Food preparation appliance and a mixing and blending container for said appliance

Abstract

The present invention describes a mixing and blending container for a food preparation appliance, comprising a side wall having an upper opening, the side wall surrounding a bottom in which is arranged a rotary tool configured to be driven in rotation by an electric motor about an axis of rotation, the side wall comprising a lower mixing part arranged around the rotary tool, and an upper mixing part, wherein the lower mixing part has a cross-section that narrows from the top towards the bottom, characterized in that the narrowing divides the lower mixing part in a plurality of sections, wherein the slope of an intermediate section is higher than the slopes of a bottom section and of a top section.

Description

[0001] FOOD PREPARATION APPLIANCE AND A MIXING AND BLENDING CONTAINER FOR SAID APPLIANCE

[0002] Technical Field

[0003]

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of food preparation apparatuses intended to produce liquid or pasty preparations, such as juices, smoothies, puree, soups.

[0004]

[0002] The present invention relates more particularly to apparatuses comprising a mixing and blending container having a bottom in which a rotary tool is arranged. Generally, this rotary tool is cutting.

[0005]

[0003] The present invention relates more particularly to the container for mixing and blending of such appliances.

[0006]

[0004] The present invention also relates to a wall of such mixing and blending container, in which the rotary tool belongs to a tool holder removably mounted relative to said side wall.

[0007]

[0005] Such mixing and blending containers are used in particular to produce liquid preparations, from solid ingredients sufficiently soft to be dispersed by mixing in a liquid phase.

[0008] Prior Art

[0009]

[0006] The mixing and blending container of the mixer-type food preparation appliances generally has a geometry configured to disturb the movement of the liquid driven by the rotation of the rotary tool. For this purpose, the mixing and blending container may in particular have a special geometry, and / or one or more ribs may extend over at least part of the height of the side wall of the mixing and blending container.

[0010]

[0007] Document US 5526949 discloses a blender jar with a frusto-conically shaped lower portion, with a varying diameter along the axial length of the jar. The frusto-conical portion is tapered at an angle of less than 45° from vertical, preferably at an angle of approximately 30°.

[0008] Document US 5823672 discloses a blender jar with a conical structure in its bottom aimed to provide a shape for food and ice recirculation.

[0011]

[0009] Document US 2005 / 0122837 discloses a blender jar with a curved body, with a lower portion 36 having an increased cross-sectional area and an upper portion 38 having a reduced cross-sectional area. It is said that this configuration, in conjunction with the knives, promote an enhanced circular path for the food item, eliminating cavitation.

[0012]

[0010] Another relevant prior art is WO 2022 / 238272, disclosing a large capacity mixing and blending container comprising an inner lateral projecting region extending in the direction of the rotary tool, providing a particular revolution geometry that facilitates the blending of the preparation.

[0013]

[0011] None of the cited prior art disclose or suggest how a specific geometry of the bottom portion of the jar could improve mixing and blending of material. They also do not suggest a configuration with multiple angles, such as the present invention.

[0014]

[0012] Additionally, several drawbacks of the above-mentioned documents exist: the disturbance of the flow of ingredients driven by the rotary tool can be counter-productive, since it is excessive; the mixing and blending containers require powerful motors to drive the rotary tool sufficiently; and in order to increase the capacity of a mixing and blending container beyond a certain threshold, it is necessary to change motorization in order to use a more powerful motor.

[0015] Summary of the Invention

[0016]

[0013] In a first aspect, the present invention aims to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art by proposing a mixing and blending container (10) for a food preparation apparatus, which makes it possible to effectively treat large quantities of food, without requiring significant power to drive the rotary tool (20), is also easy to produce and easy to clean.

[0014] The inventors note that by providing a mixing and blending container (10) with a specific geometry in its lower section it is possible to achieve several advantages, such as improved capacity, reduced impact (load) and heat on the motor (30), resulting in better processor efficiency and performance. An effective mixing and blending of the preparation can thus be obtained, without requiring an electric motor (30) with significant power. These arrangements make it possible to envisage existing motorized bases with mixing and blending containers of greater capacity.

[0017]

[0015] It is thus an objective of the present invention a mixing and blending container (10) for a food preparation appliance, comprising a side wall (11 ) having an upper opening (12), the side wall (11 ) surrounding a bottom (13) in which is arranged a rotary tool (20) configured to be driven in rotation by an electric motor (30) about an axis of rotation, the side wall (11 ) comprising a lower mixing part (110) arranged around the rotary tool (20), and an upper mixing part (120), wherein the lower mixing part (110) has a cross-section that narrows from the top towards the bottom, characterized in that the narrowing divides the lower mixing part (110) in a plurality of sections (111 , 112, 113), wherein a second slope (1120) of an intermediate section (112) is higher than a third slope (1130) of a bottom section (113) and higher than a first slope (1110) of an upper section (111 ).

