Food preparation equipment with measuring means

Abstract

- a housing (100; 100A) having at least one support leg (30); -Work bowl and - measuring means (200) arranged to measure the food to be prepared, At least one support leg (30) is provided with a suspension means (300); The suspension means comprises: -Support part (310; 310A), - a fixed part (320; 320A) and - elastic return means, The suspension means (300) is arranged to allow movement of the support portion (310; 310A), The preparation device comprises an abutment means for limiting the movement of the support (310; 310A), A food preparation appliance, characterized in that the measuring means (200) is attached between the support (310; 310A) and the housing (100; 100A).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE The present invention relates generally to a food preparation apparatus comprising a work bowl for food to be prepared and a measuring means arranged to measure food received in the work bowl. [Background technology]

[0002] In the food preparation appliance prior art, a known example is US Pat. No. 5,399,633, which discloses a food preparation appliance with a weighing means in the form of a strain gauge coupled to a measuring bar. However, over time, this system can cause variations in the accuracy of the weighing measurements due to the degree of deformation caused by excessive number or loads applied to the appliance. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] European Patent Publication No. 0561259 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT It is an object of the present invention to address the above-mentioned shortcomings of the prior art, and in particular to provide a food preparation apparatus with a weighing means which first ensures reliable and reproducible weighing measurement accuracy over time. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] To this end, a first embodiment of the invention comprises: a housing having at least one support leg arranged to rest on a work surface; a work bowl arranged to receive the food to be prepared; - measuring means arranged to measure a food item received in the work bowl and to be prepared, At least one of the support legs is provided with a suspension means; The suspension means comprises: -Work support, a fixing part connected to the part for attaching the legs of the housing; and - elastic return means arranged between the support part and the fixed part, the suspension means being arranged to permit movement of the support part relative to the fixed part; the preparation device comprising an abutment means for limiting movement of the support part relative to the fixation part; and The measuring means is associated with the food preparation appliance and is attached between the support and the foot mounting portion of the housing.

[0006] According to the above embodiment, the food preparation appliance comprises a suspension means having a fixed part integrated with the housing at the support leg, and the support part moving relative to the fixed part. The abutment means limits the movement of the support part, and the weighing means is arranged on the housing between the attachment of the support part and the fixed part. Thus, the greater the applied load, the greater the movement and the more strain the weighing means undergoes. In this embodiment, an overload applied to the housing will cause an overload on the weighing means and cause deformation beyond the normal range of use, but the abutment means limits the movement and therefore protects the weighing means. That is, when a threshold applied to the housing is exceeded, the abutment means comes into action, limits the movement and prevents the overload from passing through the weighing means. In this case, the abutment means transmits the overload from the housing directly to the support part. That is, the abutment means form an overload transmission chain against the working surface when they limit the movement of the support due to overload on the housing, and a "bypass" path that would normally pass through the metering means when the force in question is below the threshold force.

[0007] According to one embodiment, the support comprises a support pad arranged to overlie the work surface.

[0008] According to one embodiment, the fixed part comprises a fixed frame embedded in a housing which supports the support part according to a connection that leaves at least some clearance between the fixed part and the support part. The connection can be with parts that are movable relative to each other (for example sliding, rotating, sliding-rotating, ball joints, with or without play, or connections that do not fall within the definition above but allow the parts to move). Connections with rigid parts that do not deform or deform slightly and move relative to each other can be envisaged, but connections with deforming elastic parts, for example leaf springs, can also be envisaged.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the suspension means are arranged to allow axial movement of the support relative to the fixed part in a direction normal to the work surface, and the abutment means comprises axial abutment means for limiting axial movement of the support relative to the fixed part beyond a first predefined force, in particular when an overload is applied to the housing or the work bowl, typically caused by applying an excess amount of food in the work bowl and / or vertical pressure exerted by the user (e.g. for tightening the lid or for placing the work bowl if it is movable). The axial direction in this case is typically vertical or the direction in which weight is applied.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the axial abutment means comprises an abutment part integral with the housing or with the fixing part, said abutment part being arranged to contact a part of the support part in order to limit the axial movement of the support part relative to the fixing part. The surface contact makes it possible to limit deformations of the device caused by occasional pressure and excessive contact pressure.

