U.S. patent application number 10/018533 was filed with the patent office on 2003-01-16 for mechanical safety device for food processing appliance.
Invention is credited to Fevre, Loic, Gateaud, Andre, Perrin, Pierre.
Application Number | 20030010222 10/018533 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26212347 |
Filed Date | 2003-01-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030010222 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fevre, Loic ; et
al. |
January 16, 2003 |
MECHANICAL SAFETY DEVICE FOR FOOD PROCESSING APPLIANCE
Abstract
Safety device for food processor in a bowl (2) closed by a cover
(3), comprising a chute for introducing products into the working
bowl, a pusher (5) slidably mounted in a pusher-guide (4) which is
pivotally mounted onto the cover (3), and a set of rods connecting
the pusher-guide (4) to the safety rod (2a) of the bowl (2).
Inventors: |
Fevre, Loic; (San
Vignes-Les-Mines, FR) ; Gateaud, Andre;
(Montceau-Les-Mines, FR) ; Perrin, Pierre;
(Sanvignes-Les-Mines, FR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DUANE MORRIS, LLP
ATTN: WILLIAM H. MURRAY
ONE LIBERTY PLACE
1650 MARKET STREET
PHILADELPHIA
PA
19103-7396
US
|
Family ID: |
26212347 |
Appl. No.: |
10/018533 |
Filed: |
February 26, 2002 |
PCT Filed: |
April 17, 2001 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/FR01/01174 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
99/492 ;
99/510 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47J 43/046 20130101;
A47J 43/0788 20130101; A47J 43/0794 20130101; F16P 3/08
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
99/492 ;
99/510 |
International
Class: |
B23Q 015/00; B02C
025/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 18, 2000 |
FR |
00 04 966 |
Claims
1. Safety device for food processor with a rotating tool,
comprising an electrical motor unit (1) on which is mounted a bowl
(2) which is closed by a cover (3), the motor shaft, passing inside
the bowl, being able to receive various tools, the cover (3)
comprising a chute (3b) for introducing the food, a safety rod (2a)
being arranged according to a generatrix of the bowl (2) and
bearing on a switch (1a) arranged in the feeding circuit of the
motor unit, characterized in that a pusher (5) is guided into
translation in the chute (3b) by a pusher-guide (4), said
pusher-guide, being articulated at top of the chute (3b) and being
mechanically connected with means for pushing on top of the safety
rod (2a), the mechanism causing the motor to stop for a small
angular clearance of the pusher-guide (4) in the clockwise
direction.
2. Safety device according to claim 1, characterized in that the
chute (3b) has a cylindrical general shape, the pusher (4) being of
a surface substantially equal to the cross section of the chute
(3b).
3. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the
pusher-guide (4) drives a connecting rod (8) by means of an
articulation (8b), which connecting rod (8) forces, by means of the
articulation (8a) of its second end, a rotation of a crankshaft (7)
around a pin (7a) which is fixed with respect to the cover (3),
said crankshaft driving in its turn, by means of its articulation
(8a) which is common with the connecting rod (8), a rod (6) which
acts on the switch (1a) located in the motor unit (1) through the
rod (2a), guided into translation in the wall of the bowl (2), the
rod (2a) being upwardly returned by a spring (2b).
4. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that, upon closing
the pusher-guide (4) on the chute (3b), the motor is triggered when
the inclination angle is of some degrees before the same will take
its horizontal position, by authorizing the products to be
processed to pass beyond the upper level of the protected chute
(3b).
5. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the mechanics
exert a resisting force to displacement of the pusher (5) in the
chute which enables a slide of the pusher (5) in the pusher-guide
(4) without causing said pusher-guide to pivot.
6. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that, since the
pusher-guide is articulated onto a pin (4a), the contact of the rod
(2a) on the switch (1a) is established when the lower surface of
the pusher-guide (4) forms an angle of about 10.degree. with the
horizontal in the clockwise direction and is interrupted when the
lower surface of the pusher-guide forms an angle of about
11.degree. in the anti-clockwise direction.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a safety device designed in
particular, but not exclusively, to food cutting apparatuses.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] These apparatuses which are well known in the field and are
called vegetable cutters or meat/vegetable cutter units, comprise,
among others, a motor unit enabling control and motorization of the
cutting tool and a device, commonly called vegetable cutter head,
for feeding and cutting the products. The vegetable cutter head
comprises a bowl, which is removable or integrated with the motor
unit, of a suitable shape, enabling or not a continuous discharge
of the treated products (closed bowl or open bowl); a cutting disk
or tool located inside the bowl and which, as moved by the motor,
makes the desired cut (slicing, grating, etc.); a cover; and, in
case, a discharging disk.
