Food preparation device

Abstract

The invention relates to a food preparation device comprising:-a rotary working tool (30; 30 ') comprising a circumferential side wall (32) having at least one outer cutting member (33) adjacent to a through-passage (35),-a housing (20) defining a housing configured to receive the working tool (30), the housing (20) having a chute (25) for introducing the food to be cut, the chute (25) having a lateral bearing and centering portion (26), -a chute (25) having a lateral support and centering portion (26) configured to receive food pushed by the working tool (30) while the food is being cut,-a pusher (40) displaceable in the chute (25) to push the food towards the working tool (30), the pusher (40) having a lower end (42). According to the invention, the lower end (42) has a front portion (43) adjacent to the lateral bearing and centering portion (26), which is raised in the direction of the lateral bearing and centering portion (26).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of food preparation devices comprising a rotary drum-type processing tool for gradually cutting food.

[0002] The invention relates more particularly, but not exclusively, to electrical food preparation appliances comprising a motor housing carrying detachable accessories forming a food preparation device of the type described above. The invention also relates to detachable accessories of the type described above. Background Art

[0003] It is known to use cylindrical or truncated-conical rotary working tools for chopping or grinding food, particularly vegetables or cheese. These rotary working tools are formed into a drum having a drive member disposed at one of its ends and a circumferential wall on which the cutting member is disposed. These rotary working tools are placed in a container having a food introduction chute. If the cross-section of the food to be cut is significantly smaller than that of the chute, the food may tilt in the chute, which reduces the quality of the cut.

[0004] Documents US4397427, US7686240 and EP2440095 propose using moving elements arranged in the chute to further guide the food as it is cut. Such devices allow for improved food cutting quality, but have the disadvantage of being more expensive to manufacture and more complex to clean. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention aims to overcome these disadvantages.

[0006] The technical problem underlying the present invention is to provide a food cutting device which allows improved cutting of food while maintaining a still simple structure.

[0007] These objects are achieved using a food preparation device comprising:

[0008] - a rotary working tool comprising a rotary drive member along a rotation axis and a circumferential side wall extending around the rotation axis, the circumferential side wall having at least one external cutting member, the at least one external cutting member comprising a front edge adjacent to the through-going passage, the circumferential side wall having a circumferential edge configured for a front opening for ejecting cut food;

[0009] a housing defining a housing having a mounting opening for placing the working tool in the housing, the housing having a chute for introducing food to be cut, the chute opening into the housing at least partially facing at least one external cutting member, the chute having lateral support and centering portions configured to receive food pushed by the working tool during cutting;

[0010] a pusher displaceable in the chute in a direction to push the food towards the working tool, the pusher having a lower end arranged facing the housing,

[0011] It is characterized in that the lower end of the pusher has a front portion adjacent to the lateral support and centering portion, and the front portion rises in the direction of the lateral support and centering portion. The lateral support and centering portion allows the food introduced into the chute, in particular elongated food, to be received and laterally centered, preventing the food from being displaced during cutting and tilting in the chute, which tilting leads to a reduction in the cutting quality. The configuration of the lower end makes it easy to place the food against the lateral support and centering portion of the chute. Thus, by using the proposed pusher, even if the size of the food is smaller than the size of the chute, it is possible to push the food in the chute towards the rotary working tool so that the food is cut while being well guided. These arrangements make it easy to obtain high-quality food cutting. These arrangements also make it easy to obtain a good cutting flow.

[0012] The lower end of the pusher may have a rear portion opposite the lateral support and centering portion, the rear portion rising in the direction of the lateral support and centering portion. This arrangement facilitates obtaining high-quality food cuts for foods with larger cross-sections and / or with irregular geometries.

[0013] The lower end of the pusher can be inclined. This arrangement allows to facilitate obtaining high-quality food cuts for food of any size and / or with irregular geometric shapes.

[0014] The lower end of the pusher may have a relief configuration. This arrangement allows for improved retention of the food displaced by the pusher in the chute.

