Rotary working member for food preparation device

Abstract

The utility model relates to a rotary working component (10) which comprises a hub (11), the hub is provided with a rotation axis (20) and one or more blades (12) with front edges (13), and the front edges are connected with an upper surface and a lower surface. According to the utility model, the blade (12) has no obvious protruding angle, the front edge (13) of the blade or at least one blade (12) is provided with a wave-shaped outline and two adjacent convex parts (17a and 17b), and the distance between the two convex parts (17a and 17b) is greater than or equal to 15% of the free length (L) of the blade (12), preferably greater than or equal to 20% of the free length (L) of the blade, and more preferably greater than or equal to 25% of the free length of the blade. The utility model further relates to a food preparation device which comprises the rotating operation component (10), the container for containing the rotating operation component (10) and the cover, and the cover comprises the manual driving device meshed with the rotating operation component (10).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the field of food preparation devices. The food preparation device comprises a container, a rotating working component and a driving device. The driving device is configured to drive the rotating working component arranged in the container to rotate.

[0002] The present invention more particularly relates to a food preparation device of the above type, which comprises a manual drive device. Background Art

[0003] Document FR 3 064 903 discloses a food preparation device comprising a rotary tool for grinding food, the rotary tool comprising a plurality of straight, unsharpened blades extending radially from a hub. Consequently, this rotary tool appears to be relatively unhazardous and can be operated without excessive precautions.

[0004] However, a first disadvantage of this embodiment is that the free end of the blade is connected to the leading and trailing edges of the blade by protruding corners. Therefore, this rotary working tool is not completely safe and therefore does not seem suitable for use by children.

[0005] A second disadvantage of this embodiment is that the rotary working tool has limited effectiveness in crushing fragile foods such as biscuits, particularly in manually driven food preparation devices where the rotation speed of the rotary working tool is lower than that of motor driven food preparation devices. Utility Model Content

[0006] The present invention aims to overcome these drawbacks and proposes a rotary working member for a food preparation device, the device comprising a container for receiving the rotary working member and a lid, the lid having a manual drive device that engages with the rotary working member arranged in the container, the rotary working member allowing fragile food to be crushed in an effective manner and its operation is proven to be non-hazardous.

[0007] The technical problem on which the present invention is based is to facilitate the crushing of fragile food by means of a rotating working member which is guided in rotation in a container and which can be operated without special precautions.

[0008] To this end, a first aspect of the present invention relates to a rotary working member for a food preparation device, the device comprising a container for receiving the rotary working member and a cover comprising a manual drive device engaged with the rotary working member arranged in the container.

[0009] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a food preparation device, which includes a rotating working member, a container for receiving the rotating working member, and a cover, wherein the cover includes a manual drive device engaged with the rotating working member arranged in the container.

[0010] These objects are achieved by a rotary working member for a food preparation device, comprising a container for receiving the rotary working member and a lid, the lid including a manual drive mechanism that engages with the rotary working member disposed in the container, the rotary working member comprising a hub having an axis of rotation and carrying one or more blades, the blades having a leading edge connecting an upper surface and a lower surface, the blade or blades having no distinct protruding corners, and the leading edge of the blade or at least one blade having a wavy profile and having two adjacent protrusions, the distance between the two adjacent protrusions being greater than or equal to 15% of the free length of the blade, preferably greater than or equal to 20% of the free length of the blade, and more preferably greater than or equal to 25% of the free length of the blade. The wavy profile leading edge with multiple protrusions that are sufficiently spaced apart facilitates the crushing of large pieces of fragile food, such as biscuits or large pieces of dark chocolate. The absence of distinct protruding corners ensures safety when operating the rotary working member, taking into account use by children.

[0011] One or more blades having a leading edge with a contoured profile may have a trailing edge connecting the upper and lower surfaces.

[0012] The trailing edge of one or more blades having a wavy profile at the leading edge may have a wavy profile and may have at least one concave portion arranged opposite the convex portion of the wavy profile leading edge. This arrangement allows the width of the blade to be reduced and facilitates its operation.

