Food heating appliance comprising a lid support structure movable between retracted and deployed configurations

Abstract

The invention relates to a food heating appliance (2) which comprises a base (3) provided with a receiving surface (5), a lid (23) configured to be placed on top of the receiving surface (5), and a support structure (35) that extends vertically from the base (3) and is configured to support the upper lid (23). The support structure (35) is configured to occupy a retracted configuration in which the support structure (35), the upper lid (23) and the receiving surface (5) define a single receiving point in which a bowl (8) can be received, and a deployed configuration in which the support structure (35), the upper lid (23) and the receiving surface (5) define a lower receiving point (37) and an upper receiving point (38) which are arranged one above the other and are configured to receive two bowls (8) in a stacked arrangement.

Description

Food heating appliance comprising a lid support structure that can be moved between retracted and extended configurations

[0001] The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for heating food products, in particular for cooking purposes. State of the art

[0002] As is well known, an electric cooking appliance includes:

[0003] - a housing comprising a cooking vessel that delimits a cooking chamber intended to hold food,

[0004] - a lid mounted to move relative to the housing between an open position in which the lid allows access to the cooking chamber, and a closed position in which the lid prevents access to the cooking chamber, and

[0005] - a heating device attached to the lid and configured to be located opposite the cooking chamber delimited by the cooking vessel when the lid is in the closed position.

[0006] Such an electric cooking appliance allows food contained in the cooking chamber to be cooked according to different cooking methods.

[0007] However, the number of recipes that can be made with such an electric cooking appliance is limited.

[0008] Furthermore, such an electric cooking appliance generally takes up a significant amount of space.

[0009] The present invention aims to remedy these drawbacks.

[0010] The technical problem underlying the invention is therefore to provide a food heating device that is simple in structure, economical and compact, while allowing for an increased number of recipes.

[0011] To this end, the present invention relates to a food heating apparatus comprising:

[0012] - a base comprising a main housing on which a receiving surface is provided,

[0013] - two bowls, each comprising a base and a side wall which define an internal volume intended to contain food, the side wall of each bowl comprising an upper peripheral edge defining a top opening through which food can be introduced into the internal volume of said bowl, at least one of the two bowls being configured to rest on the receiving surface of the base,

[0014] - a top cover configured to occupy a covering configuration in which the top cover is capable of at least partially covering one of the two bowls, the top cover comprising a top heating device configured to heat food contained in a bowl that is at least partially covered by the top cover, and

[0015] - a support structure that extends vertically from the main housing and is configured to support the top cover,

[0016] the support structure being configured to occupy a retracted configuration in which, when the upper cover occupies the covering configuration, the upper cover is located at a first distance from the receiving surface and in which the support structure, the upper cover and the receiving surface define a single receiving location in which one of the two bowls is suitable to be received, and a deployed configuration in which, when the upper cover occupies the covering configuration, the upper cover is located at a second distance from the receiving surface which is greater than the first distance and in which the support structure, the upper cover and the receiving surface define at least in part a lower receiving location which is delimited in part by the receiving surface and an upper receiving location which is delimited in part by the upper cover,The lower receiving location and the upper receiving location are arranged one above the other and configured to receive the two bowls respectively in a superimposed arrangement.

[0017] The specific configuration of the support structure allows two different recipes to be prepared simultaneously with the food heating device according to the present invention. Indeed, when the support structure is in its deployed configuration and two bowls are received respectively in the lower and upper receiving positions, a user can, for example, prepare a first recipe, such as a water-based recipe, in the bowl placed in the lower receiving position and a second recipe, such as a gratin, in the bowl placed in the upper receiving position.

[0018] In addition, when a user wishes to make a single recipe, they move the support structure into the retracted configuration and position a bowl in the single receiving location, which has the effect of significantly reducing the height footprint of the food heating appliance in such a configuration of use.

[0019] Furthermore, the specific configuration of the support structure allows for a reduced height of the food heating appliance according to the present invention when it is in its storage configuration. This is achieved by storing one of the two bowls separately and positioning the support structure in its retracted position.

