Abstract
A kitchen appliance includes a self-contained pull string drive device and a work unit. The device is configured for manually rotating a work unit around a rotation axis by pulling a string transversely to the rotation axis A. The device includes a drive wheel, a return spring, all positioned coaxially relative to the rotation axis A, a string, one end of which is wound around the drive wheel and the other end of which is connected to a handle. The work unit includes a lid closing a bowl. The pull string drive device is configured to be detachable from the lid of the bowl. The lid includes a male or female part joined to a drive interface, to cooperate with the drive wheel by mechanical coupling in order to transmit a rotational movement from the device to the work unit.
Claims
1. A kitchen appliance comprising a self-contained pull string drive device and a work unit; the device is configured for manually rotating a work unit around a rotation axis by pulling a string transversely to the rotation axis A, the device comprising a drive wheel, a return spring, all positioned coaxially relative to the rotation axis A, a string, wherein one end of the string is wound around the drive wheel and other end of the string is connected to a handle; the work unit comprising a lid closing a bowl; wherein the pull string drive device is configured to be detachable from the lid of the bowl and the lid comprises a male or a female part joined to a drive interface, so as to cooperate with the drive wheel by mechanical coupling in order to transmit a rotational movement from the device to the work unit.
2. The kitchen appliance according to claim 1, wherein the pull string drive device is configured to be releasable, attachable or detachable from the lid of the bowl.
3. The kitchen appliance according to claim 1, wherein the appliance has a fastening system enabling the device to be temporarily and reversibly fastened to the lid closing the bowl of the work unit.
4. The kitchen appliance according to claim 3, wherein the fastening system is a bayonet fastening system.
5. The kitchen appliance according to claim 1, wherein the mechanical coupling is of the male/female type.
6. The kitchen appliance according claim 1, wherein the drive wheel comprises a female part cooperating with the male part of the lid of the work unit.
7. The kitchen appliance according to claim 6, wherein the female part comprises a space on a lower side for the mechanically coupled accommodation of the work unit in order to transmit the rotational movement.
8. The kitchen appliance according to claim 5, wherein the space on the lower side of the drive wheel has a hexagonal cross section.
9. The kitchen appliance according to claim 1, wherein the drive wheel comprises a male part cooperating with the female part of the lid of the work unit.
10. The kitchen appliance according to claim 1, wherein the drive interface and the male part or the drive interface and the female part are immobilized relative to each other.
11. The kitchen appliance according to claim 10, wherein the drive interface and the male part or the drive interface and the female part are connected by locking means.
12. The kitchen appliance according to claim 1, wherein the drive interface comprises a housing for receiving the drive shaft positioned in the work unit.
13. The kitchen appliance according to claim 1, further comprising a translational locking system for translationally immobilizing the pull string drive device relative to the lid.
14. The kitchen appliance according to claim 12, wherein the translational locking system comprises a stop pin positioned on a lower side of the device and configured to cooperate with a housing for the lid to align the drive wheel and the work unit.
15. The kitchen appliance according to claim 4, wherein the lid comprises a system for connecting to the bowl of the work unit.
16. The kitchen appliance according to claim 10, wherein the drive interface and the male part or the drive interface and the female part are connected by screws, keys, or pins.
17. The kitchen appliance according to claim 10, wherein the drive interface and the male part or the drive interface and the female part are connected by keys.
18. The kitchen appliance according to claim 10, wherein the drive interface and the male part or the drive interface and the female part are connected by pins.
19. The kitchen appliance according to claim 4, wherein the lid comprises a bayonet fastening system for connecting to the bowl of the work unit.
20. The kitchen appliance according to claim 4, wherein the lid comprises a locking system for connecting to the bowl of the work unit.
Description
[0059] The purposes, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the following description of specific embodiments of the invention provided as non-limiting examples, with reference to the appended drawings in which:
[0060] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a kitchen appliance according to the invention, of the chopper type, comprising a drive device in its resting phase; the device is positioned on the lid of the bowl of the work unit according to a specific embodiment of the invention.
[0061] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the appliance in FIG. 1 showing the string of the drive device when pulled out, in a working phase.
[0062] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a drive device of the appliance according to the invention a specific embodiment of the invention [sic].
