EP3570674A1

EP3570674A1 - Food preparation device having an ejector tappet and a hold-down plunger

Info

Publication number: EP3570674A1
Application number: EP17703332.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Wolfgang Riessbeck; Simon Wäger; Thomas BRÜNTRUP
Original assignee: Flatev AG
Current assignee: Flatev AG
Priority date: 2017-01-17
Filing date: 2017-01-17
Publication date: 2019-11-27
Also published as: WO2018133917A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a food preparation device (1), in particular a baking device, for preparing, in particular shaping and baking, a food, preferably a flat bread, from a substrate portion, in particular a dough portion, accommodated in a capsule (2), comprising a housing, comprising preparation means, in particular comprising at least one baking sheet, and comprising capsule handling means (8) for opening and emptying the capsule (2). The capsule handling means (8) comprises a blade (7) for opening the capsule (2) and a tappet (10) that is adjustable relative to the capsule (2) and to the blade (7) by way of drive means (12), for applying force to the capsule (2), in particular deforming force. The capsule handling means (8) comprise a hold-down plunger (9) that is adjustable relative to the tappet (10), by way of which hold-down plunger force can be applied to the capsule (2) by means of the blade, in particular in the region of a radially projecting peripheral edge of the capsule, for adjusting the capsule (2) against the blade (7), and thus for piercing the capsule (2), in particular a capsule lid film.

Description

Food preparation device with ejection ram

and hold-down temple

The invention relates to a food preparation device, in particular a household food preparation device according to the preamble of claim 1 for preparing a food based on a (life) substrate accommodated in a capsule which is initially sealed. Preferably, the device is designed as a baking device, in particular as a household baking device, for forming and baking a food, in particular a flat bread such as a tortilla or for preparing a Piazzabrotes. The device comprises a housing and, preferably arranged in the housing, the preparation means, in particular molding and baking agents, for the preparation of the food from the substrate portion. Preferably, the preparation means comprise at least one baking plate, preferably two opposite at least in one operating state baking plates, which further preferably simultaneously serve as a pressing device for flattening a trained as dough portion Substratportion, wherein alternatively other pressing devices can be used, such as rollers or rollers. Furthermore, the food preparation device comprises

Capsule handling means for opening and emptying the capsule. For this purpose, the capsule handling means comprise a knife for opening the capsule, in particular by puncturing a capsule lid, preferably a lid foil, as well as a plunger for applying force, in particular pressing out or emptying the capsule, which can be displaced relative to the capsule and the knife, preferably comprising drive means comprising an electric motor. most preferably under deformation of, preferably a capsule body made of plastic or a light alloy having capsule. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for operating a food preparation device according to the invention according to claim 15. From WO 2013/124809 A2 a household flat bread baking device is known. This comprises an opening mechanism for dough portion capsules which comprises a part-circle segment-shaped ring knife relative to which an openable capsule is adjustable by means of a punch to pierce a lid film of the capsule by means of the knife and thus open the capsule and the dough portion in the device to empty. The reliability of the capsule opening process seems to be improving in the known device. Based on the aforementioned prior art, the invention is therefore based on the object of specifying a reliability of the opening process for opening the capsule, in particular for piercing a capsule lid film by means of the knife, as well as a method for operating such an improved food preparation device.

This object is achieved with regard to the food preparation device with the features of claim 1, ie in a generic food preparation device characterized in that the capsule handling means comprise a relative to the plunger and the knife adjustable hold-down temple with which the capsule, in particular in the region of a radially projecting capsule peripheral edge , For adjusting the capsule against the knife and thereby puncture of the capsule, in particular a capsule lid film, by means of the knife and kraftbeaufschlag is bar. In other words, according to the invention, in addition to the plunger, a relative to the (Emptying) ram adjustable hold-down temple provided for interaction with the capsule, with which the capsule, in particular of a side facing away from the knife, in particular on an underside of a circumferential capsule peripheral edge, kraftbeaufschlag bar and thus relative to the knife is adjustable, so the knife can penetrate the capsule, in particular a capsule lid foil, or can dive into the capsule, very particularly preferably into a peripheral groove which is arranged in the region of the peripheral edge and covered by the capsule lid foil. Furthermore, the capsule can be positioned by means of the hold-down temple, in particular by pressing the capsule indirectly or directly against a, preferably relative to the knife fixed stop, in particular by clamping the capsule. With regard to the method, the object is achieved with the features of claim 15, ie in a generic method, characterized in that the hold-down temple relative to the plunger, in particular with common drive means for the hold-down punch and the plunger, adjusted and thereby the capsule, in particular on a capsule -Umfangsrand, kraftbeaufschlagt and adjusted against the knife or in the knife inside to open the capsule and preferably the capsule, in particular for the temporally subsequent emptying process by means of the plunger, by interaction with the hold-down, in particular by clamping.

Advantageous developments of the invention are specified in the subclaims. All combinations of at least two features disclosed in the description, the claims and / or the figures fall within the scope of the invention. In order to avoid repetition, features disclosed according to the device should be regarded as disclosed according to the method and be able to be claimed. Likewise, according to the method disclosed features also as device disclosed apply and claimable.

