Food preparation appliance including a housing and a removable cooking utensil

Abstract

A cooking appliance comprising: - a housing, including an access opening; - a cooking utensil, including a cooking bowl and a portion of the wall, wherein: . the cooking bowl is arranged to be received in the housing; . the portion of the wall is arranged to be reversibly coupled to the cooking bowl; . the portion of the wall is arranged to at least partially obstruct the access opening; characterized in that the cooking appliance includes a safety device arranged to inhibit at least one cooking function if the portion of the wall and / or the cooking bowl is absent from the access opening and / or the cooking space, respectively. Figure for the abbreviation: [Fig. 8]

Description

Title of the invention: Food preparation apparatus comprising a housing and a removable cooking utensil Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates generally to food preparation appliances, and in particular the invention relates to food preparation appliances comprising a housing and a removable cooking utensil which can incorporate a portion of wall. State of the art

[0002] It is known in the prior art of food preparation appliances to provide a cooking utensil that incorporates a cooking chamber and a removable portion of the cooking chamber wall. This portion of the wall is arranged to obstruct an access opening to a cooking chamber and is continuous with a wall of the housing when the cooking utensil is installed in the appliance. Such a cooking utensil may present safety drawbacks, particularly if the food preparation appliance is not properly configured before use. It is known in this type of food preparation appliance to use a safety device that inhibits the cooking function if the portion of the wall does not obstruct the access opening.However, improper use of the cooking utensil, particularly positioning the removable wall without the cooking pot in place, can lead to damage to the cooking appliance and a risk of injury to the user. Description of the invention

[0003] One object of the present invention is to address the disadvantages of the prior art mentioned above and in particular, first of all, to provide a food preparation device comprising a cooking utensil and which limits the risk associated with misuse of the device by the user and thus avoids any risk of injury or burns, for example, during a cooking cycle carried out by the food preparation device.

[0004] To this end, a first aspect of the invention relates to a food preparation device, comprising: - a housing, defining a cooking space and including an access opening to the cooking space, - a cooking utensil, comprising a cooking vessel and a portion of wall, in which: The cooking vessel is designed to fit within the cooking area. The section of wall is designed to be reversibly coupled to the cooking vessel. The portion of the wall, coupled to the cooking vessel received in the cooking space, is arranged to at least partially obstruct the access opening to the cooking space, the cooking appliance including a safety device arranged to: - detect the presence or absence of the wall portion in the access opening, - inhibit at least one cooking function if the wall portion is absent from the access opening, characterized in that the safety device is further arranged to: - detect the presence or absence of the cooking vessel in the cooking space, - inhibit at least one cooking function if the cooking vessel is absent from the cooking space.

[0005] According to the above embodiment, the food preparation appliance includes a safety device designed to detect whether the portion of the wall attached to the cooking utensil is correctly positioned on the cooking vessel, and also whether the cooking vessel is absent from the cooking area even though the portion of the wall could be correctly positioned in the access opening to the cooking area. The operation of the food preparation appliance (its start-up, or the initiation of a cooking cycle) is limited or even prevented if the portion of the wall is not detected in its position intended for safe operation (obstructing the access opening to the cooking area) and / or if the cooking vessel is not positioned in the cooking area.

[0006] The food preparation appliance can be defined by the following characteristics, taken individually or in combination.

[0007] According to one embodiment, the cooking utensil includes a coupling detection device, comprising at least one coupling indicator, movable between: - a resting position, occupied when the cooking vessel is detached from the wall section, - an activated position, occupied when the cooking vessel is coupled to the wall portion.

