WO2023047361A1

WO2023047361A1 - Machine for the cooking of foodstuffs by microwaves

Info

Publication number: WO2023047361A1
Application number: PCT/IB2022/059041
Authority: WO
Inventors: Luca BERNABEI
Original assignee: Microwave Technology S.R.L.
Priority date: 2021-09-27
Filing date: 2022-09-23
Publication date: 2023-03-30
Also published as: IT202100024653A1

Abstract

The machine for the cooking of foodstuffs by microwaves comprises: one cooking chamber (2) of foodstuffs (3) bounded by one housing (4) and comprising: - one cooking basket (5) which is permeable to microwaves (6) and axially rotatable, the cooking basket being provided with one inlet opening (7) of the raw foodstuffs (3) and with one outlet opening (8) of the latter once cooked; - at least one microwave emitting device (12) oriented in such a way as to emit micro waves (6) towards the cooking basket (5); - introduction means (23) associated with the inlet opening (7) adapted to introduce the raw foodstuffs (3) into the cooking basket (5); extraction means (36) associated with the outlet opening (8) adapted to extract the cooked foodstuffs (3) from the cooking basket (5) and to dispense them outwards.

Description

MACHINE FOR THE COOKING OF FOODSTUFFS BY

MICROWAVES

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a machine for the cooking of foodstuffs by microwaves.

Background Art

Nowadays the problem is more and more felt of the cooking methodology of foodstuffs, especially snacks such as, e.g., potato puffs, potato chips, cereal puffs and the like.

As is well known, in fact, the characteristic crispness that makes such products particularly appealing to consumers can only be obtained if they undergo specific physical processes during cooking.

Among those, the value of the cooking temperature is one of the parameters whose adjustment is most crucial.

In particular, it must be high enough to ensure sudden evaporation of the moisture contained in foodstuffs.

In this way, in fact, high-pressure water vapor causes numerous microexplosions within the product, expanding its structure three-dimensionally and creating thereon a plurality of honeycomb s/cavities responsible for its crispness. In this regard, various different cooking methods are known to meet this requirement.

The first and most common of these is cooking in boiling oil.

This method involves preheating a certain amount of oil to temperatures of between 170 and 190°C to trigger the above physical process and then immersing the food to be cooked therein, thus frying it.

Frying, among other things, imparts a particularly savory taste to the product because of its absorption of some of the cooking oil.

It is apparent, however, that this method of cooking is affected by numerous drawbacks, mainly dietary and health-related.

In fact, the same absorbed oil that enriches the flavor of the product is also responsible for a significant amount of added fat, which dramatically increases the calorie content of the foodstuff.

This is particularly problematic for those groups of consumers such as, e.g., adolescents who, statistically, are found to consume such products more frequently.

In addition, frying in hot oil generates acrylamide, a chemical that naturally forms in starchy foodstuffs such as potatoes and cereals during cooking at high temperatures and has been shown to have particularly high harmful effects on consumers’ health, so much so that competent authorities have set a maximum limit for the content of this substance within foodstuffs.

To solve, at least partly, the aforementioned drawbacks, the method of cooking in hot salt is known.

The latter takes advantage of the high thermal conductivity of table salt to transmit heat to the food and to cook it accordingly.

This method makes it possible to reach even higher temperatures than in the case of boiling oil, even up to 200 °C.

Nonetheless, cooking in hot salt is also inconvenient.

It is, in fact, evident how this method makes the finished product extremely savory, as some of the cooking salt penetrates in the cavities created and remains trapped inside the food.

Moreover, given the high temperatures involved, cooking in hot salt does not solve the problem of acrylamide formation.

Description of the Invention

The main aim of the present invention is to devise a machine for the cooking of foodstuffs by microwaves that allows foodstuffs to be cooked in a healthy way without the addition of extra calories, while at the same time giving them organoleptic properties and crispness that are deemed appreciable by consumers.

