FOOD PREPARATION DEVICE WITH A MOVABLE WORK CONTAINER

Description

Domaine technique de l'invention

[0001] The present invention relates generally to a food preparation appliance, and in particular to such an appliance equipped with a working bowl and a drive head carrying a working tool which can work food in the working bowl. État de la technique

[0002] Known in the prior art are food preparation appliances equipped with a working bowl and a drive head carrying a working tool that can work food in the working bowl, such as those described in documents FR1180297A, GB831156, CN203353528 or CN205041272. On the other hand, these appliances have the disadvantages of being bulky and / or impractical to use due to the numerous operations to be carried out before and after working the food, to install or remove accessories such as a working bowl and / or a working tool. Exposé de l'invention

[0003] An aim of the present invention is to address the drawbacks of the prior art documents mentioned above and in particular, first of all, to propose a food preparation appliance whose size is reduced, and / or whose ergonomics of use are improved, in particular before and / or after the food working phase, for installing or removing accessories such as a work tank and / or a work tool.

[0004] For this, a first aspect of the invention concerns a culinary preparation appliance, comprising: a housing, a work tank arranged to receive food to be prepared, at least one work tool arranged to work the food received in the work tank, a drive head arranged to carry the work tool, in which: the work tank is movable relative to the housing between a working position and an access position, the drive head is movable relative to the housing between an engaged position in which the work tool is engaged in the work tank in the working position, and a disengaged position in which the work tool is at least partially released from the work tank, because the food preparation appliance comprises a device for controlling the movement of the drive head to the movement of the work tank to impose a rotational movement on the drive head during the movement of the work tank.

[0005] According to the present implementation, the servo device causes the movement of the drive head in accordance with the movement of the work tank. Thus, the user can easily manipulate only the work tank, which improves ergonomics. In addition, the pivoting of the drive head causes the work tool to be raised, which places the work tool in a position in which it is easy to manipulate by the user.

[0006] According to one implementation, the servo device is arranged to additionally impose a translational movement on the drive head during the movement of the working tank. Such an additional translational movement makes it possible to better manage the kinematics to avoid any interference.

[0007] According to one implementation, the servo device is arranged to impose on the drive head the translational movement and the rotational movement at least partially sequentially or at least partially simultaneously. Preferably, during the movement of withdrawing the working tank from the working position, it is possible to provide first a vertical translational movement of the working tool to move it away from the bottom of the working tank, and then a pivoting movement to release it from the working tank without interference.

[0008] According to one implementation, the servo device comprises a disengageable block arranged between the housing and the drive head, arranged to couple / uncouple a first part of the drive head in sliding connection from a second part of the drive head in pivot connection during movement of the working tank.

[0009] According to one implementation, the movement of the work tank between the working position and the access position comprises at least one translation. Such a translation, typically horizontal, makes it possible to limit the height requirement.

[0010] According to one implementation, the movement of the work tank between the work position and the access position comprises at least one rotation. A vertical axis rotation may be provided for horizontal movement of the work tank.

[0011] According to one implementation, the servo device comprises at least one electric actuator coupled to the drive head to impose the rotational movement of the drive head, and the electric actuator is coupled to the drive head in direct drive, or via a gear train, or via a linear motion transmission device and a lever arm.

[0012] According to one implementation, the servo-control device comprises at least one sensor for detecting the position of the working tank, arranged to detect the position of the working tank between the working position and the access position, so as to control the electric actuator as a function of the position of the working tank.

[0013] According to one implementation, the working tank position detection sensor is an optical sensor, for example a laser beam sensor, or an infrared sensor, or an ultrasonic sensor or a linear sensor, for example a variable electrical resistance sensor, or an encoder sensor.

[0014] According to one implementation, the servo device comprises at least one secondary electric actuator coupled to the drive head to impose the translational movement of the drive head. Such secondary servo makes it possible to increase the movement possibilities by offering combinations to avoid interferences with a compact overall footprint.

[0015] According to one implementation, the servo device comprises at least one cam or guide track device and a follower member for servo-controlling the movement of the drive head to the movement of the working tank.

[0016] According to one implementation, the servo device comprises at least one sliding connection between the housing and the follower member.

[0017] According to one implementation, the servo device comprises at least one secondary cam or guide track device and a secondary follower member, mounted on the follower member.

