HOUSING FOR A MULTIFUNCTIONAL PORTABLE HOUSEHOLD FOOD PREPARATION APPLIANCE

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of multifunctional household food preparation appliances.

[0002] The present invention relates more particularly to multi-function food preparation appliances comprising a motorized housing intended to be hand-held and comprising several types of drive outputs configured for use with either removable rotary work tools or removable work accessories. State of the art

[0003] Document WO 96 / 25081 A1 discloses a device of the aforementioned type whose motorized housing has a rear opening provided for mounting a mixing accessory. This document proposes mounting the mixing accessory in a cylindrical barrel carried by the electric motor. Thus, the end of the mixing accessory engaged in the housing has a relatively small section. A disadvantage of the aforementioned embodiment lies in the fact that the axis of the mixing accessory must be correctly aligned with the axis of the drive output, to allow the mounting of the mixing accessory. Mounting the mixing accessory can prove difficult. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present invention aims to overcome this drawback. The technical problem underlying the invention consists in facilitating the mounting of a removable work accessory comprising a connection element and a rotary drive member, such as a mixing accessory, on a motorized housing of a multifunctional household food preparation appliance intended to be held in the hand.

[0005] An object of the invention is to provide a housing for a multifunctional household food preparation appliance intended to be held in the hand, in which the mounting of a removable work accessory comprising a connection element and a rotary drive member is facilitated.

[0006] An additional object of the invention is to propose a housing for a multifunctional household food preparation appliance intended to be held in the hand, in which the mounting of a removable work accessory comprising a connection element and a rotary drive member is facilitated, and the construction of which remains simple to carry out.

[0007] Another object of the invention is to provide a multifunctional household food preparation appliance comprising a housing intended to be held in the hand and a removable working accessory comprising a connection element and a rotary drive member, in which the mounting of the removable working accessory in the housing is facilitated.

[0008] Another additional object of the invention aims to propose a multifunctional household food preparation appliance comprising a housing intended to be held in the hand and a removable working accessory comprising a connection element and a rotary drive member, in which the mounting of the removable working accessory in the housing is facilitated, and the construction of which remains simple to carry out.

[0009] These objects are achieved with a housing of a multifunctional household food preparation appliance intended to be held in the hand, housing an electric motor, the housing having at least one and preferably two first drive outputs driven by the electric motor and configured to drive (each) a removable rotary working tool, the housing having an opening configured for mounting a removable working accessory, the housing having retaining members configured to engage with a connection element of the working accessory mounted in the opening, the housing having a second drive output driven by the electric motor and configured to drive a rotary driving member of the working accessory mounted in the opening,wherein the retaining members are arranged on an outer portion of a protrusion arranged inside the housing around the second drive output and the retaining members are configured to engage an inner portion of the connecting element. These arrangements allow the retaining members to be housed in the housing while facilitating the placement of the connecting element in the housing. The connecting element can be engaged in the opening around the protrusion and then be guided by the protrusion during further engagement.,

[0010] The protrusion may have a truncated cone-shaped end. This arrangement makes it easier to guide the connecting element.

[0011] The retaining members can be carried by a structural part arranged in the housing behind the opening. This arrangement makes it easier to produce the housing and simplifies its construction.

[0012] The second drive output may pass through the structural part. This arrangement improves the mechanical strength of the structural part, compared to a structural part having a notch for the passage of the second drive output, or smaller dimensions providing space for the passage of the second drive output, which helps to simplify the construction of the housing.

[0013] The truncated end can be formed by an annular cover mounted on the structural part. This arrangement makes it easier to produce the housing and simplifies its construction.

[0014] The structural part may form a cavity opening into the opening, with the retaining members being arranged in the cavity. This arrangement makes it easier to produce the housing and simplifies its construction.

[0015] The structural part may form a slide on which a hatch slides, capable of occupying an open position in which the opening is clear and a closed position in which the opening is blocked by the hatch. This arrangement makes it possible to hide the second drive output, while maintaining a simple design.

[0016] The slide may have guide ribs, and the hatch may have guide notches sliding on the guide ribs when the hatch is moved between the open position and the closed position, or vice versa. This arrangement makes it easier to move the hatch, while maintaining a simple design.

