Bowl for a food heating appliance, and food heating appliance comprising such a bowl

Abstract

The invention relates to a bowl (8) which comprises an inner volume (9) intended to contain food; an upper peripheral edge (11) delimiting an upper opening (12) through which food can be introduced into the inner volume (9) of the bowl (8); a bowl body (13) at least partially delimiting the inner volume (9) of the bowl (8), the bowl body (13) being provided with a bottom wall (14) and a peripheral wall (15) extending from the bottom wall (14); a thermally insulating casing (16) at least partially covering an outer surface of the peripheral wall (15) of the bowl body (13); and a magnetic attachment device (23) configured to removably attach the thermally insulating casing (16) to the bowl body (13) by magnetic attraction.

Description

Bowl for food heating appliance, and food heating appliance comprising such a bowl

[0001] The present invention relates generally to a bowl for a food heating device. State of the art

[0002] A bowl for a food heating appliance, includes, as is known:

[0003] - a bowl body which is metallic, the bowl body being provided with a bottom wall and a peripheral wall which delimit an internal volume intended to contain food, the peripheral wall of the bowl body comprising an upper peripheral edge delimiting a top opening through which food can be introduced into the internal volume of the bowl body, and

[0004] - a thermal insulation envelope which is made of thermally insulating material and which covers at least part of an external surface of the peripheral wall of the bowl body.

[0005] Such a bowl configuration allows, on the one hand, for optimal cooking of food contained in the bowl since this food is in contact with the body of the bowl which is at a relatively high temperature at the end of cooking, and on the other hand limits the risk of burns to the user when handling the bowl due to the presence of the thermal insulation envelope which is intended to be placed between the user's hand and the body of the bowl.

[0006] To ensure optimal cleaning of such a bowl, it is known to removably attach the bowl body to the thermal insulation casing. For this purpose, the thermal insulation casing can, for example, define an internal volume suitable for housing the bowl body and be provided with a side wall defining an insertion opening through which the bowl body can be inserted into the aforementioned internal volume.

[0007] The side wall of the thermal insulation casing is advantageously elastically deformable between a deformed configuration in which it allows the bowl body to be inserted into the internal volume delimited by the thermal insulation casing, and a retaining configuration in which the side wall of the thermal insulation casing exerts a retaining force against a peripheral wall of the bowl body. Such a bowl configuration, in particular, prevents accidental separation of the bowl body from the thermal insulation casing during handling by a user.

[0008] However, such a bowl configuration may make assembling and disassembling the thermal insulation envelope and bowl body difficult for some people, due in particular to the manipulations required to deform the side wall of the thermal insulation envelope into the deformed configuration and then either insert the bowl body into the internal volume or remove the bowl body from the internal volume.

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

[0010] The technical problem underlying the invention is therefore to provide a bowl for a food heating device that allows for easy and quick heating and / or cooking of food, safe transport of the bowl and safe eating of food directly from the bowl, while also allowing for easy and quick cleaning of the bowl.

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

[0012] - an internal volume intended to contain food,

[0013] - an upper peripheral rim defining a top opening through which food can be introduced into the internal volume of the bowl,

[0014] - a bowl body delimiting at least part of the internal volume of the bowl, the bowl body being provided with a bottom wall and a peripheral wall extending from the bottom wall,

[0015] - a thermal insulation envelope covering at least part of an external surface of the peripheral wall of the bowl body, and

[0016] - a magnetic fastening device configured to fix, in a removable manner and by magnetic attraction, the thermal insulation envelope to the bowl body.

[0017] Such a bowl configuration, and in particular the presence of the magnetic fastening device, allows for easy assembly and disassembly of the bowl body and the thermal insulation casing, and therefore easy and quick cleaning of the bowl according to the present invention.

