WO2023242884A1

WO2023242884A1 - Apparatus for cooking foodstuff and corresponding method

Info

Publication number: WO2023242884A1
Application number: PCT/IT2023/050144
Authority: WO
Inventors: Renzo Mazzon; Massimo STEINER
Original assignee: De' Longhi Appliances S.R.L. Con Unico Socio
Priority date: 2022-06-14
Filing date: 2023-06-14
Publication date: 2023-12-21
Also published as: AU2023294139A1; IT202200012521A1; CN117257134A; EP4539713A1

Abstract

An autonomous cooking apparatus (10, 110) comprises a support body (11), in the upper portion of which there are disposed both an upper heating device (14) and also a ventilation device (15), and a drawer-type container (12, 112) that can be laterally inserted into and extracted from a housing compartment (13) of said support body (11). The invention also concerns a method for cooking foodstuffs by means of such cooking apparatus (10, 110).

Description

“APPARATUS FOR COOKING FOODSTUFFS AND CORRESPONDING METHOD”

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns an apparatus and method for cooking foodstuffs by means of hot air, wherein the cooking apparatus comprises a support body, a container to contain the foodstuffs to be cooked that can be inserted into and removed from the support body like a drawer, and at least one cooking accessory that can be selectively inserted into the container. The cooking apparatus and method according to the invention allow to automatically adjust and adapt the cooking operating parameters both as a function of a type of foodstuffs to be cooked and also as a function of whether or not a certain cooking accessory is used.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Autonomous cooking apparatuses, also known as air fryers, which cook foodstuffs by means of a flow of heated air, are generally divided into two categories, that is, those provided with a support body and a lid that can be opened and closed with respect to the support body in order to insert and/or remove a foodstuffs container from above, and those provided with a support body from which the foodstuffs container can be inserted and removed like a drawer, in a lateral direction.

Generally speaking, cooking apparatuses with lid are very bulky and require a large free space in height to allow the rotation of the lid, which is generally hinged to the support body, therefore they cannot be positioned and used under kitchen cabinets since it is necessary to provide a suitable area of use.

Cooking apparatuses with a drawer are therefore generally preferred in terms of overall bulk, since it is sufficient to have free space only in the lateral opening direction of the drawer-type container.

These cooking apparatuses with a drawer comprise, disposed above the foodstuff container, a heating device, normally in the form of a resistance, and a ventilation device configured to suck air from the outside and convey it toward the heating device and the foodstuffs in such a way that it comes into contact with the foodstuffs when it is suitably heated.

In drawer-type cooking apparatuses, the foodstuffs remain substantially stationary during cooking and the heated air that is circulated by the ventilation device cannot contact the foodstuffs uniformly, so some areas may cook more than others, and it is not possible to achieve a homogeneous result.

One disadvantage of traditional drawer-type cooking apparatuses is also that they are not very versatile, and they allow to perform substantially only one type of cooking method, since only the temperature or speed of the flow of heated air can be modified, therefore it is possible to cook only some types of foodstuffs, such as vegetables, potatoes or suchlike, but they do not allow to cook other types of foodstuffs such as pizza or cakes. Cooking apparatuses are also known which provide to use supports for foodstuffs of different types so as to transmit heat to the foodstuffs in a different way and therefore obtain a different cooking mode, but it is up to the user to suitably adjust the temperature and speed of the flow of air in order to obtain a good result. In US2022/0142402A1, a cooking apparatus is described comprising a first and a second compartment arranged one on top of the other, each suitable for housing a respective container for cooking foodstuffs according to a different cooking mode, by means of hot air or steam respectively, and each associated with a heating element. This solution is cumbersome, as it requires two separate compartments arranged one on top of the other, and not very versatile, as each compartment can only be used with the paired container.

Document EP3912531A1 refers to an air cooking apparatus comprising a support body, in the upper part of which a heating device and a ventilation device are arranged, and a container for the foodstuffs to be cooked of the drawer type that can be inserted into the support body. An additional heating element is fixed to the outer surface of the bottom wall of the drawer-type container.

US2019/0254479A1 refers to a cooking apparatus of the type having a lid and in which the container is inserted and removed from above.

There is therefore a need to perfect a cooking apparatus which can overcome at least one of the disadvantages of the state of the art.

In order to do this, it is necessary to solve the technical problem of providing a drawer-type cooking apparatus which allows on the one hand to be able to implement different cooking methods and processes, allowing to expand the range of foodstuffs that can be cooked, and at the same time to limit the overall bulk of the cooking apparatus itself.

One purpose of the present invention is to provide a cooking apparatus which is efficient and versatile in its use.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a cooking apparatus which is safe for a user.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a cooking apparatus which allows to improve the circulation of the flows of air compared to traditional cooking apparatuses, so as to obtain a homogeneous cooking of the foodstuff.

Another purpose of the invention is also to provide a cooking apparatus which is able to ensure adequate ventilation of the internal parts and walls of the containing body.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a cooking apparatus which can be used substantially on any work surface without risk of damage.

