Preparation container with snap-on lock

Abstract

The invention relates to a preparation container (1) for connection to a receiving area (2) of a base unit (3) of a motor-operated kitchen appliance (4), wherein the preparation container (1) comprises a pot (5), a pot base (6) connectable to the receiving area (2), and a lid (8) closing a pot opening (7) of the pot (5). In order to provide a preparation container (1) which can be locked by a cover (8) on the one hand and can be connected to a base unit (3) of a kitchen appliance (4) independently of the installation height of the preparation container, the preparation container (1) is provided with a locking device (9) with a locking element (10) for locking the pot (5) to the cover (8), wherein the pot base (6) has at least one operating element (11) for operating the locking device (9), wherein the operating element (11) is arranged on the pot base (6) so that the operating element can be operated by an associated operating device (12) of the receiving area (2) of the kitchen appliance (4).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a preparation container for connecting to a receiving area of a base unit of a motor-operated kitchen appliance, wherein the preparation container comprises a pot, a pot base connectable to the receiving area, and a cover closing a pot opening of the pot.

[0002] Furthermore, the invention relates to a motor-operated kitchen appliance, in particular a mixing appliance, comprising a basic appliance and a preparation container connectable to a receiving area of the basic appliance, the preparation container having a pot and a lid closing the pot opening. Background Art

[0003] Preparation containers and kitchen appliances having preparation containers are known in the prior art. The housing of the kitchen appliance may, for example, have a container receiving area in which the preparation container can be mounted, wherein the container receiving area is preferably configured to be adapted to the shape of the preparation container at least over a portion thereof, so that the preparation container can be aligned vertically and circumferentially with respect to the preparation container during connection to the container receiving area.

[0004] Furthermore, a rotating shaft, for example, can be arranged in the receiving area, which is used to drive a blender located in the preparation container. The blender is driven by an electric motor on the kitchen appliance side for preparing the dish. To prevent food from spilling out of the preparation container when the kitchen appliance, in particular the blender, is in operation, the preparation container has a lid that is locked onto the pot using a latching mechanism.

[0005] A kitchen appliance with a latching mechanism for a lid of a preparation container known from the prior art is shown, for example, in EP 2 813 165 B1. This latching mechanism comprises two latching elements that overlap the pot edge and the lid edge, and are designed as latching rollers that rotate about a substantially horizontal axis. The latching rollers can be rotated from a release position to a latching position and vice versa.

[0006] Although the aforementioned latching device ensures a secure latching of the lid to the pot, this design requires the use of a specific preparation container, particularly one that corresponds to the height of the latching rollers, along with the specific basic equipment of the kitchen appliance. This sometimes makes it impossible to connect different preparation containers to the kitchen appliance, particularly those of different heights. Summary of the Invention

[0007] Therefore, based on the above-mentioned prior art, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a preparation container for a kitchen machine, which, on the one hand, can realize the locking of the lid and the pot body, and on the other hand, can be connected to the basic device (or base device) of the kitchen machine regardless of the structural height of the preparation container.

[0008] In order to solve the above technical problem, it is provided that the preparation container has a locking device (or locking device), which has a locking element for locking the pot body and the lid, wherein the pot base has at least one operating element for operating the locking device, wherein the operating element is arranged on the pot base so that the operating element can be operated by an operating device of a corresponding accommodating area of the kitchen appliance.

[0009] According to the present invention, the latching device for latching the lid to the pot is located on the preparation container itself. This eliminates the need for a latching device on the kitchen appliance, which requires a specific geometry, in particular height, of the preparation container for proper latching function. By providing an operating element on the pot base, the preparation container according to the present invention is designed so that its latching device can be actuated using an operating device of the kitchen appliance that accommodates the preparation container. Preferably, the operating element is located on the bottom side of the preparation container so that it contacts an element of the operating device on the kitchen appliance when the preparation container is connected to the receiving area of the base unit. According to one embodiment, the latching device has, as latching elements, for example, bayonet connection elements adapted to fit the pot and the lid, and one of the bayonet connection elements is provided with, for example, a toothing, in which a partial area of the drive element engages in order to rotate the two bayonet connection elements relative to each other. The bayonet connection can be achieved, for example, by a ramp-like design of mutually adapted bayonet connection elements and by axially displacing the lid toward the pot, so that the lid presses against the edge of the pot opening and thereby securely and, in particular, liquid-tightly closes the preparation container. The embodiment described is only one possible embodiment of the invention, which will be described in detail below. It is essential within the scope of the invention that the latching device for latching the lid to the pot is solely associated with the preparation container, and that an interface is provided solely on the pot base of the preparation container, which allows the latching device of the preparation container to be actuated by an operating device of the base unit of the kitchen appliance. The interface is preferably located below the preparation container, that is, in the region of the substantially horizontal contact surface between the receiving area of the base unit and the pot base of the preparation container. This allows the preparation container to be shaped in a wide variety of ways, in particular with regard to its height and / or diameter. This simplifies the compatibility of different preparation containers with different base units of the kitchen appliance.

[0010] It is proposed that the locking device include a drive that drives a locking element and is mechanically connected to the operating element. The drive of the preparation container is used to transmit mechanical force from the operating device of the kitchen appliance to the locking element of the locking device of the preparation container. The operating device of the kitchen appliance may, for example, include an electric motor that directly drives the operating element of the preparation container or, preferably, acts on the operating element with an intervening transmission. The transmission of the kitchen appliance may, for example, include multiple toothed elements, such as a spur gear (or cylindrical gear) and a screw gear, and act on the operating element of the preparation container via a transmission element that ultimately drives the operating element in an action chain. The operating element of the preparation container, such as a gear arranged in the base of the pot of the preparation container, is part of the container-side drive, which is mechanically connected to the operating device of the kitchen appliance. The operating element of the preparation container ultimately transmits the driving force via the drive to the locking element, which locks the lid to the pot.