[0018] The bowl may also have one or more of the following characteristics, taken alone or in combination.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the invention, the bowl body comprises at least one cooperation portion, for example annular, made of ferromagnetic material, and the magnetic fastening device comprises at least one permanent magnet which is fixed to, and for example integrated at least in part into, the thermal insulation envelope and which is configured to cooperate by magnetic attraction with the cooperation portion.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the invention, the cooperation portion, provided on the bowl body, is formed by an upper end portion, and for example an upper peripheral rim, of the peripheral wall of the bowl body, and is configured to rest on a support surface, for example annular, provided on the thermal insulation envelope, and for example on a side wall of the thermal insulation envelope.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the invention, the thermal insulation envelope comprises at least one receiving orifice in which is housed at least one permanent magnet.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one receiving orifice has an insertion opening through which at least one permanent magnet is able to be inserted into at least one receiving orifice, said insertion opening opening into an external surface of the thermal insulation envelope.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the invention, the insertion opening of at least one receiving orifice is configured to be oriented downwards when the bowl rests on a horizontal surface.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the invention, the bowl includes an annular covering element fixed to the thermal insulation envelope and configured to close at least one receiving orifice.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one permanent magnet comprises several permanent magnets distributed, for example regularly distributed, around a central axis of the bowl. The magnetic fastening device may comprise at least 6 permanent magnets, and advantageously between 8 and 14 permanent magnets, and for example 12 permanent magnets. Such a configuration of the magnetic fastening device ensures reliable and secure attachment of the bowl body to the thermal insulation casing.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the invention, the thermal insulation envelope delimits a receiving housing in which the bowl body is able to be housed at least in part, and for example entirely.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the invention, the thermal insulation envelope comprises a base covering at least part of an outer surface of the bottom wall of the bowl body, and a side wall extending from the base of said thermal insulation envelope and covering at least part of the outer surface of the peripheral wall of the bowl body.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one permanent magnet is disposed in an upper part of the side wall of the thermal insulation casing. This arrangement of the at least one permanent magnet keeps it away from a lower heating element on the food heating appliance, thus preventing demagnetization of the at least one permanent magnet.

[0029] According to one embodiment of the invention, the side wall of the thermal insulation envelope extends over the entire outer perimeter of the peripheral wall of the bowl body.

[0030] According to one embodiment of the invention, the thermal insulation envelope has a lower opening provided on the bottom of the thermal insulation envelope and located opposite the bottom wall of the bowl body, the lower opening being configured to expose a central portion of the bottom wall of the bowl body.

[0031] According to one embodiment of the invention, the side wall of the thermal insulation casing has an upper end portion that extends beyond the upper end of the peripheral wall of the bowl body. This feature limits heating in the upper part of the bowl due to the absence of the peripheral wall of the bowl body in this area. This configuration thus reduces the risk of burns to a user who might grip the bowl by grasping the upper end of the peripheral wall with their thumb. This feature also provides a deformable upper end of the bowl, thereby ensuring a good seal between the lid of the food heating appliance and the bowl when the lid is closed.Extending beyond the upper end of the peripheral wall of the bowl body means that the upper end portion of the side wall of the thermal insulation envelope extends vertically beyond the upper end of the peripheral wall of the bowl body.

[0032] According to one embodiment of the invention, the upper end portion of the side wall of the thermal insulation envelope is substantially cylindrical and extends substantially coaxially to a central axis of the bowl.

[0033] According to one embodiment of the invention, the thermal insulation casing, and for example the side wall of the thermal insulation casing, completely covers the outer surface of the peripheral wall of the bowl body. Such a configuration of the bowl significantly reduces the risk of burns to a user when handling the bowl.

[0034] According to one embodiment of the invention, the thermal insulation envelope is made of thermally insulating material, for example elastomer (such as silicone), hard plastic, wood (for example cork or bamboo), or fabric (such as a 3D woven technical fabric).

[0035] According to one embodiment of the invention, the thermal insulation envelope delimits at least in part the upper opening of the bowl and forms at least in part the upper peripheral edge of the bowl.

[0036] According to one embodiment of the invention, the thermal insulation envelope completely delimits the upper opening of the bowl and completely forms the upper peripheral edge of the bowl.

[0037] According to one embodiment of the invention, the bowl body is made entirely of a ferromagnetic material, for example stainless steel or iron.

[0038] According to one embodiment of the invention, the internal volume of the bowl is less than 1.3 liters, and for example, less than 1 liter. Such a bowl configuration ensures efficient and rapid cooking of the food contained in the bowl, gives the food warmer equipped with said bowl a very compact size, and encourages a user to use the food warmer for preparing a meal for one person.

[0039] According to one embodiment of the invention, the thermal insulation casing has a lower face configured to rest on a receiving surface provided on the food heating appliance. This configuration of the thermal insulation casing allows, after the bowl is removed from the receiving surface at the end of cooking, the bowl to be placed directly on a temperature-sensitive support and / or to be supported by its lower face without risk of burns.

