Culinary apparatus with manually controlled cord drive device

Abstract

The culinary apparatus (2) comprises a food-processing unit (3) comprising a bowl (4) and a rotary accessory (5); and a cord drive device (7) configured to manually set the rotary accessory in rotation and comprising a main body (8), a drive wheel (13) housed in the main body (8) and provided with an annular groove (19), a cord (14) which is configured to be wound around the drive wheel (13), a handle (15) connected to the cord (14), and a retaining part (34) housed in the main body (8) and having a retaining portion (42) arranged facing the annular groove (19) and situated at the periphery of the drive wheel (13), the retaining portion (42) being configured to retain the cord (14) in the annular groove (19) when winding the cord in the annular groove (19).

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Title: KITCHEN APPLIANCE WITH MANUALLY OPERATED ROPE DRIVE DEVICE

[0003] Technical field

[0004] The field of the invention is that of manually operated, non-electric, self-returning cable reels, allowing movement to be transmitted from one part to another part by pulling a cable or rope.

[0005] Rope drive mechanisms are already known for transmitting a rotational movement to an object or work unit. These mechanisms are often implemented as hand-operated drives in household appliances such as kitchen appliances, such as salad spinners, choppers, potato mashers, juice extractors or blenders.

[0006] State of the art

[0007] Document FR3106965 describes a kitchen appliance provided with a working unit comprising a bowl, a rotating cutting tool arranged in the bowl and mounted to rotate about an axis of rotation, and a cover configured to close the bowl; and a manually controlled rope drive device which is arranged partly inside the cover of the kitchen appliance, and which comprises in particular:

[0008] - a drive wheel housed in the cover and provided with an annular groove,

[0009] - a rope which is configured to be wound around the drive wheel and in the annular groove and which has a first end fixed to the drive wheel and a second end opposite the first end, - a handle connected to the second end of the rope and configured to exert traction on the rope so as to rotate the drive wheel in a direction of rotation and around a central axis of the drive wheel, and

[0010] - a return spring housed in the cover and configured to be arranged coaxially with respect to the central axis of the drive wheel, the return spring being configured to rotate the drive wheel in a reverse direction of rotation which is opposite to the direction of rotation.

[0011] Such a rope drive device is more particularly configured to chop food contained in the bowl by rotating the cutting tool when the user pulls on the handle connected to the rope.

[0012] When the user stops pulling on the handle, the return spring rotates the drive wheel in the opposite direction of rotation, so as to automatically wind the rope into the annular groove and return the handle to a rest position, in order to allow a user to easily pull the handle again.

[0013] The return spring is configured to ensure optimal winding of the rope around the drive wheel when a user stops exerting traction on the handle. However, when the user accompanies the handle towards its rest position at a speed greater than the winding speed induced by the return force exerted by the return spring on the drive wheel, a portion of the rope is likely to come out of the annular groove and interact, for example, with an internal part of the cover or with a coupling mechanism arranged in the cover and configured to mechanically couple the drive wheel to a coupling member provided on the cutting tool. However, such an interaction is likely to block the rope, and therefore make any subsequent actuation of the rope drive device impossible.

[0014] Summary of the invention

[0015] The aim of the present invention is to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks and to propose a kitchen appliance with a manually operated rope drive device which is of simple structure, while exhibiting increased reliability.

[0016] The invention relates to a cooking appliance, comprising:

[0017] - a working unit comprising a bowl and a rotating accessory arranged in the bowl and mounted to rotate about an axis of rotation;

[0018] - a rope drive device comprising a main body which comprises a lower body part and an upper body part fixed to the lower body part, a drive wheel provided with an annular groove and housed in an internal housing delimited by the lower and upper body parts, a rope which is configured to be wound around the drive wheel and in the annular groove and which comprises a first end fixed to the drive wheel and a second end opposite the first end, and a handle connected to the second end of the rope and configured to exert traction on the rope so as to rotate the drive wheel in a direction of rotation and around a central axis of the drive wheel,the rope drive device being configured to manually rotate the rotary accessory around the axis of rotation by pulling the rope transversely to the axis of rotation.,

[0019] The rope drive device comprises a retaining part housed in the internal housing and attached to the main body, the retaining part being sandwiched between the lower and upper body parts and comprising a retaining part which is arranged opposite the annular groove provided on the drive wheel and which is located at the periphery of the drive wheel, the retaining part being configured to retain the rope in the annular groove when the rope is wound in the annular groove.

[0020] The presence of such a retaining part, and in particular the specific arrangement of the retaining part, makes it possible to avoid any risk of a portion of rope coming out of the annular groove when a user accompanies the handle towards its rest position at high speed, and therefore any risk of the rope getting stuck with, for example, an internal part of the main body. The cooking appliance according to the present invention thus has increased reliability compared to cooking appliances of the prior art equipped with rope drive devices.

[0021] Furthermore, the fact that the retaining part is provided on a retaining piece attached to the main body, and not directly provided on the latter, makes it possible on the one hand to simplify the manufacture of the main body, and therefore to reduce the manufacturing costs of the kitchen appliance, and on the other hand to produce the retaining piece with a material different from that used to manufacture the main body, and for example in a material with a low sliding coefficient.