Another object of the present invention is to devise a machine for the cooking of foodstuffs by microwaves that can overcome the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art within the framework of a simple, rational, easy and effective to use and also inexpensive solution. The aforementioned objects are achieved by this machine for the cooking of foodstuffs by microwaves having the characteristics of claim 1.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a machine for the cooking of foodstuffs by microwaves, illustrated by way of an indicative, yet non-limiting example, in the attached tables of drawings in which:

Figure 1 is an axonometric, overall view of a first embodiment of the machine according to the invention;

Figure 2 schematically illustrates the operation of the first embodiment of the machine according to the invention;

Figure 3 is a view of a detail of the first embodiment of the machine according to the invention;

Figure 4, Figure 5 and Figure 6 illustrate schematically, in sequence, the operation of a second embodiment of the machine according to the invention. Embodiments of the Invention

With reference to these figures, reference numeral 1 globally indicates a machine for the cooking of foodstuffs by microwaves.

It is specified that, in the substance of this disclosure, the term “foodstuffs” refers specifically to food products to be consumed as snacks such as, e.g., potato puffs, potato chips, cereal puffs and the like.

The machine 1 for the cooking of foodstuffs by microwaves comprises at least one cooking chamber 2 of foodstuffs 3 bounded at least partly by at least one housing 4.

Preferably, the housing 4 is made of metal material.

For example, the housing 4 is made of steel.

Again, the housing 4 consists of a plurality of plates mutually associated with each other.

Specifically, the plates are welded together.

Conveniently, the cooking chamber 2 is substantially shaped as a parallelepiped.

In addition, the cooking chamber 2 comprises at least one cooking basket 5 which is at least partly permeable to microwaves 6 and axially rotatable.

In this regard, the cooking basket 5 is provided with at least one inlet opening 7 of the raw foodstuffs 3 and with at least one outlet opening 8 of the latter once cooked.

For example, at least one of the inlet opening 7 or the outlet opening 8 has a crescent shape.

With particular reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3, the cooking basket 5 is positioned inclined with respect to the cooking chamber 2.

In addition, the cooking basket 5 shown in the aforementioned figures is shaped in a substantially tubular manner so that the height of the outlet opening 8 is smaller than the height of the inlet opening 7.

This allows the foodstuffs 3 contained within the cooking basket 5 to slide from the inlet opening 7 to the outlet opening 8.

In other words, the special shape of the cooking basket 5 allows foodstuffs 3 to be exposed to microwaves 6 for an interval of time proportional to the inclination with which the cooking basket 5 is arranged with respect to the cooking chamber 2.

Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 3, the cooking basket 5 is shaped with a substantially polygonal cross section.

More specifically, the cooking basket 5 is substantially shaped as a regular hexagonal prism.

Preferably, the cooking basket 5 is made of metal and comprises a plurality of holes 9 obtained through and traversable at least partly by the microwaves 6.

For example, the cooking basket 5 is made of steel.

Specifically, the holes 9 are arranged around the perimeter of the cooking basket 5.

In detail, the holes 9 are shaped as a rectangle.

Holes 9 shaped differently cannot however be ruled out, such as circular or elliptical. It should be noted that the special expedient of providing a metal cooking basket 5 allows the microwaves 6 striking the surface thereof to be reflected and thus distributed randomly within the cooking chamber 2.

This makes it possible to equalize the distribution of the microwaves 6 within the cooking chamber 2 and, with it, the cooking of foodstuffs 3.

In addition, the cooking basket 5 comprises at least one plastic coating 10 arranged to close the holes 9.

This special expedient prevents foodstuffs 3 from coming out the cooking basket 5 in an unwanted manner due to the rotation of the latter during cooking. For example, the plastic coating 10 is made of Teflon.

Alternatively, the cooking basket 5 is made of plastic material.

Thus, in this case, the cooking basket 5 lacks both the holes 9 and, consequently, the plastic coating 10.

For example, the cooking basket 5 is made of Teflon or another plastic material known to the expert in the field to be permeable to micro waves.

As visible in Figure 3, the cooking basket 5 comprises a plurality of stirring elements 11 facing inwards and adapted to stir foodstuffs due to the rotation of the cooking basket 5.

In particular, the stirring elements 11 have an elongated conformation.

In this regard, the stirring elements 11 extend along a longitudinal direction to the cooking basket 5.

Again, each of the stirring elements 11 is arranged at a side edge of the cooking basket 5.

The cooking chamber 2 then comprises at least one microwave emitting device 12 oriented in such a way as to emit microwaves 6 towards the cooking basket 5.

Precisely, the microwave emitting device 12 can be activated to produce an electromagnetic field having a frequency of 2.45 GHz.

In the present case, the microwave emitting device 12 is of the type of a magnetron.