[0015] The axis of rotation may extend towards the front half of the chute, which includes the lateral support and centering portion. This arrangement allows reducing the angle between the circumferential side walls of the working tool and the direction of advance of the pusher in the chute, which helps to achieve larger cuts that are further perpendicular to the elongated food introduced into the chute.

[0016] The chute may have a non-circular cross section. This arrangement allows preventing the pusher from rotating in the chute and promoting the translational movement of the pusher in the chute.

[0017] The lateral support and centering portion can have a concave profile. This arrangement facilitates the centering of elongated food items. However, other profiles are also conceivable, in particular profiles with one or more longitudinal ribs extending over the entire or partial height of the chute. This or these ribs can, in particular, facilitate translational guidance of the pusher in the chute.

[0018] The lateral support and centering portions may have a circular profile. This arrangement allows for easy cleaning of the chute.

[0019] The lateral support and centering portion may have two surfaces connected by an angle. This arrangement allows improving the centering of the food by using a support on each of the surfaces.

[0020] The receiving portion may have a truncated cone-shaped geometry. The rotary working tool may have a truncated cone-shaped geometry, which allows facilitating the discharge of cut food.

[0021] The chute may have a rear portion that prolongs the peripheral wall of the housing. This arrangement allows maximizing the cross section of the chute while maintaining a good cutting quality.

[0022] The circumferential side wall may have a plurality of external cutting members, each of which has a leading edge adjacent to a through-going channel arranged in the circumferential side wall. This arrangement allows increasing the cutting flow of food.

[0023] The housing may carry a freely rotatably mounted transmission member with which the drive member of the working tool mounted in the receptacle engages to drive the working tool in rotation.

[0024] The food preparation device may comprise a motorized base carrying the housing, the working tool mounted in the housing being driven by an electric motor provided in the motorized base, if necessary via the transmission member.

[0025] The housing may be detachably mounted relative to the motorized base. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The objects, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the following description of specific embodiments of the invention, which are shown by way of non-limiting examples with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0027] Figure 1is a perspective view of an embodiment of a rotary working tool belonging to a food preparation device according to the present invention;

[0028] Figure 2 is a partial perspective view of another embodiment of a rotary working tool of a food preparation device according to the present invention;

[0029] Figure 3 is a top view of an embodiment of a housing of a food preparation device according to the present invention, wherein the housing is configured to receive Figure 1 Rotary working tool shown or Figure 2 The rotary working tool shown;

[0030] Figure 4 is set to be used for Figure 3 a perspective view of the pusher in the chute of the housing shown;

[0031] Figure 5 is a perspective view of an electric food preparation device according to the present invention, the electric food preparation device comprising Figure 1 The rotary working tool shown is mounted on Figure 3 In the housing shown, Figure 4 The pusher shown is not shown;

[0032] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 A front view of an electric food preparation device shown, the electric food preparation device comprising Figure 3 The housing and Figure 4 The pusher shown, Figure 1 or Figure 2 The rotary working tool shown is not shown;

[0033] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 A front view of the electric food preparation device shown, the electric food preparation device also includes Figure 1 The rotary working tool shown;

[0034] Figure 8 yes Figure 7 A top view of the electric food preparation device shown;

[0035] Figure 9 yes Figure 7 and Figure 8 A partial side cross-sectional view of the electric food preparation device shown;

[0036] Figure 10 yes Figures 7 to 9 A partial front cross-sectional view of the electric food preparation device shown;

[0037] Figure 11 、 Figure 12 、 Figure 13 and Figure 14 Four further embodiments of a housing belonging to a food preparation device according to the invention are shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] An embodiment of the food preparation device according to the invention is Figures 1 to 10 The food preparation device includes Figure 1 or Figure 2 The food preparation device comprises a rotary working tool 30, 30'. Figure 3 The food preparation device comprises a housing 20. Figure 4 The pusher 40 is shown. The food preparation device comprises Figures 5 to 10 The motorized base 1 is shown.

