Kitchen appliance

Abstract

There is provided a kitchen appliance comprising: a housing; and a user interface attached to the housing by at least one hinge; wherein the at least one hinge is coupled to the user interface towards an end of the user interface.

Description

[0001] Kitchen Appliance

[0002] Field

[0003] The present invention relates to a kitchen appliance comprising a hinged user interface.

[0004] Background

[0005] User interfaces are a common feature of kitchen appliances, allowing a user to control characteristics of the kitchen appliance, for instance a heat input or a motor speed of the appliance. These user interfaces can however be hard to read and use due to varied light conditions and the angle between the user and the user interface.

[0006] The present invention aims to at least partially ameliorate the above-described problem, amongst others.

[0007] Summary of the Invention

[0008] According to a first aspect, there is provided a kitchen appliance comprising: a housing; and a user interface attached to the housing by at least one hinge; wherein the at least one hinge is coupled to the user interface towards (i.e. close to, or proximate) an end of the user interface. This may enhance visibility of the user interface by a user.

[0009] The at least one hinge is preferably coupled to the user interface away from a middle portion of the user interface; more preferably closer to an end than a middle portion of the user interface. The at least one hinge may be coupled to the user interface substantially at an end of the user interface. The at least one hinge may comprise a barrel hinge.

[0010] The user interface may be attached to be the housing at a side of a housing; preferably such that the user interface is capable of rotating (more specially, pivoting) about the at least one hinge away from the housing. In use, the user interface may be located in various positions to allow the user to view the display from different angles.

[0011] The user interface may be configured to allow a user to control the kitchen appliance. A user interface is described herein generally refers to a touch-screen or display, but may additionally / alternatively comprise other interface elements such as a series of buttons. The user interface is generally rectangular or square in shape, as is typical for screens and display - that is, it has four edges being arranged at right angles. The user interface may be configured to allow the user to control various aspects of the kitchen appliance, for instance a motor speed or temperature setting.

[0012] The housing of the kitchen appliance may surround the various sub-assemblies of the appliance required to perform the function for which the appliance is designed. For instance, the housing may contain a motor and drivetrain to transfer drive from the motor to a food-processing tool, and a series of electronic components which may include a computing device arranged to control the electrical components of the kitchen appliance.

[0013] The kitchen appliance may comprise other hinges distinct from the at least one hinge for coupling the user interface to the kitchen appliance. For instance, the kitchen appliance may be separated into at least two sub-assemblies (for instance a stand comprising a housing and a head sub-assembly) that are pivotable about a hinge relative to each other.

[0014] The user interface may be in communication with the electronic components within the kitchen appliance. This may allow the user interface to receive and display information, or to send inputs from the user interface to the computing device. The communication interface between the user interface and the electronic components may therefore be a bi-directional communication interface. The electronic components may be provided on an inner surface of the housing, preferably wherein the electronic components are mounted on a mounting element on an inner surface of the housing for additional protection, even more preferably wherein the mounting element is integrally formed with at least one receiving element for at least one barrel element of the at least one hinge. The electronic components may comprise a computer processor in bi-directional communication with the user interface for controlling the user interface and receiving instructions therefrom. The weight placed on the user interface can thus be reduced.

[0015] The user interface may be arranged to be rotatable relative to the housing about an axis which is substantially parallel to a surface on which the kitchen appliance is arranged to rest.

[0016] According to a second aspect, there is provided a kitchen appliance comprising: a housing; and a user interface attached to the housing by at least one hinge, the user interface being arranged to be rotatable relative to the housing about an axis which is substantially parallel to a surface on which the kitchen appliance is arranged to rest.

[0017] An axis substantially parallel to a surface on which the kitchen appliance is arranged to rest is used herein to mean an imaginary line that passes along a 2D surface parallel to a surface on which the kitchen appliance is placed. Many kitchen appliances are arranged to be free-standing, that is to say they are designed in use to be placed on a surface such as a kitchen countertop, and thus the substantially parallel axis would lie parallel to a surface of the kitchen countertop.

[0018] The at least one hinge may be coupled to the user interface towards an end of the user interface.

[0019] The end of the user interface may be a proximal end of the user interface; such that a distal end of the user interface is locatable away from the housing; preferably for enhancing visibility of the user interface by a user. Said proximal end is preferably an upper end of the user interface - that is, it is an end at the ‘top’ of the user interface (relative to the user’s interaction with the user interface). The distal end of the user interface may be further locatable adjacent or against the housing. This may mean that, as the user interface rotates about the at least one hinge, the distal end of the user interface from the at least one hinge moves towards or away from the kitchen appliance. The proximal end of the user interface from the at least one hinge therefore remains generally the same distance from the kitchen appliance as the user interface rotates about the at least one hinge.

[0020] The distal end of the user interface may be locatable at an angle (preferably, a maximum angle) relative to the housing of approximately 20 degrees or more, preferably approximately 30 degrees or more. The angle may be 45 degrees. The at least one hinge may be configured to restrict the user interface to rotating between said angle and a side of the housing. To a user, this may appear as the user interface having two ‘stops’ in its range of motion. This arrangement may therefore define a range of motion about which the user interface can move, allowing the user to determine a position within these two extremes that suits them. The side of the housing may act as the first ‘stop’ as the user interface cannot be rotated any further past the housing, thereby allowing for a compact configuration, for instance for storing the kitchen appliance. A second ‘stop’ is provided at the maximum angle, thereby preventing the user from over-rotating the at least one hinge. This arrangement can allow variation of the angle at which the user interface is presented to the user.

[0021] The user interface may be configured to be rotatable about the at least one hinge between a first position where the user interface extends from the at least one hinge substantially parallel to a side of the housing, and a second position where the user interface extends from the at least one hinge substantially away from the housing, for enhancing visibility of the user interface by a user; preferably wherein the user interface is located such that it extends downwardly from the at least one hinge in the first position. Preferably, the user interface rests against the side of the housing in the first position. A compact configuration can thus be obtained.

[0022] The kitchen appliance may further comprise means for limiting the range of the rotation of the at least one hinge and / or the maximum rotation of the at least one hinge, preferably wherein said means is a component of or attached to the user interface which may abut a part of the housing and / or the hinge; more preferably wherein said means comprises one of: an edge of a casing for the user interface; or arms of a casing for the user interface.

[0023] The at least one hinge may be coupled to the user interface towards an edge of the user interface; preferably an upper edge. Said edge may be the edge furthest from the surface on which the kitchen appliance rests. Preferably, the edge is an edge of a side of the user interface, preferably including two corners of the user interface. The at least one hinge may be attached to an edge of the user interface furthest from the surface on which the kitchen appliance is arranged to rest. In other words, the at least one hinge may be attached to the user interface along a top edge of the user interface as viewed when the kitchen appliance is in use. When the user interface rotates with the at least one hinge, the bottom of the user interface (i.e. the distal edge) therefore moves away from the device, tilting the user interface upwards towards the user when in use.

