Mixing and blending device

Abstract

A mixing and blending apparatus for food preparations comprising: - a bowl (10) having a bottom with an opening, - a knife holder (20) removably mounted in the opening of the bottom, - a fixing ring (30) of the knife holder (20) to the bowl (10), the fixing ring (30) being pivotally mounted on the bowl (10), and - a locking system (40) of the fixing ring (30) to the bowl (10), comprising a first locking element (41), a second locking element (42), a first return spring (44), an actuator (46) and an elastic element (48), the first locking element (41) and the second locking element (42) being pivotally mounted on the bowl (10), the first locking element (41) being engaged with the fixing ring (30) under the action of the first return spring (44) and disengaged from the fixing ring (30) under the action of the actuator (46) when the actuator (46) is moved against the elastic element (48);the second locking element (42) holds the fixing ring (30) under the action of the first return spring (44). Figure for abstract: figure 1;

Description

Title of the invention: Mixing and blending apparatus Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of food preparation appliances and more particularly a mixing and blending appliance for liquid or pasty food preparations, such appliances being commonly called “Blenders”.

[0002] The present invention relates more particularly to devices of the aforementioned type comprising a removable knife holder. State of the art

[0003] Such devices are well known to those skilled in the art; they traditionally comprise a bowl, a knife holder, a ring for fixing the knife holder on the bowl and a motorized base on which the pre-assembled assembly consisting of the bowl, the knife holder and the fixing ring is engaged. The motorized base comprises a motor driving a shaft provided with a coupling system which cooperates with a complementary coupling system on the knife holder, when the pre-assembled assembly is engaged on the motorized base.

[0004] Safety problems have arisen on some of these devices. In fact, when the knife holder is rotated at high speed by the motor, the fixing ring can rotate with the knife holder, which can cause this fixing ring to come loose from the bowl when the user removes the bowl, after mixing a preparation. The liquid or pasty preparation can therefore spread onto the motorized base and damage it or even generate risks of electrocution for the user. When it comes to hot preparations such as soups, the user can also suffer burns.

[0005] Many structures have been proposed for securing the attachment ring to the bowl and / or the motorized base. In particular, in document CN 209773879U, a system for locking the attachment ring to the bowl is described. The locking system comprises two locking elements, each cooperating with the attachment ring so as to hold it and configured to be released by a control button. To unlock the attachment ring, the user presses the control button which moves vertically to disengage the second locking element from the attachment ring initially. Then, the user continues to press the control button to move it further downwards, until it unlocks the first locking element and the attachment ring. In other words, the opening of the locking system is achieved in two clicks. successive vertical presses of the control button.

[0006] However, it has been found that the two vertical clicks of the control button can be activated almost simultaneously, by a sufficiently large force. For example, if the bowl filled with a beverage is placed above a projection that just presses the control button, the gravity of the bowl can cause the locking system to open unexpectedly, which would cause a potential cut and / or burn to the user. Summary of the invention

[0007] The present invention overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks by designing an apparatus which makes it possible to avoid unwanted opening of the locking system while ensuring simple and reliable assembly.

[0008] In this respect, according to the invention, the mixing and blending apparatus for food preparations comprises:

[0009] - a bowl having a bottom having an opening, - a removable knife holder mounted in the bottom opening, - a ring for fixing the knife holder to the bowl, the fixing ring being pivotally mounted on the bowl, and - a system for locking the fixing ring to the bowl, comprising a first locking element, a second locking element, a first return spring, an actuator and an elastic element, the first locking element and the second locking element being pivotally mounted to the bowl, the first locking element being engaged with the fixing ring under the action of the first return spring and disengaged from the fixing ring under the action of the actuator when the actuator is moved against the elastic element; the second locking element holding the fixing ring under the action of the first return spring.

