GB2426559A - Apparatus for food processing - Google Patents
Apparatus for food processing Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2426559A GB2426559A GB0510607A GB0510607A GB2426559A GB 2426559 A GB2426559 A GB 2426559A GB 0510607 A GB0510607 A GB 0510607A GB 0510607 A GB0510607 A GB 0510607A GB 2426559 A GB2426559 A GB 2426559A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- base
- power
- slide
- track
- slide element
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47J—KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
- A47J43/00—Implements for preparing or holding food, not provided for in other groups of this subclass
- A47J43/04—Machines for domestic use not covered elsewhere, e.g. for grinding, mixing, stirring, kneading, emulsifying, whipping or beating foodstuffs, e.g. power-driven
- A47J43/044—Machines for domestic use not covered elsewhere, e.g. for grinding, mixing, stirring, kneading, emulsifying, whipping or beating foodstuffs, e.g. power-driven with tools driven from the top side
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47J—KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
- A47J43/00—Implements for preparing or holding food, not provided for in other groups of this subclass
- A47J43/04—Machines for domestic use not covered elsewhere, e.g. for grinding, mixing, stirring, kneading, emulsifying, whipping or beating foodstuffs, e.g. power-driven
- A47J43/07—Parts or details, e.g. mixing tools, whipping tools
- A47J43/075—Safety devices
- A47J43/0755—Safety devices for machines with tools driven from the upper side
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47J—KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
- A47J43/00—Implements for preparing or holding food, not provided for in other groups of this subclass
- A47J43/04—Machines for domestic use not covered elsewhere, e.g. for grinding, mixing, stirring, kneading, emulsifying, whipping or beating foodstuffs, e.g. power-driven
- A47J43/044—Machines for domestic use not covered elsewhere, e.g. for grinding, mixing, stirring, kneading, emulsifying, whipping or beating foodstuffs, e.g. power-driven with tools driven from the top side
- A47J2043/04454—Apparatus of counter top type
- A47J2043/04481—Apparatus of counter top type with a mixing unit pivotable on the support
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Food Science & Technology (AREA)
- Food-Manufacturing Devices (AREA)
Abstract
An apparatus 10 for use in food processing comprising a base 20, a body 30 rotatable/ tiltable with respect to said base 20 from an in use position to a displace position, said body 30 receiving a drive motor(not shown) and defining an arm 32 provided with a drive mounting 34 for a food processing tool(not shown), a switch 42 slidably movable within a slide track 44 to control said motor, wherein said switch 42 is mechanically coupled to the base 20 or body 30 such that it is slidable within said track 44 to actuate the motor only when the body 30 is in said in use position. The slide track may be of L-shape. A mixing bowl may be used with the apparatus.
Description
2426559
Apparatus for food processing
The present invention relates to apparatus for use in food processing suitable for 5 domestic or commercial use.
Food processing apparatus are well-known appliances and are found in many commercial and domestic kitchens. Typically, such a food processing apparatus comprises a base arranged to sit on a work surface (e.g. in a kitchen), which base 10 defines a support surface (e.g. well-shaped) for receipt of a mixing bowl. Extending upwardly from the base and mounted thereto, a body is provided for receipt of a drive motor. The body also defines an outstretched arm, which has at least one drive mounting for a food processing tool. In use, this tool is directed into the mixing bowl and is drivably movable by the drive motor to mix the contents of the bowl.
15
It is a common feature that the body is rotationally mounted to the base to be movable with respect thereto. In particular, the body is often arranged for tilt movement with respect to the base from an in use position, in which the arm typically extends horizontally and the food processing tool is drivable by the drive motor, to a 20 tilted position, in which the arm extends at an upwards angle (e.g. 30° to 60°, such as 45°) and the food processing tool is made accessible for removal from the drive mounting thereof and/or the mixing bowl and its contents are made accessible.
It will be appreciated that it is highly desirable from a safety standpoint that the drive 25 motor be non-actuable when the body is in the raised position. That is to say, it is highly desirable that drive may be provided to the food processing tool only when it is in the in use position.