[0024] An / the axis of rotation of the at least one hinge may be arranged along a width of the user interface. That is, the at least one hinge may be attached along an axis substantially parallel to an edge of the user interface. This may mean that the user interface pivots in a manner that is easily visible to the user when the kitchen appliance is in use.

[0025] An / the axis of rotation of the at least one hinge may be located, in the direction of a height of the user interface, within an upper quarter of the height of the user interface; preferably within an upper fifth; more preferably with an upper sixth; yet more preferably within an upper eighth. Said height refers to a dimension of the user interface.

[0026] An / the axis of rotation of the at least one hinge may be located, in the direction of a height of the user interface, outside of an upper twentieth of the height of the user interface. An / the axis of rotation of the at least one hinge may be located, in the direction of a height of the user interface, outside of an upper fifteenth of the height of a casing for the user interface; preferably outside of an upper tenth. Said height refers to a dimension of the user interface. Locating the axis of rotation away from the very upper end of the user interface and / or casing may improve the concealment of the hinge by the user interface and / or casing, and / or may allow the upper part of a casing for the user interface (i.e. a part ‘above’ the hinge) to be used as a stop for the hinge (in that it may abut against the housing).

[0027] An / the axis of rotation of the at least one hinge may be located substantially in line with the housing and / or an outer wall of the housing. Part of the hinge may be recessed into the housing; but preferably an / the axis of rotation of the at least one hinge may not be recessed into the housing. This may allow for a wide range of movement of the hinge, without making the hinge overly prominent in appearance to a user.

[0028] The at least one hinge may be coupled to the user interface at a rear side of the user interface. This may allow the at least one hinge to be concealed by the user interface. A front face of user interface may face away from the housing.

[0029] The user interface may be attached to the housing at a side of the housing; preferably a lateral side; more preferably a substantially vertically-extending side. That is to say, in use, a surface of the kitchen appliance may be angled substantially in line with a vertical axis passing through the kitchen appliance. A vertical side of the housing may be determined relative to a (substantially horizontal) a surface on which the kitchen appliance may be configured to rest, for instance a kitchen countertop. This means that, in use, the user interface may be conveniently located for the user to view and interact with the user interface.

[0030] The at least one hinge may be configured to support the user interface at a user- selectable position; preferably wherein the user-selectable position is selectable from a continuous range of movement of the at least one hinge; more preferably wherein the user-selectable position is selectable from the entire range of movement of the at least one hinge. This can allow greater user control of user interface positioning.

[0031] The at least one hinge may be configured to resist rotation of the user interface relative to the housing when the torque acting on the at least one hinge is less than the torque due to the weight of the user interface acting on the at least one hinge plus a predetermined additional torque. The at least one hinge may be configured to resist rotation of the user interface relative to the housing when the torque acting on the at least one hinge is less than: the torque due to the weight of the user interface acting on the at least one hinge; and a predetermined additional torque; preferably wherein the predetermined additional torque is due to a user exerting a force F on the user interface; preferably wherein F is between 0.5 and 5N and more preferably between 1 and 3.5N when acting at a most perpendicularly distal point (i.e. at the most distal point and acting in a direction perpendicular to the face of the user interface) on the user interface from an / the axis of rotation of the at least one hinge. The at least one hinge may be configured to resist these torques for instance by friction (via contacting components) and / or by a biasing means. The user interface can thus be held in position without additional support. Whilst the weight of the user interface acts at the centre of mass of the user interface, a user may press the user interface at different places. As torque is a function of force and perpendicular distance, the highest torque will occur when the user exerts a force at the most distal possible location to the at least one hinge, therefore the hinge may be configured to resist this highest torque (thereby ensuring the user display does not rotate when the user interacts with the user interface). The first range of ferees provided above may be typical for someone of normal strength and mobility to make easily and repeatedly, the second range of forces being typical for someone of reduced strength, mobility, and / or dexterity.

[0032] The user interface is rotatable according to the present disclosure to allow for better visibility to the user. It may therefore be convenient for the user interface to remain in a position selected by the user (for instance when the user is interacting with the user interface). As the user interface has some mass and is supported by the at least one hinge, the mass of the user interface may cause a torque to act at the at least one hinge, trying to rotate the user interface with gravity. Configuring the at least one hinge to resist this torque therefore may allow the user interface to remain in a position chosen by a user. In addition, configuring the at least one hinge to resist an additional torque on top of the torque from the weight of the user interface acting on the hinge may allow for the user interface to be more resilient to gentle knocks and forces, thereby providing further convenience for the user. The user interface can thus be supported even when being interacted with and accidental rotation of the user interface can be avoided, whilst still allowing rotation. That is, this arrangement may allow the user interface to rest at any angle between the maximum angle and the side of the housing without movement due to a user pressing on the user interface (for instance when using the user interface). When the user wishes to move the user interface however, they may simply exert a larger force that creates a torque about the at least one hinge that is larger than the torque the at least one hinge is configured to resist. The user interface may then move about the at least one hinge, coming to rest once the user reduces the force they exert on the user interface.

[0033] The kitchen appliance may further comprise a casing for the user interface. Safety and security can thus be increased. The casing may be coupled to the at least one hinge by at least one formation which engages with a corresponding at least one formation on at least one rotating element, preferably at least one barrel element, of the at least one hinge; preferably wherein said engagement allows the casing to rotate with the at least one rotating element. The casing may comprise one or more arms, preferably wherein the one or more arms are configured to limit the range of the rotation of the user interface; more preferably by abutting against a part of the at least one hinge and / or the housing, still more preferably against a surface on which at least one rotating element of the at least one hinge are provided, thereby to provide ‘stops’ to the rotation of the at least one hinge. The casing may be arranged to rotate with the user interface. When the casing co-rotates with the user interface, the chance of fingers being caught between the user interface and the casing can thus be reduced.

[0034] The arms may encircle the at least one hinge; preferably thereby to enclose and / or conceal the hinge. This may further reduce finger trap risk. The arms may move in a gap between the at least one hinge and the housing, preferably wherein the arms are configured such that their ends remain internal to the housing at all positions of the at least one hinge. The arms may be configured to serve a protective / concealing role, and do not - or do not solely - attach the at least one hinge to the user interface casing (where the corresponding formations described herein perform this role).

[0035] The at least one hinge can optionally include two hinges. This can enable support of the user interface at more than one point. The two hinges may be spaced apart, such that a gap is provided between the two hinges. A corresponding gap in the housing may also be provided. Said gaps may be covered and / or concealed by the one or more arms.

[0036] The at least one hinge may comprise one or more detent features configured to engage with the one or more arms. A detent may, when the user interface is rotated to certain predetermined positions, markedly increase the required torque to move the user interface. This may give the feeling to the user of the user interface ‘snapping’ to a correct position that requires a greater force to move away from than when the user interface is between two such positions. This may allow more user control and greater control of positioning. The one or more detent features may comprise one or more protrusions configured to engage with a corresponding one or more protrusions on the one or more arms. The casing may comprise an insulator located between the user interface and the casing; preferably wherein the insulator is an air gap between the user interface and the casing. The casing may protect the user interface from accidental knocks. The insulator may protect the user interface from interference from the side proximate the housing. An air gap may be cheap to implement as an insulator.

