stirring device

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for preparing a mixture, comprising an arm (3) adapted to be driven in rotation by a drive mechanism about an axis of rotation (A) of the arm. The device (1) comprises at least one stirrer (5) mounted on the arm (3) so as to be freely rotatable about an axis of rotation (B) of the stirrer by means of a pivot (40), the axis of rotation (B) of the stirrer being different from the axis of rotation of the arm (3), the stirrer (5) having a radial extension (55) of a size greater than the distance between the axis of rotation (A) of the arm and the axis of rotation (B) of the stirrer, and the arm (3) having a C-shaped form with a first radial portion (31) connected to the pivot (40) of the stirrer (5), a substantially axial portion (33) and a second radial portion (34).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to culinary preparations and more particularly to a device for preparing mixtures, in particular allowing the stirring and emulsification of the ingredients constituting the culinary preparation, said ingredients being poured into the device. Background Art

[0002] In the field of culinary preparations, mixtures often have to be produced from solid, liquid or semi-liquid ingredients of a more or less viscous viscosity.

[0003] The simplest known way to perform mixing is to place the ingredients in a bowl and then mix them with a spatula or a hand mixer.

[0004] In the present document, a blender is understood to be an appliance comprising a plurality of prongs allowing food ingredients to be mixed, whipped and emulsified together.

[0005] While a hand blender allows for the preparation of vinaigrettes (ie, emulsions of oil and vinegar) without hindrance, the operation becomes more laborious and tiring if, for example, mayonnaise or meringue is to be prepared.

[0006] An emulsion is a suspension of components in immiscible phases. In most cases, it involves two liquid media, with droplets of one dispersed in the other. The interface between the two media is often stabilized by compounds that keep the immiscible components suspended. The most common emulsion is mayonnaise. It's important to understand that mayonnaise is an emulsion of oil (the hydrophobic phase) in water, vinegar, or lemon juice (the aqueous phase), using egg yolk as a surfactant.

[0007] An emulsion can also be a suspension of a gas (e.g., air) in a liquid or semi-liquid. In most cases, an emulsion is a foam, in which air in the form of bubbles is enclosed in a liquid phase, such as in whipped egg whites or whipped cream.

[0008] Likewise, it should be understood that beating egg whites into meringue involves trapping air in the egg whites. In reality, egg whites are aqueous solutions primarily composed of protein. A whisk allows for the incorporation of air bubbles into the egg whites, which are trapped in the water and stabilized by the protein.

[0009] However, it is notoriously difficult to prepare mayonnaise or meringue using wrist strength alone.

[0010] Therefore, there are some devices in which the beaters rotate inside the bowl. The rotation can be electric or manual.

[0011] Most commonly, especially in the case of manual units, the agitator is connected to a gear train that allows the agitator's rotational speed to be increased.

[0012] Thus, in the case of manual devices, it is most common to have a handle which transmits the rotary motion to a gear train terminating in the stirrer.

[0013] Despite their functionality, these devices still present some issues. The gears often clog and are difficult to clean properly. However, it's understandable that leaving traces of dried raw egg in the gears is unhygienic. Besides being sticky, raw egg can also act as a carrier for bacteria, such as Salmonella.

[0014] Therefore, any part that comes into contact with food must be properly cleaned.In addition, the gear train involves a complex system that is expensive to manufacture and therefore expensive for the user to purchase.

[0015] Devices are also known that include an arm and two eccentric stirrers that are free to rotate relative to the arm. These devices are usually accessories to food processors and are driven in rotation by an electric motor.

[0016] These devices are simpler than gear devices, but the agitator setup does not allow for uniform mixing.

[0017] In fact, if Figure 1 As shown, to prevent the beaters from colliding with each other and blocking the device, their span is reduced to be smaller than the radius of the bowl that the beaters are placed in. Therefore, the center area of ​​the bowl is not covered by the beaters.