[0013] The one or more blades having a contoured leading edge may have a free end connecting the contoured leading edge and the trailing edge.

[0014] The upper surface of the blade or blades having a leading edge with a wavy profile may be flat. This arrangement allows facilitating the manufacture of the blade or blades.

[0015] The lower surface of the blade or blades having a wavy profile at the leading edge may be flat. This arrangement allows facilitating the manufacture of the blade or blades.

[0016] The upper and lower surfaces of the one or more blades having a leading edge with a wavy profile may be parallel. This arrangement allows for ease of manufacture of the one or more blades.

[0017] The upper and lower surfaces of the blade having the undulating leading edge may be perpendicular to the axis of rotation.

[0018] The one or more blades may be metallic, preferably made of stainless steel.

[0019] The one or more blades may be unsharpened.

[0020] The rotating working member may include two blades that are oppositely arranged relative to the hub.

[0021] The two blades may each have a leading edge with a wavy profile having two adjacent protrusions, the spacing between the two protrusions being greater than or equal to 15% of the free length of the blades, preferably greater than or equal to 20% of the free length of the blades, and more preferably greater than or equal to 25% of the free length of the blades.

[0022] Both blades may have the same geometry.

[0023] The two blades may be offset in height along the axis of rotation.

[0024] These objects are also achieved by a food preparation device comprising a rotating working member, a container receiving the rotating working member, and a cover comprising a manual drive device engaging with the rotating working member arranged in the container, wherein the rotating working member complies with at least one of the above-mentioned characteristics. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The objects, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the following description of a particular embodiment and variant embodiments of the present invention, which are given as non-limiting examples and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0026] Figure 1 1 is an exploded view of an embodiment of a food preparation device including a rotating working member according to the present invention.

[0027] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A top perspective view of a container of a food preparation device is shown.

[0028] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A bottom perspective view of a rotating working member of a food preparation device is shown.

[0029] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A top perspective view of a rotating working member of a food preparation device is shown.

[0030] Figure 5 Belongs to Figure 1 、 Figure 3 and Figure 4 A top perspective view of the blade of the rotating working member is shown.

[0031] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 Side view of the blade shown.

[0032] Figure 7 Is replaceable Figure 1 、 Figure 3 and Figure 4 A top perspective view of a blade variant embodiment of one of the blades of a rotating working member is shown.

[0033] Figure 8 yes Figure 7 Side view of the blade shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] Figure 1 One embodiment of a food preparation device 1 is shown, comprising a rotating working member 10 , a container 2 for receiving the rotating working member 10 , and a lid 3 .

[0035] The lid 3 comprises manual actuation means 4 which engage with a rotating working member 10 arranged in the container 2 when the lid 3 covers the container 2 .

[0036] More specifically, the manual drive device 4 is configured to drive a drive member 8 disposed on the lower surface of the cover 3. When the cover 3 covers the container 2, the drive member 8 engages with a rotating working member 10 disposed in the container 2.

[0037] Figure 1 The manual drive device 4 shown in FIG is a manual rope drive device, Figure 1 The manual drive mechanism, which drives the drive member 8, is not shown. Alternatively, other types of manual drive mechanisms, in particular manual crank mechanisms, may be considered. When the lid 3 covers the container 2, the manual drive mechanism 4 engages with a rotating operating member 10 disposed in the container 2.

[0038] like Figure 2 As can be seen more clearly in FIG, the container 2 has a bottom 23, a peripheral side wall 21 rising from the bottom 23 and an upper opening 22 extending opposite the bottom 23. The container 2 has a centering molding 6 rising from the bottom 23.

[0039] Figure 3 and Figure 4 The rotating working member 10 shown comprises a hub 11 having an axis of rotation 20. The rotating working member 10 is guided in rotation in the container 2. For this purpose, Figure 3 As shown, the rotary working member 10 has a housing 7 configured to receive the centering profile 6 of the container 2. The housing 7 is arranged at the lower end of the hub 11. Alternatively, the housing may be provided in the bottom 23 and the centering profile may be provided at the lower end of the rotary working member 10.

