric cooking appliance 1 includes, in particular, a lower housing 2 defining a receiving compartment 3, a lid 4 mechanically connected to the lower housing 2, a cooking plate 5 configured to rest on the lower housing 2 and to be housed at least partially in the receiving compartment 3, and a cooking container 6 configured to occupy a usage configuration in which the cooking container 6 rests on the cooking plate 5.

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

[0074] As shown in [Fig.1], when the cover 4 is in the closed position, the lower housing 2 and the cover 4 define a cooking volume 7 suitable for receiving the cooking container 6 when the latter is in the operating configuration, and the cover 4 is configured to surmount the cooking plate 5 and the cooking container 6 and to prevent access to the cooking container 6 when the cooking container 6 is in the operating configuration.

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

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

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

[0078] The hot air heating device 9.1 includes an air circulation device 10, such as a fan or a blade, configured to generate an airflow over the food placed on the cooking plate 5 or in the cooking container 6 when the lid 4 is in the closed position. The hot air heating device 9.1 further includes a drive device 11, such as a motor, configured to rotate the air circulation device 10. The hot air heating device 9.1 includes a heating element 40, such as an electric heating element, configured to heat the airflow generated by the air circulation device 10.

[0079] To simplify hardware integration and reduce bulk, the air circulation device 10 and the drive device 11 are provided in the cover 4. Advantageously, when the cover 4 is in the closed position, the air circulation device 10 is configured to extend opposite the cooking plate 5, or the cooking container 6 when the latter is in its operating configuration, so that the flow of hot air, generated by the hot air heating device 9.1, is efficiently directed onto the food in the cooking volume 7 when using the electric cooking appliance 1 in hot air cooking mode. Alternatively or additionally, the heating system 8 may include a lower heating device 9.2, such as an electric heating element, provided in the lower housing 2 and configured to heat the cooking plate 5.

[0080] Figures 4 and 5 show more precisely the specific configuration of the cooking plate 5. The cooking plate 5 has a plate base 12 and peripheral rims 13 delimiting, with the plate base 12, a first internal volume 14. The plate base 12 is configured to be inclined with respect to the horizontal when the lower housing 2 rests on a receiving support which is horizontal.

[0081] Advantageously, the base of the plate 12 has an inclined guide surface 15 which is configured to guide and direct cooking juices contained in the first internal volume 14 towards a drainage orifice 16 provided on the base of the plate 12. The inclined guide surface 15 is configured to be inclined with respect to the horizontal when the lower housing 2 rests on a horizontal surface.

[0082] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the cooking plate 5 has support ribs 17 provided on the base of the plate 12 and configured to support food placed on the cooking plate 5. Each support rib 17 has a height that increases towards a front edge of the cooking plate 5. Advantageously, the support ribs 17 each have a contact surface which is configured to extend substantially horizontally when the lower housing 2 rests on a horizontal surface.

[0083] The support ribs 17 more specifically define cooking juice drainage channels 18 configured to guide and direct cooking juices contained in the first internal volume 14 towards the drain opening 16 during cooking. The cooking plate 5 further includes a collection channel 19 configured to collect the cooking juices flowing in the cooking juice drainage channels 18 and to guide and direct said cooking juices towards the drain opening 16. Advantageously, the collection channel 19 includes a bottom portion that is inclined and configured to guide and direct the cooking juices contained in the collection channel 19 towards the drain opening 16. The collection channel 19 may, for example, extend along a front edge of the cooking plate 5.

[0084] Advantageously, the electric cooking appliance 1 includes a collection tray 20 configured to collect cooking juices from the cooking plate 5 and flowing through the drain opening 16. The collection tray 20 is configured to be located vertically directly above the drain opening 16. Advantageously, the drain opening 16 is configured to allow the cooking juices contained in the first internal volume 14 to flow by gravity into the collection tray 20. The collection tray 20 is located in a front portion of the lower housing 2 and is configured to be situated at least below the cooking plate 5.

[0085] The cooking vessel 6, configured to cooperate with the cooking plate 5 in the operating configuration, is shown in Figures 6, 7, and 8. The cooking vessel 6 has a generally rectangular shape and comprises a base 21 and peripheral walls 22 delimiting a second internal volume 23. The base of the vessel has a substantially rectangular shape and is substantially flat. According to a variant of the embodiment of the invention not shown in the figures, the cooking vessel 6 may further include a drain orifice configured to extend vertically below the cooking plate 5 when the cooking vessel 6 is in the operating configuration.Such a configuration of the invention advantageously allows the cooking juices to be conveyed from the cooking container 6 to the cooking plate 5 through the drain hole, and then from the cooking plate 5 to the collection tray 20 through the drain hole 16.

[0086] The electric cooking appliance 1 further comprises a positioning device 24 configured to position the bottom of the container 21 substantially horizontally. The cooking container 6 is positioned when the cooking container 6 is in its operating configuration and the lower housing 2 rests on a horizontal receiving support. Such a configuration of the electric cooking appliance 1, according to the embodiment of the invention, ensures even cooking of the food inside the cooking container 6. Indeed, the horizontal position of the base 12 of the cooking container 6 prevents the food from clumping together on one side of the cooking container 6.