[0022] The invention also relates to a cooking appliance, comprising:

[0023] - a working unit comprising a bowl and a rotating accessory arranged in the bowl and mounted to rotate about an axis of rotation;

[0024] - a rope drive device comprising a main body, a drive wheel housed in the main body and provided with an annular groove, a rope which is configured to be wound around the drive wheel and in the annular groove and which has a first end fixed to the drive wheel and a second end opposite the first end, and a handle connected to the second end of the rope and configured to exert traction on the rope so as to rotate the drive wheel in a direction of rotation and around a central axis of the drive wheel, the rope drive device being configured to manually rotate the rotary accessory around the axis of rotation by pulling the rope transversely to the axis of rotation;the rope drive device comprises a retaining part housed in the main body and attached to the main body, the retaining part comprising a retaining part which is arranged opposite the annular groove provided on the drive wheel and which is located on the periphery of the drive wheel, the retaining part being configured to retain the rope in the annular groove when the rope is wound in the annular groove.;

[0025] The cooking appliance according to the invention may further have one or more of the following features, taken alone or in combination. According to one embodiment of the invention, the rotating accessory is a rotating processing tool configured to process food received in the bowl, and for example to mix, beat, whisk, grate, chop, cut, blend, mix, emulsify and / or knead food received in the bowl, when a user exerts traction on the handle connected to the cord.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the invention, a radial clearance is provided between an external peripheral surface of the drive wheel and the retaining part, the radial clearance being less than half the diameter of the rope when said rope is at rest, and in particular when said rope is not tensioned, that is to say when no traction is applied to said rope.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the invention, the rope drive device comprises a rope outlet orifice through which the rope projects outside the rope drive device, and the retaining portion comprises a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge which are angularly offset relative to the central axis of the drive wheel, the first lateral edge of the retaining portion and the rope outlet orifice being angularly offset, relative to the central axis, by an angle of less than 180°, and for example between 90 and 160°. Such an arrangement of the retaining portion further limits the risks of the rope accidentally exiting the annular groove when the rope is wound around the drive wheel.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first lateral edge of the retaining portion and the second lateral edge of the retaining portion are angularly offset, relative to the central axis, by an angle of between 10° and 270°.

[0029] According to one embodiment of the invention, the retaining part is located substantially opposite the rope outlet orifice relative to the central axis of the drive wheel.

[0030] According to one embodiment of the invention, the retaining portion comprises a retaining surface which is located opposite the annular groove and which extends along a portion of the periphery of the annular groove.

[0031] According to one embodiment of the invention, the retaining surface is concave and is formed by a portion of cylindrical surface. According to one embodiment of the invention, the retaining surface is arranged substantially coaxially with respect to the central axis of the drive wheel.

[0032] According to one embodiment of the invention, the retaining part comprises a retaining rib extending along an upper edge of the retaining part and projecting towards the drive wheel, and for example towards an upper wall delimiting the annular groove.

[0033] According to one embodiment of the invention, the retaining surface extends over an angular sector substantially centered on the central axis of the drive wheel and having an angle of between 10 and 180°, and advantageously between 20 and 90°, and for example between 30 and 80°. Such a configuration of the retaining surface further limits the risks of the rope accidentally exiting the annular groove when the rope is wound around the drive wheel, while limiting the size of the retaining part, and therefore the impact of the latter on the mass of the rope drive device.

[0034] According to one embodiment of the invention, the retaining portion is a retaining wall.

[0035] According to one embodiment of the invention, the retaining part is curved, and has a cross section, along a cutting plane perpendicular to the central axis of the drive wheel, which is substantially in the shape of an arc of a circle.

[0036] According to one embodiment of the invention, the retaining portion has a height which is greater than or equal to the width of the annular groove.

[0037] According to one embodiment of the invention, the retaining part is stationary relative to the main body.

[0038] According to one embodiment of the invention, the main body comprises a lower body portion and an upper body portion attached to the lower body portion, the lower and upper body portions defining an internal housing in which the drive wheel and the retaining part are housed.

[0039] According to one embodiment of the invention, the retaining part is sandwiched between the lower and upper body portions. According to one embodiment of the invention, the retaining part comprises a first mounting portion attached to the upper body portion, and a second mounting portion attached to the lower body portion.

[0040] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first and second mounting parts extend substantially parallel to the central axis of the drive wheel.

[0041] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first mounting part is inserted into a first protrusion, for example tubular, provided on the upper body part, and the second mounting part is inserted into a second protrusion, for example tubular, provided on the lower body part.

[0042] According to one embodiment of the invention, the retaining part comprises a first abutment portion from which the first mounting portion extends, and a second abutment portion from which the second mounting portion extends. Advantageously, the first protrusion is configured to abut against the first abutment portion, and the second protrusion is configured to abut against the second abutment portion.

[0043] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first and second stop portions extend substantially parallel to each other.

[0044] According to one embodiment of the invention, the retaining portion is located between the first and second stop portions. Advantageously, the retaining portion extends substantially perpendicular to the first and second stop portions.

[0045] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first protrusion is configured to be directed downwards when the working unit rests on a horizontal surface and the second protrusion is configured to be directed upwards when the working unit rests on a horizontal surface.

[0046] According to one embodiment of the invention, the rope drive device comprises a keying device configured to impose a direction of mounting of the retaining part on the main body. According to one embodiment of the invention, the retaining part is made of a material with a low sliding coefficient.

[0047] According to one embodiment of the invention, the rope training device comprises a rope guide which is fixed to the main body and which is configured to guide the rope when traction is exerted on the rope. The presence of such a rope guide makes it possible in particular to avoid damage to the main body when the rope makes a back and forth movement. Advantageously, the rope guide can be made of brass, ceramic or metal, or any material which, in contact with the rope, will not be altered by heating of the rope, resulting from friction thereof during its movement.

[0048] According to one embodiment of the invention, the rope guide delimits the rope exit opening.

