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

[0001] The present invention relates to a motorized apparatus for sequentially cutting food and a food loading device for such an apparatus. It applies, in particular, to apparatus for cutting fruits and vegetables into sticks, for example into fries, and to accessories to be positioned in the food inlet chutes of cutting apparatus. Previous technique

[0002] Food cutting machines, in particular for fruits, vegetables, meats and deli meats, sufficiently rigid to be cut into slices, operate on a principle which consists of cutting a slice of the food by means of 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 the food, it exerts a mechanical force on the food and, for potato-shaped foods, causes them to rotate or even bounce up the chute.

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

[0005] However, a slice cut from one food item interacts with slices cut from other foods and can cause a jam between the rotating disc and the support against 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 their beveled or wedge shapes, slide over each other, causing the lower slice, pressed against the supports designed to push it, to be crushed, and the upper slice, held by the knife, to be lifted, eventually causing the rotating disc to jam. This risk of jamming is also amplified in the case of thin slices. Indeed, when the thickness of the slice is reduced, for example to 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, current demand is for thinner potato slices.

[0006] Unjamming the food slices takes time, because the appliance must be stopped and opened to access the jammed slices.

[0007] Furthermore, the rotational movement of potato-shaped food under the action of the knife, combined with the action of the pusher, tends to place the food side by side in the chute, with its largest dimension vertical, that is, perpendicular to the cutting plane. Consequently, the sliced ​​pieces 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 efficient device for slicing potato-shaped foods, especially 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's motor. Since the feed chute is designed to receive several products simultaneously, its cross-sectional area facing the path of the rotating knife is maximized. This cross-section is therefore large enough for a user's hand to reach through the chute and onto the knife. For safety reasons, this requires the machine's motor to be stopped each time the pusher is removed from the chute. This results in the motor stopping and restarting with each filling cycle of the chute. This intermittent operation leads to premature aging of the motor and its control system. Description of the invention

[0010] The motorized device for the sequential cutting of food, the subject of the invention, is based on the principle of eliminating the need for a pusher by replacing the cylindrical chute or supplementing the cylindrical chute with an internal channel whose walls are closer together than those of the chute and are oblique to the direction of the chute. The path of the food is thus defined by the shape of the internal channel. Reducing the cross-section of the internal channel, perpendicular to the generatrix of the chute, compared to the cross-section of the chute, limits or prevents two food items from being in contact with the blade simultaneously. Furthermore, preferably, the internal channel has, opposite the blade, a ramp whose significant inclination relative to the axis of rotation of the blade limits or prevents the rebound or rotation of the food under the action of the blade.

[0011] The user places the food to be sliced ​​successively into the upper opening of the chute, which guides them one after the other to the blade that slices them. Although it may seem counterintuitive to restrict the available space for the food and to insert it one piece at a time into the appliance, the implementation of the narrow internal chute ensures better efficiency in terms of the number of food items sliced ​​per unit of time.

[0012] In addition, the possibility of introducing a food product permanently 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 into the device's chute and the resulting uneven slice, while also avoiding the use of a pusher), - to position the food, when it has an oblong shape, so that the surface area of ​​the sliced ​​portion is as large as possible, and if possible, so that the longest 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 that 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 achieved by providing an internal conduit in the loading device with a flared shape leading towards the cutting tool. This shape corresponds to an increasing internal cross-section of the conduit as it approaches the cutting tool. On the downstream side (upstream and downstream being defined by the knife's trajectory), the angle of this wall, relative to the axis of rotation of the cutting tool, is a compromise between a large value that promotes good retention of the food product during the knife's passage, and a smaller value that facilitates the entry of the food product into the cutting zone.