Various solutions to this problem have been proposed that make use of an electrical 30 switch interlock that interacts with a power control to cut off power to the drive motor when the body is tilted upwards. Such switches however, have the disadvantage of
2
adding cost and may leave the apparatus open to the possibility of suddenly and dangerously switching on if the power control is at a 'power on' setting when the body is lowered back into the in use position.
5 The applicant has now devised a food processing apparatus, in which the base or body is provided with a slide control for the drive motor. The slide control comprises a slide element slidably movable within a slide track. In solution of the above-described safety problems, the slide control is mechanically coupled to the body or base such that the slide element is movable within said slide track to actuate the 10 drive motor only when the body is in said position.
In an improvement to the apparatus, the mechanical coupling may also act such that the body can only be rotated (e.g. tilted) relative to the base when the slide element is at a defined 'power off position.
15
According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for use in food processing comprising a base;
20
mounting to said base and rotatable with respect thereto, a body for receipt of a drive motor, said body defining an arm, said arm provided with a drive mounting for a food processing tool; and
25 provided to the base or body, a slide control for control of power to said drive motor, said slide control comprising a slide element slidably movable within a slide track;
wherein the body is rotatable with respect to the base from an in use position to a displaced position and said slide element mechanically couples to the body or base 30 such that said slide element is movable within said slide track to actuate the drive motor only when the body is in said in use position.
3
There is provided an apparatus for use in food processing. In aspects, the apparatus may be configured to operate as a blender, liquidiser, centrifuge, reamer, grater, processor, chopper, shredder, slicer, mixer, beater, whisk, mincer, extruder, grinder, peeler, juicer or any combination of such.
5
The apparatus comprises a base (i.e. first portion), which is suitably arranged to sit on a work surface. The base suitable defines a support surface (e.g. in the form of a well or other suitable shaped cavity) for receipt of a mixing bowl.
10 Mounting to the base and arranged for rotation with respect thereto, there is provided a body (i.e. a first portion) for receipt of a drive motor. The body generally extends upwardly from the base (when arranged in the in use configuration with the base sitting on a work surface) and provides a housing for the drive motor, which can have any suitable known form. The body defines an arm, wherein the arm is provided with 15 a drive mounting for a food processing tool. The body may also house suitable gearing (e.g. a gearbox) between the drive motor and the drive mounting, as are well known in the art.
The body rotationally mounts to the base by any suitable mounting such as a pivot or 20 hinge mounting. In particular, the body is arranged for rotationally tilting movement with respect to the base from an in use position, in which the arm typically extends horizontally and the food processing tool extends vertically downwards, to a second and displaced (e.g. tilted) position, in which the arm extends at an upwards angle (e.g. 30° to 60°, such as 45°) and the food processing tool is made accessible for 25 removal from the drive mounting thereof and/or the mixing bowl and its contents are made accessible.
The base or body is provided with a slide control for control of power to the drive motor. Exemplary types of motor include an induction motor, series motor or 30 permanent magnet motor. Suitably, any electric motor includes an electronic control system.
4
In embodiments, the slide control may be provided to the base or body and the slide element may thus, mechanically couple to the body or base. Suitably, the slide control is provided to the base and the slide element mechanically couples to the 5 body. Alternatively, the slide control is provided to the body and the slide element mechanically couples to the base.
The slide control comprises a slide element slidably movable within a slide track. Suitably, the movement of the slide element couples electrically to the drive motor 10 through circuitry, which may for example, include a variable resistor. Ultimately, power is usually provided through connecting the drive motor via the slide control into the mains electricity supply.
It will thus, be appreciated that in general terms the amount of power supplied to the 15 drive motor will depend on the position of the slide element relative to the track. In its simplest form the slide element is movable from a 'power off to 'power on' position, but variable power slide control embodiments are more preferable. Thus, suitably, the slide element is movable on the track from a 'power off position to a 'maximum power' position, and interim between these two extremes power of increasing 20 intensity (to the maximum) is suppliable. Herein, and as will be described in more detail later, the movement of the slide element within the slide track, and hence supply of power to the drive motor, is dependent on the relative positioning of the base and the body.
