Cover comprising a safety device

Abstract

The invention relates to a lid comprising a safety device and to a kitchen appliance, in particular a food processor, comprising a lid according to the invention, a container and a motor unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a lid including a safety device and a kitchen appliance, particularly a food processor, which includes a lid, a container and a motor unit according to the invention. Background Technology

[0002] To shred products, a device typically consists of a container, a lid, a blade assembly, and a motor unit. To operate such a device, the blade assembly is placed inside a container, which is then sealed with a lid. The blade assembly is then typically rotated from outside the container by the motor unit. To prevent user injury from the blade assembly, it must be ensured that the user cannot come into contact with the blade assembly while it is being rotated by the motor unit.

[0003] Some existing systems for this purpose include a spring-loaded drive unit that pushes the blade assembly out of the motor unit without a counter-support. The blade assembly is held in the spring-loaded drive unit only when the device is assembled, i.e., when the container, motor unit, and lid are closed, thereby creating a force-locked engagement, and the device can then be activated.

[0004] Some systems have a safety query that checks the position of the motor unit within the cover. This query is typically performed only at a specific location on the periphery. This location is usually recessed into the motor housing, allowing the safety query to be actuated only by a specific, matching component within the cover. This prevents accidental actuation.

[0005] Such known systems can be easily manipulated in certain situations, allowing safety devices to be easily bypassed. This can increase the risk of injury. Furthermore, such systems can sometimes be difficult to use. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The object of the present invention is to design a safety device that prevents or at least significantly reduces the risk of injury, without causing any disadvantage in terms of ease of operation for the user.

[0007] This objective is achieved by the apparatus according to claim 1 and the kitchen appliance according to claim 8.

[0008] According to one aspect of the invention, a cover including a safety device is provided. According to the invention, the safety device includes the following components: - At least two movable styluses, each styluse capable of moving from a rest position to a tactile position, wherein the styluse protrudes beyond the outer surface of the cover in the rest position and terminates flush with the outer surface in the tactile position; - A movable safety pin that can move from a locked position to a released position; and - A coupling device that connects the stylus to the safety pin such that the safety pin is in the released position when all the stylus are in the tactile position, and in the locked position when at least one of the stylus is in the rest position.

[0009] The cap including a safety device according to the invention increases the complexity of intervention and reduces the risk of injury because multiple styluses must be actuated simultaneously for the intervention device to function. The cap including the safety device can be placed on a container and close it. When the cap closes the container, all the styluses are in the tactile position. The safety pin is in the released position due to the coupling device.

[0010] The safety device can advantageously include exactly three or at least three movable pins, each pin being movable from a rest position to a tactile position and movably connected to the safety pin via the coupling device.

[0011] The outer surface of the lid can be, in particular, the surface of the lid that contacts the container when the container is closed, or at least the surface directly opposite the wall of the container. In some embodiments, this can be the outer peripheral surface of the lid, which contacts or directly opposes the inner side of the container during the intended use of the lid. Similarly, it is possible to provide an embodiment in which the aforementioned outer surface is the inner peripheral surface of the lid, which contacts or directly opposes the outer side of the container during the intended use of the lid. In some embodiments, the underside of the lid can also be considered the outer surface.

[0012] The stylus is specifically designed such that it is in the rest position when the cap is not properly placed on the container. And it is in the tactile position, particularly when the cap is properly placed on the container, i.e., especially when the outer surface of the cap is in contact with or directly opposite the surface of the container. Within the scope of this disclosure, the term "flush termination" should be understood as substantially flush termination. This means that the stylus can protrude beyond the outer surface of the cap to a certain extent, even in the tactile position. The magnitude of this extent can depend particularly on the cap and the container used. It is possible for the stylus to protrude beyond the outer surface of the cap by at least 2 mm in its rest position and less than 2 mm, preferably less than 1 mm, in the tactile position. Similarly, it is possible for the stylus to protrude beyond the outer surface of the cap by more than 4 mm in its rest position and less than 4 mm, preferably less than 3 mm, in the tactile position.

[0013] The movable safety pin can reciprocate between a locked position and a released position. The locked position can be configured, for example, to lock the safety switch of the motor unit mounted on the cover. The released position can be configured to release the safety switch of the motor unit from the safety pin in the released position, thereby allowing the motor to be used.

[0014] The safety pin is connected to the contact pin via a coupling device. This means that movement of the contact pin can cause movement of the safety pin. In some embodiments, the connection between the contact pin and the safety pin can be achieved electronically.

[0015] Preferably, the connection is at least partially or entirely mechanical. The connection device is designed such that when at least one of the styluses is in the rest position and thus protrudes beyond the outer surface of the cover, the safety pin is arranged in the locked position or moved into the locked position. The connection device is also designed such that when all the styluses are in the tactile position and thus deflected from the rest position and preferably terminate flush with the outer surface, the safety pin is arranged in the released position or moved into the released position.

