Cooking utensil for a food preparation appliance

Abstract

A cooking utensil for a food preparation appliance, comprising: - a cooking vessel (10), - a gripping interface (20) arranged to be reversibly fixed to the cooking vessel (10), - a fastening mechanism, comprising at least: - an upper vessel attachment (15), - an upper gripping attachment (25), characterized in that the upper vessel attachment (15) and the upper gripping attachment (25) are arranged to impose: - a disengagement movement of the upper gripping attachment (25) having a downward disengagement displacement component, and / or - a coupling movement of the upper gripping attachment (25) having an upward coupling displacement component of the cooking vessel (10). Figure for the abstract: Fig. 3

Description

Title of the invention: Cooking utensil for a food preparation appliance. Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates generally to a cooking utensil for a food preparation appliance. In particular, the invention relates to a cooking utensil comprising a cooking vessel that can be received in a cooking space of a food preparation appliance, and comprising gripping means provided to facilitate handling of the cooking vessel. State of the art

[0002] It is known in the prior art of food preparation appliances to provide a cooking bowl that is removable from the appliance and to equip the cooking bowl with a gripping interface. Such a gripping interface may be removable from the cooking bowl to, for example, facilitate cleaning. However, this system may present drawbacks related to user safety. Indeed, it is important to prevent any risk of accidental detachment between the cooking bowl and the gripping interface, particularly if the cooking bowl has just been removed from the food preparation appliance and contains hot food. At the same time, it is necessary to provide an ergonomic and simple mechanism for quickly detaching the cooking bowl from the gripping interface so as not to affect or complicate the user experience. 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 cooking utensil comprising a cooking vessel and a removable gripping interface relative to the cooking vessel, the use of which is safe by preventing accidental detachment between the cooking vessel and the gripping interface, while providing ergonomic and simple use for quickly detaching the cooking vessel from the gripping interface.

[0004] To this end, a first aspect of the invention relates to a cooking utensil for a food preparation appliance, comprising at least: - a cooking vessel, designed to receive food to be prepared and designed to be received in the food preparation appliance, - a gripping interface, designed to be reversibly fixed to the cooking vessel, - a fastening mechanism, comprising at least: . a top tank fixing, mounted on the cooking tank and arranged on an upper part of the cooking tank, . an upper gripping attachment, mounted on the gripping interface and arranged to couple reversibly with the upper tank attachment, characterized in that the upper tank attachment and the upper gripping attachment are arranged to impose: . a disengagement movement of the upper gripping attachment having a disengagement displacement component directed downwards towards the cooking vessel, and / or . a coupling movement of the upper gripping attachment having a coupling displacement component directed towards the top of the cooking vessel.

[0005] The cooking utensil includes a fastening mechanism with an upper pot attachment and an upper gripping attachment designed to impose a disengagement movement of the upper gripping attachment having a disengagement displacement component directed downwards towards the cooking pot and / or a coupling movement of the upper gripping attachment having a coupling displacement component directed upwards towards the cooking pot. Consequently, the upper gripping attachment must be moved relatively downwards relative to the cooking pot in order to disengage, so that when the user handles the cooking utensil (cooking pot and gripping interface coupled), the weight of the cooking pot and the food it contains prevents any unintentional disengagement movement.In other words, the upper gripping interface is designed to support the weight of the cooking vessel via the upper vessel support. To detach the cooking vessel from the gripping interface, a specific action is required to support the weight of the cooking vessel: either place the vessel on a support, or hold the cooking vessel directly and then pull / move the gripping interface downwards.

[0006] According to the above embodiment, the upper gripping attachment is arranged to support the upper tank attachment (and therefore the cooking tank), and in particular, the upper gripping attachment is arranged to hold the tank in a vacuum solely by the interaction of the upper gripping attachment on the upper tank attachment.

[0007] According to one embodiment, the upper tank attachment and the upper gripping attachment are arranged to form, once coupled, a pivot joint between the cooking tank and the gripping interface. In other words, when only the upper gripping attachment and the upper tank attachment are coupled, the gripping interface can pivot relative to the cooking tank.