[0063] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the drive wheel and of the string of the device in FIG. 3.
[0064] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a kitchen appliance according to the invention, featuring a drive wheel comprising a male part and a work unit comprising a female part.
[0065] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the drive device used in FIG. 5 shown with its string pulled out, in a working phase.
[0066] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the kitchen appliance shown in FIG. 5, with its drive device positioned on the work unit.
[0067] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the lid of the work unit of the appliance according to the invention shown in FIG. 5.
[0068] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the lid of the work unit of the appliance according to the invention shown in FIG. 5.
[0069] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a kitchen appliance according to the invention, with a drive wheel comprising a female part and the work unit comprising a male part.
[0070] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the drive device used in FIG. 10 shown with its string pulled out, in a working phase.
[0071] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the kitchen appliance shown in FIG. 10, with its drive device positioned on the work unit.
[0072] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of top of the device shown in FIG. 10.
[0073] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the lid of the work unit according to the invention shown in FIG. 10.
[0074] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the lid of the work unit according to the invention shown in FIG. 10.
[0075] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the underside of the lid of the work unit of the appliance according to the invention in FIG. 15 or in FIG. 9.
[0076] FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of a kitchen appliance according to the invention, of the salad spinner type, comprising a drive device pulled out in a working phase; the device is positioned on the lid of the bowl of the work unit according to a specific embodiment of the invention.
[0077] FIG. 18 is a partial perspective view of the appliance in FIG. 17 showing the drive device with its string pulled out.
[0078] FIG. 19 is a partial perspective view of the lid of the appliance in FIG. 17.
[0079] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of 3 kitchen appliances according to the invention in which the bowl of the work unit has a different volume and in which the lid of the work unit has a different diameter. All 3 appliances are shown on the same scale. The appliance with the largest volume appearing on the leftmost side of FIG. 20 is the one shown in detail in FIGS. 17 to 19. The other 2 appliances with smaller volumes appearing on the rightmost side of FIG. 20 are the ones shown in detail in FIGS. 10 to 16. The drive device is shown fastened to the appliance with the largest volume appearing on the leftmost side of FIG. 20.
[0080] FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the 3 kitchen appliances according to the invention in FIG. 20, shown with the drive device fastened to the middle appliance.
[0081] FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the 3 kitchen appliances according to the invention in FIGS. 20 and 21, shown with the drive device fastened to the rightmost appliance.
[0082] FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 20.
[0083] FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 21.
[0084] FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 22.
[0085] FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the 3 kitchen appliances according to the invention in FIG. 20 shown to the same scale, each with the same drive device attached to the lid of the bowl of the appliance.
[0086] FIG. 27 is a partial perspective view of the 3 kitchen appliances according to the invention in FIG. 26.
[0087] FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view of the 3 kitchen appliances according to the invention in FIG. 26 shown with the 3 parts that make up the appliance according to the invention, namely the bowl, the lid and the drive device.
[0088] FIG. 1 shows a kitchen appliance according to the invention which is a chopper and in which the work unit 2 comprises cutting blades. The kitchen appliance comprises a drive device 1 in its resting phase, meaning that no force is being transmitted to generate a movement. The device 1 is arranged on the lid 21 of the bowl 22 of the work unit 2.
[0089] FIG. 2 shows the same kitchen appliance as FIG. 1, shown in one of its use situations with the handle pulled and the string unrolled and tensioned.
[0090] FIG. 3 shows an exploded perspective view of the drive device 1 according to a specific embodiment of the invention. The guide cover 6 is arranged transversely to the rotation axis A. The guide cover 6 comprises an offset element 63 which is not arranged coaxially with the rotation axis A but is offset relative to the rotation axis A. The offset element 63 moves the string away from the stop position relative to the rotation axis A and extends the guide cover 6 in a plane transverse to the rotation axis A. The offset element 63 is optional and may be removed so the string stop position would be closest to the rotation axis A. The guide cover 6 comprises a stop 61 that stops the string return travel when it is recoiled by the return spring 5. This is a flat surface arranged transversely to the travel of the string. The guide cover 6 comprises a housing 62 capable of receiving the string guide 9. The housing 62 is in the shape of a keyhole that is complementary to the shape of the string guide, allowing the string guide 9 to fit into the housing 62. The string guide 9 comprises 2 flanges, a front flange 91 and a rear flange 92 relative to the distance from the rotation axis A. The flanges 91 and 92 allow the string guide to remain stationary in its housing 62 in a direction transverse to the rotation axis A and enable the string guide 9 to remain mobile in the same direction as the rotation axis A. The flanges 91 and 92 keep the string guide 9 in place as the string 7 moves back and forth, without being dragged by the movement of the string. The drive device 1 comprises a handle 8, comprising 2 pieces, the base 81 of the handle and the cover 82 of the handle. The handle 8 has a curved shape that conforms to the round shape of the lid 10. The return spring 5 is wound around the rotation axis A.
