Solid material comminution or disintegration – Apparatus – Rotating comminuting surface
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-13
2001-02-27
Rosenbaum, Mark (Department: 3725)
Solid material comminution or disintegration
Apparatus
Rotating comminuting surface
Reexamination Certificate
active
06193181
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to the general technical field of electrical household appliances for culinary preparation of the multi-function food processor type.
PRIOR ART
Multi-function food processors can particularly chop meat or in a more general manner solid foods, blend liquids, and even crush ice. High-performance appliances for blending liquids generally comprise a tall working container, removable from the base of the appliance, known under the name blender. Blenders can equally crush small quantities of ice. The working containers and the working implements of food processors provided for chopping meat or solid foods generally blend liquids poorly, and do not crush ice.
Because of this shortcoming, prior art appliances that are provided to chop solid foods, blend liquids and crush ice in a satisfactory manner comprise most often two working containers, one for working on solid foods, the other for working on liquids and ice.
These appliances are thus bulky. They are equally generally difficult to clean, since they comprise numerous parts and require a sometimes careful disassembly, or comprise cutting parts necessitating particular care on the part of the user. Particularly, the working implement of blenders comprises four blades and is most often movably mounted in rotation at the bottom of the working container. Cleaning of such a container being difficult, the user can be lead to neglect it, which is to the detriment of hygiene.
In addition, these appliances require most often transfer of the preparation into another container, whether this is for storage, cooking or serving. In particular, it is not possible to utilize in a microwave oven a blender comprising a metal element such as the working implement disposed at the bottom of this container. There results therefrom additional cleanings of the containers. The user has moreover need for a large work surface.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the invention is to propose an electrical household appliance for culinary preparation which overcomes the above-cited drawbacks and which permits performance of the blending, mixing, chopping, ice crushing functions in the same working container, while utilizing a very reduced number of accessories.
Another object of the invention aims to propose an electrical household appliance for culinary preparation offering a great ease of utilization and of cleaning.
Another object of the invention aims to propose an electrical household appliance for culinary preparation permitting to store, cook or serve the preparation produced, without having to transfer it into another container.
Another object of the invention aims to propose a multi-use working container.
The objects assigned to the invention are achieved with an electrical household appliance for culinary preparation of the multi-function food processor type, comprising a working container with a bottom and an opposed opening, as well as a rotating working assembly driven by a motor means connected to said working assembly driven by a motor means connected to said working assembly by a driving shaft and on which is mounted a working implement disposed substantially in proximity to the bottom of said container, said implement thus defining a working zone, characterized in that the container comprises at least one rib extending along a wall of said container in the working zone, and in that the rotatable working assembly is removable with respect to the working container, and in that the rotatable working assembly comprises a pedestal movable in rotation around the axis of the working assembly, which comes to bear on a relief formed on the bottom of the container.
A priori, the ribs create whirlpools within the preparation, noticeably increasing with the consistency of the foods treated. The presence of ribs was essentially envisionable for appliances capable of treating liquids or products of soft consistency. However, due to the pedestal which is movable in rotation around the axis of the working assembly, coming to bear on a relief formed on the bottom of the container, the working assembly is firmly maintained on its axis of rotation. The production of optimal chopped preparations can be effectuated without risk of displacement of the working assembly from its axis of rotation.
The presence of one or several ribs always permits as previously optimal blending of liquid preparations by aiding the appearance of whirlpools within the liquid. The user benefits also from a container and a working assembly very easy to clean, the rotatable working assembly being removable with respect to the working container. In addition, the user can use a microwave oven to reheat or cook his preparation, the working container not including metal parts such as an insert or a working implement.
Thus, it is possible with the appliance according to the invention to realize in the same working container, with the same implement or the same type of implement, two types of preparations normally achieved in two different containers with two different implements. There results therefrom a simplification of the use of the appliance, since a single working container is utilized.
Advantageously, the rib or ribs are extended along the wall of the container in the working zone with a variable thickness, for example decreasing in the direction of the base of the container.
The variable thickness of this rib or these ribs in the working zone of the implement permits agglomeration of the meat or other foods against the walls to be avoided during chopping.
In an advantageous manner, the appliance according to the invention comprises a lid coming in at least partial annular contact with the container and comprising an orifice provided for the passage of the shaft for driving the working assembly.
Thus, there is no risk of the preparation spilling out of the working container, and the user can obtain crushed ice without fearing that the preparation will escape the working container via the lid.
According to an advantageous version of the invention, the working container is of a vitroceramic.
Thus, the user can chop or mix foods to be prepared in the working container, then place the container containing the prepared foods in a microwave oven or on a cooking surface in a manner to heat them or cook them, or even store in the refrigerator or the freezer the container containing the rest of the preparation when this has not been entirely used. Due to the very small coefficient of thermal expansion of vitroceranics giving them a good resistance to thermal shocks, the user can place the container in an oven or on a cooking surface upon removal from the refrigerator or the freezer, without any particular waiting period.
Advantageously, the working implement comprises 2 blades.
The working implement mounted on the working assembly is thus very simple to clean, and in addition very economical to fabricate.
In an advantageous manner the working container is provided to cooperate with a lid, in a manner to constitute a sealed container.
Storage of the preparations, particularly in the refrigerator, is thus facilitated.
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Astegno Jean-Paul
Tompa Carole L.
Browdy and Neimark
Rosenbaum Mark
Seb S.A.
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