Abstract
A food processor, in particular a mixing device, comprising a housing for accommodating a receptacle and a cover that closes the receptacle, and a locking mechanism for interlocking the receptacle with the cover; the locking mechanism includes a locking element, especially a locking roller, which can be moved relative to the receptacle and/or the cover from an unlocking position into a locking position and vice versa. In order to further develop food processors of the type, the locking element, apart from or in addition to interlocking the receptacle with the cover, is designed to have a subsidiary effect on the receptacle and/or the cover or to subsidiarily interact with the receptacle and/or the cover.
Claims
1-20. (canceled)
21. A food processor (1), comprising a housing (2) for accommodating a receptacle (3) and a cover (4) that closes the receptacle (3) and a locking mechanism for interlocking the receptacle (3) with the cover (4), wherein the locking mechanism includes a locking element (5), which can be moved relative to the receptacle (3) and/or the cover (4) from an unlocking position into a locking position and vice versa, wherein the locking element (5), apart from or in addition to interlocking the receptacle (3) with the cover (4), is designed to have a subsidiary effect on the receptacle (3) and/or the cover (4) or to subsidiarily interact with the receptacle (3) and/or the cover (4), wherein the locking element (5) can be moved into a subsidiary position, which is arranged in relation to a movement direction of the locking element (5) from the unlocking position into the locking position so that the locking element (5) firstly assumes the unlocking position, thereafter the locking position and, simultaneously or subsequently to the locking position, the subsidiary position, and either the subsidiary position is a separate third position or the locking element is constructed in several parts, wherein a first partial region brings about an interlocking of receptacle and cover with respect to the locking position, whilst a second partial region of the locking element assumes the subsidiary position and in so doing observes a subsidiary function, or the locking element has an additional functional element, which can be moved separately into the subsidiary position.
22. The food processor (1) according to claim 21, wherein the locking element (5) is in operative connection with a holding device (6), which in the subsidiary position is moved at least with a partial region in the direction of the interior of the receptacle or into the receptacle (3).
23. The food processor (1) according to claim 21, wherein the locking element (5) is in operative connection with a closure device (8), which is designed, as a function of the position of the locking element (5), to close and/or to open a cover opening (9) formed on the cover (4).
24. The food processor (1) according to claim 23, wherein the closure device (8) has a shutter (18).
25. The food processor (1) according to claim 21, wherein the locking element (5) is designed to interlock the receptacle (3) with an attachment (10), arranged on the cover (4).
26. The food processor (1) according to claim 21, wherein a time control is associated with the locking mechanism, by means of which the locking element (5) can be moved into the subsidiary position in a time-controlled manner.
27. The food processor (1) according to claim 21, wherein a temperature control is associated with the locking mechanism, by means of which the locking element (5) can be moved into the subsidiary position in a temperature-controlled manner.
28. A food processor (1), comprising a housing (2) for accommodating a receptacle (3) and a cover (4) that closes the receptacle (3), wherein a measuring device (11) for measuring physical parameters of a user of the food processor (1), and an evaluation device, which has a data connection (12) to the measuring device (11) are provided, wherein the measuring device (11) is an external personal scales, which is connected to the evaluation device by means of a wireless- or cable connection (12).
29. The food processor (1) according to claim 28, wherein the measuring device (11) is designed to determine a mass or a body fat percentage of the user.
30. A food processor (1), comprising a housing (2) for accommodating a receptacle (3) and a cover (4) that closes the receptacle (3), wherein a measuring device (11) for measuring physical parameters of a user of the food processor (1) and an evaluation device, which has a data connection (12) to the measuring device (11) are provided, characterized in that the measuring device (11) has measuring electrodes arranged on the food processor (1), or on the housing (2), which measuring electrodes are arranged to measure an electrical resistance of the body of the user.
31. The food processor (1) according to claim 30, wherein the evaluation device is designed to determine a body fat percentage of the user by means of personal data of the user, in particular gender, height and/or age, deposited in a data memory associated with the evaluation device, and the measured electrical resistance.