[0011] According to one embodiment, a portion of the support forms a peripheral flange that defines the contour of the support against which the abutment portion abuts. The abutment is reliable and does not require a highly precise surface since the entire periphery is used as the abutment.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the axial abutment means comprises an abutment part integral with the housing or an abutment part integral with the fixing part, said abutment part being arranged to contact the working surface in order to limit the axial movement of the support part relative to the fixing part. The abutment part can be in direct contact with the working surface, which can provide a simple construction.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the housing or fixed part comprises a footwell forming at least a partial case for the support leg, the footwell having a lower end contour forming an axial abutment part. Such a footwell makes it possible to hide most of the leg, providing an aesthetically pleasing and easily maintainable appliance.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the food preparation apparatus comprises: a second leg abutment integral with the support; a second housing abutment integral with the housing, a second axial abutment means; The second leg abutment is positioned to contact the second housing abutment to limit axial movement of the support below a second predetermined force, particularly when no load is applied to the housing or work bowl.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the second leg abutment includes a shoulder disposed in contact with a shoulder of the second housing abutment, said shoulder being capable of extending radially outwardly and inwardly in the case of a rotating part.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the suspension means is arranged to allow lateral movement of the support part relative to the fixed part in a lateral or tangential direction relative to the work surface, and the abutment means comprises lateral abutment means between the support legs and the housing to limit lateral movement of the support part relative to the fixed part, in particular during lateral movement of the food preparation implement over the work surface. The limitation of radial, transverse or lateral movement ensures that there is no overload or damage during lateral movement (when a user slides the implement over the work surface) or in the case of rotary tool preparations which experience lateral vibrations due to a shift or imbalance in the rotating mass.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the lateral abutment is arranged on the side wall of the footwell of the housing or on the side wall of the fixed part, and the support is arranged against said side wall of the footwell in order to limit the lateral movement of the support relative to the fixed part, i.e. it is the inner wall of the footwell (typically in the form of a tube) that serves as an abutment for the support.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the elastic return means comprises a compression spring arranged to exert a predetermined suspension force which urges the support part of the fixed part back in a normal direction towards the work surface.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the fixed part comprises an axial housing for a compression spring, the compression spring forming a positioning element for the housing or for the upper part of the support, these elements being arranged to bring it into a neutral or equilibrium position on the support relative to the fixed part in at least one direction transverse or tangential to the working surface. A centering pin or well or a centering counterbore may be envisaged to receive the compression spring.

[0020] According to one embodiment, a compression spring is arranged between the weighing means and the support.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the fixture comprises at least one metering bar arranged to bend and deform when a load is applied on the housing or on the work bowl. Such a metering bar typically forms a beam with a first end attached to the housing and a second end attached or connected to the support. The metering bar comprises thinned portions allowing localized deformable areas, where for example deformation sensors will be attached.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the metering bar is attached directly to the foot mounting portion of the housing, which may also provide a recessed connection with an attached screw.

[0023] According to one embodiment the measuring means comprises at least one of a strain gauge or strain sensor or a piezoelectric sensor.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the food preparation apparatus comprises working means comprising at least one working tool and an actuation motor arranged to move the working tool into the work bowl for working on food to be received and prepared in the work bowl, and / or cooking means arranged to cook or heat the food to be received and prepared in the work bowl.

[0025] According to one embodiment, [Brief description of the drawings]

[0026] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention given as non-limiting examples and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG.

[0027] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a front view of a food preparation appliance on a work surface with support legs having suspension means. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 shows a view from below of the food preparation appliance in FIG. [Diagram 3]FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a support leg of the food preparation appliance of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows the support legs of FIG. 3 when the food preparation appliance is raised off the work surface. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 shows the support leg of FIG. 3 when the food preparation apparatus is resting on a work surface under normal loading conditions. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 shows the support leg of FIG. 3 when the food preparation appliance is placed on a work surface under excessive load conditions. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 illustrates a support leg according to an alternative embodiment to the embodiment in FIG. 3 when the food preparation apparatus is lifted off the work surface. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 illustrates the alternative embodiment of FIG. 7 when the food preparation appliance is resting on a work surface under normal loading conditions. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 illustrates the alternative embodiment of FIG. 7 when the food preparation appliance is placed on a work surface under excessive load conditions. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0028] [Detailed Description of the Invention] 1 generally shows the food preparation appliance comprising a base body (20) capped by a lid (10) and resting on a work surface on support legs (30). The housing (100) forms the framework of the food preparation appliance and has an outer wall having a display and control screen (40).

[0029] The food preparation apparatus may include a work bowl for receiving the food to be prepared. In some embodiments, working means may be provided that includes one or more working tools for performing various operations (kneading, shearing, cutting, mixing, etc.). In some embodiments, heating means may be provided for food cooking or food warming.

