Food processing equipment comprising pot
阅读说明:本技术 一种包括罐子的食品加工设备 (Food processing equipment comprising pot ) 是由 S·J·A·夸雷斯玛 M·C·J·德霍格 于 2018-07-03 设计创作,主要内容包括:本发明涉及一种食品加工设备(100),包括:罐子(10);底座单元(20);真空机构(30),用于从罐子(10)吸取空气,真空机构(30)包括布置在底座单元(20)中的真空泵(31)和延伸穿过底座单元(20)的第一真空导管(32);以及盖子(40),用于覆盖罐子(10),并且实现在罐子(10)与底座单元(20)之间的空气连通;其中真空机构(30)还包括延伸穿过盖子(40)的第二真空导管;其中相应的真空导管(32、33)通过其上相应的接合端(34、35)可以彼此接合;以及其中相应的真空导管(32、33)的接合端(34、35)中的至少一个接合端可以在底座单元(20)和盖子(40)的相应一个中在向外位置和收回位置之间移位。(The invention relates to a food processing apparatus (100) comprising: a tank (10); a base unit (20); a vacuum mechanism (30) for sucking air from the canister (10), the vacuum mechanism (30) comprising a vacuum pump (31) arranged in the base unit (20) and a first vacuum conduit (32) extending through the base unit (20); and a lid (40) for covering the can (10) and enabling air communication between the can (10) and the base unit (20); wherein the vacuum mechanism (30) further comprises a second vacuum conduit extending through the lid (40); wherein the respective vacuum conduits (32, 33) are engageable with each other through respective engagement ends (34, 35) thereon; and wherein at least one of the engagement ends (34, 35) of the respective vacuum conduits (32, 33) is displaceable between an outward position and a retracted position in a respective one of the base unit (20) and the cover (40).)
1. A food processing apparatus (100, 200) comprising:
-a jar (10) configured to contain a food product;
-a base unit (20) configured to support and house the canister (10);
-a vacuum mechanism (30) configured to suck air from the canister (10), the vacuum mechanism (30) comprising a vacuum pump (31) arranged in the base unit (20), and a first vacuum conduit (32) extending through the base unit (20) and coupled to the vacuum pump (31); and
-a lid (40) configured to cover the canister (10) and to enable air communication between the canister (10) and the base unit (20);
wherein the vacuum mechanism (30) further comprises a second vacuum conduit (33) extending through the lid (40);
wherein the first vacuum conduit (32) and the second vacuum conduit (33) are engageable with each other by respective engagement ends (34, 35) thereof;
wherein at least one of the engagement end (34) of the first vacuum conduit (32) and the engagement end (35) of the second vacuum conduit (33) is displaceable in a respective one of the base unit (20) and the cover (40) between an outward position and a retracted position, wherein the first vacuum conduit (32) and the second vacuum conduit (33) engage each other when the at least one of the engagement end (34) of the first vacuum conduit (32) and the engagement end (35) of the second vacuum conduit (33) is in the outward position in the respective one of the base unit (20) and the cover (40), and wherein the at least one of the engagement end (34) of the first vacuum conduit (32) and the engagement end (35) of the second vacuum conduit (33) is in the retracted position in the respective one of the base unit (20) and the cover (40), -the first vacuum conduit (32) and the second vacuum conduit (33) are disengaged from each other; and
wherein the food processing apparatus (100, 200) comprises: a driven actuator (37) configured to displace the at least one of the engagement end (34) of the first vacuum conduit (32) and the engagement end (35) of the second vacuum conduit (33) to the outward position in a respective one of the base unit (20) and the cover (40); and at least one resilient member (38) configured to bias the at least one of the engagement end (34) of the first vacuum conduit (32) and the engagement end (35) of the second vacuum conduit (33) to the retracted position in a respective one of the base unit (20) and the cover (40).
2. The food processing device (100, 200) according to claim 1, wherein one of the engaging end (34) of the first vacuum duct (32) and the engaging end (35) of the second vacuum duct (33) is displaceable in a respective one of the base unit (20) and the cover (40), and wherein the other of the engaging end (34) of the first vacuum duct (32) and the engaging end (35) of the second vacuum duct (33) has a fixed position in the respective other of the base unit (20) and the cover (40).
