PREPARATION VESSEL WITH A LOCKING DEVICE

Description

field of technology

[0001] The invention relates to a preparation vessel for connection to a receiving area of ​​a base unit of an electrically operated food processor, wherein the preparation vessel comprises a pot, a pot base connectable to the receiving area, and a lid closing a pot opening of the pot, wherein the preparation vessel further comprises a locking device with a locking element for locking the pot to the lid, wherein the pot base has at least one actuating element for actuating the locking device, wherein the actuating element is arranged on the pot base in such a way that it can be actuated by a corresponding actuating device of the receiving area of ​​the food processor.

[0002] Furthermore, the invention relates to an electrically operated kitchen machine, in particular a mixing device, with a base unit and a preparation vessel that can be connected to a receiving area of ​​the base unit and which has a pot and a lid that closes a pot opening. State of the art

[0003] Preparation vessels and food processors with a preparation vessel are known in the prior art. The housing of the food processor can, for example, have a vessel receiving area into which the preparation vessel can be inserted, wherein the vessel receiving area is preferably designed, at least with respect to a partial area, to correspond in shape to the preparation vessel in such a way that the preparation vessel can be aligned both vertically and circumferentially when connected to the vessel receiving area.

[0004] The intake area can also contain, for example, a rotating shaft, which serves to drive a stirring mechanism located in the preparation vessel. The stirring mechanism is driven by an electric motor integrated into the food processor. To prevent food from splashing out of the preparation vessel during operation of the food processor, and especially the stirring mechanism, the preparation vessel has a lid that can be locked onto the pot using a locking device.

[0005] A kitchen machine known in the prior art, featuring a locking device for the lid of the preparation vessel, is disclosed, for example, in patent specification EP 2 813 165 B1. The locking device comprises two locking elements that overlap the rim of the pot and the rim of the lid, and which are designed as locking rollers rotating about a substantially horizontal axis. The locking rollers can be rotated from a release position to a locking position and vice versa.

[0006] Although the aforementioned locking device has proven effective in securely locking the lid to the pot, this design is contingent upon the use of a specific preparation vessel with a particular base unit of the food processor, specifically one whose height matches that of the locking rollers. Consequently, it may not be possible to use different preparation vessels with the food processor, particularly vessels of varying heights.

[0007] Furthermore, a food processor with a receiving area for a preparation vessel is known from publication WO2019 / 012208A1, wherein the receiving area of ​​the food processor has an actuating device for a locking device arranged on the preparation vessel, which locks a lid of the preparation vessel. Summary of the invention

[0008] Based on the aforementioned prior art, the object of the invention is therefore to create a preparation vessel for a food processor which, on the one hand, enables the lid to be locked to the pot, and on the other hand, can be connected to a basic unit of the food processor regardless of the height of the preparation vessel.

[0009] To solve the aforementioned problem, it is proposed that the locking element be a locking ring rotatably mounted on the pot or the lid, surrounding the pot opening in a closed state by means of the lid, wherein a drive device is assigned to the locking element which is configured to rotate the locking element around the pot opening.

[0010] The locking mechanism, which secures the lid to the pot, is located on the cooking vessel itself. This eliminates the need for a locking mechanism on the food processor, which would require a specific geometry, particularly height, of the cooking vessel for proper locking function. The cooking vessel according to the invention is designed with an actuating element on its base such that the locking mechanism of the cooking vessel can be actuated by an actuating element on the food processor that holds the cooking vessel. Preferably, the actuating element is located on the underside of the cooking vessel so that it comes into contact with an element of the actuating element on the food processor when the cooking vessel is connected to the receiving area of ​​the base unit.According to one embodiment, the locking device can, for example, have bayonet locking elements corresponding to the pot and the lid, and one of the bayonet locking elements can have, for example, a toothed section into which a portion of a drive element engages to rotate the two bayonet locking elements relative to each other. The bayonet lock can, by means of a ramp-like design of one of the corresponding bayonet locking elements, cause an axial displacement of the lid towards the pot, so that the lid is pressed onto the edge of the pot opening, thus resulting in a tight and, in particular, fluid-tight closure of the preparation vessel.

[0011] Essential to the invention is that the locking device for securing the lid to the pot belongs exclusively to the cooking vessel and that an interface is provided only at the base of the cooking vessel, allowing the locking device to be actuated by an actuator of a food processor base unit. The interface is preferably located under the cooking vessel, i.e., in the area of ​​a substantially horizontal contact surface between the receiving area of ​​the base unit and the base of the cooking vessel, so that the cooking vessel can have very different shapes, particularly with regard to its height and / or diameter. This facilitates compatibility between different cooking vessels and different food processor base units.

[0012] It is proposed that the locking device comprise a drive unit that drives the locking element and is mechanically connected to the actuating element. The drive unit of the preparation vessel serves to transmit mechanical forces from an actuating device of a food processor to the locking element of the preparation vessel's locking device. The actuating device of the food processor can, for example, comprise an electric motor that directly drives the actuating element of the preparation vessel or, preferably, acts on the actuating element via an intermediate gear unit. The gear unit of the food processor can, for example, comprise a plurality of gear elements, such as a spur gear and a worm gear, and act on the actuating element of the preparation vessel via a gear element that is the last to be driven in the chain of action.The actuating element of the preparation vessel, for example a gear located in the base of the vessel, is part of the vessel-side drive mechanism, which is mechanically connected to the operating mechanism of the food processor. The actuating element of the preparation vessel ultimately transmits the drive force via the drive mechanism to the locking element, which secures the lid to the pot.