[0008] According to one embodiment, the coupling indicator: - is positioned on one side of the cooking vessel and the wall section, - is positioned to be moved to the activated position by the other side of the cooking vessel and the wall section. Consequently, only an effective coupling between the cooking vessel and the wall section can cause the coupling indicator to move to the activated position.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the coupling detection device includes an elastic return element arranged to exert a return force on the coupling indicator towards its rest position. In other words, as soon as the cooking vessel and the wall portion are uncoupled, the coupling indicator is automatically repositioned in its rest position, thus preventing the food preparation appliance from starting.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the coupling indicator is arranged on the portion of the wall, and the coupling detection device includes a transmission element such as a rocker arm, comprising: - an inlet portion, arranged to be actuated by at least one portion of the cooking vessel during a coupling operation of the wall portion onto the cooking vessel, - an exit portion, engaged or in contact with the coupling witness.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the portion of the cooking tank arranged to actuate the inlet portion is eccentric with respect to the body of the cooking tank.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the safety device includes a coupling detector for detecting the coupling indicator, at least in the activated position. A switch may be provided, for example a safety switch that interrupts an electrical supply circuit, such as the power supply circuit for cooking equipment.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the food preparation appliance includes cooking means with heating means and preferably also includes a ventilation device, and the safety device is arranged to inhibit the operation of the heating means, and preferably to also inhibit the operation of the ventilation device, if the portion of the wall is absent from the access opening, even if the cooking vessel is present in the cooking space, or if the cooking vessel is absent from the cooking space, even if the portion of the wall is present in the access opening.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the food preparation device includes a human-machine interface, and the safety device is arranged to send an information signal if the portion of the wall is absent from the access opening (or incorrectly positioned relative to it), and / or if the cooking tank is absent from the cooking space in order to control the human-machine interface to send an information message to a user.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the food preparation appliance comprises an electronic control unit, connected to the cooking means, and / or to the human-machine interface, and / or to the safety device, and intended to control the operation of the food preparation appliance, in particular its deactivation or the prohibition of starting if the portion of the wall is not detected in its correct position and / or if the cooking vessel is absent from the cooking space, even if the portion of the wall is present.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the cooking utensil includes a gripping interface, integral with the portion of the wall. Description of the figures

[0017] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading the following detailed description of embodiment(s) of the invention given by way of non-limiting example(s) and illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0018] [Fig-1] represents a perspective view of a food preparation device including in particular a casing and a cooking utensil;

[0019] [Fig.2] represents a perspective view of the cooking utensil of [Fig.1], comprising a cooking vessel and a gripping interface coupled together;

[0020] [Fig.3] represents a perspective view of the cooking utensil of [Fig.2] with the cooking vessel and the gripping interface decoupled;

[0021] [Fig.4] represents a front perspective view of the gripping interface of the cooking utensil of [Fig.2] or 3;

[0022] [Fig.5] represents a rear perspective view of the gripping interface of the cooking utensil of [Fig.2] or 3;

[0023] [Fig.6] represents a top perspective view of the cooking vessel of the cooking utensil of [Fig.2] or 3;

[0024] [Fig.7] represents a cross-sectional view of the cooking utensil of [Fig.2] in a plane parallel to the yz plane of the coordinate system of [Fig.2];

[0025] [Fig.8] represents a rear view of an internal part of the gripping interface of the cooking utensil of [Fig.2] or 3;

[0026] [Fig.9] represents a cross-sectional view of the internal part of the gripping interface of [Fig.8] in a section plane II-II of [Fig.8];

[0027] [Fig. 10] represents a cross-sectional view of the gripping interface of the cooking utensil of [Fig.8] in a section plane II of [Fig.8] and of part of the housing of the cooking preparation device;

[0028] [Fig. 11] represents a top perspective view of the cooking vessel of the cooking utensil of [Fig.2] or 3, with a lid to be coupled onto the cooking vessel;

[0029] [Fig. 12] represents a top perspective view of the cooking vessel of the cooking utensil of [Fig.2] or 3, with the lid coupled to the cooking vessel;

[0030] [Fig. 13] represents a schematic cross-sectional view along a plane parallel to the yz plane of the frame of [Fig.2], of the cooking vessel and of the gripping interface of the cooking utensil of [Fig.2] or 3 before coupling;

[0031] [Fig. 14] represents the cooking vessel and the gripping interface of the [Fig. 13], during a first coupling phase;

[0032] [Fig. 15] represents the cooking vessel and the gripping interface of the [Fig. 13], during a second coupling phase;

[0033] [Fig. 16] represents the cooking vessel and the gripping interface of the [Fig. 13], coupled together;

[0034] [Fig. 17] represents a first variant of the cooking tank and the gripping interface of the [Fig. 13];

[0035] [Fig. 18] represents a second variant of the cooking tank and the gripping interface of the [Fig. 13];

[0036] [Fig. 19] represents a third variant of the cooking tank and the gripping interface of the [Fig. 13].