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

[0016] The present invention has several aspects. According to a first aspect, it is a device equipped with the particular internal conduit briefly described above. In a second aspect, it is an accessory incorporating this internal conduit, removably inserted into the cylindrical chute of a multi-function appliance. In a third aspect, it is a removable lid for the tank of a multi-function appliance, this lid incorporating the specific conduit briefly described above. Brief description of the drawings

[0017] Other advantages, purposes and particular features of the invention will become apparent from the following non-limiting description of at least one particular embodiment of the apparatus and loading device that are the subject of the present invention, with reference to the accompanying 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 apparatus illustrated in [Fig.1], once all its assembled parts,

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

[0021] [Fig.4] represents a cross-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 Implementation of the device's charging mechanism illustrated in figures 1 to 4,

[0023] [Fig.6] represents, according to a second perspective view, the first mode of Implementation of the device's charging mechanism illustrated in figures 1 to 4,

[0024] [Fig.7] represents, according to a third perspective view, the first mode of Implementation of the device's charging mechanism illustrated in figures 1 to 4,

[0025] [Fig.8] represents, according to a fourth perspective view, the first mode of Implementation of the device's charging mechanism illustrated in figures 1 to 4,

[0026] [Fig.9] represents, in perspective, an internal sequential loading conduit of food to be cut into a chute of the first embodiment of the loading device that 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 of the invention comprising the internal sequential loading conduit illustrated in figures 9 and 10, in a chute of a cover of a device of the invention,

[0030] [Fig.13] shows, in view from below, the lid illustrated in [Fig.12], fitted 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 of the invention comprising a sequential loading conduit surrounded by a rigid casing in a chute of a cover of an apparatus of the invention,

[0034] [Fig.17] shows, in view from below, the lid illustrated in [Fig.16], fitted with the loading device,

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

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

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

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

[0039] [Fig.22] shows, in a view from below, the loading device integrated into the lid illustrated in [Fig.20],

[0040] [Fig.23] represents, schematically and in partial exploded view, a mode of a specific embodiment of the device that is the subject of the invention and, in perspective, two elements of this device,

[0041] [Fig.24] schematically represents, in cross-sectional view, a cutting disc and a guide platform for embodiments of the device that is the subject of the invention, and

[0042] [Fig.25] shows, in top view, a cutting disc overhanging a plate of guiding the device shown in figures 23 and 24. Description of the implementation methods

[0043] The present description is given by way of non-limiting grammar, each feature of an embodiment being able to be advantageously combined with any other feature of any other embodiment.

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

[0045] As will be understood from the present description, various inventive concepts can be implemented by one or more of the methods or devices described below, several examples of which are provided herein. The actions or steps carried out in the implementation of the method or device can be ordered in any appropriate manner. Consequently, it is possible to construct embodiments in which the actions or steps are performed in a different order than that illustrated, which may include the simultaneous execution of certain acts, even if they are presented as sequential acts in the illustrated embodiments.

[0046] The expression "and / or", as used in this document and in the claims, shall be understood as meaning "either or both" of the elements thus joined, that is, elements that are present conjunctively in some cases and disjunctively in others. The multiple elements listed with "and / or" shall be interpreted in the same way, that is, "one or more" of the elements thus joined. Other elements may be present, other than the elements specifically identified by the "and / or" clause, whether or not they are related to those specifically identified elements.Thus, by way of non-limiting example, a reference to "A and / or B", when used in conjunction with an open language such as "including", may refer, in one embodiment, to A only (possibly including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (possibly including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to A and B (possibly including other elements); etc.

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

[0048] As used in this description and in the claims, the expression "at least one," with reference to a list of one or more elements, is to be understood as meaning at least one element chosen 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 elements specifically identified in the list of elements to which the expression "at least one" refers, whether or not they are 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, possibly including more than one, A, without B present (and possibly including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to . realization, with at least one, possibly including more than one, B, without A present (and possibly including elements other than A); in yet another realization, with at least one, possibly including more than one, A, and at least one, possibly including more than one, B (and possibly including other elements); etc.