[0016] An advantageous embodiment of the cover including the safety device is characterized in that the stylus protrudes beyond the outer periphery of the cover. This is particularly advantageous when the stylus contacts the inner wall of the container when the container is closed.

[0017] In an advantageous embodiment including a cover with a safety device, the connecting device is arranged in a closed housing or protected by a cover to prevent external interference. This protects the safety device from contamination and from user interference.

[0018] In another advantageous embodiment of the cover, which includes a safety device, the stylus can be held in the resting position by means of a resilient element. This ensures that the stylus returns to its resting position when no external force is applied. The resilient element can be implemented, for example, by a spring supported on the housing of the cover.

[0019] In an advantageous embodiment of the cover that includes a safety device, the connecting device can include the following elements: - A rocker element, mounted to rotate about a rotation axis; and - The first end of the rocker element is connected to the safety pin, such that rotation of the rocker element about the rotation axis causes displacement of the safety pin; and - The second end of the rocker element is connected to the stylus, such that when all the stylus are in the tactile position, the rocker element is rotated, thereby placing the safety pin in the release position.

[0020] The rocker element can therefore include two arms, wherein the first arm is effectively connected to the safety pin and the second arm is effectively connected to the stylus.

[0021] In an advantageous embodiment of the cover including a safety device, the coupling device can include a movable slider for each stylus, wherein each slider is connected to a stylus respectively, and each slider can move to a release area when the associated stylus is in the tactile position, and the sliders partially overlap each other in the release area along an overlap direction, which is preferably vertical or horizontal in the intended use of the cover.

[0022] In these specific embodiments of the cover including the safety device, the coupling device further includes a transmission element connected to the safety pin and configured such that when all the sliders overlap in the overlapping area, preferably in a vertical or horizontal direction, the safety pin is positioned in the release position. The transmission element can be implemented, for example, by the aforementioned rocker element.

[0023] In some specific embodiments of the cover including the safety device, the second end of the rocker element is disposed in the release area, wherein the rocker element is arranged such that when the second end of the rocker element is deflected along the overlapping direction, the rocker element rotates about its axis of rotation, such that the safety pin is in the release position.

[0024] According to the present invention, a kitchen appliance, particularly a food processor, is also provided, comprising a lid including a safety device and a container capable of being closed by the lid in a form-locking manner, wherein all the pins of the lid are in the tactile position when the lid closes the container. The kitchen appliance further includes a motor unit capable of being placed on the lid. The motor unit includes a safety switch that allows operation of the motor unit in an actuated state. The safety switch is configured such that when the safety pin is in the released position, the safety switch can be actuated by the safety pin of the lid when the motor is placed on the lid.

[0025] In an advantageous embodiment of the kitchen appliance, the safety switch is configured such that when the safety pin is in the locked position, the safety switch blocks the safety pin after the motor unit has been placed on the cover.

[0026] Another advantageous embodiment of the kitchen appliance is characterized in that the kitchen appliance includes replaceable cutting elements. Attached Figure Description

[0027] The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings: Figure 1 A safety device according to a specific embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 2 A cover including a safety device is shown according to a specific embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of a cover including a safety device according to a specific embodiment of the present invention is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0028] Figure 1 A safety device 2 for a cover 1 according to a specific embodiment of the present invention is shown. In this embodiment, the safety device 2 includes three movable pins 20a, 20b, and 20c. In this embodiment, the pins 20a, 20b, and 20c are arranged in a common plane. The pins 20a, 20b, and 20c are evenly distributed along the outer periphery of the cover, such that the pins 20a, 20b, and 20c form a 120° angle. The pins 20a, 20b, and 20c are arranged such that they can protrude beyond the outer surface 11 of the cover 1 in their rest position. Figure 1 The cover 1 is not shown in the figure.

[0029] In this specific embodiment, the styluses 20a, 20b, and 20c are arranged radially movably relative to the central axis of the safety device 2. The cover 1, or at least its outer surface, can be designed, for example, to be rotationally symmetrical about the central axis. The styluses 20a, 20b, and 20c are chamfered or deburred at their outward-facing ends, allowing for easy displacement of the styluses 20a, 20b, and 20c when the cover is placed on the container. Furthermore, the chamfering of the styluses on their undersides allows the cover to be placed on the container with less force.

[0030] The safety device 2 also includes a movable safety pin 21. The safety pin 21 is capable of reciprocating between a locked position and a released position.

