Centering washers for cookware lids

Abstract

A ring-shaped centering gasket (1) for being arranged between a lid (2) and a bowl (10) of a cooking appliance, the gasket comprising a central axis A perpendicular to a plane of the gasket, an inner wall (4), at least one centering wing (5) arranged radially with respect to the central axis A, and at least one stop (6) arranged radially with respect to the central axis A.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of cooking, and more particularly to the field of cooking appliances comprising a manually operated cord-type drive and a glass bowl forming a container, such as a meat grinder, a food processor, a juicer, a lettuce spinner or a blender. These appliances are manually operated and therefore non-electrically powered, allowing the motion to be transmitted from one part to another by pulling a cord or a rope.

[0002] Please note that in this document, the terms "longitudinal", "transverse", "vertical", "parallel", "rotational", "horizontal", "vertical", "lower", "upper", "above", "below", "intersecting", "coaxial", "convex", "concave", and "planar" used to describe the device are with reference to the device being used when the device is placed on a horizontal surface. Background Art

[0003] Cookware with compressible silicone gaskets is known to reduce the space between the glass bowl and lid. Therefore, the greater the clearance required for assembly, the more compressible the silicone gasket should be. The term "clearance," in the context of this invention, generally refers to the space between two parts or surfaces that allows for easy movement of an element.

[0004] The first drawback of these cookware with glass bowls or containers is that the mass-production process for glass involves greater manufacturing tolerances than plastic injection or metal stamping processes. Consequently, during the manufacturing process, the dimensions of the glass bowls can vary by several millimeters between each sample of the bowl. These variations in bowl dimensions make assembly difficult when it comes time to place the plastic lid on the glass bowl, which is less prone to such variations. To ensure the lid fits or fits properly on the glass bowl, a necessary clearance must be provided (i.e., a minimum amount of space must be maintained between the bowl and lid). This necessary clearance is noticeable and can create a perception of poor quality, as the lid can shift on the bowl. Furthermore, the need for such a large clearance during assembly can create noise and vibration when the plastic or metal lid comes into contact with the glass bowl. The fact that the lid shifts and makes noise also contributes to the perception of poor quality construction.

[0005] Another drawback of these cooking appliances with glass bowls or containers is the difficulty of aligning the lid axis with the central guide axis of the glass bowl. In practice, these appliances feature a manually operated cable drive that transmits rotational movement along the lid axis to a working unit (the food processing area) by pulling a cord or rope through a drive wheel. The cutting blade and drive shaft are typically located in the working unit. The cable drive is installed in the appliance's lid. The working unit is installed in the bowl and centered on the glass bowl's guide axis. In an ideal design, the lid's rotational axis and the glass bowl's central guide axis should coincide. The clearance required to mount the lid on the bowl can result in a misalignment of these two axes. Normally, the working unit should operate aligned with these aligning axes, but in practice, the working unit operates off-axis, on misaligned axes, resulting in misalignment.

[0006] Furthermore, during the processing of food in the bowl, the pressure exerted by the food on the working unit tends to cause the rotation axis of the lid to deviate, resulting in misalignment relative to the guide axis of the glass bowl. The pressure of the food is not continuous, but is generated each time the cord is pulled.

[0007] A third disadvantage is that pulling the cord to operate the food processing arm applies a force to the lid in the direction the cord is pulled. The force applied in this manner tends to regularly (each time the cord is pulled) deflect the lid and its axis in the direction the cord is pulled.

[0008] A fourth disadvantage of these cooking utensils with glass bowls or containers is that when fitting the lid on the working arm and in the bowl, the large gap makes fitting difficult and forces the user to actuate the lid with the working arm, which is barely visible.

[0009] All of the above disadvantages lead to abnormal stress and wear of the drive components (such as the pinions and gears present in the cover), which will significantly reduce the useful life of the appliance.