[0049] In the claims, as well as in the description below, all transitive expressions such as "comprising", "including", "carrying", "having", "containing", "implying", "holding", "composed of", and others, shall be understood as open, that is to say, as meaning including, but not limited to. Only the transitive expressions "consisting of" and "consisting essentially of" shall be understood as closed or semi-closed transitive expressions, respectively.

[0050] Throughout the description, "top" or "upper" means what is at the top when the device is operating, and "bottom" or "lower" means what is at the bottom when the device is operating.

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

[0052] In a known manner and as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the apparatus 30 comprises a housing 31 containing a motor 102 (see Figures 23 to 25) for driving a shaft 103 rotating about an axis of rotation 115. A rotating disc 116 equipped with a knife 104 is mounted on this shaft 103. The apparatus 30 includes a cover 32 and a food cutting outlet 33. The cover 32 can be movable relative to the housing 31, for example by means of a hinge, or can be detached from the housing 31 using known techniques, to access the rotating disc. The cover 32 has 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 traversed by the knife 104 during the rotations of the disc. The guide 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 kidney-shaped form 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 some embodiments, the cover 32 also carries a cylindrical chute 36, with a smaller horizontal cross-section than the chute 34, which guides a removable pusher 37. Furthermore, 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. Firstly, a plate 41, which rests on the upper edges of the chutes 34 and 36. Secondly, a sequential loading conduit 42, which is inserted into the chute 34. Finally, a safety arch 43 which prevents the passage of a standard hand (according to a known safety standard) into the conduit 42. The plate 41 also has an opening 44 for the passage of the locking push button 37.

[0054] In the top view of the device 30, in [Fig.3], a cutting plane AA is observed to have 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 cross-sectional view of [Fig. 4]. [Fig. 4] shows the particular shape of the downstream wall of the conduit 42, the upstream and downstream sides being defined by the movement of the rotating disk 116 relative to the chute 34, here from left to right as represented by the arrow. This particular shape of the conduit 42 is detailed more precisely in Figures 9, 10, and 11.

[0056] Figures 5 to 8 show that, in its first particular embodiment, the loading device 40 has extensions below the plate 4L. These extensions are designed to run along the outside of the chute 34 on either side of the pusher support 35. These extensions have through openings 46. Once the loading device 40 is positioned on the chute 34, a rod (not shown) is placed between these openings to lock the loading device 40 in position on the device 30. As mentioned above, by placing the locking pusher 37 in the opening 44 of the plate 41, and then locking this pusher 37 by rotation, the locking of the loading device 40 on the device 30 is completed.

[0057] In embodiments, the locking in position of the loading device is carried out 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 mechanism of the device 30, replacing the magnet 50 located on the support of the push button 35 (see figures 1 to 3). This safety mechanism prevents the motor from starting until a 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, i.e., its projection onto the plane of the rotating disc, is limited by 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 whose circular directrix is ​​centered on the axis of rotation of the cutting disc 116 (see Fig. 23) and whose radius is equal to the average of the internal and external radii of the chute 34. Of course, other intersections with a cylinder whose circular directrix is ​​centered on the axis of rotation have the same geometric characteristics.

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

[0063] It can be seen in [Fig. 11] 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 with a 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 with a shallow 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 Al, 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 Bl, B2 and B3 are respectively complementary to the angles Al, A2 and A3. In other words, the angles Bl, B2 and B3 are the angles formed between the walls 63, 64 and 67 in the plane of [Fig. 11] and a line parallel to the axis of rotation 115 in this same plane.

[0065] The lower part 67 is also called "ramp" because of the guidance of potato-shaped foods explained below.

[0066] Thus, the intersection 62 has an upstream wall 63 and a downstream wall 61, the downstream wall having a ramp 67 forming, opposite the lower end 69 of the conduit, an angle B3 with this 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 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 line parallel to the axis of rotation 115 of the plane AA and, even more preferably, greater than fifty degrees with this line.

