KITCHEN APPLIANCE WITH A GUIDE ELEMENT FOR A BLADE

Description

Field of invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooking appliance comprising a guide element for a stirring blade. Prior art

[0002] It is known to use a cooking appliance for mixing food. In particular, the cooking appliance comprises a stirring blade attached to the bottom of the tank and a device for driving the stirring blade in rotation.

[0003] Document WO 2012 / 080674 describes a food cooking appliance comprising a stirring blade.

[0004] This arrangement is satisfactory in that the food is moved within the tank.

[0005] To improve the mixing of feed with each other, it is also known to place a stirring obstacle on a side wall of the tank. Feed from the periphery of the tank is slowed down by coming into contact with the stirring obstacle and is pushed back towards the center of the tank.

[0006] Using a stirring obstacle is thus effective in mixing foods together and preventing the movement of clumped food sets.

[0007] To improve mixing, it is also necessary for the stirring blade to be as close as possible to the side wall. The movement of the stirring blade must be such that the stirring blade bypasses the stirring obstacle. Moving and guiding the stirring blade therefore poses an implementation challenge because the trajectory of the stirring blade includes a detour to avoid the stirring obstacle.

[0008] The present invention aims to resolve all or part of the drawbacks mentioned above. Statement of the invention

[0009] To this end, the present invention relates to a cooking appliance comprising: a tank having a bottom, an upper opening facing the bottom and a side wall extending from the bottom to the upper opening, a stirring obstacle attached to the side wall, a fixed guide element extending substantially around the periphery of the upper opening along a closed path, a movable stirring blade intended to stir food placed in the tank, a cooperation element secured to the stirring blade and connecting the stirring blade to the guide element, the cooperation element being configured to be guided along the closed path, the closed path being shaped to allow the stirring blade to move opposite and close to a first part of the side wall and to allow the stirring blade to move opposite and away from a second part of the side wall so as to avoid the stirring obstacle,the stirring obstacle being arranged on the second part of the side wall.

[0010] The stirring obstacle is a protruding element attached to the side wall. The stirring obstacle is configured to mix food present in the tank when the stirring blade is in motion.

[0011] The stirring obstacle limits the stirring blade from dragging a lump of food into each other, in particular by slowing down the movement of food located near the side wall. The food is therefore stirred relative to each other thanks to the combined effects of the moving stirring blade and the fixed stirring obstacle.

[0012] At the stirring obstacle, the guide element has a trajectory that moves the stirring blade away from the side wall.

[0013] This arrangement therefore makes it possible to avoid contact between the stirring blade and the stirring obstacle, but also the blocking of food between the stirring blade and the stirring obstacle.

[0014] Apart from this offset, the stirring blade is close to the side wall to improve food mixing. This prevents food from remaining against the side wall out of reach of the stirring blade.

[0015] According to one aspect of the invention, the side wall is a surface of revolution around a central axis of the tank, the closed path having a first portion of revolution around the central axis and a second complementary portion extending relative to the central axis by a shorter distance than in the first portion.

[0016] This arrangement makes it possible to define a movement of the mixing blade at a fixed distance from the side wall when passing through the first portion and a movement of the mixing blade at a variable distance from the side wall when passing through the second portion.

[0017] The second portion connects with the first portion to close the route. Regarding this second portion, there is a first part in which the distance to the central axis decreases from a first end of the first portion until it reaches the vertical line of the remuage obstacle and a second part in which the distance to the central axis increases from the vertical line of the remuage obstacle to a second end of the first portion.

[0018] The side wall is a surface of revolution around a central axis of the tank. Here, the term "surface of revolution" refers to the general shape of the side wall.

[0019] According to one aspect of the invention, the second portion extends between two points of the closed path, the second portion being closer to the central axis than an arc of a circle passing through the two points of the closed path, said arc of a circle being centered relative to the central axis.

[0020] This arrangement allows the stirring blade to move close to the side wall and then move away from it to avoid the stirring obstacle.

[0021] According to one aspect of the invention, the first portion extends between the two points of the closed path so as to form a complementary arc of a circle around the central axis.

[0022] According to one aspect of the invention, the stirring blade has a lower face capable of cooperating at least partially by sliding contact with the bottom when the cooperating element cooperates with the guiding element.