[0040] According to one embodiment of the invention, the bowl is devoid of a gripping handle.

[0041] The present invention further relates to a food heating apparatus comprising:

[0042] - a base equipped with a receiving surface,

[0043] - a bowl according to the present invention, the bowl being removable and configured to rest on the receiving surface of the base, and

[0044] - a lid supported by the base and configured to surmount the bowl when the bowl rests on the receiving surface, the lid including a top heating device configured to heat food contained in the bowl when the bowl rests on the receiving surface.

[0045] According to one embodiment of the invention, the base includes a lower heating device, for example an induction heating device, configured to heat food contained in the bowl when the bowl rests on the receiving surface. The presence of such a lower heating device increases the number of recipes that can be prepared with the food warmer according to the present invention.

[0046] The lower heating unit can, for example, be housed in a main housing of the base, and can, for example, be positioned under the receiving surface.

[0047] According to one embodiment of the invention, the lid is movable between a closed position, in which the lid is configured to cover the bowl and prevent access to the bowl's internal volume when the bowl rests on the receiving surface, and an open position, in which the lid is configured to allow access to the bowl's internal volume when the bowl rests on the receiving surface. This lid configuration allows for easy positioning of the bowl on the receiving surface, and also easy removal of the bowl from the receiving surface when the lid is in the open position, thus further enhancing the ergonomics of the food heating appliance according to the present invention.

[0048] According to one embodiment of the invention, the food heating device is in operating condition when the lid is in the closed position.

[0049] According to one embodiment of the invention, the opening position of the lid is stable.

[0050] According to one embodiment of the invention, the lid is mounted to pivot relative to the base about a pivot axis, which may, for example, be located in a rear portion of the base. Advantageously, the pivot axis extends substantially horizontally when the base rests on a horizontal surface.

[0051] According to one embodiment of the invention, the base comprises a main housing on which the receiving surface is provided, and a support structure which extends vertically from the main housing and which is configured to support the cover.

[0052] According to one embodiment of the invention, the support structure is located in a rear part of the base.

[0053] According to one embodiment of the invention, the support structure is configured to extend only along a portion of the perimeter of the lower housing.

[0054] According to one embodiment of the invention, the lid includes a steam vent configured to vent steam generated in the bowl when the bowl rests on the receiving surface, to the outside of the food heating appliance. The presence of such a steam vent reduces the steam pressure in the bowl, and therefore the risk of steam escaping from the upper edge of the bowl, thus limiting the risk of overheating of the upper edge of the bowl.

[0055] 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 the bowl when the bowl rests on the receiving surface.

[0056] According to one embodiment of the invention, the upper heating element extends at least partially around the steam exhaust chimney.

[0057] According to one embodiment of the invention, the upper heating element comprises an electrical heating resistance.

[0058] 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 the bowl when the food heating appliance is in use and the bowl is resting on the receiving surface.

[0059] According to one embodiment of the invention, the reflector is configured to extend over the upper heating element when the food heating device is in use.

[0060] 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 beneath the upper heating element when the food heating appliance is in operation. 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.

[0061] 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.

[0062] 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. Brief description of the figures

[0063] 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.

[0064] is a perspective view of a food heating device according to the invention.

[0065] is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the food heating device.

[0066] is a top perspective view of a bowl belonging to the food heating appliance.

[0067] is a side view of the bowl.

[0068] is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the bowl of the.

[0069] is an exploded, perspective and truncated view of the bowl of the.

[0070] is an exploded view, in longitudinal section, of the bowl of the.

[0071] is a perspective view of the bowl, showing a bowl body and a thermal insulation envelope belonging to said bowl in disassembled configuration.

[0072] is a view from below of the thermal insulation envelope of the. Detailed description

[0073] 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.

[0074] Unless otherwise stipulated, the term "substantially" means, in this document, "exactly or to within 10% or to within 10°".

[0075] 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.

[0076] The food warmer 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, which is, for example, flat and circular. The base 3 has a front portion 3.1 configured to be located facing a user, and a rear portion 3.2 configured to be located opposite a user.

[0077] 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.

[0078] 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.

[0079] The food heating unit 2 further includes a removable bowl 8, configured to rest on the receiving surface 5 of the base 3 and to be heated, in particular, by the lower heating element 6. The bowl 8 defines an internal volume 9 for holding food. Advantageously, the internal volume 9 of the bowl 8 is less than 1 liter, and the bowl 8 has no carrying handle.