[0037] The at least one hinge may further comprise at least one damper, preferably at least one rotary viscous damper. A damper provides a resistive force proportional to the relative velocity between two parts of the damper, a rotary damper being similar in that it provides a resistive torque proportional to the relative angular velocity between two parts of the rotary damper. Both of these types of dampers are typically implemented to reduce movement, particularly at higher relative movement speeds. In the at least one hinge, the damper may prevent the user from rotating the user interface about the at least one hinge too quickly which could damage the hinge. At low speeds however the resistive effect is minimal, thereby ensuring the user interface is not too difficult to rotate. These dampers can therefore enable flexible and convenient movement of the user interface. A rotary viscous damper may be convenient, low-wear, cheap, and simple to implement in the at least one hinge.

[0038] The kitchen appliance may comprise an electrical connector extending between the user interface and at least one electronic component within the housing; preferably wherein the electrical connector is used for transferring data between the user interface and the at least one electronic component within the housing; more preferably wherein the at least one electronic component comprises a computer processor in bi-directional communication with the user interface. The electrical connector may extend through the at least one hinge; preferably through a gap between barrel elements of the at least one hinge an / or between two hinges and / or through a corresponding gap in the housing. Preferably, the electrical connector is flexible. Preferably, the casing is arranged to prevent accidental contact between a user of the user interface and the electronic connector, more preferably by concealing the connector. The need for the at least one electronic component to be housed in the same assembly as the user interface can be avoided by use of said connector, reducing the weight of the user interface and thus the structural requirements of the at least one hinge.

[0039] The user interface may be a touch-sensitive interface. This may be a convenient way of exchanging more information with the user. This may also provide a more intuitive platform for the user to control the kitchen appliance. The interface may be aa capacitive- touch and thin-film transistor user interface. This may produce a lightweight and accurate user interface, reducing the structural demand on the at least one hinge and being convenient for the user to use. A surface of the user interface with which the user may interact interface is a wipe-clean surface; preferably being made from glass or a transparent plastic. This may create a clear and / or easily cleaned user interface for the user to interact with, which may further be hard wearing against repeated interaction with the user.

[0040] The kitchen appliance may comprise: a motor; at least one electronic component; and an element arranged to shield the at least one electronic component from the motor.

[0041] The kitchen appliance may be a stand-mixer. The user interface may be located on a stand-section of the stand-mixer, preferably a stand-section configured to co-rotate with a head-section of the stand-mixer about a pivot relative to a base-section of the standmixer. Where the user interface is located on the stand-section, this can allow the easy control of elements on the head unit / stand section without having to connect to them around the pivot. It can also simplify construction. The user interface may be co-located with a head-latch-release-lever and / or control knob on the lower section of the standmixer. This can simplify control of the stand-mixer.

[0042] The kitchen appliance may further comprise a hinge casing arranged to prevent accidental contact between a user of the user interface and the flexible electronic connector. The hinge casing may be arranged to rotate with the user interface. When the hinge casing co-rotates with the user interface, the chance of fingers being caught between the user interface and the hinge casing can thus be reduced. The hinge casing may be integrally formed with the user interface case of the user interface. This can reduce the complexity and cost of construction and allow single-step moulding of the parts. The user interface may be in electronic communication with at least one element chosen from the list of:

[0043] • a sensor configured to sense a temperature of a bowl of the stand-mixer;

[0044] • a sensor configured to sense a speed of rotation of a tool and / or motor of the stand mixer;

[0045] • a sensor configured to sense the presence or absence of an attachment in a drive outlet of the stand-mixer;

[0046] • a sensor configured to sense the presence of a bowl in a bowl-seat of the standmixer;

[0047] • a sensor configured to sense the presence of a cover of a drive-outlet;

[0048] • a motor configured to drive a tool attached to a drive-outlet of the stand-mixer;

[0049] • a heating and / or cooling element configured to heat and / or cool a bowl of the stand-mixer;

[0050] • a control knob;

[0051] • a head-latch-release lever;

[0052] • weighing sensors configured to weigh the stand mixer and / or its contents, preferably weighing feet disposed between the stand-mixer and a surface on which the stand-mixer is arranged to rest;

[0053] • a bowl-light configured to illuminate an interior of a bowl connected to the stand mixer; and

[0054] • a wireless communication module configured to communicate with a mobile device and / or household router of the user, preferably wherein the communication is bi-directional and / or the user interface is configured to display a status of any of the above elements to the user.

[0055] The kitchen appliance may further comprise a data-store configured to exchange data with the user interface. The data-store may comprise one or more food recipes. This may conveniently allow the user to access and prepare any one of such recipes using the kitchen appliance, without requiring an additional source to view the food recipe.

[0056] According to another aspect, there is provided a stand mixer comprising a body, wherein the body comprises a base unit and a head unit, and a user interface, wherein the user interface is attached to the body by at least one hinge, and wherein the head unit is attached to the base unit by a further at least one hinge. The base unit of the stand mixer may be arranged to support the stand mixer on a surface. It may further contain electronic and mechanical components to allow operation of the stand mixer. The head unit may be pivotably attached to the base unit by the at least one hinge. The at least one hinge may further comprise a locking device to prevent pivotal movement of the head unit relative to the base unit unless a level is depressed. The head unit may comprise a tool holder arranged to hold a tool for mixing. As an example, the head unit may comprise a drive flange for holding a kneading hook or whisk. The stand mixer may be arranged to interact with a bowl. The bowl may be supported by the base unit of the stand mixer. The stand mixer is preferably a free-standing stand mixer. That is to say, in use, the stand mixer is arranged to rest on a surface without additional support.

[0057] According to another aspect, there is provided a stand mixer comprising a housing, and a user interface, wherein the user interface is configured to be rotatable relative to the housing about at least one hinge thereby to enhance visibility of the user interface by a user.

[0058] Visibility may be enhanced due to the angular position of the user interface relative to the kitchen appliance or stand mixer. As an example, a user may adjust the angle of the user interface depending on their height such that the user interface points in the direction of the face of the user. This may make it easier for the user to see and interact with the user interface.

[0059] The kitchen appliance may further comprise means for enclosing the at least one hinge; preferably thereby to conceal the at least one hinge. The means may encircle barrel elements of the at least one hinge.

[0060] According to an aspect, there is provided a hinge mechanism comprising: a first body including a plurality of barrel elements mounted thereon; and a second body being configured to enclose the plurality of barrel elements; the first body being rotatable relative to the second body. The second body may comprise formations for engaging with corresponding formations on the barrel elements. A gap may be provided between the barrel elements, the gap being enclosed by the second body. The second body may comprise arms configured to encircle the plurality of barrel elements. The second body may conceal the plurality of barrel elements.