[0031] The safety device 2 further includes a coupling device 30. The coupling device 30 connects the movement of the styluses 20a, 20b, 20c with the movement of the safety pin 21. In the illustrated embodiment, this connection is implemented mechanically. Generally, the connection can also be fully or at least partially electrically implemented. Electronic sensors can be used, for example, at the styluses 20a, 20b, 20c, and the signals from the electronic sensors are subsequently processed in electronic circuitry. According to the invention, the coupling device 30 is designed such that when all the styluses 20a, 20b, 20c are in the tactile position, the safety pin 21 is moved to or is in the released position, and is also designed such that when at least one of the styluses 20a, 20b, 20c is in the rest position, the safety pin 21 is moved to or is in the locked position. In other words, the coupling device 30 ensures that the safety pin 21 is moved into the release position or can be moved into the release position only when all the contact pins 20a, 20b, and 20c have deflected or moved into their rest positions.

[0032] The design of the coupling device 30 described below illustrates one possible specific implementation of the coupling device 30. This specific implementation is basically based on the concept of stacking or pushing multiple sliders 35a, 35b, 35c into each other in a release area 37. A first end 33 of a rocker element 31 is arranged in the release area 37. When all of the sliders 35a, 35b, 35c are stacked in the release area, the first end 33 of the rocker element is moved. In the current specific implementation, the first end 33 of the rocker element moves downward. This causes the rocker element 31 to rotate about its axis of rotation 32. The second end 34 of the rocker element is effectively connected to the safety pin 21. Therefore, the rotation of the rocker element 31 triggered by the stacked sliders 35a, 35b, 35c allows the safety pin 21 to be moved to the release position.

[0033] In this specific embodiment, the connecting device therefore includes sliders 35a, 35b, and 35c, each connected at one end to the stylus 20a, 20b, and 20c, and with their second ends adjacent to and movable into the release area. Sliders 35a and 35b can be designed as annular segments. Two of the sliders 35a and 35b are connected to the stylus 20a and 20b via steering mechanisms 36a and 36b, respectively. The steering mechanisms 36a and 36b convert the radial movement of the stylus 20a and 20b into circumferential movement of the sliders. The steering mechanisms 36a and 36b include two arms and are rotatably mounted at their apexes about axes 39a and 39b extending in the axial direction. One arm of the steering mechanisms 36a and 36b is effectively connected to the sliders 35a and 35b, while the other arm is effectively connected to the stylus.

[0034] Furthermore, each stylus 20a, 20b, 20c is connected to an elastic element 22a, 22b, 22c, respectively. The elastic elements 22a, 22b, 22c are able to support the housing 12 of the cover 1. The elastic elements 22a, 22b, 22c can therefore apply a restoring force to the stylus 20a, 20b, 20c, which holds the stylus 20a, 20b, 20c in their stationary position as long as no external force—for example, through the container 3—acts on the stylus.

[0035] Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of a cover 1 including a safety device 2 according to a specific embodiment of the present invention is shown. The cover 1 includes a housing 12 that surrounds the safety device 2. Figure 2 The cross-section of view a is configured such that the interior of the housing 12 is visible. In most embodiments, the housing 12 is closed and interrupts only at the points where the styluses 20a, 20b, 20c protrude from the cover or the housing. The styluses 20a, 20b, 20c protrude beyond the outer surface 11 of the cover 1 in their rest position. In the tactile position, i.e., when the cover is placed on the container 3, the styluses 20a, 20b, 20c move radially into the interior of the housing.

[0036] Figure 2 View b shows a detailed view of one of the stylus 20b, the slider 35b, and the steering mechanism 36b. The steering mechanism 36b includes two arms and is rotatably mounted on the cover 1 at its apex about a rotation axis 39b. The radial movement of the stylus 20b into the housing causes the steering mechanism 36b to rotate about the rotation axis 39b. Figure 2In the illustration of b, the rotation is oriented counterclockwise. The rotation of the steering mechanism 36b causes the slider 35b to move in the circumferential direction.

[0037] Figure 3 A cross-sectional view is shown, including a cover 1, a container 3, and a motor unit 4 placed thereon, comprising a safety device 2. The cross-section extends through the release area 37, and... Figure 2 The figure is indicated by the numeral S in the attached figure. Figure 3 Three different configurations are shown: Figure 3 A shows the configuration where the cover 1 is correctly placed on the container 3. This causes all the contact pins 20a, 20b, and 20c to move in. The sliders 35a, 35c, and 35c overlap in the release area 37, thus causing the safety pin 21 to displace into the release position. The motor unit can then be placed. The safety switch 41 of the motor unit contacts the safety pin 21 during placement and is actuated by the safety pin 21 in this manner. When the safety switch 41 is actuated, the motor unit can be operated.