[0020] The food heating appliance may also have one or more of the following characteristics, taken alone or in combination.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the invention, the support structure is telescopic.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the invention, the upper heating device comprises an upper heating element configured to heat at least by radiation a food contained in a bowl which is at least partially covered by the upper lid, and for example in a bowl received in the single receiving location or in a bowl received in the upper receiving location.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the invention, the upper heating element comprises an electrical heating resistance.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the invention, the food heating device comprises an intermediate cover configured to be interposed between the two bowls when the two bowls are received respectively in the lower receiving location and the upper receiving location, the intermediate cover comprising a closing part configured to at least partially close the upper opening of a bowl received in the lower receiving location, and a support device configured to support a bowl received in the upper receiving location when the two bowls are received respectively in the lower receiving location and the upper receiving location.The presence of such an intermediate cover ensures stable support of the received bowl in the upper receiving location without requiring the presence of a specific housing to hold said bowl in position, which reduces the manufacturing costs of the food heating device and ensures optimized cooling of the outer wall of said bowl.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the invention, the support device is configured to position a bowl received in the upper receiving slot at a distance from the upper face of the closing portion, thus defining an air gap between the closing portion and the lower face of the bowl received in the upper receiving slot. These arrangements prevent the intermediate lid from heating the bowl received in the upper receiving slot, and therefore prevent such heating from affecting the recipe prepared with the bowl received in the upper receiving slot.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the invention, the intermediate lid includes a locking device configured to reversibly lock the closing part onto a bowl.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the invention, the locking device comprises two movable locking members, for example pivotally mounted, on the closing part between a locking configuration in which the locking members are configured to cooperate with a bowl, and for example with the upper peripheral edge of said bowl, so as to lock the closing part on said bowl, and an unlocking configuration in which the locking members are configured to release said bowl so as to allow removal of the intermediate lid.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the invention, the two locking members are arranged on either side of a median longitudinal plane of the intermediate cover.

[0029] According to one embodiment of the invention, the two locking members are substantially diametrically opposed with respect to a central axis of the intermediate cover.

[0030] According to one embodiment of the invention, each locking member comprises a locking portion configured to cooperate with a bowl when the locking members are in the locking configuration and to release the bowl when the locking members are in the unlocking configuration, and a support portion that is fixed in movement to the respective locking portion and configured to support a respective portion of a bowl received in the upper receiving position when the locking members are in the unlocking configuration, the two support portions forming the support device. Such a configuration of the support device, and therefore of the intermediate cover, reduces the manufacturing costs of the food heating apparatus according to the present invention.

[0031] According to one embodiment of the invention, the two support parts are configured to extend substantially horizontally when the base rests on a horizontal surface, the locking members are in the unlocking configuration, and the two bowls are received respectively in the lower receiving location and the upper receiving location.

[0032] According to one embodiment of the invention, the closing portion includes steam vents configured to vent, to the outside of a bowl at least partially closed by the closing portion, the steam generated within the internal volume of said bowl. The intermediate lid further includes a movable shuttering device between a closed configuration in which the shuttering device closes the steam vents and a released configuration in which the shuttering device releases the steam vents. The presence of such a shuttering device ensures better preservation of the food contained in the bowl when it is, for example, placed in a refrigerator. In addition, the presence of the steam vents also allows for easy draining of food contained in the bowl fitted with the intermediate lid.

[0033] According to one embodiment of the invention, each locking member comprises a sealing portion that is fixed in movement to the respective locking member. The two sealing portions together form the sealing device and are configured to close the steam vents when the locking members are in the locked configuration and to open the steam vents when the locking members are in the unlocked configuration. Such a configuration of the sealing device, and therefore of the intermediate cover, further reduces the manufacturing costs of the food heating appliance according to the present invention.

[0034] According to one embodiment of the invention, the intermediate cover includes a vapor deflector configured to deflect, when the closing device is in the release position and the two bowls are received respectively in the lower and upper receiving positions, vapor exiting through the vapor vents away from the bowl received in the upper receiving position. The presence of such a vapor deflector prevents the outer wall of the bowl received in the upper receiving position from heating by vapor flowing from the bowl received in the lower receiving position, and thus avoids the risk of burns to a user during subsequent handling of the bowl placed in the upper receiving position.In addition, the presence of such a vapor deflector prevents the condensation of water vapor on the outer wall of the bowl received in the upper receiving location, which limits the risks of water flowing from the outer wall of the bowl previously received in the upper receiving location, for example when tasting the recipe made in said bowl directly into the latter.

[0035] According to one embodiment of the invention, the two locking parts are configured to form the vapor deflector when the locking members are in the unlocking configuration.

[0036] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first distance is less than the cumulative height of the two bowls, and for example less than the height of each of the bowls.

[0037] According to one embodiment of the invention, the second distance is greater than the cumulative height of the two bowls.

[0038] According to one embodiment of the invention, the support structure is configured to extend only along a portion of the perimeter of the main housing.

[0039] According to one embodiment of the invention, the support structure is located in a rear part of the base.