[0068] The small angle A3 of the downstream wall 61 at the level of the food outlet opening 69 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) on the food, which ensures that the food remains in contact with the knife.

[0069] Furthermore, the shape of the ramp 67 of the downstream wall 61 is essentially a helicoid generated by the helical movement of a semicircle around the axis 115. The ramp 67 is thus highly inclined with respect to the vertical. This shape facilitates the positioning of the food with its longest dimension in a plane containing the tangent to the circle traversed by the center of the cutting edge 105 of the knife 104, as illustrated by the potato-shaped form 51 in dashed lines, with principal axis 52. Consequently, the slices cut by the knife 104 are particularly long, which corresponds to consumer demand. These slices, when cut parallel to this longest dimension, allow for the production of particularly long sticks, which also corresponds to consumer demand.

[0070] Figures 12 and 13 show a second embodiment of a loading device 70 of the invention, which comprises the conduit 42 in a channel of a cover of an apparatus of 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 visible. 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 guard 73 that 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 push button 37. The plate 71 is held onto the chute 34 by means of a clip 86 fitted with a magnet 87 for activating the safety mechanism of the device 30.This clip 86 attaches under the side walls 91 of the push-button support opening, 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], a top view shows 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], a top view shows 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 can be seen in [Fig. 15], there is a space 68 between the outside of the ramp 67, at the level of 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 Figure 32 shows the components of the device 30, except for the push button 35. Again, the loading device 80 comprises three main parts. First, a plate 81, which rests on the edges of the chutes 34 and 36. Second, the conduit 82, which is inserted into the chute 34. Finally, a safety guard 83 that 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 duct 34 by an upward movement from the lower opening of the duct 34. The conduit 82 is integrated into a rigid casing 88 whose shape is complementary to the internal volume of the duct 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 cross-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 for the food to be cut. The conduit 82 can thus adhere to the very slightly conical surface of the chute 34. This conical shape prevents any risk of the food becoming stuck in the conduit 82. In this embodiment, the conduit 82 is held 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 link to secure the conduit 82 and the plate 81. The plate 81 is held on the trunking 34 by means of a clip 86 fitted with a magnet 87 for activating the safety of the device 30. This clip 86 engages in the opening of the pusher support when the plate 81 is positioned.

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

[0077] As can be 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 lower opening 89 of the conduit 82. The stability of the conduit 82 in the chute 34 during the operation of the device 30 is thus reinforced.

[0078] Figures 20 to 22 show a fourth embodiment of a loading device 90 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 a device 30 of the invention. In other In terms, the rigid casing 88 and the conduit 82 are mechanically attached to the cover 92 and the plate of the device 90 is coincident with the substantially flat part of the cover 92. A hoop (not shown) prevents the passage of a standard hand into the conduit 82.

[0079] In the description of Figures 23 to 25, the terms "foodstuffs" and "food" are used interchangeably. Similarly, "cutting" and "processing" of food are used interchangeably.

[0080] Figures 23 and 25 show an embodiment of the apparatus 30 that is the subject of the invention. The food processing apparatus 30 comprises: - a housing 31 containing a drive motor 102 for a shaft 103 rotating about an axis of rotation 115, - at least one knife 104 rotated by the motor 102 around the shaft 115, which has a cutting edge 105 extending outwards from the housing 31 from the shaft 103, - a cover 32 linked to the housing 31 and surrounding the path of the knife 104, the cover 32 being equipped with the chute 34, - an outlet 33 for the cut product, - a guide plate 109 for the cut product at the outlet 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 output tool 112 located in the path of the food product towards the output orifice 33, and - at least one drive element 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 include a series of blades as described in document PCT / EP2019 / 086641.

[0082] Preferably, the housing 31 has an internal opening 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 opening has the shape of a truncated cylinder with a circular guide curve.

[0083] The device 30 has a cover 32 connected to the housing 31. For example, the cover 32 has a shoulder, with dimensions corresponding to the dimensions of the housing 31, surrounding a portion of the housing 31 opposite the inner opening. The shoulder may include locking means between the cover 32 and the housing 31.