[0011] According to a preferred design, the drive mechanism may include a drive element that is guided from the pot base to the lid through the pot wall and / or the pot handle. The drive element may, in particular, be a rotating shaft. This design allows the latching mechanism to be manufactured with a particularly small number of parts. The latching mechanism's operating element may, in particular, be directly connected to the drive element in the pot base. The drive element acts on the latching element in the area of the container opening, ultimately locking the lid to the pot. A rotating shaft is particularly suitable as the drive element because it can be integrated into the pot wall and / or the pot handle in a space-saving manner. This design ensures that all drive mechanism components are integrated into the housing of the preparation container and do not protrude outwards where they could injure the user of the preparation container or where food residue or dirt could accumulate. This also simplifies cleaning the preparation container. A cavity may be provided in the pot wall or in the handle, within which the drive element, preferably the rotating shaft, extends. The drive element, preferably the rotating shaft, can act on the latching element of the latching mechanism in the area of the pot opening. For example, a subregion of the drive element can have toothing which engages in corresponding toothing of the latching element.

[0012] According to a special embodiment, the locking element can be a locking ring that is rotatably supported on the pot body or the lid and surrounds the pot mouth in the closed state by means of the lid, wherein the locking element is equipped with a drive device that is designed to rotate the locking element around the pot mouth. The locking ring can itself, for example, directly realize the locking between the pot body and the lid, or it can first act on an intermediate element, which in turn realizes the locking. The locking ring can, for example, provide an element of a bayonet connection and / or a slide with a ramp or similar structure, which realizes the axial movement of the lid relative to the pot body. In this way, the lid can be pressed onto or pulled onto the pot body and, in particular, tensioned, thereby ensuring a liquid-tight locking of the pot body. According to this design, the locking element is not immovably connected to the pot body or the lid body, but is rotatable relative to the pot body or the lid body. As a result, only the locking element needs to be rotated by the drive device, while the entire lid body does not rotate. This makes it possible to use lighter and / or smaller components or less powerful electric motors for the drive of the preparation container and / or the operating device of the kitchen appliance, which saves weight and costs in the production of the preparation container and / or the kitchen appliance.

[0013] It is proposed that the locking element has at least one active element, which is designed to achieve an axial displacement of the cover relative to the pot (5) and / or a radially outward tensioning of the cover when the locking element is rotated. Such an active element can be, for example, a ramp, which is constructed on a locking element designed as a locking ring in the locking device. In this case, the locking element has a guide slot along which a corresponding sub-region of the cover or pot can slide. In addition, the active element can be, for example, a sub-element of a bayonet connection, wherein a sub-region of the locking element engages in a corresponding opening of the cover or pot. In any case, the active element is designed so that, when the locking element is rotated, it achieves an axial displacement of the cover relative to the pot and / or a radially outward tensioning of the cover. The active element of the locking element contacts the relevant sub-region of the cover or pot and pushes the cover into the desired locking position. In this respect, the active element constitutes a guide element of the guide device or the guide slot. The locking element can also be, for example, an elastic locking ring, which is rotatably supported on the pot body and, during rotation, expands along the sliding groove of the pot body and additionally moves axially on the longitudinal extension of the pot body. During expansion, the locking ring extends into, for example, the undercut of the cover and moves into the locking position. The radial and axial movements are preferably carried out successively here, wherein preferably first the movement is outwards and then in the longitudinal direction of the pot body. As an alternative to the elastic construction of the locking ring, the locking ring can also have partial elements that are movably supported on the main body and can be moved radially outwards during rotation. In addition, the locking ring can also be grooved based on one or more circumferential partial areas, so that an adapted sliding groove element can be at least temporarily embedded in the locking ring and a diameter change of the locking ring can thereby be achieved.

[0014] According to a possible embodiment, the active element can be engaged in a corresponding opening of the cover or the pot body in order to construct a bayonet connection, wherein the active element or a partial area of the cover or the pot body has a ramp that rises in the direction of rotation of the latch, and the ramp enables the axial movement of the cover relative to the pot body and thus the latching of the pot body and the cover. According to this design, the active element constitutes a partial element of the bayonet connection. The corresponding element of the bayonet connection is here a partial area of the cover or the pot body with an opening. The active element is engaged in the opening and moves along the rising ramp when the locking element is rotated, thereby achieving axial movement of the cover relative to the pot body. The ramp can be constructed on the active element itself, wherein a partial area of the active element passes through the opening of the cover or the pot body in the case of a bayonet connection, and another partial area of the active element has a ramp or slides along a corresponding ramp of the cover or the pot body. The active element and the ramp can also be designed to be separated from each other in terms of position, wherein the active element has the function of simply engaging into the opening of the bayonet connection, and the ramp is used to tension the cover relative to the pot. In this case, two embodiments with the same function are achieved. In a first embodiment, a rotating locking ring is supported on the pot of the preparation container and engages in a corresponding bayonet contour of the cover, thereby achieving a pulling of the cover in the direction of the pot. In an alternative embodiment, the rotating locking element is a locking ring supported on the cover, which engages in a corresponding snap-on contour of the pot and thereby achieves a movement of the cover in the direction of the pot. The correct function of the bayonet connection depends on the directional placement (or aligned placement) of the cover on the pot, so that the corresponding elements of the bayonet connection can engage with each other. In addition, in order to prevent the cover from moving along when the locking ring is actuated, the pot and / or the cover preferably have a stop element, which serves as an anti-twist fixing. Furthermore, in order to be able to detect whether the lid is correctly latched onto the pot, the corresponding latching element of the bayonet connection is equipped with an end stop. If the lid is correctly placed against the pot at the start of the latching movement, the latching ring can be rotated until the end stop reaches the corresponding latching element. If the lid is not placed correctly, for example tilted, the latching ring cannot be rotated to the end stop. If the lid is not placed against the pot at all, the latching ring may rotate beyond the specified extent because it does not collide with the stop element. Thus, by evaluating the current rotational position of the latching ring, it can be determined whether the lid is placed against the pot or whether it is correctly latched to the pot.