[0010] According to the invention, the appliance comprises a fixing ring pivotally mounted on the bowl and locked by a locking system which ensures secure unlocking while preventing any unwanted opening. Indeed, the unlocking is carried out in two successive stages. During the first stage, the first locking element is released from the fixing ring by the actuator while the second locking element still holds the fixing ring in place under the action of the first return spring. The second locking element must be intentionally moved against the force of the first return spring in order to release the fixing ring during the second unlocking stage. Thus, the locking system prevents any unexpected unlocking of the fixing ring and therefore makes it possible to avoid a potential cut and / or burn of the user by the knife holder or the liquid in the bowl.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the apparatus, the movement of the actuator does not cause the second locking element to unlock with the fixing ring. Thus, even if the actuator is pressed hard resulting in a significant movement, it does not trigger the unlocking of the second locking element. Preferably, the second locking element must be rotated about an axis against the first return spring, while the movement of the actuator is vertical and therefore does not allow its unlocking. Consequently, the fixing ring cannot be unlocked by an unexpected strong click on the actuator, which prevents unwanted opening of the fixing ring.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the apparatus, the fixing ring is pivotally mounted on the bowl against a third return spring which causes the fixing ring to open when the fixing ring is not retained by the locking system. According to this embodiment, the fixing ring is automatically raised by the third return spring when it is no longer retained by the locking system, which facilitates the disassembly of the knife holder. Preferably, one end of the fixing ring is pivotally mounted on the bowl against the third return spring and an opposite end of the fixing ring is retained by the locking system.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the apparatus, the fixing ring comprises a first hook and the first locking element comprises a second hook which cooperates with the first hook to achieve engagement of the fixing ring with the first locking element. It is also conceivable to provide other complementary shapes respectively provided on the fixing ring with the first locking element to achieve engagement of the two parts, such as a protrusion and a hollow.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the apparatus, the second locking element comprises a tab extending toward the securing ring and intended to press against the securing ring when the second locking element is held by the first return spring. According to this embodiment, the second locking element comprises at least one tab on an inner side and configured to overlap on an upper surface of the securing ring so as to exert a force thereon against the opening of the securing ring. The first return spring maintains the second locking element by exerting said force against the opening of the securing ring.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the apparatus, the locking system comprises a first axis arranged on the bowl, the first locking element and the second locking element being pivotally mounted around the first axis, the first return spring being a torsion spring mounted on the first axis and comprising a first end connected with the first locking element and a second end connected with the second locking element. According to this embodiment, the first locking element and the second locking element are pivotally mounted around the same axis and connected with the same return spring, which makes it possible to reduce the size of the locking system and simplify its structure. It could be envisaged that the second locking element is pivotally mounted around a second axis and / or connected with a second return spring, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the apparatus, the second locking element comprises a space for receiving the actuator which is configured to move in the receiving space. According to this embodiment, the actuator is smaller in size compared to the second locking element, which makes it possible to reduce the size of the locking system while improving the ergonomics of use of the apparatus. Indeed, the user can press the actuator with the index finger and then move the second locking element with the thumb, the first contact surface being smaller than the second contact surface. In addition, according to this embodiment, the second locking element comprises two support tabs on the fixing ring connected by a connecting part. The two support tabs make it possible to better ensure the retention of the fixing ring when the first locking element is released by the actuator.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the apparatus, the actuator comprises a bearing surface accessible from the outside and an upright extending towards the bowl and connected to the elastic element which is arranged in a recess of the first locking element, the upright being provided with an actuating boss configured to press on the first locking element so that it pivots against the first return spring when the upright moves towards the bowl against the elastic element. The structure of such a locking system is therefore compact.

[0018] Preferably, the locking system comprises a guide for moving the actuator in which the upright slides. For example, the moving guide may be arranged on the bowl or on an element integral with the bowl. Thus, the sliding of the upright of the actuator is guided in a stable manner.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the device, the elastic element is chosen from a return spring, a metal blade or an elastomer.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the apparatus, the bowl comprises a bowl body and a base fixed to the bottom of the bowl body and carrying the locking system. In this embodiment, the fixing ring can also be carried by the base, which therefore integrates the fixing functions requiring greater rigidity. This offers greater freedom in the choice of materials for making the bowl.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a base incorporating an electric motor which rotates a first coupling part, and a pre-assembled assembly consisting of an assembly of the bowl, the knife holder and the fixing ring, the knife holder comprising knives which are rotated by a second coupling part opening onto the lower face of the knife holder and meshing with the first coupling part when the pre-assembled assembly is mounted on the base. In this embodiment, the pre-assembled assembly may also incorporate an electrical interface with the base, so as to heat the contents of the bowl and control the heating. The electrical interface is typically carried by the knife holder and comprises means of electrical connection with the base known to those skilled in the art. Brief description of the figures