[0013] According to a preferred embodiment, the drive mechanism can include a drive element that extends from the base of the pot to the lid, passing through a wall of the pot and / or a handle. The drive element can, in particular, be a rotary shaft. According to this embodiment, the locking mechanism can be manufactured from a particularly small number of individual parts. Specifically, the actuating element of the locking mechanism can be directly connected to the drive element in the base of the pot. The drive element then acts on the locking element in the area of ​​the pot opening, ultimately locking the lid to the pot. A rotary shaft is particularly suitable as a drive element because it can be integrated into a wall of the pot and / or a handle in a space-saving manner.This results in a design in which all elements of the drive mechanism are integrated into the housing of the preparation vessel and do not protrude outwards where a user of the preparation vessel could injure themselves or where food residue or dirt could accumulate. This also makes cleaning the preparation vessel easier. A cavity can be provided in the wall of the pot or in the handle, within which the drive element, preferably a rotating shaft, extends. The drive element, preferably the rotating shaft, can act on the locking element of the locking device in the area of ​​the pot opening. For example, a section of the drive element can have teeth that engage with corresponding teeth on the locking element.

[0014] The locking element is a locking ring rotatably mounted on the pot or lid, surrounding the pot opening when the lid is closed. A drive mechanism is associated with the locking element, which is configured to rotate the locking element around the pot opening. The locking ring can, for example, directly create a locking connection between the pot and the lid, or it can first act on an intermediate element, which then creates the locking connection. The locking ring can, for example, provide a bayonet fitting element and / or a cam with ramps or similar features that allow, in particular, axial displacement of the lid relative to the pot. This allows the lid to be pressed or pulled onto the pot and, in particular, clamped in such a way as to ensure a fluid-tight locking of the pot.According to this design, the locking element is not fixed to the pot or lid, but rather rotatable relative to it. This means that only the locking element needs to be rotated by the drive mechanism, and not the entire lid. As a result, lighter and / or smaller components, or a lower-powered electric motor, can be used for the drive mechanism of the cooking vessel as well as for the operating mechanism of the food processor, thus saving weight and costs in the manufacture of the cooking vessel and / or the food processor.

[0015] It is proposed that the locking element comprise at least one working element configured to cause, upon rotation of the locking element, an axial displacement of the lid towards the pot (5) and / or a radial outward clamping of the lid. Such a working element could, for example, be a ramp formed on the locking element, which is designed as a locking ring, in the locking direction. In this case, the locking element has a guide track along which a corresponding section of the lid or pot can slide. Furthermore, a working element could, for example, also be a component of a bayonet fitting, wherein a section of the locking element engages in a corresponding opening in the lid or pot.In any case, the working element is designed such that rotation of the locking element causes an axial displacement of the lid relative to the pot and / or a clamping of the lid in a radially outward direction. The working element of the locking element contacts the relevant section of the lid or pot and forces the lid into the desired locking position. In this respect, the working element forms a guide element of a guide device or guide track. For example, the locking element can also be an elastic locking ring, which is rotatably mounted on the pot and expands during rotation along a track of the pot and is additionally displaced axially along the pot's length. During expansion, the locking ring, for example, engages an undercut in the lid and moves it into a locking position.The radial and axial displacement movements preferably occur sequentially, with a movement outwards first, followed by a movement in the longitudinal direction of the pot. As an alternative to an elastic design of the locking ring, the locking ring can also have sub-elements movably mounted on a base body, which can be displaced radially outwards during rotation. Furthermore, the locking ring can also be slotted with respect to one or more circumferential sections, so that a corresponding cam element can engage with the locking ring at least temporarily, thereby causing a change in the diameter of the locking ring.

[0016] According to one possible embodiment, it is proposed that the working element for forming a bayonet lock engages in a corresponding opening in the lid or pot, wherein the working element, or a portion thereof, has a ramp rising in the direction of locking rotation, which causes an axial displacement of the lid relative to the pot and thus locks the pot to the lid. According to this embodiment, the working element forms a component of a bayonet lock. The corresponding component of the bayonet lock is a portion of the lid or pot with an opening. The working element engages in the opening and, during rotation of the locking element, follows a rising ramp, resulting in an axial displacement of the lid relative to the pot.The ramp can be formed on the working element itself, with one section of the working element extending through the opening of the lid or pot in the manner of a bayonet fitting, and another section of the working element comprising the ramp or sliding along a corresponding ramp on the lid or pot. The working element and the ramp can also be spatially separated, with the working element serving only to engage the bayonet fitting openings, and the ramp ensuring that the lid is clamped relative to the pot. In this sense, two functional embodiments are possible. In a first embodiment, the rotating locking ring can be mounted on the pot of the preparation vessel and engage with corresponding bayonet contours on the lid, thereby pulling the lid towards the pot.According to an alternative embodiment, the rotating locking element can be a locking ring mounted on the lid, which engages in corresponding bayonet contours of the pot and thus moves the lid towards the pot. The correct function of the bayonet lock depends on the lid being placed on the pot in the correct orientation, so that corresponding elements of the bayonet lock can engage. Furthermore, to prevent the lid from moving when the locking ring is actuated, the pot and / or the lid preferably have stop elements that serve as an anti-rotation device. To further indicate whether the lid is correctly locked to the pot, the corresponding bayonet elements of the bayonet lock can be equipped with end stops.If the lid is correctly positioned on the pot at the start of the locking movement, the locking ring can be rotated until it reaches a stop on the corresponding bayonet fitting. If the lid is not correctly positioned, for example, at an angle, the locking ring cannot be rotated to the stop. If no lid is on the pot at all, the locking ring can be rotated beyond a defined distance because it does not encounter a stop. By analyzing the current rotational position of the locking ring, it can be determined whether a lid is on the pot and, if so, whether the lid is correctly locked to the pot.