So that the opening of the capsule in the food preparation device and the ejection of the food substrate, in particular a dough portion can be reliable and repeatedly reliable, the invention is based on the idea, in addition to the plunger for emptying the capsule or for emptying the substrate, in particular the dough portion provide the capsule a hold-down temple and to arrange this relative to the plunger adjustable, in particular along the same adjustment axis, preferably in the context of a translational movement to adjust the capsule by means of the hold-down relative to the knife, such that the knife penetrates into the capsule, in particular while penetrating a capsule film. Preferably, the capsule is also fixed or positioned by means of the hold-down temple after opening, in particular within the housing of the device relative to the knife, in particular by clamping receiving the capsule, preferably a radially projecting peripheral edge of the capsule, between the hold-down temple and a stop. The stop can, as will be explained later, be formed by a support section for the capsule, which is preferably positioned counter to the spring force of return springs together with the capsule by applying force to the capsule by means of the hold-down punch relative to the knife against a fixed relative to the knife (Fixed) stop is adjustable. Alternatively, in the absence of such, preferably provided stop section, the capsule can be adjusted by means of the hold-down temple directly against a fixed relative to the knife positioned stop. The hold-down temple according to the invention thus preferably has at least two functions, namely the opening of the capsule by adjusting the capsule against the Knife or in the knife and positioning, ie fixing the capsule, in particular by clamping for the opening process by means of or with the aid of the plunger. Preferably, the Verstellbewegungsablauf of hold-down punch and plunger is placed on each other so that the emptying or Ausdrückvorgang the capsule by means of the plunger is at least not yet completed when the capsule is opened by interaction with the hold-down punch and the knife and positioned firmly relative to the knife. Preferably, the actual emptying process begins, in particular by deformation, most preferably by at least partially everting the capsule body only after the capsule has been positioned by means of the holding-down temple. Preferably, the capsule remains positioned by means of the hold-down temple until the plunger interacts with the capsule, in particular touching and / or already deforming it during its movement onto the capsule or the knife. As will be explained later, it is particularly preferred in the case of the realization of a coupled, in particular a mechanically coupled movement between the hold-down punch and the plunger when the hold-down temple during the emptying process, in which the plunger empty pushes the capsule and preferably deforms , in particular at least partially everting, is again moved away along the adjustment axis of the capsule and the knife, so at least temporarily moves in opposite directions to the plunger.

The inventive separation of capsule opening and positioning on the one hand and emptying or emptying the capsule on the other hand, a robust and safe and reliable capsule opening process is realized. In the case of the embodiment of the food substrate portion as dough portion, it is preferred if it is supplied from the capsule molding and baking agents to flatten the dough portion and to bake.

As already indicated, it is particularly preferred if the plunger and the hold-down plunger are adjustably arranged along a common adjustment axis, in particular such that the hold-down temple reaches its maximum (in the direction of knife) extended hold-down position, ie positioning or clamping position for the capsule before the Tappet reaches its maximum extended in the same direction emptying position in which he, in particular the capsule deforming cooperating with the capsule, this kraftbeaufschlagend. In other words, hold-down punch and plunger, in particular in a coupled, most preferably mechanically coupled adjustment, more preferably actuated with a common particular electromotive drive so relative to the knife adjustable that the hold-down the capsule by force, in particular the peripheral edge positioned, ie relative is fixed to the knife before the plunger is maximally adjusted towards the capsule or knife. Preferably, a deformation of the capsule by means of the plunger begins only after reaching the aforementioned hold-down position by the hold-down temple. It is very particularly preferred if the plunger touches or deforms the capsule only after the aforementioned hold-down position has been reached, or if the plunger reaches or deforms the capsule only when the hold-down punch has passed its hold-down position and is already slightly away from it has moved down its hold-down position along the adjustment axis. With regard to a space-saving and effective arrangement of hold-down punch and plunger, it has been found advantageous to hold hold-down punch and plunger into each other, preferably concentric, in particular such that the plunger is disposed within, preferably as a ring member, most preferably formed as a hollow cylinder element hold-down temple , It is possible and preferred, the ram on the inner circumference of the hold-down temple at its translational adjustment movement to guide along the adjustment axis.

In the force-applying, in particular deforming interaction of plunger and capsule, it may happen that the capsule jammed on the plunger. To ensure that the emptied capsule, preferably via a capsule drawer to be explained later, can be removed after the emptying process from the effective range between plunger and knife, in particular from the housing, is provided in development of the invention advantageously to assign the plunger stripping means with which a capsule jammed on the plunger can be stripped off the plunger, in particular by a return movement of the plunger into an initial position. The scraper means are preferably formed by the hold-down temple, such that this still contacts the capsule, while the plunger, in particular in a mechanically coupled movement with the hold-down temple again moved back to its initial position relative to the hold-down temple and thus from the possibly adherent or clamped capsule is moved out, which is then retained by the hold-down temple due to the investment of the hold-down temple on the capsule, in particular on the peripheral edge against a movement with the plunger and thereby stripped off. It is particularly useful if the movement of the hold-down temple and the plunger are coordinated so that during the Tappet moves back toward its starting position along the adjustment of the hold down first is again moved in the direction of its hold down - it is essential in any case that a relative movement between plunger and hold-down temple is realized, in particular on common drive means for ram and hold-down temple in order to achieve the scraper effect or the hold-down temple to act as a scraper agent.