[0022] The characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description of the embodiments, based on the appended figures, in which:

[0023] [Fig.l] illustrates an exploded view of a first embodiment of the pre-assembled assembly of a mixing and blending apparatus according to the invention;

[0024] [Fig.2] illustrates an exploded view of the knife holder and the lower part of the bowl of this device;

[0025] [Fig.3] illustrates a sectional view of the knife holder, with the locking system in the engaged position to lock the fixing ring;

[0026] [Fig.4] illustrates a sectional view of the knife holder, with the first locking element disengaged from the fixing ring, after the first unlocking step;

[0027] [Fig.5] illustrates a sectional view of the knife holder, with the second locking element disengaged from the fixing ring, after the second unlocking step;

[0028] [Fig.6] illustrates an exploded sectional view of the knife holder, with the fixing ring raised to its open position and the knife holder extended;

[0029] [Fig.7] illustrates an exploded view of the locking system. Detailed description of the invention

[0030] The following description relates to an embodiment of the mixing and blending apparatus for liquid or pasty, hot or cold food preparations, for example soups or milkshakes, such an apparatus being generally called a "blender". In the remainder of the description, the term "apparatus" will be used.

[0031] In the remainder of the description, the same references are used to designate the same characteristics, unless otherwise indicated.

[0032] The apparatus typically comprises a base (not illustrated) on which a pre-assembled assembly 300 is mounted. The base notably incorporates an electric motor which rotates a first coupling part. As illustrated in [Fig.l], the pre-assembled assembly 300 consists of an assembly of a bowl 10, a knife holder 20 and a fixing ring 30. The bowl 10 comprises an elongated bowl body 11 provided with a handle 17 allowing the pre-assembled assembly 300 to be manipulated. The bowl 10 also comprises a bottom having an opening. In the illustrated embodiment, the bottom is fixed with the bowl body 11 and comprises a base 12 and an outer casing 13 surrounding the base 12. In other embodiments, the base 12 and the outer casing 13 may be integrated into a single piece. In addition, the bottom may also be integrated with the bowl body 11 to form a single piece.

[0033] As shown in [Fig. 2], the base 12 and the outer casing 13 are both generally cylindrical in shape so as to form an opening in the bottom of the bowl 10 which allows the knife holder 20 to be housed. The knife holder 20 comprises knives 24 which are driven in rotation by a second coupling part 22 opening onto the lower face of the knife holder 20. This second coupling part 22 meshes with the first coupling part when the pre-assembled assembly 300 is mounted on the base.

[0034] To fix the knife holder 20 to the bowl 10, the fixing ring 30 is pivotally mounted on the base 12. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 7, the fixing ring 30 comprises a circular body and two ends extending radially from the circular body, a first end 32 ensuring the pivotal mounting of the fixing ring 30 on the base 12, a second end 34 being intended to be retained by the locking system 40 which will be described below. More precisely, as illustrated in [Fig. 2], the fixing ring 30 comprises two orifices 321 at the first end 32 which are intended to be crossed by a third axis 51 on which a third return spring 50 is mounted. The third axis 51 is fixed on an axis seat 52 attached to the base 12. The third return spring 50 is a torsion spring here and exerts a force on the fixing ring 30 which tends to lift it around the third axis 51.The fixing ring 30 comprises a first hook 36 extending towards the base 12 at the second end 34.

[0035] As illustrated in Figures 2 and 7, the apparatus comprises a locking system 40 which makes it possible to lock the fixing ring 30 so that the latter ensures the fixing of the knife holder 20 to the bowl 10. In this case, the locking system 40 is arranged on the base 12 and comprises a first axis 43 fixed to the base 12. The locking system 40 comprises a first locking element 41 and a second locking element 42 pivotally mounted around the first axis 43, as well as a first return spring 44 mounted on the first axis 43. The first return spring 44 is a torsion spring and comprises a first end 441 connected with the first locking element 41 and a second end 442 connected with the second locking element 42. The locking system 40 also comprises an actuator 46 movable in the vertical direction and linked with an elastic element 48 which is a return spring here, but can also be formed of a metal blade or an elastomeric part.