[0037] Detailed description of embodiment(s)

[0038] Fig. 1 represents a perspective view of a food preparation device forming in this example a cooking device and comprising in particular: - a housing 40, - a cooking utensil 30, - a human-machine interface 50.

[0039] In the example of [Fig. 1], the food preparation appliance is a domestic cooking appliance designed to cook food by radiation and / or convection. Cooking means, i.e., heating and / or ventilation means, can therefore typically be provided within the casing 40. The heating means may include Joule heating (one or more resistive heating elements), and the ventilation means may include a ventilation unit such as a motor-fan. However, heating means by conduction, induction, or even microwaves may also be provided.

[0040] The food preparation appliance of [Fig. 1] typically includes at least one electronic control unit and / or means for storing instructions or commands, and the human-machine interface 50 allows a user to select cooking recipes and operating instructions to control and / or operate the food preparation appliance. The human-machine interface 50 may typically include a display and / or touchscreen, and control buttons.

[0041] The housing 40 forms an external casing of the food preparation appliance, and the cooking utensil 30 includes a portion of wall which forms a front of the food preparation appliance, which extends the housing 40 (the surfaces are continuous and come in extension or continuity with each other as can be seen [Fig.l]).

[0042] In [Fig.1], a Cartesian coordinate system x / y / z is shown, to define in particular a width of the device along the x-axis, a depth of the device along the y-axis and a height of the device along the z-axis. It can be noted [Fig.1] that the human-machine interface 50 is arranged on the top of the food preparation device, but it could be arranged on a side wall, on the front, or even be (partially) relocated to a portable electronic device.

[0043] Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the cooking utensil 30 of the [Fig. 1], comprising a cooking vessel 10 and a gripping interface 20 coupled together. In this embodiment, the cooking utensil 30 comprises a cooking vessel 10 designed to receive food to be cooked and positioned within an internal cooking space defined inside the housing 40. Typically, when the cooking utensil 30 is received in the food preparation appliance as in [Fig. 1], the cooking vessel 10 positions the received food in relation to the heating and / or ventilation means.

[0044] In [Fig.2], the cooking vessel 10 is coupled to the gripping interface 20 to form an assembly that is easy for a user to grasp and manipulate.

[0045] Fig. 3 represents a perspective view of cooking utensil 30 of Fig. 2 with the cooking vessel 10 and the gripping interface 20 uncoupled and separated from each other.

[0046] In this [Fig.3], and in [Fig.4], it can be noted that the gripping interface 20 comprises: - a 21-inch gripping handle, - a control button 22, located in the upper part of the gripping handle 21 (along the z-axis), - a portion of wall 23, comprising a transparent pane of glass 23.1 and an opaque wall 23.2, - a top gripping attachment 25, mounted on the gripping interface 20, and located in the upper part of the gripping handle 21 (along the z axis), behind the control button 22 (along the y axis). In [Fig.5], it can be noted that the gripping interface 20 comprises: - the control button 22, located in the upper part of the gripping handle 21, - the wall portion 23, comprising the transparent window 23.1 and the opaque wall 23.2, - the upper gripping attachment 25, mounted on the gripping interface 20, - a lower gripping attachment 26 comprising in particular a movable hook 26.1 and fixed hooks 26.2 arranged on either side of the movable hook 26.1 along the x-axis.

[0047] As shown in [Fig.3] and more particularly in [Fig.6], the cooking vessel 10 comprises: - a body 10.1, forming a preferably metallic tank, - a transparent 10.2 porthole, - an upper tank fixing 15, mounted on the cooking tank 10, arranged on an upper part of the cooking tank 10 along the z-axis, and including in particular a support rod 15.1, - a lower tank fixing 16, mounted on the cooking tank 10, arranged on a lower part of the cooking tank 10 and including in particular a locking rod 16.1 and locating impressions 16.2 arranged on either side of the locking rod 16.1 along the x axis.