3. Food processing device (100, 200) according to claim 2, wherein the engaging end (34) of the first vacuum duct (32) is displaceable in the base unit (20), and wherein the engaging end (35) of the second vacuum duct (33) has a fixed position in the lid (40).
4. Food processing device (100, 200) according to claim 2, wherein the engagement end (35) of the second vacuum duct (33) is displaceable in the lid (40), and wherein the engagement end (34) of the first vacuum duct (32) has a fixed position in the base unit (20).
5. A food processing device (100, 200) according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the lid (40) comprises: a covering area (401) configured to cover the canister (10); and a convex region (402) outside the cover region (401); and wherein the joining end (35) of the second vacuum conduit (33) is positioned in the boss region (402).
6. A food processing device (100, 200) according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the second vacuum conduit (33) comprises a hollow tube configured to allow a flow of air therethrough.
7. Food processing device (100, 200) according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the driven actuator (37) is a linear actuator driven by an electric motor.
8. Food processing device (100, 200) according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the at least one resilient member (38) is at least one spring (38).
9. The food processing device (100, 200) according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein one of the engaging end (34) of the first vacuum conduit (32) and the engaging end (35) of the second vacuum conduit (33) comprises a flexible material and is configured to have a covering position across the other of the engaging ends (34, 35).
10. Food processing device (100, 200) according to any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the lid (40) comprises at least two modules (40a, 40b), wherein one of the modules is a vacuum module (40b) in which the second vacuum conduit (33) is positioned, and wherein the vacuum module (40b) is detachable from at least one other of the modules (40 a).
11. Food processing device (100, 200) according to any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the lid (40) comprises a one-way valve (41) for allowing only a flow of air in the lid (40) to be directed towards the engagement end (35) of the second vacuum conduit (33) thereby preventing a reverse flow of air in the lid (40).
12. The food processing device (100, 200) according to any of claims 1 to 11, wherein the lid (40) comprises a pressure relief valve (42) for enabling air communication between the can (10) and outside air.
Technical Field
The present invention relates to a food processing apparatus comprising: a jar configured to contain a food product; a base unit configured to support and accommodate a canister; a vacuum mechanism configured to draw air from the canister, the vacuum mechanism including a vacuum pump disposed in the base unit and a first vacuum conduit extending through the base unit and coupled to the vacuum pump; and a lid configured to cover the can and enable air communication between the can and the base unit; wherein the vacuum mechanism further comprises a second vacuum conduit extending through the lid; wherein the first vacuum conduit and the second vacuum conduit are engageable with each other through respective engagement ends thereof; and wherein at least one of the engaging end of the first vacuum conduit and the engaging end of the second vacuum conduit is displaceable between an outward position and a retracted position in the respective one of the base unit and the cover.
Background
A food processing apparatus as set forth hereinbefore may be adapted for use as a blender in which food is mixed and in the process food is shredded into smaller pieces. In view of this, the food processing apparatus is equipped with a cutting tool intended to be positioned in the jar and driven so as to move therein. In many known situations, cutting tools include a plurality of cutting blades arranged on a shaft, wherein the shaft is driven to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the shaft during operation of the food processing apparatus. A drive mechanism for driving the shaft may be arranged in the lid, in which case the shaft extends from the lid through the open upper side of the jar down into the jar when the lid is positioned on the jar. In another aspect, a drive mechanism for driving the shaft may be arranged in the base unit, in which case the shaft may extend from the base unit through the bottom of the jar up into the jar when the jar is positioned on the base unit.
CN102631153A relates to a food processing apparatus equipped with an electric vacuum pump for sucking air from a tank. In view of the fact that the oxidation of the food is greatly reduced, it is advantageous to achieve a low pressure in the can, so that the nutritional loss of the food is limited and the taste and appearance of the food is maintained. In an embodiment, the known food processing apparatus is designed to: wherein the vacuum mechanism comprises a vacuum pump disposed in the base unit, the first vacuum conduit extends through the base unit and is coupled to the vacuum pump, and the second vacuum conduit extends through the lid. In this embodiment, the respective joining ends of the first and second vacuum conduits are shaped as a sleeve and a sleeve joint to achieve a sealed joint between the two vacuum conduits when the lid is put in place. Thus, air leakage at the interface of the two vacuum conduits is avoided, so that an effective functionality of the vacuum mechanism is ensured.
