APPARATUS WITH A SEQUENTIAL FOOD CUTTING MOTOR AND FOOD LOADING DEVICE FOR SUCH AN APPARATUS

Abstract

TITLE: MOTOR-POWERED APPLIANCE FOR SEQUENTIAL FOOD CUTTING AND FOOD LOADING DEVICE FOR SUCH AN APPLIANCE The motor-powered appliance (30) for sequentially cutting food comprises: - a housing (31) containing a motor (102) for driving a shaft rotating about an axis of rotation (115), - at least one knife rotated by the motor about the axis of rotation, which has a cutting edge extending outwards from the shaft of the housing, - a cover (32) attached to the housing and overhanging the path of the knife, - an outlet (33) for the cut food. This appliance further comprises a removable loading device (40), comprising an internal conduit (42) whose intersection with a cylinder with a circular direction centered on the axis of rotation has an upstream wall and a downstream wall, determined by the direction of movement of the knife, the downstream wall comprising a ramp (67) forming,opposite the lower end of the conduit, an angle with this line parallel to the axis of rotation, greater than the angle between the downstream wall opposite the upper end of the conduit and this line parallel to the axis of rotation. Figure for the abbreviation: Figure 1,

Description

Title of the invention: MOTOR-DRIVEN APPARATUS FOR SEQUENTIALLY CUTTING FOOD AND FOOD LOADING DEVICE FOR SUCH AN APPARATUS Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a motor-driven apparatus for sequentially cutting food and a food loading device for such an apparatus. It applies, in particular, to apparatus for cutting fruit and vegetables into sticks, for example into fries, and to accessories to be positioned in the food inlet chutes of cutting apparatus. Prior art

[0002] Machines for cutting food, particularly fruit, vegetables, meat and cold cuts, which are rigid enough to be cut into slices, operate on a principle which consists of cutting a slice of the food using a knife carried by a rotating disc.

[0003] To bring the food to be cut into contact with the knife, a cylindrical chute is positioned above the rotating disc. However, as the knife carried by the rotating disc passes over it, the latter exerts a mechanical force on the food and, for potato-shaped foods, causes them to rotate, or even rebound towards the top of the chute.

[0004] To avoid this effect, a hand-operated pusher is provided to slide into the chute and force the food to remain in place while it is cut by the rotating knife. Processing a large number of foods, one by one, is tedious and time-consuming. Therefore, it is customary to place several foods simultaneously in the chute and operate the pusher. With each rotation of the rotating disc, the knife cuts a slice from each food placed in the chute.

[0005] However, the slice cut from one of the foods interacts with the slices cut from other foods and can cause jamming between the rotating disc and the support on which these slices are pushed towards an outlet of the cutting machine. This risk of jamming is amplified for the first and last slices of potato-shaped foods, because these slices, with beveled or wedge shapes, slide over each other and cause crushing of the lower slice, pressed against the shapes intended to push it, and lifting of the upper slice held by the knife, until the rotating disc is blocked. This risk of jamming is also amplified in the case of thin slices. Indeed, when the thickness of the slice is reduced, for example less than eight millimeters, this slice offers resistance reduced warping. This risk of jamming is further amplified for the most rigid and rough vegetables. However, the current demand is to make thinner potato slices.

[0006] Unstucking food slices takes time because you have to stop the appliance and open it to access the stuck slices.

[0007] Furthermore, the rotational movement of the potato-shaped food under the action of the knife, combined with the action on the pusher, tends to place the food side by side in the chute, with their largest vertical dimension, that is to say perpendicular to the cutting plane. As a result, the cut slices have a smaller surface area than if they were oriented horizontally. However, current consumer demand is for larger slices, especially when they are subsequently cut into sticks.

[0008] For these various reasons, there is no effective device for slicing potato-shaped foods, particularly when they are not peeled and the slices to be cut are thin, nor to satisfy consumer demand.

[0009] Another problem concerns the intermittent operation of the cutting machine motor. Since the feed chute is intended to receive several foodstuffs simultaneously, the surface area of ​​its section facing the path of the rotating knife is maximized. This section is therefore large enough for a user's hand to pass through the chute and reach the knife. For safety reasons, this requires that the machine motor be stopped each time the pusher is removed from the chute. This results in the motor being stopped and restarted at each filling cycle of the chute. This intermittent operation leads to premature aging of the motor and its control system. Disclosure of the invention

[0010] The motor-driven apparatus for sequentially cutting food, which is the subject of the invention, has the principle of eliminating the need for a pusher by replacing the cylindrical chute or by supplementing the cylindrical chute with an internal conduit whose walls are closer together than those of the chute and are oblique relative to the director of the chute. The path of the food is thus defined by the shape of the internal conduit. The reduction of the section of the internal conduit, perpendicular to the generatrix of the chute, relative to the section of the chute, limits or prohibits the presence of two foodstuffs simultaneously in contact with the knife. In addition, preferably, the internal conduit has, opposite the knife, a ramp whose significant inclination relative to the axis of rotation of the knife limits or prohibits the rebound or rotation of the food under the action of the knife.