As explained above, the plunger, preferably comprising an electric motor comprising drive means for adjusting the plunger along the adjustment axis. It is preferred, then, to associate the hold-down stamp with no separate drive means, which is alternatively possible, but to couple the hold-down punch with the drive means for adjusting the ram, preferably mechanically, hold-down punch and ram in a coupled movement along the adjustment axis, in particular with a single or to drive a common electric motor. As a result, additional costs for separate drives can be avoided. In order to realize the comparatively large forces acting between the retaining punch and the capsule and between the plunger and the capsule at low engine torque, it is preferred if the drive means comprise an eccentric shaft which can be driven about a rotation axis, preferably by a (common) electric motor, with which both the hold-down temple as well as the pestle are connected. In particular, the hold-down punch and ram are at different circumferential positions about the axis of rotation with the preferably at least two eccentric, articulated coupling of the hold-down temple and the plunger eccentric shaft, in particular articulated coupled to thereby realize a rotational angle-dependent relative movement between hold-down plunger and plunger. For the In the preferred case of realizing different effective forces between the retaining punch and the capsule on the one hand and the plunger and capsule on the other, it is preferable to connect the retaining plunger and the plunger at different radial distances from the rotation axis to the eccentric shaft, in particular in an articulated manner, in order to effect lever forces of different magnitudes. For orientation - a force which can be applied to the capsule by means of the holding-down temple can, for example, be in the region of 250 N and / or the maximum force required for deforming the capsule, in particular for everting the capsule by means of the plunger, for example 150 N.

As already indicated, it is preferred, the hold-down temple on only one, at least one lever, preferably a lever pair comprehensive lever assembly, preferably with formation of a toggle joint articulated with the eccentric shaft, more precisely an eccentric eccentric shaft and / or the plunger via a, at least one lever preferably exclusively a lever, comprehensive lever arrangement, preferably with the formation of a toggle construction, hingedly connected to the eccentric shaft, more precisely an eccentric of the eccentric shaft. This makes it possible, in a space-saving and clever way to convert the rotation or pivoting movement of the eccentric shaft about the axis of rotation in a translational adjustment of hold-down punch or plunger. The respective lever arrangement is preferably in each case hingedly connected in turn to the hold-down punch or the plunger. Regardless of the specific number of levers used the respective lever arrangement, it is preferred if they are each connected directly to one end with the eccentric shaft and with its other end directly to the hold-down punch or the plunger articulated. Preference is given to the aforementioned lever structures are designed or matched to one another, in particular lower, a maximum (in the direction of knife) extended hold-down position (positioning or clamping position) of the hold-down punch defining dead center of the lever assembly of the plunger of its maximum (in the direction Knife) extended emptying position in which it interacts with a maximum of the capsule, in particular this deformed, even more preferably everting, is spaced, and it is particularly preferred if the plunger at the dead center of the lever assembly of the hold-down the capsule not (yet) deformed and / or most preferably not or just touched. It is also an embodiment can be realized in which a slight (ie a non-maximum) deformation of the capsule is given by the plunger in the dead center of the lever assembly of the hold-down temple or should be allowed. In a previously described embodiment, it is ensured that the capsule is opened at the latest when the dead center of the lever arrangement of the hold-down temple is reached or when the lever arrangement of the hold-down temple, preferably designed as a toggle lever system, moves beyond the dead center and the ram is thereby moved further in the direction of the knife ,

In principle, it is possible to arrange the knife permanently within the housing. In order to enable a comfortable loading of the food preparation device with the capsule, the invention further provides that the capsule handling means comprise a relative to the housing of the food preparation device, in particular in a housing opening, between a loading position and a functional position adjustable, the knife-containing capsule drawer, in the knife, preferably solvable, very special preferably releasably without tools, even more preferably releasably fixed via a threaded and / or bayonet connection. For releasable fixation of the knife, it has been found to be advantageous if the knife is arranged on a knife carrier, which is detachably fixable together with the knife for connecting means in the capsule drawer and after detaching the connecting means from this can be removed.

Regardless of whether the device has a capsule drawer with a knife or the capsule can be brought in another way, for example manually into a position along the adjustment axis between the abutment element and the knife, it has proven advantageous if, as already indicated, the food preparation device comprises a bearing surface providing a bearing surface for the capsule. In the case of the provision of a capsule drawer, this support section is preferably arranged in the capsule drawer, in particular in such a way that the capsule can be placed onto the support section in the loading position of the drawer. When the capsule is put on, the support section is preferably positioned relative to the knife in such a way that the capsule does not (yet) contact the knife or that the knife is set back against the knife against an adjustment direction of the support section. The adjustment of the hold-down temple then causes, in particular in the case of providing a capsule drawer in its functional position, a relative movement between support section with capsule and knife to cut open the capsule lid by means of the knife and then to empty the Substratportion from the capsule by means of the plunger. Preferably, the support section is adjusted against the spring force of return spring means, in particular until it abuts against a fixed relative to the knife positioned stop (fixed stop). An alternative embodiment provides for a counter to the spring force of return springs adjustable support portion dispense and the capsule by means of the hold-down temple directly against a fixed relative to the knife positioned stop (fixed stop) to adjust. The preferred provision of the support section, in particular as part of an optional capsule drawer, the opening process and the relative movement of the capsule and knife can be further optimized. In particular, when the knife, in particular in the loading position of the optional capsule drawer, the support portion or a support surface for the capsule of the support portion does not exceed, resulting in increased operating safety. Preferably, the support surface provided by the support portion for the capsule is surrounded by a peripheral wall which centers the capsule. In this case, it is preferable if the inner diameter of the free space surrounding the peripheral wall for capsule reception in the direction of the support surface, in particular conically tapers, in order to center the capsule.