[0061] As used herein, the term “hinge” refers to a mechanism allowing relative rotational movement between two components, preferably also attaching between the two components. The hinge may also include other components, for instance a means for attaching other bodies to the hinge (for example the housing of a kitchen appliance or a user interface) or a cover to prevent the ingress of dirt and other foreign bodies into the hinge.

[0062] As used herein, the term “rotatable” is used generally interchangeable with the term “pivotable”.

[0063] Any apparatus feature as described herein may also be provided as a method feature, and vice versa. As used herein, means plus function features may be expressed alternatively in terms of their corresponding structure, such as a suitably programmed processor and associated memory.

[0064] Any feature in one aspect of the invention may be applied to other aspects of the invention, in any appropriate combination. In particular, method aspects may be applied to apparatus aspects, and vice versa. Furthermore, any, some and / or all features in one aspect can be applied to any, some and / or all features in any other aspect, in any appropriate combination.

[0065] It should also be appreciated that particular combinations of the various features described and defined in any aspects of the invention can be implemented and / or supplied and / or used independently.

[0066] In this specification the word 'or' can be interpreted in the exclusive or inclusive sense unless stated otherwise. Furthermore, features implemented in hardware may generally be implemented in software, and vice versa. Any reference to software and hardware features herein should be construed accordingly.

[0067] Whilst the invention has been described in the field of domestic food processing and preparation machines, it can also be implemented in any field of use where efficient, effective and convenient preparation and / or processing of material is desired, either on an industrial scale and / or in small amounts. The field of use includes the preparation and / or processing of: chemicals; paints; building materials; clothing materials; agricultural and / or veterinary feeds and / or treatments, including fertilisers, grain and other agricultural and / or veterinary products; oils; fuels; dyes; cosmetics; plastics; tars; finishes; waxes; varnishes; beverages; solders; alloys; effluent; and / or other substances, and any reference to “food” herein may be replaced by such working mediums.

[0068] The invention described here may be used in any kitchen appliance and / or as a standalone device. This includes any domestic food-processing and / or preparation machine, including both top-driven machines (e.g. stand-mixers) and bottom-driven machines (e.g. blenders). It may be implemented in heated and / or cooled machines. It may be used in a machine that is built-in to a work-top or work surface, or in a stand-alone device. The invention can also be provided as a stand-alone device.

[0069] “Food processing” as described herein should be taken to encompass chopping, whisking, stirring, kneading, mincing, grinding, shaping, shredding, grating, cooking, freezing, making ice-cream, juicing (centrifugally or with a scroll), or other foodprocessing activities involving the physical and / or chemical transformation of food and / or beverage material by mechanical, chemical, and / or thermal means. “Food processing attachment” encompasses any attachable component configured, for example on rotation and / or energising, to carry out any of the previously described food processing tasks.

[0070] Figures

[0071] One or more aspects will now be described, by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings having I ike- reference numerals, in which: Fig. 1 shows a side-on view of a kitchen appliance having a rotatable user interface according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0072] Fig. 2a shows a perspective, close-up view of the rotatable user interface of the kitchen appliance of Fig. 1 in a first, closed position;

[0073] Fig. 2b shows a close-up view of the rotatable user interface of the kitchen appliance of Fig. 1 in a second, open position;

[0074] Fig. 3 shows a partial section through the kitchen appliance of Fig. 1 ; and

[0075] Fig. 4 shows a simplified perspective view of the rotatable user interface of Fig. 1 with the front panel of the user interface removed.

[0076] Specific Description

[0077] Fig. 1 shows a kitchen appliance according to an embodiment of the invention. In this case the kitchen appliance is a stand-mixer 100, though other appliances capable of food processing tasks could be considered, including ovens, microwaves, blenders, food processors, etc. The stand mixer 100 receives electrical power from a power-socket via a plug (not shown). The stand mixer 100 has a rigid housing divided into sections that encloses electrical elements such as a motor 170 (shown in figure 3).

[0078] The stand mixer 100 has a housing that includes a base portion 110 that is supported above a surface S on feet 111. The feet 111 may optionally be weighing feet configured to weigh the stand mixer 100 and its contents. The base 110 includes a bowl-seat 112 into which a bowl 200 containing food to be processed by the stand mixer 100, and having handles 210 to facilitate carrying, may be securely located in the bowl-seat 112 using, for example, a bowl-latch mechanism (not shown). The bowl-seat 112 may optionally include a heating and / or cooling element for heating and / or cooling the contents of the bowl 200.

[0079] The surface S is a surface on which the stand mixer 100 is arranged to rest, for instance a kitchen countertop.

[0080] An on / off switch 113 for switching the stand mixer 100 on or off is provided on a rear surface (i.e. , facing away from the bowl 200) of the stand mixer 100. A control-knob 114 is provided on a lateral surface of the stand-mixer 100 (i.e., a substantially horizontalfacing surface extending along a major axis of the stand mixer 100). A head-latch release-lever 115 is also provided on a lateral side of the stand mixer 100. Locating elements on a lateral side of the stand mixer 100 enhances usability since more space is available here and the user does not have to interact with the stand-mixer directly over the bowl as they would if the controls were positioned on the front of the stand-mixer 100, nor is the bowl obscured from view by the stand-section 120 as it would be if the controls were located on the rear of the stand mixer 100.

[0081] A stand-section 120 of the housing of the stand mixer 100 extends upwardly from the base-section 110 from an end of the base-section 110 opposite to that on which the bowl-seat 112 is provided. A rotatable user interface 130 with a touch-sensitive displayscreen 132 partially encased by a user interface-case 131 is provided on the standsection 120 on a lateral side of the stand mixer 100, otherwise descried herein as a substantially vertical side. The user interface 130 is attached to the stand mixer 100 by at least one hinge. The at least one hinge allows the user interface 130 to rotate relative to the stand mixer 100. Specifically, the user interface 130 may rotate ‘upwardly’, such that a user standing above the stand mixer 100 may more easily see and interact with the user interface. The axis of rotation provided by the at least one hinge is accordingly generally horizontally oriented (i.e. it is parallel to the surface S). The operation and structure of the user interface 130 is further described below.

[0082] As shown in figure 1 , the ratio of the length of the stand mixer 100 to length of the user interface screen is 3:1 and the ratio of the height of the stand mixer 100 to the height of the user interface screen is 3.2:1. It will be appreciated that other dimensions may alternatively be used.

[0083] A head-section 140 of the housing of the stand mixer 100 extends horizontally from the stand mixer 100 parallel to the base 110 and back along it, to over-hang the bowl-seat 112. A forwards-facing drive outlet 141 (i.e., a point to which a tool such as, for example, a stirring, chopping, blending, juicing, or mincing tool, may be attached to, and driven rotationally by a motor 170 to carry out work on food matter), and upwards-facing driveoutlets 142 are provided on the head-section 140 covered by removably-attachable covers. A downwardly-facing drive-outlet 150 is provided facing the bowl-seat 112, for driving a tool attached to it to carry out work on food matter in the bowl 200. A light element 151 is provided surrounding the downwards-facing drive-outlet 150 for illuminating fully the contents of the bowl 200.