[0039] Figure 1 The rotary working tool 30 shown includes a rotary drive member 31 along a rotation axis R and a circumferential side wall 32 extending around the rotation axis R. The rotary drive member 31 is arranged in a bottom wall 38 of the working tool 30. The circumferential side wall 32 has a circumferential edge 37 that is configured for a front opening 36 for ejecting cut food. The front opening 36 extends opposite the bottom wall 38.

[0040] exist Figure 1 In the embodiment shown, the working tool 30 has a frustoconical geometry. The peripheral side wall 32 flares in the direction of the peripheral edge 37 to facilitate the discharge of the cut food.

[0041] The circumferential side wall 32 has two external cutting members 33. Each external cutting member 33 is adjacent to the through passage 35. The external cutting members 33 are elongated and extend between the circumferential edge 37 and the bottom wall 28. The external cutting members 33 are arranged to cut food.

[0042] Figure 2 The working tool 30' of the embodiment shown is Figure 1 The working tool 30 of the illustrated embodiment differs in that the circumferential sidewall 32' of the working tool 30' has a plurality of external cutting members 33' arranged to elongate the food. The external cutting members 33' each have a leading edge 34' adjacent a through passage 35' provided in the circumferential sidewall 32'.

[0043] Figure 3 The housing 20 shown defines a housing 21 having a mounting opening 22 for placing a working tool 30; 30' in the housing 21. The housing 21 has a geometry suitable for receiving the working tool 30; 30'. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the housing 21 has a truncated cone geometry.

[0044] The housing 20 has a chute 25 for introducing food to be cut. Figure 5 As shown, the chute 25 opens into the housing 21 facing the working tool 30 arranged in the housing 21. The chute 25 at least partially faces the external cutting member 33; 33' opens into the housing 21, and one or more parts of the external cutting members 33, or even parts of some external cutting members 33', or even some external cutting members 33' can be driven and rotated in the housing 21 without being perpendicular to the chute 25.

[0045] As in Figure 3 、 Figure 5 and Figure 10 As can be seen more clearly in the figure, the chute 25 has lateral support and centering portions 26 configured to receive food pushed by the working tool 30 during cutting. Food introduced into the chute 25 is pushed by the working tool 30 as the working tool 30 rotates along the rotation axis R during cutting. More specifically, food introduced into the chute 25 is pushed by the leading edge 34 of the outer cutting member 33 as the working tool 30 rotates along the rotation axis R.

[0046] exist Figures 1 to 10 In the embodiment shown, the chute 25 has a non-circular cross section. The lateral support and centering portion 26 has a concave profile. More specifically, the lateral support and centering portion 26 has a circular profile.

[0047] As in Figure 3 As can be seen more clearly in FIG, the axis of rotation R of the working tool extends towards the front half 27 of the chute 25 , which comprises the lateral support and centering portions 26 .

[0048] As in Figure 3 、 Figure 5 、 Figure 8 and Figure 10 As can be seen more clearly in FIG, the chute 25 has a rear portion 28 opposite the lateral support and centering portion 26. Figure 5 、 Figure 7 and Figure 10 As can be seen more clearly in FIG, the rear side portion 28 prolongs the peripheral wall 23 of the housing 21, which allows the cross section of the chute 25 to be maximized at the rear side of the chute 25. The rear side portion 28 thus forms a tangent to the peripheral wall 23 of the housing 21, as shown in FIG. Figure 5 and Figure 10 It is clearly visible in the.

[0049] As in Figure 6 and Figure 10As can be seen more clearly in FIG, the housing 20 has a rib 24 extending around the base of the chute 25 leading to the housing 21. The rib 24 allows reducing the distance to the external cutting member 33; 33' of the working tool 30; 30' driven in rotation in the housing 21.

[0050] Figure 4 The pusher 40 shown is arranged to be introduced into the chute 25, as shown in FIG. Figures 6 to 10 The pusher 40 has a lower end 42 that is arranged to be introduced into the chute 25. When the pusher 40 is introduced into the chute 25, the lower end 42 is arranged to face the receiving portion 21. When the working tool 30 is placed in the receiving portion 21, the lower end 42 is arranged to face the circumferential wall 32.

