KITCHEN APPLIANCE FOR PROCESSING FOOD

Abstract

A kitchen appliance for processing food includes a housing, in or on which a drive unit is arranged for driving a processing tool for processing food. The kitchen appliance also includes an actuating mechanism for actuating the drive unit, wherein the actuating mechanism has a moveable switching element arranged outside of the housing. A switch is arranged inside the housing and an opening passes through the housing. The switch is switchable with the switching element for actuating the drive unit such that the switching element is moved relative to the switch, and the kitchen appliance has a sealing element, which forms a seal while closing the opening and transfers the movement of the switching element to the switch.

Claims

1. A kitchen appliance for processing food, the kitchen appliance comprising: a housing, in or on which a drive unit is arranged for driving a processing tool for processing food; an actuating mechanism for actuating the drive unit, wherein the actuating mechanism has a moveable switching element arranged outside the housing, a switch arranged inside the housing, and an opening passing through the housing; the switch being switchable with the movable switching element for actuating the drive unit such that the switching element is moved relative to the switch; and a sealing element, which forms a seal while closing the opening and transfers the movement of the switching element to the switch.

2. The kitchen appliance according to claim 1, wherein the sealing element is made from an elastic plastic.

3. The kitchen appliance according to claim 1, wherein, the sealing element has a first contact surface, with which the sealing element contacts the housing and a first elevated section that extends out from the first contact surface and projects into the opening or passes through the opening.

4. The kitchen appliance according to claim 3, wherein the first elevated section fills the opening.

5. The kitchen appliance according to claim 3, wherein the sealing element has a second contact surface and a second elevated section, the second elevated section extends out from the second contact surface, the sealing element interacts with the switch.

6. The kitchen appliance according to claim 1, wherein the kitchen appliance has a positioning means, with which a position of the sealing element can be defined within the kitchen appliance.

7. The kitchen appliance according to claim 6, wherein the positioning means has projections that are arranged on the housing and that engage in corresponding cut-outs or through holes of the sealing element.

8. The kitchen appliance according to claim 6, wherein the positioning means has raised sections that are arranged on the housing and surround at least partially the sealing element.

9. The kitchen appliance according to claim 1, wherein the switching element has a pin that can be inserted into the opening or can be guided through the opening.

10. The kitchen appliance according to claim 1, wherein the kitchen appliance has a stop, with which a travel of the switching element can be limited.

11. The kitchen appliance according to claim 1, wherein the housing has an inner housing, in or on which a drive unit is arranged for driving a processing tool for processing food, and an outer housing, which at least partially surrounds the inner housing.

12. The kitchen appliance according to claim 11, wherein the sealing element is arranged between the inner housing and the outer housing.

13. The kitchen appliance according to claim 11, wherein the outer housing is made from metal and the inner housing is made from plastic.

14. The kitchen appliance according to claim 11, wherein the sealing element with a first contact surface contacts a first surface of the outer housing, and a first elevated section passes through the opening and has radial extensions, with which the sealing element contacts a second surface of the outer housing.

15. The kitchen appliance according to claim 1, wherein the kitchen appliance is constructed as a grinder.

16. The kitchen appliance according to claim 2, wherein the elastic plastic is comprised of silicone.

17. The kitchen appliance according to claim 15, wherein the grinder is comprised of a coffee grinder.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0036] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the preferred invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the preferred invention, there are shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings:

[0037] FIG. 1A: a first embodiment of a kitchen appliance according to the proposal with reference to a perspective exploded view diagram,

[0038] FIG. 1B: a partial section view through the kitchen appliance shown in FIG. 1A in its assembled state,

[0039] FIG. 1C: a perspective view of the kitchen appliance shown in FIG. 1A in its assembled state,

[0040] FIG. 1D: an isolated and perspective view of the inner housing of the kitchen appliance shown in FIG. 1A,

[0041] FIG. 2A: a perspective view of a first embodiment of a sealing element according to the proposal,

[0042] FIG. 2B: a section view of the sealing element shown in FIG. 2A along the section plane A-A defined in FIG. 2D,

[0043] FIG. 2C: a section view of the sealing element shown in FIG. 2A along a section plane running perpendicular to the section plane defined in FIG. 2D,

[0044] FIG. 2D: a top view of the sealing element shown in FIG. 2A,

[0045] FIG. 3A: a perspective view of a second embodiment of a sealing element according to the proposal,

[0046] FIG. 3B: a section view through the sealing element shown in FIG. 3A,

[0047] FIG. 4: an isolated and perspective view of a second embodiment of the inner housing of a second embodiment of a kitchen appliance according to the proposal,