[0017] An alternative embodiment, not within the scope of the claims, may provide that the pot or lid has an intermediate element movably mounted on the pot or lid, wherein the working element of the locking element is configured to press the intermediate element against a portion of the lid or pot when the locking element rotates in an axial and / or radial direction, thereby locking the pot to the lid. According to this embodiment, the lid is not directly locked to the pot by means of the locking element. Rather, the working element of the locking element first acts on an intermediate element, which then causes the locking between the lid and the pot. This allows the locking to be reliably achieved regardless of the rotational position of the lid on the pot.User comfort is increased because this design allows for reliable locking even when the lid is placed on the pot in an unoriented manner. The intermediate element can be movably mounted on the pot or lid in the axial and / or radial direction. The lid placed on the pot initially pushes the intermediate element away in the radial and / or axial direction, causing it to act on a corresponding section of the lid or pot, thus locking the pot and lid together. Preferably, the locking element can have several cam elements in the circumferential direction, which act on one or more intermediate elements in a cam-guided manner.In particular, the locking element's working element may provide a guide track which, upon contact with the intermediate element and continued rotation of the locking element in the locking direction, causes the intermediate element to shift both radially and axially. For example, the intermediate element may initially shift radially outwards relative to the interior of the pot, engaging behind an undercut formed in the lid. As the locking element continues to rotate, the intermediate element is then shifted longitudinally along the pot by a corresponding shaping of the working element. The intermediate element carries the lid along with it until the lid reaches its final position.To unlock the lid, the locking ring can, for example, be rotated in the opposite direction, whereby the intermediate element is moved out of its end position by means of a return spring, i.e., it moves towards the locking element, allowing the lid to be released. Alternatively, the return movement of the intermediate element is also possible by means of a cam guide, or by a combination of a return spring and a cam guide. The intermediate element can be pivotally mounted on the pot or the lid, particularly in the axial and / or radial direction.According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the intermediate element can be a second rotating ring relative to the locking ring, which can be manipulated by means of the locking ring. For example, the annular intermediate element can expand upon contact with the locking ring and rotation in the locking direction, and then be displaced axially. As it expands, the intermediate ring engages, for example, an undercut in the lid or pot and subsequently displaces the lid axially into a locking position. A detection mechanism can be used to verify that the lid is actually on the pot and has been correctly locked. This detection mechanism can, for example, include a detection lever that interacts with the locking ring. The detection lever can be pressed against the locking ring by a spring.The locking ring has a recess. If the lid is not in a position suitable for locking, the spring presses the detection lever into the recess of the locking ring, thus blocking the locking ring and preventing it from rotating. If the lid is correctly locked, the detection lever is pressed downwards by an edge of the lid, preventing it from engaging the recess in the locking ring. The locking ring can then continue to rotate freely. To detect the resulting rotational position, the angle of rotation of the locking ring can be measured and evaluated, for example, by determining the number of revolutions of a drive motor's shaft in the food processor's operating mechanism. A blocked locking ring can also be detected, for example, by evaluating the motor current.If the lid is not correctly placed on the pot, the locking ring is blocked before a defined rotational position is reached. This condition is interpreted as a faulty locking state. With a correctly placed lid, however, the locking ring can continue to rotate until the defined rotational position is exceeded. This state is then interpreted as a correctly locked lid. By arranging multiple detection levers and recesses around the circumference of the locking ring, it is particularly advantageous to detect when a locking position is reached at several circumferential positions of the lid. In this way, it can be ensured that, for example, even a lid placed at an angle on the pot is recognized as a faulty condition.

[0018] According to another possible embodiment, the preparation vessel can have a guide track arranged on the pot with an engagement element mounted in a spiral guide path of the guide track. The guide path extends around a spiral axis that points radially outward from the interior of the pot. Rotation of the locking element causes an axial and radial displacement of the engagement element along the spiral guide path toward a portion of the lid until a portion of the engagement element protruding from the guide track rests against the lid, thus locking the pot to the lid. In this embodiment as well, the lid can be placed on the pot in any rotational position. However, the guide track for effecting the locking is not associated with the locking ring but is arranged on the pot itself.A guide track contains an engagement element which is manipulated by the rotating locking ring in such a way that the engagement element is forced through the guide track and simultaneously displaced in both a radial and an axial direction of the pot. The displaced engagement element acts along its path on a corresponding section of the lid, thereby locking the lid to the pot by axially displacing the lid towards the pot and clamping it in place.