[0038] Figure 3 b shows the configuration of at least one of the styluses 20a, 20b, 20c in its rest position. Figure 3 In position b, for example, the stylus 20c is in its rest position. Therefore, not all of the sliders 35a, 35b, and 35c overlap in the release area 37, and the safety pin 21 is not moved to the release position but remains in the locked position. When the motor unit is placed, the safety switch 41 therefore does not contact the safety pin 21 and is not actuated by it. Therefore, the motor unit cannot be operated.

[0039] Figure 3 Figure c shows a configuration in which the motor unit is placed first, followed by the cover 1 being placed on the container 3. In this configuration, the safety switch 41 blocks the path of the safety pin 21. The safety pin 21 can no longer be moved from the locked position to the released position. Even if all the contact pins 20a, 20b, 20c are in the tactile position, they can no longer be moved. For this reason, the safety pin 21 can include an elastic compensating element, for example in the form of a spring, which allows movement of the rocker element even when the path of the safety pin is blocked. For this purpose, the compensating element is arranged at the location where the coupling device can transmit force to the safety pin 21. In the present case, it is not to displace the safety pin, but only to deform the compensating element.

[0040] List of reference numerals in the attached diagram: 1. Cover 2 Safety devices 3 containers 4 Motor Unit 11 The outer surface of the cover 12. Shell 20a-c stylus 21 Safety pins 22a-c Elastic element 30 Connecting device 31. Joystick Components 32 The rotation axis of the rocker element 33 The first end of the rocker element 34 The second end of the rocker element 35a-c slider 36a,b Steering mechanisms 37 Release Area 38 Transmission Components 41 Safety Switch

Claims

1. A cover (1) including a safety device (2), said safety device (2) comprising: At least two movable styluses (20a-c), each styluse capable of moving from a rest position to a tactile position, wherein the styluses (20a-c) protrude beyond the outer surface (11) of the cover (1) in the rest position and terminate flush with the outer surface (11) in the tactile position; A movable safety pin (21) is capable of moving from a locked position to a released position; as well as The connecting device (30) connects the contact pins (20a-c) to the safety pin (21), such that... When all the styluses (20a-c) are in the tactile position, the safety pin (21) is in the released position, and when at least one of the styluses (20a-c) is in the rest position, the safety pin (21) is in the locked position.

2. The cover (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that, The stylus (20a-c) protrudes beyond the outer periphery of the cover (1).

3. The cover (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that, The connecting device (30) is arranged in a closed housing (12) or protected by a cover to prevent external interference.

4. The cover (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The stylus (20a-c) is held in the stationary position by means of the elastic element (22a-c).

5. The cover (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that, The connecting device (30) Includes a rocker element (31) mounted to rotate about a rotation axis (32); and The first end (33) of the rocker element (31) is connected to the safety pin (21), such that rotation of the rocker element (31) about the rotation axis (32) causes displacement of the safety pin (21); and The second end (34) of the rocker element (31) is connected to the stylus (20a-c) such that when all the stylus (20a-c) are in the tactile position, the rocker element (31) is rotated, thereby placing the safety pin in the release position.

6. The cover (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The connecting device (30) includes movable sliders (35a-c) for each stylus. Each slider (35a-c) is connected to a stylus (20a-c), and This allows each slider (35a-c) to move into the release area (37) when the associated stylus (20a-c) is in the tactile position, and the sliders (35a-c) partially overlap each other in the release area (37) along an overlap direction, preferably vertical or horizontal. The connecting device (30) further includes a transmission element connected to the safety pin (21) and configured such that when all the sliders (35a-c) overlap in the overlapping area, preferably in the vertical or horizontal direction, the safety pin (21) is arranged in the release position.

7. The cover (1) according to any one of the preceding two claims, wherein the second end (34) of the rocker element (31) is arranged in the release area, and the rocker element (31) rotates about its axis of rotation (32) when the second end (34) of the rocker element (31) is deflected along the overlapping direction, such that the safety pin (21) is in the release position.

8. A kitchen appliance, particularly a food processor, comprising a lid (1) according to any of the preceding claims, and a container (3) capable of being closed by the lid (1) in a shape-locking manner, wherein when the lid (1) closes the container (3), all of the pins (20a-c) of the lid (1) are in the tactile position, and It also includes a motor unit (4) that can be placed on the cover (1), The motor unit (4) includes a safety switch (41), which allows operation of the motor unit (4) in the actuated state; and The safety switch (41) is configured such that when the safety pin (21) is in the released position, the safety switch (41) can be actuated by the safety pin (21) of the cover (1) when the motor (4) is placed on the cover (1).

9. The kitchen appliance according to the preceding claim, characterized in that, The safety switch (41) is configured such that when the safety pin (21) is in the locked position, the safety switch (41) blocks the safety pin (21) after the motor unit (4) has been placed on the cover (1).

10. The kitchen appliance according to any one of the preceding two claims, characterized in that, The kitchen appliance includes replaceable cutting elements.

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