[0051] As in Figure 10 As can be seen more clearly in FIG, the lower end 42 of the pusher 40 has a front portion 43 and a rear portion 44. When the pusher 40 is introduced into the chute 25, the front portion 43 is adjacent to the lateral support and centering portion 26. The rear portion 44 is arranged opposite the lateral support and centering portion 26. The front portion 43 of the lower end 42 rises in the direction of the lateral support and centering portion 26.

[0052] In the embodiment shown in the figures, the rear portion 44 of the lower end 42 rises in the direction of the lateral support and centering portion 26. More specifically, the lower end 42 of the pusher 40 is inclined. As a variant, the lower end 42 of the pusher 40 can have a relief configuration. If desired, the lower end 42 can in particular have pointed teeth and / or steps.

[0053] The housing 20 and the rotary working tool 30 belong to the working accessory 2. The pusher 40 also belongs to the working accessory 2.

[0054] Figures 5 to 10 The food preparation device shown comprises a motorized base 1 carrying a housing 20. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the housing 20 is detachably mounted relative to the motorized base 1. To this end, the housing 20 comprises fixing means 8, which are arranged to engage with complementary fixing means 7 of the motorized base 1. Thus, the working attachment 2 can be detached relative to the motorized base 1.

[0055] The motorized base 1 houses an electric motor (not shown) controlled by a control device 4. The electric motor is connected to a drive output 5 and, if necessary, to the drive output 5 via a transmission 6. The transmission 6 may include a speed reducer. The rotational speed of the drive output 5 may be variable. Preferably, the rotational speed of the drive output 5 is within and / or includes a speed range between 100 rpm and 300 rpm. The working tool 30 mounted in the housing 21 is driven by the electric motor provided in the motorized base 1 via a transmission member 50.

[0056] In the embodiment shown in the figures, the fixing means 8 and the complementary fixing means 7 are bayonet-type fixing means. As a variant, other fixing means can be used, in particular locking rings or retaining hooks assembled by screwing or by bayonet.

[0057] According to the embodiment shown in the figure, the housing 20 carries a transmission member 50 that is freely rotatably mounted. The rotation axis of the transmission member 50 corresponds to the rotation axis R of the working tool 30. The transmission member 50 is arranged opposite the mounting opening 22. The peripheral wall 23 of the accommodating portion 21 surrounds the transmission member 50. The transmission member 50 is driven by the drive output end 5 and engages with the working tool 30 arranged in the accommodating portion 21. The transmission member 50 includes a first end that engages with the drive output end 5. The first end is formed by an axis with a hexagonal or square cross-section, for example. The transmission member 50 includes a second end arranged in the accommodating portion 21, which is configured to drive the working tool 30 arranged in the accommodating portion 21 to rotate. The second end may include a lug for holding the working tool 30; 30' arranged in the accommodating portion 21. If desired, the lug can form a hook.

[0058] As in Figure 9 As can be seen in the figure, the accommodating portion 21 tilts toward the mounting opening 22. Furthermore, the rotation axis of the transmission member 50 is tilted downward. This arrangement improves the tilting characteristics of the rotary working tool 30. The housing 20 includes a lower stopper 21a for retaining the working tool 30 disposed in the accommodating portion 21. The lower stopper 21a is formed near the mounting opening 22.

[0059] Other embodiments of the chute 25'; 25"; 25"'; 25"" are Figures 11 to 14 As shown in Figures 11 to 14 Each shows another embodiment of a housing 20'; 20", 20"'; 20"" belonging to a food preparation device according to the invention. Each of the housings 20'; 20", 20"'; 20"" is intended for use with one or another of the working tools 30; 30'. Each of the housings 20'; 20", 20"'; 20"" is intended for use with a pusher whose geometry is adapted to the geometry of the chute 25'; 25", 25"'; 25"".

