Liquid collection container for a food processor

Abstract

A liquid collecting container (1) for a food processor, wherein a container interior (2) is delimited on the outside by a base (3) and a wall (4) adjacent to the base (3) and extending away from the base (3), wherein the base (3) is designed to collect liquid in a vertical direction, and wherein a steam conduit (5) is arranged outside the container interior (2) in such a way that water vapor from a steam source (Q) can enter a steam conduit inlet (6) arranged outside the container interior (2), flow through the steam conduit (5), and exit from a steam conduit outlet (7) and in the process enter the container interior (2).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid collecting container for a food processor.

[0002] Liquid collection containers for kitchen appliances are known, for example, from WO 2022 / 157027.

[0003] The introduction to WO 2022 / 157027 is quoted below as an introduction to the technical background.

[0004] Quote beginning: It is known to extract juice from foods such as fruits and vegetables, but also from herbs or grasses. For this purpose, so-called juicers can be used as kitchen appliances to enable or simplify the juicing process for the user and, in particular, to increase the amount of juice extracted. Juice presses are known, which can be used by the user to separate the juice from the pulp. This requires a certain amount of strength from the user, which can be perceived as strenuous. Also, the juice cannot usually be completely extracted from the food to be juiced. Centrifugal juicers are also known.in which the food to be juiced is grated using a central grinding disc, and the released juice is strained through sieve plates by centrifugal force. The grinding disc rotates at high speed, shredding the food so that the pulp is thrown against the sieves, and the juice passes through the sieve slots and is collected there. This relieves the strain on the user and can also increase the juice yield from the food. However, this also increases the technical complexity of the juicer and its electrical energy consumption. Cleaning can also increase the effort required. Steam juicers are also known, which usually have a flat lower container as the base, which is filled with water to generate steam. A domed collecting container with a drain is arranged above the flat container.to which a hose is connected, which can be squeezed, for example, using a clamp, and thus closed. In the center of the collecting container, there is a through-opening surrounded by a raised rim, allowing steam to rise from the bottom, while the extracted fruit juice remains in the collecting container. This through-opening is usually raised above the bottom of the collecting container, allowing a certain amount of extracted juice to collect at the bottom and be heated there by the heat rising from the steam generation, thereby achieving the desired homogenization of the extracted juice in the collecting container. Through homogenization, the juice components can be broken down, thus achieving a high stability of the extracted juice.Sedimentation can be avoided and a uniform consistency of the juice obtained can be achieved. A perforated fruit basket is inserted into the collecting container as an additional element. The collecting container and fruit basket are closed with a lid. The juicer is then operated by placing the food to be juiced in the fruit basket, placing the fruit basket in the collecting container, closing the lid, and placing it on the base, which has previously been filled with water. To extract juice, the water in the base is brought to a boil so that the hot steam rises through the opening in the collecting container into the fruit basket and reaches the food to be juiced. The heat of the steam, as well as any added sugar, causes the plant cells of the food to burst.so that the product to be juiced is both macerated and distilled using steam. The extracted juice flows through the holes in the fruit basket into the collection container, from where it is discharged through the hose to the outside and collected there. Due to its comparatively high technical complexity and energy consumption, steam juicing is more commonly used for larger quantities of food than for domestic use. There is also a risk for the user of burning themselves on the elements of the steam juicer heated by the steam. DE 34 44 722 A1 describes a steam juicer with a water pot for generating steam and a juice collection container placed on top, with a steam spout and, advantageously, a juice drain line in the base area, as well as a fruit container arranged above the juice collection container.whose base is closed in the area of ​​the steam spout and is provided with sieve openings in the area adjacent to or surrounding the steam spout for the juice to escape from the fruit container, and the fruit container is closed at the top by a lid, with the outlet cross-section of the spout being dimensioned such that the steam escapes from the spout at a speed of 2 to 20 m per second. DE 35 40 785 A1 describes a steam juicer with a water pot for generating steam, a juice collection container placed thereon with a steam spout and a juice drain option, and a fruit container arranged above the juice collection container, the base of which is closed in the area immediately above the steam spout and is provided with sieve openings in the adjacent area for the juice to enter from the fruit container.The steam outlet is covered from above by a guide body located at the bottom of the fruit container, leaving an annular steam outlet cross-section such that, when the fruit container is placed on the juice collection container, the guide body engages or reaches into the steam outlet from above in such a way that the resulting annular steam outlet cross-section of the steam outlet is significantly smaller than the full steam outlet cross-section of the steam outlet after the fruit container has been lifted from the juice collection container, wherein the juice collection container and the fruit container are arranged within a preserving pan. Among kitchen appliances, a product called "Thermomix" is well known, which, as a multifunctional device, can chop and mix food, as well as heat and cook it. Such processes can be carried out automatically, i.e., automatically, one after the other by the device.To be able to complete several or all steps of a recipe without the user having to intervene or contribute significantly or at all. The device essentially consists of a motor and control unit, as well as a removable mixing bowl with integrated heating and a rotating chopping blade, which also includes a lid for closing the mixing bowl.

