FOOD PREPARATION DEVICE

Abstract

The invention relates to a food preparation device comprising: - a rotating working tool (30) having a circumferential side wall (32) having at least one external cutting member (33) adjacent to a through passage (35), - a housing (20) defining a housing configured to receive the working tool (30), the housing (20) having a chimney (25) for the introduction of the food to be cut, the chimney (25) having a lateral support and centering portion (26) configured to receive the food pushed by the working tool (30) during its cutting, - a pusher (40) that can be moved in the chimney (25) to push the food towards the working tool (30), the pusher (40) having a lower end (42).According to the invention, the lower end (42) has a front portion (43) adjacent to the lateral support and centering portion (26), which is raised in the direction of the lateral support and centering portion (26). Figure for the abstract: Fig. 10.

Description

Title of the invention: FOOD PREPARATION DEVICE technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of food preparation devices comprising a rotating drum-type working tool for progressively cutting food.

[0002] The present invention relates more particularly, but not exclusively, to food preparation appliances comprising a motorized housing carrying a removable accessory forming a food preparation device of the aforementioned type. The present invention also relates to removable accessories of the aforementioned type. State of the art

[0003] It is known to use cylindrical or frustoconical rotary cutting tools for slicing or shredding food, particularly vegetables or cheese. These rotary cutting tools consist of a drum with a drive element arranged at one end and a circumferential wall on which cutting elements are mounted. These rotary cutting tools are housed in a magazine with a food feed chute. When the food to be cut has a cross-section significantly smaller than the chute, it can become angled in the chute, which degrades the quality of the cut.

[0004] Patents US4397427, US7686240, and EP2440095 propose using a movable element arranged in the chute to further guide the food during cutting. Such devices improve the quality of food cutting but have the disadvantage of being more expensive to manufacture and more complicated to clean. Summary of the invention

[0005] The present invention aims to remedy these drawbacks.

[0006] The technical problem underlying the invention consists of proposing a food cutting device that improves food cutting, while maintaining a simple construction.

[0007] These objects are reached with a food preparation device comprising:

[0008] - a rotating working tool comprising a drive element rotating according an axis of rotation and a circumferential side wall extending around the axis of rotation, the circumferential side wall having at least one cutting element external structure comprising a leading edge adjacent to a through passage, the circumferential side wall having a circumferential border providing a front opening for the evacuation of cut food,

[0009] - a housing defining a compartment having a mounting opening for the installation of the working tool in the housing, the housing having a chimney for the introduction of the food to be cut, the chimney opening into the housing at least partially opposite said at least one external cutting element, the chimney having a lateral support and centering portion configured to receive the food pushed by the working tool during its cutting,

[0010] - a pusher that can be moved in the chimney in a direction to push the food towards the working tool, the pusher having a lower end arranged opposite the housing,

[0011] because the lower end of the pusher has a front portion adjacent to the lateral support and centering portion, which is raised towards the lateral support and centering portion. The lateral support and centering portion receives the food introduced into the chute, particularly elongated food, and centers it laterally, preventing it from shifting during cutting and becoming angled in the chute, as such an inclination contributes to degrading the cutting quality. The shape of the lower end facilitates the placement of the food against this lateral support and centering portion of the chute. Using the proposed pusher, the food can thus be pushed into the chute towards the rotating cutting tool for cutting, being well guided even if the food's dimensions are smaller than those of the chute.These provisions facilitate the production of high-quality food cuts. They also facilitate a good cutting throughput.

[0012] The lower end of the pusher may have a rear portion opposite the lateral support and centering portion, which is raised towards the lateral support and centering portion. This arrangement facilitates obtaining good quality food cuts for foods with a larger cross-section and / or irregular geometry.

[0013] The lower end of the pusher can be beveled. This arrangement makes it easier to obtain good quality food cuts for foods of any size, and / or with irregular geometry.

[0014] The lower end of the pusher may have raised features. This arrangement improves the retention of the food displaced by the pusher in the chute.

[0015] The axis of rotation can extend opposite a front half of the chimney, including the lateral support and centering portion. This arrangement allows reducing the angle between the circumferential side wall of the working tool and the direction of advance of the pusher in the chimney, which helps to make cuts more perpendicular to the large dimension of an elongated food introduced into the chimney.

[0016] The chimney may have a non-circular cross-section. This arrangement makes it possible to prevent the pusher from rotating within the chimney, and to promote a translational movement of the pusher within the chimney.

[0017] The lateral support and centering portion may have a concave profile. This arrangement facilitates the centering of elongated foods. Other profiles are also possible, in particular profiles with one or more longitudinal ribs extending over all or part of the height of the chute. This rib or these ribs may, in particular, allow for translational guidance of the pusher within the chute.

