Flexible containers for cooking preparation equipment

Abstract

A flexible container (40) is arranged to be set in a rigid working container (20) of a cooking preparation device, the cooking preparation device comprising a processing tool, the processing tool is driven to rotate and immersed in the flexible container (40) set in the rigid working container (20), the flexible container (40) comprises a lower part (42) and an upper part, the lower part (42) forms a bowl for receiving food to be processed, and the upper part forms a neck, characterized in that most of the neck includes at least one thickness excess part.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to a flexible container for a culinary preparation device, and in particular to a flexible container for being received in a rigid working container of a culinary preparation device, the culinary preparation device comprising at least one processing tool (mixing tool, kneading tool...) for processing food received in the flexible container itself positioned in the rigid working container. Background Art

[0002] Flexible containers are known in the prior art, such as the one disclosed in US 2012 / 0170404, for placement in a rigid working container. However, the flexible container of this document does not have structural rigidity and can deform. This can be problematic in terms of the preparation to be retained while the device processes other food located in the rigid container, when the flexible container is detached from the rigid working container or is removed from the rigid working container and placed separately on a working surface. In practice, for example, an inappropriate deformation of the flexible container can result in the food contained therein being knocked over or in awkward handling with one hand. Summary of the invention

[0003] The object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art and in particular to firstly provide a flexible container which is intended to be detachably arranged in a rigid working container of a culinary preparation device, while the flexible container can be easily handled and remains stable, even when placed alone on a working surface.

[0004] To this end, a first aspect of the invention relates to a flexible container arranged to be arranged in a rigid working container of a cooking preparation device, the flexible container comprising a lower part forming a bowl for receiving the food to be processed and an upper part forming a neck, characterized in that a large part of the neck comprises at least one thickness surplus portion. According to the invention, the flexible container (also called sur-bol) has a lower part that conforms to the shape of the rigid working container and the neck of the upper part of the lower part has a thickness surplus portion that allows the assembly to be rigid by limiting deformation when the flexible container is removed from the rigid working container.

[0005] In particular, the present invention relates to a flexible container arranged to be set in a rigid working container of a cooking preparation device, wherein the cooking preparation device includes a processing tool, which is driven to rotate and immersed in the flexible container arranged in the rigid working container, and the flexible container includes a lower part and an upper part, the lower part forming a bowl for receiving food to be processed, and the upper part forming a neck, characterized in that most of the neck includes at least one thickness excess part.

[0006] Advantageously, the excess thickness is arranged on the lower part of the neck at a predetermined distance from the outer surface of the lower part of the neck, preferably greater than the thickness of the rigid working container. The inner edge of the excess thickness can then bear on the outer edge of the rigid working container to provide centering.

[0007] Advantageously, the neck is formed by a collar and wherein the excess thickness is arranged below said collar.

[0008] Advantageously, the excess thickness forms an oval. Thus, such an oval has a semicircular cross section, has no protruding edges that could be aggressive, and has no recesses or throats that could retain foreign matter or food even during washing.

[0009] Advantageously, the oval is arranged on the lower part of the neck and has at least one peripheral portion arranged to fit over the neck of the rigid working container.This embodiment provides a natural centering of the flexible container on the rigid working container.

[0010] Advantageously, the inner periphery of the oval is arranged to fit into the outer periphery of the neck of the rigid working container.

[0011] Advantageously, the oval has a radius lying in the value range of 2.5 mm to 3.5 mm.

[0012] Advantageously, the flexible container comprises a fixing device which allows to prevent the flexible container from being driven in rotation in the rigid working container when the processing tool is rotating. This embodiment allows to prevent the flexible container from starting to turn or slide in the rigid working container even under the effect of the torque applied by the rotation of the processing tool.

[0013] Advantageously, the excess thickness has at least one bearing surface forming a radial bearing stop on the rigid working container. In other words, the excess thickness is not continuous over the entire periphery of the neck and has a radial stop to bear on the rigid working container in order to avoid the flexible container starting to turn or slide in the rigid working container, even under the effect of the torque exerted by the rotation of the machining tool.

[0014] Advantageously, the flexible container has an outer surface arranged to at least partially conform to the rigid working container and having a roughness of the arithmetic mean difference of the profile (Ra) greater than or equal to 0.8 μm (Ra ≥ 0.8 μm), and preferably greater than or equal to 1.6 μm (Ra ≥ 1.6 μm). In other words, the outer surface is not shiny, glossy (or smooth), and this roughness facilitates demoulding by avoiding adsorption effects.