Another purpose of the present invention is to perfect a method for managing the apparatus such as to make it suitable to cook foodstuffs of a different type, supplying on each occasion a correct amount of heat and thermal energy.

The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claims. The dependent claims describe other characteristics of the present invention or variants to the main inventive idea.

In accordance with the above purposes and to resolve the above technical problem in a new and original way, also achieving considerable advantages compared to the state of the prior art, an autonomous cooking apparatus according to the present invention suitable to cook foodstuffs by means of a heated flow of air comprises a support body, in the upper portion of which there are disposed both an upper heating device and also a ventilation device, and at least one drawer-type container that can be laterally inserted into and extracted from a housing compartment of the support body.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the cooking apparatus comprises a lower heating device permanently disposed inside the support body in a lower portion of the housing compartment.

The expression “permanently disposed” here and in the following means that the lower heating device remains in the housing compartment even when the container is not inserted in the support body.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the cooking apparatus comprises at least one cooking accessory that can be inserted into the container or directly into the housing compartment, able to cooperate with the foodstuffs to be cooked, detection means configured to detect the presence and type of the at least one accessory, and a control and command unit configured to regulate the operation of the heating devices and of the ventilation device as a function of the data detected.

During use, the container is disposed between the upper heating device and the lower heating device and therefore the foodstuffs to be cooked can on each occasion receive heat from one or the other, or from both heating devices.

The lower heating device can advantageously be commanded independently of the upper heating device, whereby it is possible to activate one, the other or both as a function of requirements and of the cooking mode to be performed.

By doing so, thanks to the two heating elements and to the at least one accessory that can be inserted into the container, there is obtained at least the advantage of being able to carry out different types of cooking with a same cooking apparatus, while maintaining compact bulks comparable with those of traditional cooking apparatuses with drawer.

In particular, the control unit can autonomously determine, as a function of the data received from the detection means, or as a function of the presence or absence, and of the type of accessory used on each occasion, the operating parameters of temperature and/or speed of the flow of air, and command the different components appropriately.

It can be provided that the control unit can autonomously start a cooking process on the basis of the detection carried out, or that it can give a suggestion to the user regarding the cooking mode and parameters, possibly allowing him to modify one or more of them.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the cooking apparatus comprises a memory unit in which a plurality of cooking modes is stored, comprising an oven cooking mode, a hot air cooking mode, a grill cooking mode, a steam cooking mode and a mixing cooking mode, wherein specific operating parameters are defined for each cooking mode relating at least to the temperature and speed of a flow of air.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the at least one accessory is a hot air cooking grill and when the detection means detect the presence of this support grill, the control unit can set the hot air cooking mode and regulate the operation of the various components accordingly.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the at least one accessory is a grill plate, and when the detection means detect the presence of such grill plate the control unit can set the grill cooking mode and regulate the operation of the various components accordingly.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the at least one accessory is a steam cooking accessory, comprising a tray suitable to contain water, and when the detection means detect the presence of such steam cooking accessory, the control unit can set the steam cooking mode and regulate the operation of the various components accordingly.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the at least one accessory comprises at least one mixer member disposed in the container and configured to couple to the drive means and be made to rotate thereby. In this case, the cooking apparatus comprises drive means disposed in correspondence with a lower internal wall of the housing compartment which are configured to make the mixer member rotate. When the detection means detect the presence of such mixer member, the control unit can set the cooking mode that provides to mix the foodstuffs and regulate the operation of the various components accordingly.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the support body comprises one or more lower apertures and/or lateral apertures, and between the housing compartment and the support body there is a hollow space in which a flow of ascending air can flow and pass.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the detection means comprise at least one sensor suitable to cooperate with recognition elements associated with the at least one accessory in order to recognize its presence and the type of accessory.

Preferably, the sensor is disposed inside the hollow space, so that it can be lapped by the ascending flow of air and therefore be at least partly cooled thereby, preventing possible malfunctions caused by possible overheating. In accordance with another aspect, a kit of accessories for a cooking apparatus according to the present invention comprises two or more accessories chosen from:

- a hot air cooking grill;

- a grill plate;

- a steam cooking accessory; - a mixer member, possibly associated with its own container.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method for cooking by means of a cooking apparatus comprising at least a removable drawertype container, a ventilation device, an upper heating element and a lower heating element, provides to: - insert at least one container suitable to contain the foodstuffs to be cooked into a housing compartment of a support body of the cooking apparatus;

- detect the presence of an accessory and possibly its type, disposed in the at least one container and able to cooperate with the foodstuffs to be cooked;

- autonomously set the operating parameters for cooking the foodstuffs and regulate the operation at least of the ventilation device and of the heating devices as a function of the data detected.