[0040] According to one embodiment of the invention, the support structure is configured to extend substantially vertically when the base rests on a horizontal surface.

[0041] According to one embodiment of the invention, the upper lid includes a steam vent configured to vent, to the outside of the food heating appliance, the steam generated within the internal volume of a bowl that is at least partially covered by the upper lid. The presence of such a steam vent reduces the steam pressure within the bowl that is at least partially covered by the upper lid, and therefore the risk of steam escaping through the upper peripheral edge of said bowl, thus limiting the risk of overheating of the upper peripheral edge of said bowl.

[0042] According to one embodiment of the invention, the upper heating device includes a reflector configured to deflect at least part of the radiation from the upper heating element towards a bowl, which is at least partially covered by the upper cover.

[0043] According to one embodiment of the invention, the reflector is configured to extend over the upper heating element when the upper cover is in the overlapping configuration.

[0044] According to one embodiment of the invention, the upper heating element includes a protective element, such as a protective plate or grid, configured to prevent a user from accessing the upper heating element. The protective element is configured to extend under the upper heating element when the upper cover is in its covering configuration. The presence of the protective element reduces the risk of damage to the upper heating element by protecting it from food splashes. Advantageously, the protective element is removable to facilitate cleaning.

[0045] According to one embodiment of the invention, the protective element is essentially transparent to the wavelengths of radiation emitted by the upper heating element. Thus, the protective element does not interfere with the cooking of food due to radiation emitted by the upper heating element.

[0046] According to one embodiment of the invention, the reflector and the protective element define an internal housing, for example annular, in which the upper heating element is disposed.

[0047] According to one embodiment of the invention, the base includes a lower heating device configured to heat food contained in a bowl resting on the receiving surface. The presence of such a lower heating device increases the number of recipes that can be prepared with the food heating appliance according to the present invention, and in particular ensures the cooking of food contained in a bowl received in the lower receiving position.

[0048] The lower heating unit can, for example, be housed in the main casing of the base, and can, for example, be positioned under the receiving surface.

[0049] According to one embodiment of the invention, the upper lid is movable between a covering configuration, also called a closed configuration, in which the upper lid is able to at least partially cover one of the two bowls, and in particular to prevent access to the internal volume of said bowl, and an access configuration, also called an open configuration, in which the upper lid is configured to allow access to the internal volume of said bowl. Such a configuration of the upper lid allows for easy positioning of the bowl(s) in their respective receiving positions, and also for easy removal of the bowl(s) when the upper lid is in the access configuration, thus further enhancing the ergonomics of the food heating appliance according to the present invention.

[0050] According to one embodiment of the invention, the upper cover is pivotally mounted relative to the support structure about a pivot axis, which may, for example, be located in an upper part of the support structure. Advantageously, the pivot axis extends substantially horizontally when the base rests on a horizontal surface.

[0051] According to one embodiment of the invention, each bowl comprises a bowl body, advantageously metallic, delimiting at least part of the internal volume of said bowl, and at least one thermally insulating layer which envelops at least part of the respective bowl body.

[0052] According to one embodiment of the invention, the thermally insulating layer of each bowl comprises a thermal insulation coating which is made of thermally insulating material, for example elastomer, and which covers at least part of an external surface of the respective bowl body.

[0053] According to one embodiment of the invention, the internal volume of each bowl is less than 1.3 liters, and for example, less than 1 liter. Such a configuration of each bowl ensures efficient and rapid cooking of the food contained within, gives the food warming appliance according to the invention a highly compact design, and encourages a user to use the food warming appliance according to the invention for preparing a meal for one person.

[0054] According to one embodiment of the invention, the two bowls have identical or different sizes, and have identical or different volumes. Brief description of the figures

[0055] The present invention will be better understood with the aid of the following description with reference to the accompanying figures, in which identical reference signs correspond to structurally and / or functionally identical or similar elements.

[0056] is a perspective view of a food heating device according to the invention in which a support structure and a top cover belonging to the food heating device occupy respectively a retracted configuration and a covering configuration.

[0057] is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the food heating apparatus in which the support structure and the upper cover occupy the retracted and covered configurations respectively.

[0058] is a perspective view of the food heating device in which the support structure occupies the retracted configuration and the top cover occupies an access configuration.

[0059] is a perspective view of the food heating device in which the support structure and the top cover occupy respectively a deployed configuration and the covering configuration.

[0060] is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the food heating apparatus in which the support structure and the upper cover occupy the deployed and covered configurations respectively.