[0015] An alternative embodiment of the present invention may provide that the pot or lid has an intermediate element movably supported on the pot or lid, wherein the active element of the latching element is designed so that when the latching element is rotated, the intermediate element presses axially and / or radially against a portion of the lid or pot, thereby achieving a latching connection between the pot and the lid. According to this design, the lid is not directly latched to the pot by means of the latching element. Instead, the active element of the latching element first acts on the intermediate element, which then achieves the latching connection between the lid and the pot. This allows for a secure latching connection regardless of the rotational position of the lid on the pot. This improves user comfort because this embodiment allows for a secure latching connection even when the lid is not aligned with the pot. The intermediate element can be movably supported on the pot body or the cover in the axial and / or radial direction, wherein the cover placed on the pot body first presses the intermediate element open in the axial and / or radial direction, so that the intermediate element then acts on the corresponding partial area of the cover or the pot body, thereby achieving a locking between the pot body and the cover. Preferably, the locking element has multiple sliding groove elements along the circumference, and the sliding groove elements act on one or more intermediate elements during the sliding groove guidance process. In particular, it can be provided that the active element of the locking element provides a guide sliding groove, which enables the intermediate element to move radially and axially when it contacts the intermediate element and then rotates the locking element in the locking direction. For example, the intermediate element can first move radially outward from the interior of the pot body, wherein the intermediate element engages with the undercut on the cover from the rear. When the locking element continues to rotate, the intermediate element is then moved in the longitudinal direction of the pot body due to the corresponding shaping of the active element. In this case, the intermediate element drives the cover until it reaches the final position. To unlock the lid again, the locking ring can, for example, be rotated in the opposite direction, wherein the intermediate element is moved out of the final position again by means of a return spring, i.e., moves in the direction of the locking element, and can release the lid. Alternatively, the return movement of the intermediate element can also be achieved by means of a sliding groove guide, or by means of a combination of a return spring and a sliding groove guide. The intermediate element can be pivotally supported on the pot or lid in an axial and / or radial manner. Alternatively, it is also possible that the intermediate element is a second rotating ring in addition to the locking ring, which can be operated by means of the locking ring. For example, when the annular intermediate element contacts the locking ring and rotates in the locking direction, it first expands and then moves axially, so that the intermediate ring, for example, engages in the undercut of the lid or pot during expansion, and then the lid is moved axially to the locked position. In order to identify whether the lid is actually on the pot and has been correctly locked, a detection mechanism can be used. The detection mechanism can, for example, include a detection rod that cooperates with the locking ring. The detection rod can be pressed against the locking ring by a spring. The locking ring has a concave cavity. When the cover is not in a position suitable for locking, the spring presses the probe rod into the concave cavity of the locking ring, thereby blocking the locking ring and preventing it from rotating.If the lid is correctly locked, the detection rod presses down from the edge of the lid, preventing the detection rod from engaging the recess of the locking ring. The locking ring can then continue to rotate smoothly. To detect the rotational position thus reached, for example, the rotation angle of the locking ring can be detected and evaluated, for example by determining the number of revolutions or rotations of the rotating shaft of the drive motor of the kitchen appliance's operating device. In addition, a blocked locking ring can be identified, for example, by evaluating the motor current. If the lid is not correctly installed on the pot, the locking ring is blocked before reaching the specified rotational position. This state is interpreted as an incorrectly locked state. On the other hand, when the lid is correctly installed, the locking ring continues to rotate beyond the specified rotational position. This state is interpreted as a correctly locked lid. By arranging multiple detection rods and recesses on the circumference of the locking ring, it is particularly advantageous to identify the locked position at multiple circumferential positions of the lid. In this way, it can be ensured that, for example, a lid placed obliquely on the pot is also identified as an incorrect state.

[0016] According to another possible embodiment, the preparation container can have a guide chute arranged on the pot body, which has an engaging element supported on a spiral guide track of the guide chute, wherein the guide track extends around a spiral axis pointing radially outward based on the interior of the pot body, and wherein the rotation of the locking element enables the engaging element to be moved axially and radially along the spiral guide track relative to a partial area of the cover part until the partial area of the engaging element protruding from the guide chute abuts against the cover part and thus achieves the locking of the pot body and the cover part. In this design, the cover part can be placed on the pot body in any rotational position. However, the guide chute for achieving the locking is not assigned to the locking ring here, but is arranged on the pot body. The engaging element is guided in the guide chute, which is operated by the rotating locking ring, that is, it is guided along the guide track and simultaneously moved not only radially but also axially in the pot body. The movable engagement element acts along its movement path on the matching partial area of the cover and thereby locks the cover to the pot body by sliding the cover axially on the pot body and fastening it thereto.