[0084] The head section 140 is pivotable about a pivot-point (not shown) such that it can be raised above the bowl 200 or lowered down towards it, for facilitating attachment and removal of the bowl 200. The pivot-point may be provided either between the head section 140 and the stand section 120 (with the stand section 120 and the base section 110 optionally being integrally formed), and / or between the stand section 120 and the base section 110 (with the stand section 120 and the head section 140 optionally being integrally formed). The head section 140 may be latched in place in its lowered position by a head-latch (not shown) that is releasable using the head-latch release-lever 115.

[0085] The bowl 200, and any other components expected to interact with food (e.g., tools for attachment to the drive outlets 141 / 142 / 150) should be made of food-safe materials (e.g., stainless steel). Additionally, they should be dishwasher-safe to enable dishwashing.

[0086] Figs 2a and 2b show a close-up view of the rotatable user interface 130 illustrating its rotation about at least one hinge between a first position shown in Fig 2a where the user interface rests against the stand-section 120 of the housing of the stand mixer 100, extending substantially parallel to it. As shown in figures 2, when in use, the stand section 120 has a draft angle to the vertical of 6 degrees. The user interface 130 therefore is angled at the same 6 degrees to the vertical due to its contact against the stand section 120.

[0087] In Fig. 2b the rotatable user interface 130 has been rotated to a second position about its hinges 160 that are located towards its upper edge (i.e. a proximal edge, relative to the kitchen appliance) and concealed from view from the top by the upper barrel element (also referred to as an ‘arm’) 131 a of the user interface-case 131 that is integrally formed with the user interface-case 131 and co-rotates with it. This upper edge is an extreme edge of the user interface-case 131. In the second position, a distal end of the user interface is located away from the housing, rather than adjacent it as in the first position.

[0088] In the second position, the rotatable user interface 130 may be more readable by the user as, for example, unpleasant reflections may have been avoided, or the user may be able to view the rotatable user interface 130 at an angle closer to “square-on” (i.e. , the point where the planar extent of the user interface 130 extends at an angle of 90 degrees to a line drawn between the user’s eyes and the rotatable user interface 130).

[0089] The maximum angle through which the user interface 130 can rotate is dictated by its contact with the stand-section 120 of the stand mixer 100 and an arrangement in the hinges 160 which prevents the user interface 130 from rotating any further (for instance a ‘stop’ built into the stop parts of the hinges 160). In figure 2b the user interface 130 is shown at 45 degrees to the vertical (measured when the stand mixer 100 is in use), thereby giving the user interface 130 39 degrees of rotational freedom. These angles were chosen following a stud of expected heights of users and kitchen countertops, although it will be appreciated that other absolute maximum and minimum, and ranges of motion may be selected. Optionally, the upper and lower barrel-elements 131a, 131 b provide said stop, by abutting against a mounting-board 124. Alternatively, parts of the user interface-casing 131 may about against the housing to provide said stop.

[0090] As can be seen in Figs 2a and 2b, the user interface 130 is hingedly attached to the stand section 120. The at least one hinge provided directly, without intervening components, between the stand-section 120 of the housing of the stand-mixer and the user interface 130, allows a simple construction and for the hinges 160 to support a reduced weight.

[0091] As can be seen in Figs 2a and 2b, the user interface 130 displays multiple recipes 132a to the user. The user may select recipes 132a using the user interface (e.g., by tapping on them) where data about the recipe will be retrieved from a memory of the stand mixer 100 (e.g., one on the PCB 121) and data about it then displayed to the user. The recipe may include instructions for the user stored in natural text (e.g., “heat your oven to 200 degrees”). Alternatively or additionally the recipe may include instructions in machine- readable format for the different components of the stand mixer 100 (e.g., for a heating / cooling unit in the bowl seat 112, or for the motor 170) that the machine will automatically carry out straight away or responsive to further user input.

[0092] As is shown in Figs 2a and 2b, the user interface 130 is located on the same lateral side of the stand-mixer 100 as the control knob 114 and head-latch-release lever 115. Colocating the components in this fashion increases convenience for the user.

[0093] Fig. 3 illustrates the internal structure of the rotatable user interface 130 and the associated stand-section 120 of the housing of the stand mixer 100. As can be seem, the hinges 160 are located towards the upper edge of the user interface, at a rear of the user interface. The hinges are located substantially at the rear of the upper edge of the user interface, although as seen in Fig. 3 the hinges 60 are slightly offset so as to allow room for the uppermost part of the user interface-case 131.

[0094] The user interface-case 131 partially surrounds and seals a compartment within which a touch-screen display 132 is located. The touch-screen display 132 is preferably a TFT (i.e. , thin-film transistor) touch-screen display, having a glass substrate 132a to which a TFT 132b is connected to sense changes in capacitance of the substrate 132a caused by movement of a user’s finger onto and along it for selecting options presented to the user on the screen. An air-gap 133 is preferably formed within user interface-case 131 behind (i.e., on the side proximate the housing 120) the TFT 132b for providing room for additional electronic elements and potentially additionally insulating the TFT 132b from interference (physical and / or electromagnetic) coming from behind it. The outermost layer of the touch-screen display 132 is preferably made of a wipe-clean substance such as glass or Perspex.

[0095] A PCB (printed circuit board) 121 is located within the stand section 120 attached to and extending along an inner surface of the stand section 120. The PCB 121 contains a CPU (computer processing unit) and memory resources such as RAM (random access memory) and / or ROM (read-only memory), as well as transformers and other electronic components sufficient for powering the PCB 121. The PCB 121 thus has resources sufficient for the PCB 121 to carry out programs for controlling other components of the stand mixer 100, and for processing data received from the other electronic components of the stand mixer 100. In order to control the user interface 130, and to receive instructions input by the user using the user interface 130, the PCB 121 and the user interface 130 are connected in bi-directional electronic communication by a flexible connector 134 indicated in Fig. 3 by a dotted line. Using a flexible connector 134, such as bundled flexible wires or a flexible flat ribbon cable, bidirectional electronic communication and powering can be maintained between the PCB 121 and the user interface 130 regardless of the orientation of the user interface 130. A flexible connector 134 is also advantageous over other types of connector such as, for example, electrified hinges, as they mean the hinge can be made of a non-electrically-conductive substance such as plastic, making them cheaper and simplifying their construction. The need to locate the PCB 121 within the user interface 130 is also avoided, thus simplifying the construction of the user interface 130 and reducing its size and weight, allowing simplification of the hinges 160.

[0096] Through the flexible connector 134 the user interface 130 can communicate, either via the PCB 121 or independently, with other components in the stand mixer 100. These include sensors for sensing the attachment of tools to any of the drive outlets 141 / 142 / 150 (and optionally the type of tool), the presence of covers on any of the drive outlets 141 / 142, the speed of a tool or of the motor 170, output from weighing sensors in the feet 111 , a sensor sensing a position or status of the control knob 114 or head-latch- release lever 115, a sensor detecting the temperature in the bowl seat 112 and the status of any heating / cooling element present there, a sensor detecting the presence of a bowl in the bowl-seat the light element 151 , and to a wireless communication module (e.g., WiFi module) for communicating with another device such as a mobile device / household wireless router of the user. Communication is preferably bi-directional so that data can be received and instructions sent, or the PCB 121 can cause instructions to be sent to these elements for controlling them.