[0005] There are also accessories such as a separate pot, known as a Varoma pot, which can be placed on top of the open mixing bowl and covered with its own lid. Food can be placed in the Varoma pot insert for steaming. The disadvantage, however, is that such multifunctional kitchen appliances or multifunctional, automated kitchen appliances, and in particular a multifunctional, automated kitchen appliance of the "Thermomix" type, cannot be used for juicing as a steam juicer. It is also common practice to use a water-filled saucepan when preparing food or dishes, for example to steam meat, fish or vegetables. To do this, a steamer attachment with a perforated bottom is placed on top of the water-filled saucepan, filled with the food to be steamed, and closed from above with a lid or with the lid of the saucepan.If the water is now heated and thus evaporated, the hot steam reaches the food and cooks it gently. Liquid condensing in the steamer attachment or on the food runs down through the holes in the base, drips back into the water in the cooking pot and can rise again as steam. The disadvantage is that the condensed steam can also carry or transport components of the food into the water in the cooking pot. These components are then not carried along with the steam when the water evaporates but remain in the water in the cooking pot. As a result, these components of the food, which would be ideal for preparing a sauce or similar, are lost because the amount of water in the cooking pot after steaming is usually far too large in relation to the components of the food contained therein to make a sauce or similar from it.These food components can also burn to the bottom of the pot and develop carcinogenic substances if the water in the pot accidentally evaporates completely. End of quote.

[0006] The present invention is based on the object of providing a liquid collection container that is improved compared to the known liquid collection containers. The same applies to the food processor subject to this invention. At the very least, however, the present invention is based on the object of creating an alternative to the liquid collection container from WO 2022 / 157027.

[0007] This object is achieved with a liquid collecting container according to claim 1 and a food processor according to claim 12.

[0008] Thus, the present invention initially relates to a liquid collecting container for a food processor, wherein a container interior is delimited on the outside by a base and a wall adjacent to the base and extending away from the base, wherein the base is designed to collect liquid in a vertical direction, and wherein a steam conduit is arranged outside the container interior in such a way that water vapor from a steam source can enter a steam conduit inlet arranged outside the container interior, flow through the steam conduit, and exit from a steam conduit outlet and in the process enter the container interior.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the steam line channel is guided at least in sections along an outer side of the wall.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the base is circular disc-shaped.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the wall borders the floor all the way around.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the steam line channel is formed in the wall.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the wall is double-walled, wherein the steam line channel is arranged between an inner wall facing the container interior and an outer wall facing away from the container interior.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the steam line channel has a plurality of channel segments, wherein the channel segments are separated from one another by partition walls.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the liquid collecting container has a drain opening, which is preferably formed in the wall, wherein liquid collected in the container interior can drain through the drain opening from the container interior to the outside of the container.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the bottom has a curvature, preferably a curvature which facilitates the drainage of liquid collected in the interior of the container to the outside of the container.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that a pipe stub is connected to the drain opening, which can be connected to a drain hose.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the steam line channel outlet is formed in a region of the wall, in particular the inner wall, facing away from the bottom, in particular the upper region, wherein the steam line channel outlet preferably faces the container interior.