[0017] In addition to the aforementioned preparation container, the present invention also provides a motor-operated kitchen appliance, in particular a mixing appliance, comprising a base appliance and a preparation container connectable to a receiving area of the base appliance, the preparation container having a pot and a lid closing the pot opening. The preparation container is also configured according to the aforementioned embodiments, and the base appliance includes an operating device designed to actuate a latching mechanism of the preparation container when the base appliance is connected to the preparation container. The technical features and advantages of the preparation container thus also apply to the motor-operated kitchen appliance. Overall, a kitchen appliance is thus provided that can be operated with a variety of preparation containers of varying configurations. In particular, the proper functioning of the kitchen appliance is no longer dependent on a specific height of the preparation container. In fact, the preparation container according to the present invention now has its own latching mechanism, eliminating the need for the base appliance of the kitchen appliance to have a latching mechanism for the preparation container. The pot of the preparation container can have a variety of different heights and still be connected to the base appliance, allowing the lid to latch optimally with the pot. In any case, the pot is designed such that its pot base has an actuating element for actuating a locking mechanism of the preparation container, wherein an actuating device arranged in the basic device is adapted to the actuating element and can actuate the actuating element. The basic device preferably has an electric motor with an associated transmission as the actuating device, which acts on the actuating element of the locking mechanism and thereby initiates the locking of the lid to the pot.

[0018] Furthermore, the kitchen appliance includes a securing device (also known as a fastening device) for locking the preparation container to the base unit of the kitchen appliance, wherein the securing device includes a securing element movably mounted on the preparation container and movable after an undercut of the base unit, or wherein the securing device includes a securing element movably mounted on the base unit and movable after an undercut of the base unit, wherein the operating device of the base unit is designed to actuate the securing element of the securing device simultaneously with or in addition to actuating the locking device. The operating mechanism for locking the lid can thus simultaneously serve to lock the preparation container to the base unit. For example, a projection or undercut can be arranged on a transmission device of the operating device of the base unit, which, at a specific rotational angle of the transmission element, engages with a mating contour arranged on the pot. Depending on the rotational angle of the transmission element, the pot can then either be separated from the base unit or remain securely connected to it. Alternatively, the projection or undercut can also be arranged on a partial area of the preparation container, for example, on a movable element of a drive device for the preparation container. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The present invention will be described in detail below based on the embodiments. In the accompanying drawings:

[0020] Figure 1 A kitchen appliance with a preparation container is shown,

[0021] Figure 2 The receiving area of the kitchen appliance with the preparation container is shown in a bottom view,

[0022] Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a preparation container according to a first embodiment,

[0023] Figure 4 A top view of the preparation container is shown,

[0024] Figure 5 Shows the mouth of the preparation container with a latching element,

[0025] Figure 6 A partial area of the cover of the preparation container and the latching element in a first position are shown,

[0026] Figure 7 A partial area of the cover of the preparation container and the latching element in the second position are shown,

[0027] Figure 8 A partial area of the cover of the preparation container and the latching element in the third position are shown,

[0028] Figure 9a shows the latching device according to a second embodiment in a first position,

[0029] Figure 9b Show the basis Figure 9a Side view of

[0030] Figure 10a Show the basis Figure 9a The locking device is in the second position,

[0031] Figure 10b Show the basis Figure 10a Side view of

[0032] Figure 11a Show the basis Figure 9a and Figure 10a The locking device is in the third position,

[0033] Figure 11b Show the basis Figure 11a Side view of

[0034] Figure 12a Show the basis Figure 11a and Figure 11b A perspective view from obliquely below in the position shown,

[0035] Figure 12bShows the position of the detection device when the cover and the pot are connected as required.

[0036] Figure 12c Shows the position of the detection device when the cover is missing,

[0037] Figure 13a shows a locking device in a first position according to another embodiment,

[0038] Figure 13b As an overview of the operating principle, the Figure 13a The locking device

[0039] Figure 13c Shown in side view according to Figure 13b ,

[0040] Figure 14a shows a locking device in a first position according to another embodiment,

[0041] Figure 14b As an overview of the operating principle, the Figure 14a The locking device

[0042] Figure 14c Shown in side view according to Figure 14b ,

[0043] Figure 15a shows a locking device in a first position according to another embodiment,

[0044] Figure 15b As an overview of the operating principle, the Figure 15a The locking device

[0045] Figure 15c Shown in side view according to Figure 15b ,

[0046] Figure 16a shows a locking device in a first position according to another embodiment,

[0047] Figure 16b As an overview of the operating principle, the Figure 16a The locking device

[0048] Figure 16c Shown in side view according to Figure 16b ,

[0049] Figure 17a shows a locking device in a first position according to another embodiment,

[0050] Figure 17b As an overview of the operating principle, the Figure 17aThe locking device

[0051] Figure 17c Shown in side view according to Figure 17b ,

[0052] Figure 18a 、 Figure 18b A preparation container is shown with a securing device for locking the preparation container to the base unit of the kitchen appliance. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] Figure 1 The diagram shows a kitchen appliance 4 with a base unit 3 having a receiving area 2 for connecting to a preparation container 1. The base unit 3 of the kitchen appliance 4 has a display 27 for displaying the functions of the kitchen appliance 4 and, if necessary, a recipe that can be prepared using the kitchen appliance 4. In addition to the display 27, a switch 28 is also provided, which is used, on the one hand, to switch the kitchen appliance 4 on and off, and, on the other hand, to confirm input or other commands. The preparation container 1 has a pot 5 with a handle 16 and a pot base 6, and a lid 8 with a lid opening 29 and a lid handle 30, the pot base being connected to the receiving area 2 of the kitchen appliance 4. For example, ingredients can be added to the pot 5 of the preparation container 1 via the lid opening 29.