It is emphasized that the special expedient of providing a microwave emitting device 12 allows foodstuffs 3 to be cooked in a healthy manner, that is, without the use of cooking oil, and organoleptically valuable.

Not only that, but the special expedient of providing a micro wave emitting device 12 enables faster cooking times than cooking in boiling oil and hot salt.

In the latter two cases, in fact, cooking is done by thermal conduction and, therefore, requires taking additional time to bring the oil and salt to a sufficiently high temperature.

These drawbacks are overcome by the machine 1 since heat transmission is induced by microwaves 6 by dielectric heating and, therefore, occurs substantially immediately.

The cooking chamber 2 is then associated with at least one supporting portion 13 of the microwave emitting device 12.

In particular, the supporting portion 13 is made at least partly hollow and communicating with the cooking chamber 2.

In this case, the supporting portion 13 is of the type of a waveguide.

This means that the supporting portion 13 amplifies and guides the electromagnetic waves generated by the microwave emitting device 12, conveying them internally to the cooking chamber 2 towards the cooking basket 5.

Usefully, the supporting portion 13 is arranged above the cooking basket 5.

This means that the microwave emitting device 12 is arranged above the cooking basket 5.

With particular reference to Figures 1, 2, and 3, the cooking chamber 2 comprises at least a first plurality of microwave emitting devices 12 aligned with each other and at least a second plurality of microwave emitting devices 12 aligned with each other and inclined with respect to the previous ones by at least one reference angle.

In more detail, the cooking chamber 2 comprises four microwave emitting devices 12 aligned with each other and four other micro wave emitting devices 12 aligned with each other and inclined with respect to the previous ones of the reference angle. Specifically, the reference angle is comprised between 40° and 80°, better still between 50° and 70°, preferably 60°.

This allows the microwaves to be directed to the cooking basket 5 in the most precise and effective way possible.

Reference angles with different value and, therefore, less than 40° or greater than 80° cannot however be ruled out.

In this regard, it cannot also be ruled out that the microwave emitting devices 12 be in different numbers as long as they are aligned along two rows inclined to each other by the reference angle.

Advantageously, the cooking chamber 2 comprises cooking time adjustment means 14, 19 of the foodstuffs 3.

Specifically, the cooking time adjustment means 14, 19 comprise distance adjustment means 14 for adjusting the relevant distance between the cooking basket 5 and the at least one microwave emitting device 12.

In the present case, the distance adjustment means 14 are associated with the cooking basket 5 and are adapted to bring the cooking basket 5 closer to/farther from the microwave emitting device 12.

The distance adjustment means 14 comprise guiding means 15 formed along the housing 4 in a substantially vertical direction and at least one sliding element 16 inserted inside the guiding means 15 in a sliding manner and associated with the cooking basket 5.

In particular, the sliding element 16 is shaped in an elongated manner.

In detail, the sliding element 16 is of the type of a shaft.

In addition, the guiding means 15 are of the type of a slot.

In addition, the distance adjustment means 14 comprise at least one motorized unit 17 associated with the sliding element 16 adapted to set the cooking basket 5 into rotation.

Usefully, the motorized unit 17 can be operated to rotate the cooking basket 5 at a rotational speed comprised between 1 and 100 rotations per minute.

In this case, the motorized unit 17 is of the type of an electric motor.

A motorized unit of a different type such as, e.g., the hydraulic type or other types still known to the expert in the field cannot however be ruled out.

The distance adjustment means 14 then comprise at least one adjustment actuator 18 associated with the sliding element 16 and adapted to move the latter along the guiding means 15.

Specifically, the adjustment actuator 18 places the sliding element 16 in a position comprised between an extreme end-of-stroke position wherein the cooking basket 5 is arranged at a height of maximum approach to the microwave emitting device 12 and an extreme end-of-stroke position wherein the cooking basket 5 is arranged at a height of maximum departure from the microwave emitting device 12.

This particular expedient allows the cooking time to be adjusted by bringing the cooking basket 5 closer to the microwave emitting device 12.

In other words, it is enough to bring the cooking basket 5 closer to the microwave emitting device 12, placing them at a mutual desired distance, and to operate the latter to cook the foodstuffs 3.

With particular reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3, the cooking time adjustment means 14, 19 comprise inclination adjustment means 19 for adjusting the inclination of the cooking basket 5 with respect to the microwave emitting device 12.