[0011] The user places the food to be cut successively in the upper opening of the conduit, which guides them one behind the other to the knife which cuts them into slices. Although it is counter-intuitive to restrict the space available for the food and to insert them one by one into the appliance, the implementation of the narrow internal conduit ensures a better yield in terms of the number of food cut per unit of time.

[0012] In addition, the possibility of permanently introducing a foodstuff into the conduit allows the continuous operation of the motor, which reduces its wear.

[0013] The technical functions of this loading device are: - to hold the food in position while the cutting tool cuts a slice (this prevents it from rising up in the conduit of the device and the cut slice from being, as a result, irregular, while avoiding the use of a pusher), - to position the food, when it has an oblong shape, so that the surface of the cut slice is as large as possible, and if possible, so that the largest dimension of the food is oriented tangentially to the path of the knife so that the sticks are as long as possible, which corresponds to consumer demand, - to allow a cutting rate higher than the cutting rate obtained with the use of a pusher, even when the pusher pushes several fruits or vegetables towards the cutting tool, and - to allow continuous operation of the engine.

[0014] These technical effects are obtained by providing an internal conduit of the loading device of flared shape towards the cutting tool. This shape corresponds to an increasing internal section of the conduit as it approaches the cutting tool. On the downstream side (upstream and downstream being defined by the trajectory of the knife), the choice of the angle of this wall, relative to the axis of rotation of the cutting tool, is a compromise between a large value promoting good retention of the foodstuff during the passage of the knife, and a smaller value facilitating the entry of the foodstuff into the cutting zone.

[0015] Regarding the preferential orientation of the foodstuffs so that their largest axis is as parallel as possible with the path of the knife, it is the ovoid or oblong shape of the lower part, or ramp, of this wall which ensures this result by forming a guide ramp. Thus, the shape of the ramp favors the positioning of the largest dimension of a potato-shaped food at a minimal angle with the plane of rotation of the knife. Consequently, the cut slices have larger surfaces, which allows the formation of longer sticks.

[0016] The present invention takes several aspects. According to a first aspect, it is an apparatus provided with the particular internal conduit succinctly described above. According to a second aspect, it is an accessory comprising this internal conduit, removably inserted into the cylindrical chute of a multifunction appliance. According to a third aspect, it is a removable tank cover of a multifunction appliance, this cover integrating the particular conduit succinctly described above. Brief description of the drawings

[0017] Other advantages, aims and particular characteristics of the invention will emerge from the following non-limiting description of at least one particular embodiment of the apparatus and the loading device which are the subject of the present invention, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0018] [Fig. 1] represents, in exploded perspective, a first particular embodiment of an apparatus and a loading device which are the subject of the invention,

[0019] [Fig.2] represents, in perspective, the device illustrated in [Fig.l], once all its assembled parts,

[0020] [Fig.3] represents, in top view, the apparatus illustrated in [Fig.2],

[0021] [Fig.4] represents a section, referenced in [Fig.3], of the apparatus illustrated in figures 2 and 3,

[0022] [Fig.5] represents, according to a first perspective view, the first mode of rea lization of the loading device of the device illustrated in figures 1 to 4,

[0023] [Fig.6] represents, according to a second perspective view, the first mode of rea lization of the loading device of the device illustrated in figures 1 to 4,

[0024] [Fig.7] represents, according to a third perspective view, the first mode of rea lization of the loading device of the device illustrated in figures 1 to 4,

[0025] [Fig.8] represents, according to a fourth perspective view, the first mode of rea lization of the loading device of the device illustrated in figures 1 to 4,

[0026] [Fig.9] represents, in perspective, an internal sequential loading conduit of food to be cut in a chute of the first embodiment of the loading device which is the subject of the invention,

[0027] [Fig. 10] represents, in top view, the sequential loading conduit illustrated in [Fig.9],

[0028] [Fig. 11] schematically represents the successive internal slopes of the sequential loading conduit illustrated in figures 9 and 10, along a cylindrical section,