[0018]

[0016] Following features may be considered alone or in combination.

[0019]

[0017] The first slope (1110) of the upper section (111 ) may be higher than the third slope (1130) of the bottom section (113).

[0020]

[0018] Each section (111 , 112, 113) may have a constant radius decrease rate.

[0021]

[0019] The constant radius decrease rate may be different for all sections.

[0022]

[0020] The length ratio for the upper (111 ) and intermediate (112) sections of the lower mixing part (110) may be from 1 :10 and 10:1.

[0023]

[0021] The length ratio for the intermediate (112) and bottom (113) sections of the lower mixing part (110) may be from 1 :10 and 10:1 .

[0022] The transition between constant radius decrease rates may be smooth.

[0024]

[0023] The lower mixing part (110) may be contained in the lower third of the mixing and blending container (10).

[0025]

[0024] The rotary tool (20) may comprise at least one upper blade (21 ) having a raised end (210), and the top of the lower mixing part (110) may be higher than the raised end (210).

[0026]

[0025] The lower mixing part (110) may not form any protruding rib (40) in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation.

[0027]

[0026] The lower mixing part (110) may have a circular cross-section.

[0028]

[0027] The upper mixing part (120) may have a cross-section of a square with rounded edges (121 ).

[0029]

[0028] The upper mixing part (120) may extend in the extension of the lower portion.

[0030]

[0029] Ribs (40) may extend from the intermediate section (112) up to upper mixing part (120).

[0031]

[0030] Ribs (40) may extend from the intermediate section (112) down to the bottom section (113).

[0032]

[0031] Another object of the invention is a food preparation apparatus comprising a base housing an electric motor (30) and a mixing and blending container (10) removably mounted on the base, wherein the mixing and blending container (10) comprises a side wall (11 ) having an upper opening (12), the side wall (11 ) surrounding a bottom (13) in which is arranged a rotary tool (20) configured to be driven in rotation by an electric motor (30) about an axis of rotation, when the mixing and blending container (10) is placed on the base, wherein the mixing and blending container (10) is in accordance with at least one of the aforementioned characteristics.

[0033] Brief Description of the Drawings

[0032] Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of the mixing and blending container (10) and the rotary tool (20) therein.

[0034]

[0033] Figure 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the mixing and blending container (10) showing the lower mixing part (110) of the mixing and blending container (10) with a narrowing cross-section divided in three sections (111 , 112, 113) by dashed lines.

[0035]

[0034] Figure 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the mixing and blending container (10) showing the slopes (1110, 1120, 1130) and their relationship to sections (111 , 112, 113).

[0036]

[0035] Figure 4 is a top view of the mixing and blending container (10).

[0037]

[0036] Figure 5 is a perspective view of an exemplary blender with the mixing and blending container (10) of the present invention.

[0038]

[0037] Figure 6 shows a detail of the rotary tool (20) assembled in the mixing and blending container (10).

[0039]

[0038] Figure 7 shows details of the rotary tool (20).

[0040] Detailed Description of the Invention

[0041]

[0039] Various modifications and / or improvements obvious to those skilled in the art may be made to the embodiments of the invention described in the present description without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the claims.

[0042]

[0040] The present invention discloses a mixing and blending container (10) for a food preparation appliance, comprising a side wall (11 ) having an upper opening (12), the side wall (11 ) surrounding a bottom (13) in which is arranged a rotary tool (20) configured to be driven in rotation by an electric motor (30) about an axis of rotation, the side wall (11 ) comprising a lower mixing part (110) arranged around the rotary tool (20), and an upper mixing part (120). The lower mixing part (110) has a cross-section that narrows from the top towards the bottom.

[0041] The narrowing divides the lower mixing part (110) in a plurality of sections (111 , 112, 113), with different slopes (1110, 1120, 1130). The lower mixing part (110) is contained in the lower half of the mixing and blending container (10), preferably the lower third of the mixing and blending container (10). Figure 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the mixing and blending container (10), and its main components and Figure 2 shows the sections of the lower mixing part (110). Figure 3 shows a detail of Figure 2, now evidencing the slopes (1110, 1120, 1130).

[0043]

[0042] The upper mixing part (120) has a cross-section of a square with rounded edges (121 ) (Figure 4).

[0044]

[0043] Preferably, the cross-section of the lower mixing part (110) is circular. As shown in Figure 2, the radius of the upper end is bigger than the radius of the lower end. Thus, the radius always decreases starting from the upper end to the lower end. The ratio in which the radius decrease varies between a constant decrease and a variable decrease. A constant decrease creates a flat slanted surface while a variable decrease creates a curved surface. Each flat slanted surface thus creates a section of the lower mixing part (110).