In particular, the inclination adjustment means 19 comprise at least one hinging element 19 associated with the cooking basket 5 and arranged in the proximity of the inlet opening 7 and adapted to allow the rotation of the cooking basket 5 by varying the height of the outlet opening 8 with respect to that of the inlet opening 7, as a result of the movement of the cooking basket 5 by the distance adjustment means 14.

In detail, the hinging element 19 is of the type of a rotational pivot of the cooking basket 5.

The hinging element 19 comprises at least one fixed end 20 associated with the cooking chamber 2 fixed in rotation with respect to the latter and at least one movable end 21 associated with the fixed end 20 rotatable with respect to the latter together with the cooking basket 5. In this regard, the fixed end 20 and the movable end 21 are connected by at least one connecting element 22 which is adapted to allow the movable end 21 to rotate with respect to the fixed end 20.

In particular, the connecting element 22 is of the type of a ball joint.

In the present case, the cooking basket 5 can be inclined with respect to the cooking chamber 2 by an angle comprised between 0° and 15° due to the action of the inclination adjustment means 19.

This implies that the greater the inclination of the cooking basket 5, the shorter the exposure time to microwaves of foodstuffs 3, and vice versa.

In other words, by operating on the inclination adjustment means 19 it is possible to adjust the cooking time of foodstuffs 3 in a simple, intuitive and efficient manner.

In addition, the machine 1 comprises introduction means 23 associated with the inlet opening 7 adapted to introduce the raw foodstuffs 3 into the cooking basket 5.

Usefully, the introduction means 23 comprise at least one container body 24 of the raw foodstuffs 3 and at least one introduction conduit 25 which is operatively connected to the container body 24 and provided with at least one introduction port 26 of the raw foodstuffs 3 inside the cooking basket 5 which can be aligned with the inlet opening 7.

Specifically, the introduction conduit 25 is shaped so as to convey the raw foodstuffs 3 from the container body 24 to the introduction port 26.

In particular, the container body 24 is arranged above the introduction conduit 25.

In detail, the introduction conduit 25 is shaped so as to convey the raw foodstuffs 3 from the container body 24 to the introduction port 26 by drop. Again, the container body 24 is of a hopper type.

Again, the introduction means 23 comprise at least one metering device 27 located between the container body 24 and the introduction conduit 25 configured to dispense a predetermined amount of foodstuffs 3 from the container body 24 to the introduction conduit 25. Usefully, the metering device 27 is configured to dispense a predetermined amount of foodstuffs 3 by weight and/or volume in a continuous manner over time.

This means that, with particular reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3, the machine 1 allows the foodstuffs 3 to be cooked on a continuous basis.

Preferably, the metering device 27 is of the type of a valve.

The introduction means 23 then comprise at least one vibrating element 28 located between the metering device 27 and the introduction conduit 25.

Specifically, the vibrating element 28 is of the type of a vibrating conveyor belt. It is emphasized that the vibrating element 28 allows the foodstuffs 3 dispensed by the container body 24 to be arranged evenly and neatly before they are introduced into the introduction conduit 25.

In other words, the vibrating element 28 counteracts, thanks to its vibration, the formation of clogging and/or blockage of foodstuffs 3 along the introduction conduit 25.

Conveniently, the machine 1 comprises barrage means 29 positioned between the introduction conduit 25 and the cooking chamber 2 which are adapted to selectively allow and prevent the foodstuffs 3 from passing through the inlet opening 7.

In detail, the barrage means 29 comprise at least one barrage element 30 provided with a passage section 31 traversable by the foodstuffs 3.

In particular, the barrage element 30 is slab- shaped.

In detail, the barrage element 30 has a thickness comprised between 1 mm and 5 mm.

In this case, the barrage element 30 is of the type of a partition wall.

To be precise, the passage section 31 and the introduction port 26 have the same width.

In fact, in this way, the foodstuffs 3 can be introduced into the cooking basket 5 easily and efficiently.

Usefully, the barrage element 30 is movable between at least one position wherein the passage section 31 is aligned with the introduction port 26 and the inlet opening 7, and at least another position wherein the passage section 31 is misaligned with respect to at least one of either the introduction port 26 or the inlet opening 7.