[0017] The structural part can extend into a rear upright of the housing. This arrangement makes it easier to create the sliding hatch.

[0018] The enclosure may have a handle extending from the rear post. This arrangement makes the enclosure easier to use.

[0019] The housing may comprise two outer half-shells, with the structural part then being held between the two assembled outer half-shells. This arrangement makes it easier to produce the housing.

[0020] These objects are also achieved with a multifunctional household food preparation appliance comprising a housing intended to be held in the hand and a removable working accessory configured to be mounted in the housing, the working accessory comprising a rotary drive member and a connection element, due to the fact that the housing conforms to at least one of the aforementioned characteristics. These provisions make it easier to produce the multifunctional household food preparation appliance.

[0021] The internal part may have internal hooking members engaging with the retaining members when the work accessory is mounted in the opening. This arrangement makes it possible to simplify the production of the work accessory.

[0022] The internal part can belong to an annular wall of the connecting element. This arrangement makes it possible to simplify the production of the work accessory while improving its robustness.

[0023] The annular wall can cover the protrusion when the work accessory is mounted in the opening. This arrangement simplifies the installation of the work accessory in the housing. Brève description des figures

[0024] The aims, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the description given below of a particular embodiment of the invention presented by way of non-limiting example, and of variants, with reference to the appended drawings in which: [ Fig 1 ] There figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a multifunctional household food preparation appliance comprising a housing designed to be held in the hand according to the invention, two removable rotating working tools and a removable working accessory; [ Fig 2 ] There figure 2 is a rear perspective view of the device illustrated in the figure 1 , in which the working accessory is disassembled from the housing; [ Fig 3 ] There figure 3 is a partial perspective view of the work accessory illustrated in the figures 1 And 2 ; [ Fig 4 ] There figure 4 is a partial rear perspective view of the housing shown in the figures 1 And 2 ; [ Fig 5 ] There figure 5 is a partial rear perspective and partial sectional view of the housing shown in the figures 1 , 2 And 4 ; [ Fig 6 ] There figure 6 is a partial rear perspective view of the housing shown in the figures 1 , 2 , 4 And 5 , in which a hood has been removed; [ Fig 7 ] There figure 7 is a perspective view showing the removable work accessory illustrated in the figures 1 has 3 mounted on the case shown on the figures 1 , 2 And 4 has 6 , in which a half-shell of the housing is not shown, [ Fig 8 ] There figure 8 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the housing illustrated in the figures 1 , 2 And 4 has 7, in which a half-shell of the housing is not shown, and in which the housing includes a sliding internal shutter hatch shown in the open position, [ Fig 9 ] There figure 9 is a perspective view of the variant embodiment of the housing illustrated in the figure 8 , in another orientation, in which a half-shell of the housing is not shown, and in which the sliding internal shutter hatch is shown in the open position, [ Fig 10 ] There figure 10 is a perspective view of the variant embodiment of the housing on the figures 8 And 9 , depending on the orientation of the figure 8 , in which a half-shell of the housing is not shown, and in which the sliding internal shutter hatch is shown in the closed position.

[0025] THE figures 1 And 2illustrate an example of an embodiment of a multifunctional household food preparation appliance comprising a housing 1 intended to be held in the hand, removable rotating work tools 2, and a removable work accessory 3.

[0026] The 2 rotating work tools shown on the figures 1 And 2 are whisks for emulsifying or whipping egg whites.

[0027] The work accessory 3 shown in the figures 1 And 2 is a mixing foot. The working accessory 3 comprises an elongated barrel 33 housing a shaft 34. One end of the elongated barrel 33 forms a connecting element 30 configured to be mounted in the housing 1. The connecting element 30 surrounds a rotary drive member 31 provided at one end of the shaft 34. The other end of the elongated barrel 33 forms an open bell 35 surrounding a knife 36 mounted at the other end of the shaft 34.

[0028] As seen on the figure 1 , the housing 1 houses an electric motor 10. In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the housing 1 comprises two outer half-shells 4; 5 assembled together by screwing and / or clipping.