[0023] It thus appears that the stirring blade is not mounted on an axis crossing the bottom and extending along the central axis.

[0024] The lower face has a centering point which is centered relative to the central axis when passing through the first portion and eccentric when passing through the second portion.

[0025] Due to the absence of an axis intended to set the stirring blade in motion, the centering point is not fixed when going around the stirring obstacle.

[0026] The use of a guide element thus allows the stirring obstacle to be avoided without the stirring blade being subjected to stress linked to the narrowing of the distance between a radial end of the stirring blade and the central axis.

[0027] According to one aspect of the invention, the stirring blade comprises a central part, a stirring member and an arm connecting the central part to the stirring member, the central part extending in a direction of extension of the central part which is substantially coincident with the central axis when passing through the first portion.

[0028] The central part may be heavier than the stirring member and the arm. The central part, thanks to its weight, makes it possible to maintain sliding contact between at least part of the lower face of the stirring blade and the bottom. The lower face is located partly on the central part and partly on the arm and / or the stirring member.

[0029] The extension axis of the central portion shifts from the central axis while remaining parallel to the central axis when passing through the second portion. The entire stirring blade moves without deforming when passing through the second portion.

[0030] The stirring organ has a prismatic shape. In operation, the rotation of the arm brings the food towards the stirring organ, which will lift and turn the food towards the central axis.

[0031] According to one aspect of the invention, the cooperation element comprises a tab attached to the stirring member and a hook capable of cooperating with the guide element.

[0032] The tab extends substantially parallel to the side wall. Preferably, the tab is attached to one end of the stirring member radially relative to the central axis when the cooperating element is located in the first portion of the guide element.

[0033] The stirring blade is set in motion via its end and not by a motor shaft generating movement along the extension axis of the central part.

[0034] According to one aspect of the invention, the guide element has a groove capable of cooperating with the hook to guide the cooperating element along the closed path, the hook being a pin.

[0035] The groove thus allows the movement of the stirring blade thanks to the guidance of the cooperation element.

[0036] The lower face of the stirring blade being in contact with the bottom, the stirring blade has substantially a single degree of freedom of movement along the closed path.

[0037] According to one aspect of the invention, the cooking appliance comprises a circular rim adapted to be mounted on an upper edge of the side wall defining the upper opening, the circular rim being configured to hold the guide element.

[0038] The circular rim is outside the bowl and does not obstruct access to the top opening for adding or removing food from the bowl.

[0039] The circular rim includes a bottom cover mounted on the upper edge of the upper opening. The circular rim also includes a top cover adapted to cooperate with the bottom cover, and a circular housing provided between the top cover and the bottom cover for receiving and holding the cooperating element.

[0040] This arrangement allows the guide element to be held in place and protected and also prevents the user from coming into contact with the area of interaction of the cooperating element with the guide element, in particular when the cooperating element is moving relative to the guide element.

[0041] According to one aspect of the invention, the circular rim is removably mounted on the tank. Preferably, the top cover and the bottom cover cooperate removably. The stirring blade cooperation element can be arranged by removing and then replacing the top cover. The circular rim and the stirring blade are thus connected and can be jointly installed and uninstalled from the tank.

[0042] According to one aspect of the invention, the cooking appliance further comprises a stirring blade drive device configured to move the stirring blade about the central axis.

[0043] The drive of the stirring blade is independent of its guidance.

[0044] According to one aspect of the invention, the drive device comprises a free toothed wheel rotating around the central axis, a motor equipped with a pinion configured to drive the toothed wheel in rotation around the central axis and an attachment attached to the toothed wheel configured to drive the cooperation element in a movement of revolution around the central axis.

[0045] According to one aspect of the invention, the circular rim includes a passage for the motor pinion so as to allow the pinion to engage the toothed wheel.

[0046] According to one aspect of the invention, the motor is mounted against the tank. The motor is thus off-center and does not obstruct access to the tank.

[0047] According to one aspect of the invention, the attachment is shaped to allow translational movement in a radial direction relative to the central axis of the cooperation element relative to the attachment.

[0048] This arrangement allows the stirring blade to be moved along the entire closed path, in particular when passing through the second portion of the closed path during which the stirring blade will move away from both the toothed wheel and the stirring obstacle.