[0029] [Fig. 12] represents, in exploded perspective, a second embodiment of a loading device which is the subject of the invention comprising the internal sequential loading conduit illustrated in figures 9 and 10, in a chute of a cover of an apparatus which is the subject of the invention,

[0030] [Fig.13] represents, in bottom view, the cover illustrated in [Fig.12], equipped with the loading device,

[0031] [Fig. 14] represents, in top view, the upper horizontal section of the cover and the sequential loading device illustrated in figures 12 and 13,

[0032] [Fig. 15] represents, in top view, the lower horizontal section of the cover and the sequential loading device illustrated in figures 12 and 13,

[0033] [Fig. 16] represents, in exploded perspective, a third embodiment of a loading device which is the subject of the invention comprising a sequential loading conduit surrounded by a rigid envelope in a chute of a cover of an apparatus which is the subject of the invention,

[0034] [Fig.17] represents, in bottom view, the cover illustrated in [Fig.16], equipped with the loading device,

[0035] [Fig. 18] represents, in top view, the upper horizontal section of the cover and the loading device illustrated in figures 16 and 17,

[0036] [Fig. 19] represents, in top view, the lower horizontal section of the cover and the loading device illustrated in figures 16 and 17,

[0037] [Fig.20] represents, in perspective, a fourth embodiment of a device loading device which is the subject of the invention comprising a sequential loading conduit surrounded by a rigid envelope, integrated into a cover of a device which is the subject of the invention,

[0038] [Fig.21] shows, in top view, the loading device integrated into the cover shown in [Fig.20],

[0039] [Fig.22] shows, in bottom view, the loading device integrated into the cover shown in [Fig.20],

[0040] [Fig.23] represents, schematically and in partial exploded view, a mode of rea particular use of the device which is the subject of the invention and, in perspective, two elements of this device,

[0041] [Fig.24] represents, schematically and in sectional view, a cutting disc and a guide plate of embodiments of the apparatus which is the subject of the invention, and

[0042] [Fig.25] represents, in top view, a cutting disc overhanging a plate of guidance of the device shown in figures 23 and 24. Description of the embodiments

[0043] The present description is given without limitation, each characteristic of an embodiment being able to be combined with any other characteristic of any other embodiment in an advantageous manner.

[0044] It should be noted from now on that the figures are to scale.

[0045] As understood from reading this description, various concepts inventive methods may be implemented by one or more methods or devices described below, several examples of which are provided herein. The actions or steps performed in carrying out the method or device may be ordered in any suitable manner. Accordingly, it is possible to construct embodiments in which the actions or steps are performed in a different order than that illustrated, which may include performing certain acts simultaneously, even if they are shown as sequential acts in the illustrated embodiments.

[0046] The expression "and / or", as used herein and in the claims, is to be understood to mean "either or both" of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements which are present conjunctively in some cases and disjunctively in other cases. Multiple elements listed with "and / or" are to be interpreted in the same way, i.e., "one or more" of the elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be present, other than the elements specifically identified by the "and / or" clause, whether or not they are related to these specifically identified elements.Thus, by way of non-limiting example, a reference to "A and / or B", when used in conjunction with open language such as "comprising" may refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc.

[0047] As used herein in the description and claims, "or" is to be understood inclusively.

[0048] As used in this specification and in the claims, the expression "at least one", with reference to a list of one or more elements, is to be understood to mean at least one element selected from one or more elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each element specifically listed in the list of elements and not excluding any combination of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows for the optional presence of elements other than the specifically identified elements in the list of elements to which the expression "at least one" refers, whether or not related to those specifically identified elements.Thus, by way of non-limiting example, "at least one of A and B" (or, equivalently, "at least one of A or B", or, equivalently, "at least one of A and / or B") may refer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, without B present (and optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, without A present (and optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, and at least one, . possibly comprising more than one, B (and possibly comprising other elements); etc.

[0049] In the claims, as well as in the description below, all transitional expressions such as "comprising", "including", "carrying", "having", "containing", "involving", "holding", "composed of", and the like, are to be understood as being open, i.e., as meaning including, but not limited to. Only the transitional expressions "consisting of" and "consisting essentially of" are to be understood as closed or semi-closed transitional expressions, respectively.

[0050] Throughout the description, the term "top" or "upper" refers to that which is at the top when the device is operating, and the term "bottom" or "lower" refers to that which is at the bottom when the device is operating.