[0018] According to one implementation, the servo device comprises at least one secondary sliding connection between the housing and the secondary follower member.

[0019] According to one implementation, the servo device comprises at least one connecting rod arranged between the drive head and the working tank.

[0020] According to one implementation, the servo device is free of an electric actuator for moving the drive head. Such an implementation, i.e., a mechanical servo, makes it possible to provide a robust and economical servo.

[0021] According to one implementation, the food preparation appliance comprises a bowl locking device arranged to reversibly lock the working bowl in the working position.

[0022] According to one implementation, the tank locking device comprises a locking fork with two locking indexes each arranged to penetrate hollow portions provided in the working tank, preferably diametrically opposed and preferably arranged in a base of the working tank.

[0023] According to one implementation, the tank locking device comprises a locking control member acting on a single point of the locking fork to elastically deform it and allow disengagement of the locking indexes from the working tank.

[0024] According to one implementation, the housing forms a swan neck, in which: the food preparation appliance comprises a device for receiving the working bowl in the lower part of the swan neck, and / or the upper part of the swan neck comprises a rotation shaft forming a pivot connection for the drive head.

[0025] According to one implementation, the pivot connection of the drive head is opposite the work tank when the work tank is in the working position.

[0026] According to an implementation: the housing comprises a main drive motor arranged to drive the work tool in rotation, and fixed relative to the housing, the drive head comprises an embedded gear train in rotation relative to the housing during the disengagement movement of the work tool, and arranged to be coupled with the main drive motor when the drive head is in the engaged position.

[0027] According to one implementation, the food preparation appliance comprises a head locking device, arranged to lock the drive head in the engaged position, when the working tank is in the working position.

[0028] According to one implementation, the servo device comprises a device for automatically releasing the drive head, comprising for example a spring in tension when the drive head is in the engaged position, and the servo device comprises a mechanical unlocking control member linked to the working tank, arranged to unlock the head locking device and release the automatic release device.

[0029] Depending on an implementation, the electric actuator is a motor or a servomotor or a geared motor or an electric cylinder or an electromagnet.

[0030] According to one implementation, the secondary electric actuator is a motor or a servomotor or a geared motor or an electric cylinder or an electromagnet.

[0031] According to one implementation, the movement of the work tank between the work position and the access position is a manual movement.

[0032] According to an implementation: the working tank comprises at least one collar preferably arranged at a base of the working tank, the housing comprises a groove, and the collar is arranged to be engaged in the groove at least when the working tank is in the working position, and wherein preferably the collar is arranged to be engaged in the groove at least over 70% of the stroke of the working tank work between the working position and the access position.

[0033] According to one implementation, the rotational travel of the drive head from the engaged position to the disengaged position is sufficient, for example at least 70°, to allow disassembly of the working tool with the tank in the access position.

[0034] According to one implementation, the working tank is removably mounted relative to the housing.

[0035] According to one implementation, the food preparation appliance comprises a trolley connected to the housing, the trolley being arranged to receive the work tank.

[0036] According to one implementation, the servo device comprises at least one torque limiting device arranged to disengage the working tool or limit a force applied to the working tool during the movement of the drive head controlled by the movement of the working tank. Description des figures