[0018] Against this background, it is desirable to have an apparatus that can easily produce homogeneous mixtures and emulsions and that is at the same time uncomplicated, robust and inexpensive to manufacture. Summary of the Invention

[0019] To this end, according to a first aspect of the present invention, a device for preparing a mixture is proposed, comprising an arm adapted to be driven in rotation by a drive mechanism about an axis of rotation of the arm. Furthermore, the device comprises at least one agitator, which is pivotally mounted to the arm so as to be freely rotatable about its axis of rotation, the axis of rotation of the agitator being different from the axis of rotation of the arm. The agitator has a radial extension whose dimensions are greater than the distance between the axis of rotation of the arm and the axis of rotation of the agitator, and the arm has a C-shaped configuration comprising a first radial portion pivotally connected to the agitator, a substantially axial portion, and a second radial portion.

[0020] The substantially axial portion of the arm may have at least one deflector adapted to direct the material towards the agitator as the arm and agitator rotate.

[0021] The first radial portion of the arm may have a connecting pin connected to a drive mechanism of the arm, and the connecting pin may be co-linear with the axis of rotation of the arm.

[0022] The agitator may have a plurality of prongs, each prong being extendable from an axis of rotation of the agitator, the agitator having a radial extension and at least one axial extension.

[0023] Depending on the particular configuration of the device, the device can include a bowl adapted to accommodate a mixing arm and a beater.

[0024] The substantially axial portion of the arm may be adapted to pass closely alongside the side wall of the bowl.

[0025] The bowl may have side walls and a bottom wall, the bottom wall may have a guide pin for rotating the mixing arm, the guide pin may be co-linear with the axis of rotation of the arm.

[0026] The second radial portion of the arm may be adapted to be freely rotatably connected to a guide pin of the bottom wall of the bowl.

[0027] According to an advantageous arrangement, the device can comprise a cover provided with connection elements cooperating with the connection elements of the arms.

[0028] According to an advantageous arrangement, the drive mechanism may comprise a mechanism that is driven to rotate by human power or by electricity.

[0029] According to an advantageous arrangement, the manual drive mechanism may comprise an automatically retracting cable allowing the arm to rotate.

[0030] The connection of the arm to the drive mechanism may include a free wheel with a pawl. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] Other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, which is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive and should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0032] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a device according to the present invention.

[0033] Figure 2 is a side view of a device according to the present invention.

[0034] Figure 3 is a top view of the device according to the present invention.

[0035] Figure 4 is a schematic top view of a device according to the present invention.

[0036] Similar elements have the same reference numerals throughout the drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] General structure

[0038] refer to Figures 1 to 4 , a device 1 is proposed for producing a mixture, in particular an emulsion.

[0039] The device 1 mainly comprises an arm 3 and a stirrer 5 .

[0040] As will be described below, the device 1 has a particularly ingenious kinematic structure, in which, on the one hand, the arm 3 is adapted to be driven by a drive mechanism so as to rotate about the axis of rotation A of the arm 3; on the other hand, the stirrer 5 is connected to the arm 3 by a freely rotatable pivot about its axis of rotation B, which is different from the axis of rotation A of the arm.

[0041] As will be explained in detail below, the difference in the axes of rotation is a particularly advantageous technical arrangement which allows the stirrer 5 of the device 1 to reach the rotational speed and torque required for producing the emulsion.

[0042] Additionally, as will be described in more detail below, the device 1 can be used with great advantage with either a manual or electric drive mechanism.

[0043] Alternatively, the device 1 may be provided as an integral attachment to a pre-existing food processor of the type that is either manual or electric, or may be provided with a bowl and drive mechanism to operate independently.

[0044] Mixing arm

[0045] Preferably, arm 3 is C-shaped and comprises a first radial portion 31 having a pivot 40 connected to agitator 5, a substantially axial portion 33, and a second radial portion 34. Arm 3 can be made of plastic by injection molding or extrusion molding. Advantageously, the material constituting arm 3 can have non-stick properties. These non-stick properties can be obtained by coating or by impregnating the entire arm 3 with a compound.

[0046] It is explicitly stated that the axial and radial directions are defined relative to the rotation axis A of the arm 3 . Thus, the axial direction is a direction substantially parallel to the rotation axis A of the arm 3 . The radial direction is a direction substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis A of the arm 3 .