[0049] According to one embodiment of the invention, the rope guide is tubular and delimits an internal passage configured to allow the passage of the rope.

[0050] According to one embodiment of the invention, the main body of the rope training device is configured to close the bowl and to be removable from the bowl. Thus, the main body of the rope training device forms a cover configured to close the bowl.

[0051] According to one embodiment of the invention, the cooking appliance comprises a fastening system configured to temporarily and reversibly fasten the main body of the rope drive device to the bowl.

[0052] According to one embodiment of the invention, the fixing system comprises several fixing members provided on the bowl and distributed around the axis of rotation, and several fixing elements provided on the periphery of the main body and configured to cooperate respectively with the fixing members.

[0053] According to one embodiment of the invention, the fixing members are provided inside an internal volume delimited by the bowl, and more particularly on an interior surface of the bowl.

[0054] According to one embodiment of the invention, the attachment system is configured to prevent, when the main body is attached to the bowl, a translational movement of the main body relative to the bowl in a direction of movement which is parallel to the axis of rotation, and a translational movement of the main body relative to the bowl in a plane of movement which is orthogonal to the axis of rotation. These provisions limit the risks of untimely disconnection between the rope drive device and the bowl (for example when the kitchen appliance is lifted by grasping the rope drive device).

[0055] According to one embodiment of the invention, the rotary accessory comprises a coupling member and the rope drive device comprises a coupling mechanism disposed in the main body and configured to mechanically couple the coupling member to the drive wheel when the main body is attached to the bowl, so as to transmit a rotational movement from the drive wheel to the rotary accessory.

[0056] According to one embodiment of the invention, the coupling mechanism comprises:

[0057] - a drive part which is integral in rotation with the drive wheel and which is substantially coaxial with the drive wheel, the drive part being provided with drive teeth, and

[0058] - a drive interface mounted to rotate relative to the main body around a drive axis, the drive interface comprising peripheral teeth configured to cooperate with the drive teeth, and a coupling part configured to be mechanically coupled to the coupling member.

[0059] According to one embodiment of the invention, the coupling portion comprises a coupling element configured to be mechanically coupled to the coupling member.

[0060] According to one embodiment of the invention, the coupling element is a female coupling element, and the coupling member is a male coupling member.

[0061] According to one embodiment of the invention, the drive part and the drive wheel are made in one piece. According to one embodiment of the invention, the drive part comprises an inner circumferential surface and an outer circumferential surface, the drive toothing being provided on the inner circumferential surface.

[0062] According to one embodiment of the invention, the drive part is a drive crown.

[0063] According to one embodiment of the invention, the drive part extends around the peripheral teeth.

[0064] According to one embodiment of the invention, the training interface comprises:

[0065] - a coupling part mounted to rotate relative to the main body around the drive axis, the coupling part comprising the coupling part which is configured to be mechanically coupled to the coupling member, and

[0066] - a drive part separate from the coupling part and integral in rotation with the coupling part, the drive part being provided with peripheral teeth.

[0067] According to one embodiment of the invention, the drive axis is parallel to and offset from the central axis of the drive wheel.

[0068] According to one embodiment of the invention, the main body comprises a central passage opening, the coupling portion is configured to be located opposite the central passage opening or to be housed at least partly in the central passage opening.

[0069] According to one embodiment of the invention, the coupling part comprises a coupling housing configured to receive the coupling member. Advantageously, the coupling housing has a polygonal, and for example hexagonal, section.

[0070] According to one embodiment of the invention, the rope drive device comprises a return spring housed in the main body and configured to be arranged coaxially with respect to the central axis of the drive wheel, the return spring being configured to rotate the drive wheel in a reverse direction of rotation which is opposite to the direction of rotation. Advantageously, the direction of rotation corresponds to an unwinding of the rope from the drive wheel, and the reverse direction of rotation corresponds to a winding of the rope around the drive wheel.

[0071] According to one embodiment of the invention, the return spring is wound around the central axis of the drive wheel. The winding plane of the return spring is advantageously arranged perpendicular to the central axis of the drive wheel.

[0072] According to one embodiment of the invention, the return spring is housed in an annular cavity delimited at least in part by the drive wheel.

[0073] According to one embodiment of the invention, the return spring comprises a first end portion fixed to a first anchoring point provided on the drive wheel, and a second end portion fixed to a second anchoring point provided on the main body. Thus, the return spring can store energy when it is stretched or under tension, and restore it when it relaxes (torque restoration). The restored energy is generally transmitted to the rotating accessory.

[0074] According to one embodiment of the invention, the return spring is a spiral spring, and for example an elastic band. Advantageously, the elastic band is wound in the cavity, taking the form of a roll with contiguous turns.

[0075] According to one embodiment of the invention, the drive wheel is a winding drum comprising the annular groove where the rope is housed by winding around the axis of rotation.

[0076] According to one embodiment of the invention, the rope is wound in the annular groove of the drive wheel, counterclockwise relative to the central axis and the return spring, which is arranged in the annular cavity of the drive wheel, is wound clockwise relative to the central axis. It can be envisaged that the rope is wound in the annular groove of the drive wheel, clockwise relative to the central axis and the return spring is arranged in the annular cavity of the drive wheel wound counterclockwise relative to the central axis. According to one embodiment of the invention, the drive wheel is rotatably movable relative to the main body.

[0077] According to one embodiment of the invention, the kitchen appliance is a salad spinner, a chopper, a potato masher, a juice extractor, a mixer or any other kitchen appliance requiring a manually operated, non-electric, self-return reel for transmitting movement from one part to another part by pulling a cable or rope.