32. The food processor (1) according to claim 28, wherein a data memory is associated with the evaluation device, which has a recipe collection, wherein the evaluation device is arranged to select recipes from the recipe collection as a function of the measured physical parameters of the user, and to transmit them for presentation to a display (13) of the food processor (1).
33. A food processor (1), comprising a housing (2) for accommodating a receptacle (3) and a cover (4) that closes the receptacle (3), comprising a sound converter (14) for the detection of ambient noises of the food processor (1), and an evaluation- and control device connected to the sound converter (14), which is designed to vary the sound intensity of acoustic signals emitted by the food processor (1) as a function of the type and/or sound intensity of the detected ambient noises.
34. A food processor (1), comprising a housing (2) for accommodating a receptacle (3) and a cover (4) that closes the receptacle (3), comprising an evaluation- and control device and an external hotplate (15) connected therewith or a hotplate (15) provided additionally to a hotplate (15) for a main receptacle of the food processor within the same housing, wherein the evaluation- and control device is designed to vary the temperature of the external or additional hotplate (15) as a function of a current preparation progress of a food which is to be prepared with the food processor (1) relative to a corresponding recipe stored in a data memory.
35. A mixing receptacle, for arrangement in a food processor (1), wherein the mixing receptacle (16) is produced from card or composite card.
36. The mixing receptacle according to claim 35, wherein it has a wall thickness which is less than 1 mm.
37. An insert receptacle (16), for arrangement in a food processor (1), wherein the insert receptacle (16) is produced from a plastic having a modulus of elasticity less than 5 kN/mm2, in particular from polyethylene.
38. The insert receptacle (16) according to claim 37, wherein the receptacle (16) has a wall thickness which is less than 1 mm.
39. The insert receptacle (16) according to claim 37, wherein the insert receptacle (16) is designed for arrangement within a receptacle (3), in particular a mixing receptacle.
Description
[0028] The invention is explained in further detail below with the aid of example embodiments. There are shown:
[0029] FIG. 1: a food processor with an external measuring device for measuring physical parameters,
[0030] FIG. 2: a food processor with an internal measuring device for measuring physical parameters,
[0031] FIG. 3: a food processor with an integrated sound converter for the detection of ambient noises,
[0032] FIG. 4: a food processor with an external hotplate,
[0033] FIG. 5: a food processor with a receptacle in which an insert receptacle is arranged,
[0034] FIG. 6: an insert receptacle,
[0035] FIG. 7: a food processor with a locking mechanism according to a first embodiment, in perspective view,
[0036] FIG. 8: the food processor according to FIG. 7 in a cross-section,
[0037] FIG. 9: a food processor with a locking mechanism according to a second embodiment in perspective view,
[0038] FIG. 10: the locking mechanism of the food processor illustrated in FIG. 9, in a cross-section,
[0039] FIG. 11: the food processor according to FIG. 9 in a cross-section in a first position,
[0040] FIG. 12: the food processor according to FIG. 11 in a second position,
[0041] FIG. 13: a food processor with a locking mechanism according to a third embodiment,
[0042] FIG. 14: a food processor with a locking mechanism according to a fourth embodiment, in perspective view,
[0043] FIG. 15: the locking mechanism of the food processor according to FIG. 14, in a top view,
[0044] FIG. 16: a food processor with a locking mechanism according to a fifth embodiment.
[0045] The illustrated food processor 1 has a housing 2, on which a receptacle 3 and a cover 4 are arranged. The cover 4 closes the receptacle 3 and has in addition a cover opening 9, through which, if applicable, steam can escape into an attachment 10, in particular a steaming attachment, placed onto the cover 4. A locking mechanism is arranged on the housing 2, which locking mechanism has locking elements 5, here in the form of locking rollers. The locking elements 5 interlock the receptacle 3 with the cover 4. The locking elements 5 can be moved into different positions, for example from an unlocking position into a locking position. In addition, a display 13 is arranged on the housing 2, on which information can be communicated to the user.