[0087] According to the embodiment of the invention shown in the figures, the positioning device 24 comprises four positioning elements 25, such as positioning ribs, provided on the cooking plate 5 and projecting from the base of the plate 12. The positioning elements 25 are configured to raise a portion of the cooking container 6 relative to the base of the plate 12 when the cooking container 6 is in its operating configuration. Each positioning element 25 has an arc-shaped form and is configured to extend opposite a respective corner portion 26 of the base of the container 21, which advantageously allows the cooking container 6 to be indexed in a predetermined position when the cooking container 6 is in its operating configuration. This indexing advantageously allows the cooking container 6 to be centered on the cooking plate 5.Thus, the closure of the lid 4 of the electric cooking appliance 1 is not blocked by incorrect positioning of the cooking container 6 in the configuration of use.

[0088] Advantageously, the cooking vessel 6 is configured to rest solely on the positioning elements 25 when the cooking vessel 6 is in its operating configuration. Advantageously, the cooking plate 5 comprises a first pair of positioning elements 25 located in a front portion of the cooking plate 5 and having a first height, and a second pair of positioning elements 25 located in a rear portion of the cooking plate 5 and having a second height that is lower than the first height.The positioning elements 25 belonging to the first and second pairs each have a bearing surface which is substantially flat, and the first and second heights are defined such that the bearing surfaces define a support plane which is substantially horizontal when the cooking vessel 6 is in the operating configuration and the lower housing 2 rests on a horizontal surface.

[0089] Furthermore, each positioning member 25 protrudes from the upper faces of the support ribs 17.

[0090] The positioning device 24 further includes a positioning element 27 provided on the cooking vessel 6. Each positioning member 25 is configured to be housed in the positioning element 27 when the vessel of Cooking 6 is in the usage configuration. As seen more specifically in [Fig.7], the positioning element 27 is a peripheral groove provided on an underside face of the base of the container 21 and extending around the perimeter of said base of the container 21.

[0091] Of course, the present invention is in no way limited to the embodiment described and illustrated, which has been given only by way of example. Modifications remain possible, particularly with regard to the composition 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 lower housing (2), - a cooking plate (5) supported by the lower housing (2), the cooking plate (5) comprising a plate bottom (12) and peripheral rims (13) extending from the plate bottom (12) and delimiting with the plate bottom (12) a first internal volume (14), the plate bottom (12) being configured to be inclined relative to the horizontal when the lower housing (2) rests on a receiving support which is horizontal, - a cooking container (6) comprising a container bottom (21) and peripheral walls (22) extending from the container bottom (21) and delimiting a second internal volume (23), the cooking container (6) being configured to occupy a use configuration in which the cooking container (6) rests on the cooking plate (5),- a cover (4) configured to occupy a closed position in which the lower housing (2) and the cover (4) delimit a cooking volume (7) and prevent access to the cooking container (6) when the cooking container (6) occupies the use configuration, and an open position in which the cover (4) is configured to allow access to the cooking container (6) when the cooking container (6) occupies the use configuration, - a heating system (8) configured to heat and cook food received in the cooking volume (7), characterized in that the electric cooking appliance (1) comprises a positioning device (24) configured to position the container bottom (21) substantially horizontally when the cooking container (6) occupies the use configuration and the lower housing (2) rests on a receiving support which is horizontal.,

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

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

4. An electric cooking appliance (1) according to claim 3, wherein the at least one positioning member (25) has an arcuate shape.

5. An electric cooking appliance (1) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the cooking container (6) has a generally rectangular shape, and the positioning device (24) comprises four positioning members (25) provided on the cooking plate (5) and projecting from the plate bottom (12), each positioning member (25) being configured to extend opposite a respective corner portion (26) of the container bottom (21).

6. An electric cooking appliance (1) according to claim 5, wherein the positioning members (25) are configured to index the cooking vessel (6) in a predetermined position when the cooking vessel (6) occupies the use configuration.

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

8. An electric cooking appliance (1) according to at least claim 7, wherein the at least one positioning element (27) is a peripheral groove provided on a lower face of the container bottom (21) and extending around the periphery of said container bottom (21).

9. Electric cooking appliance (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the electric cooking appliance (1) comprises a collection tray (20) configured to collect cooking juices from the cooking plate (5), and wherein the cooking plate (5) further comprises a discharge orifice (16) opening into the first internal volume (14) and configured to be located vertically in line with the collection tray (20).

10. An electric cooking appliance (1) according to claim 9, wherein the plate bottom (12) of the cooking plate (5) comprises at least an inclined guide surface (15) which is configured to guide and direct cooking juices contained in the first internal volume (14) towards the discharge orifice (16).

11. An electric cooking appliance (1) according to any one of claims 9 or 10, wherein the discharge orifice (16) is provided on the plate bottom (12) of the cooking plate (5).

12. An electric cooking appliance (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the cooking plate (5) comprises support ribs (17) provided on the plate bottom (12) and configured to support food arranged on the cooking plate (5).

13. Electric cooking appliance (1) according to at least claims 9 and 12, wherein the support ribs (17) delimit cooking juice flow channels (18) configured to guide and direct at least a portion of the cooking juices contained in the first internal volume (14) towards the discharge orifice (16).

14. An electric cooking appliance (1) according to claim 12 or 13 in combination with claim 3, wherein the at least one positioning member (25) has a height identical to or greater than that of the support ribs (17).

15. An electric cooking appliance (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the cooking vessel (6) further comprises a drain orifice configured to extend vertically in line with the cooking plate (5) when the cooking vessel (6) is in the use configuration.

Images