[0078] The present invention further relates to a rope drive device for a kitchen appliance comprising a working unit comprising a bowl and a rotating accessory arranged in the bowl and mounted to rotate about an axis of rotation, the rope drive device comprising a main body which comprises a lower body portion and an upper body portion fixed to the lower body portion, a drive wheel provided with an annular groove and housed in an internal housing delimited by the lower and upper body portions, a rope which is configured to be wound around the drive wheel and in the annular groove and which comprises a first end fixed to the drive wheel and a second end opposite the first end,and a handle connected to the second end of the rope and configured to exert traction on the rope so as to rotate the drive wheel in a direction of rotation and around a central axis of the drive wheel, the rope drive device being configured to manually rotate the rotary accessory around the axis of rotation by pulling the rope transversely to the axis of rotation.,

[0079] The rope drive device comprises a retaining part housed in the internal housing and attached to the main body, the retaining part being sandwiched between the lower and upper body parts and comprising a retaining part which is arranged opposite the annular groove provided on the drive wheel and which is located at the periphery of the drive wheel, the retaining part being configured to retain the rope in the annular groove during winding of the rope in the annular groove. The present invention further relates to a rope drive device for a kitchen appliance comprising a working unit comprising a bowl and a rotary accessory arranged in the bowl and mounted to rotate about an axis of rotation, the rope drive device comprising a main body, a drive wheel housed in the main body and provided with an annular groove,a rope which is configured to be wound around the drive wheel and in the annular groove and which has a first end fixed to the drive wheel and a second end opposite the first end, and a handle connected to the second end of the rope and configured to exert traction on the rope so as to rotate the drive wheel in a direction of rotation and around a central axis of the drive wheel, the rope drive device being configured to manually rotate the rotary accessory around the axis of rotation by pulling the rope transversely to the axis of rotation; the rope drive device comprises a retaining part housed in the main body and attached to the main body,the retaining part comprising a retaining portion which is arranged opposite the annular groove provided on the drive wheel and which is located on the periphery of the drive wheel, the retaining portion being configured to retain the rope in the annular groove when the rope is wound in the annular groove.,

[0080] Brief description of the figures

[0081] The aims, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the description given below of particular embodiments of the invention presented by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0082] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a culinary appliance according to the invention, of the mincer type, comprising a working unit and a rope drive device in a rest phase and fixed to a bowl of the working unit.

[0083] Figure 2 is a partial perspective view from below of the rope drive device in a resting phase. Figure 3 is a truncated perspective view of the working unit.

[0084] Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the cooking appliance of Figure 1.

[0085] Figure 5 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of the rope drive device.

[0086] Figure 6 is a partial truncated perspective view of the rope training device in a resting phase.

[0087] Figure 7 is a partial top view of the rope training device in a resting phase.

[0088] Figure 8 is a top perspective view of a retaining part belonging to the rope drive device.

[0089] Detailed description

[0090] It should be noted that, throughout this document, the terms "longitudinal", "transverse", "horizontal", "vertical", "lower", "upper", "top", "bottom", "coaxial", "radial" used to describe the invention, refer to this invention in a situation of use, when it is placed on a horizontal plane. The term "coaxially" within the meaning of the invention, means that the parts are aligned on the same axis, without necessarily passing through the geometric center of the parts.

[0091] In this document, rope also means a cable, traction chain, belt, or other similar elongated traction element that can be wound around a drive wheel. Such a rope may be made of natural, metallic, or plastic material.

[0092] Figures 1 to 8 represent a kitchen appliance 2 according to the invention, of the mincer type. The kitchen appliance 2 could however be a salad spinner, a potato masher, a juice extractor, a mixer or any other kitchen appliance 2 requiring a manually operated, non-electric, self-return reel, allowing movement to be transmitted from one part to another part by pulling a cable or a rope.

[0093] The cooking appliance 2 comprises a working unit 3 comprising a bowl 4 delimiting an internal volume intended to contain food and a rotating accessory 5 arranged in the bowl 4 and mounted to rotate about an axis of rotation A. According to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, the rotating accessory 5 is a cutting tool which comprises one or more cutting blade(s) 6. However, the rotating accessory 5 could be a spinning basket, a mixing tool, a kneading tool, a stirring tool, or any rotating working tool, also called a rotary processing tool, configured to process food received in the bowl 4, and for example to mix, beat, whip, grate, chop, cut, blend, knead, emulsify and / or knead food received in the bowl 4.

[0094] The cooking appliance 2 further comprises a rope drive device 7 configured to manually rotate the rotating accessory 5 around the rotation axis A.

[0095] The rope drive device 7 comprises a main body 8 which forms, according to the embodiment shown in the figures, a cover configured to close the bowl 4. The main body 8 may for example comprise a lower body part 8.1 and an upper body part 8.2 fixed to the lower body part 8.1, the lower and upper body parts 8.1, 8.2 delimiting an internal housing 9.

[0096] Advantageously, the cooking appliance 2 comprises a fastening system, such as a bayonet fastening system, configured to removably fasten, i.e. temporarily and reversibly, the main body 8 to the bowl 4. The fastening system more particularly comprises several fastening members 12.1 provided on the bowl 4 and distributed around the axis of rotation A, and several fastening elements 12.2 provided on the periphery of the main body 8 and configured to cooperate respectively with the fastening members 12.1. According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the fastening members 12.1 are provided inside the internal volume, and more particularly on an inner surface of the bowl 4.