[0046] FIG. 1 shows the food processor 1 additionally with an external measuring device 11, here a personal scales, which is connected to the food processor 1 by means of a data connection 12, here a wireless connection. The measuring device 11 is designed for the measuring of physical parameters, wherein the physical parameters can be the mass of the user, his body fat percentage or other parameters.
[0047] The invention according to FIG. 1 functions so that a user places himself onto the measuring device 11 for the measuring of physical parameters. The measuring device 11 determines the mass and the body fat percentage of the user and transmits this via the data connection 12 to an evaluation device of the food processor 1. The evaluation device compares the measured physical parameters to standard values or ideal values, which are deposited in a table. The standard or respectively ideal values take into account for example the gender, the height and the age of the user. The measured physical parameters are compared to this standard or ideal value and resulting therefrom a difference is calculated. In so far as the physical parameters lie for example above the standard or ideal value and the user's aim is to reduce these values, for example, the evaluation device of the food processor 1 selects recipes from a recipe collection, which are suitable for achieving the target parameters, and indicates these to the user for selection on the display 13. The indicated recipes can be, for example, reduced-fat or generally energy-reduced. The user can then select one of the recipes and prepare corresponding foods.
[0048] FIG. 2 shows alternatively a food processor 1 with a measuring device integrated into the locking elements 5. The measuring device 11 has metallic measuring electrodes, which are arranged to measure an electrical resistance of the body of the user. For this, the user grasps the locking elements 5 with his hands and triggers a corresponding measurement of the physical parameter, here for example of the body fat percentage. The measuring device 11 then transmits the measurement values to the evaluation device of the food processor 1 by means of a data connection 12, here for example a cable connection. The further evaluation and transmission to the user can take place as previously illustrated with respect to FIG. 1.
[0049] FIG. 3 shows a food processor 1 with a sound converter 14, namely a microphone. The sound converter 14 is arranged to detect ambient noises of the food processor 1 and to transmit the detected signals to an evaluation- and control device. The evaluation- and control device compares the detected signals to standard values and controls the sound intensity of the acoustic signals emitted from the food processor 1 as a function of the type and/or sound intensity of the detected ambient noises, so that the user of the food processor 1 can differentiate the food processor's own signals from the ambient noises.
[0050] FIG. 4 shows a food processor 1 with an external hotplate 15. The hot plate 15 is connected to the food processor 1 via a cable 17. An evaluation- and control device of the food processor 1 is designed so that, as a function of a current preparation progress of a food which is to be prepared with the food processor 1, it varies the temperature of the hotplate 15 relative to a corresponding recipe stored in a data memory. For example, a stew can currently be prepared in the receptacle 3, which in a subsequent preparation step is to be supplemented with fresh herbs. Before the current preparation step is completed, the hotplate 15 is preheated, so that the receptacle 3 can then be placed onto the hotplate 15 to keep the foods contained therein warm. Thereupon—simultaneously keeping the receptacle 3 warm—a crushing of fresh herbs can take place within a further receptacle 3, which is inserted into the housing 2 of the food processor. As soon as the herbs are crushed, they are added into the receptacle 3 to the stew, and the latter is removed from the hotplate 15 for further processing and inserted again into the housing 2 of the food processor 1.
[0051] FIG. 5 shows a food processor 1 comprising a receptacle 3, into which an additional insert receptacle 16 is inserted. The insert receptacle 16 is, for example, a plastic receptacle with a smaller wall thickness compared to the receptacle 3. In particular, the insert receptacle 16 is produced from a flexible polyethylene, so that it has no inherent stability without connection to the receptacle 3, which would be suitable for the preparation of foods. Owing to the small inherent stability, the insert receptacle 16 is clamped in the contact region between receptacle 3 and cover 4, so that the insert receptacle 16 is fastened to the receptacle 3.