[0061] is a cross-sectional view of the food heating device in which the support structure and the top cover occupy the deployed and covered configurations respectively.

[0062] is a perspective view of the food heating device in which the support structure occupies the deployed configuration and the top cover occupies an access configuration.

[0063] is a perspective view of a bowl, belonging to the food heating appliance, equipped with an intermediate lid whose locking mechanisms occupy an unlocking configuration.

[0064] is a perspective view of a bowl, belonging to the food heating appliance, equipped with the intermediate lid whose locking mechanisms occupy a locking configuration. Detailed description

[0065] In this document, the terms "front", "rear", "upper", "lower", "top", "bottom", "above" and "below" are defined with respect to a use of the food heating appliance during which the base rests on a horizontal surface and the user is located opposite a human-machine interface with which the food heating appliance is equipped.

[0066] Unless otherwise stipulated, the term "substantially" means, in this document, "exactly or to within 10% or to within 10°".

[0067] Figures 1 to 9 represent a food heating appliance 2, and more specifically an electric cooking appliance, for cooking food, such as meat, fish, vegetables, rice or other foods.

[0068] The food heating appliance 2 has a base 3 configured to rest on a flat surface, such as a worktop. The base 3 has a main housing 4 with a receiving surface 5. Advantageously, the receiving surface 5 is flat and circular.

[0069] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the base 3 includes a lower heating device 6 (see the) housed in the main casing 4. According to one embodiment of the invention, the lower heating device 6 has a power of less than 1200 W, and preferably less than 800 W.

[0070] Advantageously, the lower heating device 6 is an induction heating device and includes an induction coil 7 located below the receiving surface 5, configured to generate a magnetic field when the induction coil 7 is electrically energized. However, according to one embodiment of the invention, the lower heating device 6 could be a convection heating device, a conduction heating device, or even a radiant heating device, for example, by infrared radiation.

[0071] The food heating unit 2 further comprises two removable bowls 8. Each bowl 8 is specifically designed to rest on the receiving surface 5 of the base 3 and to be heated by the lower heating element 6 when resting on the receiving surface 5. Each bowl 8 defines an internal volume 9 for holding food. Advantageously, the internal volume 9 of each bowl 8 is less than 1 liter. The two bowls 8 may, for example, be of the same or different sizes, and of the same or different volumes.

[0072] Each bowl 8 further comprises a base 8.1 and a side wall 8.2 having an upper peripheral rim 11 delimiting a top opening 12 through which food can be introduced into the internal volume 9 delimited by said bowl 8.

[0073] As shown more particularly in Figure 1, each bowl 8 comprises a bowl body 13, which is metallic, for example, made of stainless steel, iron, or similar material, and which at least partially delimits the internal volume 9 of said bowl 8, and a thermal insulation lining 14, which is made of a thermally insulating material, for example, an elastomer, and which at least partially covers an external surface of the respective bowl body 13. The thermally insulating material is advantageously transparent to the magnetic field generated by the lower heating device 6. Advantageously, the thermal insulation lining 14 of each bowl 8 completely covers the external surface of the peripheral wall of the respective bowl body 13 and at least partially covers an external surface of the bottom wall of the respective bowl body 13.

[0074] As shown more particularly in Figure 1, each thermal insulation coating 14 covers an upper end of the peripheral wall of the respective bowl body 13, and also partially covers the inner surface of a portion of the upper end of the peripheral wall of the respective bowl body 13. Advantageously, each thermal insulation coating 14 extends around the entire inner perimeter of the upper end portion of the peripheral wall of the respective bowl body 13, completely delimits the upper opening 12 of the respective bowl 8, and forms the upper peripheral edge 11 of the respective bowl 8.

[0075] As shown in the figure, the base 3 has a centering member 17 projecting upwards from the receiving surface 5, and each bowl 8 has a centering housing 18 which is configured to receive the centering member 17 when said bowl 8 rests on the receiving surface 5. Such a configuration of the base 3 and each bowl 8 ensures an optimal relative position of a bowl 8 with respect to the lower heating device 6, and in particular with respect to the induction coil 7, when said bowl 8 rests on the receiving surface 5.

[0076] The food heating device 2 further includes a top cover 23 configured to overcome the receiving surface 5, i.e. to extend over the receiving surface 5, when no bowl 8 rests on the receiving surface 5.