[0097] The fixing system is more specifically configured to:

[0098] - prevent translational movement of the main body 8 relative to the bowl 4 in a direction of movement D which is parallel to the axis of rotation A, when the main body 8 is fixed to the bowl 4, and - prevent translational movement of the main body 8 relative to the bowl 4 in a plane of movement which is orthogonal to the axis of rotation A, when the main body 8 is fixed to the bowl 4.

[0099] The rope training device 7 further comprises:

[0100] - a drive wheel 13 housed in the internal housing 9, delimited by the main body 8, and provided with a central axis B which is parallel to and offset relative to the axis of rotation A, the drive wheel 13 being mounted to be able to rotate relative to the main body 8 around the central axis B,

[0101] - a rope 14 configured to be wound around the drive wheel 13, the rope 14 having a first end fixed to the drive wheel 13 and a second end opposite the first end,

[0102] - a handle 15 located outside the main body 8, the handle 15 being connected to the second end of the rope 14 and being configured to exert traction on the rope 14 so as to rotate the drive wheel 13 in a direction of rotation and around the central axis B, and

[0103] - a return spring 16 housed in the internal housing 9 delimited by the main body 8 and configured to be arranged coaxially with respect to the central axis B of the drive wheel 13, the return spring 16 being configured to drive the drive wheel 13 in rotation in a reverse direction of rotation which is opposite to the direction of rotation, so as to wind the rope 14 around the drive wheel 13 after traction has been exerted by a user on the handle 15.

[0104] The rotary accessory 5 is thus more particularly configured to chop food received in the bowl 4 by rotating the cutting blade(s) 6 when a user exerts traction on the handle 15 connected to the rope 14.

[0105] Advantageously, the main body 8 comprises a positioning member 17, such as a positioning projection, provided on the upper body portion 8.2, and the handle 15 comprises a gripping opening 18 which is configured to allow the handle 15 to be gripped during use of the cooking appliance 2 and which is configured to receive the positioning member 17 provided on the main body 8 when the rope drive device 7 is in the rest phase. These arrangements ensure optimal positioning of the handle 15 during phases of non-use of the cooking appliance 2.

[0106] According to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 8, the return spring 16 is wound around the central axis B of the drive wheel 13, and the winding plane of the return spring 16 is advantageously arranged perpendicular to the central axis B of the drive wheel 13. Advantageously, the return spring 16 is a spiral spring, such as an elastic band taking the form of a roller with contiguous turns, and is housed in an annular cavity delimited at least in part by the drive wheel 13.

[0107] The return spring 16 comprises a first end portion fixed to a first anchoring point provided on the drive wheel 13, and a second end portion fixed to a second anchoring point provided on the main body 8. Thus, the return spring 16 will be able to store energy when it is stretched or under tension, and restore it when it relaxes (torque restoration).

[0108] As shown more particularly in Figure 5, the drive wheel 13 comprises an annular groove 19 configured to receive the rope 14. Advantageously, the rope 14 is wound around the drive wheel 13 and in the annular groove 19, in the counterclockwise direction with respect to the central axis B, and the return spring 16, which is arranged in the annular cavity of the drive wheel 13, is wound in the clockwise direction with respect to the central axis B. It can however be envisaged that the rope 14 is wound in the annular groove 19 of the drive wheel 13, in the clockwise direction with respect to the central axis B and that the return spring 16 is wound in the counterclockwise direction with respect to the central axis B.

[0109] Advantageously, the rope drive device 7 further comprises a rope guide 21 which is fixed to the main body 8 and which is configured to guide the rope 14 when traction is exerted on the rope 14. The rope guide 21 may for example be made of brass, ceramic or metal, or any material which in contact with the rope 14 will not be altered by heating of the rope 14, resulting from friction thereof during its movement. According to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 8, the rope guide 21 is tubular and delimits an internal passage configured to allow the passage of the rope 14. Advantageously, the internal passage delimits a rope outlet orifice 22 through which the rope 14 projects outside the rope drive device 7.

[0110] As shown more particularly in Figures 3 and 4, the rotary accessory 5 comprises a coupling member 23, and the rope drive device 7 comprises a coupling mechanism 24 disposed in the main body 8 and configured to mechanically couple the coupling member 23 to the drive wheel 13 when the main body 8 is fixed to the bowl 4, so as to transmit a rotational movement from the drive wheel 13 to the rotary accessory 5.

[0111] The coupling mechanism 24 comprises a drive part 25 which is integral in rotation with the drive wheel 13 and which is substantially coaxial with the drive wheel 13. According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the drive part 25 is a drive crown, and comprises an internal circumferential surface provided with a drive toothing 26. Advantageously, the drive part 25 and the drive wheel 13 are made in a single piece.

[0112] The coupling mechanism 24 further comprises a drive interface 27 mounted to rotate relative to the main body 8 around a drive axis C which is parallel to and offset relative to the central axis B of the drive wheel 13, and which is configured to be collinear with the rotation axis A when the main body 8 is fixed to the bowl 4.

[0113] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the training interface

[0114] 27 comprises a coupling part 28 mounted to move in rotation relative to the main body 8 around the drive axis C. The coupling part

[0115] 28 has a coupling portion provided with a coupling element

[0116] 29 configured to be mechanically coupled to the coupling member 23. Advantageously, the main body 8 comprises a central passage opening 31, and the coupling part is housed at least partly in the central passage opening 31 so as to be accessible from outside the main body 8.