[0010] The object of the present invention is to remedy the above-mentioned disadvantages and improve the assembly of the bowl and lid of a cooking appliance by forming a gasket that compensates for the gap between the lid and the bowl and centers the axis of the lid and the guide axis of the glass bowl so that they coincide. The gasket cooperates with the lid and its flexibility and structural design enable it to be compressed neither too much nor too little to compensate for the actual gap between the lid and the bowl.

[0011] Advantageously, the combination of the centering wings and the stopper provides a solution for compensating for assembly play, effectively centering the lid on the bowl and keeping the lid axis coincident with the bowl axis. The term "centering" in the sense of the present invention means positioning one shape inside another, placing it at its center.

[0012] An advantage of the gasket according to the invention is that it can be easily adapted to all different shapes of lids and bowls and can be manufactured independently of the rest of the lid of the cooking appliance.

[0013] Advantageously, the gasket according to the present invention can center the lid and limit the off-centering of the lid during its use. In fact, the lid has a tendency to deflect, and the design of the gasket makes it possible to limit the deflection of the lid in all directions. Summary of the Invention

[0014] The subject of the invention is firstly an annular centering gasket for arrangement between a lid and a bowl, characterized in that the gasket comprises a center axis perpendicular to the plane of the gasket, an inner wall, at least one centering wing arranged radially relative to the center axis and at least one stop arranged radially relative to the center axis.

[0015] The gasket can be positioned on the lid and contact the bowl during the docking phase. During this phase, the lid gasket is positioned alongside the upper portion of the bowl. The gasket can mate with the lid and deform and compress to compensate for a range of undesired movements, primarily in directions generally perpendicular to the central axis. Thus, the gasket acts as a centering mechanism, consistently bringing the lid back to center.

[0016] The annular centering washer may be in the form of a circular or rectangular ring.

[0017] According to another feature of the invention, one or more wings and one or more stops can be arranged on the inner wall, preferably in the same plane. Preferably, one or more wings can be arranged at the end of the inner wall. The centering wing has a foot at its inner wall side end and a leading edge at its other end. The foot is the connection point to the inner wall and the leading edge is the free end. It is foreseeable that the cross-section of the centering wing has thinning parts, wherein the thickest part will be at the foot position, on the side of the inner wall of the gasket, and the thinnest part will be on the outside of the gasket, at the leading edge position. The profile of the centering wing body can have a progressive cross-section that gradually becomes thinner from the foot of the wing to the leading edge. Advantageously, this special wing shape allows the wing to act as a shock absorber or spring to suppress unwanted movement, especially movement of the lid. The wing acts as a suspension for the bowl lid assembly.

[0018] According to another feature of the invention, the wings and stops can be arranged radially in the plane of the gasket relative to the central axis. One or more stops can cooperate with the edge of the bowl to compensate for a set of undesired movements mainly in a direction generally perpendicular to the central axis.

[0019] According to another feature of the invention, the one or more wings and the stopper may be arranged radially in the same plane relative to the central axis.

[0020] Preferably, when the gasket is not under any compression, the one or more wings and the inner wall form a right angle at rest so that the bowl remains at a constant distance from the lid.

[0021] According to another feature of the invention, in the case of multiple centering wings, the wings can be spaced apart and form the same or different angles α. Preferably, all angles α are identical, but it is also conceivable that the centering wings are arranged asymmetrically on the inner wall. It is also conceivable that the centering wings are arranged in an adjacent manner, i.e., juxtaposed and in contact with each other.

[0022] According to another feature of the invention, the angle α is arranged in the washer plane or in a plane parallel to the washer plane, and the center of the angle α is on the central axis. Advantageously, the angle α is located in a plane perpendicular to the central axis.

[0023] According to another feature of the invention, when there is only one centering wing, the angle α does not exist. In this case, the centering wing is provided on the entire periphery of the inner wall.

[0024] According to another characteristic of the invention, when there are two centering wings, they are arranged relative to each other at an angle α of 180°.

[0025] According to another characteristic of the invention, when there are three centering wings, the angle α is 120°.