[0048] FIG. 5: a perspective view of a third embodiment of a sealing element according to the proposal,

[0049] FIG. 6A: a fourth embodiment of a kitchen appliance according to the proposal with reference to a perspective exploded view diagram,

[0050] FIG. 6B: the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 6A of the kitchen appliance according to the proposal with reference to a partial section view,

[0051] FIG. 6C: an enlarged view of the area P shown in FIG. 6B,

[0052] FIG. 6D: a perspective view of the fourth embodiment of the kitchen appliance in its assembled state,

[0053] FIG. 6E: an enlarged view of the area Q shown in FIG. 6D, and

[0054] FIGS. 7A to 7C: different views of a fourth embodiment of a sealing element according to the proposal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0055] In FIGS. 1A and 1B, a first embodiment of a kitchen appliance 10.sub.1 is shown with reference to a perspective exploded-view diagram and a partial section diagram, respectively, wherein in FIG. 1A the kitchen appliance 10.sub.1 is shown with reference to an exploded-view diagram. FIG. 1C shows the kitchen appliance 10.sub.1 in the assembled state.

[0056] In the illustrated embodiment, the kitchen appliance 10.sub.1 is constructed as a grinder 12, here as a coffee grinder 14, with which coffee beans can be ground into ground coffee. The coffee grinder 14 comprises an inner housing 16.sub.1, which is shown in FIG. 1D separately with reference to a perspective diagram. The inner housing 16.sub.1 has a drive unit 18, with which a processing tool 20 (see FIG. 1D) can be driven. The drive unit 18 is shown only symbolically in FIG. 1A and comprises a motor 22 and a drive shaft 24, wherein the processing tool 20 can be connected to the drive shaft 24. As can be seen, in particular, from FIG. 1D, the processing tool 20 is arranged in a grinding chamber 26 formed by the inner housing 16.sub.1, in which the coffee beans can be introduced, in order to be ground there with the processing tool 20.

[0057] Furthermore, the coffee grinder 14 comprises an outer housing 28, which can be slipped over the inner housing 16.sub.1 (see, in particular, FIG. 1A), so that the outer housing 28 almost completely encloses the inner housing 16.sub.1. While the inner housing 16.sub.1 is made from a plastic, the outer housing 28 is made from metal. Due to the fact that the outer housing 28 encloses the inner housing 16.sub.1, the outer appearance of the coffee grinder 14 is largely defined by the outer housing 28.

[0058] In addition, the coffee grinder 14 has a cover 30, with which the grinding chamber 26 can be closed to prevent the coffee beans or ground coffee from being flung out of the grinding chamber 26 in an uncontrolled manner during the grinding process.

[0059] In addition, the coffee grinder 14 has an actuating mechanism 32, which is constructed as follows: the actuating mechanism 32 comprises a switching element 34, which is mounted on the cover 30 of the coffee grinder 14 so that it can move in the shown embodiment along a longitudinal axis L of the coffee grinder 14. The actuating mechanism 32 also comprises a switch 36, which is constructed in the shown embodiment as a pressure switch. The switch 36 is arranged inside the outer housing 28 and interacts with the drive unit 18 such that when a pressure is exerted on the switch 36, the drive unit 18 is switched on or off or other functions of the drive unit 18 are activated, for example, an acceleration or deceleration of the motor 22. The actuating mechanism 32 also comprises an actuating pin 38 (see FIG. 1b), which is similarly arranged inside the outer housing 28 and is moveable along the longitudinal axis L.

[0060] To actuate the drive unit 18, a user of the coffee grinder 14 pushes the switching element 34 downward along the longitudinal axis L with reference to the diagram shown in FIG. 1A. The switching element 34 can interact with a not-shown reset element, so that the switching element 34 is returned to its starting position as soon as the user releases the switching element 34. When it is moved, the switching element 34 interacts with the actuating pin 38 such that the movement of the switching element 34 is transferred to the actuating pin 38, which presses, in turn, on the switch 36, in particular, the pressure switch. Consequently, the drive unit 18 is actuated as mentioned.

[0061] As explained above, the outer housing 28 encloses the inner housing 16.sub.1. To be able to transfer the movement of the switching element 34 to the actuating pin 38, the movement of the switching element 34 must be guided into the interior of the outer housing 28. For this purpose, the outer housing 28 has an opening 40, in which a pin 41 of the switching element 34 can engage. Consequently, the movement of the switching element 34 can be transferred to the actuating pin 38 and from there to the switch 36.