[0049] According to one aspect of the invention, the fastener has a slot or an oblong opening extending radially relative to the central axis, the cooperating element comprising the pin capable of moving in the slot or in the oblong opening.

[0050] When passing through the first portion of the closed path, the pawn does not move in the slot or in the oblong opening and when passing through the second portion of the closed path and according to the direction of movement of the stirring blade indicated in the Figure 1 , the pawn moves towards the central axis and then makes the opposite movement in order to avoid the movement obstacle.

[0051] In particular, the pin is able to move longitudinally in the slot or oblong opening and is inserted by its end into the groove of the guide element.

[0052] The different aspects defined above, which are not incompatible, can be combined. Brief description of the figures

[0053] The invention will be better understood with the aid of the detailed description which is set out below with reference to the accompanying drawings. There [ Fig. 1 ] is a perspective and transparent view of a kitchen appliance. The [ Fig. 2 ] is a top view and transparency of the kitchen appliance. The [ Fig. 3 ] is a top view and transparency of a detail of the kitchen appliance. The [ Fig. 4 ] is also a top view and transparency of a detail of the kitchen appliance. The [ Fig. 5 ] is a perspective view of the cooking appliance. The [ Fig. 6] is a top view and transparency of the kitchen appliance with a motor. Description with reference to the figures

[0054] In the detailed description which follows of the figures defined above, the same elements or elements fulfilling identical functions may retain the same references so as to simplify the understanding of the invention.

[0055] As illustrated in figures 1 to 4 , a cooking appliance 1 comprises a tank 3 having a bottom 5, an upper opening 7 opposite the bottom 5 and a side wall 9 extending from the bottom 5 to the upper opening 7.

[0056] The cooking appliance 1 comprises a stirring obstacle 11 attached to the side wall 9, a fixed guide element 13 extending substantially around the periphery of the upper opening 7 along a closed path 14 and a movable stirring blade 15 intended to stir food placed in the tank 3.

[0057] The stirring obstacle 11 is a projecting element attached to the side wall 9 and extending substantially over the entire height of the side wall 9. The stirring obstacle 11 is configured to slow down food present in the tank 3 when the stirring blade 15 is in motion.

[0058] The cooking appliance 1 comprises a cooperation element 17 secured to the stirring blade 15 and connecting the stirring blade 15 to the guide element 13, the cooperation element 17 being configured to be guided along the closed path 14.

[0059] The closed path 14 is shaped to allow the movement of the stirring blade 15 opposite and close to a first part of the side wall 9 and to allow the movement of the stirring blade 15 opposite and at a distance from a second part of the side wall 9 so as to avoid the stirring obstacle 11, the stirring obstacle 11 being arranged on the second part of the side wall 9.

[0060] The guide element 13 defines the movement of the stirring blade 15. At the stirring obstacle 11, the guide element 13 has a trajectory moving the stirring blade 15 away from the side wall 9.

[0061] The side wall 9 is a surface of revolution around a central axis 19 of the tank 3. The closed path 14 has a first portion 21 of revolution around the central axis 19 and a second complementary portion 23 extending at a distance from the central axis 19 that is shorter than in the first portion 21.

[0062] Here, the term "surface of revolution" relates to the general shape of the side wall 9.

[0063] The second portion 23 extends between two points 25 of the closed path 14, the second portion 23 being closer to the central axis 19 than an arc of a circle passing through the two points 25 of the closed path 14.

[0064] Said arc of a circle is centered relative to the central axis 19. The first portion 21 extends between the two points 25 of the closed path 14 so as to form a complementary arc of a circle around the central axis 19.

[0065] The stirring blade 15 has a lower face 29 capable of cooperating at least partially by sliding contact with the bottom 5 when the cooperating element 17 cooperates with the guiding element 13.

[0066] It thus appears that the stirring blade 15 is not mounted on an axis passing through the bottom 5 and extending along the central axis 19.

[0067] The lower face 29 may have a centering point 31 which is centered relative to the central axis 19 when passing through the first portion 21 and eccentric when passing through the second portion 23.

[0068] Due to the absence of an axis intended to set the stirring blade 15 in motion, the centering point 31 is not fixed when going around the stirring obstacle 11.