[0026] According to another feature of the present invention, when there are four centering wings, angle α is 90°. Thus, by varying the number of centering wings and the value of angle α, the optimal gap elimination and lid realignment performance can be tailored to the various bowl and lid shapes. Advantageously, this flexibility in the distribution of the centering wings allows for considerable adaptability.

[0027] According to another characteristic of the invention, one or more centering wings may extend around the periphery of the gasket in a plane oriented toward the outside of the gasket relative to the central axis. It will be understood that the outside of the gasket is the portion of the gasket situated on the side of the glass bowl, while the inside of the gasket is the portion situated on the side of the central axis of the gasket.

[0028] According to another feature of the invention, the gasket may include at least one stopper extending outwardly of the gasket relative to the central axis. Advantageously, the stopper of the gasket according to the invention allows the lid to be centered and limits any deviation from the center of the lid during use. In practice, lids tend to deviate, and the stopper prevents excessive deflection of the lid in all directions, typically perpendicular to the central axis.

[0029] According to another feature of the invention, the gasket may include a stopper projecting from the inner wall of the gasket and extending toward the outside of the gasket relative to the central axis to compensate for a set of undesired movements mainly in a direction substantially perpendicular to the central axis.

[0030] According to another feature of the invention, in the case of a plurality of stops, the stops can be spaced apart and form an angle β, all of which are identical. Advantageously, this angle β lies in a plane perpendicular to the central axis. Thus, the stop acts to generally maintain the axis of the food processing arm in a plane perpendicular to its pivot point located in the lower part of the glass bowl and its drive point in the lid, thereby preventing damage to the pinion and / or gear located in the lid.

[0031] Advantageously, the combined effects of the centering wings and the stoppers allow the lid to be automatically centered, i.e., without user assistance. The centering wings apply force to the bowl wall, enabling the lid to be automatically centered. If force is applied to the lid, it will deviate from the center, but the stopper or stops allow the lid to tolerate a limited amount of deviation. As the force decreases, or when no force is applied, the centering wings bring the lid back to the center. After the rope is pulled, when the force transmitted to the drive shaft by the rope is no longer being transferred, self-centering is preferably achieved when the rope is pulled back.

[0032] According to another feature of the invention, the angle β may be in the plane of the washer, with the center of the angle β being on the central axis.

[0033] According to another characteristic of the invention, when there is a stop, the angle β can be 360°.

[0034] According to another feature of the invention, when there are two stops, the angle β may be 180°.

[0035] According to another feature of the invention, when there are three stops, the angle β may be 120°.

[0036] According to another feature of the invention, when there are four stops, the angle β can be 90°.

[0037] According to another characteristic of the invention, the centering wings and the stops are provided alternately on the inner wall of the washer, preferably alternating regularly on the inner wall, ie a stop then a centering wing then a stop.

[0038] According to another feature of the invention, at least one stop of the washer is positioned on the rope pulling axis. Thus, the offset distance from the lid axis is controlled and can be greater if the rope pulling axis is between the two stops.

[0039] According to another characteristic of the invention, the gasket may have an L-shaped cross section over the entire section or over a portion of the section.

[0040] According to another feature of the present invention, the gasket may further include an upper edge projecting from the gasket, thereby providing the gasket with a U-shaped cross-section in whole or in part. The presence of the upper edge thus enhances the gasket's ability to adhere to the lid, securing it to the lid without slipping. This enhances the gasket's shock-absorbing and guiding capabilities.

[0041] According to another characteristic of the invention, the upper edge can extend in a plane oriented towards the outside of the gasket relative to the central axis at the periphery of the gasket.The edge thus forms a crown.

[0042] According to another feature of the present invention, the upper edge and the one or more centering wings can each be contained in two separate parallel planes. Preferably, the width of the edge is smaller than the width of the one or more centering wings. This increases the contact surface with the bowl and facilitates support of the one or more centering wings on the bowl and guidance of the lid. Preferably, the width of the one or more centering wings is greater than the width of the edge.

[0043] According to another characteristic of the invention, the upper edge and the one or more centering wings may be arranged opposite each other so as to form a recess with the inner wall.