[0029] The housing 1 has a handle 6 configured for use of the housing 1 with the rotating work tools 2 or with the work accessory 3. In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the handle 6 is a closed handle. The handle 6 has an elongated gripping area 7. The handle 6 extends between a front upright 8 and a rear upright 9 of the housing 1. The handle 6 is connected to the main part of the housing 1 housing the electric motor 10 by the front upright 8 and by the rear upright 9. Alternatively, the handle 6 could in particular be an open handle connected by a single upright to the main part of the housing 1 housing the electric motor 10.

[0030] The housing 1 has two first drive outputs 11, only one of which is visible on the figure 1 The first two drive outputs 11 are driven by the electric motor 10 and are configured to drive one of the rotating working tools 2. A right-angle transmission device is arranged between the electric motor 10 and the first two drive outputs 11. Preferably, the transmission device also forms a speed reduction device.

[0031] As best seen on the figure 2 , the housing 1 has an opening 13 configured for mounting the work accessory 3. The opening 13 is provided on a rear face of the housing 1. The opening 13 is arranged opposite the electric motor 10. The housing 1 has a second drive output 12 driven by the electric motor 10. Preferably, the second drive output 12 is arranged in the axis of the electric motor 10 and is driven in direct drive by the electric motor 10.

[0032] There figure 3 shows an internal portion 32 of the connecting element 30. The connecting element 30 is configured to be mounted in the opening 13 of the housing 1, as shown in the figure 1 The internal portion of the connecting element 30 has internal hooking members 37. The rotary drive member 31 is configured to be driven by the second drive output 12 when the connecting element 30 is mounted in the opening 13 of the housing 1. The internal hooking members 37 are configured to engage in the housing 1 when the work accessory 3 is mounted in the opening 13.

[0033] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the connection element 30 has an annular edge 38 and an annular wall 39. The internal part 32 of the work accessory 3 engaging with the retaining members 14 belongs to the annular wall 39. The internal hooking members 37 are arranged inside the annular wall 39. In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, two internal hooking members 37 are arranged opposite each other inside the annular wall 39.

[0034] The second drive output 12 is configured to drive the rotary drive member 31 of the work accessory 3 mounted in the opening 13.

[0035] The housing 1 has retaining members 14, better visible on the figures 4 has 7 The retaining members 14 are arranged in the housing 1 and are accessible through the opening 13. The retaining members are configured to engage with the connecting element 30 of the work accessory 3 mounted in the opening 13. More particularly, the retaining members 14 are configured to engage by rotation with the connecting element 30. The retaining members 14 are configured to engage by rotation with the internal hooking members 37 when the connecting element 30 is mounted in the opening 13.

[0036] As best seen on the figures 4 And 5, the retaining members 14 are arranged on an external part 16 of a protrusion 15 arranged inside the housing 1 around the second drive output 12. The protrusion 15 has a frustoconical end 17. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in the figures, two retaining members 14 are arranged opposite each other inside the housing 1 around the second drive output 12.

[0037] The housing 1 houses a structural part 20, better visible on the figures 5 6 And 7 The structural part 20 is arranged in the housing 1 behind the opening 13. The structural part 20 forms a cavity 21 opening into the opening 13, visible in the figures 2 has 4 . As seen on the figures 2 has 5, the retaining members 14 are carried by the structural part 20. The retaining members 14 are arranged in the cavity 21. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in the figures, the structural part 20 is fixed to the electric motor 10.

[0038] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the truncated cone-shaped end 17 is formed by an annular cover 18. As seen in the figure 5 , the annular cover 18 is mounted on the structural part 20. On the figure 6 the annular cover 18 has been removed. As seen on the figure 6 , the second drive output 12 passes through the structural part 20. In the embodiment illustrated in the figure 6 , the structural part 20 surrounds the second drive output 12. As a variant, the structural part 20 could in particular have a notch or a cutout providing a passage for the second drive output 12.

[0039] A device for closing the opening 13 may be provided to hide the second drive output 12 when the working accessory 3 is not mounted in the housing 1.