[0080] The bowl 8 is provided with an upper peripheral rim 11 delimiting a top opening 12 through which food can be introduced into the internal volume 9 delimited by the bowl 8.

[0081] As shown more particularly in Figure 1, the bowl 8 comprises a bowl body 13 which at least partially delimits the internal volume 9 of the bowl 8 and which is provided with a bottom wall 14 and a peripheral wall 15 extending from the bottom wall 14, and a thermal insulation envelope 16 which is made of a thermally insulating material, for example elastomer, and which at least partially covers an external surface of the peripheral wall 15 of the bowl body 13. Advantageously, the bowl body 13 is made entirely of a ferromagnetic material, and for example stainless steel or iron, and the thermally insulating material, in which the thermal insulation envelope 16 is made, is transparent to the magnetic field generated by the lower heating device 6.

[0082] Advantageously, the thermal insulation envelope 16 delimits a receiving housing in which the bowl body 13 is suitable to be housed at least in part, and for example entirely.

[0083] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the thermal insulation envelope 16 comprises a base 17 covering at least part of an external surface of the base wall 14 of the bowl body 13, and a side wall 18 extending from the base 17 of said thermal insulation envelope 16 and covering at least part of the external surface of the peripheral wall 15 of the bowl body 13. The base 17 of the thermal insulation envelope 16 comprises a lower face which is configured to rest on the receiving surface 5 provided on the base 3.

[0084] Advantageously, the side wall 18 of the thermal insulation envelope 16 extends over the entire outer perimeter of the peripheral wall 15 of the bowl body 13 and completely covers the outer surface of said peripheral wall 15.

[0085] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the side wall 18 of the thermal insulation casing 16 has an upper end portion 19 that extends beyond the upper end of the peripheral wall 15 of the bowl body 13. Advantageously, the upper end portion 19 of the side wall 18 forms the entire upper peripheral edge 11 of the bowl 8 and thus completely delimits the upper opening 12 of the bowl 8. This feature limits heating in the upper part of the bowl 8 due to the absence of the ferromagnetic peripheral wall 15 of the bowl body 13 in this area. This configuration thus limits the risk of burns to a user who might grasp the bowl by gripping the upper peripheral edge 11 of the bowl 8 with their thumb.The upper end portion 19 of the side wall 18 of the thermal insulation envelope 16 can for example be substantially cylindrical and extend substantially coaxially to the central axis of the bowl 8.

[0086] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the thermal insulation envelope 16 has a lower opening 20 (see in particular the) which is provided on the bottom 17 of the thermal insulation envelope 16 and which is located opposite the bottom wall 14 of the bowl body 13. The lower opening 20 is more particularly configured to expose a central portion of the bottom wall 14 of the bowl body 13.

[0087] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the base 3 has a centering member 21 projecting upwards from the receiving surface 5, and the bowl 8 has a centering housing 22 (formed in part by the lower opening 20) which is configured to receive the centering member 21 when the bowl 8 rests on the receiving surface 5. Such a configuration of the base 3 and the bowl 8 ensures an optimal relative position of the bowl 8 with respect to the lower heating device 6, and in particular with respect to the induction coil 7.

[0088] The bowl 8 further includes a magnetic fastening device 23 configured to fix, in a removable manner and by magnetic attraction, the thermal insulation envelope 16 to the bowl body 13.

[0089] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the bowl body 13 comprises a cooperation portion 24, for example annular, and the magnetic fastening device 23 comprises permanent magnets 25 which are fixed to, and for example integrated at least partially into, the thermal insulation casing 16 and which are configured to cooperate by magnetic attraction with the cooperation portion 24. Advantageously, the permanent magnets 25 are distributed, and for example regularly distributed, around the central axis of the bowl 8. The magnetic fastening device 23 may comprise at least 6 permanent magnets 25, and advantageously between 8 and 14 permanent magnets 25, and for example 12 permanent magnets 25.

[0090] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the cooperation portion 24, provided on the bowl body 13, is formed by an upper peripheral rim of the peripheral wall 15 of the bowl body 13, and is configured to rest on a bearing surface 26, for example annular, provided on the lateral wall 18 of the thermal insulation envelope 16. Advantageously, the bearing surface 26 converges downwards (and therefore towards the bottom 17) and in the direction of the central axis of the bowl 8.