Of particular advantage is an embodiment of the food preparation device in which an assembly comprising the previously described support portion, the knife and the return spring means is resiliently supported by means of tolerance compensation spring means for moving the knife of the assembly relative to the adjustment axis of hold-down punch and plunger relative to the Aligning hold down temple, in particular to parallelize. For the preferred case of providing a capsule drawer, the tolerance compensation spring means are preferably arranged in this and thus cause a resilient relative adjustability of the assembly relative to a drawer housing. For realizing the tolerance compensation spring means, it is preferred if the aforementioned assembly comprise a plurality of circumferentially about the adjustment axis and / or the knife disposed spring elements, thus allowing a compression at various circumferential positions for the alignment movement. With regard to the configuration of the knife, it has proven to be advantageous to design this in such a way that a capsule lid, in particular a lid foil, is not completely detached from the capsule or the capsule body during the opening process. This can be realized in a further development of the invention that the knife is not designed as circumferentially closed ring knife, but only over a circle segment, in particular of over 180 °, preferably of about 270 °, but less than 360 °, in particular less than 350 ° or 340 °. In this case, the knife may be formed as a one-piece element, for example of a metal sheet or of a ceramic, or be composed of a plurality of segments, in particular partial circle segments, which are arranged in the circumferential direction adjacent to one another. Regardless of the specific configuration of the knife, it is preferred if the knife extends around a passage opening, in particular in an optional capsule drawer, through which the food substrate, in particular the dough portion after opening the capsule by means of the knife and Kraftbeaufschlagen the capsule by means of the plunger can fall through, then processed with the preparation means to the food, in particular to be shaped and baked.

For the preferred case of providing the aforementioned capsule drawer, it can be provided in a further development of the invention that the capsule drawer can not be removed during the emptying process of the capsule, in particular during the entire production process of the food. Removal of the capsule drawer during emptying may destroy components. In particular, the risk of destruction exists during capsule opening and substrate ejection since hold-down punches and / or plunger during this process steps partially, in particular from above, protrude into the capsule drawer. In order to prevent inadmissible opening or removal of the capsule drawer out of its functional position, the capsule drawer is associated with locking means for locking the capsule drawer, in particular by positive engagement with the capsule drawer in its functional position. Especially preferred is an embodiment in which the locking means for locking and / or unlocking via the drive means for adjusting the plunger and / or the hold-down temple are actuated or adjustable. The locking means need not necessarily be associated with a closure element designed as a capsule drawer an access opening, in particular a housing opening through which a capsule, for example manually or automatically brought into an operative position between hold-down punch, plunger and knife when the closure element is unlocked but the closure element can all possible embodiments, For example, as a flap, shutter or shutters, etc. be executed. It is essential that the locking means are designed to lock the closure element in its closed position, which functionally corresponds to its functional position in the case of providing a capsule drawer, in order to prevent interference with the effective range of the retaining stem, plunger and knife. It has proven particularly expedient with regard to the design of the locking means, if these at least one, preferably via a locking spring element in a locking position spring-loaded latch for, in particular positive cooperation with the closure element in its access opening obstructing the closure position, in particular the capsule drawer in the Functional position, include. Most preferably, two such bars on two opposite sides of the Verschlusselennentes, in particular the capsule drawer are arranged. Preferably, the bars are designed and arranged such that they are adjustable without additional blocking measures (prevention measures) simply by manually adjusting the closure element, in particular pulling out the capsule drawer into a release position, so that they essentially provide a bridged or bridgeable resistance. In order to bring about a non-releasable locking of the closure element, in particular of the capsule drawer, the at least one latch is associated with a locking latch which is adjustable between a blocking position in a further development of the invention, wherein the blocking latch in its blocking position prevents an adjustment of the latch from its locking position. so that an opening of the access opening, in particular a pulling out of the capsule drawer, is reliably prevented. Basically, alternatively, an embodiment can be realized, in which the blocking bar in its blocking position directly, preferably positively, cooperates with the closure element, in particular the capsule drawer. In such an embodiment can be dispensed with the additional provision of a previously described latch with the blocking latch in its blocking position in blocking interaction. It is now particularly preferred if the blocking bolt is adjustable by means of the drive means of the plunger and / or hold-down in at least one, preferably only one direction, most preferably from its blocking position to its release position. It is provided in a further development of the invention that the blocking bolt against the spring force of a, preferably on a relative to the hold-down stationary abutment supporting return spring by means of the aforementioned drive means from its blocking position is adjustable out. This adjustment movement of the locking bolt is preferably actuated via the hold-down temple or its drive means, wherein it is preferred if the blocking bolt is mechanically, for example, coupled with a driver portion with the hold-down, wherein the driver for this purpose preferably projects beyond the hold-down temple. It is particularly useful in this case if the adjusting movement causes the hold-down temple in a hold-down that relax the return spring and can adjust the locking bar in its blocking position in which the locking bar prevents an adjustment of the bolt out of its locking position.