[0091] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the drive wheel 4 and of the string 7 of the device in FIG. 3. The first step in assembling the appliance according to the invention is to form a first knot 71 at one end of the string 7. Then the other end of the string (unknotted) is inserted into a string hole 45. The string hole 45 has a cross-section that is smaller than the area of the smallest cross-section of the knot 71. The string 7 is pulled until knot 71 is held by the walls around the string hole 45. Then the string 7 is wound counterclockwise partially into a groove 42. The string 7 is thus fastened to the drive wheel 4 and the knot 71 makes it possible to secure the string.
[0092] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a kitchen appliance according to the invention, featuring a drive wheel 4 comprising a male part 49 and a work unit 2 comprising a female part 26. The appliance according to the invention has a work unit 2 comprising a bowl 22 and a lid 21. The lid 21 has a translational locking system 15 comprising a protruding stop pin 47 positioned on the lower side of the device 1 cooperating with a housing 23 for the lid 21 to align the drive wheel 4 and the work unit 2 according to the axis of rotation A. The male part 49 has a hexagonal cross section on the lower side of the drive wheel 4. The female part 26 on the upper side of the lid 21 has a shape that is complementary to the male part 49 so as to mechanically cooperate and transmit a rotational movement. The fastening system 46 of the guide cover 6 is a bayonet fastening system, in which the bayonets cooperate and snap onto the fastening members 28 of the lid 21. Thus, the guide cover 6 is locked relative to the lid 21, preventing the device (1) from turning relative to the lid (21). The fastening system (46; 28) enables the drive device 1 to be unlocked and released from the lid 21.
[0093] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the drive device 1 used in FIG. 5 shown with its string 7 pulled out, in a working phase.
[0094] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the kitchen appliance shown in FIG. 5, with its drive device positioned on the work unit. The drive interface 27 is shown joined to the female part 26. The bayonets of the fastening system 46 are snapped onto the lid 21. The lid 21 is locked on the bowl 22 by means of the connection system 24 which is a second bayonet fastening system, different from the bayonets of the fastening system 46.
[0095] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the lid 21 of the work unit of the appliance according to the invention shown in FIG. 5. The drive interface 27 is a wheel that fits into the female part 26 with the complementary shape. Two screws are shown on the female part 26 to secure it to the drive interface 27. The three fastening members 28 are shown free of any cooperation.
[0096] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the lid 21 of the work unit of the appliance according to the invention shown in FIG. 8.
[0097] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a kitchen appliance according to the invention, with a drive wheel 4 comprising a female part 48 and the work unit comprising a male part 25. The appliance according to the invention has a work unit 2 comprising a bowl 22 and a lid 21. The lid 21 has a translational locking system 15 comprising a protruding stop pin 47 positioned on the lower side of the device 1 cooperating with a housing 23 for the lid 21 to align the drive wheel 4 and the work unit 2 according to the rotation axis A. The male part 25 has a hexagonal cross section on the upper side of the lid 21. The female part 48 on the lower side of the drive wheel 4 is a space 43 with a shape that is complementary to the male part 49. The fastening system 46 from the guide cover 6 to the lid 21 is a bayonet fastening system, in which the bayonets snap onto the fastening members 28 of the lid 21 in order to temporarily keep the drive device 1 on the lid 21.
[0098] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the drive device 1 used in FIG. 8 shown with its string 7 pulled out, in a working phase.