[0003] The cover enables an introduction of the products to be
processed by guiding them through one or a plurality of vertical
tubes or chutes. It also provides a protecting function for the
user by avoiding projections of the processed product outside the
bowl and, above all, avoiding the user to touch the moving
disk.
[0004] Introduction of the food products within the machine is made
by positionning them in a suitable chute and by pushing them
against the disk with help of a pusher. In use, removing the pusher
leaves the disk appearing through the chute. For large sized
chutes, it is advisable, if it is desired to protect the user from
injury risks, to control working of the motor to presence of a
physical element obturating the chute inlet.
[0005] It is known by FR-A-2 147 361 (VERDUN) to provide a
mechanical safety of the presence of the cover on the bowl, this
safety being obtained by means of a sliding rod arranged according
to a generatrix of the bowl and the lower part of which comes to
bear, when the cover is positionned, against a switch included
within the base under action of a cam which is carried by the
cover. But this device does not permit to provide a suitable chute
safety, which leads to chutes having a great height and/or a
limited cross-section.
[0006] A device for magnetically making this control function
between the pusher and the motor drive is known by U.S. Pat. No. 4,
821,968 and uses a set of magnets and flexible blade switches, or
switches of the Hall effect type. This device necessitates a
transformation of the electrical power and, moreover, the control
by a magnetic field is more delicate to design for the
consideration of safety standard regulations.
[0007] Mechanical devices are already known which consist in
operating a power circuit breaker when the position without risk of
working of the chute pusher is reached. Such a device is described
in U.S. Pat. No. 4,674,690 in which the chute is surrounded by a
sleeve, provided with means for activating the power circuit
breaker, in which the pusher is enclosed.
[0008] The subject of the invention is to cope with all these
problems and to bring a solution to the control between the pusher
which pushes the products inserted in the chute and the drive of
the motor. This mechanical solution enables to use a chute having a
great cross section.
[0009] According to the invention, the safety device for a food
processor with a rotating tool, comprising an electrical motor unit
on which is mounted a bowl which is closed by a cover, the motor
shaft, passing through the bottom of the bowl, being able to
receive various tools, the cover comprising a chute, a safety rod
being arranged according to a generatrix of the bowl and bearing on
a switch arranged in the feeding circuit of the motor unit, is
characterized in that a pusher is guided into translation in a
pusher-guide, said pusher-guide being articulated at top of the
chute and being mechanically connected with means for pushing on
top of the safety rod, a small pivoting of the pusher-guide from
its lower position causing stoppage of the motor.
[0010] The mechanical safety device for a food processor which
necessitates or not an action from the user on the products during
the cutting thereof, comprising a motor unit on which is mounted,
in a removable or not manner, a bowl which is closed by a cover,
itself removable or not with respect to the bowl, provides a
control of the motor to the position of one or a plurality of
movable parts which prevents access to the risking area. In the
circumstances, a pivoting movable part is formed by a pusher-guide,
the pusher while sliding inside the pusher-guide permitting or not
the same to pivot. The necessary obturation of the upper portion of
the chute may be made, either by means of the pusher properly so
called, or by the pusher-guide. The pusher is generally made by a
handle of a reduced cross section, at the lower end of which is
formed a plate having a cross section which is substantially equal
to that of the chute. Obviously, the pusher handle freely slides in
the pusher-guide. The plate of the pusher can be extracted from the
chute only when it is brought above the same by a traction on the
handle.
[0011] Pivoting the pusher-guide causes translation of a cover rod
the lower end of which bears against the upper part of the safety
rod of the bowl, pivoting can only be made when the pusher plate is
brought into abutment against the pusher-guide.
[0012] There is therefore made a control of the drive of a motor to
the position of a movable part which obturates access to the
risking area formed by the aperture of a chute having a great cross
section.
[0013] According to another feature of the invention, the
pusher-guide drives a connecting rod by means of a first
articulation, which connecting rod forcing, by means of the
articulation of its second end, rotation of a crankshaft around a
second pin which is fixed with respect to the cover, said
crankshaft driving in its turn, by means of its first articulation
which is common with said connecting rod, a first rod which acts on
the switch located in the motor unit through the second rod, guided
into translation in the wall of the bowl, said second rod being
upwardly returned by a spring.
[0014] Mechanical devices are economical since they can directly
act on an electric switch which supports currents compatible with
those of the motor which are used. Therefore, the apparatus remains
very simple and reliable and its manufacturing cost is more
moderate than that of other safety devices.
