Cooking utensil for food preparation appliance

Abstract

To provide a cooking utensil which includes a cooking vat and a gripping interface, prevents inadvertent detachment between the cooking vat and the gripping interface, has simple ergonomic operability for quickly releasing the cooking vat from the gripping interface, and can be safely used.SOLUTION: A cooking utensil (30) for a food preparation appliance includes a cooking vat (10), a gripping interface (20) configured to be reversibly attached to the cooking vat (10), and a connection mechanism that includes at least an upper vat connection part (15) and an upper gripping connection part (25). The upper vat connection part (15) and the upper gripping connection part (25) are configured to be moved to release the upper gripping connection part (25) including a downwardly-directed uncoupling motion member, and / or moved to couple the upper gripping connection part (25) including a coupling motion member directed towards a top of the cooking vat (10).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates generally to a cooking utensil for a food preparation device, and more particularly to a cooking utensil comprising a cooking vessel that can be held in a cooking space of a food preparation device, the cooking utensil including gripping means provided for facilitating handling of the cooking vessel. [Background technology]

[0002] Prior art food preparation devices typically include a cooking vat that can be removed from the food preparation device and that is equipped with a gripping interface. Such a gripping interface can be designed to be detachable from the cooking vat, for example, to facilitate cleaning. However, this system also has drawbacks related to user safety. Indeed, it is important to prevent the risk of inadvertent disengagement between the cooking vat and the gripping interface, especially when the cooking vat has just been removed from the food preparation device and contains hot food. However, simple and ergonomic operation must also be provided to allow the cooking vat to be quickly released from the gripping interface, thereby avoiding any negative impact or complications on the user experience. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] One object of the present invention is to address the aforementioned shortcomings of the prior art, and more specifically, to provide a cooking utensil comprising a cooking vessel and a gripping interface, which prevents inadvertent disengagement between the cooking vessel and the gripping interface, and provides simple and ergonomic operation for quickly releasing the cooking vessel from the gripping interface, thereby making the cooking utensil safe to use. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] To this end, a first aspect of the present invention comprises: a cooking vessel designed to hold food to be cooked and to be retained in an interior cooking space of the food preparation device; a gripping interface designed to be reversibly attached to the cooking vessel; A connection mechanism comprising: an upper tank connection portion attached to the cooking tank and disposed at the top of the cooking tank; a connection mechanism comprising at least an upper gripping connection portion attached to the gripping interface and designed to reversibly couple with the upper tank connection portion; At least The upper vessel connection and the upper grip connection relate to a cooking utensil for a food preparation device that is designed to impose an upper grip connection uncoupling action with an uncoupling action directed toward the bottom of the cooking vessel and / or an upper grip connection coupling action with a coupling action directed toward the top of the cooking vessel.

[0005] The cooking appliance includes a connection mechanism with an upper vessel connection portion and an upper gripping connection portion, which are designed to impose a disengagement action of the upper gripping connection portion with a disengagement action member directed toward the bottom of the cooking vessel and / or a coupling action of the upper gripping connection portion with a coupling action member directed toward the top of the cooking vessel. As a result, the upper gripping connection portion must be moved downward relative to the cooking vessel to release the cooking vessel, and the weight of the cooking vessel and the food contained therein prevents inadvertent disengagement when a user handles the cooking appliance (with the cooking vessel and gripping interface coupled together). In other words, the upper gripping connection portion is designed to bear the weight of the cooking vessel through the upper vessel connection portion. To release the cooking vessel from the gripping interface, special measures must be taken to withstand the weight of the cooking vessel. This can be done by placing the cooking vessel on a support surface or holding the cooking vessel directly and then pulling or moving the gripping interface downward.

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

[0007] According to one embodiment, the upper vessel connection part and the upper gripping connection part are designed to form a pivotal connection between the cooking vessel and the gripping interface when coupled together, i.e., when only the upper gripping connection part and the upper vessel connection part are coupled together, the gripping interface can rotate relative to the cooking vessel.