[0047] The first radial portion 31 of the arm 3 is adapted to be connected to a rotary drive mechanism comprising a groove having a geometry complementary to that of the pin 35. Thus, the first radial portion 31 of the arm 3 comprises a connecting pin 35 connected to the drive mechanism of the arm 3. The connecting pin 35 is colinear with the axis of rotation A of the arm 3. The pin 35 is adapted to transmit a rotary motion. Moreover, according to the embodiment shown here, the pin 35 has a hexagonal cross-section. However, according to other embodiments, the pin 35 may be cylindrical with a flat portion, or have a cross-section that is, for example, triangular or square.

[0048] In addition, the first radial portion 31 of the arm 3 has, at its end, a connection hole 40 for connection to the stirrer 5. The connection hole 40 is adapted to receive one end of an axial shaft 51 of the stirrer 5 to allow the stirrer 5 to rotate freely relative to the arm 3. The connection hole 40 is colinear with the rotation axis B of the stirrer 5.

[0049] According to a particularly advantageous technical arrangement, the substantially axial portion 33 of the arm 3 has at least one deflector 36. As will be described in detail below, the deflector 36 is adapted to direct material (e.g. a fluid or a food paste) towards the stirrer 5 when the arm 3 and the stirrer 5 rotate.

[0050] The deflector 36 refers to a portion that allows the flow path to be deflected, and more specifically, allows the flow to be directed toward the agitator 5 .

[0051] According to the embodiment shown here, the substantially axial portion 33 of the arm 3 has two opposite deflectors 36. This arrangement advantageously makes it possible to always direct the fluid towards the stirrer, whatever the direction of rotation of the arm 3.

[0052] According to the embodiment shown here, each deflector 36 is an axial bevel. Thus, in the example shown, the substantially axial portion 33 of the arm 3 has two opposite axial fillets defining a median edge 37 separating the two fillets.

[0053] The second radial portion 34 of the arm 3 has a first bore 38 adapted to receive a guide pin 72 of the bottom wall 73 of the bowl 7. The first bore 38 is colinear with the axis of rotation A of the arm 3. This arrangement allows the arm 3 to be connected to the bowl 7 in a freely rotatable manner. The purpose of the connection between the second radial portion 34 of the arm 3 and the guide pin 72 of the bowl 7 is to ensure that the arm 3 is centered during rotation. In fact, as will be described in detail below, the arm 3 can reach high rotation speeds in order to produce the emulsion. In this case, the freely rotatable connection to the guide pin 72 allows the arm 3 to remain in rotation about the axis A, thereby avoiding possible unbalanced effects.

[0054] Furthermore, the second radial portion 34 of the arm 3 has a second bore 39. The second bore 39 is suitable for receiving one end of the axial shaft 51 of the stirrer 5. The second bore 39 is offset relative to the first bore 38. The second bore 39 is located on the axis of rotation B of the stirrer 5. As will be explained in detail below, the stirrer 5 is suitable for being connected to the second bore 39 in a freely rotatable manner. This connection primarily ensures that the stirrer is centered during a rotation about the axis of rotation B. In other words, this connection prevents possible wobbling of the stirrer during a rotation about the axis of rotation B.

[0055] As will be described in more detail below, arm 3 can be adapted to mate with bowl 7. In this case, arm 3 is sized so that a substantially axial portion 33 of arm 3 can pass closely alongside sidewall 74 of bowl 7. Typically, in this embodiment, the arm's axis of rotation A corresponds to the axis of rotation of bowl 7. Thus, the distance between sidewall 74 of bowl 7 and axis of rotation A (i.e., guide pin 72) corresponds to the radius of bowl 7. It will be appreciated, therefore, that in order for the substantially axial portion 33 of arm 3 to pass closely alongside sidewall 74, axis of rotation A (i.e., pin 35) and substantially axial portion 33 must be at least one millimeter smaller than the radius of bowl 7.

[0056] It is provided that, in use, this arrangement allows stock or escaping fluid scraped against the wall of the bowl 7 by the generally axial portion 33 of the arm 3 to be redirected towards the agitator 5 by means of the deflector 36 .

[0057] blender

[0058] The agitator 5 has a rotating axial shaft 51 adapted to be rotationally connected to the arm 3. As such, the axial shaft 51 has a first end 52 adapted to engage in the connection hole 40 of the first radial portion 31. Furthermore, the axial shaft 51 has a second end 53 adapted to engage in the second bore 39 of the second radial portion 34 of the arm 3. It will be understood that, in use, the axial shaft 51 is adapted to be colinear with the axis of rotation B of the agitator 5.