[0097] As the stand-section 120 also houses the motor 170, the PCB 121 is at risk of being damaged. This damage may occur during installation of the motor 170. Alternatively the PCB 121 may be exposed to brush-dust, vibrations etc. during operation of the motor 170. In order to protect the PCB 121 , a planar shield element 122 is provided extending over the PCB 121 on an inner side, proximate the PCB 121 , between the motor 170 and the PCB 121. The shield element 122 can vary in thickness to provide additional protection over areas of the PCB 121 corresponding to important elements (e.g., the CPU and memory units) or where the risk of vibration etc. is greater, and additionally to form ribs for strengthening. The shield element 122 may also comprise electromagnetically-shielding-elements (e.g., a metal screen, sheet metal, metal foam, or similar) if electromagnetic interference from the motor 170 is an issue.

[0098] As can be seen in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 the user interface 130 and the stand-section 120 are connected in rotatable attachment by hinges 160. The user interface-case 131 has an upper barrel-element 131a and lower barrel-element 131 b (also referred to as ‘arms’) extending from it above and below the hinges 160, cylindrically encasing the hinges 160 in order to reduce the risk of fingers becoming trapped between the user interface 130 and the stand section 120. This encasing of the hinges 160 also reduces the risk of damage to the flexible connector 134 which extends through the space encased between the upper barrel-element 131a and lower barrel-element 131 b. The upper barrel-element 131a and lower barrel-element 131 b preferably co-rotate with the user interface 130, and more preferably still are integrally formed with the casing 161 , to simplify construction and reduce places where fingers may be pinched / trapped.

[0099] The barrel elements of the hinges 160 are preferably rotary viscous dampers, or other kind of damping hinge, of a kind that resists rotary movement so as to prevent movement unless a minimum force M is applied, at which point they begin rotation. One kind of rotary viscous damper suitable for this are those shown in European Patent Publication Number EP1996429B1 (EP’429), the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. Particularly as shown in Fig. 4 of EP’429, this kind of hinge has a rotor located rotatably within a casing, where rotation of the rotor relative to the casing is braked by a viscous fluid acting on a paddle-element of the rotor. Particularly, the viscous fluid can brake movement of the rotor through its inherent viscosity, and through being forced by the rotor to flow through a narrow constriction between one chamber of the rotary viscous damper and another during rotation of the rotor relative to the casing. Rotary viscous dampers are advantageous over, for example, rachet mechanisms, in that they are continuously rotatable and need only sufficient force to be applied to begin rotating. Unlike, for example, frictional dampers, they are less likely to suffer wear. The force M required should at minimum be more than that applied gravitationally by the weight of the user interface 130 when it is extended away from the stand section 120, for supporting the user interface 130 in a position extended away from the stand section 120 such as that shown in Fig. 2b.

[0100] Alternative hinge mechanisms that can be deployed in the hinges 160 include frictionally- damped hinges, magnetically-damped hinges, ratchet-mechanisms, and other hinges capable of being moved from one rotational position to another and supporting the user interface 130 at different positions against the force of gravity. Preferably the hinges 160 are continuously movable (i.e., freely movable to any rotational position, with damping of rotation in that position, between a minimum and maximum rotational angle) as this allows more flexible and convenient use by the user. However the hinges 160 may alternatively support the user interface 130 only in one or more indexed rotational positions, for example by having a releasable ratchet mechanism with spring-loaded ratchet teeth indexed to these positions.

[0101] Particularly where the user interface 130 is a touch-sensitive display (or other display having elements with which the user interacts with their fingers), the user will also push on it with their fingers so as to interact with it. The additional force F required, on top of the force M exerted by the weight of the user interface 130, to overcome the resistance of the hinges 160 must therefore also be sufficiently large that normal interaction between the user and the touch-screen display will not start rotation of the user interface 130. An exemplary value for F is 5 Newtons applied at the most distant point of the user interface 130 from the hinges 160 (i.e., the point where the mechanical advantage is greatest). Another exemplary value for F, applied in the same place, is 3.5 Newtons. These values correspond to values higher that likely to be encountered by typical interaction of a user with the user interface 130, but lower than would be difficult or tiresome for a user with normal strength / mobility to exert. Of these values, 3.5 Newtons is the best option in terms of balancing the need for rotation of the user interface 130 not to be difficult for users with reduced mobility / strength (e.g., people over 65 years old) with the need for accidental rotation during use of the user interface 130 to be avoided. Minimum values for F can be either 0.5 Newtons (for a very light touch applied by someone of good dexterity), or 1 Newton (for someone of reduced dexterity).

[0102] Where a rotary viscous damper is selected as the hinge 160, the minimum force required to rotate the hinge (and hence the maximum force that the hinge supports without significant movement, equal to M+F) can be determined by a viscosity of the fluid used in the damper, with liquids of higher viscosity resulting in greater resistance. Additionally or alternatively, a width of a channel through which the fluid is forced to flow within the rotary viscous damper during rotation may be varied, with more narrow channels resulting in higher forces being required. Any fluid selected is preferably food-safe, such that if the hinge leaks the danger of contamination is avoided.

[0103] If the damper chosen is a frictional bearing, the resistance of the damper may similarly be altered to achieve the desired resistance. This can be done by varying the co-efficient of friction between the two relatively-rotating elements of the frictional damper that are in frictional contact with each other. The resistance of magnetic dampers is similarly varied by varying the magnetic attraction / repulsion between the magnetically-interacting elements of the hinge that act to brake rotation of the hinge away from a desired rotational position.

[0104] Optionally, a detent may be provided in the hinges 160 which act to increase the minimum force required to rotate the user interface 130 about the hinges 160 when the user interface 130 is in certain predetermined positions. As an example, a detent may be provided when the user interface 130 is in a fully extended position (that is to say, a most rotated position such that the user interface 130 is as far away from the stand portion 120 as possible) and when the user interface 130 is in a fully stowed position (for example when in contact with the stand portion 120). Specifically, a small protrusion may be provided on an outer part of a receiving cylinder 123, and a corresponding small protrusion on an inner part of upper barrel element 131 a, such that at a maximum extent of rotation the upper barrel element 131 a must resiliently deform such that its protrusion may pass beyond the protrusion on the outer part of receiving cylinder 123. The dampers, which are held in place within receiving cylinders 123 (shown partially transparent in Fig. 4) of the stand portion 120 by pins 161 , connect to the user interface 130 by key-elements 162 extending from a rotor of the viscous damper hinge 160 into matching and interlocking recesses of board-elements 131c of the user interface-case 131. It will be appreciated that alternative formations to key-elements 162 and the corresponding recesses may be provided to attach the at least one hinge to the user interface-case 131.