[0051] Figures 1 to 11 show a first embodiment of an apparatus 30 which is the subject of the invention, comprising a first embodiment of a loading device 40 which is the subject of the invention.

[0052] In a known manner and as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the apparatus 30 comprises a casing 31 containing a motor 102 (see Figures 23 to 25) for driving a shaft 103 rotating about an axis of rotation 115. On this shaft 103 is mounted a rotating disc 116 provided with a knife 104. The apparatus 30 comprises a cover 32 and an outlet for cut food 33. The cover 32 can be movable relative to the casing 31, for example by means of a hinge, or can be detached from the casing 31 according to known techniques, to access the rotating disc. The cover 32 carries a cylindrical chute 34, the generatrices of which are parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotating disc and which opens onto the surface traveled by the knife 104 during the rotations of the disc. The direction curve of the inner cylinder of the chute 34 is kidney-shaped, or U-shaped.A pusher 35, the end of which corresponds to the bean shape of the internal cylinder of the chute 34, which is not implemented within the scope of the present invention, can be carried by the cover 32. In embodiments, the cover 32 also carries a cylindrical chute 36, of smaller horizontal section than the chute 34, which guides a removable pusher 37. In addition, this pusher 37 can be locked in the chute 36 by simple rotation around its axis.

[0053] The loading device 40 comprises three main parts. On the one hand, a plate 41, which rests on the upper edges of the chutes 34 and 36. On the other hand, a sequential loading conduit 42, which is inserted into the chute 34. Finally, a safety arch 43 which prevents the passage of a standardized hand (according to a safety standard known elsewhere) into the conduit 42. The plate 41 also comprises an opening 44 for the passage of the locking pusher 37.

[0054] In the top view of the apparatus 30, in [Fig. 3], we observe a section plane AA comprising a straight line parallel to the axis of rotation 115. This vertical plane AA is tangent to the circle described by the middle of the cutting edge 105 of the knife 104 and substantially perpendicular to the vertical plane of symmetry of the chute 34.

[0055] Plane AA defines the sectional view of [Fig.4]. In [Fig.4], we observe the particular shape of the downstream wall of the conduit 42, the upstream and downstream being defined by the movement of the rotating disk 116 opposite the chute 34, here from left to right as represented by the arrow. This particular shape of the conduit 42 is more precisely detailed with reference to figures 9, 10 and 11.

[0056] It can be seen in Figures 5 to 8 that, in its first particular embodiment, the loading device 40 comprises extensions below the plate 41. These extensions are intended to run along the outside of the chute 34 on either side of the support of the pusher 35. These extensions have through openings 46. Once the loading device 40 is positioned on the chute 34, by placing a rod (not shown) between these openings, the loading device 40 is locked in position on the device 30. As mentioned above, by placing the locking pusher 37 in the opening 44 of the plate 41, then locking this pusher 37 by rotation, the locking of the loading device 40 on the device 30 is completed.

[0057] In embodiments, the loading device is locked in position using clips (see reference 86 in figures 12, 14, 16 and 18), screws or locks, in a manner known per se.

[0058] A magnet 47 activates the safety of the device 30, by replacing the magnet 50 placed on the support of the pusher 35 (see figures 1 to 3). This safety prevents the engine from starting as long as no magnet is detected, thanks to a magnetic switch (not shown).

[0059] A reinforcement 48 extending from the plate 41 to the lower part of the conduit 42 increases the rigidity of the conduit 42, which is, for example, made of plastic or metal. The interior of the conduit 42 extends from an upper opening 45 to a lower opening 49.

[0060] Figures 9 to 11 show the inner surface of the conduit 42. Generally, when this conduit 42 is to be inserted into a predetermined chute of a food cutting device, its footprint, that is to say its projection onto the plane of the rotating disk, is limited by that of the internal space of the chute. This is not the case when the conduit 42 does not have to be inserted into a pre-existing chute, as, for example, in the fourth embodiment illustrated in Figures 20 to 22.

[0061] [Fig. 11] represents the “cylindrical section” unrolled on a plane, of the conduit 42, from its upper opening 65 to its lower opening 69. This “cylindrical section” is obtained by the intersection 62 of the internal surface of the conduit 42 with a cylinder with a circular director centered on the axis of rotation of the cutting disc 116 (see [Fig.23]) and with a radius equal to the average of the internal and external radii of the chute 34. Of course, other intersections with a cylinder with a circular director centered on the axis of rotation have the same geometric characteristics.