[0019] Furthermore, the invention relates to a kitchen appliance, comprising a preparation pot into which water can be filled and heated, wherein heated water can rise from the preparation pot as steam and serve as a steam source, further comprising a liquid collecting container according to the invention, which can be placed on the preparation pot or a preparation pot lid in such a way that steam rising from the preparation pot can enter the steam conduit inlet through a preparation pot opening or a preparation pot lid opening, and further comprising a cooking vessel which can be placed on the liquid container, namely in such a way that steam flowing through the steam conduit and entering the container interior can enter the cooking vessel through a cooking vessel opening arranged in a cooking vessel base,wherein steam entering the cooking vessel can juice a foodstuff arranged in the cooking vessel and to be juiced, wherein a juiced product runs as a liquid through the cooking vessel opening vertically towards the bottom and is collected there.

[0020] The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. Fig. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a liquid collecting container placed on a preparation pot lid of a preparation pot of a food processor; Fig. 2 a further schematic sectional view from a further perspective of a liquid collecting container placed on a preparation pot lid of a preparation pot of a food processor.

[0021] The figures show a liquid collecting container 1 for a food processor, wherein a container interior 2 is delimited on the outside by a base 3 and a wall 4 adjacent to the base 3 and extending away from the base 3, wherein the base 3 is designed to collect liquid in the vertical direction, and wherein a steam conduit 5 is arranged outside the container interior 2 such that water vapor from a steam source Q can enter a steam conduit inlet 6 arranged outside the container interior 2, flow through the steam conduit 5, and exit from a steam conduit outlet 7 and in the process enter the container interior 2.

[0022] The steam conduit 5 is guided at least in sections along an outer side of the wall 4. This means that the steam conduit 5 is guided outside a surface of the wall 4 facing the container interior 2.

[0023] The bottom 3 is circular in shape. The wall 4 borders the bottom all the way around. The container interior can thus have a basic cylindrical shape.

[0024] The steam line channel 5 is clearly formed in the wall 4.

[0025] The wall 4 can be double-walled, wherein the steam line channel 5 is arranged between an inner wall facing the container interior 2 and an outer wall facing away from the container interior 2.

[0026] The steam line channel 5 can have a plurality of channel segments, wherein the channel segments are separated from one another by partition walls. The channel segments are preferably also arranged in the wall.

[0027] The liquid collecting container 1 has a drain opening 8 ( Fig. 1), which is preferably formed in the wall 4, wherein liquid collected in the container interior 2 can drain through the drain opening 8 from the container interior 2 to the outside of the container.

[0028] The bottom 3 has a curvature that facilitates the drainage of liquid collected in the container interior 2 to the outside of the container. As in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the base 3 can be curved such that the base 3 slopes toward the drain opening 8. The base 3 can therefore be sloping or inclined toward the drain opening 8.

[0029] As in Fig. 2, the drain opening 8 is followed by a pipe stub 9 which can be connected to a drain hose.

[0030] The steam line channel outlet 7 is formed in a region of the wall 4, in particular the inner wall, facing away from the bottom 3, in particular the upper region, wherein the steam line channel outlet 7 faces the container interior 2.