[0062] Due to manufacturing tolerances, the outer housing 28 never forms a precise and interruption-free flush fit with the inner housing 16.sub.1, so that intermediate spaces are formed between the inner housing 16.sub.1 and the outer housing 28. Therefore, it cannot be prevented that, in particular, ground coffee, but also other objects located in the surroundings of the coffee grinder 14, can pass through the opening 40 and accumulate in the intermediate spaces. To prevent this, the coffee grinder 14 according to the invention has a sealing element 42.sub.1, which is to be seen, in particular, in FIGS. 1A, 1C, and 1D. The sealing element 42.sub.1 closes the opening 40 and is constructed such that the movement of the switching element 34 can be transferred onto the actuating pin 38. In the shown embodiment, the sealing element 42.sub.1 is made from an elastic material, in this case, silicone, and is arranged between the inner housing 16.sub.1 and the outer housing 28. If the switching element 34 is actuated as mentioned above, the sealing element 42.sub.1 can deform and thus follow the movement of the switching element 34. The movement of the switching element 34 can therefore be transferred to the actuating pin 38.

[0063] In FIGS. 2A to 2D, a first embodiment of the sealing element 42.sub.1 according to the invention is shown with reference to different diagrams. To be able to position and fix the sealing element 42.sub.1 between the inner housing 16.sub.1 and the outer housing 28 at the desired position, the coffee grinder 14 has positioning means 44. In the first embodiment of the coffee grinder 14, the positioning means 44 have two projections 46 (see FIG. 1D), which can be formed by the inner housing 16.sub.1 and which can engage in corresponding through holes 48 (FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2D) of the sealing element 42.sub.1.

[0064] Furthermore, the sealing element 42.sub.1 has a first contact surface 50, with which the sealing element 42.sub.1 contacts the outer housing 28 in the assembled state of the coffee grinder 14. A first elevated section 52, which projects into the opening 40 and at least almost completely fills up this opening, extends from the first contact surface 50. Consequently, the cross section of the first elevated section 52 largely corresponds to the cross section of the opening 40. With the first elevated section 52, the sealing element 42.sub.1 can interact with the pin 41 of the switching element 34.

[0065] Furthermore, the sealing element 42.sub.1 has a second contact surface 54, with which the sealing element 42.sub.1 contacts the inner housing 16.sub.1 in the assembled state. A second elevated section 56, with which the sealing element 42.sub.1 can interact with the actuating pin 38 (FIG. 1B) and, in particular, can contact the actuating pin 38, extends from the second contact surface 54.

[0066] When a user wants to actuate the coffee grinder 14, he or she pushes the switching element 34, as already mentioned, downward along the longitudinal axis L with reference to the diagram in FIG. 1A, so that the pin 41 of the switching element 34 comes into contact with the first elevated section 52 of the sealing element 42.sub.1. Due to the elasticity of the sealing element 42.sub.1, the sealing element deforms due to the movement of the switching element 34 such that the movement of the switching element 34 is transferred with the second elevated section 56, which contacts the actuating pin 38, to the actuating pin 38. Consequently, the drive unit 18 is actuated accordingly.

[0067] As can be seen, for example, from FIG. 1A, the opening 40 is arranged in a recess 57, which is formed by the outer housing 28. The shape of the recess 57 corresponds approximately to the shape of the free end of the switching element 34, where the pin 41 is also arranged. The switching element 34 is arranged so that it so that it contacts the recess 57 after a certain travel distance due to the actuation. Consequently, the recess 57 acts as a stop 59, with which the travel distance that the switching element 34 can cover, is limited. In this way, it is prevented, in particular, that the sealing element 42.sub.1 deforms too strongly and therefore can be damaged.

[0068] The sealing element 42.sub.1 prevents, in particular, ground coffee, but also other objects located in the surroundings of the coffee grinder 14, from being able to penetrate through the opening 40 into the intermediate space between the inner housing 16.sub.1 and the outer housing 28.

[0069] In FIGS. 3A and 3B, a second embodiment of the sealing element 42.sub.2 according to the proposal is shown with reference to difference diagrams. As in the first embodiment, the sealing element 42.sub.2 also has the first elevated section 52, wherein radial extensions 58 extend from the first elevated section 52. In the assembled state, the first contact surface 50 contacts the inner surface of the outer housing 28 facing the inner housing 16.sub.1, while the sealing element 42.sub.2 contacts, with the radial extensions 58, the outer surface of the outer housing 28. The position of the sealing element 42.sub.2 with respect to the outer housing 28 and consequently with respect to the whole coffee grinder 14 is thus uniquely defined, so that no additional positioning means 44 are required.