[0040] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures 8 has 10 , a sliding hatch 23 is mounted in the housing 1. The hatch 23 is mounted to be movable between an open position, shown in the figures 8 And 9 , and a closed position, shown on the figure 10 . In the open position, the opening 13 is clear. The working accessory 3 can be placed in the housing 1. In the closed position, the opening 13 is closed by the hatch 23. The working accessory 3 cannot be placed in the housing 1.

[0041] The structural part 20 forms a slide 22 on which the hatch 23 slides. The structural part 20 extends into the rear upright 9. Thus the hatch 23 is arranged inside the housing 1. In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the structural part 20 is held between the two assembled outer half-shells 4; 5. figure 9 shows the structural part 20 arranged in one of the outer half-shells 4. More particularly, the structural part 20 is arranged between the rear end of the two outer half-shells 4, 5 and the electric motor 10.

[0042] The hatch 23 may have an operating member 26. Preferably, the operating member 26 is prominent. Preferably, the operating member 26 is adjacent to the opening 13 when the hatch 23 occupies the open position, as seen in the figure 8 This arrangement makes it possible to retract the majority of the hatch 23 into the housing 1. For this purpose, the two outer half-shells 4; 5 may each have a notch 4'; 5', as visible in the figure 6 These notches 4', 5' are provided to house part of the operating member 26 when the hatch 23 occupies the open position.

[0043] As best seen on the figure 10 , the slide 22 has guide ribs 24, and the hatch 23 has guide notches 25. When the hatch 23 is moved between the open position and the closed position, or vice versa, the guide notches 25 slide on the guide ribs 24. The slide 22 may have protrusions 27, 28 forming hard points to hold the hatch 23 in the open position, as seen in the figure 8 , or in the closed position, as seen on the figure 10 .

[0044] Case 1 shown on the figures 8 has 10 can be used in the following way with the work accessory 3 shown on the figures 1 has 3 The user lifts the hatch 23 to clear the opening 13. The user then inserts the connection element 30 into the opening 13 by engaging the annular edge 38 of the connection element 30 around the protuberance 15. Thus the protuberance 15 guides the insertion of the work accessory 3. The annular edge 38 comes to a stop in the cavity 21. The protuberance 15 is capped by the annular wall 39. The user then turns the work accessory 3 relative to the housing 1 to bring the internal hooking members 37 into engagement with the retaining members 14.

[0045] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the internal hooking members 37 and the retaining members 14 belong to a bayonet-type locking device. As a variant, the internal hooking members 37 and the retaining members 14 could in particular belong to a screw locking device, if desired of the quarter-turn type.

[0046] To remove the work accessory 3, the user turns the work accessory 3 relative to the housing 1 in the opposite direction to release the internal hooking members 37 from the retaining members 14. After removing the work accessory 3, the user can lower the hatch 23 to close the opening 13.

[0047] As a variant, the hatch 23 provided to close the opening 13 is not necessarily arranged inside the housing 1. If desired, the hatch 23 can in particular be arranged outside the housing 1.

[0048] As a variant, the hatch 23 provided to close the opening 13 is not necessarily slidably mounted on a structural part 20 arranged inside the housing 1. If desired, the hatch 23 can in particular be slidably mounted on one of the outer half-shells 4, 5.

[0049] Alternatively, the hatch 23 provided for closing the opening 13 is not necessarily mounted to slide. The hatch 23 may in particular be pivotally mounted on or in the housing 1.

[0050] Alternatively, the opening 13 may be closed by a removably mounted plug. If desired, the plug may engage the retaining members 14 and be mounted on the housing 1 in a similar manner to the work accessory 3.

[0051] As a variant, the housing 1 may have at least one and preferably two first drive output(s) 11 driven by the electric motor 10, the first drive output(s) 11 being configured to each drive a removable rotary working tool 2.

[0052] Alternatively, other types of rotating working tools 2 may be envisaged. The rotating working tools 2 are not necessarily whisks, but may in particular be kneading hooks.

[0053] Alternatively, other types of working accessory 3 may be envisaged. The working accessory 3 is not necessarily a mixing foot, but may in particular be a potato masher accessory, or an accessory for crushing ice cubes.