[0040] In the embodiment shown in the figures, the hub 11 has two blades 12. More specifically, as Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, the rotary working member 10 includes two blades 12 having the same geometry. The two blades 12 are arranged in opposite directions relative to the hub 11. The two blades 12 are offset along the rotation axis 20 in terms of their height above the hub 11. For example, the blades 12 are unsharpened metal blades with rounded visible edges, preferably made of stainless steel.

[0041] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As can be clearly seen in the figure, each blade 12 has a leading edge 13 connecting the upper surface 14 and the lower surface 15. The cross-section of the leading edge 13 has no obvious protruding corners. The cross-section of the leading edge 13 can be circular and / or include one or more flat areas. Each blade 12 has a trailing edge 16 connecting the upper surface 14 and the lower surface 15. The cross-section of the trailing edge 16 has no obvious protruding corners. The cross-section of the trailing edge 16 can be circular and / or include one or more flat areas. Each blade 12 has a free end 19 connecting the leading edge 13 and the trailing edge 16. The cross-section of the free end 19 has no obvious protruding corners. The cross-section of the free end 19 can be circular and / or include one or more flat areas.

[0042] More specifically, in the embodiment shown in the figures, the upper surface 14 and the lower surface 15 are flat. The upper surface 14 and the lower surface 15 are perpendicular to the axis of rotation 20. Therefore, the upper surface 14 and the lower surface 15 are parallel.

[0043] Figure 5 and Figure 6 One of the two blades 12 is shown, and the hub 11 is Figure 6 Each blade 12 has a free length L extending from the hub 11, configured for striking food. Each blade 12 has a channel 30 configured to receive a portion of the hub 11. Each blade 12 has moldings 31 and 32 configured to prevent rotation of the blade 12 relative to the hub 11. Each blade 12 lacks a distinct protruding angle, and moldings 31 and 32 are disposed within the hub 11 that supports the blade 12.

[0044] More specifically, the leading edge 13 has a wavy profile and has a plurality of convex portions 17a, 17b. Figures 1 to 6 In the embodiment shown, the leading edge 13 has two protrusions 17a, 17b, as shown in FIG. Figure 3 、 Figure 4 and Figure 5 19. One of the projections 17a, 17b (17a) is arranged near the free end 19 of the blade 12. The other of the projections 17a, 17b (17b) is arranged in the middle of the free length L of the leading edge 13. Both projections 17a, 17b are arranged in the half of the blade 12 that is farthest from the axis of rotation 20, i.e., in the half of the blade 12 that includes the free end 19.

[0045] like Figure 5 As shown, two protrusions 17a and 17b are adjacent. These protrusions 17a and 17b are separated by a distance D, which can be defined as the distance between the vertices of the protrusions 17a and 17b. Each of these vertices is formed by the most prominent area of the protrusion, which is the area that will first strike food during rotation of the blade 12 mounted on the hub 11. In other words, within the protrusions 17a and 17b, an imaginary ray connecting the axis of rotation 20 and a point moving along the leading edge 13 will move in a first direction until the point reaches the vertex, and then move in a second direction immediately after the point passes the vertex.

[0046] The distance D between two adjacent protrusions 17a, 17b is greater than or equal to 15% of the free length L of the blade 12. Preferably, the distance D between two adjacent protrusions 17a, 17b is greater than or equal to 20% of the free length L of the blade 12. More preferably, the distance D between two adjacent protrusions 17a, 17b is greater than or equal to 25% of the free length L of the blade 12.

[0047] like Figures 3 to 5 As can be clearly seen in FIG, the trailing edge 16 has at least one recess 18 arranged opposite one (17b) of the projections 17a, 17b.

[0048] Figure 7 and Figure 8 It is shown that it can also be used with the hub 11 (in Figure 8 The blade 12' is shown in dashed lines in the figure. The blade 12' has a free length L' extending from the hub 11 and is configured for striking food. The blade 12' has a channel 30' configured to receive a portion of the hub 11. The blade 12' has moldings 31' and 32' configured to lock the blade 12' in rotation relative to the hub 11. The blade 12' has no distinct protruding corners; moldings 31' and 32' are disposed within the hub 11, supporting the blade 12'.