[0015] Advantageously, the flexible container has an inner surface arranged to receive the food to be processed and having a roughness of the arithmetic mean difference of the profile (Ra) greater than or equal to 0.8 μm (Ra ≥ 0.8 μm) and preferably greater than or equal to 1.6 μm (Ra ≥ 1.6 μm). In other words, the inner surface is not shiny, glossy (or smooth), and this roughness facilitates the processing of food, in particular the mixing of pasty substances, by avoiding the adhesion or adhesion of these substances to the inner surface of the flexible container.

[0016] Advantageously, the outer surface of the lower part has at least one offset portion so as to define a free space with the rigid working container. Thus, such an offset portion defines a space or gap between the flexible container and the rigid working container, which allows air to pass through and facilitates the removal or demoulding of the flexible container.

[0017] Advantageously, the at least one offset portion is adjacent to the neck of the flexible container. In other words, the offset portion is located on top of the lower portion.

[0018] Advantageously, the at least one offset portion is a flat portion. This is referred to as a flat portion.

[0019] Advantageously, the lower portion has a locally reduced thickness to form said at least one offset portion.Thus, the inner surface of the flexible container has no discontinuities.

[0020] Advantageously, the flexible container is formed from silicone.

[0021] Advantageously, the flexible container is formed from an elastomeric material having a hardness of 70 Shore A ± 5 Shore A.

[0022] Advantageously, the lower part has a thickness in the region for contact with the rigid working container which lies in the value range of 2 mm to 4 mm and preferably in the value range of 2.5 mm to 3.5 mm.

[0023] Advantageously, the lower part comprises at least one peripheral groove in which said thickness is reduced to facilitate folding.This groove is preferably arranged on the outer surface of the lower part so that the inner surface of the flexible container has no discontinuity.

[0024] Advantageously, the thickness is reduced at said at least one peripheral groove by an amount between 40% and 60% of the thickness in the area intended for contact with the rigid working container.

[0025] Advantageously, the lower part comprises two peripheral grooves in which the thickness decreases, these two grooves being preferably arranged in the lower half of the lower part of the flexible container.

[0026] Advantageously, the flexible container comprises at least one ear.

[0027] Advantageously, the flexible container has a generally rotated shape.

[0028] A second aspect of the present invention relates to a cooking preparation device comprising:

[0029] Rigid working container;

[0030] The flexible container according to the first aspect of the present invention is detachably arranged in a rigid working container;

[0031] A processing tool is arranged to process food to be processed which is contained in a flexible container.

[0032] Advantageously, the rigid working container comprises at least one ear and the flexible container comprises at least one surface arranged to be in contact with the at least one ear.

[0033] Advantageously, the lower portion of the flexible container forming the bowl has an outer shape that matches the inner shape of the rigid working container.

[0034] Advantageously, the culinary preparation device comprises a housing and the rigid working container comprises locking means relative to said housing.

[0035] Advantageously, the gastronomic preparation device comprises a drive arranged to be coupled to the processing tool and to drive the processing tool in rotation about the axis of rotation.

[0036] Advantageously, the drive is arranged to drive the machining tool in rotation along a planetary trajectory.

[0037] Advantageously, the processing tool is arranged to scrape the flexible container. It is therefore preferred that a stop or anti-rotation device is provided on the flexible container relative to the rigid working container, which prevents the flexible container from rotating in the rigid working container.

[0038] Advantageously, the gastronomic preparation device comprises a drive unit having a planetary gear train.

[0039] A final aspect of the invention relates to the use of a flexible container according to the first aspect of the invention in a rigid working container of a culinary preparation device, in particular a culinary preparation device comprising a processing tool driven in rotation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more apparent on reading the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention given by way of non-limiting example and illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0041] Figure 1 shows a perspective exploded general view of a culinary preparation device comprising a mixing tool and a rigid working container;

[0042] Figure 2 An exploded view of a flexible container according to the present invention is shown, which is ready to be placed in Figure 1 In a rigid working container;

[0043] Figure 3 Shows Figure 1 A cooking preparation device having Figure 2 A flexible container, the flexible container is received in the rigid working container;

[0044] Figures 4 to 7 Shows Figure 2 The view of the flex container;

[0045] Figure 8 Shows Figure 2 Detailed cross-sectional view of a flexible container. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] Figure 1 A culinary preparation device 30 is shown, which has a rigid working container 20 and a processing tool, which consists of a mixing tool 10. The culinary preparation device 30 generally comprises a housing, which encloses a drive motor, which is connected to a drive unit 32, which has a drive 31, which is arranged to be coupled to the mixing tool 10.