In detail, the passage section 31 is aligned with the introduction port 26 and the inlet opening 7 to introduce the raw foodstuffs 3 into the cooking basket 5.

In other words, to introduce the raw foodstuffs 3 into the cooking basket 5, it is sufficient to activate the metering device 27, which dispenses foodstuffs 3 from the container body 24 to the introduction conduit 25, and to align the passage section 31 with the introduction port 26 and with the inlet opening 7.

Therefore, once the foodstuffs 3 are introduced into the cooking basket 5, the passage section 31 is misaligned from the introduction port 26 and from the inlet opening 7, thus interrupting the passage between them.

In fact, in this way, it is possible to cook the foodstuffs 3 contained in the cooking basket 5 without these being in danger of coming out of the cooking basket itself due to the rotation of the latter.

For this purpose, the barrage means 29 comprise at least one actuator element 32 operatively connected to the barrage element 30 adapted to move the latter by aligning and misaligning the passage section 31 with the inlet opening 7 and with the introduction port 26.

In detail, the actuator element 32 is operable to move the barrage element 30 along a substantially vertical direction.

The actuator element 32 is, e.g., of the type of a pneumatic piston, the type of an electric piston, the type of a magnetic piston or still other types that can move the barrage element 30.

In addition, the cooking chamber 2 comprises at least one exhaust assembly 33 of moist air contained within the cooking basket 5 outwards.

In this regard, the exhaust assembly 33 comprises at least one slit 34 traversable by moist air.

Specifically, the slit 34 is made on the housing 4 communicating outwards.

In addition, the exhaust assembly 33 comprises forced ventilation means 35 associated with the slit 34 and adapted to force the path of moist air contained inside the cooking chamber 2 by conveying it from the latter outwards through the slit 34.

In the present case, the forced ventilation means 35 are arranged where the slit 34 is located.

This allows the forced ventilation means 35 to draw in moist air inside them and expel it directly outwards by having it pass through the slit 34.

In other words, the activation of the forced ventilation means 35 enables the moist air contained within the cooking chamber 2 to be sucked out of the latter and smoothly expelled by forcing its path through the slit 34.

In the present case, the forced ventilation means 35 are of the type of centrifugal fans and exhaust fans.

The possibility of providing forced ventilation means 35 of different types cannot however be ruled out that would allow, in all cases, to force the path of moist air and expel it to the outside.

For example, it cannot be ruled out that the forced ventilation means 35 are of the type of an external vacuum circuit operatively connected to the machine 1.

It is emphasized that the special expedient of providing an exhaust assembly 33 of moist air enables further improvement in the cooking quality of foodstuffs by discharging the moist air generated by their cooking, which would otherwise end up making the foodstuffs themselves less crispy and, therefore, palatable.

In addition, the machine 1 comprises extraction means 36 associated with the outlet opening 8 adapted to extract the cooked foodstuffs 3 from the cooking basket 5 and to dispense them outwards.

In this regard, the extraction means 36 comprise at least one extraction conduit 37 provided with at least one extraction port 38 of the cooked foodstuffs 3 outwardly communicating with the outlet opening 8.

In particular, the extraction conduit 37 is made at least partly of metal material.

As can be seen in Figure 1, the extraction conduit 37 has a cross section substantially shaped in a zig-zag pattern.

Such a conformation allows the extraction conduit 37 to energetically dissipate the microwaves 6 present within it by repeatedly reflecting them off its own walls.

This particular expedient, therefore, allows a user to recover the cooked foodstuffs 3 exiting the extraction port 38 in a totally safe manner.

However, different conformations of the extraction conduit 37 cannot be ruled out which equally allow for the energetic dissipation of the microwaves 6 present within it.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, therefore, a machine 1 is shown that allows foodstuffs to be cooked in a healthy way without the addition of further calories and that is able to impart to the latter, at the same time, organoleptic properties and crispness that are considered appreciable by consumers.

It is emphasized that the machine 1 shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3 allows for continuous cooking and dispensing of foodstuffs 3, i.e., without interruptions in the flow of foodstuffs themselves in the path from the introduction means 23, to the cooking chamber 2 and to the extraction means 36.

Figures 4, 5 and 6 show a second embodiment, an alternative to the previous one and different thereto in that it cooks and dispenses discrete amounts of foodstuff 3.

In other words, the machine 1 in accordance with the second embodiment works on a discontinuous basis and only as a result of its own activation.