[0036] As illustrated in Figures 3 and 7, the first locking element 41 comprises a second hook 412 which cooperates with the first hook 36 of the fixing ring 30 to achieve engagement of the fixing ring 30 with the first locking element 41. As better illustrated in [Fig.2], the first locking element 41 also comprises two fins 413 delimiting a recess 411.

[0037] The second locking element 42 comprises a receiving space 426 for the actuator 46 which is configured to move vertically in the receiving space 426. As illustrated in [Fig. 7], the second locking element 42 comprises two first parts 421 located next to each other and a second part 422 connecting the two first parts 421 to delimit the receiving space 426. The actuator 46 is arranged between the two first parts 421. An orifice 425 is provided on each first part 421 to receive the first axis 43 on which the first return spring 44 is mounted. The second locking element 42 further comprises two tabs 424 extending from the first parts 421 towards the fixing ring 30 and intended to press on the fixing ring 30 when the second locking element 42 is held by the first return spring 44.

[0038] As illustrated in Figures 2 and 7, the actuator 46 comprises a bearing surface 461 intended to be located between the first parts 421 of the second locking element and accessible from the outside. The actuator 46 also comprises a post 462 extending towards the bowl 10 and connected with the elastic element 48 which is arranged in the recess 411 of the first locking element 4L. The post 462 is provided with an actuating boss 463 configured to press on the two fins 413 of the first locking element 41 so that it pivots against the first return spring 44 when the post 462 moves towards the bowl 10 against the elastic element 48. The post 462 is configured to slide in a movement guide 121 formed in the base 12. In this case, the post 462 comprises two columns connected by a plate on which the actuating boss 463 is formed.The movement guide 121 comprises two hollow columns capable of receiving the two columns of the upright 462.

[0039] Figures 3 to 6 illustrate the steps in the process of disassembling the knife holder 20 from the bowl 10.

[0040] First, [Fig. 3] shows the pre-assembled assembly 300 in the working position in which the knife holder 20 is inserted into the opening in the bottom of the bowl 10 and fixed to the bowl 10 by means of the fixing ring 30 using the locking system 40. More precisely, the fixing ring 30 is engaged both with the first locking element 41 by the cooperation between the first hook 36 and the second hook 412, and with the second locking element 42 by the support of the tabs 424 on the second end 34 of the fixing ring 30. The actuator 46 is in its rest position under the action of the elastic element 48, with the support surface 461 flush with the first parts of the second locking element 42.

[0041] To remove the knife holder 20 in order to clean it for example, it is necessary to unlock the locking system 40 to release the fixing ring 30 so that it lifts under the action of the third return spring 50. To do this, in a first step, it is first necessary to press on the bearing surface 461 of the actuator 46 which therefore moves towards the body of the bowl 11 against the elastic element 48, with the columns of the upright 462 sliding in the hollow columns of the movement guide 121. The actuating boss 463 therefore presses on the two fins 413 of the first locking element 41 so that it pivots around the first axis 43 against the first return spring 44. Thus, the second hook 412 pivots outwards and is released with the first hook 36 from the fixing ring 30, as illustrated in [Fig.4].However, at this time, since the movement of the actuator 46 does not cause the second locking element 42 to be unlocked from the fixing ring 30, the tabs 424 still press on the fixing ring 30 because the second locking element 42 is still held by the first return spring 44. The first hook 36 and the second hook 412 lock each other by their ends so that the actuator 46 is held in a state without returning upwards.

[0042] Then, in a second step, the user must manually move the second locking element 42 outwardly against the first return spring 44. [Fig. 5] illustrates the pre-assembled assembly 300 at the moment when the user has just moved the second locking element 42 back, that is to say, turned the second locking element 42 around the first axis 43 against the action of the first return spring 44. As the tabs 424 no longer press on the fixing ring 30, the latter is completely unlocked and therefore pivots around the third axis 51 under the action of the third return spring 50 so that its second end 34 rises upwards. Thus, the second hook 412 of the first locking element 41 is no longer blocked by the first hook 36 and will return to its initial position under the action of the first return spring 44. The actuator 46 will also return to its rest position under the action of the elastic element 48.