[0045]

[0044] As mentioned above and shown in Figure2, the lower mixing part (110) is composed of a plurality of sections (111 , 112, 113). Each section (111 , 112, 113) has a slanted flat surface, and each slanted flat surface has a slope value. The lower the value of the slope, the steeper (or more vertical) the slope is. Similarly, the higher the value of the slope, the flatter (or more horizontal) the slope is. Preferably each adjacent section has different slope values. Figure 3 shows lines as corresponding slopes (1110, 1120, 1130) of each section (111 , 112, 113) of the lower mixing part (110).

[0046]

[0045] In a preferred embodiment, the lower mixing part (110) has three sections: an upper section (111 ), an intermediate section (112), and a bottom section (113). In a more preferred embodiment, the intermediate section (112) has the higher slope value when compared to the slope values of the upper (111 ) and bottom (113) sections.

[0046] The length ratio for the upper (111 ) and intermediate (112) sections of the lower mixing part (110) are from 1 :10 and 10:1 , and the length ratio for the intermediate (112) and bottom (113) sections of the lower mixing part (110) are from 1 :10 and 10:1.

[0047]

[0047] The transition between sections is generally smooth, thus creating a curve. In a preferred embodiment, the transition from one section to another encompasses 2-3% of said section.

[0048]

[0048] The mixing and blending container (10) comprises a lower mixing part (110) and an upper mixing part (120). The lower mixing part (110) is arranged around the rotary tool (20). The upper mixing part (120) extends the lower mixing part (110) towards the upper opening (12).

[0049]

[0049] The mixing and blending container (10) also comprises a lid (50) configured to close the upper opening (12). More particularly in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the lid (50) is engaged in the upper receiving part. The lid (50) has a body in which is formed a filling opening (51 ) that can be closed by a stopper.

[0050]

[0050] As can be seen more clearly in Figure 6, the side wall (11 ) surrounds a bottom (13) in which is arranged a rotary tool (20) configured to be driven in rotation by said electric motor (30) (not shown) about an axis of rotation when the mixing and blending container (10) is in place on the base (not shown).

[0051]

[0051] More particularly in an embodiment of the present invention, the bottom (13) and the rotary tool (20) belong to a tool-holder assembly mounted removably with respect to the side wall (11 ).

[0052]

[0052] The mixing and blending container (10) may also comprises protruding ribs (40) in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation, thus the upper portion is not necessarily planar, but may have a concave profile. Preferably, the upper portion does not form any protruding rib (40) in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation. When present, the ribs (40) extend from the middle of the mixing and blending container (10) to the upper part or to the lower part of the mixing and blending container (10).

[0053] The rotary tool (20) show in Figure 7 comprises at least one upper blade (21 ) having a raised end (210), and the top of the lower mixing part (110) is higher than the raised end (210). Preferably, the rotary tool (20) comprises two opposite upper blades (21 ), and two opposite lower blades (22) inserted between the opposite upper blades (21 ). The upper blades (21 ) are straight. Each upper blade (21 ) has a raised end (210) extending towards the side wall (11 ). The lower blades (22) are straight. Each lower blade (22) has an end (220) extending towards the bottom (13). More particularly, the lower blades (22) extend towards an inclined part of the bottom (13) surrounding the axis of rotation. The rotary tool (20) used is thus conventional and inexpensive to produce.

[0053]

[0054] The food preparation apparatus comprising the mixing and blending container (10) operates as follows.

[0054]

[0055] The user places the mixing and blending container (10) on the base and removes the lid or the plug to add the desired ingredients. Such ingredients generally comprise short-lasting foods such as fruits, or cooked vegetables, as well as the amount of liquid necessary to reach the desired preparation volume. The useful capacity of the mixing and blending container (10) is for example 1 .75 liters, which is greater than the useful capacity of the usual mixing and blending containers (generally up to 1 .5 liters). The user replaces the lid (50) or the stopper (51 ) and turns on the food preparation appliance.

[0055]

[0056] The rotary tool (20) driven in rotation by the electric motor (30) propels the liquid in the mixing and blending container (10). When the preparation is very liquid, firstly the preparation is driven in rotation without any vortex being formed, that is to say that the free upper surface of the preparation remains relatively flat and that the center of the surface of the free upper part of the preparation does not tend to dig. The preparation is driven in rotation along the side wall.