25 The body is rotatable with respect to the base from an in use position to a second, displaced (e.g. tilted) position. The slide control mechanically couples to the body or base such that the slide element is movable within the slide track to control the drive motor only when the body is in said in use position.
30 Preferably, the body is rotationally displaceble from the in use position only when the slide element is in a 'power off position.
5
Preferably, the slide element locks into a 'power off position on the slide track when the body is rotationally displaced from the in use position.
5 Suitably, the slide track comprises a first track portion defining power settings between a 'power off and 'maximum power' position and a second track portion leading off from and suitably, angularly displaced with respect to the first track portion (e.g. 60° to 120° displacement, such as 90° displacement, such that the overall track is L-shaped) corresponding to a 'power off position.
10
In one aspect, the second track portion acts such as to lock the slide element into a 'power off position. Suitably, the body is rotationally displaceable from the base only when the slide element is within the second track portion and/or at the 'power off position of the first track portion.
15
The mechanical coupling between the base and the body has any suitable form such as to meet the requirement that the slide element is movable within the slide track to control the drive motor only when the body is in the in use position.
20 In one aspect herein, the coupling is arranged such as to have a first portion that interacts with the slide element and a second portion that selectively interacts (e.g. selectively engages / disengages) with the body. In particular, the second portion is arranged to selectively engage / disengage the body, and thus prevent movement of the body relative to the base when the slide element is at particular positions within
25 the slide track. Suitably, the body is disengaged when the slide element is at a 'power off position on the slide track and the body is engaged when the slide element is at a 'power off position on the slide track.
In one aspect, the coupling comprises a latch pivot that rotationally mounts to the
30 base and interacts with both the slide element and the body. Suitably, the latch pivot defines a slot for receipt of the slide element and a protruding leg arranged for
6
selective receipt (e.g. engage / disengage) within a cavity of the body. The protruding leg may have any suitable form such as that of a dog leg.
Suitably, the coupling is sprung (e.g. by use of a torsional spring) to bias it towards 5 the second portion disengaged from the body position. Other biasing may be used, as appropriate.
Embodiments of the present design will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which.
10
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a food processing apparatus herein;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the food processing apparatus of Figure 1 absent its base, and showing the body and mechanical coupling thereof;
15
Figure 3 is a side view of the mechanical coupling and (part of) the body of the food processing apparatus on Figure 2;
Figure 4 is another side view akin to Figure 3, but showing the movement of key 20 parts of the mechanical coupling as it is disengaged from the body;
Figure 5 is a further side view akin to Figure 4, but showing the movement of key parts as the body rotates away from the base.
25 Turning now to the drawings, Figure 1 shows a food processing apparatus herein in the in use position. The apparatus 10 comprises base 20 defining a support well 12 for a mixing bowl (not shown). Body 30 mounts on the base 20 and defines horizontally extending arm 32, to the underside of which is provided drive mounting 34 for a food processing tool (e.g. a mixer, whisk or beater). The body 30 also 30 provides a housing for a drive motor (not shown) for providing drive to the drive mounting 34 and hence to any tool attached thereto. Provided to the base 20, there
7
is slide control 40 having a slide element 42 disposed therein. The slide element 42 is arranged for movement within an L-shaped slide track comprising a first horizontally arranged track portion 44 defining power settings between a 'power off position (extreme left of scale, as shown) and 'maximum power' (extreme right of 5 scale, as shown) position and a second vertically arranged track portion 46 leading from the 'power off position of the first slide track 44, and thus also corresponding to a 'power off position.
The inner workings of the apparatus 10 may be better understood by reference to 10 Figures 2 and 3. Body 30 may be seen to be provided with a pivot mounting 36 for mounting to the base 20 such that the body 30 is rotatable with respect to the base 20 from the in use position of Figure 1 to a displaced position. Head lift release button 39 is sprung biased and acts to provide a separation force to push the body 30 upwards from the base 20.