[0069] The stirring blade 15 comprises a central part 33, a stirring member 34 and an arm 35 connecting the central part 33 to the stirring member 34, the central part 33 extending in a direction of extension of the central part 33 which is substantially coincident with the central axis 19 when passing through the first portion 21. Said axis of extension of the central part 33 passes through the centering point 31.

[0070] The central part 33, thanks to its weight, allows the lower face 29 to be kept in contact with the bottom 5. The lower face 29 is located partly on the central part 33 and partly on the arm 35.

[0071] The extension axis of the central portion 35 shifts from the central axis 19 while remaining parallel to the central axis 19 when passing through the second portion 23 when the bottom 5 is flat. The entire stirring blade 15 moves without deforming when passing through the second portion 23.

[0072] The cooperation element 17 comprises a tab 37 attached to the stirring member 34 and a hook 39 capable of cooperating with the guide element 13.

[0073] The tab 37 extends substantially parallel to the side wall 9. The tab 37 is attached to one end of the stirring member 34 radially relative to the central axis 19 when the cooperation element 17 is located in the first portion of the guide element 13.

[0074] As shown in the Figure 5 , the cooking appliance 1 comprises a circular rim 41 adapted to be mounted on an upper edge 43 of the side wall 9 defining the upper opening 7, the circular rim 41 being configured to hold the guide element 13.

[0075] The circular rim 41 is outside the tank 3 and does not obstruct access to the upper opening 7 for adding or removing food from the tank 3.

[0076] The circular rim 41 comprises a low cover 45 mounted on the upper edge 43 of the upper opening 7. The circular rim 41 also comprises a high cover 47 capable of cooperating with the low cover 45.

[0077] A circular housing 49 is provided between the upper cover 47 and the lower cover 45 to receive and hold the cooperation element 17.

[0078] The circular rim 41 is removably mounted on the tank 3. The upper cover 47 and the lower cover 45 cooperate removably. It is possible to arrange the cooperation element 17 of the stirring blade 15 by removing and then replacing the upper cover 47. The circular rim 41 and the stirring blade 15 are thus connected and can be jointly installed and uninstalled from the tank 3.

[0079] The guide element 13 has a groove capable of cooperating with the hook 39 to guide the cooperation element 17 along the closed path, the hook 39 being a pin.

[0080] The lower face 29 of the stirring blade 15 being in contact with the bottom 5, the stirring blade 15 has a single degree of freedom of movement along the closed path 14.

[0081] As shown in the Figure 6 , the cooking appliance 1 further comprises a drive device 51 for the stirring blade 15 configured to move the stirring blade 15 around the central axis 19. The driving of the stirring blade 15 is independent of its guidance.

[0082] The drive device 51 comprises a toothed wheel 53 free to rotate around the central axis 19, a motor 55 equipped with a pinion configured to drive the toothed wheel 53 around the central axis 19 and an attachment 57 attached to the toothed wheel 53 configured to drive the cooperation element 17 in a movement of revolution around the central axis 19.

[0083] The circular rim 41 includes a passage 59 for the pinion of the motor 55 so as to allow the gearing of the pinion on the toothed wheel 53.

[0084] The motor 55 is placed against the tank 3. The motor is thus off-center and does not obstruct access to the tank 3.

[0085] The attachment 57 is shaped to allow translational movement in a radial direction relative to the central axis 19 of the cooperation element 17 relative to the attachment 57.

[0086] This allows the stirring blade 15 to be moved along the closed path, in particular when passing the second portion of the closed path during which the stirring blade will move away from both the toothed wheel 53 and the stirring obstacle.

[0087] The fastener 57 has a slot 61 or an oblong opening extending radially relative to the central axis 19, the cooperation element 17 comprising the pin capable of moving in the slot 61 or in the oblong opening.

[0088] When passing through the first portion 21 of the closed path, the pawn does not move in the slot 61 or in the oblong opening and when passing through the second portion 23 of the closed path and according to the direction of movement of the stirring blade indicated in Figure 1 , the pawn moves towards the central axis 19 and then makes the opposite movement in order to avoid the movement obstacle.