[0054] Figure 2 and Figure 3Specifically, the latching mechanism 9 of the preparation container 1 is shown, by means of which the pot 5 and the lid 8 of the preparation container 1 can be latched to each other. The receiving area 2 of the base unit 3 of the kitchen appliance 4 is equipped with an operating device 12 for acting on an operating element 11 of the latching mechanism 9 of the preparation container 1, thereby enabling the kitchen appliance 4 to actuate the latching mechanism of the preparation container 1 to latch the lid 8 to the pot 5. Specifically, the operating device 12 of the kitchen appliance 4 includes, for example, an electric motor 40, which drives a spur gear 39 and a spindle drive 38 connected to the spur gear. The spindle drive 38, in turn, acts on a coupling element 31 of the base unit 3. The coupling element 31 has a toothing 36 that engages with the spindle drive 38. The coupling element 31 is coupled to the operating element 11 of the preparation container 1. The operating element 11 of the locking device 9 in turn acts on a drive device 13, which drives a locking element 10 of the locking device 9 which is rotatably supported in the circumferential direction on the pot body 5. The locking element 10 cannot achieve an axial movement along the pot body 5. In this case, for example, a flange 49 formed on the pot mouth 7 and the handle 16 of the pot body 5 prevent this axial movement. The drive device 13 has a drive element 14, which is designed in the form of a rotating shaft. The rotating shaft is guided through the wall 15 of the handle 16 of the preparation container 1 and reaches the height of the pot mouth 7 of the pot body 5, on which the locking element 10 of the locking device 9 is located. In particular, Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the locking element 10 is designed as a snap ring. In order to lock the lid 8 to the pot 5, the snap ring has an active element 17, which can be engaged in a corresponding snap-in opening 41 of the lid 8. The locking element 10 also has a toothing 37, which is adapted to the toothing of the drive element 14 (not shown), so that the locking element 10 can be rotated about the pot opening 7 when the drive element 14 is rotated. In order to prevent the lid 8 from rotating when the locking element 10 is rotated, corresponding stop elements (not shown) can be provided on the pot 5 and the lid 8, for example in the area of the handle 16 and the lid handle 30.

[0055] According to this exemplary embodiment of the latching device 9 of the preparation container 1, the present invention operates in such a way that a user connects the preparation container 1 to the base unit 3 of the kitchen appliance 4. In this case, a coupling is achieved between the coupling element 31 of the receiving area 2 of the kitchen appliance 4 and the operating element 11 of the latching device 9 of the preparation container 1. When the user then initiates the latching of the pot 5 with the lid 8, for example, via a display 27 or a switch 28 of the kitchen appliance 4, or when this latching is automatically triggered by a control device of the kitchen appliance 4, the electric motor 40 of the kitchen appliance 4, which is associated with the latching device 9, drives the spur gear 39, the spindle drive 38 and the coupling element 31 of the kitchen appliance 4, thereby achieving a rotation of the operating element 11 and thus also a rotation of the drive element 14 of the drive device 13 for the latching element 10. When the lid 8 is placed on the pot 5, the user has already brought the lid handle 30 and the handle 16 into an overlapping position (cf. Figure 1 ). The active element 17 of the locking element 10 is thereby positioned in the vicinity of the bayonet 41 of the lid 8. The drive device 13 of the preparation container 1 now rotates the locking element 10 and thereby also moves the active element 17 relative to the bayonet 41 of the lid 8 until the final position is reached and thereby also a bayonet connection between the pot 5 and the matching partial area of the lid 8 is achieved. Preferably, the active element 17 of the locking element 10 (or optionally the lid 8) has a ramp 18, which enables the lid 8 to approach axially in the direction of the pot opening 7 and thereby presses the lid 8 onto the pot 5 and locks the pot. Although in Figures 2 to 5 It is not shown in the figure, but the locking element 10 , ie the snap ring, can also be arranged on the cover 8 instead of on the pot body 5 .

[0056] Figures 6 to 8 Show Figure 4 The schematic diagram of the bayonet connection between the pot 5 and the cover 8 is shown, wherein the cover 8 has a ramp 18 along which the active element of the latching element 10 can slide. Figure 6 A partial area of the cover 8 is shown with a latch 41 for receiving the active element 17 of the latching element 10. Figure 6 In the illustrated state, the active element 17 is still completely next to the ramp 18 of the cover 8. However, the cover 8 is placed against the pot 5 in the ideal initial position, so that the active element 17 of the latching element 10 is positioned at the bottom of the ramp 18, so that when the latching element 10 is rotated, the active element 17 can start to slide onto the ramp 18 and finally Figure 7 The projection shown extends through the bayonet 41. Here, the lug 44 of the active element 17 engages on the top side of the cover 8 and pulls the cover 8 downward in the direction of the pot 5. Figure 8The situation shown is that the lid 8 is not placed properly, for example, slightly tilted, on the pot 5 and the latching element 10. As a result, the active element 17 strikes against the side edge 50 of the ramp 18, preventing it from rotating to the left and thus reaching the ramp 18. This allows the user to continue rotating the latching element 10 and close the bayonet connection. If the lid 8 is completely missing, the latching element 10 can rotate relative to the pot 5 beyond the specified maximum extent because the lug 44 of the active element 17 does not strike against the edge of the latch 41 of the lid 8. A detection device (not shown) can determine whether the lid 8 is properly connected to the pot 5 based on the amount of rotation. This detection device detects the rotation distance or angle of the latching element 10 or active element 17 relative to the pot 5. If a latching failure is detected, a corresponding warning can be issued to the user, for example, via the display 27 of the kitchen appliance 4.