[0043] Once the fixing ring 30 has reached its open position, as illustrated in [Fig. 6], the knife holder 20 is accessible and can be dismantled and removed from the bowl 10. The locking system 40 has returned to its initial position under the action of the first return spring 44 and the elastic element 48. To fix the knife holder 20 to the bowl 10, the user simply has to fold the fixing ring 30 around the third axis 51 against the third return spring 50 until it arrives in a plane parallel to the bottom of the bowl 10. In this position, the second end 34 of the fixing ring 30 comes into contact with the second locking element 42 and pushes it slightly outwards. To facilitate this cooperation, the lower surface of the second end 34 and the upper surface of the tabs 424 of the second locking element 42 can be chamfered. Then, the first hook 36 comes to engage with the second hook 412 of the first locking element 41, so that the system locks directly. The second locking element 42 returns to its initial position thanks to the first return spring 44.In other words, the closing and locking of the fixing ring 30 are carried out in a single action.

[0044] The preceding description of an embodiment of the apparatus is not limiting in nature, and variants may be envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0045] For example, it may be provided that the second locking element 42 is pivotally mounted around a second axis and / or connected with a second return spring.

[0046] The first and second hooks could also be replaced by other complementary shapes, such as a protrusion and a hollow.

[0047] Although the exemplary embodiments of the invention have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art may make various modifications and variations to the exemplary embodiments of the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is to be understood that such modifications and variations remain within the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

Claims

Claims

1. Mixing and blending apparatus for food preparations, which comprises: - a bowl (10) having a bottom with an opening, - a knife holder (20) removably mounted in the opening of the bottom, - a fixing ring (30) of the knife holder (20) to the bowl (10), the fixing ring (30) being pivotally mounted on the bowl (10), and - a locking system (40) of the fixing ring (30) to the bowl (10), comprising a first locking element (41), a second locking element (42), a first return spring (44), an actuator (46) and an elastic element (48), the first locking element (41) and the second locking element (42) being pivotally mounted on the bowl (10),the first locking element (41) being engaged with the fixing ring (30) under the action of the first return spring (44) and disengaged from the fixing ring (30) under the action of the actuator (46) when the actuator (46) is moved against the elastic element (48); characterized in that the second locking element (42) holds the fixing ring (30) under the action of the first return spring (44).,

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that during the movement of the actuator (46), the second locking element (42) is still held by the first return spring (44).

3. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fixing ring (30) is pivotally mounted on the bowl (10) against a third return spring (50) which causes the fixing ring (30) to open when the fixing ring (30) is not retained by the locking system (40).

4. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fixing ring (30) comprises a first hook (36) and the first locking element (41) comprises a second hook (412) which cooperates with the first hook (36) to effect engagement of the fixing ring (30) with the first locking element (41).

5. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second locking element (42) comprises a tab (424) extending towards the fixing ring (30) and intended to press on the fixing ring (30) when the second ver- rust (42) is maintained by the first return spring (44).

6. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking system (40) comprises a first axis (43) arranged on the bowl (10), the first locking element (41) and the second locking element (42) being pivotally mounted around the first axis (43), the first return spring (44) being a torsion spring mounted on the first axis (43) and comprising a first end (441) connected with the first locking element (41) and a second end (442) connected with the second locking element (42).

7. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second locking element (42) comprises a receiving space (426) of the actuator (46) which is configured to move in the receiving space (426).

8. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuator (46) comprises a bearing surface (461) accessible from the outside and a post (462) extending towards the bowl (10) and connected with the elastic element (48) which is arranged in a recess (411) of the first locking element (41), the post (462) being provided with an actuating boss (463) configured to press on the first locking element (41) so that it pivots against the first return spring (44) when moving the post (462) towards the bowl (10) against the elastic element (48).

9. Apparatus according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the locking system (40) comprises a movement guide (121) of the actuator (46) in which the upright (462) slides.

10. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the elastic element (48) is chosen from a return spring, a metal blade or an elastomer.

11. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bowl (10) comprises a bowl body (11) and a base (12) fixed to the bottom of the bowl body (11) and carrying the locking system (40).

12. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a base incorporating an electric motor which drives a first coupling part in rotation, and a pre-assembled assembly (300) consisting of an assembly of the bowl (10), the knife holder (20) and the fixing ring (30), the knife holder (20) comprising knives (24) which are driven in rotation by a second coupling part (22) opening onto the lower face of the knife holder (20) and meshing with the first coupling part when mounting the pre-assembled assembly (300) on the base.

Images