[0052] FIG. 6 shows an insert receptacle 16, which has an inherent stability. The insert receptacle 16 is produced for example from a card and can either be inserted into the receptacle 3 or can entirely replace the receptacle 3 of the food processor 1. Such an insert receptacle 16 serves for example for the crushing of herbs and is suitable to tolerate several crushing steps without being destroyed. The insert receptacle 16 can have, in addition, a stirring device, or can be configured so that a partial region of the stirring device can be arranged thereon.
[0053] FIGS. 7 and 8 show a food processor 1 with two locking elements 5, wherein a holding device 6 is associated with one locking element 5. A partial region 7 of the holding device 6 is moved into the receptacle 3 and holds a teabag. The partial region 7 of the holding device 6 can be, for example, a thread- or wire element. The holding device 6 is clamped onto the locking element 5 and is in operative connection with the locking element 5 such that a movement of the locking element 5 in the direction of the interior of the receptacle 3 likewise leads to a movement of the holding device 6 in the same direction. The locking element can be moved as usual into an unlocking position, in which the receptacle 3 and the cover 4 are not interlocked with one another (illustrated in dashed lines), and into a locking position (here: at the same time, the subsidiary position), in which the receptacle 3 is interlocked with the cover 4. A time control can be associated here with the locking mechanism, by means of which the locking element 5 can be moved in a time-controlled manner into the locking position/subsidiary position, and remains there over a predefined period of time, and after the period of time has elapsed is moved into the unlocking position again. In so far as a teabag is arranged on the partial region 7 of the holding device 6—as illustrated—, said teabag can be moved in a time-controlled manner within a necessary period of time, for example a brewing time of 8 minutes, inside the receptacle 3, so that the teabag dips into a liquid which is present in the receptacle 3. After the period of time has elapsed, the teabag is removed from the liquid again. In addition, a temperature control can be carried out, which moves the locking element 5 in a temperature-controlled manner, in particular on reaching a predefined temperature within the receptacle 3, which for example indicates a reaching of the boiling temperature of the liquid contained in the receptacle 3. The time control and temperature control can therefore likewise be advantageously combined.
[0054] FIGS. 9 to 12 show a food processor 1, the cover 4 of which is constructed with a closure device 8. As a function of a position of the locking elements 5, a cover opening 9 arranged on the cover 4 can be closed or opened. The closure device 8 has two shutters 18 (sliding shutters) which are arranged on opposite partial regions with respect to the circumferential direction of the cover opening 9.
[0055] The shutters 18 are guided by shutter guides 19. Through the fact that the closure device 8 is in operative connection with the locking elements 5, the closure device 8 is also moved on a movement of the locking elements 5. In so far as the locking elements 5 are moved for example from an unlocking position into a locking position/subsidiary position, the closure device 8 is moved from an open position of the cover opening 9 into a closed position of the cover opening 9. Therefore, a closure of the cover opening 9 can be brought about advantageously in connection with a time control and/or temperature control, in order in a targeted manner to let, or not let, steam, which escapes out from the receptacle 3, into an attachment 10 standing on the cover 4. For example, on reaching a particular temperature within the receptacle 3, a partial closure of the cover opening 9 can be carried out to control the steam rate, for which the locking elements 5 are moved into a first subsidiary position. In so far as no further inlet of steam into the attachment 10 is desired, the locking elements 5 can be moved into a second subsidiary position, in which the cover opening 9 is completely closed.
[0056] As shown in the figures, the closure device 8, in particular a partial region of the shutters 18, can be clamped onto the locking elements 5 or otherwise engaged with these, wherein an opposite partial region of the shutters 18 lies between the guides 19 arranged on opposite circumferential sides of the cover opening 9. The guides 19 can be constructed here in one piece with the cover 4 or can be connected therewith by means of connection elements. On a rotation of the locking elements 5, at the same time a displacement of the shutters 18 takes place over the cover opening 9 or respectively a displacement of the shutters 18 away from the cover opening 9. The cross-sectional view of the closure device 8 shown in FIG. 10 shows the hook shape of the guides 19, which provides for a maintaining of the desired displacement direction of the shutters 18 with respect to the cover opening 9.