The invention also teaches a method of operating a concept according to the invention

Food preparation device, which is provided according to the invention that a food substrate, in particular a dough portion containing capsule is adjusted relative to the knife by means of the hold-down temple, such that the knife penetrates into the capsule, in particular a capsule film and thus opens the capsule and preferably also optionally the Hold-down temple ensures that the capsule is fixed after opening fixed relative to the knife, in particular within the housing of the food preparation device, and very particularly preferably by clamping receiving the capsule, in particular a capsule peripheral edge between the hold-down temple and a support section and / or a stop fixed relative to the knife. The emptying of the capsule is then carried out by Relativverstellen the plunger for hold-down temple, in particular under deformation, very particularly preferred everting the capsule, wherein it in the context of the realization of a preferably coupled adjustment movement of Hold-down punch and plunger is particularly preferred when the hold-down is moved away during the emptying, in particular the deformation of the capsule by means of the plunger from its hold-down position - the positioning function is then taken from the plunger or delivered to this. Basically, the plunger may touch the capsule, in particular touched when the hold-down temple reaches an adjustment position in which the capsule lid is opened, in particular a capsule foil is severed. This may, but need not be, the maximum extending hold-down adjustment position, but depending on the interpretation of the adjustment movements can also be made before. It is particularly preferred if during a return movement of the plunger after the emptying process in its starting position of the hold-down temple first passes through its hold-down position, ie adjusted along the adjustment axis in the opposite direction as the plunger to hereby a particularly good wiping effect for stripping a possibly on To reach plunger clamping capsule - after passing through the hold-down position then the plunger is also moved back to its original position.

Further advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments and from the drawings. These show in highly schematized the working principle of a preferred embodiment of a food preparation device designed according to the concept of the invention, a perspective view of a capsule opening module, comprising a hold-down punch and a plunger, which are adjustable by common drive means along a common adjustment axis relative to each other and on a knife,

3 shows a schematic representation of the coupling of

Hold-down punch and plunger with common drive means comprising an eccentric shaft,

Fig. 4 is an optional capsule drawer one according to the concept of

Invention trained food preparation device,

Fig. 5

up to 13 different operating states of according to the concept of

Invention formed capsule handling means, comprising a hold-down temple and a relative to this adjustable plunger, a detailed representation of components of locking means for locking the capsule drawer in its functional position, a further representation of components of the locking means, and further details of the locking means

In the figures, like elements and elements having the same function are denoted by the same reference numerals. Referring to Fig. 1, there is shown a preferred embodiment of a capsule opening mechanism of a food preparation device 1 constructed according to the concept of the invention. Evident is a capsule 2 with a capsule body 3, for example made of plastic or a light metal alloy, which is closed with a lid film 4, which is sealed in the region of a circumferential, radially projecting peripheral edge 5 with the capsule body 3. In the region of the peripheral edge 5 there is a peripheral circumferential or annular groove 6, into which a knife 7 formed as a ring knife can dip during the opening process and thereby puncture the cover film 4.

For the opening and emptying operation of the capsule 2, in which a not shown food substrate, in particular a dough portion is included, the food preparation device 1 capsule handling means 8. These in turn comprise the aforementioned knife 7, which for example fixed in a housing or alternatively, for example, in a later can still be arranged to be explained capsule drawer. For opening and emptying of the capsule 2, this must in any case be brought into an effective range between the knife 7 and a hold-down punch 9 and a (emptying) plunger 10. Hold-down punch 9 and plunger 10 are components of the capsule handling means 8. The hold-down punch 9 can be adjusted relative to the plunger 10, and along to an adjustment axis V, preferably with common drive means for hold-down punch 9 and plunger 10th

The hold-down temple 9 serves to force the capsule 2, here in the rear region of the peripheral edge 5, so as to adjust the capsule 2 against the knife 7, so that this in the capsule 2, more precisely in the present case dip the downwardly facing cover sheet 4 and thus can open the capsule 2. At the same time, the hold-down temple 9 serves to hold down, ie to position the capsule 2 relative to the knife 7, by clamping the capsule 2 between the hold-down temple 9 and in this case a stop 1 1, which is fixedly positioned relative to the knife 7. Alternatively, it is conceivable to provide a later to be explained conditioning section for the capsule 2, with which the capsule 2 on the hold-down temple 9 is adjustable, in particular until reaching an adjusting movement limiting, fixed relative to the knife 7 fixed stop 1 1. After reaching the Niederhaltebzw. Positioning position of the hold-down temple 9, the capsule 2, in this case emptied by depressions, by means of the plunger 10, which is then adjusted relative to the capsule 2, the knife 7 and the hold-down temple 9 in the drawing plane downwards in the direction of its extended emptying position. During this emptying movement, the capsule 2 is deformed in the present case, in particular a bottom region lying opposite the lid foil in the plane of the drawing downwards, that is to say everted into the capsule 2. FIG. 2 shows a capsule-opening module comprising the hold-down punch 9, which extends in the circumferential direction around the plunger 10. Plunger 10 and hold-down temple 9 are adjustable via common drive means 12. These include an eccentric shaft 13, which is rotatable about a rotation axis R with a drive motor, not shown. In the present case, the eccentric shaft 13 comprises a first, radially with respect to the axis of rotation protruding eccentric 14, to which by means of a first lever 15 of a first lever assembly of the plunger 10 is articulated. At a deviating from the first eccentric 14 circumferential position, the drive means 12 comprise two second, along the eccentric shaft 13 spaced-apart eccentric 16, with which the hold-down temple 9 each articulated via a second lever 17 of a second lever arrangement connected is. If necessary, the plunger 10 can also have more than one lever

can be hingedly connected to the eccentric shaft 13, in particular each with a first eccentric 14. It can also be seen that the articulation points or articulation axes of the first and second levers 15, 17 spaced in the radial direction at different distances from the axis of rotation R. By rotating the eccentric shaft 13, both the hold-down punch 9 and the plunger 10 along the adjustment axis indicated in Fig. 1 are adjusted and relative to each other to meet the explained with reference to FIG. 1 functionality.