[0091] As shown in the figure, the permanent magnets 25 are arranged in an upper part of the side wall 18 of the thermal insulation envelope 16. Such an arrangement of the permanent magnets 25 makes it possible to keep them away from the lower heating device 6 and thus prevent demagnetization of the permanent magnets 25. The permanent magnets 25 can, for example, be arranged near the bearing surface 26, and for example just behind said bearing surface 26.

[0092] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the thermal insulation casing 16 has receiving ports 27 provided on the side wall 18 of the thermal insulation casing 16 and distributed around the central axis of the bowl 8, and the permanent magnets 25 are respectively housed in the receiving ports 27. Advantageously, each receiving port 27 has an insertion opening through which the respective permanent magnet 25 is able to be inserted into said receiving port 27. Each insertion opening advantageously opens into an external surface of the side wall 18 of the thermal insulation casing 16. Each insertion opening can, for example, be configured to be oriented downwards when the bowl 8 rests, by its bottom 17, on a horizontal surface.

[0093] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the bowl 8 includes an annular cover element 28 fixed to the thermal insulation envelope 16 and configured to close the receiving orifices 27. The annular cover element 28 can, for example, be fixed to the thermal insulation envelope 16, and more particularly to the outer surface of the side wall 18, by bonding, overmolding or ultrasonic welding.

[0094] The food heating device 2 further includes a lid 29 supported by the base 3 and configured to surmount the bowl 8 when the bowl 8 rests on the receiving surface 5. As shown in the figure, the lid 29 includes a lid body 31 and an upper heating device 32 attached to the lid body 31 and configured to heat food contained in the bowl 8 when the bowl 8 rests on the receiving surface 5.

[0095] Advantageously, the lid 29 is mounted movable relative to the base 3 between a closed position (see the) in which the lid 29 is configured to cover the bowl 8 and to prevent access to the internal volume 9 of the bowl 8 when the bowl 8 rests on the receiving surface 5, and an open position in which the lid 29 is configured to allow access to the internal volume 9 of the bowl 8 when the bowl 8 rests on the receiving surface 5.

[0096] As shown in particular in Figure 1, the base 3 includes a support structure 33 that extends vertically from the main housing 4 and is configured to support the cover 29. The support structure 33 is located in a rear portion 3.2 of the base 3 and is configured to extend substantially vertically when the base 3 rests on a horizontal surface. According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the cover 29 is more specifically pivotally mounted on the support structure 33 and about a pivot axis that extends substantially horizontally when the base 3 rests on a horizontal surface.

[0097] Advantageously, the support structure 33 extends only along part of the perimeter of the main housing 4, and is therefore configured to extend only around part of the periphery of the bowl 8 when the bowl 8 rests on the receiving surface 5 of the base 3.

[0098] As shown in particular in Figure 1, the upper heating device 32 includes, in particular, an upper heating element 34 configured to heat by infrared radiation food contained within the internal volume 9 of the bowl 8 when the bowl 8 rests on the receiving surface 5 and the lid 29 is in the closed position. Advantageously, the upper heating element 34 is an electric heating element and is configured to extend along the bottom wall 14 of the bowl body 13 when the lid 29 is in the closed position and the bowl 8 rests on the receiving surface 5. The upper heating element 34 may, for example, extend at least partially around the central axis of the lid 29 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.

[0099] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the upper heating device 32 further comprises a reflector 35 configured to deflect at least a portion of the radiation from the upper heating element 34 towards the bowl 8 when the bowl 8 rests on the receiving surface 5 and the lid 29 is in the closed position. Advantageously, the reflector 35 is configured to extend above the upper heating element 34 when the lid 29 is in the closed position and the base 3 rests on a horizontal surface.

[0100] The upper heating element 32 further includes a protective element 36, such as a protective plate or grille, configured to prevent a user from accessing the upper heating element 34. The protective element 36 is configured to extend below the upper heating element 34 and substantially horizontally when the cover 29 is in the closed position and the base 3 rests on a horizontal surface. According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the protective element 36 is substantially transparent to the wavelengths of radiation emitted by the upper heating element 34 and may, for example, be made of glass or glass-ceramic. Advantageously, the reflector 35 and the protective element 36 define an internal, for example annular, housing in which the upper heating element 34 is located.

[0101] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the lid 29 further includes a steam vent 37 configured to vent steam generated in the internal volume 9 of the bowl 8 to the outside of the food heating device 2 when the bowl 8 is received on the receiving surface 5 and the lid 29 is in the closed position.