According to some embodiments, setting the operating parameters comprises selecting the operating parameters associated with a specific cooking mode chosen from a plurality of cooking modes stored in a memory unit and comprising an oven cooking mode, a hot air cooking mode, a grill cooking mode, a steam cooking mode and a mixing cooking mode.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, when the detection means only detect the presence of the container without any accessory, the cooking method provides to activate both heating devices to obtain a temperature comprised between 150 °C and 250 °C, and to activate the ventilation device so that it generates a flow of air which has a medium speed, for example comprised between 2-4 m/s, suitable to cook, for example, pizzas, savory pies, lasagna or similar foodstuffs. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, when the detection means detect the presence of a hot air cooking grill disposed in the container, the cooking method provides to activate only the upper heating device to obtain a temperature comprised between 200 °C and 250 °C, and to activate the ventilation device so that it generates a flow of air which has a medium-high speed, for example equal to about 3.5-5 m/s, suitable to cook, for example, potato chips or suchlike.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, when the detection means detect the presence of a grill plate in the container, the cooking method provides to activate the ventilation device to generate a flow of air which has a low speed, for example equal to about 2 m/s, and initially only the lower heating device, until a temperature comprised between 240 °C and 250 °C is obtained, and then to deactivate the lower heating element and activate the upper heating element to maintain this temperature.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, when the detection means detect the presence of a steam cooking accessory in the container, the cooking method provides to activate the lower heating element, or possibly both heating elements, so as to obtain a temperature sufficient to transform the water contained in a tray into steam, and to activate the ventilation device so that it generates a flow of air which has a low speed, for example equal to about 2 m/s.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, when the detection means detect the presence of a mixer member disposed in a container, the cooking method provides to suitably regulate the speed of the flow of air and of the mixer member as a function of the desired temperature.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other aspects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of some embodiments, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein:

- fig. 1 is a section view of a cooking apparatus in accordance with the present invention in a first operating configuration;

- fig. 2 is a schematic view of a kit of cooking accessories in accordance with the present invention;

- fig. 3 is an enlarged detail of the cooking apparatus of fig. 1 ; - fig. 4 is a section view of the cooking apparatus of fig. 1 in a second operating configuration;

- fig. 5 is a section view of the cooking apparatus of fig. 1 in a third operating configuration; - fig. 6 is a section view of the cooking apparatus of fig. 1 in a fourth operating configuration;

- fig. 7 is a section view of a cooking apparatus in accordance with the present invention according to a variant in a fifth operating configuration;

- fig. 8 is a section view of the cooking apparatus of fig. 1 with the drawer-type container partly extracted from the support body.

We must clarify that in the present description the phraseology and terminology used, as well as the figures in the attached drawings also as described, have the sole function of better illustrating and explaining the present invention, their function being to provide a non-limiting example of the invention itself, since the scope of protection is defined by the claims.

To facilitate comprehension, the same reference numbers have been used, where possible, to identify identical common elements in the drawings. It is understood that elements and characteristics of one embodiment can be conveniently combined or incorporated into other embodiments without further clarifications. DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION With reference to fig. 1, an autonomous cooking apparatus 10 according to the present invention comprises a support body 11, a drawer- type container 12 that can be laterally inserted into and extracted from a housing compartment 13 inside the support body 11, an upper heating device 14 and a ventilation device 15 which are disposed inside the support body 11 in an upper portion of the housing compartment 13.

Guide means 58 can be disposed inside the housing compartment 13 which are suitable to guide the sliding of the container 12 (fig. 8).

The ventilation device 15 can be, for example, a fan wheel provided with a plurality of blades.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the cooking apparatus 10 comprises a lower heating device 16 disposed inside the support body 11 in a lower portion of the housing compartment 13. The lower heating device 16 can be commanded independently of the upper heating device 14 so that it is possible to activate one, the other or both as a function of requirements and of the cooking mode to be performed.

According to some embodiments, the upper 14 and/or lower 16 heating device can be made in the form of electric resistances, connected to respective electric power supply devices, not shown, which can be selectively commanded to switch the electric resistances on and off, so as to regulate their temperature and consequently the temperature inside the housing compartment 13 and the container

12. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the cooking apparatus 10 comprises at least one accessory 101, 102, 103, 104, which can be inserted into the container 12 or 112, able to cooperate with the foodstuffs to be cooked, as will be better described below.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the cooking apparatus 10 comprises detection means 63 configured to detect the presence and the type of the at least one accessory 101, 102, 103, 104, and a control unit 60 configured to regulate the operation at least of the heating devices 14, 16 and of the ventilation device 15 as a function of the data detected by the detection means 63.

As a function of the data received from the detection means 63, or as a function of the presence or absence and of the type of accessory 101, 102, 103, 104 used on each occasion, the control unit 60 can determine in an autonomous and automated manner the operating parameters of temperature and/or speed of the flow of air and command the heating devices 14, 16 and the ventilation device 15 in a suitable manner. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the cooking apparatus 10 comprises a memory unit 61 in which a plurality of cooking modes are stored, such as for example an oven cooking mode, a hot air cooking mode, a grill cooking mode, a steam cooking mode and a mixing cooking mode, wherein specific operating parameters are defined for each cooking mode, which relate to at least a temperature at which to cook the foodstuffs and a speed of the flow of air Fl generated by the ventilation device 15 and circulating in the housing compartment

13.