[0031] As mentioned, the invention also relates to a kitchen appliance with a preparation pot (not shown) into which water can be filled and heated, whereby heated water rises from the preparation pot as steam and acts as a steam source Q (cf. Fig. 1). The liquid collecting container 1 can be placed onto a preparation pot lid 10 of the preparation pot in such a way that steam rising from the preparation pot can enter the steam duct inlet 6 through a preparation pot lid opening 11. A cooking vessel (not shown) can be placed onto the liquid collecting container 1 in such a way that steam flowing through the steam duct 5 and entering the container interior 2 can enter the cooking vessel through a cooking vessel opening arranged in a cooking vessel base, wherein steam entering the cooking vessel can juice a foodstuff arranged in the cooking vessel and to be juiced, wherein a juiced product runs off as a liquid through the cooking vessel opening vertically towards the base 3 and is collected there.

[0032] Fig.1 shows the flow path of the water vapor coming from the steam source Q using arrows A, B, C, D. List of reference symbols 1 liquid collection container 2 Container interior 3 Floor 4 wall 5 steam pipe channel 6 Steam duct inlet 7 Steam duct outlet 8 Drain opening 9 Pipe stump 10 preparation pot lids 11 Preparation pot lid opening QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] WO 2022 / 157027 [0002, 0003, 0006] DE 34 44 722 A1

[0004] DE 35 40 785 A1

[0004]

Claims

[1] Liquid collecting container (1) for a food processor, wherein a container interior (2) is delimited on the outside by a base (3) and a wall (4) adjacent to the base (3) and extending away from the base (3), wherein the base (3) is designed to collect liquid in a vertical direction, and wherein a steam conduit (5) is arranged outside the container interior (2) in such a way that water vapor from a steam source (Q) can enter a steam conduit inlet (6) arranged outside the container interior (2), flow through the steam conduit (5), and exit from a steam conduit outlet (7) and in the process enter the container interior (2). [2] Liquid collecting container (1) according to claim 1, wherein the steam line channel (5) is guided at least in sections along an outer side of the wall (4). [3] Liquid collecting container (1) according to claim 1, wherein the bottom (3) is circular disc-shaped. [4] Liquid collecting container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the wall (4) adjoins the bottom (3) all the way around. [5] Liquid collecting container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the steam line channel (5) is formed in the wall (4). [6] Liquid collecting container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the wall (4) is double-walled, wherein the steam line channel (5) is arranged between an inner wall facing the container interior (2) and an outer wall facing away from the container interior (2). [7] Liquid collecting container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the vapor line channel (5) has a plurality of channel segments, wherein the channel segments are separated from one another by partition walls. [8] Liquid collecting container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a drain opening (8), which is preferably formed in the wall (4), wherein liquid collected in the container interior (2) can drain through the drain opening (8) from the container interior (2) to the outside of the container. [9] Liquid collecting container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the bottom (3) has a curvature, preferably a curvature which facilitates the drainage of liquid collected in the container interior (2) to the outside of the container. [10] Liquid collecting container (1) according to claim 8, wherein the drain opening (8) is adjoined by a pipe stub (9) which can be connected to a drain hose. [11] Liquid collecting container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the steam line channel outlet (7) is formed in a region of the wall (4), in particular the inner wall, facing away from the bottom (3), in particular in the upper region, wherein the steam line channel outlet (7) preferably faces the container interior (2). [12] A kitchen appliance comprising a preparation pot into which water can be filled and heated, wherein heated water can rise from the preparation pot as steam and serve as a steam source (Q), further comprising a liquid collecting container (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11, which can be placed on the preparation pot or a preparation pot lid (10) in such a way that steam rising from the preparation pot can enter the steam conduit inlet (6) through a preparation pot opening or a preparation pot lid opening (11), and further comprising a cooking vessel which can be placed on the liquid collecting container (1), namely in such a way that steam flowing through the steam conduit (5) and entering the container interior (2) can enter the cooking vessel through a cooking vessel opening arranged in a cooking vessel base,wherein steam entering the cooking vessel can juice a foodstuff arranged in the cooking vessel and to be juiced, wherein a juiced product runs as a liquid through the cooking vessel opening vertically towards the bottom (3) and is collected there.

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