[0062] In Figures 9 and 10, the level lines of the conduit have been drawn, that is to say the sections of this conduit 42 by planes perpendicular to the generatrices of the chute 34 and regularly spaced.

[0063] It is observed, in [Fig.l 1], that the intersection 62 has, on the upstream wall 63, on the left, a significant, practically constant slope, corresponding to an angle A1. On the other hand, the downstream wall 61, on the right, has a bend 66 between an upper part 64 of significant slope, but less than the slope of the upstream wall, corresponding to an angle A2, on the one hand, and a lower part 67 of slight slope, corresponding to an angle A3. The point “M” represents the point of this bend where the slope is the average between the slope of the upper part 64 and that of the lower part 67.

[0064] The angles A1, A2 and A3 are defined with respect to the plane of the rotating disk 116, or also with respect to a plane perpendicular to the generatrices of the cylindrical chute 34. The angles B1, B2 and B3 are respectively complementary to the angles A1, A2 and A3. In other words, the angles B1, B2 and B3 are the angles formed between the walls 63, 64 and 67 in the plane of [Fig.l 1] and a straight line parallel to the axis of rotation 115 in this same plane.

[0065] The lower part 67 is also called a “ramp” due to the guidance of the potato-shaped food explained below.

[0066] Thus, the intersection 62 has an upstream wall 63 and a downstream wall 61, the downstream wall comprising a ramp 67 forming, opposite the lower end 69 of the conduit, an angle B3 with this straight line parallel to the axis of rotation 115, greater than the angle B2 between the downstream wall 64 opposite the upper end 65 of the conduit and this straight line parallel to the axis of rotation 115.

[0067] The ramp 67 forms, opposite the lower end 69 of the conduit 42, an angle B3 preferably greater than thirty degrees with the straight line parallel to the axis of rotation 115 of the plane AA and, even more preferably, greater than fifty degrees with this straight line.

[0068] The small angle A3 of the downstream wall 61 at the level of the opening 69 for the food to exit onto the rotating disc 116 ensures that this downstream wall 61 applies a reaction force having a significant vertical component (parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotating disc 116) to the food, which ensures that the food is kept in contact with the knife.

[0069] Furthermore, the shape of the ramp 67 of the downstream wall 61 is substantially a helicoid generated by the helical displacement of a semicircle around the axis 115. The ramp 67 is thus very inclined relative to the vertical. This shape favors the positioning of the food with its largest dimension in a plane comprising the tangent of the circle traveled by the center of the cutting edge 105 of the knife 104, as illustrated by the potato-shaped shape 51 in broken lines, with main axis 52. Consequently, the slices cut by the knife 104 are particularly long, which corresponds to consumer demand. These slices allow, once cut parallel to this largest dimension, to obtain particularly long sticks, which corresponds to consumer demand.

[0070] Figures 12 and 13 show a second embodiment of a loading device 70 according to the invention, which comprises the conduit 42 in a chute of a cover of an apparatus according to the invention. Figures 12 and 13 show the elements of the apparatus 30, except for the pusher 35, of which only the movable support 38 is seen. Again, the loading device 70 comprises three main parts. On the one hand, a plate 71, which rests on the edges of the chutes 34 and 36. On the other hand, the conduit 42, which is inserted into the chute 34. Finally, a safety arch 73 which prevents the passage of a standard hand into the conduit 42. The plate 71 also has an opening 74 for the passage of the locking pusher 37. The plate 71 is held on the chute 34 by means of a clip 86 provided with a magnet 87 for activating the safety of the device 30.This clip 86 is hooked under the side walls 91 of the opening of the pusher support, when positioning the plate 71.

[0071] As in the first embodiment, the conduit 42 is inserted into the chute 34 by a downward movement.

[0072] In [Fig. 14], in top view, we observe the upper horizontal section of the cover 32, the chute 34, the chute 36 and the loading conduit 42 illustrated in figures 12 and 13 at the level of the upper opening 65 of the conduit 42. In [Fig. 15], we observe the lower horizontal section of the cover 32, the chute 34 and the sequential loading conduit 42 illustrated in figures 12 and 13 at the level of the lower opening 69 of the ramp 67. As we see in [Fig. 15], there is a space 68 between the outside of the ramp 67, at its lower opening 69, and the inside of the chute 34.