According to some embodiments, for example described with reference to fig. 1 , the support body 1 1 is delimited by respective upper 17, lower 18 and lateral 19 external walls, wherein at least one external lateral wall 19 is provided with a passage aperture 20 suitable to allow the insertion and extraction of the container 12 into/from the support body 11. The housing compartment 13 is in turn delimited by a lower internal wall 21 and by lateral internal walls 22, which extend substantially parallel to the lower 18 and lateral 19 external walls.

The container 12 is delimited by a bottom wall 23 and by containing walls 24.

Preferably, a plan shape of the container 12 is coherent with the plan shape of the housing compartment 13, although at least partly different shapes can also be provided. By way of example, the plan can be square, rectangular or suchlike, possibly with rounded edges.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the bottom wall 23 of the container 12 has a greater thickness than the thickness of the containing walls 24 (fig. 3).

According to some embodiments, the containing walls 24 have a first thickness SI, for example comprised between 1mm and 2mm, preferably between 1.2mm and 1.8mm, while the bottom wall 23 has a second thickness S2 equal to about 1.2- 1.5 times the first thickness SI , for example comprised between 1.2mm and 3mm, preferably between 1.4mm and 2.7mm. In this way, the thermal capacity of the bottom wall 23 is high and is greater than that of the containing walls 24, so that it is able to receive a large part of the heat emitted by the lower heating device 16 and transfer it to the foodstuffs by conduction.

In fact, the heating of the container 12 by the lower heating device 16 occurs partly by radiance and partly due to a convective motion of the air which is triggered when a temperature gradient is formed in the support body 11 , as will be better described below.

The container 12 is associated with a grip handle 25 disposed, during use, external to the housing compartment 13, which can be gripped by a user to extract and insert the container 12 from/into the support body 11.

In correspondence with the side on which the grip handle 25 is installed, the container 12 can also comprise a box-like portion 26, the internal 27 and external 28 sides of which cooperate, during use, with the internal 22 and external 19 lateral walls and are preferably disposed in continuity therewith in order to delimit the housing compartment 13 and the support body 11 , respectively.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the lower heating device 16 is disposed at a certain constant distance DI with respect to a lower surface 29 of the container 12 so as to guarantee an effective operation of the lower heating device 16 (fig. 2).

According to some embodiments, the distance DI can be comprised between 0.8mm and 4mm, preferably between 1mm and 3mm.

According to some embodiments, the lower internal wall 21 has a recessed seating 31 in which the lower heating device 16 is housed.

The conformation of the recessed seating 31 can be such as to guarantee the correct distance DI between the lower heating device 16 and the container 12.

According to possible variants, in addition or alternatively, on the lower internal wall 21 of the housing compartment 13 there can be provided a protruding rib 30 on which, during use, the container 12 is positioned resting.

A dividing wall 32 can also be provided inside the support body 11 which delimits an upper zone, in which a drive member 33 is installed, from a lower zone, in which the at least one ventilation device 15 is disposed and which can have a support function for the drive member 33 and the ventilation device 15. The drive member 33 and the ventilation device 15 are connected by means of a drive shaft 34 passing through a hole 35 made in the dividing wall 32.

According to possible solutions, an upper internal wall 36 can also be provided, which extends substantially parallel to the dividing wall 32, thus defining an interspace 37 in which a second ventilation device 38 can be disposed, which can be configured to cool the drive member 33.

The upper internal wall 36 can have a bell shape, or suchlike, so as to convey a first hot flow of air Fl toward the foodstuffs to be cooked.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, at least between the respective lower 18, 21 and lateral 19, 22 walls of the housing compartment 13 and of the support body 11 there is provided a free space that defines a hollow space 40 in which a flow of air F2 can pass. The hollow space 40 extends from a space below the housing compartment 13 to a space around the housing compartment 13 itself. The upper external wall 17 is provided with upper apertures 41 through which the air can enter into, or possibly also exit from, the support body 11, the upper apertures 41 can be advantageously disposed equally distanced around a central axis X. First 42 and second 43 through holes can also be provided, made on at least one external lateral wall 19 and, if present, on the dividing wall 32, respectively, which are respectively configured to put the housing compartment 13 in communication with the external environment and the interspace 37 in communication with the upper apertures 41. The lower external wall 18 can be provided with lower apertures 44, through which a flow of air F2 can enter by natural convection, without needing to provide forced ventilation devices associated with the lower heating device 16. For this purpose, the lower apertures 44, or at least part thereof, can preferably be disposed within an area of the lower external wall 18 which is aligned with the area occupied by the lower heating device 16.

The support body 11 is supported at the bottom by support elements 45 configured to keep the lower external wall 18 at a desired height H with respect to a rest plane P in order to allow the passage of air toward the lower apertures 44. The height H can be, for example, comprised between 5mm and 20mm, preferably between 10mm and 15mm.