[0044] According to another feature of the present invention, the gasket is flexible. It is made of a deformable material. Preferably, it is made in one piece by molding.

[0045] According to another feature of the present invention, the gasket can be ideally manufactured with a Shore hardness of Shore A 40 to Shore A 80, preferably Shore A 60 to Shore A 80.

[0046] According to another feature of the invention, the gasket may desirably be made of a flexible material, such as silicone or a thermoplastic elastomer.

[0047] According to another characteristic of the invention, the gasket may also include means for positioning the gasket on the cover.

[0048] According to another feature of the present invention, the positioning means can be a rib or recess that mates with an opposing recess or rib on the lid. Thus, the positioning means facilitates centering of the gasket relative to the lid. Indeed, since the gasket is removable for easy cleaning, it is important to correctly reposition the gasket to optimize its operation. Preferably, the positioning means comprises one or more recesses on the gasket and one or more opposing ribs on the lid. It should be noted that the ribs on one component mate with the recesses on the other.

[0049] According to another feature of the present invention, markings can be added to the lid and / or gasket to make it easier to see where the gasket's notch faces the lid rib. This marking can serve as an orientation indicator, making it easier for the user to use the gasket. Preferably, the marking can be a geometric symbol, such as a triangle. According to another feature of the present invention, at least one marking can be aligned with the rope pulling axis.

[0050] According to another feature of the present invention, the washer according to the present invention includes a stop element for limiting the travel of the centering wing, thereby ensuring the proper function of the washer. The stop element prevents the centering wing from reaching a position where it can no longer function as a shock absorber. Preferably, the stop element limits the travel of the leading edge of the centering wing. Preferably, the stop element is a stop element of the centering wing, in particular a stop element of the leading edge of the centering wing.

[0051] Another subject of the invention is a lid for a cooking vessel comprising a gasket according to the invention.

[0052] Another subject of the present invention is a cooking appliance comprising a lid according to the invention. Preferably, the cooking appliance is a non-electric appliance comprising a manually operated cord-type drive and a glass bowl forming a container, such as a meat grinder, a food processor, a juicer, a lettuce dehydrator or a blender. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0053] The objects, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the following description of specific embodiments thereof, which are given as non-limiting examples with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0054] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a top cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of a gasket having a U-shaped cross-section according to the present invention.

[0055] Figure 2 Yes Figure 1 A bottom cross-sectional view of the gasket is shown.

[0056] Figure 3 Yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the right profile of the gasket is shown.

[0057] Figure 4 Yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the left profile of the gasket is shown.

[0058] Figure 5 Yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the front profile of the gasket is shown.

[0059] Figure 6 Yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the rear profile of the gasket is shown.

[0060] Figure 7Yes Figure 1 A top perspective view of the gasket is shown.

[0061] Figure 8 Yes Figure 1 Bottom perspective view of the gasket shown.

[0062] Figure 9 is a bottom perspective view of a lid according to the present invention without a gasket.

[0063] Figure 10 Yes Figure 9 The bottom perspective view of the cover shown in FIG. Figure 1 The washers shown and in Figure 11 and Figure 12 implemented in the apparatus.

[0064] Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of a meat grinder type cooking appliance comprising a Figure 10 Cover shown.

[0065] Figure 12 Yes Figure 11 A perspective view of the cooking appliance is shown.

[0066] Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view of the profile of a portion of a second embodiment of a gasket according to the invention having a stop element and a U-shaped cross-section.

[0067] Figure 14 Yes Figure 13 A top perspective view of the gasket is shown.

[0068] Figure 15 Yes Figure 13 Side perspective view of the gasket shown.

[0069] Figure 16 is a cross-sectional view of the outline of a portion of a third embodiment of a gasket according to the invention having another example of a stop element and a U-shaped cross-section.

[0070] Figure 17 Yes Figure 16 A top perspective view of the gasket is shown.