[0008] According to one embodiment, the connection mechanism comprises a lower vessel connection portion attached to the cooking vessel and positioned at the bottom of the cooking vessel, and a lower gripping connection portion attached to the gripping interface and designed to reversibly couple with the lower vessel connection portion.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the lower vessel connection portion and the lower gripping connection portion are designed to block rotational and preferably translational degrees of freedom between the cooking vessel and the gripping interface when the upper vessel connection portion and the upper gripping connection portion are coupled.

[0010] According to one embodiment, one of the upper vessel connection portion and the upper gripping connection portion comprises a retaining shape such as a hook, orifice, or U-shape, and the other of the upper vessel connection portion and the upper gripping connection portion comprises a male shape such as a wire, rod, lip, or finger that is designed to be received in the retaining shape.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the upper vessel connection part and the upper gripping connection part are designed to be coupled in a first coupling step between the cooking vessel and the gripping interface, and the lower vessel connection part and the lower gripping connection part are designed to be coupled in a second coupling step between the cooking vessel and the gripping interface, i.e., the coupling between the cooking vessel and the gripping interface is sequential, first the upper vessel connection part and the upper gripping connection part are coupled, and then the lower vessel connection part and the lower gripping connection part are coupled.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the lower vessel connection and the lower gripping connection are designed to release the coupling between the cooking vessel and the gripping interface in a first release stage, and the upper vessel connection and the upper gripping connection are designed to release the coupling between the cooking vessel and the gripping interface in a second release stage. In other words, the cooking vessel and the gripping interface are released sequentially: first, the lower vessel connection and the lower gripping connection are released, and then the upper vessel connection and the upper gripping connection are released.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the connection mechanism comprises a locking mechanism designed to reversibly lock the gripping interface to the cooking vat. Preferably, the locking mechanism is designed to (reversibly) lock the gripping interface to the cooking vat when the upper vat connection and the upper gripping connection are mated.

[0014] According to one embodiment, one of the lower tank connection part and the lower grip connection part has a movable locking member such as a hook, an orifice, a U-shape, etc., and the other of the lower tank connection part and the lower grip connection part has a locking corresponding shape such as a wire, a rod, a lip, a finger, etc., and is designed to be locked by the movable locking member. In other words, the locking mechanism is designed to block and lock the lower tank connection part when, for example, the lower tank connection part and the lower grip connection part are coupled.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the lower vessel connection and the lower gripping connection are designed to impose a disengaging action on the upper gripping connection with a disengaging action directed towards the bottom of the cooking vessel and a coupling action on the upper gripping connection with a coupling action directed towards the top of the cooking vessel.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the movable locking member is designed to latch the attachment of the gripping interface to the cooking vessel when the cooking vessel is inserted into the interior cooking space of the food preparation appliance.

[0017] According to one embodiment, one of the lower vessel connection portion and the lower gripping connection portion has a retaining shape such as a hook, orifice, U-shape, etc., and the other of the lower vessel connection portion and the lower gripping connection portion has a male shape such as a wire, rod, lip, finger, etc., designed to be received in the retaining shape.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the locking mechanism is designed to lock the lower part of the cooking vessel to the gripping interface and / or thus block any disengagement movement between the lower connection of the cooking vessel and the lower connection of the gripping device.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the locking mechanism comprises a movable locking member, such as a lock or hook, and a control member, such as a push button, connected to the locking member and designed to be manually controlled by a user.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the cooking appliance comprises a coupling detection device consisting of at least one coupling detection means movable between a rest position, which the cooking vat occupies when it is uncoupled from the gripping interface, and an active position, which the cooking vat occupies when it is coupled to the gripping interface. The coupling detection means makes it easy to check whether the cooking vat and the gripping interface are actually coupled.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the coupling detection means is arranged on one of the cooking vat and the gripping interface and is designed to be moved into the operative position by the other of the cooking vat and the gripping interface. The coupling detection means on one of the cooking vat and the gripping interface is moved into the operative position by the other of the cooking vat and the gripping interface. The movement into the operative position therefore only occurs when the coupling is engaged.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the coupling detection device comprises a resilient return member designed to exert a return force on the coupling detection means towards its rest position, such that as soon as the coupling between the cooking vat and the gripping interface is released, the coupling detection means is pushed back or moved away from the activated position towards its rest position.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the coupling detection means is arranged on the gripping interface, and the coupling detection device consists of a transmission member, such as a rocker arm, which has an input designed to be activated by the upper vat connection at least during the coupling operation of the gripping interface to the cooking vat, and an output that engages or is in contact with the coupling detection means. Such a rocker arm mechanism is simple to manufacture and robust in operation.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the gripping interface comprises a wall, such as a front panel of the food preparation appliance.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the cooking appliance comprises a vat lid designed to cover or close the cooking vat and a means for closing the vat lid designed to interact with the upper vat connection, after which a user can release the cooking vat from the gripping interface and cover the cooking vat with the vat lid, which can be coupled to the upper vat connection.