[0030] FIG. 2 shows the food preparation appliance of FIG. 1 viewed from below to reveal the four support legs (30) that are positioned beneath the bottom surface of the housing (100).

[0031] FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of a support leg (30) for a food preparation appliance. Generally, the support leg (30) includes: a fixed part (320) connected to and attached to the housing (100); a support part (310) movable relative to a fixed part (320) and arranged to be in contact with a work surface; - elastic return means, in this case a compression spring (331), The suspension means includes:

[0032] The housing (100) includes a footwell (120) that almost completely receives the support leg (30), with only the lower portion extending beyond the housing (100).

[0033] In detail, the fixing portion (320) is -Measuring bar(321), - equipped with a fixing pin (322), The measuring bar (321) is mounted on one side on the foot mounting portion (110) of the housing (100) and carries on the other side a fixing pin (322). A recessed portion is provided approximately in the middle of the measuring bar (321).

[0034] The support portion (310) is - a support pad (311) arranged to contact the work surface; - a strut (312) for receiving a support pad (311), - a socket (313) in which the strut (312) is clamped; Equipped with.

[0035] A compression spring (331) is inserted between the fixed part (320) and the support part (310), and it is received in the inner circular groove of the fixed pin (322) and on the upper boss of the strut (312).

[0036] As will be described in detail in Figures 4-6, the support portion (310) is movable relative to the fixed portion (320), and the food preparation device includes an abutment means that limits the movement of the support portion (310) relative to the fixed portion (320) when a load exceeds a predetermined threshold.

[0037] Generally, an abutment means is provided to limit movement of the support portion (310) relative to the fixed portion (320).

[0038] In the case of axial overload (according to the vertical direction in FIG. 3), the housing (100) abuts the support (310). In particular, the lower part of the footwell (120) is arranged to contact the upper shoulder surface of the strut (312). This will be described in more detail in FIG. 6.

[0039] In case of lateral overload (according to the horizontal direction in FIG. 3), the housing (100) abuts the support (310). In particular, the inner side of the lower part of the footwell (120) is arranged to abut the side of the socket (313).

[0040] When the instrument is lifted off the work surface, the fixing portion (320) abuts the support portion (310). In particular, the radial shoulder of the fixing pin (312) comes into contact with the radial shoulder of the socket (313). This will be described in more detail in FIG.

[0041] The measuring means (200) are also integrated into the support leg (30), in this case in the form of a strain gauge connected to a measuring bar (321), in its recessed portion, maximizing the deformation in this area.

[0042] As explained above, the preparation tool is provided with abutment means to limit movement of the support part (310) relative to the fixed part (320), and Figures 4-6 show three situations in which the food preparation tool is under load.

[0043] Figure 4 shows the support leg from Figure 3 when the food preparation appliance is lifted off the work surface. In this case, no load is applied to the support (310) so that the compression spring (310) is fully relaxed. To prevent the support from moving out of the footwell (120), the radial shoulder of the locking pin (322) abuts against the radial shoulder of the socket (313). Indeed, the upper surface (322e) of the locking pin (322) abuts against the lower surface (313e) of the socket (313).

[0044] The compression spring (331) serves to laterally center the support (310) in the footwell (120) so that such lateral clearance is evenly distributed between the inner surface of the footwell (120) and the sides of the socket (313).

[0045] FIG. 5 shows the support leg from FIG. 3 with the food preparation appliance resting on a work surface under normal loading conditions. In this case, the compression spring (331) is slightly compressed and between the upper surface (322e) of the fixing pin (322) and the lower surface (313e) of the socket (313); between the upper surface (312e) of the strut (312) and the lower surface (120e) of the footwell (120); between the side of the spacer (312) and the lower surface of the footwell (120); I can see the gap.

[0046] As a result, all weight applied to the food preparation appliance passes through the support legs (30), and in particular through the fixed portion (320). The measuring bar (321) then flexes to support the entire weight and allows the weighing means to measure the force or force variations applied to the housing to infer therefrom the weight of the food received in the working bowl. The measuring bar (321) is therefore continuous with the support portion (310) and is mechanically connected to the leg mounting portion (110) of the housing (100).

[0047] 6 shows the support leg from FIG. 3 with the food preparation appliance resting on a work surface under an overload condition, where the compression spring (331) has been compressed beyond a predefined force by a strike (e.g., a threshold force of 50N) and - Although a gap is visible between the upper surface (322e) of the fixing pin (322) and the lower surface (313e) of the socket (313), - No gap is visible between the upper surface (312e) of the strut (312) and the lower surface (120e) of the footwell (120).