In this regard, it is specified that, unless otherwise indicated, the machine 1 shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6 is provided with components similar to those shown for the first embodiment, to the detailed description of which reference is made. Thus, in this case, the metering device 27 is configured to dispense a predefined amount of foodstuffs 3 by weight and/or volume in a discrete manner.

In other words, the metering device 27 allows limited amounts of foodstuff 3 to be dispensed as a result of the activation thereof.

In addition, the metering device 27 can be activated following at least one command from a user.

In this regard, the metering device 27 can be activated following the insertion of a token and/or money, or following the pressing of a button. This means that, as anticipated, the machine 1 in accordance with the present embodiment allows for cooking and dispensing a discrete amount of foodstuff 3 whenever the metering device 27 is activated.

In this regard, the cooking chamber 2 comprises two microwave emitting devices 12.

In detail, the microwave emitting devices 12 are aligned with each other.

In this second embodiment, moreover, the cooking basket 5 is provided with a single opening through which the foodstuffs 3 are both introduced and extracted.

In other words, in the machine 1 shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6, the outlet opening 8 coincides with the inlet opening 7.

To facilitate the extraction of foodstuffs 3 from the cooking basket 5, the extraction means 36 comprise, in this second embodiment, at least one truncated-cone portion 39 formed on the cooking basket 5 having a decreasing cross section in the direction of moving away from the inlet/outlet openings 7, 8.

This particular expedient allows the foodstuffs 3 to easily exit, once cooked, from the cooking basket 5 as a result of the slippage induced to them by the conformation of the truncated-cone portion 39.

In this particular embodiment, the introduction conduit 25 comprises at least a first portion 40 associated with the container body 24 and at least a second portion 41 associated with the first portion 40 and provided with the introduction port 26.

Since the cooking basket 5 is provided with only one opening that is traversed by incoming and outgoing foodstuffs, the first and second portions 40, 41 are movable with respect to each other between at least one position of maximum overall dimensions of the introduction conduit 25, wherein the inlet opening 7 faces the introduction conduit 25, and at least one position of minimum overall dimensions of the introduction conduit 25, wherein the inlet opening 7 faces outwards.

This makes it possible, in other words, to extract the cooked foodstuffs 3 from the cooking basket 5 by simply arranging the introduction conduit 25 in the position of minimum overall dimensions.

To do this, the extraction means 36 comprise at least one extraction device 42 locked together with the introduction conduit 25 adapted to mutually move the first and second portions 40, 41 at least between the position of maximum overall dimensions and the position of minimum overall dimensions.

In detail, the extraction device 42 moves the barrage element 30 along a substantially vertical direction.

Similar to the actuator element 32, the extraction device 42 is of the type of a pneumatic piston, of the type of an electric piston, of the type of a magnetic piston, or of yet other types that can mutually move the first and the second portions 40, 41 in the minimum and maximum overall dimensions.

It should be noted, at this point, that the particular expedient of providing an extraction device 42 associated with the introduction conduit 25 and a single opening for the entry/exit of foodstuffs 3 to/from the cooking basket 5 makes it possible to make a compact machine 1 and provided with reduced overall dimensions.

It is emphasized, therefore, that the machine 1 shown in Figures 4, 5, and 6 allows cooking and dispensing foodstuffs 3 in a discrete manner, that is, by dispensing a predetermined amount of cooked foodstuffs 3 to a user following the user’s activation of the metering device 27.

It has in practice been ascertained that the described invention achieves the intended objects.

In particular, it is emphasized that providing a machine for cooking foodstuffs by microwaves enables foodstuffs to be cooked in a healthy way and without the addition of further calories, while at the same time giving them organoleptic properties and crispness that are considered appreciable by consumers.

Claims

1) Machine (1) for the cooking of foodstuffs by microwaves, characterized by the fact that it comprises: at least one cooking chamber (2) of foodstuffs (3) bounded at least partly by at least one housing (4) and comprising: at least one cooking basket (5) which is at least partly permeable to microwaves (6) and axially rotatable, said cooking basket being provided with at least one inlet opening (7) of said raw foodstuffs (3) and with at least one outlet opening (8) of the latter once cooked; at least one microwave emitting device (12) oriented in such a way as to emit microwaves (6) towards said cooking basket (5); introduction means (23) associated with said inlet opening (7) adapted to introduce said raw foodstuffs (3) into said cooking basket (5); extraction means (36) associated with said outlet opening (8) adapted to extract said cooked foodstuffs (3) from said cooking basket (5) and to dispense them outwards.