[0026] A second aspect of the present invention relates to a food preparation device comprising a cooking utensil according to the first aspect, a housing defining a cooking space for holding a cooking vessel of the cooking utensil, and cooking means.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the housing has an opening intended to be closed by a wall (front panel) of the cookware, the wall being designed to be continuous with the surface of the housing of the food preparation appliance, so that access to the cooking space of the cookware is blocked by the cookware (by the wall forming the front panel).

[0028] According to one embodiment, a food preparation apparatus comprises the cooking implement as described above and a safety system comprising a sensor for detecting at least the coupling detection means in the operative position, the safety system being designed so that the cooking means is activated only when the coupling detection means is detected to be in the operative position. In other words, if a cooking vat is installed in the food preparation apparatus without the gripping interface (and therefore without the wall forming the front panel), the food preparation apparatus will not start up and / or will not be able to operate. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0029] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of one or more embodiments of the invention, given by way of one or more non-limiting examples and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows, inter alia, a perspective view of a food preparation device including a housing and a cooking utensil. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the cooking vessel and the gripping interface coupled together in the cooking appliance of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the cooking appliance of FIG. 2 with the cooking vessel and gripping interface uncoupled. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows a perspective side view of the gripping interface of the cooking utensil of FIG. 2 or FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 shows a perspective rear view of the gripping interface of the cooking utensil of FIG. 2 or FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 shows a perspective top view of the cooking vessel of the cookware of FIG. 2 or FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of the cooking utensil of FIG. 2 in a plane parallel to the yz plane of the reference position of FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 shows a rear view of the inner portion of the gripping interface of the cooking utensil of FIG. 2 or FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional view of the inner part of the gripping interface of FIG. 8 on the cross-sectional plane II-II of FIG. [Figure 10]10 is a cross-sectional view of the gripping interface of the cooking utensil of FIG. 8 taken along cross-sectional plane II of FIG. 8, showing a portion of the housing of the food preparation apparatus. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 shows a perspective top view of the cooking vessel of the cookware of FIG. 2 or FIG. 3 with the vessel lid coupled to the cooking vessel. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 shows a perspective top view of the cooking vessel of the cookware of FIG. 2 or FIG. 3 with the vessel lid attached to the cooking vessel. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the cooking vat and cooking utensil gripping interface of FIG. 2 or FIG. 3 before coupling, taken along a plane parallel to the yz plane of the reference position of FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 shows the cooking vessel and gripping interface of FIG. 13 in a first stage of coupling. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 shows a second stage of coupling of the cooking vessel and gripping interface of FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 shows the cooking vessel of FIG. 13 coupled with a gripping interface. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 shows a first alternative embodiment of the cooking vat and gripping interface of FIG. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 shows a second alternative embodiment of the cooking vessel and gripping interface of FIG. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 shows a third alternative embodiment of the cooking vessel and gripping interface of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a food preparation device, which in this embodiment comprises, among other things, a housing 40, a cooking utensil 30, and an operating panel 50.

[0031] In the example of Figure 1, the food preparation appliance is a domestic cooking appliance designed to cook food by radiation and / or convection. Accordingly, cooking means, which may be heating means and / or ventilation means, may be provided in the housing 40. The heating means may consist of resistive heating means (one or more resistive heating elements), and the ventilation means may consist of a ventilation element such as an electric fan. However, conduction, induction or microwave heating means may also be provided.