[0048] As a result, forces above the threshold force of 50N do not pass through the support leg (30) (and in particular do not pass through the fixing portion (320)), but through the footwell (120) which is in the abutment with the support portion (310). The abutment means is therefore mechanically connected in parallel to the suspension means (300) of the support leg (30).

[0049] As a result, the metering bar (321) only supports the threshold force applied by the compression spring (331) and the impact is limited by the abutments of the support (310) and footwell (120). Since the metering bar (321) is not allowed to deform excessively, overloading of the metering means is avoided. Over time, the measurement accuracy is improved and repeatable.

[0050] A lateral overload situation is not shown, however, when a user slides the food preparation appliance across the work surface, a lateral overload may be applied to the retainer portion (320) and, in particular, the metering bar (321). This situation is avoided by the described assembly because the resiliency of the compression spring (331) causes the side walls of the socket (313) to abut against the inner side walls of the footwell (120). Thus, the lateral force is assumed by the housing (100) and does not pass through the metering bar (321).

[0051] FIG. 7 illustrates a support leg according to an alternative embodiment to the embodiment of FIG. 3 when the food preparation apparatus is lifted off the work surface.

[0052] According to an alternative embodiment, the housing (100A) still comprises a footwell (120A). The suspension means comprises a fixed part (320A), a compression spring (331) and a support part (310A), the support part (310A) comprising a support pad (311A) and the compression spring (331) being attached to a portable socket (315), slidably mounted in the footwell (120A) and having a bottom part (315f). The fixed part (320A) comprises a support pin (325A) opposite the bottom part (315f) of the slidable socket (315).

[0053] As shown in FIG. 7, when the food preparation appliance is lifted off the work surface, the upper shoulder (315ep) of the slidable socket (315) abuts the upper surface of the footwell (120A). Additionally, the legs (311Ae) of the support pad (311A) engage the legs (315er) of the portable socket (315) to prevent the support pad (311A) from moving out of the portable socket (315) under the action of the compression spring (331). There is no force in the measuring bar (321A) so that the weighing means (200) is not loaded.

[0054] Figure 8 shows the alternative embodiment of Figure 7 when the food preparation appliance is resting on a work surface under normal load conditions. In this case, the bottom (315f) of the portable socket (315) comes into contact with the support pin (325A) and the compression spring (331) is slightly compressed and all of the force is transferred to the weighing bar (321A). The weighing means can measure the weight applied to the appliance.

[0055] Figure 9 illustrates the alternative embodiment of Figure 7 when the food preparation appliance is on a work surface under an excessive load condition. In this case, the lower surface of the footwell (120A) abuts against a ring on the upper surface of the support pad (311A) such that an overload would cause the abutments to pass through the housing (100A) but not through the fixed portion (320A) of the suspension means. Thus, the metering bar (321A) and metering means (200) do not undergo excessive deformation.

[0056] In summary, in both embodiments, the abutment means (the lower surface of the footwell (120) and / or the inner surface of the footwell (120)) can ensure that no overload is applied to the metering means that exceeds the spring compression threshold force, which is the force applied by the spring at its maximum compression allowed by the abutment means. [Industrial Applicability]

[0057] Food preparation appliances according to the present invention, and their manufacture, are suitable for industrial applications.

[0058] It will be understood that various modifications and / or improvements apparent to a person skilled in the art may be made to the different embodiments of the invention described herein without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0059] In particular, parts of the housing or the fixed part may be conveniently arranged in contact with the work surface and not in contact with the support.

[0060] Additionally, in the first embodiment, the socket (313) may have an upper shoulder extending radially outwardly for engaging an upper portion of the footwell (120).

[0061] The elastic return means may be provided in the form of a compression spring, a leaf spring, a gas spring or the like.

[0062] As regards the weighing means, separate strain sensors or other configurations may be provided for the weighing bar.

Claims

1. a housing (100; 100A) having at least one support leg (30) arranged to rest on a work surface; a work bowl positioned to receive the food to be prepared; a measuring means (200) received in the work bowl and arranged to measure a food product to be prepared, The at least one support leg (30) is provided with a suspension means (300); The suspension means comprises: - a support on the work surface (310; 310A), - a fixed part (320; 320A) connected to the part of the housing (100; 100A) to which the legs (110) are attached, - elastic return means arranged between the support part (310; 310A) and the fixed part (320; 320A), said suspension means (300) being arranged to allow movement of the support part (310; 310A) relative to the fixed part (320; 320A); said preparation tool comprising an abutment means for limiting movement of the support part (310; 310A) relative to the fixation part (320; 320A); A food preparation appliance, characterized in that said measuring means (200) is attached between a support (310; 310A) and a part of the housing (100; 100A) to which the legs (110) are attached.

