ROTARY WORKING ORGAN FOR FOOD PREPARATION DEVICE

Abstract

The invention relates to a rotary working member (10) comprising a hub (11) having an axis of rotation (20) and carrying one or more blades (12) having a leading edge (13) connecting an upper face (14) to a lower face. According to the invention, the blade(s) (12) is / are devoid of any apparent salient angle, and the leading edge (13) of the or at least one of the blade(s) (12) has a wavy profile and has two adjacent convex portions (17a, 17b) spaced apart by a distance greater than or equal to 15% of a free length (L) of said blade (12), preferably greater than or equal to 20% of the free length of said blade (12), and more preferably greater than or equal to 25% of the free length (L) of said blade (12).The invention also relates to a food preparation device comprising a rotary working member (10), a container receiving said rotary working member (10) and a cover comprising a manual drive device engaging with said rotary working member (10). Figure for abstract: Fig. 4.

Description

Title of the invention: ROTARY WORKING ORGAN FOR A FOOD PREPARATION DEVICE Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of culinary preparation devices comprising a container, a rotary working member and a drive device configured to rotate said rotary working member arranged in said container.

[0002] The present invention relates more particularly to food preparation devices of the aforementioned type comprising a manual drive device. State of the art

[0003] Document FR3064903 discloses a food preparation device comprising a rotary working tool for grinding food, which comprises several straight, unsharpened blades extending radially from a hub. Such a rotary working tool therefore appears to be of low danger and can be handled without requiring excessive precautions.

[0004] A first drawback of this embodiment, however, lies in the fact that the free ends of said blades are connected by projecting angles to a leading edge and to a rear edge of said blades. Such a rotary working tool is therefore not completely safe and therefore does not appear suitable for use by children.

[0005] A second drawback of this embodiment further lies in the fact that the effectiveness of such a rotary working tool is limited for fragmenting friable foods such as biscuits, particularly in manually driven food preparation devices, in which the rotation speed of the rotary working tool is lower than in motorized food preparation devices. Summary of the invention

[0006] The present invention aims to remedy these drawbacks and to propose a rotary working member for a food preparation device comprising a container receiving said rotary working member and a cover comprising a manual drive device engaging with said rotary working member arranged in said container, which makes it possible to fragment friable foodstuffs effectively, and the handling of which proves to be safe.

[0007] The technical problem underlying the invention consists in facilitating the fragmentation of friable foods with a rotating working member guided in rotation in a container, which can be handled without special precautions.

[0008] To this end, a first aspect of the invention relates to a rotary working member for a food preparation device comprising a container receiving said rotary working member and a cover comprising a manual drive device engaging with said rotary working member arranged in said container.

[0009] Another aspect of the invention relates to a culinary preparation device comprising a rotary working member, a container receiving said rotary working member and a cover comprising a manual drive device engaging with said rotary working member arranged in said container.

[0010] These objects are achieved with a rotary working member for a food preparation device comprising a container receiving said rotary working member and a cover comprising a manual drive device engaging with said rotary working member arranged in said container, said rotary working member comprising a hub having an axis of rotation and carrying one or more blades having a leading edge connecting an upper face to a lower face, due to the fact that the blade(s) is / are devoid of any apparent projecting angle, and in that the leading edge of the or at least one of the blade(s) has a wavy profile and has two adjacent convex parts spaced apart by a distance greater than or equal to 15% of a free length of said blade, preferably greater than or equal to 20% of the free length of said blade, and more preferably greater than or equal to 25% of the free length of said blade.The leading edge with a wavy profile having several convex parts sufficiently far from each other facilitates the fragmentation of large friable foods such as biscuits or large pieces of dark chocolate. The absence of visible protruding angles makes it safe to handle said rotating working member and allows its use by children to be considered.

[0011] The blade(s) whose leading edge has a wavy profile may have a rear edge connecting the upper face to the lower face.

[0012] The rear edge of the blade(s) whose leading edge has a wavy profile may have at least one concave portion arranged opposite one of the convex portions of the leading edge with a wavy profile. This arrangement makes it possible to reduce the width of the blade and to facilitate its handling.

[0013] The blade(s) whose leading edge has a wavy profile may have a free end connecting said leading edge with a wavy profile to the rear edge.

[0014] The upper face of the blade(s) whose leading edge has a wavy profile may be flat. This arrangement makes it easier to produce the blade(s).

[0015] The lower face of the blade(s) whose leading edge has a wavy profile may be flat. This arrangement makes it easier to produce the blade(s).

[0016] The upper face and the lower face of the blade(s) whose leading edge has a wavy profile may be parallel. This arrangement makes it easier to produce the blade(s).

[0017] The upper face and the lower face of the blade(s) whose leading edge has a wavy profile may be perpendicular to the axis of rotation.