[0077] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the upper cover 23 is pivotally mounted relative to the base 3 about a pivot axis and between a covering configuration (see Figures 1 and 2), also called the closing configuration, in which the upper cover 23 is configured to cover a bowl 8 located under the upper cover 23 and to prevent access to the internal volume 9 of said bowl 8, and an access configuration (see Figure 1), also called the opening configuration, in which the upper cover 23 is configured to allow access to the internal volume 9 of a bowl 8 located under the upper cover 23. Advantageously, the access configuration of the upper cover 23 is stable, and the pivot axis is located in a rear part of the food heating appliance 2 and extends substantially horizontally when the base 3 rests on a horizontal surface.

[0078] The upper cover 23 is more particularly configured such that, when the upper cover 23 occupies the covering configuration and a bowl 8 rests on the receiving surface 5, a central axis of the upper cover 23 is substantially coincident with a central axis of said bowl 8, and such that, when the upper cover 23 occupies the access configuration and a bowl 8 rests on the receiving surface 5, the central axis of the upper cover 23 is not intersecting with said bowl 8.

[0079] As shown in the figure, the upper cover 23 comprises a cover body 24 and an upper heating device 25 attached to the cover body 24.

[0080] The upper heating device 25 includes, in particular, an upper heating element 26 configured to heat by infrared radiation a food contained in the internal volume 9 of a bowl 8 surmounted by the upper lid 23. Advantageously, the upper heating element 26 is an electric heating element, and is configured to extend in relation to the receiving surface 5 when the upper lid 23 is in the covering configuration and no bowl 8 rests on the receiving surface 5. The upper heating element 26 may, for example, extend at least partially around the central axis of the upper lid 23, and may, for example, have a power rating of less than 1200 W, preferably less than 800 W and advantageously between 300 W and 500 W.

[0081] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the upper heating device 25 further includes a reflector 27 configured to deflect at least part of the radiation from the upper heating element 26 towards a bowl 8 which is surmounted by the upper cover 23. Advantageously, the reflector 27 is configured to extend over the upper heating element 26 when the upper cover 23 is in the covering configuration.

[0082] The upper heating element 25 further includes a protective element 28, such as a protective plate or grille, configured to prevent a user from accessing the upper heating element 26, particularly when the upper cover 23 is in the access configuration. The protective element 28 is configured to extend below the upper heating element 26 and substantially horizontally when the upper cover 23 is in the covering configuration and the base 3 rests on a horizontal surface. According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the protective element 28 is substantially transparent to the wavelengths of radiation emitted by the upper heating element 26 and may, for example, be made of glass or glass-ceramic. Advantageously, the reflector 27 and the protective element 28 define an internal, for example annular, housing in which the upper heating element 26 is located.

[0083] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the upper cover 23 further comprises a steam vent 31 configured to vent, to the outside of the food heating appliance 2, the steam generated in the internal volume 9 of a bowl 8 surmounted by the upper cover 23. The presence of such a steam vent 31 makes it possible to reduce the steam pressure in the bowl 8 which is surmounted by the upper cover 23, and therefore the risk of steam escaping through the upper peripheral edge 11 of said bowl 8, which limits the risks of heating of the upper peripheral edge 11 of said bowl 8.

[0084] As shown in the figure, the steam vent 31 is located in a central portion of the upper cover 23, and the upper heating element 26 extends around the steam vent 31. The steam vent 31 may, for example, have a cross-section that is generally circular. Advantageously, the cover body 24 has a central passage 32 through which the steam vent 31 extends, and the steam vent 31 is configured to extend substantially vertically when the upper cover 23 is in the overlapping configuration and the base 3 rests on a horizontal surface.

[0085] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the steam exhaust stack 31 comprises a steam guide section 31.1 which is tubular and configured to be fluidly connected to the internal volume 9 of a bowl 8 surmounted by the upper cover 23, and an upper end wall 31.2 which partially closes an upper end of the steam guide section 31.1 and which is provided with a plurality of steam outlet openings 31.3. Advantageously, the upper heating device 25, and more particularly the reflector 27, comprises a plurality of steam passage openings 33 (see i) configured to fluidly connect the internal volume 9 of a bowl 8 surmounted by the upper cover 23 to the steam exhaust stack 31.

[0086] As shown in particular in the figure, the food heating device 2 includes a support structure 35 which extends vertically from the main housing 4 and which is configured to support the upper cover 23. Advantageously, the support structure 35 is located in a rear part of the base 3, and is configured to extend substantially vertically when the base 3 rests on a horizontal surface.

[0087] As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the support structure 35 extends only along part of the periphery of the main housing 4, and is therefore configured to extend only around part of the periphery of a bowl 8 when said bowl 8 rests on the receiving surface 5 of the base 3.