[0073] Figures 16 to 19 show a third embodiment of a loading device 80 of the invention, which comprises a sequential loading conduit 82. This loading device 80 is inserted into a chute 34 of a cover 32 of an apparatus of the invention. These figures show the elements of the apparatus 30, except for the pusher 35. Again, the loading device 80 comprises three main parts. On the one hand, a plate 81, which bears on the edges of the chutes 34 and 36. On the other hand, the conduit 82, which is inserted into the chute 34. Finally, a safety arch 83 which prevents the passage of a standard hand into the conduit 82. The plate 81 also has an opening 84 for the passage of the locking push button 37.

[0074] Unlike the first two embodiments, the conduit 82 is inserted into the chute 34 by an upward movement from the lower opening of the chute 34. The conduit 82 is integrated into a rigid envelope 88 of a shape complementary to the interior volume of the chute 34. The conduit 82 extends from an upper opening 85 to a lower opening 89.

[0075] The conduit 82 is practically identical to the conduit 42, except that its section perpendicular to the axis 115 is larger at the bottom, on the side of the cutting disc 116, than at the top, at the entrance of the food to be cut. The conduit 82 can thus adhere to the very slightly conical surface of the chute 34. This conical shape avoids any risk of the food getting stuck in the conduit 82. In this embodiment, the conduit 82 is retained in the chute 34 by means of a clip 96 (see [Fig. 16]) which hooks into an opening in the chute. There is no mechanical connection to secure the conduit 82 and the plate 81. The plate 81 is held on the chute 34 by means of a clip 86 provided with a magnet 87 for activating the safety of the device 30. This clip 86 is caught in the opening of the pusher support when the plate 81 is positioned.

[0076] In [Fig. 18], in top view, we observe the upper horizontal section of the cover 32, of the chute 34, of the chute 36 and of the sequential loading conduit 82 illustrated in figures 16 and 17, at the level of the upper opening 85 of the conduit 82. In [Fig. 19], we observe the lower horizontal section of the cover 32, of the chute 34 and of the sequential loading conduit 82 illustrated in figures 16 and 17, at the level of the lower opening 89 of the conduit 82.

[0077] As seen in [Fig. 19], thanks to the rigid casing 88, there is practically no space between the outside of this casing 88 and the inside of the chute 34, at the level of the lower opening 89 of the conduit 82. The stability of the conduit 82 in the chute 34 during operation of the device 30 is thus reinforced.

[0078] Figures 20 to 22 show a fourth embodiment of a loading device 90 which is the subject of the invention. This loading device 90 comprises the sequential loading conduit 82 and the rigid casing 88 illustrated in Figures 16 to 19, integrated into a cover 92 of an apparatus 30 which is the subject of the invention. In other words, the rigid casing 88 and the conduit 82 are mechanically secured to the cover 92 and the plate of the device 90 is merged with the substantially flat part of the cover 92. A hoop (not shown) prevents the passage of a standardized hand into the conduit 82.

[0079] In the description of Figures 23 to 25, the terms “foodstuffs” or “food” are used interchangeably. Similarly, “cutting” or “processing” of food is used interchangeably.

[0080] Figures 23 and 25 show an embodiment of the apparatus 30 which is the subject of the invention. The apparatus 30 for processing food comprises: - a casing 31 containing a drive motor 102 of a shaft 103 rotating around an axis of rotation 115, - at least one knife 104 rotated by the motor 102 around the axis 115, which comprises a cutting edge 105 extending towards the outside of the casing 31 from the shaft 103, - a cover 32 connected to the casing 31 and surrounding the path of the knife 104, the cover 32 being provided with the chute 34, - an outlet orifice 33 for the cut food, - a guide plate 109 for the cut food to the outlet orifice 33, - at least one guide edge 111 on the guide plate 109, which defines the trajectory of the cut product towards an output tool 112, - the exit tool 112 located on the path of the foodstuff towards the exit orifice 33, and - at least one drive member 114 subjected to the same rotation as the knife 104 around the axis 115, to drive the cut food between the guide plate 109 and the lower surface of the cutting disc 116, towards the output tool 112.

[0081] The output tool 112 may comprise a series of blades as described in document PCT / EP2019 / 086641.

[0082] Preferably, the casing 31 comprises an internal orifice housing the guide plate 109 and the output tool 112 and of dimensions corresponding to the dimensions of the guide plate 109 and the output tool 112. For example, the internal orifice has the shape of a truncated cylinder with a circular directrix curve.

[0083] The apparatus 30 has a cover 32 connected to the casing 31. For example, the cover 32 has a shoulder, of dimensions corresponding to the dimensions of the casing 31, surrounding a portion of the casing 31 opposite the internal orifice. The shoulder may comprise locking means between the cover 32 and the casing 31.