[0037] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly on reading the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention given as non-limiting examples and illustrated by the appended drawings, in which: [ Fig.1 ] represents a perspective view of a food preparation appliance equipped with a housing, a working tank shown in the working position, a working tool shown in the working tank for working the food received in the working tank, and a drive head carrying the working tool; [ Fig.2 ] represents a side view of the food preparation appliance of the [ Fig.1 ] ; [ Fig.3 ] represents the food preparation device of the [ Fig.1 ], with the work tank moved from the work position to an access position, and with the drive head carrying the work tool also moved to a disengaged position which allows the work tool to be removed or disengaged from the work tank; [ Fig.4 ] represents a detail of the food preparation apparatus of the [ Fig.1 ] without the work tank, to show a locking index arranged to lock the work tank in the working position on the housing; [ Fig.5 ] represents the food preparation device of the [ Fig.1 ] in bottom view, without the housing, to show a locking fork which carries the visible locking index [ Fig.4 ] ; [ Fig.6 ] represents the food preparation device of the [ Fig.1 ] in top view, with part of the housing surrounding the drive head removed, [ Fig.7 ] very schematically represents the kinematic connections of a culinary preparation device like that of the [ Fig.1 ], in which the movement of the drive head and therefore of the working tool is controlled by that of the working tank; [ Fig.8 ] represents the schematic food preparation apparatus of the [ Fig.7 ] when moving the work tank; [ Fig.9 ] represents the schematic food preparation apparatus of the [ Fig.7 ] at the end of the movement of the working tank; [ Fig.10 ] represents the schematic food preparation apparatus of the [ Fig.7 ], with motorized servo; [ Fig.11 ] represents the schematic food preparation apparatus of the [ Fig.10 ] at a first instant of the movement of the working tank; [ Fig.12 ] represents the schematic food preparation apparatus of the [ Fig.10 ] at a second instant of the movement of the working tank; [ Fig.13 ] represents the schematic food preparation apparatus of the [ Fig.10 ] at a third instant of the movement of the working tank; [ Fig.14 ] represents the schematic food preparation apparatus of the [ Fig.7 ], with mechanical control; [ Fig.15 ] represents the schematic food preparation apparatus of the [ Fig.14 ] at a first instant of the movement of the working tank; [ Fig.16 ] represents a variant of execution of the food preparation device of the [ Fig.1 ] ; [ Fig.17 ] represents another variant of execution of the food preparation device of the [ Fig.1 ], with the work tank in working position; [ Fig.18 ] represents the food preparation device of the [ Fig.17 ], with the work tank removed; [ Fig.19 ] represents the food preparation device of the [ Fig.17 ] with the work tank moved to the access position. Detailed description of embodiment(s)

[0038] There [ Fig.1 ] and the [ Fig.2 ] represent a food preparation appliance, comprising: a housing 10, a working tank 20 arranged to receive food to be prepared, at least one working tool 30 arranged to work the food received in the working tank 20, a drive head 40 arranged to carry the working tool 30.

[0039] As shown in the [ Fig.1 ], the housing 10 comprises: a control interface 12 of the food preparation appliance, this control interface 12 being able to comprise at least one display screen, a lower part which forms a base 11 which receives the work tank 20, an upper part which supports the drive head 40.

[0040] As best seen on the [ Fig.2 ], the housing 10 comprises an upright 14 rising laterally relative to the base 11, and an arm 15 extending laterally from the upright 14 above the base 11. The drive head 40 is carried by the arm 15.

[0041] The drive head 40 is arranged to carry the working tool 30 in a removable manner; for example, it is possible to provide an elastic interlocking assembly which allows a user to mount and dismount the working tool 30 quickly and without a specific tool. It is also possible to provide a locking of the working tool 30 on the drive head 40 to secure the coupling.

[0042] As seen on the [ Fig.2 ], the housing 10 connects the base 11 to the drive head 40 by forming a swan neck, which has a sufficient depth to accommodate the work tank 20. In addition, it can be noted on the [ Fig.2 ] that the free height of the gooseneck is slightly greater than that of the work tank 20, so that the work tank 20 can be slid into the gooseneck, while limiting the free height to keep a rigid and compact chassis.

[0043] The working tank 20 is movable relative to the housing 10. In the figures 1 et 2 , the working tank 20 is in a working position, i.e. under the drive head 40, the drive head 40 being in an engaged position with the working tool 30 in the working tank 20.

[0044] As shown by the double arrow [ Fig.1 ], the working tank 20 is slidably mounted on the base 11. For this purpose, grooves can be provided in the base 10 which receive a collar of the working tank 20, but a carrier carriage with guide rails can also be provided. The working tank 20 can therefore be slid to be removed from the working position of the figures 1 et 2 .

[0045] As will be explained below, the working tank 20 may be locked in the working position, and the drive head 40 may be locked in the disengaged position, an unlocking control member 51 being provided on the housing 10 to enable a user to unlock the working tank 20 and / or the drive head 40.

[0046] When the work tank 20 is slid out of the working position away from the housing 10, the work tool 30 must be removed from the work tank 20 to avoid blocking the movement.

[0047] For this purpose, the drive head 40 is provided to be movable relative to the housing 10, so as to be at least pivotable about a pivot axis Rt. More particularly, the drive head 40 is mounted to be movable relative to the arm 15.