[0060] In the chute 25 ′, the lateral supporting and centering portions 26 ′ and the rear portion 28 ′ each have a circular contour.

[0061] In the chute 25 ″, the lateral supporting and centering portions 26 ″ and the rear portion 28 ″ also each have a circular contour. However, the chute 25 ″ has a kidney bean shape, with a recess 29 ″ being provided in the side wall opposite the mounting opening 22 ″.

[0062] In the chute 25 ″′, the lateral supporting and centering portions 26 ″′ have a circular contour, and the rear portion 28 ″′ is planar. More specifically, the rear portion 28 ″′ extends parallel to the axis R of rotation.

[0063] In the chute 25", the rear portion 28"" is planar and the lateral supporting and centering portion 26"" has two surfaces 26a, 26b connected by an angle 26c.

[0064] As a variant, other combinations of chutes are conceivable.

[0065] Figures 5 to 10 The food preparation device shown operates and is used as follows.

[0066] The user mounts the housing 20 on the electric base 1 and places the working tool 30 in the receiving portion 21 of the housing 20. When the working tool 30 is placed in the receiving portion 21, the driving member 31 of the working tool 30 mounted in the receiving portion 21 engages with the transmission member 50, as shown in FIG. Figure 7 and Figure 10 Visible in.

[0067] The user can start the food preparation device by actuating the control device 4. The working tool 30, which is arranged in the receiving portion 21 of the housing 20 mounted on the power base 1, is driven to rotate by the motor provided in the power base 1 through the transmission member 50. The working tool 30 is preferably driven at a rotation speed between 100 rpm and 300 rpm to obtain a sufficient flow rate.

[0068] The outer cutting member 33 then runs under the base of the chute 25 to shear the base of food introduced into the chute 25. The leading edge 34 cuts food pieces which are discharged through the through passage 35 of the circumferential side wall 32.

[0069] During the cutting operation, food introduced into the chute and in contact with the external cutting member 33 is pushed towards the lateral support and centering portions 26 before being cut by the leading edge 34. The lateral support and centering portions 26 thus allow the food to be contained when it is pushed by the working tool 30 during cutting, while limiting or even eliminating lateral displacement of the food.

[0070] The pusher 40 can be displaced in the chute 25 in the direction 41 to push the food introduced into the chute 25 toward the working tool 30. The front portion 43 of the lower end 42 of the pusher 40, which is raised in the direction of the lateral support and centering portion 26, allows the food to be pressed against the lateral support and centering portion 26. The lateral support and centering portion 26 allows the food pushed by the pusher 40 to be guided toward the working tool 30. Thus, long food introduced into the chute 25 is pushed both at its base toward the lateral support and centering portion 26 by the action of the movement of the external cutting member 33 and at its top toward the lateral support and centering portion 26 by the action of the lower portion 42 of the pusher 40 and its displacement in the direction of the external cutting member 33.

[0071] These arrangements allow facilitating the displacement of the food to be cut along the translation direction 41 of the pusher 40 by limiting or avoiding lateral and / or pivoting movements, which helps to obtain adequate cutting. Thus, the cutting quality of the food can be improved.

[0072] As a variant, the circumferential side wall 32;32' of the working tool 30;30' may have at least one external cutting member 33;33' having a leading edge 34;34' adjacent to the through-going channel 35;35'.

[0073] As a variant, the housing 20 does not necessarily comprise the transmission member 50 . The rotational drive member 31 of the working tool 30 can in particular be driven by the drive output 5 of the motorized base 1 .

[0074] As a variant, the receptacle 21 and / or the rotating working tool 30; 30' do not necessarily have to have a frustoconical geometry. The working tool 30; 30' can in particular have a cylindrical geometry for the circumferential side walls.

[0075] As a variant, the housing 20 does not necessarily have to be detachable relative to the motorized base 1. The housing 20 may in particular be from the motorized base 1.