[0117] The coupling element 29 is configured to cooperate directly with the coupling member 23 by a mechanical coupling of the male / female type. According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the coupling element 29 is a female coupling element, such as a coupling housing, and the coupling member 23 is a male coupling member. Advantageously, the coupling member 23 and the coupling element 29 each have a polygonal, and for example hexagonal, section. However, the coupling element 29 could be a male coupling element, and the coupling member 23 could be a female coupling member.

[0118] The drive interface 27 further comprises a drive part 32 separate from the coupling part 28 and rotationally secured to the coupling part 28, and more particularly a connecting part which is provided on the coupling part 28 and which is axially offset relative to the coupling part. The drive part 32 is provided with peripheral teeth 33 configured to cooperate with the drive teeth 26. Advantageously, the drive part 25 extends around the peripheral teeth 33.

[0119] In order to limit the risks of a portion of the rope that is wound in the annular groove 19 coming out of the annular groove 19, in particular when a user accompanies the handle 15 towards its rest position after having stopped exerting traction on the latter, the rope drive device 7 advantageously comprises a retaining part 34 which is housed in the internal housing 9 delimited by the main body 8 and which is attached to the main body 8. Advantageously, the retaining part 34 is made of a material with a low sliding coefficient, so as to promote sliding of the rope 14 on the retaining part 34 if the rope 14 were to come into contact with the retaining part 34.

[0120] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the retaining part 34 is immobile relative to the main body 8. However, the retaining part 34 could possibly be fixed to the main body 8 with a small clearance so as to allow a slight rotation of the retaining part 34 relative to the main body 8 and around an axis of rotation substantially parallel to the central axis B.

[0121] As shown in Figures 4 and 8, the retaining part 34 comprises a first mounting portion 35 attached to the upper body portion 8.2, and a second mounting portion 36 attached to the lower body portion 8.1. The first and second mounting portions 35, 36 extend parallel to the central axis B of the drive wheel 13.

[0122] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the first mounting part 35 is inserted, and for example force-mounted, in a first protrusion 37, for example tubular, provided on the upper body part 8.2 and configured to be directed downwards when the working unit 3 rests on a horizontal surface, and the second mounting part 36 is inserted, and for example force-mounted, in a second protrusion 38, for example tubular, provided on the lower body part 8.1 and configured to be directed upwards when the working unit 3 rests on a horizontal surface.According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, rotation locking means could be provided on each of the first and second protrusions 37, 38 and / or on each of the first and second mounting parts 35, 36 so as to block any rotation of the retaining part 34 relative to the main body 8 without requiring force-fitting of the first and second mounting parts 35, 36 respectively in the first and second protrusions 37, 38.

[0123] Advantageously, the rope drive device 7 comprises a keying device configured to impose a direction of mounting of the retaining part 34 on the main body 8. The keying device can for example be obtained by offsetting the extension axes of the first and second mounting parts 35, 36 and by providing first and second mounting parts 35, 36 having different cross sections.

[0124] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the retaining part 34 comprises a first stop portion 39 from which the first mounting part 35 extends upwards, and a second stop portion 41 from which the second mounting part 36 extends downwards. The first protrusion 37 is more particularly configured to abut against the first stop portion 39, and the second protrusion 38 is more particularly configured to abut against the second stop portion 41. Thus, the retaining part 34 is configured to be sandwiched between the lower and upper body parts 8.1, 8.2. The first and second stop portions 39, 41 may for example extend parallel to each other and perpendicular to the central axis B of the drive wheel 13.

[0125] The retaining part 34 further comprises a retaining portion 42 which is located between the first and second stop portions 39, 41, and which is arranged opposite the annular groove 19 provided on the drive wheel 13. Advantageously, the retaining portion 42 has a height which is greater than or equal to the width of the annular groove 19, and extends opposite the entire height of the annular groove 19. The retaining portion 42 is more particularly configured to retain, in the annular groove 19, the portion of the rope 14 which is wound around the drive wheel 13 and in the annular groove 19.

[0126] As shown in Figure 7, the retaining portion 42 comprises a first lateral edge 42.1 and a second lateral edge 42.2 which are angularly offset relative to the central axis B of the drive wheel 13. Advantageously, the retaining part 34 is located substantially opposite the rope outlet orifice 22 relative to the central axis B of the drive wheel 13, and the first lateral edge 42.1 of the retaining portion 42 and the rope outlet orifice 22 are angularly offset, relative to the central axis B, by an angle of less than 180°, and for example between 90 and 160°. According to one embodiment of the invention, the first lateral edge 42.1 of the retaining part 42 and the second lateral edge 42.2 of the retaining part 42 are angularly offset, relative to the central axis, by an angle of between 10° and 270°.

[0127] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the retaining portion 42 is formed by a retaining wall which is curved. Advantageously, the retaining portion 42 has a cross-section, along a section plane perpendicular to the central axis B of the drive wheel 13, which is substantially in the shape of an arc of a circle.

[0128] The retaining portion 42 more particularly comprises a retaining surface 43 which is located opposite the annular groove 19 and on the periphery of the drive wheel 13 and which extends along a part of the periphery of the annular groove 19. Advantageously, the retaining surface 43 is concave and is formed by a portion of cylindrical surface arranged substantially coaxially with respect to the central axis B of the drive wheel 13.

[0129] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the retaining part 42, and therefore the retaining surface 43, extends over an angular sector centered on the central axis B of the drive wheel 13 and having an angle of between 10 and 180°, and advantageously between 20 and 90°, and for example between 30 and 80°.