[0088] The support structure 35 is more particularly telescopic and is configured to occupy a retracted configuration in which, when the upper cover 23 occupies the covering configuration, the upper cover 23 is located at a first distance D1 from the receiving surface 5 and the support structure 35, the upper cover 23 and the receiving surface 5 defining a single receiving location 36 in which one of the two bowls 8 is suitable to be received, and a deployed configuration in which, when the upper cover 23 occupies the covering configuration, the upper cover 23 is located at a second distance D2 from the receiving surface 5 which is greater than the first distance D1 and the support structure 35, the upper cover 23 and the receiving surface 5 defining a lower receiving location 37, which is delimited in part by the receiving surface 5, and an upper receiving location 38,which is partially delimited by the upper cover 23.,

[0089] The lower receiving location 37 and the upper receiving location 38 are arranged one above the other and are configured to receive the two bowls 8 respectively in a superimposed arrangement. According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the first distance D1 is less than the combined height of the two bowls 8, and for example less than the height of each of the bowls 8, and the second distance D2 is greater than the combined height of the two bowls 8.

[0090] As shown in particular in Figures 4 and 5, the food heating device 2 has an intermediate cover 39 configured to be interposed between the two bowls 8 when the two bowls 8 are received respectively in the lower receiving location 37 and the upper receiving location 38.

[0091] The intermediate cover 39 more particularly includes a closing part 41 configured to at least partially close the upper opening 12 of a bowl 8, and a locking device 42 configured to reversibly lock the closing part 41 onto said bowl 8.

[0092] The locking device 42 more particularly comprises two locking members 43 mounted movable, and for example pivotally mounted, on the closing part 41 between a locking configuration in which the locking members 43 are configured to cooperate with a bowl 8, and for example with the upper peripheral edge 11 of said bowl 8, so as to lock the closing part 41 on said bowl 8, and an unlocking configuration in which the locking members 43 are configured to release said bowl 8 so as to allow removal of the intermediate cover 39. Advantageously, the two locking members 43 are substantially diametrically opposed with respect to a central axis of the intermediate cover 39.

[0093] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, each locking member 43 comprises a locking portion 44 configured to cooperate with a bowl 8 when the locking members 43 are in the locked configuration and to release said bowl 8 when the locking members 43 are in the unlocked configuration. Each locking portion 44 may, for example, be provided with a locking rib adapted to cooperate with the upper peripheral edge 11 of a bowl 8.

[0094] Each locking member 43 further comprises a support portion 45 which is fixed in movement to the respective locking portion 44 and which is configured to support a respective portion of a bowl 8 received in the upper receiving position 38 when the locking members 43 are in the unlocked position and the intermediate cover 39 is interposed between the two bowls 8 arranged in the stacked configuration. The two support portions 45 thus form a support device 46 configured to support a bowl 8 received in the upper receiving position 38 when the two bowls 8 are arranged in the stacked configuration.

[0095] Advantageously, the two support parts 45 are configured to extend substantially horizontally when the base 3 rests on a horizontal surface, the locking members 43 are in the unlocking configuration and the two bowls 8 are received respectively in the lower receiving position 37 and the upper receiving position 38, and to extend substantially vertically when the bowl 8 equipped with the intermediate cover 39 rests on a horizontal surface and the locking members 43 are in the locking configuration.

[0096] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the support device 46 is configured to position a bowl 8, received in the upper receiving location 38, at a distance from the upper face of the closing part 41 so as to define an air gap between the closing part 41 and the lower face of the bowl 8 received in the upper receiving location 38.

[0097] As shown in the figure, the closing part 41 has steam venting openings 47 configured to vent, to the outside of a bowl 8 equipped with the intermediate cover 39 (and therefore at least partially closed by the closing part 41), the steam generated in the internal volume 9 of said bowl 8.Advantageously, the steam vents 47 comprise a first series of steam vents 47 located near one of the locking members 43 and a second series of steam vents 47 located near the other of the locking members 43, and each locking member 43 comprises a closing part 48 which is integral in movement with the respective locking part 44 and which is configured to close the steam vents 47 belonging to the respective series when the locking members 43 are in the locking configuration and to release the steam vents 47 belonging to the respective series when the locking members 43 are in the unlocking configuration.Thus, the two sealing parts 48 form a movable sealing device 49 between a sealing configuration in which the sealing device 49 seals the steam vents 47 and a release configuration in which the sealing device 49 releases the steam vents 47.