[0059] Furthermore, the stirrer 5 has a plurality of forks 54 suitable for stirring the mixture. According to the embodiment shown here, each fork 54 comprises a radial extension 55 and two axial extensions 56.

[0060] More precisely, according to the embodiment shown herein, for each fork 54, a radial extension 55 is connected to the first end region of the axial shaft 51. This connection is preferably in the portion of the axial shaft 51 close to the first end 52 of the axial shaft 51. Furthermore, according to a variant of the present invention, the radial extension 55 has a second end region that is divided into two parts to form a Y (i.e., a three-pronged shape). Two axial extensions 56 extend from this region that is divided into two parts. This arrangement is particularly advantageous because it allows each fork 54 to have two axial extensions 56. However, as will be described in detail below, the number of axial extensions 56 of the agitator 5 affects the quality of the prepared emulsion.

[0061] According to a particularly advantageous technical arrangement, the length of the radial extension 55 of each fork 54 (i.e. the dimension between the two ends) is greater than the distance separating the pin 35 and the connecting hole 40. In other words, this means that the length of each radial extension 55 is greater than the distance separating the two axes of rotation: the axis of rotation A of the arm and the axis of rotation B of the stirrer. Figure 4As shown, this arrangement allows the beater 5 to have a span (i.e., a diameter corresponding to two opposing radially extending lengths) greater than the radius of the bowl 7. As will be described in detail below, this arrangement allows the beater 5 to mix all of the mixture present in the bowl 7 without leaving unmixed areas.

[0062] Preferably, the stirrer can be a one-piece element made of plastic. In a particularly preferred manner, a partially elastic material is selected. Therefore, under the action of the forces during rotation, the axial extensions 55 of the forks 54 tend to separate and vibrate.

[0063] Advantageously, due to the open C-shaped arrangement of the agitator, a user can separate the agitator 5 from the arm 3 for cleaning.

[0064] bowl

[0065] The device 1 according to the invention may comprise a bowl 7 suitable for housing the arm 3 and the stirrer 5 .

[0066] Preferably, the bowl 7 has a shape of revolution, for example a cylinder with a circular base. The bowl 7 may be made of plastic. Advantageously, an optically transparent material may be selected so that the user can see the contents of the bowl through the bowl wall.

[0067] According to other embodiments, the bowl 7 can be made entirely of glass, metal, wood or a composite material.

[0068] Generally, the bowl 7 may have a circular bottom wall 73 and side walls 74 defining a cylindrical outer shell.

[0069] The bottom wall 73 has a guide pin 72 at its center.

[0070] The free edge of the side wall 74 (ie, the edge not connected to the bottom wall) may have a groove or flare adapted to receive a cover.

[0071] Cover and return mechanism (return mechanism)

[0072] According to a variant, the device 1 may further comprise a cover.

[0073] Preferably, the lid is suitable for being fixed to the bowl 7. Usually, the lid is provided with connection elements suitable for cooperating with connection elements of the arm 3.

[0074] Advantageously, according to one embodiment, the cover may have a connection hole (groove) adapted to be traversed by the connection pin 35 of the arm 3. According to another opposite embodiment, the cover may have the connection pin and the arm 3 may have a connection bore instead of the connection pin 35.

[0075] Preferably, the cover includes a driving mechanism for the arm, which includes a mechanism driven to rotate by human power or electric energy.

[0076] In a particularly preferred manner, the drive mechanism comprises an automatically retracting rope that allows the arm to rotate. This arrangement allows the arm 3 to rotate under the pulling action of the rope. This is a particularly advantageous arrangement, allowing a high rotation speed of the arm to be achieved by a simple movement of the user (pulling the rope).

[0077] Even more preferably, the connection between the arm and the drive mechanism includes a freewheel with a pawl. This arrangement allows the arm 3 and the agitator 5 to always rotate in the same direction. In practice, the rope-pulling rotation system (in simple terms) works by winding a rope around a shaft. Applying tension to the rope then causes the shaft to rotate in one direction. To rewind the rope, a return spring rotates the shaft in the opposite direction. The freewheel system with a pawl only allows the arm 3 to rotate by pulling the rope. During the rope reset, the system is in a freewheel (disconnected) state.