Fig. 3 shows schematically the structure of the drive means 12, which has been omitted for reasons of clarity on the representation of the electric motor. To recognize the eccentric shaft 13 with its eccentrics 14, 16 is marked here is the axis of rotation R of the eccentric shaft 13, by which this is rotatable by means of the electric motor for adjusting hold-down punch 9 and plunger 10. To recognize are also the first lever 15 and the two second lever 17 for the plunger 10 and the hold-down temple 9. With their spaced from the eccentric shaft 13 ends are the levers 15, 17 with the respective component to be adjusted, ie the hold-down temple 9 and connected to the plunger 10 hinged. From Fig. 3 it is clear that the articulation points of the levers 15, 17 are spaced apart in the radial direction at different distances from the axis of rotation R and are also located at different circumferential positions about the axis of rotation R. From Fig. 3 it can also be seen that the plunger 10 is located within the hold-down temple 9.

Fig. 4 shows an optional capsule drawer 18 which relative to a housing, not shown, the food preparation device 1 between a loading position arranged outside the housing and a within the housing arranged functional position is adjustable through a housing opening. The knife 7 is located in the capsule drawer 18 and is arranged around a passage opening 19, through which a portion of the substrate emptied from the capsule 2 can pass in the direction of the preparation means not shown. Outside the knife 7 is an already mentioned support portion 20, which offers a bearing surface 21 for the capsule 2, more precisely the peripheral edge. In the loading position, the capsule 2 can be placed with its lid down on the support surface 21. The support surface 21 is surrounded by a centering or peripheral edge 22. If now the capsule 2 by means of the hold-down temple 9 force applied, this is adjusted together with the support portion 20 against the spring force of Rückstellfedermitteln 23 so that the knife 7 can dip into the capsule 2 , This adjustment movement is limited by a not shown, the knife 7 relatively firmly positioned stop. The assembly comprising the support portion 20, the knife 7 and the return spring means 23 is resiliently mounted in the concrete embodiment about Toleranzausgleichs- spring means 24, here exemplarily relative to a drawer housing 25, so that the knife 7 at an angle to the adjustment axis V relative to the hold-down temple 9 aligned, in particular parallelisable is at uneven application of force by different degrees of compression of spring elements (shown here by way of example as compression springs, which are arranged in the circumferential direction about the adjustment axis V) of the spring means 24th

In the following, a capsule opening and emptying process in a food preparation device 1 designed according to the concept of the invention is explained with reference to FIGS. 5 to 13, wherein according to a preferred embodiment a capsule drawer 18, previously explained with reference to FIG. 4, is provided, with which the capsule 2 in an effective range between retaining punch and plunger and knife can be brought - alternatively, an embodiment without drawer 18 can be realized with the same operating principle of hold-down punch and plunger.

In Fig. 5, the drawer 18 is already in its functional position within the device housing. In this functional position, the capsule drawer 18 has been moved by moving into the housing, starting from a loading position located outside the housing, in which the capsule drawer 18 with the capsule 2, as shown, was equipped manually upside down. In the functional position shown in FIG. 5, the capsule 2 is located along the adjusting axis V explained in connection with FIG. 1 axially between the knife 7 formed as a ring knife and the combination of plunger 10 and hold-down punch 9 which is shown by levers (only the one shown in FIG Lever 15 for the plunger 10) are pivotally connected to the eccentric shaft 13 which is rotatable about the axis of rotation with an electric motor, not shown. In Fig. 5, the home position, i. the non-extended state of plunger 10 and hold-down temple 9 is shown.

To adjust the hold-down temple 9 and the plunger 10 on the knife 7 along along the adjustment axis V, the eccentric shaft 13 as shown in Fig. 5 is rotated - offset by the circumferential direction articulated coupling of hold-down punch 9 and plunger 10 with the eccentric shaft 13, these do not move uniform along the adjustment axis V but also relative to each other. As will be explained in more detail later with reference to FIGS. 14 to 16, by this adjustment movement also locking means 26, concretely a locking bar 34 adjusted. The blocking bar 34 is thereby moved in the direction of a blocking position which has not yet been fully reached in FIG. 7 and which is in fact actuated via the return spring 36, so that the latch 27 engages positively the capsule drawer 18 remain and thus block or lock in the housing.

In Fig. 8, an intermediate stage during the adjustment of hold-down punch 9 and plunger 10 along the adjustment axis V is now shown. It can be seen that the hold-down temple 9 has already been lowered considerably further downwards in the direction of the knife 7 or capsule 2 than the plunger 10. FIG. 9 shows a state of the capsule handling means shortly before reaching the maximum extended hold-down position of the hold-down temple 9. The knife 7 now begins to penetrate the capsule lid. In Fig. 10, the maximum extended position (hold-down position) of the hold-down temple 9 is reached. The support portion 20 is compressed against the spring force of return spring means and abuts against a relatively fixed to the knife 7 positioned stop. The capsule 2 is opened - the knife 7 is maximally far hineinverstellt in the annular groove 6 of the capsule 2. The deformation or Ausdrückvorgang for emptying the food substrate portion of the capsule by means of the plunger can now begin by further rotation of the eccentric shaft 13. In Fig. 10 is the lever assembly (lever system) of the hold-down temple 9, which connects this articulated with the eccentric shaft 13 at its dead center. By further turning the eccentric shaft 13 (see Fig. 1 1) beyond the dead center position of the lever assembly for the hold-down temple 9 addition (see Fig. 1 1), the plunger 10 is hineinverstellt in the capsule 2 bottom side and deforms them. In the present case, the capsule 2 is everted, ie the capsule bottom is moved in the direction of the open capsule lid down. In this way, the food substrate portion, in the present case a dough portion through the passage opening 19, can pass through to preparation means (not shown). arrive or fall in the present case. As can be seen from FIG. 11, the hold-down punch 9 lifts off from the capsule by means of the explained further movement or rotation of the eccentric shaft during the capsule deformation process, ie moves back from the maximally extended hold-down position back in the drawing plane upwards along the adjustment axis V. ,