[0008] According to one embodiment, the fastening mechanism comprises: - a lower tank fixing, mounted on the cooking tank and arranged on a lower part of the cooking tank, - a lower gripping attachment, mounted on the gripping interface and arranged to couple reversibly with the lower tank attachment.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the lower tank attachment and the lower gripping attachment are arranged to block one degree of rotational freedom, and preferably one degree of translational freedom, between the cooking tank and the gripping interface, once the upper tank attachment and the upper gripping attachment have been coupled.

[0010] According to one embodiment: - one of the upper tank fixing and the upper gripping fixing includes a receiving form such as a hook, an opening, or a U-shape, - the other of the upper tank fixing and the upper gripping fixing includes a male form such as a wire, a rod, a beak, or an index, arranged to be received in the receiving form.

[0011] According to one embodiment: - The upper tank fixing and the upper gripping fixing are arranged to couple during an initial coupling phase between the cooking tank and the gripping interface, - The lower tank attachment and the lower gripping attachment are arranged to couple during a second coupling phase between the cooking tank and the gripping interface. In other words, the coupling between the cooking tank and the gripping interface is sequential: first the upper tank attachment and the upper gripping attachment are coupled, then the lower tank attachment and the lower gripping attachment are coupled.

[0012] According to one embodiment: - the lower tank fixing and the lower gripping fixing are arranged to uncouple during an initial uncoupling phase between the cooking tank and the gripping interface, - The upper tank attachment and the upper gripping attachment are arranged to uncouple during a second uncoupling phase between the cooking tank and the gripping interface. In other words, the uncoupling between the cooking tank and the gripping interface is sequential: first the lower tank attachment and the lower gripping attachment are uncoupled, then the upper tank attachment and the upper gripping attachment are uncoupled.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the fastening mechanism includes a locking mechanism arranged to reversibly lock the gripping interface on the cooking vessel. Preferably, the locking mechanism is arranged to lock (reversibly) the gripping interface onto the cooking vessel once the upper vessel attachment and the upper gripping attachment are coupled.

[0014] According to one embodiment: - one of the lower tank fixings and the lower gripping fixings includes a movable locking member such as a hook, an opening, a U-shape, - The other part of the lower tank fixing and the lower gripping fixing includes a locking counterform such as a wire, a rod, a beak, an index, and is arranged to be locked by the movable locking member. In other words, the locking mechanism is arranged to block and lock the lower tank fixing with the lower gripping fixing, for example when they are coupled.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the lower tank attachment and the lower gripping attachment are arranged to impose: . a disengagement movement of the lower gripping attachment having a horizontal disengagement displacement component or directed downwards towards the cooking vessel, . a coupling movement of the lower gripping attachment having a horizontal coupling displacement component or directed upwards towards the cooking vessel.

[0016] According to one embodiment: - one of the lower tank fixing and the lower gripping fixing includes a receiving form such as a hook, an opening, a U-shape, - the other of the lower tank fixing and the lower gripping fixing includes a male form such as a wire, a rod, a beak, an index, and arranged to be received in the receiving form.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the locking mechanism is arranged to lock a lower part of the cooking vessel onto the gripping interface and / or to thus block a disengagement movement between the lower vessel fixing and the lower gripping fixing.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the locking mechanism comprises: - a movable locking member, such as a bolt or a hook, - a control member, such as a push button, connected to the locking member and arranged to be operated manually by a user.

[0019] 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 gripping interface, - an activated position, occupied when the cooking vessel is coupled with the gripping interface. The coupling indicator allows easy verification of whether the cooking vessel and the gripping interface are actually coupled or not.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the coupling indicator: - is arranged on one of the cooking vessel and the gripping interface, - is arranged to be moved to the position activated by the other of the cooking vessel and the gripping interface. The coupling indicator, provided on one of the cooking vessel and the gripping interface, is moved to the position activated by the other of the cooking vessel and the gripping interface. Thus, the movement to the activated position occurs only during coupling.