According to some embodiments, also the lateral external wall 19 can comprise lateral apertures 46 which put the hollow space 40 in communication with the external environment, through which at least part of the ascending flow of air can escape, allowing to dispose of the excess heat. According to some embodiments, the lateral apertures 46 have a greater width than the lower apertures 44, for example equal to approximately 1.2 - 1.7 times the area of the lower apertures 44. By the way of example, the lower apertures 44 have an area comprised between 100 - 180 mm², while the lateral apertures 46 have an area comprised between 150 - 250 mm². When the cooking apparatus 10 is in operation and at least one of the two heating devices 14 or 16 is active, a temperature gradient is created inside the support body 11 which determines the generation of a convective motion and of an ascending flow of air F2 which allows to remove the excess heat from the inside toward the outside of the support body 1 1.

Advantageously, at least one through slit 47 can also be provided, made in a lower side 49 of the box-like portion 26, which puts an internal compartment 48 in communication with the hollow space 40. Other slits, not shown, can also be provided, made on the lateral walls of the box-like portion 26 and communicating with a substantially annular portion of the hollow space 40 which develops around the housing compartment 13.

According to possible embodiments, for example described with reference to fig. 3, it can be provided that one or more of either the lower apertures 44 and/or the lateral apertures 46, or both, are associated with shutter members 50 configured to modify their aperture area.

According to possible embodiments, described with reference to fig. 2 and which can be combined with the other embodiments, the shutter members 50 can comprise a gate 51 mobile with respect to a respective lower aperture 44. The gate 51 can be constrained to slide inside a guide 52 between at least a position in which it leaves the passage area completely open and a position in which it at least partly covers it, so as to choke the flow of air F2.

The gate 51 can be associated with a grip portion 53 configured to allow manual movement by a user, or also be connected to automated mechanisms provided with their own actuator devices, for example able to be electronically commanded by means of a control unit 60 of the machine.

According to other embodiments, not shown, the shutter members 50 can comprise a ventilation grid that has a plurality of rotatable fins, or other means suitable to regulate the width of the apertures and therefore the flow rate of the flow of air F2.

According to other embodiments, not shown, in the lower external wall 18 there can be provided, in addition to the lower apertures, lower through slits through which an additional flow of air can pass, for example due to a dragging effect of the ascending flow of air generated by convective motion. According to other embodiments, the detection means 63 comprise at least one detection device 57 suitable to cooperate with recognition elements 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75 associated with the container 12, 112 and with the at least one accessory 101, 102, 103, 104 to recognize their presence. According to some embodiments, the detection device 57 can be a proximity sensor, preferably disposed in correspondence with an internal lateral wall 22 of the housing compartment 13, and associated with a surface thereof facing toward the external lateral wall 19. In this way, the detection device 57 is located inside the hollow space 40 and is therefore advantageously hit by the ascending flow of air F2 so that any malfunctions due to too high a temperature can be prevented.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the cooking apparatus 10 comprises a memory unit 62 in which a plurality of cooking modes is stored, comprising an oven cooking mode, a hot air cooking mode, a grill cooking mode, a steam cooking mode and a mixing cooking mode, wherein specific operating parameters are defined for each cooking mode relating at least to the temperature and to the speed of a flow of air.

The control unit 60, on the basis of the data received from the detection device 57, can be configured to determine if and which accessory 101, 102, 103, 104, 112 is being used and can consequently select the cooking mode suitable for each one, and set the operating parameters accordingly.

The control unit 60 can be configured to regulate the operation at least of the upper 14 and lower 16 heating devices and of the ventilation device 15, also as a function of the type of foodstuffs to be cooked, for example supplied as input datum by means of a user interface 61 connected to it. Although in fig. 1 the control unit 60, the user interface 61 and the memory unit 62 are schematically shown separated from the support body 11, it is clear that they can be integrated into it. It is not excluded that the user interface 61 can also be created on an electronic device, such as a smartphone or suchlike, on which a special software application is installed.

Fig. 1 shows a first operating configuration of the cooking apparatus 10 in which only the container 12 is disposed in the housing compartment 13, without any accessory. In this case, the control unit 60 can be configured to select and/or suggest to the user, through the interface 61, the oven cooking mode, suitable to cook pizzas, savory pies, lasagna and similar foodstuffs, and possibly also the operating parameters associated with such mode.

Fig. 2 shows a kit 100 of accessories that can be inserted inside the container 12, which comprises at least one of either:

- a hot air cooking grill 101;

- a grill plate 102;

- a steam cooking accessory 103; - a mixer member 104, possibly associated with a special container 112 with a shape and size comparable to those of the container 12.

The hot air cooking grill 101 comprises a support grill 80 provided with a plurality of holes 81 and support feet 82 configured to keep it distanced from the bottom wall 23 of the container 12, so that the flow of heated air Fl, circulating in the housing compartment 13, can also lap the foodstuffs in correspondence with its surface in contact with the support grill 80.

The hot air cooking grill 101 also comprises at least one recognition element 71, for example a proximity sensor, or suchlike, which can be associated with the support grill 80 or with one of the support feet 82, and is able to interact with the detection device 57.