[0019] In addition to the preparation vessel described above, the invention further proposes an electrically operated food processor, in particular a mixing appliance, wherein the food processor comprises a base unit and a preparation vessel connectable to a receiving area of ​​the base unit, the preparation vessel comprising a pot and a lid that closes the pot opening, wherein the preparation vessel is furthermore designed according to one of the embodiments described above, and the base unit has an actuating device configured to actuate the locking device of the preparation vessel when the base unit and preparation vessel are connected. The features and advantages of the preparation vessel thus also apply to the electrically operated food processor.Overall, this creates a food processor that can be operated with a variety of differently shaped preparation containers. In particular, the proper functioning of the food processor is no longer dependent on a preparation container of a specific height. Rather, the preparation container according to the invention now provides its own locking mechanism, so that the base unit of the food processor no longer needs to have a locking mechanism for the preparation container. The pot of the preparation container can have a variety of different heights and can still be connected to the base unit in such a way that the lid can be optimally locked to the pot.The pot is designed such that its base has an actuating element for operating the locking mechanism of the preparation vessel, with an actuating device arranged in the base unit corresponding to and actuating this actuating element. The base unit preferably has an electric motor with an associated gearbox as its actuating device, which acts on the actuating element of the locking mechanism and thus causes the lid to lock onto the pot.

[0020] It is further proposed that the food processor have a locking device for securing the preparation container to the base unit of the food processor, wherein the locking device comprises a locking element movably mounted on the preparation container, which can be moved behind an undercut in the base unit, or wherein the locking device comprises a locking element movably mounted on the base unit, which can be moved behind an undercut in the preparation container, wherein the actuating device of the base unit is designed to simultaneously and additionally actuate the locking element of the locking device. The actuating mechanism for the lid lock can thus also be used to lock the preparation container to the base unit.For this purpose, for example, a projection or undercut can be arranged on the gearbox of the base unit's actuating mechanism, which engages with a counter-contour attached to the pot at a specific rotation angle of a gearbox element. Depending on the rotation angle of the gearbox element, the pot can then either be separated from the base unit or remain firmly connected to it. Alternatively, a projection or undercut can also be arranged on a section of the preparation vessel, for example, on a movable element of the preparation vessel's drive mechanism. Brief description of the drawings

[0021] The invention will now be explained in more detail using exemplary embodiments. The figures shown are: Fig. 1 a food processor with a preparation container, Fig. 2 a receiving area of ​​the food processor with a preparation container in a bottom view, Fig. 3 a preparation container according to a first embodiment in a sectional view, Fig. 4 a top view of the preparation container, Fig. 5 a pot opening of the preparation container with a locking element, Fig. 6 a partial area of ​​a lid of the preparation container and a locking element in a first position, Fig. 7 the partial area of ​​the lid of the preparation container and the locking element in a second position, Fig. 8 the partial area of ​​the lid of the preparation container and the locking element in a third position, Fig. 9a a locking device according to a second embodiment in a first position, Fig. 9 a side view according to Fig. 9a , Fig. 10adie locking device according to Fig. 9a in a second position, Fig. 10 legs side view according to Fig. 10a, Fig. 11adie locking device according to Fig. 9a and Fig. 10a in a third position, Fig. 11 leg side view according to Fig. 11a , Fig. 12a a perspective view of the in Fig. 11a and Fig. 11b Fig. 12 shows the position shown from a low angle, Fig. 12 shows the position of a detection device with the lid properly connected to the pot, Fig. 12 shows the position of the detection device without the lid, Fig. 13 shows a locking device according to a further embodiment in a first position, Fig. 13 shows the locking device according to Fig. 13a as a sketched operating principle, Fig. 13c the representation according to Fig. 13b in a side view, Fig. 14a a locking device according to a further embodiment in a first position, Fig. 14b the locking device according to Fig. 14a as a sketched operating principle, Fig. 14c the representation according to Fig. 14bin a side view, Fig. 15a a locking device according to a further embodiment in a first position, Fig. 15b the locking device according to Fig. 15a as a sketched operating principle, Fig. 15c the representation according to Fig. 15b in a side view, Fig. 16a a locking device according to a further embodiment in a first position, Fig. 16b the locking device according to Fig. 16a as a sketched operating principle, Fig. 16c the representation according to Fig. 16b in a side view, Fig. 17a a locking device according to a further embodiment in a first position, Fig. 17b the locking device according to Fig. 17a as a sketched operating principle, Fig. 17c the representation according to Fig. 17b in a side view, Fig. 18a, 18bein preparation vessel with a safety device for locking the preparation vessel to a base unit of a food processor. Description of the embodiments

[0022] Figure 1 Figure 1 shows a food processor 4 with a base unit 3, which has a mounting area 2 for connection to a preparation vessel 1. The base unit 3 of the food processor 4 has a display 27 for showing functions of the food processor 4 and, if applicable, recipes that can be prepared using the food processor 4. Next to the display 27 is a switch 28, which serves both to switch the food processor 4 on and off, and to confirm input commands or similar actions. The preparation vessel 1 has a pot 5 with a handle 16 and a pot base 6, which serves to connect to the mounting area 2 of the food processor 4, as well as a lid 8 with a lid opening 29 and a lid handle 30. Ingredients, for example, can be added to the pot 5 of the preparation vessel 1 through the lid opening 29.