[0084] The knife 104 is mounted on a cutting disc 116 with a radius slightly greater than the largest dimension of the chute 34, measured from the axis of rotation 115 and in a plane perpendicular thereto. The cutting edge 105 of the knife 104 is continuous and its ends, seen in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation 115, are located outside the orthogonal projection of the directrix curve of the cylinder truncated portion which forms the chute 34.

[0085] At the bottom left of [Fig.23], this cutting disc 116 is shown twice for represent its two faces. The cutting disc 116 has substantially the shape of a solid disc comprising an opening 108 of which the cutting edge 105 forms one of the edges. The opening 108 allows the passage of the foodstuff. When the motor 102 rotates, the cutting edge 105 causes the foodstuff to be cut and the cut part, in the form of a slice or strip, then falls onto the guide plate 109 by gravity. The cutting edge 105 may have a shape, when viewed from above, in the form of an arc of a circle or a rectilinear shape.

[0086] Throughout the description, an apparatus has been described comprising only a single knife 104 for cutting slices of food. However, the invention extends to apparatuses in which several knives are used to form slices of food, for example two, three or four knives arranged on the same cutting disc. Summary of the invention

[0087] The present invention aims to remedy all or part of the drawbacks of the prior art.

[0088] To this end, according to a first aspect, the present invention aims at a motor-driven device for the sequential cutting of food comprising: - a housing containing a motor for driving a shaft rotating around an axis of rotation, - at least one knife rotated by the motor around the axis of rotation, which has a cutting edge extending outwards from the housing from the shaft, - a cover connected to the casing and overlooking the path of the knife, - an outlet orifice for the cut food, and - a removable loading device, comprising an internal conduit, an intersection of which with a cylinder with a circular director centered on the axis of rotation has an upstream wall and a downstream wall, determined by the direction of movement of the knife, the downstream wall comprising a ramp forming, opposite the lower end of the conduit, an angle with this straight line parallel to the axis of rotation, greater than the angle between the downstream wall opposite the upper end of the conduit and this straight line parallel to the axis of rotation.

[0089] Thus, the food to be cut which is sliced ​​by the knife is not returned to the inlet of the internal conduit, because it is held in position by the ramp of the downstream part of the conduit. In addition, if this food is not spherical, its largest dimension tends to be positioned parallel to the upper wall of the ramp on which the food is resting. This results in the slices being longer.

[0090] In embodiments, in said intersection, the ramp of the downstream wall forms, opposite the lower end of the conduit, an angle greater than thirty degrees with this straight line parallel to the axis of rotation.

[0091] In embodiments, in said intersection, the ramp of the downstream wall forms, opposite the lower end of the conduit, an angle greater than fifty degrees with this straight line parallel to the axis of rotation.

[0092] In embodiments, the loading device comprises a hoop positioned above the upper opening of the conduit. This hoop prevents the passage of the standard hand into the conduit, which ensures the safety of the user and allows the motor of the device to remain in continuous operation. Wear on the motor is thus reduced.

[0093] In embodiments, the loading device includes a passage for a pusher positioned in a pusher housing of the apparatus cover.

[0094] This pusher holds the loading device in position on the cover of the device.

[0095] In embodiments, the loading device comprises means for locking its position.

[0096] In embodiments, the cover is provided with a cylindrical feed chute for feeding the food to be cut into the path of the knife, the conduit of the loading device being inserted, in a manually removable manner without tools, into this cylindrical feed chute.

[0097] The present invention thus applies to multifunctional food processing appliances comprising a cover provided with a chute. Depending on the size of the food to be cut, the user can choose whether or not to use the loading device and can easily insert it into the chute or remove it from this chute.

[0098] In embodiments, the loading device is a single-piece device, the conduit being inserted into the cylindrical chute in the direction towards the path of the knife.

[0099] These one-piece loading devices are easier to install in the chute.

[0100] In embodiments, the loading device is in two blocks, the conduit being inserted into the cylindrical chute in the direction opposite to the direction going towards the path of the knife.

[0101] The conduits of these two-block devices may have a conical shape open towards the path of the knife and thus be better adjusted to the chute, while reducing the risks of the food getting stuck in the conduit.

[0102] In embodiments, the cover and the loading device form a single piece.

[0103] These embodiments avoid mechanical play between the cover and the loading device.

[0104] In embodiments, the apparatus further comprises: - a guide plate for the cut food to the outlet orifice, - an outlet tool located on the path of the food towards the outlet orifice, and - at least one drive member subjected to the same rotation as the knife around the axis, to drive the cut product towards the output tool between the guide plate and the path of the knife.