[0102] As shown in the figure, the steam vent 37 is located in a central portion of the cover 29, and the upper heating element 34 extends around the steam vent 37. The steam vent 37 may, for example, have a cross-section that is generally circular. Advantageously, the steam vent 37 is configured to extend substantially vertically when the cover 29 is in the closed position and the base 3 rests on a horizontal surface.

[0103] The food heating device 2 also includes a control unit 38 configured to control the operation of the food heating device 2, and a human-machine interface 39 configured to allow a user to select at least one operating parameter of the food heating device 2. Advantageously, the control unit 38 is located in the main housing 4 of the base 3, and the human-machine interface 39 is located in a front part of the main housing 4 of the base 3.

[0104] An example of a method for cooking food using the food heating device 2 according to the present invention is described below.

[0105] Such a cooking process includes the following steps:

[0106] - moving the cover 29 into the open position,

[0107] - positioning of bowl 8 on receiving surface 5,

[0108] - Inserting the food to be cooked into the internal volume 9 of the bowl 8,

[0109] - movement of the lid 29 into the closed position,

[0110] - selection of operating parameters, for example cooking temperature and cooking time, using the human-machine interface 39, and

[0111] - cooking food according to the selected operating parameters.

[0112] When the food is cooked, the user grasps the lid 29 and moves it to the open position, and then firmly grasps the bowl 8, with one or two hands, and carries it to the place where they will enjoy their meal.

[0113] The specific configuration of the support structure 33 allows in particular a user, wishing to remove the bowl 8 from the receiving surface 5 at the end of cooking, to firmly grasp the bowl 8 with one or two hands and extract it from the receiving surface 5 in various orientations, which gives increased ergonomics to the food heating device 2 according to the present invention.

[0114] During transport of the bowl 8 to the tasting area, if the user has grasped the bowl 8 with two hands, the palms of the user's hands are in contact with the outer surface of the thermal insulation sleeve 16, and are therefore not in direct contact with the bowl body 13, which is at a high temperature. When the user carries the bowl 8 with one hand, they generally position the palm of the hand carrying the bowl 8 in contact with the outer surface of the thermal insulation sleeve 16 and the thumb of the hand carrying the bowl 8 against the inner circumferential surface of the upper part of the side wall 18 of the thermal insulation sleeve 16, in order to ensure a firm grip on the bowl 8.However, since the thermal insulation envelope 16 defines such an internal circumferential surface, the user's thumb is not directly in contact with the bowl body 13 which, as previously indicated, has a high temperature.

[0115] Thus, the specific configuration of the bowl 8 according to the present invention avoids any risk of burning the user when transporting the bowl 8 after cooking the food contained in it.

[0116] In addition, the specific configuration of the magnetic fastening device 23 allows a user to easily separate the thermal insulation envelope 16 from the bowl body 13, in particular for cleaning purposes.

[0117] According to an embodiment of the invention not shown in the figures, the cover 29 could be fixed relative to the base 3 and have a lower face located opposite the receiving surface 5 provided on the base 3.

[0118] According to an embodiment of the invention not shown in the figures, the cover 29 could be mounted movable in translation relative to the main housing 4 of the base 3 in a direction of movement which is substantially vertical when the base 3 rests on a horizontal surface.

[0119] According to one embodiment of the invention, the food heating device 2 could include a fan mechanically connected to the lid 29 and configured to generate an airflow, and the upper heating element 34 would be configured to heat the airflow generated by the fan. According to such an embodiment of the invention, the food heating device 2 would allow food contained in the bowl 8 to be cooked using a hot air cooking method.

[0120] According to an embodiment of the invention not shown in the figures, the thermal insulation envelope 16, and for example the side wall 18 of the thermal insulation envelope 16, could cover only the outer surface of a lower part of the peripheral wall 15 of the bowl body 13.

[0121] According to an embodiment of the invention not shown in the figures, the magnetic fastening device 23 comprises one or more permanent magnet(s) which is / are fixed to the bowl body 13 (for example by gluing, clipping or embedding), and for example to the peripheral wall 15, and which is / are able to cooperate with the permanent magnet(s) fixed to the thermal insulation envelope 16.