[0089] The pin is able to move longitudinally in the slot 61 or the oblong opening and is inserted by its end into the groove of the guide element 13.

[0090] The cooking appliance 1 described above is advantageous because the stirring blade 15 bypasses the stirring obstacle 11. This reduces the risk of food getting stuck between the stirring blade 15 and the stirring obstacle 11. The food is thus less damaged and has an acceptable appearance for the user.

[0091] The bypass does not require a complex spring-type element and is therefore carried out reliably.

[0092] It goes without saying that the invention is not limited to the single embodiment described above as an example; on the contrary, it encompasses all the variant embodiments covered by the claims.

Claims

1. Cooking appliance (1) comprising: - a vessel (3) having a bottom (5), an upper opening (7) facing the bottom (5) and a side wall (9) extending from the bottom (5) to the upper opening (7), - a stirring obstacle (11) mounted on the side wall (9), - a movable stirring blade (15) intended to stir food disposed in the vessel (3), the cooking appliance (1) being characterised by: - a fixed guiding element (13) extending substantially over the perimeter of the upper opening (7) along a closed route (14), - an engagement element (17) secured to the stirring blade (15) and connecting the stirring blade (15) to the guiding element (13), the engagement element (17) being configured to be guided along the closed route (14), the closed route (14) being shaped to enable the movement of the stirring blade (15) facing and in the proximity of a first part of the side wall (9), and to enable the movement of the stirring blade (15) facing and at a distance from a second part of the side wall (9), so as to avoid the stirring obstacle (11), the stirring obstacle (11) being disposed on the second part of the side wall (9).

2. Cooking appliance (1) according to claim 1, wherein the side wall (9) is a surface of revolution around a central axis (19) of the vessel (3), the closed route (14) having a first portion (21) revolving about the central axis (19) and a second complementary portion (23) extending with respect to the central axis (19) along a shorter distance than in the first portion (21).

3. Cooking appliance (1) according to claim 2, wherein the second portion (23) extends between two points (25) of the closed route (14), the second portion (23) being closer to the central axis (19) than a circular arc passing through the two points (25) of the closed route (14), said circular arc being centred with respect to the central axis (19).

4. Cooking appliance (1) according to any one of claims 2 or 3, wherein the stirring blade (15) has a lower face (29), capable of engaging at least partially by sliding contact with the bottom (5), when the engagement element (17) engages with the guiding element (13).

5. Cooking appliance (1) according to claim 4, wherein the stirring blade (15) comprises a central part (33), a stirring member (34) and an arm (35) connecting the central part (33) to the stirring member (34), the central part (33) extending along an extension direction of the central part (33) which is substantially combined with the central axis (19) during the passage into the first portion (21).

6. Cooking appliance (1) according to claim 5, wherein the engagement element (17) comprises a tab (37) mounted on the stirring member (34) and a hook (39) capable of engaging with the guiding element (13).

7. Cooking appliance (1) according to claim 6, wherein the guiding element (13) has a groove capable of engaging with the hook (39) to guide the engagement element (17) along the closed route, the hook (39) being a pin.

8. Cooking appliance (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 7, comprising a circular rim (41) capable of being mounted on an upper edge (43) of the side wall (9) defining the upper opening (7), the circular rim (41) being configured to hold the guiding element (13).

9. Cooking appliance (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 8, when they depend on claim 2, further comprising a device (51) for driving the stirring blade (15) configured to move the stirring blade (15) about the central axis (19).

10. Cooking appliance (1) according to claim 9, wherein the drive device (51) comprises a gearwheel (53) which rotates freely about the central axis (19), a motor (55) equipped with a pinion configured to rotate the gearwheel (53) about the central axis (19) and a clip (57) mounted on the gearwheel (53) configured to drive, in a revolving movement, the engagement element (17) about the central axis (19).

11. Cooking appliance (1) according to claim 10, wherein the clip (57) is shaped to enable a translational movement along a radial direction with respect to the central axis (19) of the engagement element (17) relative to the clip (57).

12. Cooking appliance (1) according to claim 11 combined with claim 7, wherein the clip (57) has a slot (61) or an oblong opening extending radially with respect to the central axis (19), the engagement element (17) comprising the pin capable of moving into the slot (61) or into the oblong opening.