[0048] Fig. 7 represents a cross-sectional view of the cooking utensil 30 of Fig. 2 in a plane parallel to the yz plane of the coordinate system of Fig. 2, to show the cooking vessel 10 coupled with the gripping interface 20.

[0049] It can be noted [Fig. 7] that the upper tank attachment 15 and the upper gripping attachment 25 are engaged with each other. In particular, the upper gripping attachment 25 comprises an upward-facing U-shape along the z-axis, which receives the support rod 15.1 located on the upper part of the cooking tank 10 along the z-axis. Thus, the weight of the cooking tank 10 is supported by the upper gripping attachment 25 receiving the support rod 15.1. The coupling of the upper gripping attachment 25 with its upward-facing U-shape and the support rod 15.1 thus defines a pivot joint between the cooking tank 10 and the gripping interface 20.

[0050] In the lower part of [Fig. 7], it can be seen that the lower gripping attachment 26 is engaged with the lower tank attachment 16. In particular, it can be seen that the fixed hooks 26.2 are engaged in the locating recesses 16.2 (not visible [Fig. 7]). Furthermore, the movable hook 26.1 (in black) is folded down onto the locking rod 16.1. The movable hook 26.1 is rotatable about an axis parallel to the x-axis, as can be seen [Fig. 7], with the silhouette of the movable hook 26.1 offset angularly relative to the movable hook 26.1 shown in black.

[0051] As shown in [Fig.7]: - the movable hook 26.1, engaged with the locking rod 16.1, prevents any rotation of the gripping interface 20 relative to the cooking vessel 10; - moreover, the fixed hooks 26.2 engaged in the positioning impressions 16.2 limit the translation of the gripping interface 20 relative to the cooking vessel 10 along the x and z axes. In the configuration of [Fig. 7], the gripping interface 20 is locked in position relative to the cooking vessel 10. When the movable hook 26.1 is moved (following an action by the user on the control button 22) and occupies the angularly offset position of its silhouette [Fig.7], the gripping interface 20 can be moved counterclockwise relative to the cooking vessel 10, and then the upper gripping fixing 25 (and its upward-facing U-shape) can be released downwards to free the support rod 15.1. The coupling and uncoupling sequence will be explained in more detail with reference to Figures 13 to 16.

[0052] As shown in [Fig.8], the cooking utensil 30 may include a coupling detection device 27, comprising at least one coupling indicator, 27.1 movable between: - a rest position, occupied when the cooking vessel 10 is decoupled from the gripping interface 20, - an activated position (that of [Fig. 8] or 10), occupied when the cooking vessel 10 is coupled with the gripping interface 20. [Fig. 8] shows a rear view of an internal part of the gripping interface 20 of [Fig. 2] or 3 to clearly show the coupling detection device 27, comprising: - the coupling indicator, 27.1, - a rocker 27.3, pivoting around a rocker axis, - a control piston 27.4, arranged to be actuated by a keying device 10.3 attached to the cooking vessel 10, and possibly - a return spring 27.2, intended to bring the coupling indicator, 27.1 downwards (along the z-axis).

[0053] The return spring 27.2 is not essential and it is not problematic that the coupling indicator 27.1 occupies any position between the activated position and the rest position when the cooking vessel 10 is uncoupled from the gripping interface 20.

[0054] Figure 9 shows a cross-sectional view of the cooking utensil 30 of Figure 8 in a section plane II-II of Figure 8. It can be noted that the error-correcting element 10.3 acts on the control piston 27.4 (by pushing it downwards), which in turn acts on the rocker arm 27.3.

[0055] Figure 10 shows a cross-sectional view of the cooking utensil 30 of Figure 8 in a section plane II of Figure 8. It can be noted that the rocker arm 27.3 (pushed as shown in Figure 9 by the control piston 27.4 and the keying element 10.3) pushes the coupling indicator 27.1 upwards despite the return spring 27.2. Consequently, a coupling detector 42 (comprising a probing contact 42.1, a return lever 42.2 and a detection switch 42.3), housed behind a wall 41 of the housing 40, can detect that the cooking vessel 10 is indeed properly coupled with the gripping interface 20.