[0023] The Figures 2 and 3Figure 1 shows a locking device 9 of the preparation vessel 1, by means of which the pot 5 and the lid 8 of the preparation vessel 1 can be locked together. The receiving area 2 of the base unit 3 of the food processor 4 has an actuating device 12 for acting on an actuating element 11 of the locking device 9 of the preparation vessel 1, so that the food processor 4 can actuate a locking mechanism of the preparation vessel 1 to lock the lid 8 to the pot 5. The actuating device 12 of the food processor 4, for example, has an electric motor 40, which drives a spur gear 39 and an associated worm gear 38. The worm gear 38 in turn acts on a coupling element 31 of the base unit 3. The coupling element 31 has a toothed section 36 that can engage with the worm gear 38.The coupling element 31 serves to couple with the actuating element 11 of the preparation vessel 1. The actuating element 11 of the locking device 9, in turn, acts on a drive unit 13, which drives a locking element 10 of the locking device 9 that is mounted circumferentially on the pot 5 and is rotatable. The locking element 10 is not displaceable in the axial direction of the pot 5. Axial displacement is prevented, for example, by a collar 49 formed at the pot opening 7 and the handle 16 of the pot 5. The drive unit 13 has a drive element 14, which here, for example, is designed in the form of a rotary shaft. The rotary shaft is guided through a wall 15 of the handle 16 of the preparation vessel 1 and extends to the height of a pot opening 7 of the pot 5, at which the locking element 10 of the locking device 9 is located. As shown particularly in the... Figures 4 and 5The locking element 10 is recognizably designed as a bayonet ring. For locking the lid 8 to the pot 5, the bayonet ring has working elements 17 that engage in corresponding bayonet openings 41 of the lid 8. The locking element 10 also has a toothed section 37, which corresponds to a toothed section (not shown) of the drive element 14, so that when the drive element 14 rotates, the locking element 10 rotates around the pot opening 7. To prevent the lid 8 from rotating along with the locking element 10, corresponding stop elements (not shown) can be provided on the pot 5 and lid 8, for example, in the area of ​​the handle 16 and the lid handle 30.

[0024] The invention according to this exemplary embodiment of a locking device 9 of a preparation vessel 1 functions such that a user connects the preparation vessel 1 to the base unit 3 of the food processor 4. This results in a coupling between the coupling element 31 of the receiving area 2 of the food processor 4 and the actuating element 11 of the locking device 9 of the preparation vessel 1.If the user now initiates a locking of the pot 5 with the lid 8 via, for example, the display 27 or the switch 28 of the food processor 4, or if such a locking is initiated automatically by a control unit of the food processor 4, the electric motor 40 of the food processor 4, which is assigned to the locking device 9, drives the spur gear 39, the worm gear 38 and the coupling element 31 of the food processor 4, so that the actuating element 11 and thus also the drive element 14 of the drive unit 13 for the locking element 10 rotates. When the lid 8 is placed on the pot 5, the user already has the lid handle 30 and the handle 16 aligned (see ). Figure 1). This positions the working elements 17 of the locking element 10 near the bayonet openings 41 of the lid 8. The drive unit 13 of the preparation vessel 1 then rotates the locking element 10 and thus also moves the working elements 17 relative to the bayonet openings 41 of the lid 8 until a final position, and thus the bayonet lock between the corresponding sections of the pot 5 and lid 8, is reached. Preferably, the working elements 17 of the locking element 10 (or alternatively, the lid 8) have ramps 18 that cause the lid 8 to be axially pulled towards the pot opening 7, thus pressing the lid 8 onto the pot 5 and locking it. Although this is in the Figures 2 to 5 Not shown, the locking element 10, namely the bayonet ring, can be arranged on the lid 8 instead of on the pot 5.

[0025] The Figures 6 to 8 show a schematic diagram of the in Figure 4The bayonet lock shown is located between pot 5 and lid 8, wherein the lid 8 has ramps 18 along which the working element 17 of the locking element 10 can slide. Figure 6 Figure 8 shows a section of the cover 8 with a bayonet opening 41, which serves to receive the working element 17 of the locking element 10. In the Figure 6 In the depicted state, the working element 17 is still completely adjacent to the ramp 18 of the lid 8. However, the lid 8 is placed on the pot 5 in an optimal starting position, such that the working element 17 of the locking element 10 is positioned at the base of the ramp 8 in such a way that, as the locking element 10 rotates, the working element 17 can slide onto the ramp 18 and finally, as shown in Figure 7as shown through the bayonet opening 41. A lug 44 of the working element 17 extends beyond the top of the lid 8 and pulls the lid 8 downwards towards the pot 5. Figure 8In contrast, Figure 1 shows a situation in which the lid 8 does not rest properly, for example, slightly askew, on the pot 5 and thus also on the locking element 10. As a result, the actuating element 17 abuts a side edge 50 of the ramp 18, preventing it from rotating to the left and thus preventing it from reaching the ramp 18. Consequently, the user cannot further rotate the locking element 10 and close the bayonet fitting. If the lid 8 is completely missing, the locking element 10 can be rotated beyond a defined maximum extent relative to the pot 5, since the nose 44 of the actuating element 17 does not abut an edge of the bayonet opening 41 of the lid 8. A detection device (not shown) that measures the rotation path or angle of rotation of the locking element 10 is required.The movement of the working element 17 relative to the pot 5 is detected, and the amount of rotation can then be used to determine whether the lid 8 has been properly connected to the pot 5 or not. If it is determined that a locking mechanism has failed, a corresponding warning can be issued to the user, for example via the display 27 of the food processor 4.