[0018] The lateral support and centering portion may have a rounded profile. Such an arrangement makes cleaning the chimney easier.

[0019] The lateral support and centering portion may have two faces connected by an angle. Such an arrangement improves the centering of food by using support on each face.

[0020] The housing may have a frustoconical geometry. The rotating working tool may have a frustoconical geometry, which facilitates the ejection of the cut food.

[0021] The chimney may have a rear lateral portion extending from a peripheral wall of the housing. This arrangement maximizes the chimney cross-section while maintaining good cutting quality.

[0022] The circumferential side wall may have a plurality of external cutting elements, each having a leading edge adjacent to a through-through formed in the circumferential side wall. This arrangement increases the food cutting throughput.

[0023] The housing can carry a transmission member mounted freely for rotation, the drive member of the working tool mounted in the housing engaging with the transmission member to drive the working tool in rotation.

[0024] The food preparation device may include a motorized base carrying the housing, the working tool mounted in the housing being driven by an electric motor disposed in the motorized base, if desired via the transmission member.

[0025] The housing can be mounted removable from the motorized base. Brief description of the figures

[0026] The objects, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the following description of a particular embodiment of the invention presented by way of non-limiting example, by reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0027] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an example embodiment of a rotary working tool belonging to a food preparation device according to the invention;

[0028] Figure 2 is a partial perspective view of another embodiment of a rotating working tool belonging to a food preparation device according to the invention;

[0029] Fig. 3 is a top view of an example embodiment of a housing belonging to a food preparation device according to the invention, designed to receive the rotary working tool illustrated in [Fig.1] or the rotary working tool illustrated in [Fig.2];

[0030] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a push button intended for use in the chimney of the case illustrated in [Fig.3];

[0031] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a food preparation device motorized according to the invention comprising the rotary working tool illustrated in [Fig.1] mounted in the housing illustrated in [Fig.3], the pusher illustrated in [Fig.4] not being shown;

[0032] Figure 6 is a front view of the motorized food preparation device illustrated in [Fig.5], comprising the housing illustrated in [Fig.3] and the pusher illustrated in [Fig.4], the rotary working tool illustrated in [Fig.1] or in [Fig.2] not being shown;

[0033] Figure 7 is a front view of the motorized food preparation device illustrated in [Fig.6], also including the rotary working tool illustrated in [Fig.1];

[0034] Figure 8 is a top view of the motorized food preparation device illustrated in [Fig.7];

[0035] Figure 9 is a partial side view in cross-section of the preparation device. motorized food illustrated in figures 7 and 8;

[0036] Fig. 10 is a partial front cross-sectional view of the motorized food preparation device illustrated in Figures 7 to 9;

[0037] Figures [Fig.11], [Fig.12], [Fig.13] and [Fig.14] illustrate four other examples of the embodiment of a housing belonging to a food preparation device according to the invention.

[0038] An example of an embodiment of a food preparation device according to the invention is illustrated in Figures 1 to 10. The food preparation device comprises a rotating working tool 30, 30' illustrated in [Fig. 1] or [Fig. 2]. The food preparation device comprises a housing 20 illustrated in [Fig. 3]. The device The food preparation unit includes a pusher 40 illustrated in [Fig. 4]. The food preparation device includes a motorized base 1 illustrated in Figures 5 to 10.

[0039] The rotating work tool 30 illustrated in [Fig. 1] comprises a drive element 31 rotating about an axis of rotation R and a circumferential side wall 32 extending around the axis of rotation R. The rotating drive element 31 is arranged in a bottom wall 38 of the work tool 30. The circumferential side wall 32 has a circumferential rim 37 providing a front opening 36 for the discharge of the cut food. The front opening 36 extends opposite the bottom wall 38.

[0040] In the embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 1], the working tool 30 has a frustoconical geometry. The circumferential side wall 32 flares out towards the circumferential edge 37 to facilitate the removal of the cut food.

[0041] The circumferential side wall 32 has two external cutting members 33. Each of the external cutting members 33 is adjacent to a through passage 35. The external cutting members 33 are elongated and extend between the circumferential edge 37 and the bottom wall 28. The external cutting members 33 are intended for slicing food.

[0042] The working tool 30' of the exemplary embodiment shown in [Fig. 2] differs from the working tool 30 of the exemplary embodiment shown in [Fig. 1] in that the circumferential side wall 32' of the working tool 30' has a plurality of external cutting elements 33' designed to shred food. Each of the external cutting elements 33' has a leading edge 34' adjacent to a through passage 35' formed in the circumferential side wall 32'.