[0054] Of course, the invention is in no way limited to the embodiment described and illustrated, and to its variants, which have been given only as an example. Modifications remain possible, in particular from the point of view of the constitution of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

1. Housing (1) of a multifunction domestic food preparation appliance that is intended to be handheld, housing an electric motor (10), the housing (1) having at least one and preferably two first driving output(s) (11) driven by the electric motor (10), and configured to (each) drive a removable rotary tool (2), the housing (1) having an opening (13) configured for the mounting of a removable work accessory (3), the housing (1) having retention members (14) configured to engage with a connection element (30) of the work accessory (3) mounted in the opening (13), the housing (1) having a second driving output (12) driven by the electric motor (10) and configured to drive a rotary drive member (31) of the work accessory (3) mounted in the opening (13), characterised in that the retention members (14) are arranged on an external part (16) of a protrusion (15) arranged inside the housing (1) around the second driving output (12) and in that the retention members (14) are configured to engage with an internal part (32) of the connection element (30).

2. Housing (1) of a multifunction domestic food preparation appliance that is intended to be handheld according to claim 1, characterised in that the protrusion (15) has a frustoconical end (17).

3. Housing (1) of a multifunction domestic food preparation appliance that is intended to be handheld according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterised in that the retention members (14) are carried by a structural workpiece (20) arranged in the housing (1) behind the opening (13).

4. Housing (1) of a multifunction domestic food preparation appliance that is intended to be handheld according to claim 3, characterised in that the second driving output (12) passes through the structural workpiece (20).

5. Housing (1) of a multifunction domestic food preparation appliance that is intended to be handheld according to claim 2 and any one of claims 3 or 4, characterised in that the frustoconical end (17) is formed by an annular cover (18) mounted on the structural workpiece (20).

6. Housing (1) of a multifunction domestic food preparation appliance that is intended to be handheld according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterised in that the structural workpiece (20) forms a cavity (21) opening into the opening (13), the retention members (14) being arranged in the cavity (21).

7. Housing (1) of a multifunction domestic food preparation appliance that is intended to be handheld according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterised in that the structural workpiece (20) forms a slider (22) on which a flap (23) slides, which is able to occupy an open position in which the opening (13) is released and a closed position in which the opening (13) is blocked by the flap (23).

8. Housing (1) of a multifunction domestic food preparation appliance that is intended to be handheld according to claim 7, characterised in that the slider (22) has guiding ridges (24), and in that the flap (23) has guiding notches (25) sliding on the guiding ridges (24) when the flap (23) is moved between the open position and the closed position, or vice versa.

9. Housing (1) of a multifunction domestic food preparation appliance that is intended to be handheld according to any one of claims 3 to 8, characterised in that the structural workpiece (20) extends into a rear upright (9) of the housing (1).

10. Housing (1) of a multifunction domestic food preparation appliance that is intended to be handheld according to claim 9, characterised in that the housing (1) has a handle (6) extending from the rear upright (9).

11. Housing (1) of a multifunction domestic food preparation appliance that is intended to be handheld according to any one of claims 3 to 10, characterised in that the housing (1) comprises two outer half-shells (4; 5) and in that the structural workpiece (20) is held between the two assembled outer half-shells (4; 5).

12. Multifunction domestic food preparation appliance comprising a housing (1) that is intended to be handheld and a removable work accessory (3) configured to be mounted in the housing (1), the work accessory (3) comprising a rotary drive member (31) and a connection element (30), characterised in that the housing (1) is according to at least one of claims 1 to 11.

13. Multifunction domestic food preparation appliance according to claim 12, characterised in that the internal part (32) has internal fastening members (37) engaging with the retention members (14) when the work accessory (3) is mounted in the opening (13).

14. Multifunction domestic food preparation appliance according to any one of claims 12 or 13, characterised in that the internal part (32) belongs to an annular wall (39) of the connection element (30).

15. Multifunction domestic food preparation appliance according to claim 14, characterised in that the annular wall (39) crowns the protrusion (15) when the work accessory (3) is mounted in the opening (13).