[0021] 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. The coupling indicator is automatically (and continuously) returned to its rest position: as soon as the coupling between the cooking vessel and the gripping interface ceases, the coupling indicator leaves the activated position and is pushed or displaced towards its rest position.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the coupling indicator is arranged on the gripping interface, and the coupling detection device includes a transmission element such as a rocker arm, comprising: - an inlet portion, arranged to be actuated by the upper tank fixing at least during a coupling operation of the gripping interface onto the cooking tank, - an output portion, engaged or in contact with the coupling indicator. Such a rocker arm mechanism is simple to make and offers robust operation.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the gripping interface includes a portion of a wall such as a front panel of the cooking appliance.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the cooking utensil comprises: - a pot lid arranged to cover or close the cooking pot, - lid closing means arranged to interact with the upper pot attachment. The user can then be offered the option of detaching the cooking pot from the gripping interface and covering the cooking pot with a lid that can itself be coupled with the upper pot attachment.

[0025] A second aspect of the invention relates to a food preparation apparatus, comprising: - a cooking utensil according to the first aspect, - a housing defining a compartment to receive the cooking vessel of the cooking utensil, - cooking methods.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the housing has an opening designed to be closed by the portion of the wall (the front) of the cooking utensil, the portion of the wall being arranged in continuity with the surface of the housing of the food preparation appliance. Thus, access to the cooking space of the food preparation appliance is blocked by the cooking utensil (by the portion of the wall forming a front).

[0027] According to one embodiment, the food preparation appliance comprises the cooking utensil as described above and a safety device, including a detection sensor for detecting the coupling indicator at least in the activated position, and arranged to allow operation of the cooking means only if the coupling indicator is detected in the activated position. In other words, if the cooking vessel is installed in the food preparation appliance without the gripping interface (and therefore without the portion of the wall forming the front panel), starting and / or operating the food preparation appliance is prohibited. See figures for description.

[0028] 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:

[0029] [Fig. 1] represents a perspective view of a cooking preparation device including in particular a housing and a cooking utensil;

[0030] [Fig.2] represents a perspective view of the cooking utensil of [Fig.1], comprising a cooking vessel and a gripping interface coupled together;

[0031] [Fig.3] represents a perspective view of the cooking utensil of [Fig.2] with the cooking vessel and the gripping interface are decoupled;

[0032] [Fig.4] represents a front perspective view of the gripping interface of the cooking utensil of [Fig.2] or 3;

[0033] [Fig.5] represents a rear perspective view of the gripping interface of the cooking utensil of [Fig.2] or 3;

[0034] [Fig.6] represents a top perspective view of the cooking vessel of the cooking utensil of [Fig.2] or 3;

[0035] [Fig.7] represents a cross-sectional view of the cooking utensil of [Fig.2] in a plane parallel to the yz plane of the frame of reference of [Fig.2];

[0036] [Fig.8] represents a rear view of an internal part of the gripping interface of the cooking utensil of [Fig.2] or 3;

[0037] [Fig.9] represents a cross-sectional view of the internal part of the gripping interface of the [Fig.8] in a section plane II-II of the [Fig.8];

[0038] [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;

[0039] [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;

[0040] [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;

[0041] [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;

[0042] [Fig. 14] represents the cooking vessel and the gripping interface of the [Fig. 13], during a first coupling phase;

[0043] [Fig. 15] represents the cooking vessel and the gripping interface of the [Fig. 13], during a second coupling phase;

[0044] [Fig. 16] represents the cooking vessel and the gripping interface of the [Fig. 13], coupled together;

[0045] [Fig. 17] represents a first variant of the cooking tank and the gripping interface of the [Fig. 13];

[0046] [Fig. 18] represents a second variant of the cooking tank and the gripping interface of the [Fig. 13];

[0047] [Fig. 19] represents a third variant of the cooking tank and the gripping interface of the [Fig. 13].

[0048] Detailed description of embodiment(s)

[0049] 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.