[0026] The Figures 9 to 12Figure 1 shows a preparation vessel 1 according to the invention in a further possible embodiment. The preparation vessel 1 also has a pot 5, a lid 8, and a locking device 9 for locking the pot 5 to the lid 8. The locking device 9 has a locking element 10, which is also designed as a rotatable ring that is rotatably mounted on the pot 5. The locking device 9 further has an intermediate element 19 that can be manipulated by means of the locking element 10. The intermediate element 19 is a pivotable lever that is pivotably mounted on the pot 5 about a pivot axis 34 and has a projection 42 formed at a free end region, which, as in the figures, Figures 10b and 11bThe projection 42 can be seen reaching behind a collar 46 of the lid 8. The projection 42 is located at the free end of the intermediate element 19, which faces away from the pivot axis 34. The mounting of the intermediate element 19 on the pivot axis 34 allows it to pivot both parallel to the wall 15 of the pot 5 and away from the wall 15, with the projection 42 on the pot 5 facing outwards. The intermediate element 19 is also associated with a detection device 33, which is configured to detect a locking state between the pot 5 and the lid 8. The intermediate element 19 is also associated with a hold-down device 35 and a return spring 32 (see figure). Figure 12a), which exerts a restoring force on the intermediate element 19 with respect to its rotation about the pivot axis 34, acting in the direction of the locking element 10. The design of the locking device 9, involving an intermediate element 19, allows the pot 5 to be locked to the lid 8 even if the user places the lid 8 on the pot 5 in any rotational position.

[0027] The mode of action will be explained below with reference to the Figures 9 to 11 explained in more detail, whereby the Figures 9b, 10b and 11b Each a view of the preparation vessel 1 rotated by 90° according to the Figures 9a, 10a and 11a The illustration shows only one intermediate element 19 at a time, whereby the pot 5 can also have several intermediate elements 19 arranged in the circumferential direction of the pot 5, which interact with the locking element 10. The locking element 10 is, for example, as before, in relation to the Figures 2 and 3explained by a drive unit 13, which in turn is driven by an actuating device 12 of a base unit 3 of the food processor 4. The locking element 10 has, in particular in the Figure 12a The guide contours 51 are recognizable and cause the intermediate element 19 to pivot about the pivot axis 34 when the locking element 10 rotates relative to the cup 5 and thus also relative to the intermediate element 19. The guide contours 51 include, among other things, a shoulder 45 (see Figure 12a ) of the locking element 10, on which the detection device 33 slides when the lid 8 is properly placed on the pot 5 and thus detects that the user has properly placed the lid 8 on the pot 5.

[0028] In the Figures 9a and 9bIn the depicted situation, the lid 8 rests unlocked on the pot 5, with the intermediate element 19 in a starting position in which the return spring 32 is relaxed. A seal (not shown here) can be arranged on the underside of the lid 8, which has a material elasticity providing a restoring force suitable for keeping the lid 8 spaced apart from the pot 5 when it is still loosely placed on it. When the locking element 10 is now rotated around the pot 5 by means of the drive device 13, the guide contour 51 formed on the locking element 10 initially causes the intermediate element 19 to pivot in a direction away from the pot 5, so that the projection 42 is positioned as shown in the diagram. Figure 10bThis is illustrated by the fact that the locking element 10 can engage behind a collar 46 of the lid 8. This is achieved by a ramp of the guide contour 51, which, with respect to a radial direction of the annular locking element 10, acts laterally against the intermediate element 19 and thus distances it from the wall 15 of the pot 5. The axial position of the lid 8 relative to the pot 5 does not initially change. Only the projection 42 of the intermediate element 19 engages behind the collar 46 of the lid 8 and thus centers the lid 8 over the pot opening 7. Further rotation of the locking element 10 then leads to the position described in the Figures 11a and 11bas shown in the illustration. For this purpose, the intermediate element 19 is pressed downwards by the guide contour 51 of the locking element 10 relative to the plane of the figures, i.e., away from the locking element 10. In doing so, the projection 42 of the intermediate element 19 takes the cover 8 with it and pulls it into a lower end position. In this end position, the cover 8 is fixed by means of the intermediate element 19, which, as shown in the illustrations, Figures 11a and 11b The lid 8 is supported by the locking element 10. This securely locks the lid 8 onto the pot 5. To ensure that the intermediate element 19 retains its locked end position even when large forces from inside the pot 5 act on the lid 8, the retainer 35 prevents the intermediate element 19 from pivoting back. To unlock the lid 8, the locking element 10 is moved back in the opposite direction to its initial position as shown. Figures 9a and 9bThe intermediate element 19 is then pivoted back towards the locking element 10 by the restoring force of the return spring 32, i.e., upwards in the figures, where it can engage in a corresponding recess 48 of the guide contour 51. This simultaneously pivots the intermediate element 19 with its projection 42 back against the wall 15 of the pot 5, so that the projection 42 no longer engages behind the collar 46 of the lid 8, but rather, as shown in Figure 9b shown recessed behind the outer contour of the locking element 10.