[0099] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the kitchen appliance shown in FIG. 8, with its drive device 1 positioned on the work unit 2. The drive interface 27 is shown joined to the male part 25. The bayonets of the fastening system 46 are snapped onto the lid 21. The lid 21 is locked on the bowl 22 by means of the connection system 24 which is a second bayonet fastening system, different from the bayonets of the fastening system 46. The fastening system 46 cooperates with the fastening member 28 to temporarily secure the drive device 1 to the lid 21.
[0100] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the top of the appliance shown in FIG. 8.
[0101] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the lid 21 of the work unit of the appliance according to the invention shown in FIG. 10. The drive interface 27 is a wheel that fits into the male part 25 with the complementary shape. Two screws are shown on the male part 25 to secure it to the drive interface 27. The three fastening members 28 of the lid 21 are shown free of any cooperation.
[0102] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the lid 21 of the work unit of the appliance according to the invention shown in FIG. 14.
[0103] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the underside of the lid 21 of the work unit of the appliance according to the invention showing the drive interface 27 comprising a housing for receiving the drive shaft 29.
[0104] FIGS. 17, 18 and 19 show a kitchen appliance of the salad spinner type, with its drive device 1 positioned on the working unit 2 so as to rotate a basket 30. The drive interface 27 is a wheel that fits into the male part 25 with the complementary shape. Two screws are shown on the male part 25 to secure it to the drive interface 27. The bayonets of the fastening system 46 are engaged on the fastening member 28 of the lid 21. The lid 21 is locked on the bowl 22 by means of the connection system 24 which is a second bayonet fastening system, different from the bayonets of the fastening system 46. The fastening system 46 cooperates with the fastening member 28 to temporarily secure the drive device 1 to the lid 21. The lid 21 has a translational locking system 15 comprising a protruding stop pin 47 positioned on the lower side of the device 1 cooperating with a housing 23 for the lid 21 to align the drive wheel 4 and the work unit 2 according to the rotation axis A.
[0105] FIGS. 20 to 24 show 3 kitchen appliances according to the invention, whose work unit bowls 22a, 22b and 22c have different volumes. The largest bowl is bowl 22a, which is the salad spinner bowl shown in FIGS. 17 to 19. The drive device 1 used to drive the work units 2a, 2b and 2c is the same. The 3 appliances have lids 21a, 21b and 21c with different diameters. The 3 appliances are shown on the same scale in all 3 FIGS. 20, 21 and 22. The appliance with the largest volume appearing on the leftmost side of FIG. 20 is the one shown in detail in FIGS. 17 to 19. The other 2 appliances with smaller volumes appearing on the rightmost side of FIG. 20 are the ones shown in detail in FIGS. 10 to 16. The drive device is shown fastened to the appliance with the largest volume appearing on the leftmost side of FIG. 20.
[0106] The male part 25 of the work unit 2a, 2b or 2c is the same part, of the same size and diameter and with the same function shown to the same scale. The male part 25 of the lid of the work unit 2a, 2b or 2c cooperates with the female part of the driving wheel of the device 1. Thus the same drive device 1 is self-contained and can be easily adapted to separately drive different work units 2a, 2b and 2c. Accordingly, the device 1 of the appliance according to the invention is separate and ready to operate at any time. The drive device 1 is a self-contained subset relative to the work unit, and is releasable, meaning that it is configured to be moveable from one kitchen appliance to another, or even replaceable or repairable. Indeed, it could be foreseen that the pull string drive device 1 of the appliance according to the invention could be released and then moved from one lid to another lid, by releasing it from the bowl lid, without any action on the parts of the drive mechanism.
[0107] FIGS. 26 to 28 show the 3 kitchen appliances according to the invention in FIG. 20, shown to the same scale each with the same drive device 1 designed and configured to be attached to work units of different sizes, volumes and uses, namely 2a (salad spinner), 2b (chopper) and 2c (blender, emulsifier).
[0108] FIG. 28 shows the 3 appliances, demonstrating that the 3 parts that make up the appliance according to the invention, namely the bowl 22, the lid 21 and the drive device 1, are separate from each other, the drive device 1 being identical.
[0109] Although the invention has been described in relation to particular exemplary embodiments and applications, it is obviously in no way limited thereto.
[0110] Changes can still be made, particularly with regard to the arrangement and composition of the various elements or by substituting equivalent techniques, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.