15
Slide element 42 may be seen to comprise longitudinal shaft 43, which interacts with variable resistor 48 to control the overall level of power provided to the drive motor.
Latch 50, which mounts on latch pivot 52 provided to the base 20, may be seen (with 20 particular reference to Figure 3) to act as a mechanical coupling between the body 30 and the slide element 42. The latch pivot 52 is sprung by torsion spring 53. As will be better understood from the later description, latch 50 acts such as to prevent movement of the slide element 42 within the first track 44 other than when the body 30 is not displaced from the in use position.
25
In more detail, latch 50 comprises a slot 54 arranged for receipt of the slide element 42 and a dog leg 56 arranged for receipt within cavity 38 provided to the body 30. In the in use position as shown in Figure 3, in which the body 30 is not tilted away from the base 20, the slide element 42 is free to move within the slot 54 and thus, along 30 first track 44 to provide controlled power input to the drive motor. Also in the in use
8
position, dog leg 56 engages within cavity 38 to prevent relative movement of the body 30 away from the base.
Referring now to Figure 4, the slide element 42 is pushed downwards within the 5 second track portion 46, which action causes angular displacement of the latch 50 as a result of the slide element 42 acting on the slot 54 thereof. This angular displacement results in dog leg 56 of the latch 50 becoming disengaged from cavity 38 of the body 30. The body 30 is thus now free to be rotationally displaced with respect to the base 20, and is biased towards such a displaced position by the action 10 of torsion spring at the latch pivot 52. Such displacement may be conducted safely because the slide element 42 is within the (always 'power off) second track 46 portion, and hence no power is transferred to the drive motor.
Referring now to Figure 5, the body 30 has been tilted by about 45° relative to the 15 base 20. Dog leg 56 of the latch seats in second rest cavity 37 provided to the body 30 to provide a 'tilt head lock' and prevent the body 30 inadvertently falling back towards the in use position of Figure 3. Again in Figure 5, the slide element 42 is within the (always 'power off) second track 46 portion, and hence no power is transferred to the drive motor.
20
It may be understood that the body 30 may be readily moved back from the fully tilted position of Figure 5 to the in use position of Figure 3. This action results in reverse rotational movement of the latch 50 such as to cause re-engagement of dog leg 56 within cavity 38 of the body 30 to prevent relative movement of the body 30 25 away from the base. This action also results re-positioning of slot 54 such that slide element 42 is free to move along first track 44 to again provide controlled power input to the drive motor.
9
Claims (1)
1. An apparatus for use in food processing comprising 5 a base;
mounting to said base and rotatable with respect thereto, a body for receipt of a drive motor, said body defining an arm, said arm provided with a drive mounting for a food processing tool; and
10
provided to the base or body, a slide control for control of power to said drive motor, said slide control comprising a slide element slidably movable within a slide track;
wherein the body is rotatable with respect to the base from an in use position to a 15 displaced position and said slide element mechanically couples to the body or base such that said slide element is movable within said slide track to actuate the drive motor only when the body is in said in use position.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the slide control is provided to the 20 base and said slide element mechanically couples to the body.
3. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the slide control is provided to the body and said slide element mechanically couples to the base.
25 4. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the base suitable defines a support surface for receipt of a mixing bowl.
5. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the body rotationally mounts to the base by a pivot or hinge mounting.
30
10
6. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein in normal use, the body extends substantially vertically from the base and the arm extends substantially horizontally.
5 7. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein in the displaced position the arm is displaced by an angle of from 30° to 60° to the horizontal.
8. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the slide element is movable on the track between a 'power off position and a 'power on' position.
10
9. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the slide element is incrementally movable on the track between a 'power off position and a 'maximum power' position.
15 10. Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the body is rotationally displaceable from the in use position only when the slide element is in said 'power off position.
11. Apparatus according to either of claims 9 or 10, wherein the slide element locks into the 'power off position when the body is rotationally displaced from the in use
20 position.