[0105] These embodiments allow the cutting of food into sticks or fries.

[0106] According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to a removable loading device for a predetermined apparatus with a motor for driving a shaft rotating a knife, rotating around an axis of rotation, which comprises an internal conduit, an intersection of which with a cylinder with a circular directrix centered on the axis of rotation has an upstream wall and a downstream wall, determined by the direction of movement of the knife, the downstream wall comprising a ramp forming, opposite the lower end of the conduit, an angle with this straight line parallel to the axis of rotation, greater than the angle between the downstream wall opposite the upper end of the conduit and this straight line parallel to the axis of rotation.

Claims

Claims

1. Motor apparatus (30) for sequentially cutting food comprising: - a housing (31) containing a motor (102) for driving a shaft (103) rotating about an axis of rotation (115), - at least one knife (104) rotated by the motor about the axis of rotation, which has a cutting edge extending towards the outside of the housing from the shaft, - a cover (32, 92) connected to the housing and overhanging the path of the knife, - an outlet orifice (33) for the cut food, apparatus characterized in that it further comprises a removable loading device (40, 70, 80, 90), comprising an internal conduit (42, 82) of which an intersection (62) with a cylinder with a circular director centered on the axis of rotation (115) has an upstream wall (63) and a wall downstream (61), determined by the direction of movement of the knife (104), the downstream wall comprising a ramp (67) forming, opposite the lower end (69) of the conduit,an angle (B3) with this straight line parallel to the axis of rotation, greater than the angle (B2) between the downstream wall (64) opposite the upper end (65) of the conduit and this straight line parallel to the axis of rotation.,

2. Apparatus (30) according to claim 1, wherein, in said intersection (62), the ramp (67) of the downstream wall forms, opposite the lower end (69) of the conduit, an angle (B3) greater than thirty degrees with this straight line parallel to the axis of rotation.

3. Apparatus (30) according to claim 1, wherein, in said intersection (62), the ramp (67) of the downstream wall forms, opposite the lower end (69) of the conduit, an angle (B3) greater than fifty degrees with this straight line parallel to the axis of rotation.

4. Apparatus (30) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the loading device (40, 70, 80, 90) comprises a hoop (43, 73, 83) positioned above the upper opening (45, 65, 75, 85) of the conduit (42, 82).

5. Apparatus (30) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the loading device (40, 70, 80) comprises a passage (44, 74, 84) for a pusher (37) positioned in a pusher housing (36) of the cover of the apparatus.

6. Apparatus (30) according to one of claims 1 to 5, in which the loading device (40, 70, 80, 90) comprises a locking means (46, 44, 74, 84, 37) of its position.

7. Apparatus (30) according to one of claims 1 to 6, in which the cover (32) is provided with a cylindrical feed chute (34) for feeding the food to be cut into the path of the knife (104), the conduit (42, 82) of the loading device (40, 70, 80) being inserted, in a manually removable manner without tools, into this cylindrical feed chute.

8. Apparatus (30) according to claim 7, wherein the loading device is in one piece, the conduit (42) being inserted into the cylindrical chute (34) in the direction towards the path of the knife.

9. Apparatus (30) according to claim 7, wherein the loading device is in two blocks, the conduit (42) being inserted into the cylindrical chute (34) in the direction opposite to the direction going towards the path of the knife.

10. Apparatus (30) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the cover (92) and the loading device (90) form a single piece.

11. Apparatus (30) according to one of claims 1 to 10, which further comprises: - a guide plate (109) for the cut food at the outlet orifice, - an outlet tool (112) located on the path of the food towards the outlet orifice, and - at least one drive member (114) subjected to the same rotation as the knife around the axis, to drive the cut food towards the outlet tool between the guide plate and the path of the knife.

12. Removable loading device (40, 70, 80, 90) for a predetermined apparatus (30) with a motor (102) for driving a shaft (103) rotating a knife (104), rotating around an axis of rotation (115), characterized in that it comprises an internal conduit (42, 82) of which an intersection (62) with a cylinder with a circular directrix centered on the axis of rotation (115) has an upstream wall (63) and a downstream wall (61), determined by the direction of movement of the knife (104), the downstream wall comprising a ramp (67) forming, opposite the lower end (69) of the conduit, an angle (B3) with this straight line parallel to the axis of rotation, greater than the angle (B2) between the downstream wall (64) opposite the upper end (65) of the conduit and this straight line parallel to the axis of rotation.

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