CN205697384U relates to a vacuum food cooking apparatus comprising: a jar configured to contain food; a lid configured to cover the can; a base unit configured to support and accommodate a canister; and a vacuum mechanism configured to draw air from the canister, the vacuum mechanism including a vacuum pump disposed in the base unit, and a vacuum conduit extending through the base unit and coupled to the vacuum pump. The lid is provided with a central hole and the central hole is aligned with one end of the vacuum conduit of the base unit when the assembly of the can and the lid are put in place on the base unit. In order to guarantee the tightness between the interior of the can and the vacuum duct of the base unit passing through the central hole of the lid, the base unit is equipped with: a suction port element displaceably arranged at an end of the vacuum conduit; and a spring for biasing the suction port member toward the cover. As a result of the use of the suction element in the described manner, the suction element is able to follow the movements of the lid caused by the vibrations of the can and the associated displacements of the central portion of the lid where the central hole is located during the operation of the device, so that the vacuum duct of the base unit maintains a proper connection to the inside of the can in all cases through the central hole in the lid.
Disclosure of Invention
It is an object of the present invention to provide an efficient way of achieving a sealed engagement between two vacuum ducts of a food processing apparatus, in particular a first vacuum duct being associated with a base unit of the food processing apparatus and a second vacuum duct being associated with a cover of the food processing apparatus. Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to minimize the risk of damage to the respective engaging ends of the first and second vacuum conduits during the placing of the lid, in particular the assembly of the lid and the can, in position with respect to the base unit.
In view of the foregoing, the present invention provides a food processing apparatus comprising: a jar configured to contain a food product; a base unit configured to support and accommodate a canister; a vacuum mechanism configured to draw air from the canister, the vacuum mechanism including a vacuum pump disposed in a base unit, and a first vacuum conduit extending through the base unit and coupled to the vacuum pump; and a lid configured to cover the can and enable air communication between the can and the base unit; wherein the vacuum mechanism further comprises a second vacuum conduit extending through the lid; wherein the first vacuum conduit and the second vacuum conduit are engageable with each other through respective engagement ends thereof; wherein at least one of the engaging end of the first vacuum conduit and the engaging end of the second vacuum conduit is displaceable between an outward position and a retracted position in the respective one of the base unit and the lid, wherein the first vacuum conduit and the second vacuum conduit engage one another when the at least one of the engaging end of the first vacuum conduit and the engaging end of the second vacuum conduit is in the outward position in the respective one of the base unit and the lid, and wherein the first vacuum conduit and the second vacuum conduit disengage from one another when the at least one of the engaging end of the first vacuum conduit and the engaging end of the second vacuum conduit is in the retracted position in the respective one of the base unit and the lid; and wherein the food processing apparatus comprises: a driven actuator configured to displace the at least one of the engagement ends of the first and second vacuum conduits to an outward position in a respective one of the base unit and the cover; and at least one resilient member configured to bias the at least one of the engaging end of the first vacuum conduit and the engaging end of the second vacuum conduit to a retracted position in the respective one of the base unit and the cover.
According to the invention, at least one of the engaging end of the first vacuum conduit and the engaging end of the second vacuum conduit is displaceable in the respective one of the base unit and the cover between an outward position and a retracted position, wherein the outward position is associated with the first vacuum conduit and the second vacuum conduit engaging each other, and wherein the retracted position is associated with the first vacuum conduit and the second vacuum conduit disengaging from each other. On the basis of this salient feature, there may be the following: during the process of placing the cover in position with respect to the base unit, the at least one engagement end is held in the retracted position and is displaced towards the outward position only when the cover and the base unit are aligned with each other in the correct manner, so as to establish the engagement between the respective engagement ends of the first and second vacuum conduits only in a linear manner. The distance between the retracted position and the outward position of the at least one engagement end need not be so great for the invention to function. For example, the distance may be in the range of 1mm to 10mm, preferably in the range of 2mm to 5 mm.
Within the framework of the invention, both respective engaging ends of the first and second vacuum conduits may be displaceable between an outward position and a retracted position in a respective one of the base unit and the cover. However, for simplicity of design in the food processing apparatus and for having only a minimal number of movable parts, it is preferred that one of the engaging end of the first vacuum conduit and the engaging end of the second vacuum conduit may be displaceable in the respective one of the base unit and the cover, wherein the other engaging end has a fixed position in the respective other of the base unit and the cover. Thus, a reduced practice of one of the following possibilities is feasible: (i) the engaging end of the first vacuum conduit may be displaced in the base unit, wherein the engaging end of the second vacuum conduit has a fixed position in the lid; or (ii) the engaging end of the second vacuum conduit may be displaced in the lid, wherein the engaging end of the first vacuum conduit has a fixed position in the base unit.