[0048] Accordingly, and as shown by the [ Fig.3 ], the work tank 20 can move into an access position, in which access to the work tank 20 is facilitated, and the drive head 40 can move into a released position, in which the work tool 30 is removed and released from the work tank 20.

[0049] Preferably, the working tank 20 is mounted removably relative to the housing 10. Thus, in the configuration shown in the [ Fig.3 ], the user can remove or detach the working tool 30 from the drive head 40, but also completely detach the working tank 20 from the housing 10. The access position corresponds to a coupling or decoupling position of the working tank 20.

[0050] Regarding the [ Fig.3 ], it may be noted that for reasons of clarity, the base 11 is not entirely shown, but it can be seen that in the access position, the working tank 20 is still supported by the housing 10, so that the user can leave the working tank 20 in place to simply remove or exchange the working tool 30, or can still completely remove the working tank 20, for example to pour the contents of the working tank 20 into another container.

[0051] The food preparation appliance illustrated in Figs. 1 to 6 comprises a bowl locking device arranged to reversibly lock the working bowl 20. The bowl locking device comprises an unlocking control member 51, visible in the figures 1 à 3 .

[0052] There [ Fig.4 ] represents a part of the housing 10 while the working tank has been removed. The housing 10 comprises at the level of the base 11 two locking indexes 54, of which only one is visible on the [ Fig.4 ]. The locking indexes 54 are movable, for example in translation, so as to lock / unlock the working tank 20 in the working position.

[0053] In detail, and as shown in the [ Fig.5 ] viewed from below and without the casing of the housing 10, the base 11 houses a locking fork 55 which carries the two locking indexes 54, which is articulated around two locking shafts 56, and which is controlled by a mobile pin 7 connected by a cable 57 to the unlocking control member 51. As shown by the double arrows of the [ Fig.5 ], a movement of the movable pin 57 causes, by lever arm and elastic flexion of the locking fork 55, a reversible movement of the locking indexes 54. The unlocking control member 51 acts on a single point of the locking fork 55 to deform it elastically and allow a release of the locking indexes 54 from the working tank 20.

[0054] The tank locking device thus comprises the locking fork 55 with the two locking indexes 54 each arranged to penetrate into hollow portions provided in the working tank 20, these hollow portions preferably being diametrically opposed and preferably arranged in a base of the working tank 20.

[0055] As for the 40 drive head, the [ Fig.6 ] shows the upper part of the food preparation appliance, where it can be seen that the drive head 40 comprises a gear train 41, which can drive the working tool 30 in rotation under the action of a main drive motor (not shown in the figures), the main drive motor being housed in the housing 10.

[0056] As explained above, the drive head 40 is movable around the pivot axis Rt, and a pivot motor 42, fixed on a bracket 17 (integral to the frame of the food preparation appliance and therefore to the housing 10) is directly coupled to the drive head 40. Thus, an adequate command of the pivot motor 42 can make the drive head 40 pass from the engaged position ( figures 1, 2 ) to the released position ([ Fig.3 ]) and vice versa. Other configurations for pivoting the drive head 40 may be considered, such as a linear actuator (a cylinder) with a lever arm, or a rack and pinion assembly, or an electromagnet.

[0057] Advantageously, it is possible to position the pivot axis Rt in the vertical direction so that the center of gravity is on this pivot axis Rt or nearby to limit the forces to be applied to be able to move the drive head 40. In other words, it is possible to choose to place the pivot axis Rt at a location such that the weight of the working tool 30 and of the part of the drive head 40 located on the same side of the pivot axis Rt as the working tool 30 is substantially equal to the weight of the part of the drive head 40 located on the other side of the pivot axis Rt.

[0058] The food preparation appliance illustrated in Figs 1 to 6 comprises a head locking device arranged to lock the drive head 40 in the engaged position, when the working tank 20 is in the working position.

[0059] We can see on the [ Fig.6 ] a locking shaft 53, which is integral with a visible locking finger 52 figures 1 et 2 , in order to lock the drive head 40 in the engaged position of the [ Fig.1] ou 2 . Indeed, the locking finger 52 can engage reversibly with an indexing hole 43 of the drive head 40, visible [ Fig.6 ]. When the unlocking control member 51 is actuated, a cable actuates a cam which pivots - translates the locking shaft 53 and also the locking finger 52, in order to engage / disengage it from the locking hole 43.