[0029] The Figures 12a to 12c The function of the detection device 33 associated with the intermediate element 19 is illustrated. The detection device 33 – like the intermediate element 19 – is pivotable about the pivot axis 34, with the return spring 32 also exerting a return force on the detection device 33, which is directed in the direction of the shoulder 45. In the Figure 12aIn the illustrated end position of the intermediate element 19, in which the lid 8 is properly locked to the pot 5, the detection device 33 rests on the shoulder 45 of the guide contour 51 of the locking element 10. The position of the detection device 33 is recognized as a fully locked position. The detection device 33 is pressed against the shoulder 45 of the guide contour 51 by the return spring 32. The locking element 10 has a further recess 48 into which the detection device 33 can engage when the lid 8 is not in place. However, if the lid 8 is properly in place, it presses against a projection 47 of the detection device 33, so that the detection device 33 cannot pivot into the recess 48.If the lid 8 is not on the pot 5 or is incorrectly positioned, the detection device 33 pivots into the recess 48 and prevents the locking element 10 from rotating. Only when the lid 8 is correctly placed on the pot 5 does the detection device 33 move from the lid 8 into the recess 48. Figure 12bThe locking element 10 pivots downwards in the position shown, and can continue to rotate. A rotational position of the locking element 10 can be detected, for example, by determining the rotational speed of a drive shaft of a drive motor of the locking device 9. If, for example, the cover 8 is not correctly placed on the pot 5, the locking element 10 is blocked before a defined rotational position of the locking element 10 is reached. This condition is then recognized as a cover 8 being incorrectly placed or not present at all. If the cover 8 is correctly placed, however, the locking element 10 can continue to rotate until the defined rotational position is reached. This is then interpreted as a correctly locked cover 8. By arranging several detection devices 33 in the circumferential direction of the pot 5, a locking state of the cover 8 can be detected at several positions.This ensures that, for example, a lid 8 placed at an angle on the pot 5 is also recognized as an error, since it is sufficient if at least one of several detection devices 33 is not actuated and thus blocks further rotation of the locking element 10.

[0030] The Figures 13 to 17Figure 1 shows a further embodiment of a locking device 9 according to the invention. In this embodiment, the locking of the lid 8 to the pot 5 also functions independently of a specific rotational position of the lid 8 on the pot 5. The user does not need to ensure that the lid 8 is placed on the pot 5 in a specific rotational position. The locking device 9 again has a locking element 10 rotatably mounted on the pot 5, which here acts on an engagement element 22 that is guided in a guide track 20 formed or arranged on the pot 5 and projects out of the guide track 20 with an end section 43. The guide track 20 has a spiral guide path 21 that is wound around a spiral axis 23 that points radially outwards with respect to the interior of the pot 5.The rotating locking element 10 drives the engagement element 22 by acting on the end section 43 such that the engagement element 22 is guided through the spiral guide track 21 of the guide cam 20. The engagement element 22 is thereby guided – as described below with reference to the... Figures 13 to 17 shown in more detail - both in the direction of the spiral axis 23 and in the circumferential direction of the guide track 20. Figure 13a , 14a , 15a , 16a and 17a Figures 13b, 14b, 15b, 16b, and 17b show the engagement element 22 of the locking device 9 in different locking positions. Figures 13b, 14b, 15b, 16b, and 17b illustrate the operating principle of each position. Figures 13c , 14c , 15c , 16c and 17c The locking device 9 is shown in a cross-section.

[0031] The Figures 13a, 13b and 13cThe figures initially show an initial position of the engagement element 22, in which the end section 43 of the engagement element 22 does not yet engage behind the collar 46 of the cover 8. The section 43 slides when the locking element 10 is rotated to the right in the figures (see, for example, the figure). Figure 13b ) along a ramp 18 of the locking element 10 and is carried out as in the Figures 14a and 14b shown pivoted to the right. As a result, the engagement element 22 slides along the guide track 21 of the guide cam 20, initially, as shown particularly in Figure 14c The locking element 10 rotates outwards, i.e., away from the pot 5, until the hook-shaped section 43 of the engagement element 22 engages behind the collar 46 of the lid 8 and clamps it in a radially outward direction (viewed from the inside of the pot 5). With further rotation of the locking element 10, the engagement element 22 tilts, as shown in the Figures 15a, 15b and 15cshown, further to the right, following the ramp 18 of the locking element 10. The engagement element 22 is thereby moved further along the guide track 21 of the guide cam 20 and into the Figure 15c The illustrated end position is reached, in which the lid 8 is completely pulled down onto the pot 5 and is also clamped radially. Starting from this optimally locked end position of the locking device 9, the lid 8 can be released from the pot 5 by actuating the locking device 9 in the opposite direction, i.e., by rotating the locking element 10 to the left relative to the illustration in the figures. The subsequent positions of the engagement element 22 are shown in Figures 16 and 17. During the release movement to unlock the lid 8, the engagement element 22 also follows the guide contour 51 of the locking element 10. The engagement element 22 is then, as shown in the Figures 16a, 16b and 16cshown, first raised by means of the guide cam 20 until the sub-area 43 is no longer in contact with the collar 46 of the cover 8, and then, as shown in the Figures 17a to 17c shown, displaced radially inwards until the cover 8, as shown in particular from Figure 17c It is evident that the pot 5 can be detached without the section 43 of the engagement element 22 protruding in front of the collar 46 of the lid 8. The lid 8 can then be removed from the pot 5. Figures 18a and 18bFinally, we show a particular embodiment of a food processor 4 according to the invention, in which two radially outwardly projecting wing-like locking elements 25 are arranged on the receiving area 2, namely, for example, a coupling element 31, which engage behind corresponding undercuts 26 of the base 6 of the preparation vessel 1. The locking device 24 locks the preparation vessel 1 to the base unit 3 of the food processor 4 when the coupling element 31 of the actuating device 12 is in a rotational position corresponding to a locked position of the lid 8 on the pot 5. This ensures that the preparation vessel 1 is properly locked, i.e., food contained in the pot 5 cannot escape from the pot 5, and at the same time the preparation vessel 1 is secured to the base unit 3 of the food processor 4 in such a way that the preparation vessel 1 cannot be separated from the base unit 3.Both the locking device 9 for the lid 8 and the safety device 24 for locking the preparation container 1 on the base unit 3 are operated via the same actuating device 12 of the food processor 4, so that only a single electric motor 40 is required to perform several locking functions. List of reference symbols 1 Preparation vessel 27 Display 2 Recording area 28 Switch 3 Base unit 29 Lid opening 4 food processor 30 Lid handle 5 Pot 31 Coupling element 6 pot foot 32 Return spring 7 Pot opening 33 Detection device 8 Lid 34 Swivel axis 9 locking device 35 hold-down device 10 locking element 36 Interlocking 11 Actuating element 37 Interlocking 12 Actuating device 38 Worm gear 13 drive unit 39 Spur gear drive 14 drive element 40 electric motor 15 wall 41 bayonet opening 16 handle 42 projection 17 Active element 43 sub-area 18 ramp 44 Nose 19 Intermediate element 45 Paragraph 20 leadership backdrop 46 collar 21 Guide track 47 projection 22 Intervention element 48 recess 23 spiral axis 49 collar 24 Safety device 50 side edge 25 Safety element 51 Leadership contour 26 Undercut