In the operating configuration shown in fig. 4, when the detection means 63 detect the presence of the hot air cooking grill 101, the control unit 60 can select the hot air cooking mode and regulate the operation of the various components accordingly. The grill plate 102 is preferably made of metal material and has a high mass so as to be able to accumulate a large amount of thermal energy to be transferred to the foodstuffs. The grill plate 102 can comprise a base 84 and a plurality of protruding ribs 83 that extend from the base 84, the upper end of which defines a rest surface for the foodstuffs. In this case, the base 84 can have a flat lower surface suitable to contact the bottom wall 23 of the container 12 for its entire extension.

According to some embodiments, the base 84 has a thickness S3 comprised between 2 and 2.5 times the thickness SI of the bottom wall 23. The protruding ribs 83 can have a thickness S4 comprised between 0.9 and 1.2 times the thickness S3 of the base 84. The grill plate 102 also comprises at least one recognition element 72, for example a proximity sensor, or suchlike. The recognition element 72 can also be given by the very material the grill plate 102 is made of.

In the operating configuration shown in fig. 5, when the detection means 63 detect the presence of the grill plate 102, the control unit 60 can select the grill cooking mode and regulate the operation of the various components accordingly.

The steam cooking accessory 103 comprises a tray 85 suitable to contain water and a perforated grill 86 on which the foodstuffs to be cooked can be positioned, the perforated grill 86 being provided with a plurality of holes 87 through which the flow of air Fl can circulate. The perforated grill 86 and the tray 85 can be integrated in a single piece, or be formed by two different components which can possibly be connected to each other.

The steam cooking accessory 103 can comprise a recognition element 73. When the detection means 63 detect the presence of the steam cooking accessory 103, the control unit 60 can set the steam cooking mode and regulate the operation of the various components accordingly.

In the operating configuration shown in fig. 6, when the detection means 63 detect the presence of the steam cooking accessory 103, the control unit 60 can select the steam cooking mode and regulate the operation of the various components accordingly.

The mixer member 104 comprises a central hub 88 which can be connected, during use, to drive means 90 and at least one blade 89 configured to lift and mix the foodstuffs when made to rotate. The mixer member 104 can in particular be used in association with a special container 112 which can have shapes and sizes suitable to be inserted into the housing compartment 13.

Figs. 7 and 8 show a variant of a cooking apparatus 110. The elements in common with the cooking apparatus 10 shown in figs. 1-6 are indicated with the same reference numbers and will not be described further, in order to facilitate the disclosure.

The cooking apparatus 110 comprises drive means 90 disposed inside the support body 11 , which are configured to cooperate with a mixer member 104 and make it rotate. According to some embodiments, the drive means 90 comprise a drive member 91, disposed below the housing compartment 13, and a shaft 92 passing through the lower internal wall 21.

A pinion 93 can be keyed onto the shaft 92 which, during use, is disposed in the housing compartment 13 and is configured to engage in a seating 94 provided on the hub 88. The pinion 93 can be advantageously associated with elastic means 95 and be configured to translate in the vertical direction.

In this embodiment, a container 112 is provided which is provided with a hole on the bottom wall 123 in which a lower end of the hub 88 is positioned. The container 112 is also provided with a ring nut which has an inclined plane 96 which, during the horizontal movement in the housing compartment 13, causes the pinion 93 to translate vertically thanks to the elastic means 95.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method for cooking foodstuffs by means of the cooking apparatus 10; 110 comprises: - inserting into the housing compartment 13 at least one container 12; 112 suitable to contain the foodstuffs to be cooked;

- detecting the presence of an accessory 101, 102, 103, 104, and possibly recognizing its type, disposed in the at least one container 12; 112 and able to cooperate with the foodstuffs to be cooked; - autonomously setting the operating parameters for cooking the foodstuffs and regulating the operation at least of the ventilation device 15 and of the upper 14 and lower 16 heating devices as a function of the data detected and of the possible accessory 101, 102, 103, 104 recognized.

In accordance with some embodiments, setting the operating parameters comprises selecting the operating parameters associated with a specific cooking mode, chosen from the plurality of cooking modes stored in the memory unit 62.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, when the detection means 63 recognize the presence of only the container 12 (fig. 1) and/or the control unit 60 selects an oven cooking mode, the cooking method provides to activate both heating devices 14, 16 in order to obtain a temperature comprised between 150 °C and 250 °C and the ventilation device 15 so that it generates a flow of air Fl which has a medium speed, for example comprised between 2-4 m/s.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, when the detection means 63 detect the presence of the hot air cooking grill 101 disposed in the container 12 (fig. 4) and/or the control unit 60 selects the hot air cooking mode, the cooking method provides to activate only the upper heating device 14 in order to obtain a temperature comprised between 200 °C and 250 °C and the ventilation device 15 so that it generates a flow of air which has a medium-high speed, for example equal to about 3.5-5 m/s, suitable to cook, for example, potato chips or suchlike.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, when the detection means 63 detect the presence of the grill plate 103 in the container 12 (fig. 5), and/or the control unit 60 selects the grill cooking mode, the cooking method provides to activate the ventilation device 15 in order to generate a foodstuffs flow of air Fl and, initially, only the lower heating device 16, until a temperature comprised between 240 °C and 250 °C is obtained. The flow of air Fl can have a low speed, for example equal to about 2 m/s. The grill plate 103 is capable of accumulating a large part of the heat generated by the lower heating device 106, such as to obtain a Maillard reaction when foodstuffs such as meat or fish is disposed on the grill plate 103, so as to obtain their browning on the surface that is in contact with the grill plate 103.