[0057] Figures 9 to 12 show a preparation container 1 according to the present invention according to another possible embodiment. The preparation container 1 also has a pot body 5, a cover 8 and a locking device 9 for locking the pot body 5 to the cover 8. The locking device 9 has a locking element 10, which is also configured as a rotatable ring, which is rotatably supported on the pot body 5. The locking device 9 also has an intermediate element 19 that can be operated by means of the locking element 10. The intermediate element 19 is a pivotable lever, which is pivotably supported on the pot body 5 about a pivot axis 34 and has a protrusion 42 configured on the free end area, which protrusion is as shown in FIG. Figure 10b and Figure 11b As shown, the flange 46 of the cover 8 can be engaged from behind. The projection 42 is located on the free end region of the intermediate element 19 facing away from the pivot axis 34. The support of the intermediate element 19 on the pivot axis 34 not only enables a pivoting parallel to the wall 15 of the pot 5, but also enables a pivoting away from the wall 15, wherein the projection 42 is arranged outward on the pot 5. In addition, a detection device 33 is provided for the intermediate element 19, which is designed to detect the locked state between the pot 5 and the cover 8. In addition, a pressing device 35 and a return spring 32 (see Figure 12a ), the return spring applies a return force to the intermediate element 19 by rotating it about the pivot axis 34, and the return force acts in the direction of the latching element 10. When the user places the lid 8 on the pot 5 in any rotational position, the structure of the latching device 9 allows the pot 5 and the lid 8 to be latched with the intermediate element 19.

[0058] The following describes the working mode in detail with reference to FIG9 to FIG11, wherein: Figure 9b 、 Figure 10b and Figure 11b Show respectively according to Figure 9a 、 Figure 10a and Figure 11a Only one intermediate element 19 is shown, wherein the pot 5 can also have multiple intermediate elements 19 arranged along the circumference of the pot 5, which are integrated with the locking element 10. The locking element 10 is as described above with reference to Figure 2 and Figure 3 The latching element 10 is driven, for example, by a drive 13 which in turn is driven by an operating device 12 of the basic device 3 of the kitchen appliance 4. Figure 12a The guide contour 51 shown in FIG, enables the intermediate element 19 to be pivoted about the pivot axis 34 when the latching element 10 is rotated relative to the pot 5 and thus relative to the intermediate element 19. The guide contour 51 also includes the boss 45 of the latching element 10 (see FIG. Figure 12a ), when the cover 8 is normally placed on the pot body 5, the detection device 33 slides along the boss, and thereby detects that the user has placed the cover 8 on the pot body 5 normally or in accordance with regulations.

[0059] exist Figure 9a and Figure 9b In the situation shown, the lid 9 has not yet been latched onto the pot 5, wherein the intermediate element 19 is in an initial position in which the return spring 32 is relaxed. A seal (not shown here) can be arranged on the bottom side of the lid 8, which has a material elasticity with a return force, which is suitable for keeping the lid 8 at a distance from the pot 5 when it is loosely placed on the pot 5. When the latching element 10 is now rotated around the pot 5 by means of the drive device 13, the guide contour 51 formed on the latching element 10 first realizes the pivoting of the intermediate element 19 in the direction away from the pot 5, so that the projection 42 is Figure 10b As shown, the flange 46 of the cover 8 can be engaged from behind. This can be achieved by the ramp of the guide profile 51, which overcomes the action of the intermediate element 19 from the side with reference to the radial direction of the annular locking element 10 and thus keeps the intermediate element at a distance from the wall 15 of the pot 5. The axial position of the cover 8 relative to the pot 5 does not change at first. Only the projection 42 of the intermediate element 19 engages the flange 46 of the cover 8 from behind and thus centers the cover 8 on the pot opening 7. The further guidance of the locking element 10 is then achieved at Figure 11a and Figure 11b To this end, the intermediate element 19 is pressed downwards by the guide contour 51 of the latching element 10, i.e. away from the latching element 10, based on the drawing. Here, the projection 42 of the intermediate element 19 entrains the cover 8 and pulls it into the lower end position. In this end position, the cover 8 is fixed by means of the intermediate element 19, which is Figure 11a and Figure 11bAs shown, it is supported on the locking element 10. As a result, the cover 8 is firmly locked on the pot 5. In order to keep the intermediate element 19 in the locked final position even when a large force acts on the cover 8 from the inside of the pot 5, the pressing device 35 prevents the intermediate element 19 from rotating. In order to unlock the cover 8 again, the locking element 10 is rotated back in the opposite direction to the position according to Figure 9a and Figure 9b The intermediate element 19 is then pivoted again in the direction of the latching element 10, i.e. upwards in the figure, under the action of the restoring force of the restoring spring 32, to a position where the latching element can engage in the corresponding recess 48 of the guide contour 51. As a result, the intermediate element 19 is also pivoted again with its projection 42 on the wall 15 of the pot 5, so that the projection 42 no longer engages the flange 46 of the cover 8 from behind, but Figure 9b The recess is shown behind the outer contour of the latching element 10 .

[0060] Figures 12a to 12c The function of the detection device 33 associated with the intermediate element 19 is shown. The detection device 33, like the intermediate element 19, can be pivoted about the pivot axis 34, wherein the restoring spring 32 also acts on the detection device 33 with a restoring force, which is directed in the direction of the projection 45. Figure 12a In the end position of the intermediate element 19 shown, in which the cover 8 is normally locked with the pot 5, the detection device 33 is supported on the projection 45 of the guide contour 51 of the locking element 10. The position of the detection device 33 is identified here as the completed locking position. The detection device 33 is pressed against the projection 45 of the guide contour 51 by the return spring 32. The locking element 10 has a further recess 48, in which the detection device 33 can be engaged when the cover 8 is not in contact. However, if the cover 8 is already in contact normally, it presses against the projection 47 of the detection device 33, so that the detection device 33 cannot be pivoted into the recess 48. When the cover 8 is not or incorrectly located on the pot 5, the detection device 33 pivots into the recess 48 and prevents the locking element 10 from rotating. Only when the cover 8 is correctly placed on the pot 5 is the detection device 33 pivoted downwards by the cover 8 to the end. Figure 12bThe position shown is reached, and the locking element 10 can continue to rotate. The rotational position of the locking element 10 can be detected, for example, by determining the number of revolutions of the drive shaft of the drive motor of the locking device 9. If the cover 8 is not correctly installed on the pot body 5, the locking element 10 is blocked before reaching the specified rotational position of the locking element 10. This state is then identified as incorrect installation or the absence of the cover 8. On the contrary, when the cover 8 is correctly installed, the locking element 10 continues to rotate to the specified rotational position. This is interpreted as a correctly locked cover 8. The arrangement of multiple detection devices 33 on the circumference of the pot body 5 makes it possible to identify the locked state of the cover 8 in multiple positions. This ensures that, for example, a cover 8 that is tilted against the pot body 5 can also be identified as an error, because it is sufficient to make the identification when at least one of the multiple detection devices 33 is not operated and thus blocks the further rotation of the locking element 10.