[0043] The housing 20 illustrated in [Fig. 3] defines a housing 21 having a mounting opening 22 for the installation of the working tool 30; 30' in the housing 21. The housing 21 has a geometry adapted to receive the working tool 30; 30'. In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the housing 21 has a frustoconical geometry.

[0044] The housing 20 has a chimney 25 for introducing the food to be cut. As shown in [Fig. 5], the chimney 25 opens into the housing 21 opposite the working tool 30 arranged in the housing 21. The chimney 25 opens into the housing 21 at least partially opposite the external cutting element(s) 33; 33', a part of the external cutting element(s) 33, or even a part of some of the external cutting elements 33', or even some of the external cutting elements 33' being able to be rotated in the housing 21 without passing directly above the chimney 25.

[0045] As more clearly seen in Figures 3, 5 and 10, the chimney 25 has a lateral support and centering portion 26 configured to receive the food pushed by the working tool 30 during cutting.

[0046] In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 10, the chimney 25 has a non-circular cross-section. The lateral support and centering portion 26 has a concave profile. More specifically, the lateral support and centering portion 26 has a rounded profile.

[0047] As more clearly seen in [Fig.3], the axis of rotation R of the working tool extends opposite a front half 27 of the chimney 25 comprising the lateral support and centering portion 26.

[0048] As more clearly seen in Figures 3, 5, 8 and 10, the chimney 25 has a rear lateral portion 28 opposite the lateral support and centering portion 26. As more clearly seen in Figures 5, 7 and 10, the rear lateral portion 28 extends a peripheral wall 23 of the housing 21, thereby maximizing the cross-section of the chimney 25 on the rear side of the chimney 25. Thus, the rear lateral portion 28 forms a tangent to the peripheral wall 23 of the housing 21, as clearly seen in Figures 5 and 10.

[0049] As more clearly seen in figures 6 and 10, the housing 20 has a rib 24 extending around the base of the chimney 25 opening into the housing 21. The rib 24 makes it possible to reduce the spacing with the external cutting members 33; 33' of the working tool 30; 30' driven in rotation in the housing 21.

[0050] The pusher 40 illustrated in [Fig. 4] is intended to be inserted into the chimney 25, as shown in Figures 6 to 10. The pusher 40 has a lower end 42 intended to be inserted into the chimney 25. When the pusher 40 is inserted into the chimney 25, the lower end 42 is positioned opposite the housing 21. When the working tool 30 is in place in the housing 21, the lower end 42 is positioned opposite the circumferential wall 32.

[0051] As more clearly seen in [Fig. 10], the lower end 42 of the pusher 40 has a front portion 43 and a rear portion 44. The front portion 43 is adjacent to the lateral support and centering portion 26 when the pusher 40 is inserted into the chimney 25. The rear portion 44 is arranged opposite the lateral support and centering portion 26. The front portion 43 of the lower end 42 is raised towards the lateral support and centering portion 26.

[0052] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the rear portion 44 of the lower end 42 is raised towards the lateral support and centering portion 26. More specifically, the lower end 42 of the pusher 40 is beveled. Alternatively, the lower end 42 of the pusher 40 may have relief conformations. If desired, the lower end 42 may in particular have studs and / or steps.

[0053] The housing 20 and the rotary working tool 30 belong to a working accessory 2. The pusher 40 also belongs to the working accessory 2.

[0054] The food preparation device illustrated in Figures 5 to 10 comprises the motorized base 1 carrying the housing 20. In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the housing 20 is mounted removable from the motorized base 1. The housing 20 has for this purpose fastening means 8 provided to engage with additional fastening means 7 of the motorized base 1. The working accessory 2 is thus removable from the motorized base 1.

[0055] The motorized base 1 houses an electric motor (not shown) controlled by a control device 4. The electric motor is connected to a drive output 5, optionally via a transmission device 6. The transmission device 6 may include a gearbox. The rotational speed of the drive output 5 may be variable. Preferably, the rotational speed of the drive output 5 is within the range of 100 to 300 rpm. The work tool 30 mounted in the housing 21 is driven by the electric motor located in the motorized base 1 via the transmission device 50.

[0056] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the fastening means 8 and the additional fastening means 7 are bayonet fastening means. Alternatively, other fastening means may be used, in particular a locking ring assembled by screwing or by bayonet fitting, or retaining hooks.