12. Apparatus according to any of claims 9 to 11, wherein the slide track comprises a first track portion and a second track portion angularly displaced with respect to said first track portion.
25
13. Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said first track portion defines power increments between a 'power off and 'maximum power' position and said second track portion corresponds to a 'power off position.
30 14. Apparatus according to either of claims 12 or 13, wherein said second track portion is at a 90° displacement to the first track portion.
11
15. Apparatus according to any of claims 12 to 14, wherein the second track portion acts such as to lock the slide element into a 'power off' position.
5 16. Apparatus according to any of claims 12 to 15, wherein the body is rotationally displaceable from the base only when the slide element is within the second track portion and/or at the 'power off position of the first track portion.
17. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 16, including a mechanical coupling 10 having a first portion that interacts with the slide element and a second portion that selectively interacts with the body.
18. Apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said second portion of said mechanical coupling selectively engages the body.
15
19. Apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the second portion of the mechanical coupling engages the body when the slide element is at a 'power off position on the slide track.
20 20. Apparatus according to any of claims 17 to 19, wherein the mechanical coupling comprises a latch pivot that rotationally mounts to the base.
21. Apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said latch pivot defines a slot for receipt of the slide element and a protruding leg arranged for selective receipt by a
25 cavity of the body.
22. Apparatus according to either of claims 20 or 21, wherein the coupling is sprung biased.
Priority Applications (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0510607A GB2426559A (en) | 2005-05-25 | 2005-05-25 | Apparatus for food processing |
| PCT/GB2006/050113 WO2006126021A1 (en) | 2005-05-25 | 2006-05-16 | Apparatus for food processing |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0510607A GB2426559A (en) | 2005-05-25 | 2005-05-25 | Apparatus for food processing |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB0510607D0 GB0510607D0 (en) | 2005-06-29 |
| GB2426559A true GB2426559A (en) | 2006-11-29 |
Family
ID=34834580
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0510607A Withdrawn GB2426559A (en) | 2005-05-25 | 2005-05-25 | Apparatus for food processing |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2426559A (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2006126021A1 (en) |
Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB528776A (en) * | 1939-05-15 | 1940-11-06 | Horace Fritz Beken | Improvements in safety locking devices for the covers and lids of machine casings and pans |
| US4422343A (en) * | 1982-03-19 | 1983-12-27 | Braun Aktiengesellschaft | Kitchen appliance with interchangable attachments |
| GB2253094A (en) * | 1991-01-11 | 1992-08-26 | Kenwood Marks Ltd | Interlocking mechanism for an electrical appliance |
Family Cites Families (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE1037089B (en) * | 1956-11-09 | 1958-08-21 | Siemens Elektrogeraete Gmbh | Kitchen machine |
| NL7510689A (en) * | 1975-09-11 | 1977-03-15 | Philips Nv | MIXER STAND. |
| FR2417280A1 (en) * | 1978-02-21 | 1979-09-14 | Moulinex Sa | SUPPORT FOR A HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE SUCH AS A DRUMMER |
| EP0692945B1 (en) * | 1994-02-07 | 1998-09-16 | Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. | Kitchen machine with protected rotatable bowl |
-
2005
- 2005-05-25 GB GB0510607A patent/GB2426559A/en not_active Withdrawn
-
2006
- 2006-05-16 WO PCT/GB2006/050113 patent/WO2006126021A1/en active Application Filing
Patent Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB528776A (en) * | 1939-05-15 | 1940-11-06 | Horace Fritz Beken | Improvements in safety locking devices for the covers and lids of machine casings and pans |
| US4422343A (en) * | 1982-03-19 | 1983-12-27 | Braun Aktiengesellschaft | Kitchen appliance with interchangable attachments |
| GB2253094A (en) * | 1991-01-11 | 1992-08-26 | Kenwood Marks Ltd | Interlocking mechanism for an electrical appliance |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB0510607D0 (en) | 2005-06-29 |
| WO2006126021A1 (en) | 2006-11-30 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |