Food preparation appliance with offset base

Abstract

The invention relates to a food preparation apparatus (1) comprising a housing (3); a cooking vessel (5) configured to receive food to be cooked; a lid (6) pivotally mounted about a pivot axis (A1) between a closed position and an open position; a hot air cooking system (8) configured to generate a flow of hot air over food received in the cooking vessel (5); an offset support leg (14) configured to extend beyond a vertical plane containing the pivot axis (A1); and a weighing system configured to weigh the food received in the cooking vessel (5) and comprising at least one weighing leg (16) provided under the offset support leg (15). Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Food preparation device with offset base technical field

[0001] The present invention relates generally to a food preparation device for cooking food according to at least one hot air cooking method, such as a multifunctional electric pressure cooker. State of the art

[0002] A food preparation appliance for cooking food using at least one hot air cooking method comprises, in a known manner:

[0003] - a housing comprising a receiving compartment,

[0004] - a cooking vessel configured to be placed in the receiving housing and to receive food to be cooked,

[0005] - a cover mounted pivoting about a pivot axis between a position of a closed position in which the lid prevents access to the cooking vessel and an open position in which the lid allows access to the cooking vessel, the lid having a lower wall that extends substantially in relation to the cooking vessel when the lid is in the closed position,

[0006] - a hot air cooking system configured to generate a hot air flow on food received in the cooking vessel, the hot air cooking system includes a fan mechanically connected to the lid and configured to generate an airflow over food received in the cooking vessel, a drive unit configured to rotate the fan around an axis of rotation, and a heating device mechanically connected to the lid and configured to heat the airflow generated by the fan, and

[0007] - a control unit configured to control the operation of the food preparation appliance according to at least one hot air cooking mode.

[0008] Such a cooking appliance allows food contained in the cooking tank to be cooked according to one or more cooking modes, and in particular according to a hot air cooking mode which corresponds to the simultaneous use of the fan and the heating device, which belong to the hot air cooking system, in order to generate a flow of hot air over the food present in the cooking tank and when the lid is in the closed position.

[0009] However, a drawback of such a food preparation device lies in the presence of the hot air cooking system, which is pivotally fixed to the lid, and which has the effect of significantly increasing the The weight of the lid is a factor. Indeed, opening the lid can cause instability in the food preparation appliance, which can be detrimental during use. Instability can also be dangerous for the user if the contents of the cooking pot were to spill and come into contact with them at the end of cooking, that is, when the food in the cooking pot is at its maximum temperature.

[0010] To overcome such a drawback, it is known to equip a food preparation appliance of the aforementioned type with an offset support foot configured to extend beyond a vertical plane containing the pivot axis.

[0011] To facilitate food preparation, and in particular to accurately follow a recipe, it is known to equip certain food preparation appliances with a weighing system comprising several weighing feet located under the housing of the food preparation appliance. Such food preparation appliances allow a user, in particular, to pour the optimal quantity of each ingredient of the recipe into the cooking vessel.

[0012] However, such a weighing system would not provide reliable mass measurements for a food preparation appliance equipped with a hot air cooking system and an offset support leg. Indeed, when the lid of such a food preparation appliance is in the open position, the appliance's center of gravity is shifted towards the offset support leg, which would interfere with any mass measurement taken from weighing feet located under the appliance's housing. Summary of the invention

[0013] The technical problem at the basis of the invention therefore consists of providing a food preparation apparatus designed to carry out the cooking of food according to at least one hot air cooking method, which is of simple, compact and economical structure, which allows reliable weighing of the food introduced into a cooking tank of the food preparation apparatus, while ensuring maximum stability of the food preparation apparatus when the lid is in the open position.

[0014] To this end, the present invention relates to a food preparation apparatus comprising:

[0015] - a housing comprising a receiving compartment,

[0016] - a cooking vessel configured to be placed in the receiving housing and to receive food to be cooked,

[0017] - a cover mounted pivoting about a pivot axis between a position of closure in which the lid prevents access to the cooking vessel and a open position in which the lid allows access to the cooking vessel, the lid having a lower wall that extends substantially in relation to the cooking vessel when the lid is in the closed position,

[0018] - a hot air cooking system configured to generate a hot air flow on food received in the cooking vessel, the hot air cooking system includes a fan mechanically connected to the lid and configured to generate an airflow over food received in the cooking vessel, a drive unit configured to rotate the fan around an axis of rotation, and a heating device mechanically connected to the lid and configured to heat the airflow generated by the fan,

[0019] - a control unit configured to control the operation of the food preparation appliance according to at least one hot air cooking mode,

[0020] - an offset support foot configured to rest on a work surface when The food preparation appliance is in a working configuration, with the offset support foot configured to extend beyond a vertical plane containing the pivot axis, and

[0021] - a weighing system configured to weigh the food received in the cooking vessel and comprising a plurality of weighing feet, at least one weighing foot of the plurality of weighing feet being provided under the offset support foot and being situated beyond the vertical plane containing the pivot axis.

[0022] The specific configuration of the weighing system, and in particular the presence of at least one weighing foot under the offset support foot, makes it possible on the one hand to ensure the stability of the cooking appliance when the lid is in the open position, despite the mass of the lid which is generally located in cantilever relative to the housing, and on the other hand to ensure a precise weighing of the food received in the cooking tank as well as the repeatability of the weighing due to the multiplication of the weighing feet and the spacing between each of the weighing feet.

[0023] The food preparation appliance may also have one or more of the following characteristics, which may be taken alone or in combination.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one weighing foot, and for example several weighing feet, of the plurality of weighing feet is located under the housing.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one weighing foot of the plurality of weighing feet protrudes from an underside of the housing, and the weighing foot provided under the offset support foot protrudes from an underside of the offset support foot.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the invention, the control unit is configured to calculate the total mass of food present in the cooking vessel from data from weighing feet, the total quantity of food can for example be displayed on a user interface.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the invention, the heating device comprises a heating electric resistance.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the invention, the pivot axis is substantially horizontal when the housing rests on a horizontal surface.

[0029] According to one embodiment of the invention, the lid and the cooking vessel are configured to delimit a cooking chamber when the lid is in the closed position.

[0030] According to one embodiment of the invention, the cooking vessel has an access opening through which food can be introduced into the cooking vessel. Advantageously, the cooking vessel has an upper peripheral rim delimiting the access opening.

[0031] According to one embodiment of the invention, the cooking tank is configured to be removably placed in the receiving housing.

[0032] According to one embodiment of the invention, the fan is configured to extend substantially in relation to the cooking vessel, and for example in relation to the access opening, when the lid is in the closed position.

[0033] According to one embodiment of the invention, the heating device is configured to be located at least partly opposite the cooking tank, and for example opposite the access opening, when the lid is in the closed position.

[0034] According to one embodiment of the invention, the food preparation appliance includes a power supply part configured to electrically supply the heating device, the power supply part being provided at least in part in the lid and being configured to be electrically connected to a power supply source.

[0035] According to one embodiment of the invention, the food preparation device includes a heating element configured to heat the cooking tank.

[0036] According to one embodiment of the invention, the control unit is configured to control a differentiated operation of the heating element and the heating device according to the cooking mode selected by the user.

[0037] According to one embodiment of the invention, the drive unit comprises a drive motor and a drive shaft connected in rotation with the fan.

[0038] According to one embodiment of the invention, the drive motor is housed at least partly inside the cover.

[0039] According to one embodiment of the invention, the food preparation device is configured such that at least a portion of an orthogonal projection of the foot offset support on a reference plane extending perpendicularly to a central axis of the cooking tank, is located outside an orthogonal projection of the housing onto said reference plane.

[0040] According to one embodiment of the invention, the opening position of the lid is stable, and the food preparation device is configured such that, when the lid occupies the stable opening position, the center of gravity of the food preparation device is located outside the housing, and for example between the vertical plane and the weighing foot provided under the offset support foot.

[0041] According to one embodiment of the invention, the food preparation appliance is configured such that, when the lid is in the stable open position, the center of gravity of the food preparation appliance is located near a rear part of the food preparation appliance.

[0042] According to one embodiment of the invention, the lid is connected to the housing by a pivot joint provided on the rear part of the food preparation device.

[0043] According to one embodiment of the invention, the opening position and the closing position of the lid are separated by an angle greater than or equal to 90° around the pivot axis.

[0044] According to one embodiment of the invention, at least two of the weighing feet from the plurality of weighing feet are provided directly below the housing. In other words, at least two weighing feet are located under the housing.

[0045] According to one embodiment of the invention, the weighing system comprises two weighing feet provided under the housing and near a front part of the food preparation device.

[0046] According to one embodiment of the invention, the food preparation device includes a user interface provided on the front part of the food preparation device.

[0047] According to one embodiment of the invention, each weighing foot comprises at least one weighing bar arranged to deform in bending when a load is applied to the housing or to the cooking tank.

[0048] According to one embodiment of the invention, each weighing foot comprises a strain sensor, such as a strain gauge, a force sensor, or a piezoelectric sensor, configured to measure a deformation of the respective weighing bar. The weighing bar may include a thinned portion to promote a zone of local deformability, where the respective deformation sensor will be fixed.

[0049] According to one embodiment of the invention, each of the weighing feet of the plurality of weighing feet comprises suspension means which include:

[0050] - a support part configured to be in contact with the work surface when The food preparation appliance is in its operating configuration.

[0051] - an anchoring part fixed to the housing or the offset support foot, and

[0052] - an elastic return element disposed between the support part and the anchoring part,

[0053] the suspension means being configured to allow a deflection of the support part relative to the anchoring part.

[0054] According to one embodiment of the invention, each strain sensor is provided between the support part and the foot fixing portion of the respective support foot.

[0055] According to one embodiment of the invention, the anchoring part of each weighing foot is fixed to a respective foot fixing portion attached to the housing or the offset element.

[0056] According to one embodiment of the invention, the support part includes a support pad arranged to rest on the work surface.

[0057] According to one embodiment of the invention, each anchoring part comprises at least one load bar arranged to deform in bending when a load is applied to the housing or the cooking vessel. Such a load bar typically forms a beam with a first end fixed to the housing and a second end fixed or connected to the respective support part.

[0058] According to one embodiment of the invention, the weighing bar is directly fixed to the respective foot fixing portion.

[0059] According to one embodiment of the invention, each weighing foot further comprises stop means configured to limit the movement of the respective support part relative to the respective anchoring part.

[0060] According to one embodiment of the invention, the stop means, belonging to the weighing foot provided under the offset support foot, are functional as soon as the center of gravity of the food preparation appliance moves outside the housing, that is to say, beyond the housing. Such a configuration of the weighing system makes it possible to protect the weighing foot (and in particular its deformation sensor) located under the offset support foot when the lid is opened.

[0061] According to one embodiment of the invention, the suspension means are arranged to allow axial movement of the support part relative to the anchoring part in a direction substantially normal to the work surface, the stop means comprising axial stop means configured to limit the axial movement of the support part relative to the anchoring part beyond a first predetermined force, in particular during an overload applied to the housing or to the cooking tank. Brief description of the figures

[0062] The present invention will be better understood with the aid of the following description with reference to the accompanying figures, in which identical reference numerals correspond to structurally and / or functionally identical or similar elements.

[0063] [Fig. 1] is a schematic cross-sectional view of a food preparation device according to an embodiment of the invention comprising a lid in a closed position;

[0064] [Fig.2] is a schematic cross-sectional view of the food preparation apparatus of [Fig.1], in which the lid is in an open position;

[0065] [Fig.3] is a cross-sectional view of a weighing foot of the food preparation apparatus of [Fig.1]. Detailed description

[0066] In this document, the terms "front", "rear", "upper" and "lower" are defined with respect to normal use of the food preparation appliance during which the housing of the food preparation appliance rests on a horizontal surface.

[0067] Unless otherwise stipulated, the term "substantially" means, in this document, "exactly or to within 10% or to within 10°".

[0068] Figures 1 and 2 represent a food preparation appliance 1, such as an electric pressure cooker or an electric multi-cooker, according to an embodiment of the invention. The food preparation appliance 1 is configured for cooking food, such as meat, fish, vegetables, or other foods, and includes a control unit 2 configured to control the operation of the electric cooking appliance 1 according to at least one hot air cooking mode, the operation of which will be detailed below.

[0069] The food preparation appliance 1 comprises a housing 3 with a receiving compartment 4, and a cooking vessel 5 configured to be removably placed in the receiving compartment 4 and to receive food to be cooked. The cooking vessel 5 has an access opening OA, delimited by an upper peripheral edge of the cooking vessel 5, through which food can be introduced into the cooking vessel 5.

[0070] According to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, the food preparation appliance 1 comprises a lid 6 pivotally mounted about a pivot axis A1 which is substantially horizontal when the housing 3 rests on a horizontal surface, for example on a horizontal work surface. The lid 6 is more particularly connected to the housing 3 by a pivot joint provided on a rear portion AR of the food preparation appliance 1. The lid 6 is configured to occupy a closed position (see [Fig. 1]) in which the lid 6 prevents access to the cooking vessel 5 and an open position (see [Fig. 2]). which is stable and in which the lid 6 allows access to the cooking vessel 5. The opening position and the closing position of the lid 6 are spaced at an angle greater than or equal to 90° around the pivot axis Al.

[0071] The lid 6 has a lower wall 6.1 which extends substantially opposite the access opening OA when the lid 6 is in the closed position. The lid 6 and the cooking vessel 5 are also configured to define a cooking chamber 7 when the lid 6 is in the closed position.

[0072] The food preparation appliance 1 further comprises a hot air cooking system 8 disposed at least partly in the lid 6 and configured to generate a flow of hot air over food received in the cooking chamber 5 when the food preparation appliance 1 is in hot air cooking mode.

[0073] The hot air cooking system 8 includes a fan 9 fixed to the cover 6 and a drive unit 10, which has a drive motor 11 housed in the cover 6, configured to rotate the fan 9 around an axis of rotation A2. More specifically, the fan 9 is configured to generate an airflow over food received in the cooking vessel 5. Advantageously, the fan 9 is configured to extend substantially in relation to the cooking vessel 5, and more particularly in relation to the access opening OA, when the cover 6 is in the closed position.

[0074] The hot air cooking system 8 further includes a heating device 12 mechanically connected to the cover 6 and configured to heat the airflow generated by the fan 9. Advantageously, the heating device 12 includes an electric heating element, and is configured to be located at least partly opposite the cooking vessel 5, and in particular the access opening OA, when the cover 6 is in the closed position.

[0075] The food preparation appliance 1 further includes a heating element 13 configured to extend near the cooking tank 5 and to heat the food in the cooking tank 5. The control unit 2 is in particular configured to activate the heating element 13 when the food preparation appliance 1 is in a pressure cooking mode or a steam cooking mode, for example.

[0076] The food preparation appliance 1 further includes an offset support foot 14 configured to rest on a work surface or similar surface when the food preparation appliance 1 is in use. The offset support foot 14 is configured to extend beyond a vertical plane PI containing the pivot axis AL

[0077] The food preparation appliance 1 is configured such that at least a portion of an orthogonal projection of the offset support foot 14 onto a plane of reference extending perpendicularly to a central axis A3 of the cooking tank 5, is located outside an orthogonal projection of the housing 3 onto said reference plane.

[0078] The presence of the hot air cooking system 8 inside the lid 6 systematically places the center of gravity of the food preparation appliance 1 near the rear part AR of the food preparation appliance 1 or outside the housing 3, and for example between the vertical plane PI and a free end of the offset support foot 14, when the lid 6 is in the stable open position. Thus, such a configuration of the invention, and in particular the presence of the offset support foot 14, ensures the stability of the food preparation appliance 1, especially when the lid 6 moves from the closed position to the open position. Indeed, without the offset support foot 14, the change in position of the lid 6 could cause the food preparation appliance 1 to tip backward due to the considerable weight and inertia generated by the change in position of the lid 6.