[0098] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the two locking parts 44 are configured to form a vapor deflector when the locking members 43 are in the unlocked configuration. Each of the locking parts 44 is more particularly configured to deflect, when the two bowls 8 are received respectively in the lower receiving position 37 and the upper receiving position 38, when the intermediate cover 39 is interposed between the two bowls 8 and the locking members 43 are in the unlocked configuration, the vapor generated in the bowl 8 received in the lower receiving position 37 and exiting through the vapor vents 47, away from the bowl 8 received in the upper receiving position 38.

[0099] The food heating device 2 also includes a control unit 51 configured to control the operation of the food heating device 2, and a human-machine interface 52 configured to allow a user to select at least one operating parameter of the food heating device 2. Advantageously, the control unit 51 is located in the main housing 4 of the base 3, and the human-machine interface 52 is located in a front part of the main housing 4 of the base 3.

[0100] A first example of a method for cooking food using the food heating device 2 according to the present invention is described below.

[0101] Such a cooking process includes the following steps:

[0102] - positioning of the support structure 35 in the retracted configuration,

[0103] - displacement of the upper cover 23 in the access configuration,

[0104] - positioning of a bowl 8 on the receiving surface 5 and in the single receiving location 36,

[0105] - insertion of the food to be cooked into the internal volume 9 of the bowl 8 received in the single receiving location 36,

[0106] - displacement of the upper cover 23 in the cover configuration,

[0107] - selection of operating parameters, for example cooking temperature and cooking time, using the human-machine interface 52, and

[0108] - cooking food according to the selected operating parameters.

[0109] When the food is cooked, the user grasps the top cover 23 and moves it into the access configuration, and then firmly grasps the bowl 8, with one or two hands, and carries it to the dining location.

[0110] A second example of a method for cooking food using the food heating device 2 according to the present invention is described below.

[0111] Such a cooking process includes the following steps:

[0112] - Positioning of support structure 35 in the deployed configuration,

[0113] - displacement of the upper cover 23 in the access configuration,

[0114] - positioning of a bowl 8 on the receiving surface 5 and in the lower receiving location 37,

[0115] - Inserting the food to be cooked into the internal volume 9 of the bowl 8 resting on the receiving surface 5,

[0116] - positioning of the intermediate lid 39 on the bowl 8 resting on the receiving surface 5, so as to at least partially close the upper opening 12 of said bowl 8,

[0117] - positioning of the locking mechanisms 43 in the unlocking configuration,

[0118] - positioning of the other bowl 8 on the support device 46 and in the upper receiving location 38,

[0119] - Insertion of the food to be cooked into the internal volume 9 of the bowl 8 placed in the upper receiving position 38,

[0120] - displacement of the upper cover 23 in the cover configuration,

[0121] - selection of operating parameters, for example cooking temperature and cooking time, using the human-machine interface 52, and

[0122] - cooking food according to the selected operating parameters.

[0123] According to an embodiment of the invention not shown in the figures, the food heating device 2 could include a fan mechanically connected to the upper lid 23 and configured to generate an airflow, and the upper heating element 26 would be configured to heat the airflow generated by the fan. According to such an embodiment of the invention, the food heating device 2 allows food, contained in a bowl 8 surmounted by the upper lid 23, to be cooked using a hot air cooking method.

[0124] Of course, the present invention is in no way limited to the embodiments described and illustrated, which have been given only by way of example. Modifications remain possible, particularly with regard to the composition of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

[0125] Thus, in an alternative embodiment not shown, the support structure 35 may include an accordion structure, rather than a telescopic one, or any other equivalent structure allowing the support structure 35 to offer a retracted configuration and a deployed configuration.