For the sake of clarity, it is noted that the fixed position of the engaging end mentioned in the preceding paragraph is to be understood as a fixed position of the engaging end in the respective one of the base unit and the cover, which, as indicated, may also be defined as a fixed position corresponding to the engaging end of the vacuum conduit extending therefrom. Since the possibility of achieving a relative movement of the engaging ends is independent of whether one of the engaging ends has a fixed position in the respective one of the base unit and the cover, the fact that one of the engaging ends has a fixed position in the respective one of the base unit and the cover does not exclude designs of food processing apparatuses in which the engaging ends are movable relative to each other. For example, the following designs are possible: the engaging end of the second vacuum conduit has a fixed position in the cap and the engaging end is intended to be displaced along the engaging end of the first vacuum conduit by a sliding movement until these engaging ends are correctly aligned.
Advantageously, the lid comprises: a covering area configured to cover the pot; and a convex region outside the cover region; wherein the engaging end of the second vacuum conduit is positioned in the boss region. Such a design of the lid enables the lid to be positioned onto the can and base unit from the upper side, which is a convenient option both in view of the positioning actions required from the user and also in view of the need for movable parts in the food processing apparatus.
The food processing device according to the invention comprises a driven actuator acting on at least one engaging end of the first and second vacuum ducts in a respective one of the base unit and the cover for displacing the at least one engaging end in the respective one of the base unit and the cover. For example: a linear actuator driven by an electric motor may be used. In such a situation, it is practical that the at least one engagement end in the respective one of the base unit and the cover starts to displace no earlier than an input is received indicating that the user wishes to start vacuum processing, provided that the user of the food processing device first places the jar, the base unit and the cover in the correct position relative to each other before activating vacuum processing. In view of this, it is noted that the food processing device may comprise a user interface having a vacuum activation button and a control mechanism for the driven actuator, wherein the control mechanism is configured to activate the driven actuator to place at least one engagement end of the first and second vacuum conduits in a respective one of the base unit and the lid in an outward position when the vacuum activation button is activated by a user.
The food processing apparatus further comprises at least one resilient member configured to enable displacement of at least one engagement end of the first and second vacuum conduits in a respective one of the base unit and the cover between an outward position and a retracted position. The driven actuator is configured to displace at least one engagement end of the first and second vacuum conduits to an outward position, wherein the at least one resilient member is configured to bias the at least one engagement end to a retracted position. In this configuration, it is possible to realize: the at least one engagement end is maintained in the outward position as long as the vacuum pump is in the operating state, and is automatically replaced into the retracted position once the vacuum pump is turned off and the at least one engagement end is no longer subject to forces that react to the forces exerted by the at least one resilient member.
Within the framework of the invention there are several practical possibilities: (i) at least one of the first vacuum conduit and the second vacuum conduit comprises a hollow tube configured to allow a flow of air therethrough, (ii) one of the engaging end of the first vacuum conduit and the engaging end of the second vacuum conduit comprises a cup-shaped portion, and (iii) at least one of the engaging end of the first vacuum conduit and the engaging end of the second vacuum conduit comprises a flexible material. In view of the last possibility, it is noted that designing one of the engaging ends so as to have a covering position across the other engaging end, and using a flexible material in this one engaging end is very advantageous, in which case no additional measures for ensuring a sealing engagement of the engaging ends are required. An example of a flexible material suitable for use in one or both of the engaging ends is rubber.
The cap may include a one-way valve for allowing only the flow of air in the cap to be directed toward the engagement end of the second vacuum conduit, thereby preventing the reverse flow of air in the cap. As proposed, the use of a one-way valve facilitates achieving optimum efficiency of the vacuum pump. Furthermore, the use of a one-way valve as proposed provides the possibility of allowing the vacuum to be released from other parts of the food processing apparatus once the operation of the vacuum pump is finished, rather than from the can and the area of the lid configured for directing air communication with the can, so that the vacuum-dominated location in the food processing apparatus is limited to the actual location where the vacuum is functional.