[0032] 1 typically includes at least one electronic control unit and / or means for storing instructions or commands, and an operation panel 50 that allows a user to select recipes, operating instructions, and control and / or operate the food preparation apparatus. The operation panel 50 typically includes a display and / or touch screen and operating buttons.

[0033] Housing 40 forms the outer frame of the food preparation appliance, and cookware 30 consists of walls that form the front panel of the food preparation appliance that extend housing 40 (the surfaces may be continuous or contiguous with one another, as seen in FIG. 1).

[0034] 1 shows a Cartesian coordinate system x / y / z, which is used to define, among other things, the width of the device along the x-axis, the depth of the device along the y-axis, and the height of the device along the z-axis. In FIG. 1, the control panel 50 is located on top of the food preparation device, but it can also be located on a side wall, on the front panel, or (partially) offset to the portable electronic device.

[0035] 2 shows a perspective view of the cooking vessel 10 and gripping interface 20 coupled together in the cooking utensil 30 of FIG. 1. In this exemplary embodiment, the cooking utensil 30 includes a cooking vessel 10 designed to contain food to be cooked and to be positioned within an interior cooking space formed within a housing 40. Typically, as shown in FIG. 1, when the cooking utensil 30 is held in a food preparation apparatus, the cooking vessel 10 positions the food to be held opposite the heating means and / or opposite the ventilation means.

[0036] In FIG. 2, the cooking vessel 10 is coupled to a gripping interface 20 to form an assembly that is easy for a user to grip and handle.

[0037] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the cooking utensil 30 of FIG. 2 with the cooking vessel 10 and the gripping interface 20 uncoupled and separated from one another.

[0038] 3 and 4, the gripping interface 20 comprises a gripping handle 21, an operating button 22 located at the top of the gripping handle 21 (along the z-axis), a wall 23 consisting of a transparent glass plate 23.1 and an opaque wall 23.2, and an upper gripping connection part 25 attached to the gripping interface 20 and located at the top of the gripping handle 21 (along the z-axis) and behind the operating button 22 (along the y-axis). In Fig. 5, it can be seen that the gripping interface 20 comprises the operating button 22 located at the top of the gripping handle 21, the wall 23 comprising a transparent glass plate 23.1 and an opaque wall 23.2, the upper gripping connection part 25 attached to the gripping interface 20, and in particular a lower gripping connection part 26 consisting of a movable hook 26.1 and fixed hooks 26.2 located on either side of the movable hook 26.1 along the X-axis.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 3, and more particularly in FIG. 6, the cooking vat 10 preferably comprises a vat-forming body 10.1 made of a metal material, a transparent viewing window 10.2, an upper vat connection part 15 attached to the cooking vat 10 and arranged at the top of the cooking vat 10 along the z-axis and consisting in particular of a support rod 15.1, and a lower vat connection part 16 attached to the cooking vat 10 and arranged at the bottom of the cooking vat 10 and consisting in particular of a locking rod 16.1 and positioning recesses 16.2 arranged on both sides of the locking rod 16.1 along the x-axis.

[0040] FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of the cooking utensil 30 of FIG. 2 in a plane parallel to the yz plane of the reference position of FIG. 2 to show the cooking vat 10 coupled with the gripping interface 20.

[0041] 7, it can be seen that the upper vessel connection part 15 and the upper gripping connection part 25 are engaged with each other. In particular, the upper gripping connection part 25 has a U-shape directed upward along the z-axis and holds the support rod 15.1, which is located at the top of the cooking vessel 10, along the z-axis. Thus, the weight of the cooking vessel 10 is borne by the upper gripping connection part 25, which holds the support rod 15.1. The coupling of the upward U-shaped upper gripping connection part 25 and the support rod 15.1 thus forms a pivotal connection between the cooking vessel 10 and the gripping interface 20.