2) Machine (1) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said cooking chamber (2) comprises cooking time adjustment means (14, 19) of said foodstuffs (3).

3) Machine (1) according to claim 2, characterized by the fact that said cooking time adjustment means (14, 19) comprise distance adjustment means (14) for adjusting the relevant distance between said cooking basket (5) and said at least one microwave emitting device (12) associated with said cooking basket (5) and adapted to bring the latter closer to/farther from said microwave emitting device (12).

4) Machine (1) according to claim 3, characterized by the fact that said distance adjustment means (14) comprise guiding means (15) formed along said housing (4) in a substantially vertical direction and at least one sliding element (16) inserted in a sliding manner inside said guiding means (15) and associated with said cooking basket (5).

5) Machine (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said cooking basket (5) is positioned inclined with respect to said cooking chamber (2) and is shaped in a substantially tubular manner so that the height of said outlet opening (8) is smaller than the height of said inlet opening (7).

6) Machine (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said cooking time adjustment means (14, 19) comprise inclination adjustment means (19) for adjusting the inclination of said cooking basket (5) with respect to said microwave emitting device (12).

7) Machine (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said cooking basket (5) is made of metal and comprises a plurality of holes (9) obtained through and traversable at least partly by microwaves, said cooking basket (5) comprising at least one plastic coating (10) arranged to close said holes (9).

8) Machine (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said introduction means (23) comprise at least one container body (24) of said raw foodstuffs (3) and at least one introduction conduit (25) which is operatively connected to said container body (24) and provided with at least one introduction port (26) of said raw foodstuffs (3) inside said cooking basket (5) which can be aligned with said inlet opening (7), said introduction conduit (25) being shaped so as to convey said raw foodstuffs (3) from said container body (24) towards said introduction port (26).

9) Machine (1) according to claim 8, characterized by the fact that said introduction conduit (25) comprises at least a first portion (40) associated with said container body (24) and at least a second portion (41) associated with said first portion (40) and provided with said introduction port (26), said first and second portions (40, 41) being movable with respect to each other between at least one position of maximum overall dimensions of said introduction conduit (25), wherein said inlet opening (7) faces said introduction conduit (25), and at least one position of minimum overall dimensions of said introduction conduit (25), wherein said inlet opening (7) faces outwards.

10) Machine (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, 18 characterized by the fact that it comprises barrage means (29) positioned between said introduction conduit (25) and said cooking chamber (2) which are adapted to selectively allow and prevent said foodstuffs (3) from passing through said inlet opening (7).

11) Machine (1) according to claim 10, characterized by the fact that said barrage means (29) comprise at least one barrage element (30) provided with a passage section (31) traversable by said foodstuffs (3), said barrage element

(30) being movable between at least one position wherein said passage section

(31) is aligned with said introduction port (26) and said inlet opening (7), and at least another position wherein said passage section (31) is misaligned with respect to at least one of either said introduction port (26) or said inlet opening (7).

12) Machine (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said extraction means (36) comprise at least one extraction conduit (37) provided with at least one extraction port (38) of said cooked foodstuffs (3) outwardly communicating with said outlet opening (8).

13) Machine (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said extraction means (36) comprise at least one extraction device (42) locked together with said introduction conduit (25) adapted to mutually move said first and second portions (40, 41) at least between said position of maximum overall dimensions and said position of minimum overall dimensions.

14) Machine (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said outlet opening (8) coincides with said inlet opening (7).

15) Machine (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said cooking chamber (2) comprises at least a first plurality of said microwave emitting devices (6) aligned with each other and at least a second plurality of said microwave emitting devices (6) aligned with each other and inclined with respect to the previous ones by at least one reference angle. 19

16) Machine (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said cooking chamber (2) comprises at least one exhaust assembly (33) of the moist air contained inside said cooking basket (5) to the outside comprising: - at least one slit (34) through which the moist air can pass on said housing (4) communicating outwards; forced ventilation means (35) associated with said slit (34) and adapted to force the path of moist air contained inside said cooking chamber (2), conveying it from the latter outwards through said slit (34).