[0047] The drive unit 32 may include a planetary gear train for driving the mixing tool 10 in rotation along a planetary trajectory about the rotation axis.

[0048] The mixing tool 10 is arranged to process food to be processed contained in a rigid working container 20 . To this end, the housing of the culinary preparation device 30 is hinged to allow the mixing tool 10 to be immersed in or detached from the rigid working container 20 .

[0049] It can be noted that the rigid working container 20 comprises locking means on the housing of the culinary preparation device 30 by means of studs 24 which engage in grooves 34 (to generally form a bayonet coupling) to achieve blocking of the rigid working container 20 (rotation blocking and vertical translation blocking).

[0050] Finally, the culinary preparation device 30 comprises a human-machine interface 33 for controlling the operations (on-off, program selection . . . ).

[0051] In the case of a multi-step preparation procedure, and in particular if a first preparation (e.g. béchamel sauce) is to be prepared and retained during the preparation of a second preparation (e.g. whipped egg whites), the invention proposes to Figure 2The flexible container 40 visible in the drawing is temporarily installed in the rigid working container 20 to prepare one of the culinary preparations there, which is retained by removing the flexible container 40 from the rigid working container to allow the preparation of another culinary preparation in the rigid working container 20.

[0052] In order to fit perfectly with the rigid working container 20, the flexible container 40 has a lower portion 42 in the shape of a bowl and an upper portion 41 in the shape of a collar 43, as shown in FIG. Figure 5 and Figure 6 shown.

[0053] The flexible container 40 is made of silicone, the hardness of which is, for example, between 65 Shore A and 75 Shore A, and the outer surface of which has a satin appearance, that is, a roughness having an arithmetic mean difference of the profile (Ra) greater than or equal to 0.8 μm (Ra ≥ 0.8 μm), and preferably greater than or equal to 1.6 μm (Ra ≥ 1.6 μm). In other words, the outer surface is not shiny, glossy (or smooth), and this roughness facilitates demoulding by avoiding adsorption effects.

[0054] For the inner surface, it has a roughness with an arithmetic mean difference of the profile (Ra) greater than or equal to 0.8 μm (Ra ≥ 0.8 μm), and preferably greater than or equal to 1.6 μm (Ra ≥ 1.6 μm). In other words, the inner surface is not shiny, glossy (or smooth), and this roughness facilitates the processing of food, especially the mixing of pasty substances, by preventing these substances from sticking or adhering to the inner surface of the flexible container.

[0055] Figure 3 Shows Figure 1 A cooking preparation device is provided, which has a flexible container 40 and a mixing tool 10, wherein the flexible container 40 is installed in a rigid working container 20 and the mixing tool 10 is immersed in the flexible container 40.

[0056] Figures 4 to 7 A view of a flexible working container is shown.

[0057] like Figure 8 As shown ( Figure 8 yes Figure 6 ), it can be seen that the collar 43 has a thickness margin 47 which forms an ellipse, that is, a thickness margin with a semicircular cross section.

[0058] Such excess thickness portion 47 allows providing good rigidity to the upper portion 41 , which allows the flexible container 40 to be grasped with one hand and / or prevents the flexible container 40 from being deformed when placed alone on a work surface, helping to enhance the rigidity of the lower portion 42 .

[0059] in addition, Figure 7 is a bottom view, such as Figure 7 As shown, the excess thickness portion 47 is formed on most of the lower portion of the collar, but not formed at the ear portion 45 of the flexible container 40 ( Figure 7 Therefore, when the flexible container 40 is placed in the rigid working container 20, the end of the thickness excess portion 47 can be supported on the ear portion 25 of the rigid working container 20.

[0060] Thus, even if the food to be prepared is very sticky or if the mixing tool 10 scratches the flexible container 40 locally and in spots (due to the planetary trajectory of its axis of rotation), the flexible container 40 will not start to slide or rotate in the rigid working container 20, because the radial mechanical stop is provided by the bearing of the end of the thickness allowance 47 on the ear 25.