[0042] At the bottom of Figure 7 it can be seen that the lower gripping connection 26 is engaged with the lower tank connection 16. In particular it can be seen that the fixed hook 26.2 is engaged in the positioning recess 16.2 (not shown in Figure 7). Furthermore, the movable hook 26.1 (black) is lowered onto the locking rod 16.1. The movable hook 26.1 can be rotated about an axis parallel to the x-axis, with the silhouette of the movable hook 26.1 being angularly offset relative to the black movable hook 26.1, as can be seen in Figure 7.

[0043] As shown in Figure 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, and the fixed hook 26.2 engaged with the locating recess 16.2 limits translational movement of the gripping interface 20 relative to the cooking vessel 10 along the x- and z-axes. The shape of the movable hook 26.1, particularly via the slope of the inclined friction surface that contacts the locking rod 16.1 during the coupling operation of the gripping interface 20 on the cooking vessel 10, latches the attachment of the gripping interface 20 to the cooking vessel 10 when the cooking vessel 10 is inserted into the interior cooking space of the food preparation appliance. In the configuration of Figure 7, the gripping interface 20 is locked in place relative to the cooking vessel 10. When the movable hook 26.1 is moved (as a result of a user's operation of the operating button 22) to occupy the angularly offset position of its silhouette in Figure 7, the gripping interface 20 can be moved counterclockwise relative to the cooking vat 10, which can then move the upper gripping connection part 25 (and its upwardly facing U-shape) downward to release the support rod 15.1. The coupling and release operating procedures are explained in more detail with reference to Figures 13 to 16.

[0044] As shown in Figure 8, the cooking appliance 30 may be provided with a coupling detection device 27, which comprises at least one coupling detection means 27.1, which is movable between a rest position when the cooking vat 10 is uncoupled from the gripping interface 20 and an activated position (as shown in Figure 8 or Figure 10) when the cooking vat 10 is coupled to the gripping interface 20. Figure 8 is a rear view of the inner part of the gripping interface 20 of Figure 2 or Figure 3, clearly showing the coupling detection device 27. The coupling detection device 27 comprises the coupling detection means 27.1, a rocker arm 27.3 pivoting about a rocker axis, a control piston 27.4 designed to be actuated by an engagement member 10.3 attached to the cooking vat 10, and optionally a return spring 27.2 designed to return the coupling detection means 27.1 downwards (along the z-axis).

[0045] The return spring 27.2 is not essential and when the cooking vat 10 is released from the gripping interface 20, the coupling detection means 27.1 does not have to occupy any position between the activated position and the rest position.

[0046] Figure 9 shows a cross-section of the cooking utensil 30 of Figure 8 in the cross-sectional plane II-II of Figure 8. It can be seen that the engagement member 10.3 acts (pushes downwards) on the control piston 27.4, which in turn acts on the rocker arm 27.3.

[0047] Figure 10 shows a cross-sectional view of the cooking utensil 30 of Figure 8 in cross-sectional plane II of Figure 8. It can be seen that the rocker arm 27.3 (pushed by the control piston 27.4 and the engagement member 10.3 as shown in Figure 9) pushes the coupling detection means 27.1 upwards despite the return spring 27.2. As a result, the coupling detector 42 (comprising a contact probe 42.1, a return lever 42.2 and a detection switch 42.3) arranged behind the wall 41 of the housing 40 can detect that the cooking vat 10 is properly coupled to the gripping interface 20.

[0048] The gripping interface 20 may be provided with a cutout in its rear panel to allow the contact probe 42.1 to pass through and align with the coupling detection means 27.1 when the cooking utensil (cooking vessel 10 and gripping interface 20) is inserted into the food preparation appliance.

[0049] Such a coupling detection device 27 can be part of a safety system that detects that the cooking vat 10 is properly coupled to the gripping interface 20 before starting the food preparation appliance. In particular, the control unit of the food preparation appliance can prohibit any operation or function of the food preparation appliance (in particular, the operation of the heating means and / or ventilation means) if the cooking vat 10 is not coupled to the gripping interface 20. Indeed, if the cooking vat 10 is not coupled to the gripping interface 20 but is nevertheless installed in the housing 40, the front panel of the food preparation appliance (wall 23 comprising a transparent glass plate 23.1 and an opaque wall 23.2, attached to the gripping interface 20) will be missing, making operation unsafe.