[0078] run

[0079] In operation, according to a preferred embodiment, the arm 3 is located in the bowl 7, which is freely pivotably connected to the guide pin 72. The stirrer 5 is connected to the arm 3.

[0080] The user places the mixture to be emulsified, such as egg whites, into a bowl.

[0081] The user then closes the bowl 7 with the lid which at the same time connects the drive mechanism to the pin 35 .

[0082] To prepare the lotion, the user applies tension to the drive cord, which then causes the cord to wind upon itself.

[0083] Each time the rope is pulled, pin 35 is driven to rotate, and thus arm 3 is driven to rotate about its rotation axis A. Consequently, the connection between arm 3 and agitator 5, corresponding to the agitator's rotation axis B, rotates about axis A at the speed of arm 3. The distance between the rotation axis A of arm 3 and the rotation axis B of agitator 5 generates a torque that is applied to agitator 5. The application of this torque to agitator 5 increases the rotation speed of agitator 5, causing the agitator to rotate about axis B at a higher speed (in absolute value) than the rotation speed of arm 3.

[0084] The stirrer 5 thus has a combined rotational movement about the two axes A and B.

[0085] In other words, the stirrer 5 rotates itself around the axis B while being driven by the arm 3 around the axis A. By way of illustration, this movement can be compared to the Earth rotating on its own, and around the Sun.

[0086] Thus, in operation, the beater 5 will cover an area corresponding to the projection of its span on the path of the axis B around the axis A. It will therefore be understood that the specific dimensions of the radial extension allow the beater to cover the entire surface of the bottom wall of the bowl, leaving no unoccupied space. This arrangement very advantageously allows ensuring a homogeneous emulsion.

Claims

1. A device (1) for preparing a mixture, comprising an arm (3) adapted to be driven in rotation by a drive mechanism about an axis of rotation (A) of the arm, the device (1) being characterized in that it comprises at least one agitator (5) mounted on the arm (3) so as to be freely rotatable about an axis of rotation (B) of the agitator by a pivot (40), the axis of rotation (B) of the agitator being different from the axis of rotation of the arm (3), the agitator (5) having a radial extension (55) whose size is greater than the distance between the axis of rotation (A) of the arm and the axis of rotation (B) of the agitator, and the arm (3) having a C-shaped shape with a first radial portion (31) connected to the pivot (40) of the agitator (5), a substantially axial portion (33) and a second radial portion (34), the substantially axial portion (33) of the arm (3) having two opposed deflectors (36), the deflectors (36) being adapted to cause the material to flow towards the agitator (5) when the arm (3) and the agitator (5) rotate.

2. The device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The first radial portion (31) of the arm (3) has a connecting pin (35) connected to the drive mechanism, the connecting pin (35) being colinear with the axis of rotation (A) of the arm (3).

3. The device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The stirrer (5) has a plurality of forks (54), each fork (54) being extendable from the axis of rotation (B) of the stirrer, the stirrer having a radial extension (55) and at least one axial extension (56).

4. The device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a bowl (7) adapted to accommodate the arm (3) and the stirrer (5) for mixing.

5. The device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that The substantially axial portion (33) of the arm (3) is adapted to pass closely alongside the side wall (74) of the bowl (7).

6. The device (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that The bowl (7) has side walls and a bottom wall (73), the bottom wall (73) having a guide pin (72) for rotating the arm used for mixing, the guide pin (72) being colinear with the axis of rotation (A) of the arm.

7. The device (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that The second radial portion (34) of the arm (3) is adapted to be freely rotatably connected to the guide pin (72) of the bottom wall (73) of the bowl (7).

8. The device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The device comprises a cover provided with a connection element cooperating with a connection element of the arm (3).

9. The device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The driving mechanism includes a mechanism driven to rotate by manpower or electricity.

10. The device (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that The human-powered mechanism includes an automatic retraction rope that allows the arm (3) to rotate.

11. The device (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that The connection between the arm (3) and the drive mechanism comprises a free wheel with a pawl.

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