[0130] Such a configuration of the retaining part 34, and in particular of the retaining part 42, makes it possible to avoid any risk of a portion of rope coming out of the annular groove 19 when a user accompanies the handle 15 towards its rest position at a speed greater than the winding speed of the drive wheel 13, induced by the return force exerted by the return spring 16 on the drive wheel 13, and therefore any risk of the rope becoming blocked with, for example, an internal part of the main body 8 or the coupling mechanism 24. The cooking appliance 2 according to the present invention thus has increased reliability compared to cooking appliances of the prior art equipped with rope drive devices.

[0131] Advantageously, the retaining part 34 also comprises a retaining rib 44 extending along an upper edge 42.3 of the retaining part 42 and projecting in the direction of the drive wheel 13, and for example in the direction of an upper wall delimiting the annular groove 19. The presence of such a retaining rib 44 further limits the risks of the rope 14 accidentally exiting the annular groove 19 when the rope 14 is wound around the drive wheel 13.

[0132] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, a radial clearance J is provided between an external peripheral surface of the drive wheel 13 and the retaining part 34. Advantageously, the radial clearance J is less than half the diameter of the rope 14 when said rope 14 is at rest, and in particular when said rope 14 is not taut, that is to say when no traction is applied to said rope 14. Such a radial clearance J prevents the occurrence of friction between the drive wheel 13 and the retaining part 34 (which limits the risks of wear of the drive wheel 13 and the retaining part 34), while limiting the risks of the rope 14 accidentally coming out of the annular groove 19 when the rope 14 is wound around the drive wheel 13.

[0133] According to an embodiment not shown in the figures, the working unit 3 could be provided with a cover separate from the rope drive device 7, and the rope drive device 7 could be autonomous, and be configured to be removable from the cover of the working unit 3.

[0134] Although the invention has been described in connection with particular examples of embodiment and application, it is obvious that it is in no way limited thereto.