After emptying (see Fig. 12), the eccentric shaft 13 is rotated back, whereby the plunger in the plane of the drawing upwards along the adjustment axis V is moved away from the capsule 2, while the hold-down stamp 9 first again in its hold-down position, i. is moved with the capsule 2 to or against the capsule 2. Because of this Relativverstellbewegung the hold-down temple works as a scraper or wiper means 39 for stripping a possibly on the plunger 10 clamping capsule. In a further backward rotation of the eccentric shaft 13 and then the hold-down punch 9 moves back to its original position, which is shown in Fig. 13. As will be explained later, while the hold-down temple 9 lifts over the driver 38, the blocking bar 34 out of its blocking position and against the spring force of the return spring 36, so now the capsule drawer 18 can be manually removed again with the empty capsule from the housing.

A preferred embodiment of locking means 26 is shown with reference to FIGS. 14 to 16, these comprise in the embodiment shown two opposing bars 27, of which only one is shown. The latches 27 are spring-loaded via locking spring means 28 in the locking position shown, in which they engage positively in a respective recess 29 in a side wall 30 of the capsule drawer 18. The recess 29 is in a direction of insertion of the capsule drawer 18th a ramp 31 upstream, whereby upon insertion of the capsule drawer 18 into the housing, the bolt 27 and the locking spring means 28 initially spring over the ramp 31 and then rebound into the locking position and lock in the associated recess in the capsule drawer 18. The capsule drawer 18 is positioned in the housing in its operative position when the latches 27 are engaged in their associated recess 29. The flanks 32 and their flank angle and the associated locking contour 33 are coordinated or designed so that the latching of the latch 27 can be solved by manual pulling on the capsule drawer 18.

After the capsule drawer 18 has been positioned as described above and the capsule-opening process has been started, the capsule drawer 18 is locked in a first step of the capsule-opening process. For this purpose, the locking means 26 comprise a locking bar 34 (see Fig. 15), which is adjustable from a release position into a blocking position (see Fig. 15) in which it blocks an adjusting movement of the bolt 27 from its locking position. For this purpose, the blocking bolt 34 is in the blocking position in the region of a bolt end face 35 (see FIG. 14), which faces away from the recess 29. A return spring 36 acts on the blocking bar 34 in the illustrated blocking position. To adjust the blocking bolt 34 out of its blocking position, the previously explained drive means 12 are used for the hold-down punch 9 and the plunger 10. This mode of operation is shown in FIG. 16. It can be seen there the return spring 36, which is supported on an abutment 37 which is arranged stationary relative to the hold-down temple 9. The return spring 36 is overlapped in the plane of the drawing upwards by a driver portion 38 of the locking bolt 34, wherein the driver portion 38 in the plane of the drawing on top of the Hold-down temple 9 is supported, so that the driver portion 38 and thus the blocking bar 34 in a movement of the hold-down temple 9 in the plane upwards, ie from its extended, in the direction of knife 7 adjusted position away against the spring force of the return spring 36 from its blocking position to its release position becomes adjustable. Now moves the hold-down temple 9 at the beginning of Kapselöffnungsvorgangs in the direction of its extended position, ie in the direction here exemplarily within the capsule drawer 18 arranged knife 7 downward, the return spring 36 presses the locking bar 34 in its blocking position. Instead of the described embodiment with capsule drawer, the locking means may alternatively cooperate with a differently shaped closure element in the manner described in order to prevent unauthorized engagement by an access opening for the capsule, in particular a housing opening safely.

reference numeral

1 food preparation device

2 capsules

3 capsule body

4 lid foil

5 peripheral edge

6 ring groove

7 knives

8 capsule handling agents

9 holding down temple

10 pestles

1 1 stop

12 drive means

13 eccentric shaft

14 first eccentric

15 1. lever

16 second eccentric

17 2. Lever

18 capsule drawer

19 passage opening

20 support section

21 bearing surface

22 peripheral edge

23 return spring means

24 Tolerance compensation springs

25 drawer housing

26 locking means

27 bars

28 locking spring means

29 deepening 30 sidewall

31 ramp

32 flanks

33 bar contour 34 blocking bar

35 bar end surface

36 return spring

37 abutments

38 driver section 39 scraper means

Rotation axis adjustment axis

Claims

claims

Food preparation device (1), in particular

Baking device for preparing, in particular forming and baking, a food, preferably a flat bread, from a substrate portion accommodated in a capsule (2), in particular a dough portion, with a housing, with preparation means, in particular comprising at least one baking plate, and with capsule handling means (8 ) for opening and emptying the capsule (2), wherein the capsule hand-handling means (8) a knife (7) for opening the capsule (2) and relative to the capsule (2) and the knife (7) with drive means (12) adjustable Tappet (10) for, in particular deforming, force application of the capsule (2), characterized in that the capsule handling means (8) comprise a relative to the plunger (10) adjustable hold-down punch (9) with which the capsule (2), in particular in the region of a radially projecting

Capsule peripheral edge, for adjusting the capsule (2) against the blade (7) and thereby piercing the capsule (2), in particular a capsule lid film, by means of the knife (7) is kraftbeaufschlagbar.