[0056] The gripping interface 20 may have a notch on its rear face to allow the passage of the probing touch 42.1 for alignment with the coupling indicator 27.1 when inserting the cooking utensil (cooking bowl 10 and gripping interface 20) into the food preparation appliance.

[0057] Such a coupling detection device 27 can be part of a safety device to enable detection that the cooking vessel 10 is properly coupled with the gripping interface 20 before starting the food preparation appliance. In particular, the control unit of the food preparation appliance may prohibit any operation or function of the food preparation appliance (and in particular the activation of the heating and / or ventilation means) if the cooking bowl 10 is not coupled with the gripping interface 20. Indeed, if the cooking bowl 10 not coupled with the gripping interface 20 is nevertheless installed in the housing 40, the front of the food preparation appliance (the portion of the wall 23, including the transparent window 23.1, the opaque wall 23.2, and mounted on the gripping interface 20) will be missing and the operation would not be safe.

[0058] Similarly, if the front panel of the food preparation appliance is still installed on the appliance but the cooking bowl is missing, then the control unit of the food preparation appliance may prohibit any operation or function of the food preparation appliance.

[0059] In addition, the error-proofing element 10.3 may include the support rod 15.1, so that when the upper tank attachment 15 and the upper gripping attachment 25 are engaged with each other then the control piston 27.4 is pushed downwards and under the action of the rocker arm 27.3 the coupling indicator 27.1 is pushed upwards.

[0060] In this case, the upper gripping attachment 25 of the gripping interface 20 includes a receiving groove for the support rod 15.1 and the control piston 27.4, in its upper position, opens into this groove without protruding beyond the height of the gripping interface 20.

[0061] The support rod 15.1 can also be slightly offset towards the control piston 27.4 in order to allow the control piston 27.4 to be actuated without hindering the movement of the coupling indicator 27.1.

[0062] Figure 11 shows a top perspective view of the cooking vessel 10 of Figure 2 or 3, with a lid 17 to be coupled to the cooking vessel 10. Figure 12 shows a top perspective view of the cooking vessel 10 of Figure 2 or 3, with the lid 17 coupled to the cooking vessel 10. It may be noted that the lid 17 includes a coupling portion intended to couple with the rod support 15.1, for example by elastic interlocking (clipping). Thus, the lid 17 is perfectly held on the cooking vessel 10.

[0063] Figure 13 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the cooking vessel 10 and the gripping interface 20 of Figure 2 or 3 before coupling, along a plane parallel to the yz plane of the coordinate system of Figure 2. It should be noted and kept in mind that: - the upper vessel attachment 15 includes, in particular, a support rod 15.1 and is located opposite Figure 13 the upper gripping attachment 25, which includes, in particular, an upward-facing U-shape; - the lower vessel attachment 16 includes, in particular, the locking rod 16.1 and is located opposite Figure 13 the lower gripping attachment 26, which includes, in particular, a movable hook 26.1 and fixed hooks 26.2.

[0064] Fig. 14 represents the cooking vessel 10 and the gripping interface 20 of Fig. 13, during a first coupling phase, during which: - the gripping interface 20 is first moved downwards, and - the upper gripping attachment 25 (which includes in particular an upward-facing U-shape) is then moved upwards to engage the support rod of the upper vessel attachment 15 in the U-shape of the upper gripping attachment 25.

[0065] Fig. 15 represents the cooking vessel 10 and the gripping interface 20 of Fig. 13, during a second coupling phase, during which: - the first coupling phase is completed, so that the U-shaped upper gripping attachment 25 receives the support rod of the upper vessel attachment 15 in such a way as to ensure a pivot connection between the cooking vessel 10 and the gripping interface 20, - no further upward movement of the upper gripping attachment 25 relative to the upper vessel attachment 15 is possible, - pivoting between the cooking vessel 10 and the gripping interface 20 is possible, in particular to bring the lower vessel attachment 16 closer to the lower gripping attachment 26.