[0018] The blade(s) may be metallic, preferably made of stainless steel.

[0019] The blade(s) may be unsharpened.

[0020] The rotary working member may comprise two blades arranged opposite to the hub.

[0021] The two blades may each have a leading edge with a wavy profile having two adjacent convex parts separated by a distance greater than or equal to 15% of a free length of said blade, preferably greater than or equal to 20% of the free length of said blade, and more preferably greater than or equal to 25% of the free length of said blade.

[0022] The two blades can have an identical geometry.

[0023] The two blades can be offset in height along the axis of rotation.

[0024] These objects are also achieved with a culinary preparation device comprising a rotary working member, a container receiving said rotary working member and a cover comprising a manual drive device engaging with said rotary working member arranged in said container, in which the rotary working member conforms to at least one of the aforementioned characteristics. Brief description of the figures

[0025] The aims, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the description given below of a particular embodiment of the invention and of a variant presented by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0026] [Fig.l] is an exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of a food preparation device comprising a rotating working member according to the invention.

[0027] [Fig.2] is a top perspective view of the container of the food preparation device illustrated in [Fig.l].

[0028] [Fig.3] is a perspective view from below of the rotating working member of the food preparation device illustrated in [Fig.l].

[0029] [Fig.4] is a top perspective view of the rotating working member of the food preparation device illustrated in [Fig.l].

[0030] [Fig.5] is a perspective view from above of a blade belonging to the rotary working member illustrated in Figures 1, 3 and 4.

[0031] [Fig.6] is a side view of the blade illustrated in [Fig.5].

[0032] [Fig.7] is a perspective view from above of an alternative embodiment of a blade that can replace one of the blades of the rotating working member illustrated in the Figures 1, 3 and 4.

[0033] [Fig.8] is a side view of the blade illustrated in [Fig.7].

[0034] [Fig.l] illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a food preparation device 1 comprising a rotary working member 10, a container 2 receiving said rotary working member 10 and a cover 3.

[0035] The cover 3 comprises a manual drive device 4 engaging with the rotary working member 10 arranged in the container 2 when the cover 3 covers the container 2.

[0036] More particularly, the manual drive device 4 is configured to drive a drive member 8 arranged on a lower face of the cover 3. When the cover 3 covers the container 2, the drive member 8 engages with the rotary working member 10 arranged in the container 2.

[0037] The manual drive device 4 illustrated in [Fig.l] is a manual rope drive device, the transmission members of the manual drive device driving the drive member 8 not being shown in [Fig.l]. As a variant, other types of manual drive device may be envisaged, in particular a manual crank drive device. When the lid 3 covers the container 2, the manual drive device 4 engages with the rotary working member 10 arranged in the container 2.

[0038] As best seen in [Fig. 2], the container 2 has a bottom 23, a peripheral side wall 21 rising from the bottom 23, and an upper opening 22 extending opposite the bottom 23. The container 2 has a centering conformation 6 rising from the bottom 23.

[0039] The rotary working member 10 illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 comprises a hub 11 having an axis of rotation 20. The rotary working member 10 is guided in rotation in the container 2. For this purpose, as visible in [Fig. 3], the rotary working member 10 has a housing 7 configured to receive the centering conformation 6 of the container 2. The housing 7 is arranged at the lower end of the hub 11. As a variant, the housing could be provided in the bottom 23 and the centering conformation could be provided at the lower end of the rotary working member 10.

[0040] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the hub 11 carries two blades 12. More particularly, as seen in Figures 3 and 4, the rotary working member 10 comprises two blades 12 having an identical geometry. The two blades 12 are arranged opposite each other relative to the hub 11. The two blades 12 are offset in height on the hub 11 along the axis of rotation 20. The blades 12 are, for example, unsharpened metal blades with rounded visible edges, preferably made of stainless steel.

[0041] As clearly visible in Figures 3 and 4, each blade 12 has a leading edge 13 connecting an upper face 14 to a lower face 15. The section of the leading edge 13 is devoid of any apparent protruding angle. The section of the leading edge 13 may be rounded, and / or comprise one or more flat areas. Each blade 12 has a rear edge 16 connecting the upper face 14 to the lower face 15. The section of the rear edge 16 is devoid of any apparent protruding angle. The section of the rear edge 16 may be rounded, and / or comprise one or more flat areas. Each blade 12 has a free end 19 connecting the leading edge 13 to the rear edge 16. The section of the free end 19 is devoid of any apparent protruding angle. The section of the free end 19 may be rounded, and / or comprise one or more flat areas.

[0042] More particularly in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the upper face 14 and the lower face 15 are flat. The upper face 14 and the lower face 15 are perpendicular to the axis of rotation 20. Thus the upper face 14 and the lower face 15 are parallel.