[0050] 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 housed within casing 40, can typically be provided. Heating means may include Joule heating (one or more resistive heating elements), and ventilation means may include a ventilation unit such as a motor-fan. However, heating means by conduction, induction, or even microwaves can also be provided.

[0051] 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.

[0052] The housing 40 forms an external casing of the cooking appliance, and the cooking utensil 30 includes a portion of wall which forms a front of the cooking appliance, which extends the housing 40 (the surfaces are continuous and extend or are continuous with each other as can be seen [Fig.1]).

[0053] 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.

[0054] Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the cooking utensil 30 of Figure 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 shown in Figure 1, the cooking vessel 10 positions the received food in relation to the heating and / or ventilation means.

[0055] 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.

[0056] Fig. 3 represents a perspective view of the cooking utensil 30 of Fig. 2 with the cooking vessel 10 and the gripping interface 20 uncoupled and dissociated from each other.

[0057] 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 includes: - 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 including 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.

[0058] 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.

[0059] 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.

[0060] 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.

[0061] 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.

[0062] 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 attachment 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.

[0063] 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 arm 27.3, pivoting around a rocker arm 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).

[0064] The return spring 27.2 is not essential and it is not problematic for the coupling indicator 27.1 to occupy any position between the activated position and the rest position when the cooking vessel 10 is decoupled from the gripping interface 20.

[0065] Figure 9 shows a cross-sectional view of cooking utensil 30 of Figure 8 in a cross-sectional view II-II of [Fig.8]. It can be noted that the error-proofing element 10.3 acts on the control piston 27.4 (by pushing it downwards), which in turn acts on the rocker arm 27.3.

[0066] 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.

[0067] 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.

[0068] 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 device. 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.

[0069] 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.

[0070] Furthermore, 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.

[0071] 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.

[0072] 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.

[0073] 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 can be noted that the lid 17 includes a coupling portion designed to couple with the support rod 15.1, for example by elastic snap-fit ​​(clipping). Thus, the lid 17 is securely held onto the cooking vessel 10.

[0074] 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-shaped element. - the lower tank fixing 16 includes in particular the locking rod 16.1 and is located opposite [Fig. 13] the lower gripping fixing 26 which includes in particular a movable hook 26.1 and fixed hooks 26.2.

[0075] 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.

[0076] 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 order 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 tank attachment 15 is possible, - a pivoting between the cooking tank 10 and the gripping interface 20 is possible, in particular to bring the lower tank fixing 16 closer to the lower gripping fixing 26.

[0077] 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.

[0078] To uncouple the cooking tank 10 and the gripping interface 20, it is sufficient to operate the control button 22 to rotate the movable hook 26.1 and to be able to release the lower tank fixing 16 from the lower gripping fixing 26 by a relative rotational movement, and then move the gripping interface 20 towards the bottom of the cooking tank 10 to release the U-shaped upper gripping fixing from the support rod of the upper tank fixing 15.

[0079] 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, safety of use is guaranteed by eliminating the risks of accidental detachment, even if the user inadvertently operates the control button 22.

[0080] Figure 17 represents a first 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 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 The upper tank fixing 15 and the upper gripping fixing 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.

[0081] 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.

[0082] 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

[0083] A cooking utensil according to the present invention, and its manufacture, are capable of industrial application.

[0084] 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.

[0085] In particular, other structural implementations can be provided for locking the cooking vessel and the gripping interface: a movable pin, an elastic anti-return device, a clip...

[0086] 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.

[0087] 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. Cooking utensil (30) for a food preparation appliance, comprising at least: - a cooking bowl (10), arranged to receive food to be prepared and arranged to be received in the food preparation appliance, - a gripping interface (20), arranged to be reversibly fixed to the cooking bowl (10), - a fastening mechanism, comprising at least: . an upper bowl fixing (15), mounted on the cooking bowl (10) and arranged on an upper part of the cooking bowl (10), . an upper gripping fixing (25), mounted on the gripping interface (20) and arranged to reversibly couple with the upper bowl fixing (15), characterized in that the upper bowl fixing (15) and the upper gripping fixing (25) are arranged to impose: .a disengagement movement of the upper gripping attachment (25) having a disengagement displacement component directed towards the bottom of the cooking vessel (10), and / or a coupling movement of the upper gripping attachment (25) having a coupling displacement component directed towards the top of the cooking vessel (10).