[0050] Similarly, if the front panel of the food preparation appliance is attached to the appliance but the cooking vessel is not present, the control unit of the food preparation appliance may prevent the food preparation appliance from operating at all.

[0051] Furthermore, the engagement member 10.3 may be provided with a support rod 15.1, whereby when the upper tank connection part 15 and the upper grip connection part 25 engage with each other, the control piston 27.4 is then pushed downwards and, under the action of the rocker arm 27.3, the coupling detection means 27.1 is pushed upwards.

[0052] In this case, the upper gripping connection 25 of the gripping interface 20 is provided with a groove for accommodating the support rod 15.1, and the control piston 27.4, in its raised position, opens into this groove without protruding beyond the height of the gripping interface 20.

[0053] The support rod 15.1 can also be slightly eccentric towards the control piston 27.4 to allow actuation of the control piston 27.4 without interfering with the movement of the coupling detection means 27.1.

[0054] Figure 11 is a perspective top view of the cooking vat 10 of Figure 2 or 3, with a vat lid 17 connected to the cooking vat 10. Figure 12 is a perspective top view of the cooking vat 10 of Figure 2 or 3, with a vat lid 17 connected to the cooking vat 10. It can be seen that the vat lid 17 has a connection part designed to connect with the support rod 15.1, for example by a resilient engagement (snapping). In this way, the vat lid 17 is held securely to the cooking vat 10.

[0055] Figure 13 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the cooking vat 10 and the gripping interface 20 of Figure 2 or 3 before coupling, in a plane parallel to the yz plane of the reference position of Figure 2. It should be noted that the upper vat connection part 15, which in Figure 13 is provided with, among other things, a support rod 15.1, is located opposite the upper gripping connection part 25, which in Figure 13 is provided with, among other things, an upwardly facing U-shape, and the lower vat connection part 16, which in Figure 13 is provided with, among other things, a locking rod 16.1, is located opposite the lower gripping connection part 26, which in Figure 13 is provided with, among other things, a movable hook 26.1 and a fixed hook 26.2.

[0056] 14 shows the first coupling stage of the cooking tank 10 and the gripping interface 20 of FIG. 13, in which the gripping interface 20 is first moved downward, and the upper gripping connection part 25 (particularly having an upwardly facing U-shape) is then moved upward, and the U-shape of the upper gripping connection part 25 engages with the support rod of the upper tank connection part 15.

[0057] 15 shows the second coupling stage of the cooking tank 10 and the gripping interface 20 of FIG. 13, in which the first coupling stage is completed, the U-shape of the upper gripping connection part 25 holds the support rod of the upper tank connection part 15, the pivot connection between the cooking tank 10 and the gripping interface 20 is secured, further upward movement of the upper gripping connection part 25 relative to the upper tank connection part 15 is not possible, but rotation between the cooking tank 10 and the gripping interface 20 is possible, in particular, the lower tank connection part 16 can be brought closer to the lower gripping connection part 26.

[0058] Figure 16 shows the cooking vat 10 of Figure 13 coupled with the gripping interface 20. In fact, the second coupling step is completed, with the lower vat connection part 16 contacting the lower gripping connection part 26. The movable hook 26.1 (shown in particular in Figure 7) can pivot on and engage the locking rod 16.1, so that no relative movement is possible between the cooking vat 10 and the gripping interface 20.

[0059] To release the cooking vat 10 and the gripping interface 20, all that is required is to actuate the operating button 22 to rotate the movable hook 26.1, allowing a relative rotational movement to release the lower vat connection 16 from the lower gripping connection 26, and then move the gripping interface 20 towards the bottom of the cooking vat 10 to release the U-shape of the upper gripping connection from the support rod of the upper vat connection 15.

[0060] It should be noted that normally, if the user unintentionally operates the operating button 22 while holding the cooking utensil 30 by the gripping interface 20, the cooking vat 10 will not be released due to the weight of the cooking vat 10 itself, and the support rod 15.1 will be forced to remain in the U-shape of the upper gripping connection part 25, and the fixing hook 26.2 will remain pressed against the cooking vat 10. As a result, the cooking utensil 30 is easy to handle, the gripping interface 20 and the cooking vat 10 can be easily coupled or released, and even if the user inadvertently presses the operating button 22, there is no risk of inadvertent release, thus ensuring the safety of the user.