[0105] The board-elements 131c are features of the casing 131 which are arranged to abut the hinges 160 from the outer part of the hinges 160. The board-elements 131c are preferably integrally formed with the user interface-case 131 for simplicity of construction, ease of manufacture, and strength. The hinges 160 each have a protrusion 163 of a casing of the hinge 160 which locates into a corresponding notch within an internal surface of the receiving cylinders 123 to prevent relative rotation between the hinge casing and the receiving cylinders 123.

[0106] As can be seen in Fig. 4, using two hinges 160, each located at an upper corner of the user interface 130, creates a gap 135 between the hinges 160. This provides space for the flexible connector 134. Hinging the user interface 130 from towards the top of the user interface in this fashion also allows rotation of the user interface 130 in a direction convenient to the user, since the user is most likely to view the user interface 130 from a point of view above the user interface 130 meaning it can be rotated towards them.

[0107] The receiving cylinder 123 are provided on a mounting board 124, which is mounted within the housing of the kitchen appliance. The receiving cylinders protrude through a gap in the housing to engage with the user interface-casing 131 as described. The receiving cylinders 123 may be integrally formed with the mounting-board 124 that is attached (e.g., by glue or screws) to an internal surface of the stand-section 120. The PCB 121 may also be mounted to the mounting-board 124, and the mounting board 124 may co-operatively surround the PCB together with the shield element 122. Construction of the stand mixer 100 is thus simplified.

[0108] Assembly of the user interface 130 to the stand-section 120 is undertaken as follows: Step 1 - the user interface-case 131 is positioned with the board-elements 131 c located at the exterior ends of the receiving cylinders 123.

[0109] Step 2 - the hinges 160 are inserted from the interior ends of the receiving cylinders 123, through the receiving cylinders 123, to bring the key-elements 162 into engagement with corresponding recesses in the board-elements 131c, and the protrusions 163 into engagement with the matching recesses of the receiving cylinders 123.

[0110] Step 3 - pins 161 are then inserted through the middle of the hinges 160 from an interior end of the hinges 160 to secure the hinges 160 in place.

[0111] Step 4 - the display 132 is then connected to the PCB 121 using the flexible connector 134, and the display 132 is then located in to the user interface-case 131 resting on (or secured to by e.g., gluing) the internal ledge 131d of the user interface-case 131.

[0112] “Food safe” in this context means any substance that does not shed substances harmful to human health in clinically significant quantities if ingested. For example, it should be BPA-free.

[0113] “Dishwasher safe” means that it should be physically and chemically stable during prolonged exposure to the conditions prevailing within a dishwasher machine. For example it should be able to withstand exposure to a mixture of water and a typical dishwasher substance (e.g., washing with FairyTM or FinishTM dishwasher tablets and water, at temperatures of 82 degrees centigrade for as long as 8 hours without visibly degrading (e.g., cracking)).

[0114] The disclosure of this application also includes the following numbered clauses:

[0115] 1. A kitchen appliance comprising: a housing, a user interface attached to the housing by a hinged attachment, wherein the user interface is configured to rotate about the hinged attachment between a first position where the user interface extends substantially parallel to a side of the housing, and a second position where it extends substantially away from the housing, for enhancing visibility of the user interface by a user.

[0116] 2. The kitchen appliance of clause 1 , wherein the side of the housing is a substantially vertically-extending side.

[0117] 3. The kitchen appliance of any preceding clause, wherein the user interface rests against the side of the housing in the first position.

[0118] 4. The kitchen appliance of any preceding clause, wherein the hinged attachment of the user interface to the housing comprises one or more hinges configured to support the user interface in the second position against the force of gravity.

[0119] 5. The kitchen appliance of clause 4, wherein the one or more hinges are configured to support the user interface in the second position against a maximum additional force F exerted by a user using the user interface by touching them with their fingers during operation of the user interface, and wherein when the force exerted by the user exceeds F the user interface is configured to rotate about the hinged attachment, preferably wherein F has a value in the range of approximately 5 Newtons to 0.5 Newtons applied to the user interface at a point furthest from the hinged attachment, and more preferably approximately 3.5 Newtons to 1 Newton applied to the user interface at a point furthest from the hinged attachment.

[0120] 6. The kitchen appliance of any one of clauses 4-5, wherein the one or more hinges are configured to support the user interface at a user-selectable position between the first and second positions, preferably wherein the user-selectable position is selectable from a continuous range of movement.

[0121] 7. The kitchen appliance of any one of clauses 4-6, wherein the one or more hinges comprise rotary dampeners, preferably rotary viscous dampeners, preferably wherein the one or more hinges are two hinges. 8. The kitchen appliance of any preceding clause, further comprising electronic components located within the housing electronically connected to the user interface via a flexible connection extending through the hinged attachment, preferably wherein the electronic components comprise a computer processor in bi-directional communication with the user interface for controlling the user interface and receiving instructions therefrom.

[0122] 9. The kitchen appliance of clause 8, wherein the hinged attachment is surrounded by a hinge-casing for preventing accidental contact by the user with the flexible connector and / or hinge mechanism.

[0123] 10. The kitchen appliance of clause 9 wherein the hinge-casing is configured to corotate with the user interface, preferably wherein the hinge-casing is integrally formed with a user interface-case of the user interface.

[0124] 11. The kitchen appliance of any one of clauses 9-10 wherein the electronic components are provided on an inner surface of the housing, preferably wherein the electronic components are mounted on a mounting element on an inner surface of the housing for additional protection, even more preferably wherein the mounting element is integrally formed with a receiving element of the hinged attachment.

[0125] 12. The kitchen appliance of any one of clauses 8-11 , further comprising a motor, and a shield-element configured to shield the electronic components from the motor.

[0126] 13. The kitchen appliance of any preceding clause, wherein the user interface is touch-sensitive user interface, partially encased by a user interface-case, wherein the user interface-case comprises an insulator located on a side of the touch-sensitive user interface proximate to the housing when the user interface is in the first position.

[0127] 14. The kitchen appliance of clause 13, wherein the insulator is an air-gap defined between the touch-sensitive user interface and the user interface-case. 15. The kitchen appliance of any preceding clause, wherein the hinged attachment is attached to two corners on a side of the user interface, preferably an upper side.

[0128] 16. The kitchen appliance of any preceding clause, wherein the user interface is located extending downwardly from the hinged attachment in the first position.

[0129] 17. The kitchen appliance of any preceding clause, wherein the user interface is a touch-sensitive user interface, preferable a capacitive-touch user interface, and more preferably is a thin-film transistor (TFT) user interface.

[0130] 18. The kitchen appliance of any preceding clause, wherein the user interface has a wipe-clean surface on the surface facing away from the housing in the first position, preferably a surface chosen from one of glass and a transparent plastic.

[0131] 19. The kitchen appliance of any preceding clause, wherein the user interface is located on a lateral side of the housing.