[0057] FIG. 13 shows a further embodiment of a closure device 8, wherein the cover opening 9 is able to be closed by means of a shutter 18, which is constructed as a folding shutter. The shutter 18 lies in a marginal region of the cover 4 with respect to an open position of the cover opening 9 of the cover 4. The shutter 18 can be connected to the cover 4 by means of a fastening element 21 in this region. Preferably, on a side of the shutter 18 lying opposite the fastening element 21, the shutter 18 has a traction element 20, by means of which the shutter 18 can be drawn apart, i.e. unfolded. The traction element 20 can be a thread or a wire. The shutter 8 is produced from an elastic material, which on releasing of the traction element 20 is returned into the folded position, so that the cover opening 9 is opened again. In particular, a shape memory material is recommended as material for the shutter 18. In the embodiment which is shown, the traction element 20 is arranged on one of the locking elements 5, wherein the traction element 20 is guided beneath the locking element 5 so that the traction element 20 is released in the unlocking position of the locking element 5 and is drawn in the locking position/subsidiary position, so that the tractive force engages on the shutter 18, the latter folds apart is therefore guided over the cover opening 9. As soon as the locking element 5 is unlocked again, the tractive force onto the traction element 20 is dispensed with, so that the shutter 18 returns into its folded initial position.
[0058] FIGS. 14 and 15 show a further embodiment, in which the shutter 18 is configured as an iris shutter. The shutter 18 is introduced into the cover opening 9 of the cover 4 and is in operative connection with an actuating element 22, which in turn is in operative connection with a locking element 5 of the food processor 1. The actuating element 22 and the locking element 5 are advantageously connected to a traction element, which can be a thread, a wire or similar. On a transferring of the locking element 5 from an unlocking position into the locking position (or, if applicable, an additional subsidiary position), the traction element is also moved and acts on the actuating element 22, which is configured here as a slide control closing the shutter 18. Therefore, a closing of the cover opening 9 is brought about. The cover opening 9 can be transferred manually by the user into an open position again, wherein the user engages on the slide control of the actuating element 22.
[0059] FIG. 16 shows a cooking attachment locking, which brings about an interlocking of the receptacle 3 of the food processor 1 with the attachment 10, here a steaming attachment. The locking elements 5 of the food processor 1 have attachment catches 23, which can be applied in a manner corresponding with regard to shape on attachment projections 24 of the attachment 10. The attachment catches 23 can either be securely connected to the locking elements 5 of the food processor 1, so that on a rotation of the locking elements 5 automatically a rotation of the attachment catches 23 occurs at the same time. Here, the subsidiary position, in which the receptacle 3 is interlocked with the attachment 10 is, at the same time, the locking position of the locking elements 5. Alternatively, however, it is also possible to configure the attachment catches 23 so as to be independently movable from the locking elements 5, so that independently of the locking position of the locking elements 5, a subsidiary position is able to be assumed, in which the attachment catches 23 interact with the attachment projections 24. Likewise, it is also possible to carry out an interlocking of the attachment 10 with the attachment cover 25, wherein for this purpose likewise corresponding attachment cover catches can be arranged on the locking element 5 of the food processor 1.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS
[0060] 1 food processor [0061] 2 housing [0062] 3 receptacle [0063] 4 cover [0064] 5 locking element [0065] 6 holding device [0066] 7 partial region [0067] 8 closure device [0068] 9 cover opening [0069] 10 attachment [0070] 11 measuring device [0071] 12 data connection [0072] 13 display [0073] 14 sound converter [0074] 15 hotplate [0075] 16 insert receptacle [0076] 17 cable [0077] 18 shutter [0078] 19 shutter guide [0079] 20 traction element [0080] 21 fastening element [0081] 22 fastening element [0082] 23 attachment catch [0083] 24 attachment projection [0084] 25 attachment cover