[0056]

[0057] The mixture becomes turbulent, which ensures good mixing and blending quality. Compared with existing embodiments, the geometry that is less rotated on the inner face of the side wall makes it possible to limit the power required for the movement of the preparation. The geometry of revolution about the axis of rotation of the rotary tool (20) of the upper mixing part (120) makes it possible to continue to increase the speed of rotation of the preparation without excessively counteracting its movement. The mixing is ensured by pouring part of the preparation on itself, while the speed of rotation of the rotary tool (20) is high. These arrangements also make it possible to obtain an effective blending by promoting the fall of the pieces of food present in the liquid phase on the rotary tool (20). An effective mixing and blending can thus be obtained with a mixing and blending container (10) of a size greater than that of the mixing and blending containers usually used, without necessarily having to change motorization or even a rotary tool, and without significantly degrading the time required for the production of the desired preparation, or the quality of the preparation obtained.

[0057]

[0058] As a variant, the rotary tool does not necessarily comprise two upper blades (21 ) and two lower blades (22). The rotary tool (20) may comprise at least one upper blade (21 ) having a raised end (210). The rotary tool (20) may comprise at least one lower blade (22) having an end (220) extending towards the bottom. The rotary tool may for example comprise six blades.

[0058]

[0059] As a variant, the bottom is not necessarily removable with respect to the side wall.

Claims

Claims1. Mixing and blending container (10) for a food preparation appliance, comprising a side wall (11 ) having an upper opening (12), the side wall (11 ) surrounding a bottom (13) in which is arranged a rotary tool (20) configured to be driven in rotation by an electric motor (30) about an axis of rotation, the side wall (11 ) comprising a lower mixing part (110) arranged around the rotary tool (20), and an upper mixing part (120), wherein the lower mixing part (110) has a crosssection that narrows from the top towards the bottom (13), characterized in that the narrowing divides the lower mixing part (110) in a plurality of sections (111 , 112, 113), wherein a second slope (1120) of an intermediate section (112) is higher than a third slope (1130) of a bottom section (113) and than a first slope (1110) of an upper section (111 ).

2. Mixing and blending container (10) for a food preparation appliance according to claim 1 , characterized in that the first slope (1110) of the upper section (111 ) is higher than the third slope (1130) of the bottom section (113).

3. Mixing and blending container (10) for a food preparation appliance according to claim 1 , characterized in that each section (111 , 112, 113) has a constant radius decrease rate.

4. Mixing and blending container (10) for a food preparation appliance according to claim 1 , characterized in that the constant radius decrease rate is different for all sections (111 , 112, 113).

5. Mixing and blending container (10) for a food preparation appliance according to claim 1 , characterized in that the length ratio for the upper (111 ) and intermediate (112) sections of the lower mixing part (110) are from 1 :10 and 10:1.

6. Mixing and blending container (10) for a food preparation appliance according to claim 1 , characterized in that the length ratio for the intermediate (112) and bottom (113) sections of the lower mixing part (110) are from 1 :10 and7. Mixing and blending container (10) for a food preparation appliance according to claim 1 , characterized in that the transition between constant radius decrease rates is smooth.

8. Mixing and blending container (10) for a food preparation appliance according to claim 1 , characterized in that the lower mixing part (110) is contained in the lower third of the mixing and blending container (10).

9. Mixing and blending container (10) for a food preparation appliance according to claim 1 , characterized in that the rotary tool (20) comprises at least one upper blade (21 ) having a raised end (210), and in that the top of the lower mixing part (110) is higher than the raised end (210).

10. Mixing and blending container (10) for a food preparation appliance according to claim 1 , characterized in that the lower mixing part (110) does not form any protruding rib (40) in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation.11 . Mixing and blending container (10) for a food preparation apparatus according to claim 1 , characterized in that the lower mixing part (110) has a circular cross-section.

12. Mixing and blending container (10) for a food preparation apparatus according to claim 1 , characterized in that the upper mixing part (120) has a cross-section of a square with rounded edges (121 ).

13. Mixing and blending container (10) for a food preparation appliance according to claim 1 , characterized in that the upper portion extends in the extension of the lower portion.

14. Mixing and blending container (10) for a food preparation appliance according to claim 1 , characterized in that ribs (40) extend from the intermediate section (112) up to upper mixing part (120).

15. Mixing and blending container (10) for a food preparation appliance according to claim 1 , characterized in that ribs (40) extend from the intermediate section (112) down to the bottom section (113).

16. Food preparation appliance comprising a base housing an electric motor and a mixing and blending container (10) removably mounted on the base,wherein the mixing and blending container comprises a side wall (11 ) having an upper opening (12), the side wall (11) surrounding a bottom (13) in which is arranged a rotary tool (20) configured to be driven in rotation by said electric motor (30) about an axis of rotation when the mixing and blending container (10) is in placed on the base, characterized in that the mixing and blending container (10) is in accordance with one of claims 1 to 15.

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