[0079] As more specifically shown in [Fig.3], the food preparation appliance 1 includes a weighing system 15 configured to weigh the food received in the cooking tank 5.

[0080] The weighing system 15 more particularly comprises a plurality of weighing feet 16, and advantageously at least three weighing feet 16, which protrude from an underside of the housing 3 and from the underside of the offset support foot 14.

[0081] According to the embodiment of the invention shown in the figures, the weighing system 15 comprises, for example, two weighing feet 16 provided in line with the housing 3 (and therefore located below an underside of the housing 3) and near a front part AV of the food preparation appliance 1, and a weighing foot 16 provided under the offset support foot 14.

[0082] Each weighing foot 16 includes a strain sensor 17, such as a strain gauge, a force sensor, or a piezoelectric sensor, for example. More specifically, the control unit 2 is configured to calculate the total mass of the food present in the cooking vessel 5 from the data coming from the strain sensors 17. Such a configuration of the invention ensures the repeatability and accuracy of the weighing of the food received in the cooking vessel 5 due to the multiple strain sensors 17 and the spacing between each of the weighing feet 16.

[0083] The food preparation appliance 1 advantageously comprises a user interface 18 provided on the front part AV of the food preparation appliance 1 and configured in particular to communicate with the control unit 2, such that that the total mass of food present in the cooking vessel 5 can, for example, be displayed on the user interface 18.

[0084] Fig. 3 represents a cross-sectional view of one of the weighing feet 16 of the food preparation apparatus 1.

[0085] Generally, each weighing foot 16 comprises suspension means 19 which include an anchoring portion 20 connected to and fixed to the housing 3 or to the offset support foot 14, and a support portion 21 movable relative to the anchoring portion 20, and arranged to be in contact with the work surface. The suspension means 19 of each weighing foot 16 further comprise an elastic return element 22, such as a compression spring, disposed between the respective support portion 21 and the respective anchoring portion 20.

[0086] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the anchoring portion 20 of each weighing foot 16 comprises a weighing bar 23 fixed to a respective foot mounting portion 25 provided on the housing 3 or on the offset support foot 14, and an anchoring pad 24 which is supported by the respective weighing bar 23. More specifically, each strain gauge 17 is provided between the support portion 21 and the respective foot mounting portion 25.

[0087] According to one embodiment of the invention, each weighing bar 23 is bonded to the respective strain gauge 17 and is arranged to deform in bending when a load is applied to the housing 3 or the cooking vessel 5. Such a weighing bar 23 typically forms a beam with a first end fixed to the housing 3 or the offset support foot 15, and a second end fixed or connected to the respective support portion 21. The weighing bar 23 may include a thinned portion to provide a zone of local deformability, where the respective strain gauge 17 will be fixed.

[0088] The food preparation appliance 1 may, for example, further include stop means 26 configured to limit the movement of a support portion 21 relative to the respective anchor portion 20. In the absence of such stop means 26, an overload applied to the housing 3 would cause an overload on the strain sensors 17 and a deformation exceeding the normal operating range. The stop means 26 limit the movement and thus protect the strain sensors 17. In other words, beyond a threshold force applied to the housing 3, the stop means 26 activate, i.e., become functional, to limit the movement and prevent the overload from being applied to the strain sensors 17.

[0089] According to the embodiment of the invention shown in the figures, the suspension means 19 are arranged to allow axial movement of the respective support portion 21 relative to the respective anchoring portion 20 in a normal direction at the work surface, the stop means 26 include axial stop means configured to limit the axial movement of the support part 21 relative to the anchoring part 20 beyond a first predetermined force, in particular during an overload applied to the housing 3 or to the cooking tank 5.

[0090] According to one embodiment of the invention, the stop means 26, belonging to the weighing foot 16 provided under the offset support foot 15, are functional as soon as the center of gravity of the food preparation appliance 1 moves outside the housing 3, that is to say, beyond the housing. Such a configuration of the weighing system 15 makes it possible to protect the weighing foot 16 (and in particular its deformation sensor 17) located under the offset support foot 15, when the lid 6 is opened.