[0061] Figures 13 to 17 illustrate another embodiment of the latching device 9 according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the latching of the lid 8 to the pot 5 is also achieved independently of the specific rotational position of the lid 8 on the pot 5. The user does not need to ensure that the lid 8 rests on the pot 5 in a specific rotational position. The latching device 9 also includes a latching element 10 rotatably mounted on the pot 5. The latching element acts on an engagement element 22, which is guided in a guide channel 20 formed or arranged on the pot 5 and protrudes from the guide channel 20 via an end-side subregion 43. The guide channel 20 has a helical guide track 21 that winds around a helical axis 23 directed radially outward from the interior of the pot 5. The rotating latching element 10 drives the engagement element 22 by acting on the end-side subregion 43, thereby guiding the engagement element 22 along the helical guide track 21 of the guide channel 20. In this case, the engagement element 22 is displaced both in the direction of the screw axis 23 and in the circumferential direction of the guide link 20 , as will be described in detail below in conjunction with FIGS. 13 to 17 . Figure 13a 、 Figure 14a 、 Figure 15a 、 Figure 16a and Figure 17a The engagement element 22 of the latching device 9 is shown in different latching positions. Figure 13b 、 Figure 14b 、 Figure 15b 、 Figure 16b and Figure 17b The working principle of the corresponding positions is shown. Figure 13c 、 Figure 14c 、 Figure 15c 、 Figure 16c and Figure 17c The latching device 9 is shown in cross section.

[0062] Figure 13a 、 Figure 13b and Figure 13c First, the initial position of the engagement element 22 is shown, in which the end-side partial region 43 of the engagement element 22 has not yet engaged the flange 46 of the cover 8 from behind. Figure 13b ) is rotated to the right, the partial area 43 slides on the ramp 18 of the locking element 10, and Figure 14a and Figure 14b As shown, the engagement element 22 is pivoted to the right. Thus, the engagement element 22 first moves along the guide rail 21 of the guide slot 20, in particular as shown in FIG. Figure 14c As shown, the locking element 10 is slid outward, that is, away from the pot 5, until the hook-shaped sub-region 43 of the engagement element 22 engages the flange 46 of the cover 8 from behind and tensions the cover in the radially outward direction (as viewed from the inside of the pot 5). Figure 15a 、 Figure 15b and Figure 15c As shown, the locking element 10 is further tilted to the right along the ramp 18. The engaging element 22 thus continues to move along the guide rail 21 of the guide slot 20 and moves to the right. Figure 15c The cover 8 is moved to the end position shown, in which the cover 8 is completely pulled onto the pot 5 and is also tensioned in the radial direction. Starting from this ideally locked end position of the latching device 9, the cover 8 can be released from the pot 5 again in that the latching device 9 is actuated in the opposite direction, i.e. the latching element 10 is now rotated to the left based on the figure. The subsequent position of the engagement element 22 is shown in Figures 16 and 17. Moreover, during the release movement for unlocking the cover 8, the engagement element 22 also moves along the guide contour 51 of the latching element 10. Here, the engagement element 22 is as shown in Figures 16 and 17. Figure 16a 、 Figure 16b and Figure 16c As shown, it is first lifted by means of the guide slot 20 to such an extent that the partial area 43 no longer contacts the flange 46 of the cover 8, and then Figures 17a to 17c Move radially inward as shown until the cover 8 is Figure 17c As shown, it can be released from the pot 5 without a partial area of the engagement element 22 hitting in front of the flange 46 of the cover 8. The cover 8 can thus be removed from the pot 5.

[0063] Figure 18a and Figure 18bFinally, a special embodiment of a kitchen appliance 4 according to the present invention is shown. Two radially outwardly directed, wing-shaped securing elements 25 are arranged on the receiving area 2 of the kitchen appliance, specifically, in this case, on the coupling element 31. These securing elements engage from behind in corresponding undercuts 26 of the pot base 6 of the preparation container 1. When the coupling element 31 of the operating device 12 is in a rotational position corresponding to the locked position of the lid 8 on the pot 5, the securing device 24 locks the preparation container 1 of the kitchen appliance 4 to the base unit 3. This ensures that the preparation container 1 is properly locked, i.e., the food contained in the pot 5 cannot escape from the pot 5, while simultaneously securing the preparation container 1 to the base unit 3 of the kitchen appliance 4, preventing it from being separated from the base unit 3. Both the locking device 9 for the lid 8 and the securing device 24 for locking the preparation container 1 to the base unit 3 are operated by the same operating device 12 of the kitchen appliance 4, so that only a single electric motor 40 is required to perform the multiple locking functions.