[0015] The pusher is connected to the cover of a vegetable cutter
by means of an intermediary part which is called a pusher-guide.
The pusher-guide pivots around an horizontal pin which is
positionned at the upper part of the chute and permits translation
of the pusher. Therefore, when the pusher is in the chute,
introduction of the products to be processed is made by upwardly
drawing the pusher up to the upper level of the chute, and then
pivoting the pusher-guide in order to free the inlet of the chute.
When the chute is filled, the pressure which is exerted on the
products is made by causing the pusher-guide to pivot so that the
pusher will be at the upper level of the chute, and then causing
the pusher to vertically descend inside the chute. Raising the
pusher and then removing it enables to refill the chute. Closing
the guide and descending the pusher enables to push the product
against a tool such as a cutting disk.
[0016] Controlling the motor operation to position of the
pusher-guide enables to be sure that the motor does not operate
when the pusher sufficiently obturates the inlet of the chute. An
assembly of rods, arranged between the cover and the pusher-guide,
controls a safety switch which is set near the motor. Transmission
of the translation movement which activates the switch is provided
by the safety rod located in the bowl of the vegetable cutter of
the type as described in the prementioned French patent. A return
spring is used for returning the rod in an upper position when the
pusher-guide is not in a working position.
[0017] The inventive kinematics solves two joint problems connected
with this type of system:
[0018] When the pusher-guide is closed, the system must exert a
resisting force to opening, which is just enough for permitting to
raise the pusher without driving the pusher-guide before the pusher
is completely raised. This is required since, if not, an untimely
rocking of the pusher-guide will produce a rubbing of the pusher in
the chute, which is a minima detrimental to ergonomics, and is able
to lead to a complete blocking of the mechanism by buttressing. In
the same time, the resistance force to opening must not be too high
since it would then be a constraint for the user.
[0019] The system must also cause stoppage of the motor even when
the pusher-guide is not rocked very much, i.e. much before access
of the hand to the tool will be possible. It is therefore necessary
that the mechanism will produce a relatively important stroke of
the rod which is contained in the cover for a small angular
clearance of the pusher-guide.
[0020] A small upwardly pivoting of the pusher-guide of the chute
from its lower position causes the motor to stop. Upon descending
the pusher inside the chute, it is possible to trigger the motor
while authorizing the products to be processed to slightly pass
beyond the upper level of the protected chute.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] Other features and advantages of the invention will be
revealed during the following description of a particular
embodiment given only as a non limitative example, with respect to
the drawings which show:
[0022] FIG. 1, a perspective view of a complete machine;
[0023] FIG. 2, a perspective and half cross-sectionnal view brought
together aside;
[0024] FIG. 3, a diagram of the mechanical device which provides,
according to the invention, an action of the pusher on the rod of
the bowl, when the pusher is completely descended;
[0025] FIG. 4, a drawing in cross section of the mechanism in the
condition described in FIG. 3;
[0026] FIG. 5, a diagram with the pusher being raised immediately
when the device causes the motor to stop;
[0027] FIG. 6, a drawing in cross-section of the mechanism in the
condition described in FIG. 5;
[0028] FIG. 7, a diagram with the pusher completely open;
[0029] FIG. 8, a drawing in cross-section of the mechanism in the
condition described in FIG. 7.
MORE DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0030] In all the figures, the same references designate the same
items.
[0031] FIG. 1 shows all the machine, the mechanism which is
necessary to kinematics being protected from smears by an assembly
of suitable hoods.
[0032] In FIG. 1, the base 1 enclosing the motor (not shown) in
used as a support for the bowl 1, closed by the cover 3, which
comprises a smaller chute 3a, and a greater chute 3b, inside of
which may penetrate a pusher 5 which slides in a guide 4.
[0033] FIG. 2 shows thanks to the cross-section of the vegetable
cutter head, the smaller chute 3a which does not necessitate any
safety device and the greater chute 3b the use of which is
protected by the safety system of the invention. The head is shown
in the position for filling the greater chute. In FIG. 2, a safety
switch 1a is arranged inside the base 1, beneath a safety rod 2a
which is slidingly mounted according to a generatrix of the bowl 2
and on which the rod 6 of the cover 3 will act.
[0034] FIGS. 3 to 8 are diagrams and drawings enabling to explain
the working of the mechanism designed to transform the pivoting
movement of the pusher-guide into a vertical translation movement
of the rod which is mounted in a wall of the bowl, upon pivoting
the pusher-guide, after having brought the pusher at the upper
level of the chute.