[0070] In FIG. 4, a second embodiment of an inner housing 16.sub.2 of the kitchen appliance 10.sub.2 according to the invention is shown, in turn, constructed as a coffee grinder 14, with reference to a perspective diagram. In this case, the positioning means 44 have two approximately U-shaped raised sections 60, which are formed by the inner housing 16.sub.2.

[0071] In FIG. 5, a third embodiment of the sealing element 42.sub.3 according to the invention is shown with reference to a perspective diagram, wherein this sealing element can be arranged between the two raised sections 60. The sealing element 42.sub.3 according to the third embodiment interacts with the raised sections 60 in such a way that the position of the sealing element 42.sub.3 is clearly defined between the inner housing 16.sub.1 and the outer housing 28.

[0072] In FIG. 6A, a third embodiment of the kitchen appliance 10.sub.3 according to the invention is shown with reference to an exploded-view diagram. FIG. 6B shows a partial section through the kitchen appliance 10.sub.3 in the assembled state and FIG. 6C shows the section marked in FIG. 6B in an enlarged diagram. FIG. 6D shows the third embodiment of the kitchen appliance 10.sub.3 in the assembled state with reference to a perspective diagram and FIG. 6E shows the section marked in FIG. 6D with reference to an enlarged diagram.

[0073] The essential configuration of the kitchen appliance 10.sub.3 according to the third embodiment here corresponds to that of the kitchen appliance 10.sub.1, 10.sub.2 according to the first and the second embodiment, so that, in the following, in particular, the differences will be discussed. The essential difference is that the housing 15 of the kitchen appliance 10.sub.3 according to the third embodiment 10.sub.3 has a one-piece configuration and thus does not have an inner housing 16 or outer housing 28. The housing 15 is comparable to the outer housing 28 of the kitchen appliances 10.sub.1, 10.sub.2 according to the first and second embodiment.

[0074] The drive unit 18, which is not shown in more detail here, is arranged with the motor and the drive shaft in a base 62, on which the housing 15 is mounted. The housing 15 has an opening 40, through which the pin 41 can interact with the actuating pin 38 of the actuating mechanism 32 arranged in the interior of the housing 15, in order to be able to actuate the drive unit 18. Consequently, ground food and moisture can enter into the interior of the housing 15 through the opening 40. To prevent this, the sealing element 42.sub.4 according to a fourth embodiment is arranged in the opening 40. The sealing element 42.sub.4 according to the fourth embodiment is shown separately in different views in FIGS. 7A to 7C.

[0075] Like in the second embodiment of the sealing element 42.sub.2, the first elevated section 52, which forms the radial extension 58, extends from the first contact surface 50, with which the sealing element 42.sub.4 contacts the inner surface of the housing 15. On the radial extension 58, the second contact surface 54 is arranged, with which the sealing element 42.sub.4 contacts the outer surface of the housing 15. As can be seen from FIG. 6E, an indentation 64 is provided in the area of the opening 40 on the outer surface of the housing 15, in which the radial extension 58 engages, so that the sealing element 42.sub.4 can be arranged flush with the outer surface of the housing 15. In addition, the sealing element 42.sub.4 has a cut-out 66, in which the actuating pin 38 can engage, so that some amount of guidance of the actuating pin 38 can be realized with respect to the sealing element 42.sub.4.

[0076] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0077] 10 Kitchen appliance [0078] 10.sub.1-10.sub.3 Kitchen appliance [0079] 12 Grinder [0080] 14 Coffee grinder [0081] 15 Housing [0082] 16 Inner housing [0083] 16.sub.1-16.sub.3 Inner housing [0084] 18 Drive unit [0085] 20 Processing tool [0086] 22 Motor [0087] 24 Drive shaft [0088] 26 Grinding chamber [0089] 28 Outer housing [0090] 30 Cover [0091] 32 Actuating mechanism [0092] 34 Switching element [0093] 36 Switch [0094] 38 Actuating pin [0095] 40 Opening [0096] 41 Pin [0097] 42 Sealing element [0098] 42.sub.1-42.sub.4 Sealing element [0099] 44 Positioning means [0100] 46 Projection [0101] 48 Through hole [0102] 50 First contact surface [0103] 52 First elevated section [0104] 54 Second contact surface [0105] 56 Second elevated section [0106] 57 Recess [0107] 58 Radial extension [0108] 59 Stop [0109] 60 Raised section [0110] 62 Base [0111] 64 Indentation [0112] 66 Cut-out [0113] L Longitudinal axis