2. said suspension means (300) being arranged to permit axial movement of the support part (310; 310A) relative to the fixed part (320; 320A) in a direction normal to a working surface; said abutment means comprising axial abutment means for limiting axial movement of the support part (310; 310A) relative to the fixed part (320; 320A) beyond a first predetermined force, in particular when an overload is applied to the housing (100; 100A) or to the work bowl; 10. The food preparation apparatus of claim 1.

3. the axial abutment means comprises an abutment part integral with the housing or an abutment part integral with the fixing part (320; 320A), the abutment part being arranged to abut a portion of the support part (310; 310A) to limit axial movement of the support part (310; 310A) relative to the fixing part (320; 320A); 3. The food preparation apparatus of claim 2.

4. a portion of the support portion (310; 310A) forms a peripheral flange that defines the contour of the support portion (310; 310A) against which the abutment portion abuts; 4. The food preparation apparatus of claim 3.

5. the axial abutment means comprises an abutment part integral with the housing or an abutment part integral with the fixing part (320; 320A), the abutment part being arranged to abut against a working surface to limit axial movement of the support part (310; 310A) relative to the fixing part (320; 320A); 3. The food preparation apparatus of claim 2.

6. the housing (100; 100A) or the fixed part (320; 320A) comprises a footwell forming at least a partial case for the support leg (30), having a lower end contour (120e) forming said axial abutment means; 3. The food preparation apparatus of claim 2.

7. - a second leg abutment integrated with the support (310; 310A), - a second axial abutment means comprising a second housing abutment integral with the housing (100; 100A), the second leg abutment is arranged to contact the second housing abutment to limit axial movement of the support (310; 310A) below a second predetermined force, in particular when no load is applied to the housing (100; 100A) or the work bowl.

3. The food preparation apparatus of claim 2.

8. the second leg abutment including a shoulder disposed in contact with a shoulder of the second housing abutment; 8. The food preparation apparatus of claim 7.

9. the suspension means (300) being arranged to allow lateral movement of the support part (310; 310A) relative to the fixed part (320; 320A) in a direction lateral or tangential to the work surface; said abutment means in particular comprising lateral abutment means between the support legs (30) and the housing (100; 100A) for limiting lateral movement of the support part (310; 310A) relative to the fixed part (320; 320A) during lateral movement of the food preparation device over the work surface; 10. The food preparation apparatus of claim 1.

10. The housing (100; 100A) or the fixed part (320; 320A) comprises a footwell forming at least a partial case for the support leg (30), having a lower end contour (120e) forming said axial abutment means, said lateral abutment means being arranged on a side wall of the footwell of the housing or on a side wall of the fixed part (320; 320A), the support portion (310; 310A) is disposed against a side wall of the footwell to limit lateral movement of the support portion (310; 310A) relative to the fixed portion (320; 320A); 10. The food preparation apparatus of claim 9.

11. said elastic return means comprising a compression spring (331) arranged to exert a predetermined suspension force to push back the support part (310; 310A) of the fixed part (320; 320A) in a direction normal to the working surface, 10. The food preparation apparatus of claim 1.

12. the fixed part (320; 320A) comprises an axial housing for a compression spring (331) which forms a housing or arrangement for the upper part of the support part (310; 310A), these elements being arranged so as to provide a neutral or balanced arrangement on the support part (310; 310A) relative to the fixed part (320; 320A) in at least one direction transverse or tangential to the working surface, 12. The food preparation apparatus of claim 11.

13. 13. The food preparation apparatus of claim 11 or 12, wherein the compression spring (331) is disposed between the metering means (200) and the support (310; 310A).

14. the fixed part (320; 320A) comprises at least one measuring bar (321; 321A) arranged to bend and deform when a load is applied on the housing (100; 100A) or on the working bowl, 10. The food preparation apparatus of claim 1.

15. The metering bar (321; 321A) is attached directly to the foot-mounted portion (110) of the housing (100; 100A); 15. The food preparation apparatus of claim 14.

16. The measuring means (200) comprises at least one of a strain gauge or strain sensor, or a piezoelectric sensor.

10. The food preparation apparatus of claim 1.

17. a working means comprising at least one working tool and an actuation motor received in the work bowl and arranged to move the working tool into the work bowl for working on the food to be prepared, and / or a cooking means received in the work bowl and arranged to cook or heat the food to be prepared, 10. The food preparation apparatus of claim 1.

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