[0057] According to the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the housing 20 carries a transmission member 50 mounted for free rotation. The axis of rotation of the transmission member 50 corresponds to the axis of rotation R of the working tool 30. The transmission member 50 is arranged opposite the mounting opening 22. The peripheral wall 23 of the housing 21 surrounds the transmission member 50. The transmission member 50 is driven by the drive output 5 and engages with the working tool 30 arranged in the housing 21. The transmission member 50 has a first end that engages with the drive output 5. The first end is, for example, formed by a shaft with a hexagonal or square cross-section. The transmission member 50 has a second end arranged in the housing 21, intended to drive in rotation the working tool 30 arranged in the housing 21.The second end may have lugs to retain the working tool 30; 30' arranged in the housing 21. If desired, the lugs may form hooks.

[0058] As shown in [Fig. 9], the housing 21 is inclined towards the mounting opening 22. Furthermore, the axis of rotation of the transmission member 50 is inclined downwards. This arrangement improves the inclined nature of the rotating working tool 30. The housing 20 has a lower stop 21a to retain the working tool 30 arranged in the housing 21. The lower stop 21a is formed near the mounting opening 22.

[0059] Other embodiments of chimneys 25'; 25"; 25"; 25"" are illustrated in Figures 11 to 14, each showing another embodiment of a housing 20', 20", 20'", 20"" belonging to a food preparation device according to the invention. Each of the housings 20', 20", 20"', 20"" is intended for use with one of the working tools 30; 30'. Each of the housings 20', 20", 20"', 20"" is intended for use with a pusher of geometry adapted to the geometry of the chimney 25'; 25"; 25"'; 25""".

[0060] In the chimney 25', the lateral support and centering portion 26' and the rear lateral portion 28' each have a rounded profile.

[0061] In the chimney 25”, the lateral support and centering portion 26” and the rear lateral portion 28” also each have a rounded profile. However, the chimney 25” has a kidney shape, with a notch 29” formed in the side wall opposite the mounting opening 22”.

[0062] In the chimney 25'”, the lateral support and centering portion 26'” has a rounded profile and the rear lateral portion 28'' is flat. More specifically, the rear lateral portion 28'” extends parallel to the axis of rotation R.

[0063] In the chimney 25”, the rear lateral portion 28”” is flat and the lateral support and centering portion 26”” has two faces 26a, 26b connected by an angle 26c.

[0064] As an alternative, other combinations can be considered for the chimney.

[0065] The food preparation device illustrated in figures 5 to 10 operates and is used in the following manner.

[0066] The user mounts the housing 20 on the motorized base 1 and places the working tool 30 in the housing 21 of the housing 20. When the working tool 30 is in place in the housing 21, the drive member 31 of the working tool 30 mounted in the housing 21 engages with the transmission member 50, as seen in Figures 7 and 10.

[0067] The user can start the food preparation device by operating the control device 4. The working tool 30 arranged in the housing 21 of the casing 20 mounted on the motorized base 1 is driven in rotation by the electric motor located in the motorized base 1 via the transmission 50. The working tool 30 is preferably driven at rotational speeds between 100 and 300 rpm, to obtain a sufficient flow rate.

[0068] The external cutting elements 33 then move under the base of the chimney 25 to begin cutting the base of the food introduced into the chimney 25. The leading edges 34 cut fragments of food which are evacuated through the through passages 35 of the circumferential side wall 32.

[0069] During the cutting operation, the food introduced into the chute and coming into contact with the external cutting elements 33 is pushed towards the lateral support and centering portion 26 before being cut by the leading edges 34. Thus the lateral support and centering portion 26 allows to receive the food pushed by the working tool 30 during its cutting by limiting or even eliminating its lateral movement.

[0070] The pusher 40 can be moved within the chute 25 in a direction 41 to push the food introduced into the chute 25 towards the working tool 30. The front part 43 of the lower end 42 of the pusher 40, raised towards the lateral support and centering portion 26, allows the food to be pressed against the lateral support and centering portion 26. The lateral support and centering portion 26 guides the food pushed by the pusher 40 towards the working tool 30. Thus, long food items introduced into the chute 25 are pushed both towards the lateral support and centering portion 26 at their base by the movement of the external cutting elements 33 and at their top by the lower part 42 of the pusher 40 and its movement towards the external cutting elements 33.

[0071] These arrangements facilitate the movement of the food to be cut in the direction 41 of translation of the pusher 40, limiting or preventing lateral and / or pivoting movements, which contributes to obtaining clean cuts. The quality of the food cut can thus be improved.

[0072] As an alternative, the circumferential side wall 32; 32' of the working tool 30; 30' may have at least one external cutting member 33; 33' having a leading edge 34; 34' adjacent to a through passage 35; 35'.

[0073] As an alternative, the housing 20 does not necessarily include a transmission element 50. The rotating drive element 31 of the working tool 30 can in particular be driven by the drive output 5 of the motorized base 1.