[0061] 17 shows a first variant embodiment of the cooking vat and gripping interface of FIG. 13, in which the upper vat connection part 15 has a downward U-shape, in particular, located opposite the upper gripping connection part 25 in FIG. 17, in particular, which has a support rod; similarly to FIG. 13, the lower vat connection part 16 has a locking rod 16.1, in particular, located opposite the lower gripping connection part 26 in FIG. 17, in particular, which has a movable hook 26.1 and a fixed hook 26.2. Thus, similar to the cooking utensil 30 of FIG. 13, the upper vat connection part 15 and the upper gripping connection part 25 in the first variant embodiment are designed to impose a decoupling action of the upper gripping connection part 25 with a decoupling action member directed towards the bottom of the cooking vat 10, and a coupling action of the upper gripping connection part 25 with a coupling action member directed towards the top of the cooking vat 10.

[0062] 18 shows a second variant embodiment of the cooking vat and gripping interface of FIG. 13, in which the upper vat connection part 15 in particular comprises a support ring located opposite the upper gripping connection part 25 in FIG. 18, which in particular comprises an upwardly protruding member; similarly to FIG. 13, the lower vat connection part 16 in particular comprises a locking rod 16.1 located opposite the lower gripping connection part 26 in FIG. 18, which in particular comprises a movable hook 26.1 and a fixed hook 26.2. Thus, similar to the cooking utensil 30 of FIG. 13, in the second variant embodiment, the upper vat connection part 15 and the upper gripping connection part 25 are designed to impose a decoupling action of the upper gripping connection part 25 with a decoupling action member directed toward the bottom of the cooking vat 10, and a coupling action of the upper gripping connection part 25 with a coupling action member directed toward the top of the cooking vat 10.

[0063] 19 shows a third variant embodiment of the cooking vat and gripping interface of FIG. 13, in which the upper vat connection part 15 in particular has a downwardly protruding member, which is located opposite the upper gripping connection part 25 in FIG. 19, which in particular has a support ring; and, similar to FIG. 13, the lower vat connection part 16 in particular has a locking rod 16.1, which is located opposite the lower gripping connection part 26 in FIG. 19, which in particular has a movable hook 26.1 and a fixed hook 26.2. Thus, similar to the cooking utensil 30 of FIG. 13, the upper vat connection part 15 and the upper gripping connection part 25 in the third variant embodiment are designed to impose a decoupling action of the upper gripping connection part 25 with a decoupling action member directed towards the bottom of the cooking vat 10, and a coupling action of the upper gripping connection part 25 with a coupling action member directed towards the top of the cooking vat 10. [Industrial Applicability]

[0064] The cookware and method of manufacturing it according to the present invention are suitable for industrial use.

[0065] It will be understood that various changes and / or modifications, which are obvious to those skilled in the art, can be made to the various embodiments of the invention described herein without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0066] In particular, other structural embodiments may be provided to lock the cooking vessel and the gripping interface, such as removable pins, resilient anti-return devices, clips, etc.

[0067] To detect the connection state, the rear surface of the gripping interface can be designed to contact an L-shaped connecting pin on the front surface of the cooking tank, thereby activating a switch on the device.

[0068] To detect the engagement state, any kind of transmission mechanism for moving the engagement detection means can be provided: not only a rocker arm as in the example provided, but also a connecting rod, a lever, a cam, a cam track, and the sensor attached to the housing can also be designed to directly detect a wall embedded in the gripping interface.