[0122] Of course, the present invention is in no way limited to the embodiments described and illustrated, which have been given only by way of example. Modifications remain possible, particularly with regard to the composition of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

Bowl (8) for a food heating appliance (2), comprising: - an internal volume (9) intended to contain food, - an upper peripheral rim (11) delimiting an upper opening (12) through which food can be introduced into the internal volume (9) of the bowl (8), - a bowl body (13) delimiting at least part of the internal volume (9) of the bowl (8), the bowl body (13) being provided with a bottom wall (14) and a peripheral wall (15) extending from the bottom wall (14), and - a thermal insulation envelope (16) covering at least part of an external surface of the peripheral wall (15) of the bowl body (13), characterized in that the bowl (8) further comprises a magnetic fastening device (23) configured to fix, in a removable manner and by magnetic attraction, the thermal insulation envelope (16) to the bowl body (13). Bowl (8) according to claim 1, wherein the bowl body (13) comprises at least one cooperation portion (24) made of ferromagnetic material, and the magnetic fastening device (23) comprises at least one permanent magnet (25) which is fixed to the thermal insulation envelope (16) and which is configured to cooperate by magnetic attraction with the cooperation portion (24). Bowl (8) according to claim 2, wherein the cooperation portion (24), provided on the bowl body (13), is formed by an upper end portion of the peripheral wall (15) of the bowl body (13), and is configured to rest on a bearing surface (26), for example annular, provided on the thermal insulation envelope (16). Bowl (8) according to claim 2 or 3, in which the thermal insulation envelope (16) has at least one receiving orifice (27) in which is housed at least one permanent magnet (25). Bowl (8) according to claim 4, which includes an annular cover element (28) fixed to the thermal insulation envelope (16) and configured to close at least one receiving orifice (27). Bowl (8) according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein at least one permanent magnet (25) comprises several permanent magnets (25) which are distributed around a central axis of the bowl (8). Bowl (8) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the thermal insulation envelope (16) comprises a bottom (17) covering at least part of an outer surface of the bottom wall (14) of the bowl body (13), and a side wall (18) extending from the bottom (17) of said thermal insulation envelope (16) and covering at least part of the outer surface of the peripheral wall (15) of the bowl body (13). Bowl (8) according to claims 2 and 7, wherein at least one permanent magnet (25) is disposed in an upper part of the side wall (18) of the thermal insulation envelope (16). Bowl (8) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the thermal insulation envelope (16) has a lower opening (20) provided on the bottom (17) of the thermal insulation envelope (16) and located opposite the bottom wall (14) of the bowl body (13), the lower opening (20) being configured to expose a central portion of the bottom wall (14) of the bowl body (13). Bowl (8) according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the side wall (18) of the thermal insulation envelope (16) has an upper end portion which extends beyond the upper end of the peripheral wall (15) of the bowl body (13). Bowl (8) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the thermal insulation envelope (16) fully covers the outer surface of the peripheral wall (15) of the bowl body (13). Bowl (8) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the thermal insulation envelope (16) delimits at least in part the upper opening (12) of the bowl (8) and forms at least in part the upper peripheral edge (11) of the bowl (8). Bowl (8) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the bowl body (13) is entirely made of a ferromagnetic material. Bowl (8) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the internal volume (9) of the bowl (8) is less than 1.3 liters. Food heating apparatus (2) comprising: - a base (3) having a receiving surface (5), - a bowl (8) according to any one of the preceding claims, the bowl (8) being removable and configured to rest on the receiving surface (5) of the base (3), and - a lid (29) supported by the base (3) and configured to surmount the bowl (8) when the bowl (8) rests on the receiving surface (5), the lid (29) comprising an upper heating device (32) configured to heat food contained in the bowl (8) when the bowl (8) rests on the receiving surface (5). Food heating device (2) according to claim 15, wherein the base (3) has a lower heating device (6) configured to heat food contained in the bowl (8) when the bowl (8) rests on the receiving surface (5). Food heating device (2) according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the lid (29) is movable between a closed position in which the lid (29) is configured to cover the bowl (8) and to prevent access to the internal volume (9) of the bowl (8) when the bowl (8) rests on the receiving surface (5), and an open position in which the lid (29) is configured to allow access to the internal volume (9) of the bowl (8) when the bowl (8) rests on the receiving surface (5). Food heating apparatus (2) according to any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein the base (3) comprises a main housing (4) on which the receiving surface (5) is provided, and a support structure (33) which extends vertically from the main housing (4) and which is configured to support the lid (29).

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