[0066] Figure 16 shows the cooking vessel 10 and the gripping interface 20 of Figure 13 coupled together. Indeed, the second coupling phase is complete, with the lower vessel attachment 16 and the lower gripping attachment 26 coming into contact. The movable hook 26.1 (visible in particular in Figure 7) has been able to pivot and engage with the locking rod 16.1, so that no relative movement between the cooking vessel 10 and the gripping interface 20 is possible.

[0067] To detach the cooking vessel 10 and the gripping interface 20, simply press the control button 22 to rotate the movable hook 26.1 and release the lower vessel fixing 16 from the lower fixing of gripping 26 by a relative rotational movement, and then moving the gripping interface 20 down the cooking vessel 10 to disengage the U-shape of the upper gripping attachment from the support rod of the upper vessel attachment 15.

[0068] It can be noted that if the user unintentionally activates the control button 22 while normally holding the cooking utensil 30 by the gripping interface 20, the cooking vessel 10 will not detach, because the cooking vessel 10's own weight: - forces the support rod 15.1 to remain in the U-shape of the upper gripping attachment 25, and - keeps the fixed hooks 26.2 in contact with the cooking vessel 10. As a result, the cooking utensil 30 is easy to handle, coupling or uncoupling between the gripping interface 20 and the cooking vessel 10 is easy, and safe use is guaranteed by eliminating the risk of accidental detachment, even if the user inadvertently presses the control button 22.

[0069] Fig. 17 represents a first alternative embodiment of the cooking vessel and of the gripping interface of [Fig. 13], in which: - the upper tank fixing 15 includes in particular a downward-facing U-shape which is located opposite [Fig. 17] the upper gripping fixing 25 which includes in particular a support rod, - In the same way as in [Fig. 13], the lower bowl attachment 16 includes, in particular, the locking rod 16.1 and is located opposite [Fig. 17] the lower gripping attachment 26, which includes, in particular, the movable hook 26.1 and the fixed hooks 26.2. Thus, as with the cooking utensil 30 in [Fig. 13], the upper bowl attachment 15 and the upper gripping attachment 25 of the first embodiment are arranged to impose: . a disengagement movement of the upper gripping attachment 25 having a disengagement displacement component directed downwards towards the cooking vessel 10, . a coupling movement of the upper gripping attachment 25 having a coupling displacement component directed towards the top of the cooking vessel 10.

[0070] Figure 18 represents a second embodiment of the cooking vessel and the gripping interface of Figure 13, in which: - the upper tank fixing 15 includes in particular a support ring which is located opposite [Fig. 18] the upper gripping fixing 25 which includes in particular an upward-facing index, - In the same way as in [Fig. 13], the lower bowl attachment 16 includes, in particular, the locking rod 16.1 and is located opposite [Fig. 18] the lower gripping attachment 26, which includes, in particular, the movable hook 26.1 and the fixed hooks 26.2. Thus, as with the cooking utensil 30 in [Fig. 13], the upper bowl attachment 15 and the upper gripping attachment 25 of the second embodiment are arranged to impose: . a disengagement movement of the upper gripping attachment 25 having a disengagement displacement component directed downwards towards the cooking vessel 10, . a coupling movement of the upper gripping attachment 25 having a coupling displacement component directed towards the top of the cooking vessel 10.

[0071] Figure 19 represents a third embodiment of the cooking vessel and the gripping interface of Figure 13, in which: - the upper tank fixing 15 includes in particular a downward-facing index which is located opposite [Fig. 19] the upper gripping fixing 25 which includes in particular a support ring, - In the same way as in [Fig. 13], the lower bowl attachment 16 includes, in particular, the locking rod 16.1 and is located opposite [Fig. 19] the lower gripping attachment 26, which includes, in particular, the movable hook 26.1 and the fixed hooks 26.2. Thus, as with the cooking utensil 30 in [Fig. 13], the upper bowl attachment 15 and the upper gripping attachment 25 of the third embodiment are arranged to impose: . a disengagement movement of the upper gripping attachment 25 having a disengagement displacement component directed downwards towards the cooking vessel 10, . a coupling movement of the upper gripping attachment 25 having a coupling displacement component directed towards the top of the cooking vessel 10. Industrial application

[0072] A cooking utensil according to the present invention, and its manufacture, are capable of industrial application.