[0135] Modifications remain possible, particularly from the point of view of the arrangement and composition of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS Cooking appliance (2), comprising: - a work unit (3) comprising a bowl (4) and a rotating accessory (5) disposed in the bowl (4) and mounted to rotate freely around an axis of rotation (A); - a rope drive device (7) comprising a main body (8) having a lower body portion (8.1) and an upper body portion (8.2) fixed to the lower body portion (8.1), a drive wheel (13) having an annular groove (19) and housed in an internal housing (9) delimited by the lower and upper body portions (8.1, 8.2), a rope (14) configured to be wound around the drive wheel (13) and in the annular groove (19) and having a first end fixed to the drive wheel (13) and a second end opposite the first end, and a handle (15) connected to the second end of the rope (14) and configured to exert traction on the rope (14) so ​​as to rotate the drive wheel (13) in a direction of rotation and about a central axis (B) of the drive wheel (13),The rope drive device (7) is configured to manually rotate the rotating accessory (5) around the axis of rotation (A) by pulling the rope (14) transversely to the axis of rotation (A); characterized in that the rope drive device (7) comprises a retaining piece (34) housed in the internal housing (9) and attached to the main body (8), the retaining piece (34) being sandwiched between the lower and upper body parts (8.1, 8.2) and comprising a retaining portion (42) which is disposed opposite the annular groove (19) provided on the drive wheel (13) and which is located on the periphery of the drive wheel (13), the retaining portion (42) being configured to retain the rope (14) in the annular groove (19) when the rope is wound in the annular groove (19). Cooking appliance (2), comprising: - a work unit (3) comprising a bowl (4) and a rotating accessory (5) disposed in the bowl (4) and mounted to rotate freely around an axis of rotation (A); - a rope drive device (7) comprising a main body (8), a drive wheel (13) housed in the main body (8) and provided with an annular groove (19), a rope (14) which is configured to be wound around the drive wheel (13) and in the annular groove (19) and which has a first end fixed to the drive wheel (13) and a second end opposite to the first end, and a handle (15) connected to the second end of the rope (14) and configured to exert a pull on the rope (14) so ​​as to drive the drive wheel (13) in rotation in a direction of rotation and about a central axis (B) of the drive wheel (13), the rope drive device (7) being configured to manually rotate the rotating accessory (5) about the axis of rotation (A) by pulling the rope (14) transversely to the axis of rotation (A);characterized in that the rope drive device (7) comprises a retaining piece (34) housed in and attached to the main body (8), the retaining piece (34) having a retaining portion (42) which is disposed opposite the annular groove (19) provided on the drive wheel (13) and which is located on the periphery of the drive wheel (13), the retaining portion (42) being configured to retain the rope (14) in the annular groove (19) when the rope is wound in the annular groove (19). Cooking appliance (2) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a radial clearance (J) is provided between an external peripheral surface of the drive wheel (13) and the retaining piece (34), the radial clearance (J) being less than half the diameter of the rope (14) when said rope (14) is at rest. Cooking appliance (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the rope drive device (7) has a rope exit orifice (22) through which the rope (14) protrudes outside the rope drive device (7), and the retaining part (42) has a first lateral edge (42.1) and a second lateral edge (42.2) which are angularly offset with respect to the central axis (B) of the drive wheel (13), the first lateral edge (42.1) of the retaining part (42) and the rope exit orifice (22) being angularly offset, with respect to the central axis (B), by an angle of less than 180°. Cooking appliance (2) according to claim 4, in which the retaining piece (34) is located substantially opposite the rope exit hole (22) with respect to the central axis (B) of the drive wheel (13).A cooking appliance (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the retaining portion (42) comprises a retaining surface (43) which is situated opposite the annular groove (19) and which extends along a portion of the periphery of the annular groove (19). A cooking appliance (2) according to claim 6, wherein the retaining surface (43) is concave and is formed by a portion of a cylindrical surface. A cooking appliance (2) according to claim 7, wherein the retaining surface (43) is arranged substantially coaxially with respect to the central axis (B) of the drive wheel (13). Cooking appliance (2) according to claims 7 or 8, wherein the retaining surface (43) extends over an angular sector substantially centered on the central axis (B) of the drive wheel (13) and having an angle between 10 and 180°, and advantageously between 20 and 90°, and for example between 30 and 80°. A cooking appliance (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the retaining part (42) is curved and has a cross-section, along a cutting plane perpendicular to the central axis (B) of the drive wheel (13), that is substantially an arc of a circle. A cooking appliance (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the retaining part (42) has a height that is greater than or equal to the width of the annular groove (19). A cooking appliance (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the retaining part (34) is fixed relative to the main body (8). A cooking appliance (2) according to any one of claims 2 to 12, wherein the main body (8) comprises a lower body part (8.1) and an upper body part (8.2) fixed to the lower body part (8.1), the lower and upper body parts (8.1, 8.2) defining an internal housing (9) in which the drive wheel (13) and the retaining piece (34) are housed. Cooking appliance (2) according to claim 1 or claim 13, wherein the retaining piece (34) comprises a first mounting part (35) fixed to the upper body part (8.2), and a second mounting part (36) fixed to the lower body part (8.1). Cooking appliance (2) according to claim 14, wherein the first mounting part (35) is inserted into a first protrusion (37) provided on the upper body part (8.2), and the second mounting part (36) is inserted into a second protrusion (38) provided on the lower body part (8.1). A cooking appliance (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the retaining piece (34) is made of a material with a low coefficient of friction. A cooking appliance (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the main body (8) of the cord drive device (7) is configured to close the bowl (4) and to be removable from the bowl (4). A cooking appliance (2) according to claim 17, wherein it comprises a fastening system configured to temporarily and reversibly attach the main body (8) of the cord drive device (7) to the bowl (4).A cooking appliance (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the rotating accessory (5) comprises a coupling member (23) and the cord drive device (7) includes a coupling mechanism (24) disposed in the main body (8) and configured to mechanically couple the coupling member (23) to the drive wheel (13) when the main body (8) is fixed to the bowl (4), so as to transmit a rotational motion from the drive wheel (13) to the rotating accessory (5). A cooking appliance (2) according to claim 19, wherein the coupling mechanism (24) comprises: - a drive portion (25) which is rotationally fixed to the drive wheel (13) and which is substantially coaxial with the drive wheel (13), the drive portion (25) being provided with a drive toothing (26), and - a drive interface (27) mounted to rotate movably relative to the main body (8) around a drive axis (C), the interface drive (27) comprising peripheral teeth (33) configured to cooperate with the drive teeth (26), and a coupling portion configured to be mechanically coupled to the coupling member (23). Rope drive device (7) for a cooking appliance (2) comprising a working unit (3) including a bowl (4) and a rotating accessory (5) disposed in the bowl (4) and mounted to rotate freely about an axis of rotation (A), the rope drive device (7) comprising a main body (8) which includes a lower body portion (8.1) and an upper body portion (8.2) fixed to the lower body portion (8.1), a drive wheel (13) having an annular groove (19) and housed in an internal housing (9) delimited by the lower and upper body portions (8.1, 8.2),a rope (14) configured to be wound around the drive wheel (13) and in the annular groove (19), having a first end fixed to the drive wheel (13) and a second end opposite the first end, and a handle (15) connected to the second end of the rope (14) and configured to exert traction on the rope (14) so ​​as to rotate the drive wheel (13) in a direction of rotation and around a central axis (B) of the drive wheel (13), the rope drive device (7) being configured to manually rotate the rotating accessory (5) around the axis of rotation (A) by pulling the rope (14) transversely to the axis of rotation (A), characterized in that the rope drive device (7) comprises a retaining piece (34) housed in the internal housing (9) and attached to the main body (8),the retaining piece (34) being sandwiched between the lower and upper body parts (8.1, 8.2) and comprising a retaining part (42) which is disposed opposite the annular groove (19) provided on the drive wheel (13) and which is located on the periphery of the drive wheel (13), the retaining part (42) being configured to retain the, rope (14) in the annular groove (19) during winding of the rope in the annular groove (19). Rope drive device (7) for a cooking appliance (2) comprising a working unit (3) including a bowl (4) and a rotating accessory (5) disposed in the bowl (4) and mounted to rotate freely about an axis of rotation (A), the rope drive device (7) comprising a main body (8), a drive wheel (13) housed in the main body (8) and provided with an annular groove (19), a rope (14) which is configured to be wound around the drive wheel (13) and in the annular groove (19) and which has a first end fixed to the drive wheel (13) and a second end opposite the first end,and a handle (15) connected to the second end of the rope (14) and configured to exert traction on the rope (14) so ​​as to rotate the drive wheel (13) in a direction of rotation and around a central axis (B) of the drive wheel (13), the rope drive device (7) being configured to manually rotate the rotating accessory (5) around the axis of rotation (A) by pulling the rope (14) transversely to the axis of rotation (A), characterized in that the rope drive device (7) comprises a retaining piece (34) housed in the main body (8) and attached to the main body (8), the retaining piece (34) having a retaining portion (42) which is disposed opposite the annular groove (19) provided on the drive wheel (13) and which is located on the periphery of the drive wheel (13),the retaining part (42) being configured to retain the rope (14) in the annular groove (19) when the rope is wound in the annular groove (19).

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