[0076] Various modifications and / or improvements that are obvious to a person skilled in the art may be applied to the embodiments of the invention described in this specification without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A food preparation device comprising: - a rotary working tool (30; 30') comprising a rotary drive member (31) along a rotation axis (R) and a circumferential side wall (32; 32') extending around the rotation axis (R), the circumferential side wall (32; 32') having at least one external cutting member (33; 33'), the at least one external cutting member (33; 33') comprising a front edge (34; 34') adjacent to the through-passage (35; 35'), the circumferential side wall (32; 32') having a circumferential edge (37) configured for a front opening (36) for ejecting cut food; - housing (20; 20'; 20"; 20"'; 20""), the housing (20; 20'; 20"; 20"'; 20"") defines a receiving portion (21), the receiving portion (21) having a mounting opening (22) for placing the working tool (30) in the receiving portion (21), the housing (20; 20'; 20"; 20"'; 20"") having a chute (25; 25'; 25"; 25"'; 25"") for introducing food to be cut, said chute (25; 25'; 25"; 25"'; 25"") at least partially opening into said receiving portion (21) facing at least one external cutting member (33), said chute (25; 25'; 25"; 25"'; 25"") having lateral support and centering portions (26; 26'; 26"; 26"'; 26""), said lateral support and centering portions (26; 26'; 26"; 26"'; 26"") being configured to receive food pushed by said working tool (30) during food cutting; a pusher (40) displaceable in the chute (25; 25'; 25", 25"'; 25"") in a direction (41) to push the food towards the working tool (30), the pusher (40) having a lower end (42) arranged to face the housing (21), Characterized in that the lower end (42) of the pusher (40) has a front portion (43) adjacent to the lateral support and centering portion (26), the front portion (43) rising in the direction of the lateral support and centering portion (26).

2. The food preparation device according to claim 1, wherein The lower end (42) of the pusher (40) has a rear portion (44) opposite the lateral support and centering portion (26; 26'; 26"; 26"'; 26""), the rear portion (44) rising in the direction of the lateral support and centering portion (26; 26'; 26"; 26"'; 26"").

3. The food preparation device according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that The lower end (42) of the pusher (40) is inclined.

4. The food preparation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The lower end (42) of the pusher (40) has a relief configuration.

5. The food preparation device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The rotation axis (R) extends towards a front half (27) of the chute (25; 25'; 25"; 25"'; 25""), which includes the lateral support and centering parts (26; 26'; 26"; 26"'; 26"").

6. The food preparation device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The chute (25; 25'; 25"; 25"'; 25"") has a non-circular cross section.

7. The food preparation device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that The lateral supporting and centering portions (26; 26'; 26"; 26"'; 26"") have a concave profile.

8. The food preparation device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that The lateral supporting and centering parts (26; 26'; 26"; 26'") have a circular contour.

9. The food preparation device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that The lateral support and centering portion (26") has two surfaces (26a, 26b) connected by an angle (26c).

10. The food preparation device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that The receiving portion (21) has a truncated cone geometry.

11. The food preparation device according to claim 10, wherein: The chute (25; 25'; 25", 25"'; 25"") has a rear side portion (28; 28'; 28", 28"'; 28"") that extends the peripheral wall (23) of the receiving portion (21).

12. The food preparation device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that The circumferential sidewall (32, 32') has a plurality of external cutting members (33, 33') each having a leading edge (34, 34') adjacent a through-going channel (35, 35') disposed in the circumferential sidewall (32, 32').

13. The food preparation device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that The housing (20; 20'; 20"; 20"'; 20"") carries a freely rotatably mounted transmission member (50), and the drive member (31) of the working tool (30) mounted in the accommodation portion (21) engages with the transmission member (50) to drive the working tool (30) to rotate.

14. The food preparation device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that The food preparation device comprises a motorized base (1) which carries the housing (20; 20'; 20"; 20"'; 20""), and the working tool (30) mounted in the housing (21) is driven by an electric motor provided in the electric base (1), if necessary, through the transmission member (50).

15. The food preparation device according to claim 14, wherein The housing (20; 20'; 20", 20"'; 20"") is detachably mounted relative to the motorized base (1).

Images