[0060] So, in the configuration of the [ Fig.1] ou 2 , the engaged position of the drive head 40 is locked - secured, as well as the working position of the work bowl 20 and the main drive motor can drive the work tool 30 in rotation to work food placed in the work bowl 20.

[0061] By actuating the unlocking control member 51, the user can unlock the working tank 20 and the drive head 40 from their respective working position and engaged position to put the food preparation appliance in the configuration of the [ Fig.3 ] in which the working tank 20 occupies the access position and in which the drive head 40 occupies the disengaged position. Preferably, the working tank 20 is locked in the working position and the drive head 40 is locked in the engaged position. Alternatively, other configurations may be envisaged.

[0062] In order to provide simple operation and ergonomic use of the food preparation appliance for the user, it is provided to control the movement of the drive head 40 (and therefore of the working tool 30) to the movement of the working bowl 20. In other words, one aspect of the invention consists of imposing a movement of the drive head 40 as a function of the movement of the working bowl 20 between the working position and the access position. Thus, the user, after unlocking, only has to act on the working bowl 20, the movement of the drive head 40 is then automatic between the engaged position and the disengaged position.

[0063] For this purpose, several alternatives of servo device integrated into the food preparation appliance are provided, but the figures 7, 8 et 9 summarize this aspect relating to enslavement in general.

[0064] In fact, the [ Fig.7 ] represents a schematic and side view of the food preparation apparatus of the [ Fig.2 ], to show the kinematic connections. The work tank 20 is in sliding connection G1 with the housing 10 (or its chassis) via the base 11, and the work tool 30 (via the drive head 40 not shown in this schematic view) is in pivot connection P1 around the pivot axis Rt.

[0065] Once unlocked, the user can manually pull the work tank 20, as shown in [ Fig.8 ], and during this translation, the working tool 30 (via the drive head 40) pivots automatically to disengage from the working tank 20.

[0066] Once the work tank 20 has arrived in the access position as in the [ Fig.9 ], then the working tool 30 is completely removed from the working tank 20, which allows a user to remove the working tank 20 easily and completely, and / or to disassemble or exchange the working tool 30.

[0067] It can be noted that the size of the housing 10 is reduced, in particular in the vertical direction, because no vertical movement of the working tank 20 is necessary.

[0068] It can also be noted that the pivot axis Rt of the pivot connection P1 is above the working tank 20, and even in the same plane as the rotation axis of the working tool 30 when the latter works the food, so that the chassis and / or the housing 10 of the food preparation appliance is more rigid than if the pivot joint were at the rear of the food preparation appliance, that is to say on the upright 14 forming the vertical part of the housing 10, located to the left of the figures 7-9 . The moving masses are also lower, compared to an architecture where the pivot joint is at the rear of the food preparation appliance.

[0069] Finally, it can be noted that in this general example, only one pivot P1 is described, but it is possible to provide alternatively or in addition a translation of the drive head 40 to release the working tool 30 from the working tank 20.

[0070] THE figures 10 à 13 represent an alternative embodiment where the servo-control of the movement of the drive head 40 is electric. For this purpose, the servo-control device comprises two motors M. In the configuration shown, there is the slide G1 between the work tank 20 and the base 11 of the housing 10 and the pivot connection P1 with pivot axis Rt, but the work tool 30 and the drive head 40 are also mounted on a slide connection G2 which acts as a clutch block with the main drive motor of the food preparation appliance. As shown in [ Fig.10 ], a first motor M is coupled directly to the pivot P1, and a second motor M is coupled to the slide G2.

[0071] To control the control of the motors M to the movement of the working tank 20, position sensors can be provided. For example, a linear encoder attached to the slide G1 can be installed in the base 11, or a distance sensor can be provided in the housing 10, such as an infrared sensor, a laser sensor or an ultrasonic sensor, all of these sensors being able to measure a position of the working tank 20 between its working position and its access position.

[0072] During the movement of the working tank 20, this or these sensors follow the position of the working tank 20, and at a first instant of this movement of the working tank 20 imposed by the user and represented [ Fig.11 ], no movement is imposed on the working tool 30 because the working tool 30 does not interfere with the working tank 20.