[0073] It will be understood that various modifications and / or improvements obvious to a person skilled in the art can be made to the different embodiments of the invention described in this description without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0074] In particular, other structural implementations can be provided for locking the cooking vessel and the gripping interface: a movable pin, an elastic non-return device, a clip...

[0075] With regard to the detection of the coupling, it can be provided that the rear face of the gripping interface will press on an L-shaped rocker piston located on the front face of the tank so as to activate a switch located on the device.

[0076] With regard to the detection of the coupling, all sorts of transmission mechanisms can be provided to move the coupling indicator: a rocker arm as in the example given, but a connecting rod, a lever, a cam, a cam track can be provided, the sensor attached to the housing can even be arranged to directly detect the portion of the wall mounted on the gripping interface.

Claims

Demands

1. A food preparation apparatus, comprising: - a housing (40), defining a cooking space and including an access opening to the cooking space, - a cooking utensil (30), comprising a cooking bowl (10) and a portion of the wall (23), in which: . the cooking bowl (10) is arranged to be received in the cooking space, . the portion of the wall (23) is arranged to be reversibly coupled to the cooking bowl (10), .The portion of the wall (23), coupled to the cooking vessel (10) received in the cooking space, is arranged to at least partially obstruct the access opening to the cooking space, the cooking appliance comprising a safety device arranged to: - detect a presence or absence of the portion of the wall (23) in the access opening, - inhibit at least one cooking function if the portion of the wall (23) is absent from the access opening, characterized in that the safety device is further arranged to: - detect a presence or absence of the cooking vessel (10) in the cooking space, - inhibit at least one cooking function if the cooking vessel (10) is absent from the cooking space.

2. A food preparation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cooking utensil (30) includes a coupling detection device (27), comprising at least one coupling indicator (27.1), movable between: - a rest position, occupied when the cooking vessel (10) is uncoupled from the wall portion (23), - an activated position, occupied when the cooking vessel (10) is coupled to the wall portion (23).

3. Food preparation apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the coupling witness (27.1): - is arranged on one of the cooking vessel (10) and the wall portion (23), - is arranged to be moved to the position activated by the other of the cooking tank (10) and the portion of wall (23).

4. Food preparation apparatus according to any one of claims 2 or 3, wherein the coupling detection device (27) comprises an elastic return member arranged to exert a return force on the coupling indicator (27.1) towards the rest position.

5. A food preparation apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the coupling indicator (27.1) is arranged on the wall portion (23), and wherein the coupling detection device (27) comprises a transmission member such as a rocker (27.3), comprising: - an inlet portion, arranged to be actuated by at least one portion of the cooking vessel (10) during a coupling operation of the wall portion (23) onto the cooking vessel (10), - an outlet portion, engaged or in contact with the coupling indicator (27.1).

6. Food preparation apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the portion of the cooking vessel (10) arranged to actuate the inlet portion is eccentric with respect to the body (10.1) of the cooking vessel (10).

7. Food preparation apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the safety device includes a coupling detector (42) for detecting the coupling indicator (27.1) at least in the activated position.

8. A food preparation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising cooking means with heating means and preferably also comprising a ventilation element, wherein the safety device is arranged to inhibit the operation of the heating means, and preferably also to inhibit the operation of the ventilation element, if the portion of the wall (23) is absent from the access opening, even if the cooking vessel (10) is present in the cooking space, or if the cooking vessel (10) is absent from the cooking space, even if the portion of the wall (23) is present in the access opening.

9. Food preparation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising a human-machine interface (50), wherein the safety device is arranged to send an information signal if the portion of wall (23) is absent from the access opening and / or if the cooking vessel (10) is absent from the cooking space, in order to control the human-machine interface (50) to send an information message to a user.

10. Food preparation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the cooking utensil (30) comprises a gripping interface (20), integral with the wall portion (23).

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