Subsequently, the cooking method provides to deactivate the lower heating element 16 and activate only the upper heating element 14 in order to foodstuffs maintain the temperature until the end of the cooking.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, when the detection means 63 detect the presence of a steam cooking accessory 103 in the container 12 (fig. 6) and/or the control unit 60 selects the steam cooking mode, the cooking method provides to activate one or both of the heating elements 14, 16, so as to obtain a temperature sufficient to transform the water contained in the tray 85 into steam. The ventilation device 15 can be activated so as to generate a flow of air Fl which has a low speed, for example equal to about 2 m/s.

According to some embodiments, as a function of the type of foodstuffs to be cooked, the steam cooking mode can provide three different options.

A first option provides to carry out a first step in which both heating devices 14, 16 are switched on and the ventilation device 15 generates a flow of air Fl which has a speed of about 2 m/s, and subsequently a second step in which only the lower heating device 16 is switched on. A second option provides to reverse the order of the first option, whereby the second step is performed upstream of the first step.

A third option provides to switch on only the lower heating device 16 for the entire duration of the cooking process. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, when the detection means 63 recognize the presence of the mixer member 104 (fig. 7) and/or the control unit 60 selects the mixing cooking mode, the cooking method provides to regulate the speed of the flow of air Fl and of the mixer member 104 as a function of the desired temperature and/or of the type of foodstuffs to be cooked.

For example, in this operating configuration, the cooking method can provide to give the user, through the interface 61, two different options, each suitable for a specific type of foodstuff.

A first option provides to activate both heating devices 14, 16, activating the ventilation device 15 to generate a flow of air Fl with a medium-low speed, for example equal to 2m/s, and the drive means 90 to rotate the mixer member 104 with a rotation speed of 6-8 rpm.

A second option provides to activate only the upper heating device 14, to activate the ventilation device 15 to generate a flow of air Fl with a medium-high speed, for example equal to 4m/s, and the actuation means 90 to rotate the mixer member 104 with a rotation speed of 2-4 rpm.

According to some embodiments, the cooking method can also provide to receive, through the interface 61, an indication regarding the type of foodstuffs to be cooked and possibly to select, for each predefined cooking mode, a specific option correlated to the type of foodstuffs indicated.

It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts or steps may be made to the cooking apparatus 10 and method as described heretofore, without departing from the field and scope of the present invention, as defined by the claims.

It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person of skill in the art will be able to create other equivalent forms of cooking apparatus 10 and method, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby.

In the following claims, the sole purpose of the references in brackets is to facilitate their reading and they must not be considered as restrictive factors with regard to the field of protection defined by the same claims.

Claims

1. Cooking apparatus (10, 110) comprising a support body (11) in the upper portion of which there are disposed both an upper heating device (14) and also a ventilation device (15), and a drawer-type container (12, 112) that can be laterally inserted into and extracted from a housing compartment (13), characterized in that it comprises a lower heating device (16) permanently disposed inside said support body (11) in a lower portion of said housing compartment (13), at least one accessory (101, 102, 103, 104) that can be removably inserted into said container (12, 112) and is able to cooperate with the foodstuffs to be cooked, detection means (63) configured to detect the presence and at least one from a container type (12, 112) or the at least one accessory (101, 102, 103, 104) disposed in said container (12, 112), and a control unit (60) configured to regulate the operation of said heating devices (14, 16) and of said ventilation device (15) at least as a function of the data detected by said detection means (63) and correlated to said type of container (12, 112) or said accessory (101, 102, 103, 104) detected.

2. Cooking apparatus (10, 110) as in claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a memory unit (62) in which a plurality of different cooking modes is stored, comprising one or more of either an oven cooking mode, a hot air cooking mode, a grill cooking mode, a steam cooking mode and a mixing cooking mode, each associated to a container type (12, 112) or said at least one accessory (101, 102, 103, 104) and wherein specific operating parameters are defined for each cooking mode which relate at least to the temperature to be set in said housing compartment (13) and to the speed of a flow of air (Fl) and said control unit (60) is configured to select the suitable cooking mode as a function of the data detected by said detection means (63).

3. Cooking apparatus (10, 110) as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said detection means (63) comprise at least one detection device (57) associated with said support body (11) suitable to cooperate with recognition elements (70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75) associated with said container (12, 112) or with said at least one accessory (101, 102, 103, 104) in order to recognize its presence and type.

4. Cooking apparatus (10, 110) as in claim 3, characterized in that said support body (11) comprises one or more lower apertures (44) and one or more lateral apertures (46), and between said housing compartment (13) and said support body (11) there is a hollow space (40) putting in communication said one or more lower apertures (44) and said one or more lateral apertures (46) and in which an ascending flow of air (F2) by natural convection can flow and pass, and said detection device (57) is disposed inside said hollow space (40).