2. Cooking utensil (30) according to claim 1, wherein the upper tank attachment (15) and the upper gripping attachment (25) are arranged to form, when coupled, a pivot joint between the cooking tank (10) and the gripping interface (20).

3. Cooking utensil (30) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the fastening mechanism comprises: . a lower tank fixing (16), mounted on the cooking tank (10) and arranged on a lower part of the cooking tank (10), . a lower gripping fixing (26), mounted on the gripping interface (20) and arranged to couple reversibly with the lower tank fixing (16).

4. Cooking utensil (30) according to claim 3, wherein the lower bowl attachment (16) and the lower gripping attachment (26) are arranged to block one degree of rotational freedom, and preferably one degree of translational freedom, between the cooking bowl (10) and the gripping interface (20), once the upper bowl attachment (15) and the upper gripping attachment (25) have been coupled.

5. Cooking utensil (30) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the fixing mechanism includes a locking mechanism arranged to reversibly lock the gripping interface (20) onto the cooking vessel (10).

6. Cooking utensil (30) according to claim 5 in its dependence on claim 3 or 4, wherein: - one of the lower tank attachment (16) and the lower gripping attachment (26) comprises a movable locking member such as a hook, an orifice, a U-shape, - the other of the lower tank attachment (16) and the lower gripping attachment (26) comprises a locking counterform such as a wire, a rod, a beak, an index, and arranged to be locked by the movable locking member.

7. Cooking utensil (30) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising a coupling detection device, including at least one coupling indicator (27.1), movable between: - a rest position, occupied when the cooking vessel (10) is uncoupled from the gripping interface (20), - an activated position, occupied when the cooking vessel (10) is coupled with the gripping interface (20).

8. Cooking utensil (30) according to claim 7, wherein the coupling indicator (27.1): - is arranged on one of the cooking vessel (10) and the gripping interface (20), - is arranged to be moved to the position activated by the other of the cooking vessel (10) and the gripping interface (20).

9. Cooking utensil (30) according to any one of claims 7 or 8, wherein the coupling detection device comprises an elastic return member arranged to exert a return force on the coupling indicator (27.1) towards the rest position.

10. Cooking utensil (30) according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the coupling witness (27.1) is arranged on the gripping interface (20), and in which the coupling detection device includes a transmission element such as a rocker (27.3), comprising: - an input portion, arranged to be actuated by the upper tank fixing (15) at least during a coupling operation of the gripping interface (20) on the cooking tank (10), - an output portion, engaged or in contact with the coupling indicator (27.1).

11. Cooking utensil (30) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the gripping interface (20) comprises a portion of wall (23) such as a front of the cooking appliance.

12. Cooking utensil (30) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, comprising: - a tank lid arranged to cover or close the cooking tank (10), - lid closing means arranged to interact with the upper tank attachment (15).

13. Food preparation apparatus, comprising: - a cooking utensil (30) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, - a housing (40) defining a compartment for receiving the cooking vessel (10) of the cooking utensil (30), - cooking means.

14. Food preparation apparatus according to claim 13, comprising the cooking utensil (30) according to claim 11, in which the housing (40) has an opening provided to be closed by the front of the cooking utensil (30), the portion of wall (23) being arranged in continuity with the surface of the housing of the food preparation apparatus.

15. A food preparation apparatus according to claim 13 or 14, comprising: - the cooking utensil (30) of any one of claims 7 to 10, - a safety device, comprising a detection sensor for detecting the coupling indicator (27.1) at least in the activated position, and arranged to allow operation of the cooking means only if the coupling indicator (27.1) is detected in the activated position.

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