[0064] List of Reference Numerals

[0065] 1. Prepare the container

[0066] 2 Accommodation area

[0067] 3 Basic equipment

[0068] 4 kitchen appliances

[0069] 5. Pot body

[0070] 6. Pot base

[0071] 7 Pot Mouth

[0072] 8 Cover

[0073] 9 Locking device

[0074] 10 Locking element

[0075] 11 Control elements

[0076] 12 Controls

[0077] 13 Drive unit

[0078] 14 Drive elements

[0079] 15 Wall

[0080] 16 handles

[0081] 17 Action Elements

[0082] 18 ramp

[0083] 19 Intermediate components

[0084] 20 guide chute

[0085] 21 Guide rail

[0086] 22 Chimeric elements

[0087] 23 spiral axis

[0088] 24 Safety device

[0089] 25 safety element

[0090] 26 Undercut

[0091] 27 Display

[0092] 28 switches

[0093] 29 Cover

[0094] 30 lid handle

[0095] 31 Coupling elements

[0096] 32 Return spring

[0097] 33 Detection device

[0098] 34 pivot axis

[0099] 35 Clamping device

[0100] 36 teeth

[0101] 37 teeth

[0102] 38 Screw drive device

[0103] 39 Cylindrical gear transmission

[0104] 40 electric motor

[0105] 41 bayonet

[0106] 42 bulge

[0107] 43 Partial area

[0108] 44 lugs

[0109] 45 boss

[0110] 46 flange

[0111] 47 bulge

[0112] 48 hollow

[0113] 49 flange

[0114] 50 side edges

[0115] 51 Guide profile

Claims

1. A preparation container (1) for connection to a receiving area (2) of a base unit (3) of an electrically operated kitchen appliance (4), wherein: The preparation container (1) comprises a pot body (5), a pot base (6) connectable to the receiving area (2), and a cover (8) closing the pot mouth (7) of the pot body (5), wherein the preparation container (1) comprises a locking device (9) with a locking element (10) for locking the pot body (5) and the cover (8), wherein the pot base (6) comprises at least one operating element (11) for operating the locking device (9), wherein the operating element (11) is arranged The invention relates to a kitchen appliance (4) and a kitchen appliance (5) having a kitchen appliance (6) and a kitchen appliance (7) having a kitchen appliance (8) and a kitchen appliance (7) arranged on a pot base (6) so that the operating element can be operated by an operating device (12) of a corresponding receiving area (2) of the kitchen appliance (4), wherein the locking element (10) is a locking ring rotatably supported on the pot body (5) or the lid (8) and surrounding the pot opening (7) in the closed state by means of the lid (8), wherein the locking element (10) is provided with a drive device (13) designed to rotate the locking element (10) around the pot opening (7).

2. The preparation container (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The locking device (9) comprises a drive device (13) which drives the locking element (10) and forms a mechanical operative connection with the operating element (11).

3. The preparation container (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that The drive device (13) has a drive element (14) which is guided from the pot base (6) to the cover (8) through a wall (15) of the pot (5) and / or a handle (16) of the pot (5).

4. The preparation container (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that The driving element (14) is a rotating shaft.

5. The preparation container (1) according to claim 1, the locking element (10) has at least one active element (17), which is designed to achieve axial movement of the cover (8) relative to the pot body (5) and / or radial outward tightening of the cover (8) when the locking element (10) is rotated.

6. The preparation container (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that The active element (17) is engaged in a corresponding opening of the cover (8) or the pot (5) in order to establish a bayonet connection, wherein the active element (17) or a partial area of the cover (8) or the pot (5) has a ramp (18) rising in the locking rotation direction, which enables the axial displacement of the cover (8) relative to the pot (5) and the locking of the pot (5) with the cover (8).

7. The preparation container (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that The pot (5) or the cover (8) has an intermediate element (19) movably supported on the pot (5) or the cover (8), wherein the active element (17) of the locking element (10) is designed so that when the locking element (10) is rotated, the intermediate element (19) is pressed axially and / or radially against a partial area of the cover (8) or the pot (5), thereby achieving locking of the pot (5) and the cover (8).

8. The preparation container (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The preparation container has a guide slot (20) arranged on the pot body (5), the guide slot having an engaging element (22) supported on a spiral guide track of the guide slot (20), wherein the guide track extends around a spiral axis (23) pointing radially outward based on the interior of the pot body (5), and wherein the rotation of the locking element (10) realizes the axial and radial movement of the engaging element (22) along the spiral guide track relative to a partial area of the cover (8) until the partial area (43) of the engaging element (22) protruding from the guide slot abuts against the cover (8), thereby realizing the locking of the pot body (5) and the cover (8).

9. An electrically operated kitchen appliance (4) comprising a basic device (3) and a preparation container (1) connectable to a receiving area (2) of the basic device (3), the preparation container comprising a pot (5) and a cover (8) closing a pot opening (7), characterized in that: The preparation container (1) is constructed according to any one of claims 1 to 8 above, and the basic device (3) has an operating device (12), which is designed to operate the locking device (9) of the preparation container (1) when the basic device (3) is connected to the preparation container (1).

10. The kitchen appliance (4) according to claim 9, characterized in that The kitchen appliance has a securing device (24) for locking a preparation container (1) to a base device (3) of the kitchen appliance (4), wherein the securing device (24) has a securing element (25) movably supported on the preparation container, the securing element being movable behind an undercut (26) of the base device (3), or the securing device has a securing element (25) movably supported on the base device (3), the securing element being movable behind an undercut (26) of the preparation container (1), wherein the operating device (12) of the base device (3) is designed to actuate the securing element (25) of the securing device (24) simultaneously with or in addition to actuating the locking device (9).

11. The kitchen appliance (4) according to claim 9, characterized in that The kitchen machine (4) is a mixing device.

Images