[0061] also, Figure 8 The excess thickness 47 is shown arranged at a predetermined distance d from the outer surface of the vertical wall. In fact, this distance between the inner surface of the oval and the outer surface of the vertical wall allows the neck of a rigid working container 20 to be received, ensuring rapid and automatic centering between the two containers.

[0062] also, Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 7 An offset portion 46 (flat portion) is shown formed in the upper portion of the lower portion 42 to configure a space or gap with the rigid working container 20 to allow air to pass through during introduction and removal of the flexible container 40 from the rigid working container 20, thereby allowing air to pass through when the flexible container 40 is placed in and removed from the rigid working container 20, and thus facilitating the insertion and demolding or removal of the flexible container 40.

[0063] Figures 4 to 6 and Figure 8 Also shown is a groove 44 formed by the average thickness of the lower portion 42 to facilitate folding the flexible container 40 for easy storage. The average thickness of the flexible container 40 may be in the range of 2 mm to 5 mm, and more preferably in the range of 2.5 mm to 3.5 mm.

[0064] The groove 44 is formed by locally reducing the thickness from the outside by about half the nominal thickness.

[0065] It should be understood that various modifications and / or improvements apparent to those skilled in the art may be made to the embodiments of the invention described in this specification without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A flexible container (40) arranged to be arranged in a rigid working container (20) of a cooking preparation device (30), the cooking preparation device (30) comprising a processing tool (10), the processing tool (10) being driven to rotate and immersed in the flexible container (40) arranged in the rigid working container (20), the flexible container (40) comprising a lower part (42) and an upper part (41), the lower part (42) forming a bowl for receiving food to be processed, the upper part (41) forming a neck, characterized in that The majority of the neck portion includes at least one excess thickness portion (47) which is not formed at the ear portion (45) of the flexible container (40) and allows the deformation of the flexible container to be limited. wherein the thickness allowance (47) forms an ellipse having no protruding edges, recesses or throats, Therein, the flexible container (40) will not slide or rotate in the rigid working container (20) because of the radial mechanical stop provided by the support of the end of the thickness excess portion (47) on the ear of the rigid working container (20).

2. The flexible container (40) according to claim 1, wherein: The excess thickness portion (47) is arranged on the lower portion of the neck, at a predetermined distance (d) from the outer surface of the lower portion of the neck, the predetermined distance (d) being greater than the thickness of the rigid working container (20).

3. The flexible container (40) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The neck is formed by a collar (43), and wherein the excess thickness portion (47) is arranged below the collar (43).

4. The flexible container (40) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The flexible container (40) comprises a fixing device which allows to prevent the flexible container (40) from being driven in rotation in the rigid working container (20) when the processing tool (10) rotates.

5. The flexible container (40) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The excess thickness (47) has at least one bearing surface which forms a radial bearing stop on the rigid working container.

6. The flexible container (40) according to claim 1 or 2, having an inner surface arranged to receive food to be processed, and wherein: The inner surface has a roughness that is an arithmetic mean difference of profiles, and the arithmetic mean difference of profiles is greater than or equal to 0.8 μm.

7. The flexible container (40) according to claim 6, wherein: The arithmetic mean difference of the profiles is greater than or equal to 1.6 μm.

8. The flexible container (40) according to claim 2, wherein: The outer surface of the lower part (42) has at least one offset portion (46) so as to define a free space with the rigid working container.

9. The flexible container (40) according to claim 8, wherein: The at least one offset portion (46) is adjacent the neck portion of the flexible container (40).

10. The flexible container (40) according to claim 8, wherein: The lower portion (42) has a locally reduced thickness to form the at least one offset portion (46).

11. The flexible container (40) according to claim 1 or 2, formed of silicone.

12. The flexible container (40) according to claim 1 or 2, formed of an elastic material having a hardness of 70 Shore A ± 5 Shore A.

13. The flexible container (40) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The lower part (42) has a thickness in the region for contact with the rigid working container (20) which lies in the value range of 2 mm to 4 mm.

14. The flexible container (40) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The lower part (42) has a thickness in the region for contact with the rigid working container (20) which lies in the value range of 2.5 mm to 3.5 mm.

15. The flexible container (40) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The lower portion (42) includes at least one peripheral groove (44) in which the thickness is reduced to facilitate folding.

16. A cooking preparation device (30), comprising: A rigid working container (20); A flexible container (40) according to any one of the preceding claims, which can be detachably arranged in the rigid working container (20); A processing tool (10) is arranged to process the food to be processed contained in the flexible container (40).

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