[0035] The pusher-guide 4 is articulated around a pin 4a which is
fixed with respect to the cover 3. The pusher-guide 4 carries also
a pin 8b on which is articulated the connecting rod 8. The second
end of the connecting rod 8 is articulated onto one end 7b of a
crankshaft 7 the second end 7a of which is articulated in a fixed
point 7a of the cover 3. On the end 7b is also articulated one end
of the rod 6 the second end of which is guided in an aperture 3c of
the cover and comes to bear on the safety rod 2a which is slidably
mounted in the bowl.
[0036] Pivoting the pusher-guide 4 moves the pin 8b, the pin 7a
being fixed, and the distances between 7a and 7b and respectively
7b and 8b being constant, the point 7b will then describe an arc of
a circle around 7a. The upper end of the rod 6, which is fixed at
7b, follows the same movement. It is moreover guided into
translation by means of the aperture 3c made in the cover, which
results in vertically moving the lower end 6a of this rod. Since
the spring 2b ensures a contact between the upper part of the rod
2a and the lower face of the rod 6, the bowl safety rod 2a is
vertically moved in the same way, up to end of clearance of the
pusher-guide 4 in either direction.
[0037] In FIGS. 3 and 4, the pusher-guide is closed and the pusher
is completely descended in the chute 3b. FIGS. 3 and 4 show the
position of the assembly when the user has pushed the products
through the chute 3b. The pusher 5 is in its lower position and the
rod 6 pushes onto the top of the safety rod 2a which itself closes
the switch 1a. For returning to its opening position, it is
necessary to raise the pusher 5, and then to pivot the pusher-guide
4 in the clockwise direction.
[0038] The diagram of FIG. 3 shows how the device will exert, on
the pusher-guide, the above described resisting force to opening.
This is obtained by the fact that the crankshaft 7, which has
slightly rotated beyond the vertical position, in the movement for
closing the pusher-guide, will exert, by means of its pin 7b, a
traction on the connecting rod 8 which, in its turn, will tend to
maintain the pusher-guide 4 closed by its connection 8b, under
action of the spring 2b as transmitted to the rod 6 by means of the
rod 2a.
[0039] In FIGS. 5 and 6, the pusher 5 has been raised at maximum in
the chute 3b and then the pusher-guide 4 has pivoted in an
intermediary position in the clockwise direction. This position is
that of the system upon triggering the safety switch 1a, and
clearly shows that access of the hand to the tool is prevented when
a command to stop the motor is given.
[0040] FIGS. 5 and 6 specify the position of the system when the
rod 6 is sufficiently raised so that the rod 2a will free the
switch 1a, which results in stopping the motor. In the opposing
position for closing the pusher, this is also practically the
position from which it is possible to re-start the motor. This
feature of the device enables to fill at 100% the volume of the
chute 3b with products to be processed and maximized therefore
performances of the apparatus.
[0041] FIGS. 7 and 8 show the device in its completely open
position with the pusher completely raised, showing a direct access
to all the surface of the chute.
[0042] In FIGS. 7 and 8, the pusher-guide 4 has continued to rotate
in the clockwise direction for reaching its maximal opening
position which permits the pusher 5 to completely free the aperture
of the chute 3b in order to very easily refill it with products to
be processed.
[0043] Since the pusher-guide is articulated on a pin 4, contact of
the rod 2b on the switch 1a is made when the lower surface of the
pusher-guide 4 forms an angle of about 10.degree. with horizontal
in the clockwise direction and is interrupted when the lower
surface of the pusher-guide forms an angle of about 11.degree. in
the anti-clockwise direction. This means that a small pivoting of
the pusher-guide will interrupt the contact between the rod 2a and
the switch 1a, which will stop the motor which is no more supplied
in electrical power. In the direction for obturating the chute, a
slightly untimely closing enables to operate when food, for example
vegetables having an irregular shape, will pass beyond the inlet
level of the chute. Thus, the same can be loaded at its maximal
capacity.
[0044] A significant advantage of the inventive safety system is
the possibility to use a cylindrical chute, or a chute having
another shape of a surface equal to that of the pusher and of a
height equal to the stroke of the pusher. Thus the worked volume is
optimal.
[0045] Another advantage of the kinematics as retained is the
safety in use of a chute the products of which may slightly pass
beyond it, which avoids to calibrate the products, thus increasing
greatly the easiness of use. Simplicity of the mechanics which
forms this safety system, with respect to the prior art, enables to
clearly show, in addition to the already mentioned advantages, an
increased reliability.
[0046] It is obvious that various variants may be brought into
effect, in particular by substitution of equivalent technical
means, without therefor departing from the scope of the
invention.
* * * * *