[0084] The knife 104 is mounted on a cutting disc 116 with a radius slightly larger than the largest dimension of the chute 34, measured from the axis of rotation 115 and in a plane perpendicular to it. 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 guide curve of the trunk of the cylinder which forms the chute 34.

[0085] In the lower left of [Fig. 23], this cutting disc 116 is shown twice to represent its two faces. The cutting disc 116 is essentially a solid disc with an opening 108, one edge of which is formed by a cutting edge 105. The opening 108 allows the food product to pass through. When the motor 102 rotates, the cutting edge 105 cuts the food product, and the cut portion, in the form of a slice or strip, then falls by gravity onto the guide plate 109. The cutting edge 105 may have a circular or straight shape when viewed from above.

[0086] Throughout the description, an apparatus comprising only one knife 104 for cutting slices of food has been described. However, the invention extends to apparatus 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 relates to a motorized apparatus for the sequential cutting of food comprising: - a housing containing a motor that drives 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 shaft of the housing, - a cover attached to the housing and overhanging the path of the knife, - an outlet for the cut food, and - a removable loading device, comprising an internal conduit whose intersection 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 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.

[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 in the downstream part of the conduit. Furthermore, if this food is not spherical, its largest dimension has The tendency is to position itself parallel to the upper wall of the ramp against which the food rests. This results in longer slices.

[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 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 line parallel to the axis of rotation.

[0092] In some embodiments, the loading device includes a guard positioned above the upper opening of the duct. This guard prevents the normal hand from entering the duct, thus ensuring user safety and allowing the appliance motor to remain in continuous operation. Motor wear is therefore reduced.

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

[0094] This pusher retains the loading device in position on the lid of the device.

[0095] In some embodiments, the loading device includes a means for locking its position.

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

[0097] The present invention thus applies to multifunctional food processing appliances comprising a lid 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 or remove it from the chute.

[0098] In embodiments, the loading device is a single piece, the conduit being inserted into the cylindrical chute in the direction towards the trajectory 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 opposite direction to the direction towards the trajectory 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 fitted to the chute, while reducing the risk of food getting stuck in the conduit.

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

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

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

[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 device with a drive motor of a shaft rotating a knife, rotating about an axis of rotation, which includes an internal conduit whose intersection 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 having a ramp 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.

Claims

Demands

1. A motorized apparatus (30) for the sequential cutting of 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 outwards from the shaft of the housing, - a cover (32, 92) attached to the housing and overhanging the path of the knife, - an outlet (33) for the cut food, the apparatus further characterized in that it comprises a removable loading device (40, 70, 80, 90), comprising an internal conduit (42, 82) having an intersection (62) with a cylinder with a circular direction centered on the axis of rotation (115) and 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 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 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 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 line parallel to the axis of rotation.

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

6. Device (30) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the loading device (40, 70, 80, 90) includes a locking means (46, 44, 74, 84, 37) of its position.

7. Apparatus (30) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the cover (32) is provided with a cylindrical feed chute (34) for bringing 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 monobloc, the conduit (42) being inserted into the cylindrical chute (34) in the direction towards the trajectory 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 opposite direction to the direction towards the trajectory of the knife.

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

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

12. A removable loading device (40, 70, 80, 90) for a predetermined apparatus (30) with a motor (102) driving a shaft (103) that rotates a knife (104) about an axis of rotation (115), characterized in that it comprises an internal conduit (42, 82) having an intersection (62) with a cylinder having a circular directrix centered on an axis configured to be coaxial with the axis of rotation (115) when the loading device is assembled to The predetermined device has an upstream wall (63) and a downstream wall (61), determined by the direction of movement of the knife (104), the downstream wall having a ramp (67) forming, opposite the lower end (69) of the conduit, an angle (B3) with this 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 line parallel to the axis of rotation.

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