[0071] Figure 18 Yes Figure 16 Side perspective view of the gasket shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0072] Figure 1An annular centering washer 1 according to the present invention is shown. The washer 1 is manufactured as a single, circular piece and includes three centering wings 5 ​​and a central axis A. The centering wings 5 ​​extend outward from the washer 1, away from the central axis A. The central axis A is arranged in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the washer 1, with a point on this axis passing through the geometric center of the washer 1. The washer 1 includes three notches 9 arranged on the inner wall 4 on the outside of the washer 1. The washer 1 has an upper edge 7. The wings 5 ​​are wider than the width of the upper edge 7 and protrude from the washer. The washer 1 is made of a soft, elastic material.

[0073] Figure 2 Shown with Figure 1 Identical annular centering washer 1. The washer 1 comprises three centering wings 5 ​​arranged on the periphery of the inner wall 4 and enclosing an angle α of 120°. The angle α is formed in the plane of the washer or in a plane parallel to the plane of the washer and has its center on the central axis A. The washer 1 comprises a marking 14 in the form of a triangle and serves as a positioning indicator, which is aligned with the Figure 9 The gasket 1 comprises three stoppers 6 projecting from the inner wall 4, alternately arranged between the wings 5 ​​at an angle β of 120°. Angle β is formed in the plane of the gasket or in a plane parallel to the plane of the gasket, and its center is on the central axis A. Angles α and β are in the same plane.

[0074] Figure 3 Shown as Figure 1 The wing 5 protrudes from the upper edge 7 and the width of the wing 5 is greater than the width of the upper edge 7.

[0075] Figure 4 Shown as Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the gasket is shown.

[0076] Figure 5 Yes Figure 1 A cross-section of the front profile of the washer is shown. The centering wing 5 is mounted between the two stops 6, equidistant from the geometric center of each stop 6.

[0077] Figure 6 Yes Figure 1 A section view of the rear profile of the washer is shown. A stopper 6 is mounted between the two centering wings 5 ​​, equidistant from the end of each centering wing 5 .

[0078] Figure 7 Yes Figure 1 The gasket is shown in a top perspective view. The visible face of the upper edge 7 rests against the lid 2. Its surface is smooth and flat to provide maximum adhesion to the lid. The gasket has three notches 9, which are spaces for the ribs 8 of the lid 2.

[0079] Figure 8 Yes Figure 1 The washer is shown in a bottom perspective view. The washer has three triangular markings 14 as positioning indicators.

[0080] Figure 9 is a perspective view of the lid 2 without the gasket. The lid 2 has three triangular markings 14 which serve as positioning indicators and are positioned opposite the same triangles visible on the gasket 1. The lid 2 has three ribs 8 which cooperate with the three notches 9 of the gasket 1. Figure 9 Only two ribs can be seen in the cap 2. The cap 2 has a protruding edge adapted to receive a gasket.

[0081] Figure 10 The lid of the cooking utensil is provided with Figure 1 The same annular centering washer 1 is in direct contact with the surface of the lid 2. This is the lid with the rope-type drive mechanism. The lid 2 has a protruding rim, onto which the elastic washer 1 is placed. The diameter of the washer 1 is slightly smaller than that of the lid's protruding rim, so that the washer 1 is stretched tight and held against the lid by spring pressure. When the lid 2 with the washer 1 is placed on the bowl 10 of the utensil, the wings 5 ​​deform, preventing a gap from forming between the bowl 10 and the lid 2. The wings 5 ​​bend and compensate for the gap between the lid 2 and the bowl 10, while also centering the lid axis and the guide axis of the glass bowl 10, so that they coincide.

[0082] Figure 11 Shown with Figure 9 A meat grinder-type cooking appliance 3 with a lid is shown. The cooking appliance 3 comprises a glass bowl 10 forming a container, a working unit for cutting the food, and a manually operated, cable-type drive incorporated into the lid 2. The appliance 3 has a food processing arm 11. The glass bowl 10 has a pivot point 12. The lid 2 has a drive point 13 for the working unit. The gasket 1 is in position to eliminate play and realign the lid.

[0083] Figure 12 yes Figure 11 A perspective view of the cooking appliance 3 in FIG.