5. Cooking apparatus (10, 110) as in claim 4, characterized in that said support body (11) is supported at the bottom by support elements (45) configured to keep a lower external wall (18) at a desired height (H) with respect to a rest plane (P) in order to allow the passage of air toward said one or more lower apertures (44) and said one or more lower apertures (44) are disposed within an area of said lower external wall (18) which is aligned with the area occupied by said lower heating device (16).

6. Cooking apparatus (10) as in claim 2 or 3 when it depends on claim 2, characterized in that comprises at least two accessories (101, 102, 103) that can be selectively and alternatively inserted into a same container (12), wherein said accessories are chosen from a hot air cooking grill (101), a grill plate (102) and a steam cooking accessory (103).

7. Kit (100) of accessories for a cooking apparatus (10, 110) as in any previous claim from 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises two or more accessories (100) selected from :

- a hot air cooking grill (101);

- a grill plate (102);

- a steam cooking accessory (103);

- a mixer member (103), wherein said accessories (101, 102, 103, 104) can be removably inserted into said container (11, 112).

8. Method for cooking foodstuffs by means of a cooking apparatus (10, 110) as in any previous claim from 1 to 6, comprising:

- inserting a container (12, 112) containing the foodstuffs to be cooked into the housing compartment (13);

- detecting the presence of at least one from the type of container (12, 112) or of at least one accessory (101, 102, 103, 104) disposed in said at least one container (12, 112) and able to cooperate with the foodstuffs to be cooked; - autonomously setting the operating parameters for cooking the foodstuffs and regulating the operation at least of the ventilation device (15) and of the upper (14) and lower (16) heating devices as a function of the type of container (12, 112) or of the at least one accessory (101, 102, 103, 104) detected.

9. Cooking method as in claim 8, characterized in that in order to set said operating parameters it provides to select the operating parameters associated with a specific cooking mode chosen from a plurality of cooking modes stored in a memory unit (62), each associated to a type of container (12, 112) or said at least one accessory (101, 102, 103, 104), and comprising one or more of either an oven cooking mode, a hot air cooking mode, a grill cooking mode, a steam cooking mode or a mixing cooking mode.

10. Cooking method as in claim 8 or 9, characterized in that when said detection means (63) detect the presence of only said container (12), said cooking method provides to select an oven cooking mode from a plurality of cooking modes stored in a memory unit (62) and to activate both heating devices (14, 16) to obtain a temperature comprised between 150 °C and 250 °C, and said ventilation device (15) to generate a flow of air (Fl) having a medium speed, for cooking pizzas, savory pies, lasagna or similar foodstuff.

11. Cooking method as in one or the other of claims from 8 to 10, characterized in that when said detection means (63) detect the presence of an accessory of the hot air cooking grill type (101) disposed in said container (12, 112), said cooking method provides to select a hot air cooking mode from a plurality of cooking modes stored in a memory unit (62) and to activate only said upper heating device (14) to obtain a temperature comprised between 200 °C and 250 °C and said ventilation device (15) to generate a flow of air (Fl) having a medium-high speed comprised between 3.5-5 m/s, for cooking potato chips, or suchlike.

12. Cooking method as in one or the other of claims from 8 to 11, characterized in that when said detection means (63) detect the presence of an accessory (102) of the grill plate type disposed in said container (12, 112), said cooking method provides to select a grill cooking mode from a plurality of cooking modes stored in a memory unit (62), wherein said grill cooking mode comprises a first step in which said ventilation device (15) is activated to generate a flow of air (Fl) and said lower heating device (16) is activated until a reference temperature is obtained, and subsequently a second step in which said lower heating element ( 16) is deactivated and said upper heating element (15) is activated to maintain said reference temperature.

13. Cooking method as in one or the other of claims from 8 to 12, characterized in that when said detection means (63) detect the presence of an accessory (103), suitable for steam cooking and provided with a tray (85) containing water, disposed in said container (12, 112), said cooking method provides to select a steam cooking mode from a plurality of cooking modes stored in a memory unit (62) and to activate at least said lower heating element (16) so as to obtain a temperature sufficient to transform the water contained in said tray (85) into steam.

14. Cooking method as in one or the other of claims from 8 to 13, characterized in that when said detection means (63) detect the presence of an accessory (104) of the mixer member type, said cooking method provides to select a mixing cooking mode from a plurality of cooking modes stored in a memory unit (62) and to activate at least said upper heating device (14) and to command the operation of said ventilation device (15) and of drive means (90) associated with the support body (11) to respectively regulate a speed of a flow of air (Fl) and a rotation speed of said mixer member (104) as a function of a desired temperature and/or of the type of said foodstuffs to be cooked.

15. Method as in any claim from 8 to 14, characterized in that it provides to receive, by means of an interface (61), an indication regarding the type of said foodstuffs to be cooked and possibly to select - for each predefined cooking mode - a specific option correlated to said type of foodstuffs indicated.