Claims

1. a cooking vessel (10) designed to hold food to be cooked and designed to be held in the interior cooking space of the food preparation device; a gripping interface (20) designed to be reversibly attached to said cooking vat (10); A connection mechanism comprising: an upper tank connection part (15) attached to the cooking tank (10) and arranged at the top of the cooking tank (10); a connection mechanism comprising at least an upper grip connection part (25) attached to the grip interface (20) and designed to reversibly couple with the upper tank connection part (15); A cooking utensil (30) of the food cooking apparatus, comprising at least: The upper tank connection part (15) and the upper grip connection part (25) are and / or - releasing the upper gripping connection (25) with a decoupling action member directed towards the bottom of the cooking vat (10). coupling the upper gripping connection (25) with a coupling action member directed towards the top of the cooking vat (10); A cooking appliance (30) designed to impose

2. 2. The cooking utensil (30) of claim 1, wherein the upper tank connection portion (15) and the upper grip connection portion (25) are designed to form a pivot connection between the cooking tank (10) and the grip interface (20) when coupled together.

3. The connection mechanism a lower vessel connection (16) attached to the cooking vessel (10) and located at the bottom of the cooking vessel (10); and a lower grip connection portion (26) attached to the grip interface (20) and designed to reversibly couple with the lower tank connection portion (16).

4. 4. The cooking utensil (30) of claim 3, wherein the lower tank connection portion (16) and the lower grip connection portion (26) are designed to block rotational and preferably translational degrees of freedom between the cooking tank (10) and the grip interface (20) when the upper tank connection portion (15) and the upper grip connection portion (25) are coupled.

5. 5. The cooking utensil (30) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the connection mechanism comprises a locking mechanism designed to reversibly lock the gripping interface (20) to the cooking vat (10).

6. one of the lower tank connection portion (16) and the lower grip connection portion (26) is provided with a movable locking member such as a hook, an orifice, a U-shape, etc.; The cooking utensil (30) according to claim 5, which is dependent on claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the other of the lower tank connection portion (16) and the lower grip connection portion (26) is provided with a locking-compatible shape such as a wire, a rod, a lip, a finger, or the like, and is designed to be locked by the movable locking member.

7. a rest position that the cooking vat (10) occupies when it is decoupled from the gripping interface (20); 7. The cooking utensil (30) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the cooking vat (10) comprises a coupling detection device comprising at least one coupling detection means (27.1) movable between a position where the cooking vat (10) is coupled to the gripping interface (20) and an operating position where the cooking vat (10) is coupled to the gripping interface (20).

8. the coupling detection means (27.1) is arranged on one of the cooking vat (10) and the gripping interface (20); 8. The cooking utensil (30) according to claim 7, which is designed to be moved to the operating position by the other of the cooking vat (10) and the gripping interface (20).

9. Cooking utensil (30) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the coupling detection device comprises a resilient return member designed to exert a return force on the coupling detection means (27.1) towards the rest position.

10. 10. The cooking utensil (30) according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the coupling detection means (27.1) is arranged on the gripping interface (20), and the coupling detection device comprises a transmission member such as a rocker arm (27.3), and comprises an input part designed to be activated by at least the upper vat connection part (15) during an operation in which the gripping interface (20) is engaged with the cooking vat (10), and an output part engaging or contacting the coupling detection means (27.1).

11. 11. The cooking utensil (30) of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the gripping interface (20) comprises a wall (23) such as a front panel of the food preparation device.

12. a vat lid designed to cover or close said cooking vat (10); means for closing the tank lid, designed to interact with the upper tank connection (15); The cooking utensil (30) of any one of claims 1 to 11, comprising:

13. A food preparation device comprising: a cooking utensil (30) according to any one of claims 1 to 12; a housing (40) forming a cooking space for holding the cooking vessel (10) of the cooking appliance (30); Cooking means, A food preparation device comprising:

14. A cooking device (30) according to claim 11, The housing (40) has an opening intended to be closed by the front panel of the cooking utensil (30); 14. Food preparation device according to claim 13, wherein the wall (23) is designed to be continuous with the surface of the housing of the food preparation device.

15. A cooking utensil (30) according to any one of claims 7 to 10; a safety system comprising a sensor for detecting at least the coupling detection means (27.1) in the operating position, the safety system being designed so that the cooking means operates only when the coupling detection means (27.1) is detected to be in the operating position; 15. The food preparation apparatus of claim 13 or claim 14, comprising:

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