[0043] Figures 5 and 6 show one of the two blades 12, the hub 11 being shown in dotted lines in [Fig.6]. Each blade 12 has a free length L extending outside the hub 11, this free length L being configured to strike the food. Each blade 12 has a passage 30 provided to receive a part of the hub 11. Each blade 12 has conformations 31, 32 configured to block said blade 12 in rotation relative to the hub 11. Each blade 12 is devoid of any apparent projecting angle, the conformations 31, 32 being arranged inside the hub 11 carrying the blades 12.

[0044] More particularly, the leading edge 13 has a wavy profile and has several convex parts 17a, 17b. In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 6, the leading edge 13 has two convex parts 17a, 17b, as clearly visible in Figures 3, 4 and 5. One (17a) of the convex parts 17a, 17b is arranged close to the free end 19 of the blade 12. The other (17b) of the convex parts 17a, 17b is arranged in the middle part of the free length L of the leading edge 13. The two convex parts 17a, 17b are arranged in the half of the blade 12 furthest from the axis of rotation 20, that is to say in the half of the blade 12 comprising the free end 19.

[0045] As shown in [Fig.5], the two convex portions 17a, 17b are adjacent. The two convex portions 17a, 17b are separated by a distance D which can be defined as the distance between the apexes of said convex portions 17a, 17b, each of these apexes being formed by the most prominent area of said convex portions, which will first strike the food during the rotation of the blade 12 mounted on the hub 11. In other words, in the convex portions 17a, 17b, a notional ray connecting the axis of rotation 20 to a point moving along the leading edge 13 will move in a first direction, until said point reaches said apex, then in a second sense, as soon as said point has passed said summit.

[0046] The distance D between the two adjacent convex parts 17a, 17b is greater than or equal to 15% of the free length L of said blades 12. Preferably, the distance between two adjacent convex parts 17a, 17b may be greater than or equal to 20% of the free length L of said blades 12. More preferably, the distance between two adjacent convex parts 17a, 17b may be greater than or equal to 25% of the free length L of said blades 12.

[0047] As clearly visible in Figures 3 to 5, the rear edge 16 has at least one concave part 18 arranged opposite one (17b) of the convex parts 17a, 17b.

[0048] Figures 7 and 8 show a blade 12' that can also be used with the hub 11 (shown in dotted lines in [Fig.8]). The blade 12' has a free length L' extending outside the hub 11, this free length L' being configured to strike the food. The blade 12' has a passage 30' provided to receive a portion of the hub 11. The blade 12' has conformations 31', 32' configured to block said blade 12' from rotating relative to the hub 11. The blade 12' is devoid of any apparent projecting angles, the conformations 31', 32' being arranged inside the hub 11 carrying the blade 12'.

[0049] The blade 12' has an upper face 14' and a lower face 15' which are flat and perpendicular to the axis of rotation 20 of the hub 11. The blade 12' has a free end 19' connecting a leading edge 13' with an undulating profile to a rear edge 16'.

[0050] The blade 12' differs from the blade 12 in that the leading edge 13' with a wavy profile comprises three convex portions 17'a, 17'b, 17'c. Two (17'a, 17'b) of said convex portions are arranged in the half of the blade 12' furthest from the axis of rotation 20, i.e. in the half of the blade 12' comprising the free end 19'. The blade 12' differs from the blade 12 also in that the rear edge 16' is slightly curved rearwardly towards the free end 19'. In other words, the rear edge 16' is tapered.

[0051] As shown in [Fig.7], the two convex portions 17'a, 17'b are adjacent, and the two convex portions 17'b, 17'c are adjacent. A distance D' separates the two adjacent convex portions 17'a, 17'b. A distance D” separates the two adjacent convex portions 17'b, 17'c. The distances D', D” can be defined in the same way as the distance D.

[0052] The food preparation device illustrated in [Fig.l], comprising the rotary working member 10 illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 and comprising the blades 12 illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 operates and is used in the following manner.

[0053] The user can safely grasp the rotating working member 10 comprising the blades 12 devoid of visible protruding angles and cutting parts, for the put in place in the container 2 by positioning the housing 7 of the rotating working member 10 on the centering conformation 6 of the bottom 23 of the container 2. The user then introduces the ingredients into the container 2 containing the rotating working member 10. The user finally places the cover 3 in the upper opening 22 of the container 2 so that the drive member 8 of the cover 3 engages with the rotating working member 10. The user then operates the manual drive device 4 to rotate the rotating working member 10 and strike the ingredients introduced into the container 2 with the blades 12 to produce the desired preparation.