[0049] The blade 12' has an upper surface 14' and a lower surface 15' which are flat and perpendicular to the axis of rotation 20 of the hub 11. The blade 12' has a free end 19' which connects the leading edge 13' and the trailing edge 16' which have an undulating profile.

[0050] Blade 12' differs from blade 12 in that its contoured leading edge 13' includes three protrusions 17'a, 17'b, and 17'c. Two of these protrusions (17'a, 17'b) are located in the half of blade 12' furthest from axis of rotation 20, i.e., in the half of blade 12' that includes free end 19'. Blade 12' also differs from blade 12 in that its trailing edge 16' curves slightly rearward in the direction of free end 19'. In other words, trailing edge 16' is rearwardly inclined.

[0051] like Figure 7 As shown, two protrusions 17'a and 17'b are adjacent, and two protrusions 17'b and 17'c are adjacent. The two adjacent protrusions 17'a and 17'b are separated by a distance D'. The two adjacent protrusions 17'b and 17'c are separated by a distance D". The distances D' and D" can be defined in the same way as the distance D.

[0052] Figure 1 The food preparation apparatus shown comprises Figure 3 and Figure 4 The rotating working member 10 shown and Figure 5 and Figure 6 With the blade 12 shown, the food preparation device operates and is used as follows.

[0053] The user can safely grasp the rotating working member 10, which includes a blade 12 without significant protruding corners or cutting portions, and place it in the container 2 by positioning the housing 7 of the rotating working member 10 on the centering molding 6 of the bottom 23 of the container 2. The user then places the ingredients into the container 2 with the rotating working member 10. Finally, the user places the lid 3 in the upper opening 22 of the container 2 so that the drive member 8 of the lid 3 engages with the rotating working member 10. The user then activates the manual drive device 4 to rotate the rotating working member 10 and strikes the ingredients introduced into the container 2 with the blade 12 to produce the desired preparation.

[0054] The leading edge 13 of the blade 12 is configured to strike food present in the container 2. The projections 17a, 17b allow the food to be struck with greater impact force than a straight or slightly curved leading edge without projections. The spacing between adjacent projections helps to break up larger-sized food by increasing the impact effect.

[0055] As a variant, the two blades 12 , 12 ′ do not necessarily have the same geometry.

[0056] As a variant, hub 11 does not necessarily carry two blades 12, 12' having a wavy leading edge 13, 13' with a plurality of protrusions 17a, 17b: 17'a, 17'b, 17'c. Hub 11 may, in particular, carry one or more blades having a wavy leading edge with a plurality of protrusions, wherein the distance between two adjacent protrusions is greater than or equal to 15% of the free length of the blade; preferably greater than or equal to 20% of the free length of the blade; and more preferably greater than or equal to 25% of the free length of the blade. Hub 11 may also carry one or more blades without pronounced corners, whose leading edge profile is not necessarily wavy with a plurality of protrusions, wherein the distance between two adjacent protrusions is greater than or equal to 15% of the free length of the blade or blades.

[0057] Various modifications and / or improvements that are obvious to those skilled in the art may be made to the embodiments of the present invention described in this specification without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A rotary working member (10) for a food preparation device (1), the food preparation device comprising a container (2) for receiving the rotary working member (10) and a lid (3), the lid (3) comprising a manual drive device (4) engaged with the rotary working member (10) arranged in the container (2), the rotary working member (10) comprising a hub (11) having a rotation axis (20) and carrying one or more blades (12; 12'), the blades having a leading edge (13; 13') connecting an upper surface (14; 14') and a lower surface (15; 15'), characterized in that One or more blades (12; 12') have no distinct protruding angles, and the leading edge (13; 13') of one or at least one blade (12; 12') has a wavy profile and comprises two adjacent protrusions (17a, 17b; 17'a, 17'b; 17'b, 17'c), the distance (D; D'; D") between the two adjacent protrusions being greater than or equal to 15% of the free length (L; L') of the blade (12; 12').