[0073] At a second instant of the movement, represented [ Fig.12 ], it is possible to provide for driving only the second motor M coupled to the slide G2, to lift the working tool 30, which also automatically disengages the drive head 40 from the main drive motor. No interference occurs between the working tool 30 and the working tank 20.

[0074] At a third instant of movement of the working tank 20 towards the coupling position, shown [ Fig.13 ], it is possible to provide for actuating the first motor M coupled to the pivot P1 to pivot the working tool 30 and reach the final position of this [ Fig.13 ]: work tank 20 in access position and drive head 40 in released position.

[0075] THE figures 14 et 15 represent an alternative embodiment where the control of the movement of the drive head 40 is mechanical. For this purpose, and as visible [ Fig.14 ], we find the slide connection G1 between the work tank 20 and the base 11, the pivot P1 of pivot axis Rt and the slide connection G2 with the housing 10, but a connection mechanism between the slide G1 and the slide G2 is provided with a first return R1, a second return R2, a connecting rod B and a stop B1.

[0076] The first return R1 is engaged via cam tracks or plane connections on the one hand with the slide G1 and on the other hand with the second return R2. The connecting rod B is articulated between the second return R2 and the slide G2. As for the stop B1, it prevents a finger secured to the first pivot P1 from moving in the vertical direction.

[0077] As shown in the [ Fig.15 ], the movement imposed by the user on the work tank 20 causes the transmission of the movement via the connecting mechanism (the first return R1 then the second return R2 and the connecting rod B) to the slide G2 which vertically releases the work tool 30 upwards, which causes it to pivot via the stop B1.

[0078] Of course, other configurations are possible for a purely mechanical implementation, with rack and pinion systems, lever arm, gear, crankshaft, etc.

[0079] There [ Fig.16 ] represents an alternative embodiment of the food preparation device of the [ Fig.1 ]. Indeed, the working tank 20 is no longer in sliding connection with the base 11, but a circular movement is provided with lugs of the working tank 20 which are guided in grooved tracks provided in the base 11 of the housing 10. Furthermore, the movement of the drive head 40 is modified to disengage laterally as shown in [ Fig.16 ]. Indeed, a vertical axis pivot movement has been added to allow the drive head 40 to follow the lateral movement of the work tank 20.

[0080] There [ Fig.17 ] represents another variant embodiment of the food preparation device of the [ Fig.1 ]. In detail, the work tank 20 is still guided in translation relative to the housing 10, but according to an alternative where the base 11 comprises a carriage 11A mounted to slide on the base 11 via two guide rails. The rest of the food preparation appliance remains similar or identical to the embodiments already detailed above.

[0081] There [ Fig.18 ] represents the food preparation device of the [ Fig.17 ], without the work tank, to clearly show the trolley 11A, supported by casters which rest on the work surface which supports the housing 10, and guided by two guide rails, the one of which can be seen on the lower right side of the trolley 11A.

[0082] There [ Fig.19 ] represents the food preparation device of the [ Fig.17 ], with the work tank 20 moved to the access position, as in the [ Fig.3 ]. For reasons of clarity, an upper part of the casing of the housing 10 is not shown. In the access position shown, the working tank 20 has been pulled by the user to slide the carriage 11A, and the drive head 40 carrying the working tool 30 has pivoted about the pivot axis Rt to release the working tool 30 from the working tank 20. As explained for the other embodiments, the working tool 30 is then perfectly accessible to be handled or exchanged by the user.

[0083] Other types of guidance / movements can be provided for the work tank 20, for example with pantograph-type joints, or circular translation...

[0084] In any event, the movement of the drive head 40 is controlled by that of the work tank 20, so that the user only has to unlock the work tank 20 and pull it towards him to cause the automatic movement of the drive head 40.

[0085] In addition, the tilting of the drive head 40 provides easy gripping / manipulation of the work tool 30, which is horizontal or almost horizontal, facing the user. In other words, the tilting of the drive head 40 is at least 75° and preferably approximately 90° between the engaged position of the [ Fig.1 ] Or 17 and the clear position of the figures 3 , 16 Or 19 .

[0086] A torque limiting device may also be provided in the drive train to cause automatic disengagement of the drive head 40 beyond a certain torque. This prevents pinching of the user or damage to the system if interference occurs.