Claims

Food heating apparatus (2) comprising: - a base (3) having a main body (4) on which a receiving surface (5) is provided, - two bowls (8) each comprising a base (8.1) and a side wall (8.2) which delimit an internal volume (9) intended to contain food, the side wall (8.2) of each bowl (8) comprising an upper peripheral edge (11) delimiting an upper opening (12) through which food can be introduced into the internal volume (9) of said bowl (8), at least one of the two bowls (8) being configured to rest on the receiving surface (5) of the base (3), - an upper cover (23) configured to occupy a covering configuration in which the upper cover (23) is capable of at least partially covering one of the two bowls (8),the upper cover (23) comprising an upper heating device (25) configured to heat food contained in a bowl (8) which is at least partially covered by the upper cover (23), and a support structure (35) extending vertically from the main housing (4) and configured to support the upper cover (23), the support structure (35) being configured to occupy a retracted configuration in which, when the upper cover (23) is in the covering configuration, the upper cover (23) is located at a first distance (D1) from the receiving surface (5) and in which the support structure (35), the upper cover (23) and the receiving surface (5) define a single receiving location (36) in which one of the two bowls (8) is suitable to be received, and a deployed configuration in which, when the upper cover (23) is in the covering configuration,the upper cover (23) is located at a second distance (D2) from the receiving surface (5) which is greater than the first distance (D1) and in which the support structure (35), the upper cover (23) and the receiving surface (5) define at least in part a lower receiving location (37) which is delimited in part by the receiving surface (5) and an upper receiving location (38) which is delimited in part by the upper cover (23), the lower receiving location (37) and the upper receiving location (38) being arranged one above the other and being configured to receive the two bowls (8) respectively in a superimposed arrangement. Food heating apparatus (2) according to claim 1, which includes an intermediate cover (39) configured to be interposed between the two bowls (8) when the two bowls (8) are received respectively in the lower receiving location (37) and the upper receiving location (38), the intermediate cover (39) including a closing part (41) configured to at least partially close the upper opening (12) of a bowl (8) received in the lower receiving location (37), and a support device (46) configured to support a bowl (8) received in the upper receiving location (38) when the two bowls (8) are received respectively in the lower receiving location (37) and the upper receiving location (38). Food heating device (2) according to claim 2, wherein the support device (46) is configured to position a bowl (8) received in the upper receiving location (38) at a distance from the upper face of the closing part (41) so as to define an air gap between the closing part (41) and the lower face of the bowl (8) received in the upper receiving location (38). Food heating device (2) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the intermediate cover (39) has a locking device (42) configured to reversibly lock the closing part (41) onto a bowl (8). Food heating device (2) according to claim 4, wherein the locking device (42) comprises two locking members (43) movably mounted on the closing part (41) between a locking configuration in which the locking members (43) are configured to cooperate with a bowl (8) so as to lock the closing part (41) onto said bowl (8), and an unlocking configuration in which the locking members (43) are configured to release said bowl (8) so as to permit removal of the intermediate cover (39). Food heating apparatus (2) according to claims 2 and 5, wherein each of the locking members (43) comprises a locking portion (44) configured to cooperate with a bowl (8) when the locking members (43) are in the locking configuration and to release said bowl (8) when the locking members (43) are in the unlocking configuration, and a support portion which is integral in movement with the respective locking portion (44) and which is configured to support a respective portion of a bowl (8) received in the upper receiving location (38) when the locking members (43) are in the unlocking configuration, the two support portions (45) forming the support device (46). Food heating apparatus (2) according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the closing part (41) has steam venting openings (47) configured to vent, to the outside of a bowl (8) at least partially closed by the closing part (41), the steam generated in the internal volume (9) of said bowl (8), and the intermediate cover (39) further has a shuttering device (49) movable between a shuttering configuration in which the shuttering device (49) closes the steam venting openings (47) and a release configuration in which the shuttering device (49) releases the steam venting openings (47). Food heating apparatus (2) according to claims 6 and 7, wherein each of the locking members (43) comprises a sealing part (48) which is integral in movement with the respective locking part (44), the two sealing parts (48) forming the sealing device (49) and being configured to seal the steam venting openings (47) when the locking members (43) are in the locked configuration and to release the steam venting openings (47) when the locking members (43) are in the unlocked configuration. Food heating apparatus (2) according to claims 7 or 8, wherein the intermediate cover (39) has a steam deflector configured to deflect, when the closing device (49) is in the release position and the two bowls (8) are received respectively in the lower receiving location (37) and the upper receiving location (38), steam exiting through the steam vents (47) away from the bowl (8) received in the upper receiving location (38). Food heating device (2) according to claims 6 and 9, wherein the two locking parts (44) are configured to form the vapor deflector when the locking members (43) are in the unlocked configuration. Food heating apparatus (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the first distance (D1) is less than the cumulative height of the two bowls (8). Food heating device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the support structure (35) is configured to extend only along a portion of the perimeter of the main housing (4). Food heating device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the upper cover (23) has a steam vent (31) configured to vent, to the outside of the food heating device (2), the steam generated in the internal volume (9) of a bowl (8) which is at least partially covered by the upper cover (23). Food heating device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the base (3) comprises a lower heating device (6) configured to heat food contained in a bowl (8) resting on the receiving surface (5). Food heating apparatus (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the upper cover (23) is movable between the covering configuration in which the upper cover (23) is able to cover at least partially one of the two bowls (8), and an access configuration in which the upper cover (23) is configured to allow access to the internal volume (9) of said bowl (8). Food heating apparatus (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the support structure (35) is telescopic.

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