[0132] 20. The kitchen appliance of any preceding clause, wherein the kitchen appliance is a stand-mixer.

[0133] 21. The kitchen appliance of clause 19, wherein the user interface is located on a stand-section of the stand-mixer, preferably a stand-section configured to co-rotate with a head-section of the stand-mixer about a pivot relative to a base-section of the standmixer.

[0134] 22. The appliance of clause 21 wherein the user interface is co-located with a head- latch-release-lever and / or control knob on the stand-section of the stand-mixer.

[0135] 23. The kitchen appliance of any one of clauses 20-22, wherein the user interface is in electronic communication with at least one element chosen from the list of: a sensor configured to sense a temperature of a bowl of the stand-mixer, a sensor configured to sense a speed of rotation of a tool and / or motor of the stand mixer, a sensor configured to sense the presence or absence of an attachment in a drive outlet of the stand-mixer, a sensor configured to sense the presence of a bowl in the a bowl-seat of the stand-mixer, a sensor configured to sense the presence of a cover of a drive-outlet, a motor configured to drive a tool attached to a drive-outlet of the stand-mixer, a heating and / or cooling element configured to heat and / or cool a bowl of the stand-mixer, a control knob, a head-latch-release lever, weighing sensors configured to weigh the stand mixer and / or its contents, preferably weighing feet, a bowl-light configured to illuminate and interior of a bowl connected to the stand mixer, a wireless communication module configured to communicate with a mobile device and / or household router of the user; preferably wherein the communication is bi-directional and / or the user interface is configured to display a status of any of the above elements to the user.

[0136] 24. The appliance of any preceding clause wherein the second position corresponds to an angle of approximately 20 degrees or more between the user interface and the housing, and preferably approximately 30 degrees or more.

[0137] 25. The appliance of any preceding clause, wherein the appliance comprises a data- store, and the user interface is configured to retrieve information from the data-store responsive to user input, preferably wherein the data-store comprises one or more food recipes.

[0138] It will be understood that the present invention has been described above purely by way of example, and modifications of detail can be made within the scope of the invention.

[0139] Each feature disclosed in the description, and (where appropriate) the claims and drawings may be provided independently or in any appropriate combination. Reference numerals appearing in the claims are by way of illustration only and shall have no limiting effect on the scope of the claims.

Claims

Claims1 . A kitchen appliance comprising: a housing; and a user interface attached to the housing by at least one hinge; wherein the at least one hinge is coupled to the user interface towards an end of the user interface.

2. A kitchen appliance according to Claim 1 , wherein the user interface is arranged to be rotatable relative to the housing about an axis which is substantially parallel to a surface on which the kitchen appliance is arranged to rest.

3. A kitchen appliance comprising: a housing; and a user interface attached to the housing by at least one hinge, the user interface being arranged to be rotatable relative to the housing about an axis which is substantially parallel to a surface on which the kitchen appliance is arranged to rest.

4. A kitchen appliance according to Claim 3, wherein the at least one hinge is coupled to the user interface towards an end of the user interface.

5. A kitchen appliance according to any of Claims 1 , 2 and 4, wherein the end of the user interface is a proximal end of the user interface; such that a distal end of the user interface is locatable away from the housing; preferably for enhancing visibility of the user interface by a user.

6. A kitchen appliance according to Claim 5, wherein the distal end of the user interface is further locatable adjacent or against the housing.

7. The kitchen appliance of any of Claims 5 and 6, wherein the distal end of the user interface is locatable at an angle relative to the housing of approximately 20 degrees or more, preferably approximately 30 degrees or more.

8. The kitchen appliance of any preceding claim, further comprising means for limiting the range of the rotation of the at least one hinge.

9. A kitchen appliance according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one hinge is coupled to the user interface towards an edge of the user interface; preferably an upper edge.

10. A kitchen appliance according to any preceding claim, wherein an / the axis of rotation of the at least one hinge is arranged along a width of the user interface.

11. A kitchen appliance according to any preceding claim, wherein an / the axis of rotation of the at least one hinge is located, in the direction of a height of the user interface, within an upper quarter of the height of the user interface; preferably within an upper fifth; more preferably with an upper sixth; yet more preferably within an upper eighth.

12. A kitchen appliance according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one hinge is coupled to the user interface at a rear side of the user interface.

13. A kitchen appliance according to any preceding claim, wherein the user interface is attached to the housing at a side of the housing; preferably a lateral side; more preferably a substantially vertically-extending side.

14. A kitchen appliance according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one hinge is configured to support the user interface at a user-selectable position; preferably wherein the user-selectable position is selectable from a continuous range of movement of the at least one hinge; more preferably wherein the user- selectable position is selectable from the entire range of movement of the at least one hinge.

15. A kitchen appliance according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least onehinge is configured to resist rotation of the user interface relative to the housing when the torque acting on the at least one hinge is less than: the torque due to the weight of the user interface acting on the at least one hinge; and a predetermined additional torque; preferably wherein the predetermined additional torque is due to a user exerting a force F on the user interface; preferably wherein F is between 0.5 and 5N and more preferably between 1 and 3.5N when acting at a most perpendicularly distal point on the user interface from an / the axis of rotation of the at least one hinge.

16. A kitchen appliance according to any preceding claim, further comprising a casing for the user interface.

17. A kitchen appliance according to Claim 16, wherein the casing is coupled to the at least one hinge by at least one formation which engages with a corresponding at least one formation on a rotating element, preferably a barrel element, of the at least one hinge.

18. A kitchen appliance according to any of Claims 16 and 17, wherein the casing comprises one or more arms, preferably wherein the one or more arms are configured to limit the range of the rotation of the at least one hinge; more preferably by abutting against a part of the at least one hinge and / or the housing.

19. A kitchen appliance according to Claim 18, wherein the arms encircle the at least one hinge.

20. A kitchen appliance according to any of Claims 18 and 19, wherein the at least one hinge comprises one or more detent features configured to engage with the one or more arms.

21. A kitchen appliance according to any of Claims 16 to 20, wherein the casing comprises an insulator located between user interface and the casing; preferablywherein the insulator is an air gap between the user interface and the casing.

22. A kitchen appliance according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one hinge further comprises at least one damper, preferably at least one rotary viscous damper.

23. A kitchen appliance according to any preceding claim, wherein the kitchen appliance comprises an electrical connector extending between the user interface and at least one electronic component within the housing; preferably wherein the electrical connector is used for transferring data between the user interface and the at least one electronic component within the housing; more preferably wherein the at least one electronic component comprises a computer processor in bidirectional communication with the user interface.

24. A kitchen appliance according to any preceding claim, wherein the electrical connector extends through the at least one hinge; preferably through a gap between barrel elements of the at least one hinge.

25. The kitchen appliance of any preceding claim, wherein the kitchen appliance is a stand-mixer; preferably wherein the user interface is located on a stand-section of the stand-mixer, more preferably a stand-section configured to co-rotate with a head-section of the stand-mixer about a pivot relative to a base-section of the stand-mixer.

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