[0087] It will be understood that various modifications and / or improvements obvious to those skilled in the art may be made to the various embodiments of the invention described in the present description without departing from the scope of the invention, as long as these modifications and / or improvements are included within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. Food preparation appliance, comprising: - a housing (10), - a working bowl (20) arranged to receive food to be prepared, - at least one working tool (30) arranged to work the food received in the working bowl (20), - a drive head (40) arranged to support the working tool (30), wherein: - the working bowl (20) is movable with respect to the housing (10) between a working position and an access position, - the drive head (40) is movable with respect to the housing (10) between an engaged position, wherein the working tool (30) is engaged in the working bowl (20), and a disengaged position, wherein the working tool (30) is at least partially disengaged from the working bowl (20), characterised in that the food preparation appliance comprises a device for slaving the movement of the drive head (40) to the movement of the working bowl (20) in order to impart a rotational movement to the drive head (40) during the movement of the working bowl (20).

2. Food preparation appliance according to claim 1, wherein the slaving device is arranged to further impart a translational movement to the drive head (40) during the movement of the workin bowl (20).

3. Food preparation appliance according to claim 2, wherein the slaving device is arranged to impart to the drive head (40), the at least partially sequential or at least partially simultaneous translational movement and rotational movement.

4. Food preparation appliance according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the slaving device comprises a disengageable block arranged between the housing (10) and the drive head (40), arranged to couple / uncouple a first part of the drive head (40) in sliding connection of a second part of the drive head (40) in pivot connection during the movement of the working bowl (20).

5. Food preparation appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the movement of the working bowl (20) between the working position and the access position comprises at least one translation.

6. Food preparation appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the movement of the working bowl (20) between the working position and the access position comprises at least one rotation.

7. Food preparation appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the slaving device comprises at least one electric actuator coupled to the drive head (40) to impart the rotational movement of the drive head (40), and wherein the electric actuator is coupled to the drive head (40) in direct engagement, or via a gear train, or via a linear movement transmission device and a lever arm.

8. Food preparation appliance according to claim 7, wherein the slaving device comprises at least one sensor for detecting the position of the working bowl (20), arranged to detect the position of the working bowl (20) between the working position and the access position, so as to control the electric actuator according to the position of the working bowl (20).

9. Food preparation appliance according to any one of claims 7 or 8 dependent from any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the slaving device comprises at least one secondary electric actuator coupled to the drive head (40) to impart the translational movement of the drive head (40).

10. Food preparation appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the slaving device comprises at least one cam track or guiding device and a follower member to slave the movement of the drive head (40) to the movement of the working bowl (20).

11. Food preparation appliance according to claim 10, wherein the slaving device comprises at least one slide connection between the housing (10) and the follower member.

12. Food preparation appliance according to any one of claims 10 or 11, wherein the slaving device comprises at least one connecting rod arranged between the drive head (40) and the working bowl (20).

13. Food preparation appliance according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the slaving device has no electric actuator to move the drive head (40).

14. Food preparation appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 13, comprising a bowl locking device arranged to reversibly lock the working bowl (20) in the working position.

15. Food preparation appliance according to claim 14, wherein the bowl locking device comprises a locking fork (55) with two locking indicators (54), each arranged to penetrate into hollow portions provided in the working bowl (20), preferably diametrically opposite and preferably arranged in a base of the working bowl (20).

16. Food preparation appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the housing (10) forms a gooseneck, wherein - the food preparation appliance comprises a device for receiving the working bowl (20) in the lower part of the gooseneck, and / or - the upper part of the gooseneck comprises a rotary shaft forming a pivot connection (P1) for the drive head (40).

17. Food preparation appliance according to claim 16, wherein the pivot connection (P1) of the drive head (40) faces the working bowl (20) when the working bowl (20) is in the working position.

18. Food preparation appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 17, comprising a head locking device, arranged to lock the drive head (40) in the engaged position, when the working bowl (20) is in the working position.

19. Food preparation appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the working bowl (20) is removably mounted with respect to the housing (10).

20. Food preparation appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the slaving device comprises at least one torque limiting device arranged to disengage the working tool (30) or limit a force applied on the working tool (30) during the movement of the drive head (40) slaved to the movement of the working bowl (20).