Claims

1. A preparation vessel (1) for connection with a receiving area (2) of a base unit (3) of an electric motor-driven food processor (4), wherein the preparation vessel (1) has a pot (5), a pot foot (6) that can be connected with the receiving area (2), and a cover (8) that closes the pot opening (7) of the pot (5), wherein further the preparation vessel (1) has a locking assembly (9) with a locking element (10) for locking the pot (5) with the cover (8), wherein the pot foot (6) has at least one activating element (11) for activating the locking assembly (9), wherein the activating element (11) is arranged on the pot foot (6) in such a way that it can be activated by a corresponding activating assembly (12) of the receiving area (2) of the food processor (4), characterized in that the locking element (10) is a locking ring that is rotatably mounted on the pot (5) or the cover (8) and envelops the pot opening (7) in a state closed by means of the cover (8), wherein the locking element (10) has allocated to it a drive assembly (13) that is set up to rotate the locking element (10) around the pot opening (7).

2. The preparation vessel (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking assembly (9) has a drive assembly (13) that drives the locking element (10) and is mechanically operatively connected with the activating element (11).

3. The preparation vessel (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the drive assembly (13) has a drive element (14), in particular a rotating shaft, which proceeding from the pot foot (6) up to the cover (8) is guided through a wall (15) of the pot (5) and / or a handle (16) of the pot (5).

4. The preparation vessel (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that locking element (10) has at least one active element (17), which as the locking element (10) rotates is designed to induce an axial displacement of the cover (8) toward the pot (5) and / or a tensioning of the cover (8) acting radially to the outside.

5. The preparation vessel (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the active element (17) is able to engage into a corresponding opening of the cover (8) or pot (5) to form a bayonet lock, wherein the active element (17) or a partial area of the cover (8) or pot (5) has a ramp (18) that ascends in the locking rotational direction, and induces an axial displacement of the cover (8) relative to the pot (5), and thus a locking of the pot (5) with the cover (8).

6. The preparation vessel (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the pot (5) or cover (8) has an intermediate element (19) movably mounted on the pot (5) or cover (8), wherein the active element (17) of the locking element (10) is designed to press the intermediate element (19) in an axial and / or radial direction against a partial area of the cover (8) or pot (5) during a rotation of the locking element (10), and thereby induce a locking of the pot (5) with the cover (8).

7. The preparation vessel (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a guiderail (20) arranged on the pot (5) with an engaging element (22) mounted in a spiral guideway (21) of the guiderail (20), wherein the guideway (21) runs around a spiral axis (23) that faces radially outward in relation to an interior of the pot (5), and wherein a rotation of the locking element (10) produces an axial and radial displacement of the engaging element (22) along the spiral guideway (21) toward a partial area of the cover (8), until a partial area (43) of the engaging element (22) facing out of the guiderail (20) abuts against the cover (8), thereby bringing about a locking of the pot (5) with the cover (8).

8. An electric motor-driven food processor (4), in particular a mixing device, with a base unit (3) and a preparation vessel (1), which can be connected with a receiving area (2) of the base unit (3), and has a pot (5) and a cover (8) that closes a pot opening (7), characterized in that the preparation vessel (1) is designed according to one of the preceding claims, and the base unit (3) has an activating assembly (12), which is set up to activate the locking assembly (9) of the preparation vessel (1) with the base unit (3) and preparation vessel (1) connected with each other.

9. The food processor (4) according to claim 8, characterized by a safety device (24) for locking the preparation vessel (1) on the base unit (3) of the food processor (4), wherein the safety device (24) has a safety element (25) movably mounted on the preparation vessel (1), which can be moved behind an undercut (26) of the base unit (3), or a safety element (25) movably mounted on the base unit (3), which can be moved behind an undercut (26) of the preparation vessel (1), wherein the activating assembly (12) of the base unit (3) is designed to also drive the safety element (25) of the safety device (24) simultaneously and additionally to activating the locking assembly (9).