[0084] Figure 13The figure shows a cross-sectional view of a portion of a second embodiment of a gasket 1 according to the present invention, which has a substantially U-shaped cross-section. The gasket 1 comprises an upper edge 7, an inner wall 4, a centering wing 5, and a stop element 15. The centering wing 5 has a generally cylindrical profile that is tilted relative to the inner wall 4. The centering wing 5 has a base 16 and a leading edge 17. Advantageously, this particular shape of the wing 5 provides flexibility, allowing it to flex when the lid is placed on the bowl and allowing the lid to find its optimal operating position. The base 16 is less flexible than the leading edge 17, allowing it to act as a shock absorber or spring to cushion unwanted movement, particularly of the lid. The wing 5 acts as a suspension for the bowl-lid assembly. When the lid 2 is docked on the bowl 10, the centering wing 5 is able to tilt and approach the stop element 15. The stop element 15 serves to limit the travel of the centering wing 5 and prevent it from reaching a position where it can no longer perform its function as a shock absorber.

[0085] Figure 14 and Figure 15 Yes Figure 13 Top and side perspective views of the gasket shown.

[0086] Figure 16 This is a cross-sectional view of the outline of a portion of a third embodiment of a gasket according to the invention, which has a modified retaining element. Gasket 1 has a retaining element 15 of rectangular cross-section, an upper edge 7, an inner wall 4, and a centering wing 5. The centering wing 5 has a generally cylindrical profile that is inclined relative to the inner wall 4. The centering wing 5 has a base 16 and a leading edge 17.

[0087] Figure 17 and Figure 18 Yes Figure 16 Top and side perspective views of the gasket shown.

Claims

1. An annular centering washer (1) for being arranged between a lid (2) and a bowl (10), characterized in that The annular centering gasket comprises a central axis A perpendicular to the plane of the annular centering gasket, an inner wall (4), a plurality of centering wings (5) radially arranged relative to the central axis A, and a plurality of stoppers (6) radially arranged relative to the central axis A and protruding from the inner wall (4), wherein the stoppers (6) extend toward the outside of the annular centering gasket (1) relative to the central axis A, the width of the centering wings (5) is greater than the width of the stoppers (6), and the thickness of the centering wings (5) in the direction of the central axis A is less than The thickness of the stopper (6), the centering wings (5) are spaced apart and form the same or different angles α, the angle α is arranged in the plane of the annular centering washer (1) or in a plane parallel to the plane of the annular centering washer (1), and the center of the angle α is on the center axis A, the stoppers (6) are spaced apart and form an angle β, and the annular centering washer (1) also includes an upper edge (7) protruding from the annular centering washer (1), so that the annular centering washer has a U-shaped cross-section in the entire or partial cross-section.

2. The annular centering washer (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The plurality of centering wings (5) and the plurality of stoppers (6) are provided on the inner wall (4).

3. The annular centering washer (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The plurality of centering wings (5) and the stopper (6) are arranged radially relative to the center axis A in the plane of the annular centering washer (1).

4. The annular centering washer (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The plurality of centering wings (5) extend in a plane oriented relative to the center axis A toward the outside of the annular centering washer (1).

5. The annular centering washer (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The angles β are identical to each other.

6. The annular centering washer (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The gasket (1) has an L-shaped cross section in whole or in part.

7. The annular centering washer (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The upper edge (7) and the plurality of centering wings (5) are each comprised in two different parallel planes.

8. The annular centering washer (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The upper edge (7) and the plurality of centering wings (5) are arranged opposite to each other, thereby forming a groove with the inner wall (4).

9. The annular centering washer (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that It also comprises positioning means for positioning said annular centering washer on said cover.

10. The annular centering washer (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that The positioning means is a rib (8) or a notch (9), and the rib (8) or notch (9) cooperates with a notch (9) or rib (8) arranged oppositely on the cover.

11. A lid for a cooking utensil, characterized in that: It comprises an annular centering washer (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. A cooking utensil, characterized in that: It comprises a cover according to claim 11.

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