2. The rotating working member (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The leading edge (13; 13') of one or at least one blade (12; 12') has a wavy profile and comprises two adjacent projections (17a, 17b; 17'a, 17'b; 17'b, 17'c), the distance (D; D'; D") between the two adjacent projections being greater than or equal to 20% of the free length (L; L') of the blade (12; 12').

3. The rotating working member (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The leading edge (13; 13') of one or at least one blade (12; 12') has a wavy profile and comprises two adjacent projections (17a, 17b; 17'a, 17'b; 17'b, 17'c), the distance (D; D'; D") between the two adjacent projections being greater than or equal to 25% of the free length (L; L') of the blade (12; 12').

4. The rotating working member (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that: One or more blades (12; 12') having a leading edge (13; 13') with an undulating profile have a trailing edge (16; 16') connecting an upper surface (14; 14') and a lower surface (15; 15').

5. The rotating working member (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that: One or more blades (12; 12') having a leading edge (13; 13') with an undulating profile have a free end (19; 19') connecting the leading edge (13; 13') with the undulating profile and the trailing edge (16; 16').

6. The rotating working member (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that: The trailing edge (16) of one or more blades (12) having a wavy leading edge (13) has at least one recess (18) arranged opposite one of the raised portions (17a; 17b) of the wavy leading edge (13).

7. The rotating working member (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that: One or more blades (12; 12') having a leading edge (13; 13') with an undulating profile have a free end (19; 19') connecting the leading edge (13; 13') with the undulating profile and the trailing edge (16; 16').

8. The rotating working member (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The upper surface (14; 14') of one or more blades (12; 12') whose leading edge (13; 13') has a wavy profile is flat.

9. The rotating working member (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The lower surface (15; 15') of the blade or blades (12; 12') whose leading edge (13; 13') has a wavy profile is flat.

10. The rotating working member (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The upper surface (14; 14') and the lower surface (15; 15') of one or more blades (12; 12') having a wavy profile at the leading edge (13; 13') are parallel.

11. The rotating working member (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The upper surface (14; 14') and the lower surface (15; 15') of one or more blades (12; 12') having a wavy profile at the leading edge (13; 13') are perpendicular to the axis of rotation (20).

12. The rotating working member (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The blade or blades (12; 12') are metallic.

13. The rotating working member (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The blade or blades (12; 12') are made of stainless steel.

14. The rotating working member (10) according to claim 12, characterized in that: One or more blades (12; 12') are not sharpened.

15. The rotating working member (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: It comprises two blades (12) arranged in opposite directions relative to the hub (11).

16. The rotating working member (10) according to claim 15, characterized in that: The two blades (12) each have a leading edge (13) having a wavy profile with two adjacent convex portions (17a; 17b), the distance (D) between the adjacent convex portions being greater than or equal to 15% of the free length (L) of the blade (12).

17. The rotating working member (10) according to claim 15, characterized in that: The two blades (12) each have a leading edge (13) having a wavy profile with two adjacent convex portions (17a; 17b), the distance (D) between the adjacent convex portions being greater than or equal to 20% of the free length (L) of the blade (12).

18. The rotating working member (10) according to claim 15, characterized in that: The two blades (12) each have a leading edge (13) having a wavy profile with two adjacent convex portions (17a; 17b), the distance (D) between the adjacent convex portions being greater than or equal to 25% of the free length (L) of the blade (12).

19. The rotating working member (10) according to claim 15, characterized in that: The two blades (12) have the same geometry.

20. The rotating working member (10) according to claim 15, characterized in that: The two blades (12) are offset in height along the axis of rotation (20).

21. A food preparation device (1), comprising a rotating working member (10), a container (2) for receiving the rotating working member (10), and a cover (3), wherein the cover (3) comprises a manual drive device (4) engaged with the rotating working member (10) arranged in the container (2), characterized in that The rotating working member (10) complies with any one of claims 1 to 20.

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