Further, the lid may comprise a pressure relief valve for enabling air communication between the tank and outside air. Thus, when the pressure relief valve is activated, all that is achieved is that the vacuum is released from the jar, which allows for simple disassembly for the food processing device, including removal of the lid from the jar.
The cover may be modularly arranged, comprising at least two modules, wherein one of the modules is a vacuum module in which the second vacuum conduit is positioned, and wherein the vacuum module is detachable from at least one other module. The overall design of the lid, which is also included in the scope of the present invention, involves the risk of cleaning liquid entering the second vacuum conduit when the lid is subjected to a wet cleaning action. Thus, in such designs, the user should be careful when cleaning the lid and/or applying only dry cleaning techniques, such as wiping the lid with a piece of cloth (which may not be very effective). By contrast, the modular design provides the possibility to remove the part of the lid where the second vacuum conduit is located from the lid before applying the other part of the lid to the desired cleaning action. Also, as suggested, the modular design of the lid allows for the omission of a vacuum module when it is not desirable to have a vacuum dominated state in the jar when processing food.
The above and other aspects of the invention will become apparent from and elucidated with reference to the following detailed description of various possibilities relating to the solution with a movable arrangement of at least one of the respective engaging ends of the first and second vacuum conduits. The first and second vacuum ducts in the food processing apparatus are designed to process food under vacuum. For the sake of completeness, it is noted that in this context the word "vacuum" is understood in its practical sense, i.e. covering the case of lower pressures close to the actual vacuum, lower than the ambient pressure.
Drawings
The present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the appended drawings, wherein like or similar parts are designated by like reference numerals, and wherein:
fig. 1 diagrammatically shows a side view of a food processing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 2 diagrammatically shows a top view of the food processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 diagrammatically shows a cross-sectional view of the food processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 diagrammatically shows detail A of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 diagrammatically shows a perspective view of a vacuum module of a lid portion of the food processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 diagrammatically shows a cross-sectional view of the vacuum module of the cover shown in FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 diagrammatically shows a perspective view of a base module of the cover portion of the food processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 8 diagrammatically shows a cross-sectional view of the base module of the cover shown in FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 diagrammatically shows a cross-sectional view of a column of the base unit portion of the food processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 10 diagrammatically shows a cross-sectional view of an upright of a base unit portion of a food processing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention; and
figure 11 diagrammatically shows a cross-sectional view of a vacuum module of a cover part of a food processing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention.
Detailed Description
The present invention relates to the field of food processing equipment, in particular food processing equipment equipped with a vacuum mechanism for having the possibility of processing food under vacuum, which is an advantageous possibility because the application of vacuum promotes a smooth texture of the food, and relates to preventing oxidation of the food and maintaining the nutrition and original taste of the food. The food processing device according to the invention is suitable for use as a tool for processing any type of food product, including fruits and vegetables, and may be equipped with any suitable type of tool, such as a cutting tool, for applying a desired action to the food product.
Referring now to fig. 1 to 9, a
The
The significant function of the
Fig. 5 to 8 illustrate that the
The
The modular design of the
Although the modular design of the
The
The
The
A controller 17 is provided for control purposes of the operation of the
Starting from the unassembled state of the
Next, the assembly of the
When the user presses the
Once the desired vacuum state has been achieved in the
Fig. 10 and 11 relate to a food processing apparatus 200 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The food processing device 200 according to the second embodiment of the invention is identical to the
It will be clear to a person skilled in the art that the scope of the present invention is not limited to the examples discussed in the foregoing, but that several amendments and modifications thereof are possible without deviating from the scope of the present invention as defined in the attached claims. It is intended that the invention be construed as including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof. While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary only, and not restrictive. The invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. The figures are schematic, wherein details that are not necessary for understanding the invention may have been omitted, and which are not necessarily drawn to scale.
Variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the description, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other steps or elements, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. Any reference signs in the claims shall not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.
Elements and aspects discussed with respect to or relating to a particular embodiment may be combined with elements and aspects of other embodiments as appropriate, unless explicitly stated otherwise. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.
The term "comprising" as used herein will be understood by those skilled in the art to encompass the term "consisting of …". Thus, the term "comprising" may mean "consisting of …" with respect to one embodiment, and may mean "including/including at least the defined species and optionally one or more other species" in another embodiment.
- 上一篇:一种医用注射器针头装配设备
- 下一篇:清洁装置