[0054] The leading edge 13 of the blades 12 is configured to strike the food present in the container 2. The convex portions 17a, 17b make it possible to strike the food with a greater impact than a straight or slightly curved leading edge, devoid of such convex portions. The spacing of the adjacent convex portions promotes the bursting of larger food by increasing the effect of the impact.

[0055] As a variant, the two blades 12, 12' do not necessarily have an identical geometry.

[0056] As a variant, the hub 11 does not necessarily carry two blades 12, 12' having a leading edge 13; 13' with a wavy profile having several convex parts 17a, 17b; 17'a, 17'b, 17'c. The hub 11 may in particular carry one or more blade(s) having a leading edge with a wavy profile having several convex parts, in which a distance between two adjacent convex parts is greater than or equal to 15% of the free length of said blades; preferably greater than or equal to 20% of the free length of said blades; and more preferably greater than or equal to 25% of the free length of said blades.The hub 11 may also carry one or more blade(s) without any apparent protruding angle, and having a leading edge whose profile is not necessarily undulating with several convex parts which would have a distance between two adjacent convex parts which would be greater than or equal to 15% of the free length of said blade(s).

[0057] Various modifications and / or improvements obvious to those skilled in the art may be made to the embodiment of the invention described in the present description as long as this does not depart from the scope of the invention defined by the claims.

Claims

Claims

1. Rotary working member (10) for a food preparation device (1) comprising a container (2) receiving said rotary working member (10) and a cover (3) comprising a manual drive device (4) engaging with said rotary working member (10) arranged in said container (2), said rotary working member (10) comprising a hub (11) having an axis of rotation (20) and carrying one or more blade(s) (12; 12') having a leading edge (13; 13') connecting an upper face (14; 14') to a lower face (15; 15'), characterized in that the blade(s) (12; 12') is / are devoid of any apparent projecting angle, and in that the leading edge (13; 13') of the or at least one of the blade(s) (12; 12') has a wavy profile and has two adjacent convex parts (17a, 17b; 17'a, 17'b; 17'b, 17'c) separated by a distance (D; D'; D”) greater than or equal to 15% of a free length (L; L') of said blade (12;12'), preferably greater than or equal to 20% of the free length (L; L') of said blade (12; 12'), and more preferably greater than or equal to 25% of the free length (L; L') of said blade (12; 12').;

2. Rotary working member (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the blade(s) (12; 12') whose leading edge (13; 13') has a wavy profile has a rear edge (16; 16') connecting the upper face (14; 14') to the lower face (15; 15').

3. Rotary working member (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that the rear edge (16) of the blade(s) (12) whose leading edge (13) has a wavy profile has at least one concave part (18) arranged opposite one of the convex parts (17a; 17b) of the leading edge (13) with a wavy profile.

4. Rotary working member (10) according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the blade(s) (12; 12') whose leading edge (13; 13') has a wavy profile has(have) a free end (19; 19') connecting the leading edge (13; 13') with a wavy profile to the rear edge (16; 16').

5. Rotary working member (10) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the upper face (14; 14') of the blade(s) (12; 12') whose leading edge (13; 13') has an undulating profile is flat.

6. Rotary working member (10) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the lower face (15; 15') of the blade(s) (12; 12') whose leading edge (13; 13') has a wavy and flat profile.

7. Rotary working member (10) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the upper face (14; 14') and the lower face (15; 15') of the blade(s) (12; 12') whose leading edge (13; 13') has an undulating profile are parallel.

8. Rotary working member (10) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the upper face (14; 14') and the lower face (15; 15') of the blade(s) (12; 12') whose leading edge (13; 13') has an undulating profile are perpendicular to the axis of rotation (20).

9. Rotary working member (10) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the blade(s) (12; 12') is / are metallic, preferably made of stainless steel.

10. Rotary working member (10) according to claim 9, characterized in that the blade(s) (12; 12') is / are not sharpened.

11. Rotary working member (10) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it comprises two blades (12) arranged opposite to the hub (11).

12. Rotary working member (10) according to claim 11, characterized in that the two blades (12) each have a leading edge (13) with an undulating profile having two adjacent convex parts (17a; 17b) separated by a distance (D) greater than or equal to 15% of a free length (L) of said blade (12), preferably greater than or equal to 20% of the free length (L) of said blade (12), and more preferably greater than or equal to 25% of the free length (L) of said blade (12).

13. Rotary working member (10) according to one of claims 11 or 12, characterized in that the two blades (12) have an identical geometry.

14. Rotary working member (10) according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the two blades (12) are offset in height along the axis of rotation (20).

15. Food preparation device (1) comprising a rotary working member (10), a container (2) receiving said rotary working member (10) and a cover (3) comprising a manual drive device (4) engaging with said rotary working member (10) arranged in said container (2), characterized in that the rotary working member (10) is in accordance with one of claims 1 to 14.

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