[0074] As an alternative, the housing 21 and / or the rotating working tool 30; 30' do not necessarily have a frustoconical geometry. In particular, the working tool 30; 30' could have a cylindrical geometry for the circumferential side wall.

[0075] As an alternative, the housing 20 is not necessarily removable from the motorized base 1. The housing 20 may in particular be derived from the motorized base 1.

[0076] Various modifications and / or improvements obvious to a person skilled in the art may be made to the embodiment of the invention described in this description as long as this does not go outside the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

Claims

Claims

1. Food preparation device comprising: - a rotary working tool (30; 30') comprising a drive member (31) rotating about an axis of rotation (R) and a circumferential side wall (32; 32') extending around the axis of rotation (R), the circumferential side wall (32; 32') having at least one external cutting member (33; 33') having a leading edge (34; 34') adjacent to a through passage (35; 35'), the circumferential side wall (32; 32') having a circumferential edge (37) forming a front opening (36) for the evacuation of the cut food, - a housing (20; 20'; 20”; 20'”; 20””) defining a housing (21) having a mounting opening (22) for placing the working tool (30) in the housing (21), the housing (20; 20'; 20”; 20”'; 20””) having a chimney (25; 25'; 25”; 25'”; 25””) for introducing the food to be cut, the chimney (25; 25'; 25”; 25”'; 25””) opening into the housing (21) at least partially opposite said at least one external cutting member (33), the chimney (25; 25'; 25”; 25”'; 25””) having a lateral support and centering portion (26; 26'; 26”; 26'”; 26””) configured to receive the food pushed by the working tool (30) during its cutting, - a pusher (40) movable in the chimney (25; 25'; 25”; 25'”; 25””) in a direction (41) to push the food towards the working tool (30), the pusher (40) having a lower end (42) arranged opposite the housing (21), the lower end (42) of the pusher (40) having a front part (43) adjacent to the lateral support and centering portion (26; 26'; 26”; 26'”; 26””) when the pusher (40) is introduced into the chimney (25; 25'; 25”; 25'”; 25””), characterized in that the front part (43) of the lower end (42) of the pusher (40) is raised in the direction of the lateral support and centering portion (26; 26'; 26”; 26'” ; 26””) to press the food against the lateral support and centering portion (26 ; 26' ; 26” ; 26”' ; 26””).

2. Food preparation device according to claim 1, characterized in that the lower end (42) of the pusher (40) has a rear part (44) opposite the lateral support portion and centering (26; 26'; 26”; 26”'; 26””), which is raised towards the lateral support and centering portion (26; 26'; 26”; 26'”; 26””).

3. Food preparation device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the lower end (42) of the pusher (40) is beveled.

4. Food preparation device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the lower end (42) of the pusher (40) has raised conformations.

5. Food preparation device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the axis of rotation (R) extends opposite a front half (27) of the chimney (25; 25'; 25”; 25'”; 25””) comprising the lateral support and centering portion (26; 26'; 26”; 26'”; 26””).

6. Food preparation device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the chimney (25; 25'; 25”; 25'”; 25””) has a non-circular section.

7. Food preparation device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the lateral support and centering portion (26; 26'; 26”; 26”'; 26””) has a concave profile.

8. Food preparation device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the lateral support and centering portion (26; 26'; 26”; 26”') has a rounded profile.

9. Food preparation device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the lateral support and centering portion (26”) has two faces (26a, 26b) connected by an angle (26c).

10. Food preparation device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the housing (21) has a frustoconical geometry.

11. Food preparation device according to claim 10, characterized in that the chimney (25; 25'; 25”; 25”'; 25””) has a rear lateral portion (28; 28'; 28”; 28”'; 28””) extending a peripheral wall (23) of the housing (21).

12. Food preparation device according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the circumferential side wall (32, 32') has a plurality of external cutting members (33, 33') each having a leading edge (34, 34') adjacent to a passage through (35, 35') provided in the circumferential side wall (32, 32').

13. Food preparation device according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the housing (20; 20'; 20”; 20'”; 20””) carries a transmission member (50) mounted freely in rotation and in that the drive member (31) of the working tool (30) mounted in the housing (21) engages with the transmission member (50) to drive the working tool (30) in rotation.

14. Food preparation device according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that it comprises a motorized base (1) carrying the housing (20; 20'; 20”; 20'”; 20””) and in that the working tool (30) mounted in the housing (21) is driven by an electric motor arranged in the motorized base (1), if desired via the transmission member (50).

15. Food preparation device according to claim 14, characterized in that the housing (20; 20'; 20”; 20”'; 20””) is removably mounted relative to the motorized base (1).

Images