[0091] 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 composition of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

Demands

1. Food preparation apparatus (1) comprising: - a housing (3) including a receiving compartment (4), - a cooking bowl (5) configured to be placed in the receiving compartment (4) and to receive food to be cooked, - a lid (6) mounted pivoting about a pivot axis (A1) between a closed position in which the lid (6) prevents access to the cooking bowl (5) and an open position in which the lid (6) permits access to the cooking bowl (5), the lid (6) having a lower wall (6.1) which extends substantially opposite the cooking bowl (5) when the lid (6) is in the closed position, - a hot air cooking system (8) configured to generate a flow of hot air over food received in the cooking bowl (5),the hot air cooking system (8) comprising a fan (9) mechanically connected to the lid (6) and configured to generate an airflow over food received in the cooking vessel (5), a drive unit (10) configured to rotate the fan (9) around an axis of rotation (A2), and a heating device (12) mechanically connected to the lid (6) and configured to heat the airflow generated by the fan (9), - a control unit (2) configured to control the operation of the food preparation appliance (1) according to at least one hot air cooking mode, - an offset support foot (14) configured to rest on a work surface when the food preparation appliance (1) is in a usage configuration, the offset support foot (14) being configured to extend beyond a vertical plane containing the pivot axis (A1),and - a weighing system (15) configured to weigh the food received in the cooking vessel (5) and comprising a plurality of weighing feet (16), at least one weighing foot (16) of the plurality of weighing feet being provided under the offset support foot (14) and being located beyond the vertical plane containing the pivot axis (A1).

2. Food preparation apparatus (1) according to claim 1, wherein the food preparation apparatus (1) is configured such that at least a portion of an orthogonal projection the offset support foot (14) on a reference plane extending perpendicularly to a central axis (A3) of the cooking tank (5), is located outside an orthogonal projection of the housing (3) onto said reference plane.

3. Food preparation appliance (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the opening position of the lid (6) is stable, and wherein the food preparation appliance (1) is configured such that, when the lid (6) is in the stable opening position, the center of gravity of the food preparation appliance (1) is located outside the housing (3).

4. Food preparation appliance (1) according to claim 3, wherein the food preparation appliance (1) is configured such that, when the lid (6) is in the stable open position, the center of gravity of the food preparation appliance (1) is located near a rear part (AR) of the food preparation appliance (1).

5. Food preparation apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the opening position and the closing position of the lid (6) are spaced at an angle greater than or equal to 90° around the pivot axis (Al).

6. Food preparation apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein at least two weighing feet (16) of the plurality of weighing feet are provided in line with the housing (3).

7. Food preparation apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein each weighing foot (16) comprises at least one weighing bar (23) arranged to deform in bending when a load is applied to the housing (3) or to the cooking vessel (5).

8. Food preparation apparatus (1) according to claim 7, wherein each weighing foot (16) comprises a strain sensor (17) configured to measure a strain of the respective weighing bar (23).

9. A food preparation apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein each of the weighing feet (16) of the plurality of weighing feet comprises suspension means (19) which include: - a support part (21) configured to be in contact with the work surface when the food preparation appliance (1) is in the operating configuration, - an anchoring part (20) fixed to the housing (3) or to the offset support foot (14), and - an elastic return member (22) disposed between the support part (21) and the anchoring part (20), the suspension means (19) being configured to allow a movement of the support part (21) relative to the anchoring part (20).

10. Food preparation apparatus (1) according to claim 9, wherein each weighing foot (16) further comprises stop means (26) configured to limit the movement of the respective support part (21) relative to the respective anchoring part (20).

11. Food preparation apparatus (1) according to claim 10, wherein the stop means (26), belonging to the weighing foot (16) provided under the offset support foot (15), are functional as soon as the center of gravity of the food preparation apparatus (1) moves out of the housing (3).

12. Food preparation apparatus (1) according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the suspension means (19) are arranged to permit axial movement of the support part (21) relative to the anchoring part (20) in a direction substantially normal to the work surface, the stop means (26) comprising axial stop means configured to limit the axial movement of the support part (21) relative to the anchoring part (20) beyond a first predetermined force.

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