2. Food preparation device according to claim 1,

characterized,

in that the plunger (10) and the hold-down punch (9) are adjustable along a common adjustment axis (V), in particular such that the hold-down punch (9) has its maximum extension Hold down position reached before the plunger (10) reaches its maximum extended emptying position.

3. Food preparation device according to one of claims 1 or 2,

characterized,

in that the plunger (10) is arranged within the hold-down punch (9), which is preferably designed as a ring element, preferably concentric with it.

4. Food preparation device according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized,

that the plunger (10), in particular of the hold-down punch (9) formed, are associated with scraper means, with which one after the

Emptying on the plunger (10) jammed capsule (2) during a relative movement of the plunger (10) relative to the scraper means, preferably at a return movement of the plunger (10) is strippable to its original position.

5. Food preparation device according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized,

in that the hold-down punch (9) can be driven by the drive means (12) for adjusting the plunger (10), in particular in a preferably mechanically coupled movement of the hold-down punch (9) and plunger (10).

6. Food preparation device according to claim 5,

characterized,

in that the drive means (12) comprise an eccentric shaft (13) which can be driven, preferably by an electric motor, about an axis of rotation (R), with which the hold-down punch (9) and the plunger (10), in particular at different circumferential positions about the axis of rotation (R). and / or different radial distances to the rotation axis (R) coupled, in particular articulated, are.

Food preparation device according to claim 6,

characterized,

in that the hold-down punch (9) is pivotably connected to the eccentric shaft (13) via a lever arrangement comprising at least one lever (17), preferably a pair of levers, preferably with the formation of a toggle construction, and / or that the plunger (10) at least one lever (15), preferably only a lever (15, 17), comprehensive lever assembly, preferably with the formation of a toggle construction, is pivotally connected to the eccentric shaft (13).

Food preparation device according to claim 7,

characterized,

in that the lever arrangement associated with the hold-down temple (9) is designed and adjusted to the displacement movement of the push rod (10) in such a way that a dead center of the lever arrangement of the hold-down temple (9) defines a maximum extended hold-down position of the hold-down temple (9). the plunger (10) is spaced from its maximally extended emptying position, in particular without touching and / or deforming the capsule (2).

9. Food preparation device according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized,

in that the capsule handling means (8) comprise a capsule drawer (18) which can be displaced relative to the housing between a loading position and a functional position and which holds the knife (7), in which the knife (7) is fixed, preferably releasably.

10. Food preparation device according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized,

that, in particular in the capsule drawer (18), a support section (20) is provided for placing the capsule (2) to be opened in the loading position, and that the knife (7) and the

Support section (20) in the capsule drawer (18) are arranged such that the capsule lid, in particular in the functional position of the capsule drawer, by a relative movement between the support portion (20) and the knife (7) by interaction with the knife (7) can be opened in that the support section (20) and the blade (7) are adjustable relative to each other against the spring force of return spring means (23), in particular such that the support section (20) bears against the spring force of the return spring means (23) on the blade (7). is adjustable.

1 1. Food preparation device according to claim 10,

characterized,

in that an assembly comprising the support section (20), the blade (7) and the return spring means (23) is resiliently mounted by means of the tolerance compensation spring means (24) and relative to the abutment element, preferably within the capsule drawer (18) is tiltable, or that the abutment member by means of the tolerance compensation spring means (24) is resiliently mounted and tiltable relative to an assembly comprising the support portion (20), the knife (7) and the return spring means (23).

Food preparation device according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized,

in that a closure element for blocking an access opening for inserting the capsule into an effective area between the plunger and the knife, in particular the capsule drawer (18), preferably via the drive means (12) for adjusting the plunger (10) and / or the hold-down temple (9) operable, locking means (26) for locking the closure element in its closed position, in particular the capsule drawer (18) in the functional position, are assigned.

Food preparation device according to claim 12,

characterized,

in that the locking means (26) comprise at least one latch, preferably spring-loaded by means of locking spring means (28) in a locking position, for engagement with the capsule drawer (18) in its functional position, and a blocking bar (34) adjustable between a blocking and a release position an adjustment of the bolt (27) from the locking position for releasing the closure element, in particular capsule drawer (18), can be blocked. Food preparation device according to claim 13,

characterized,

in that the blocking bar (34), in particular against the spring force of a restoring spring (36) which preferably struts against a stop (37) fixed relative to the holding-down punch (9), is adjustable out of its blocking position by means of the drive means (12) by adjusting the blocking bolt (34) together with the hold-down punch (9), with which the blocking bolt (34) preferably with a driver portion, (36) preferably by passing over the hold-down temple (9) is mechanically coupled.

Method for operating a food preparation device

(1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a food substrate, in particular a dough portion, containing, preferably closed by a lid film (4), capsule (2) opened by means of the knife (7) and the food substrate from the capsule (2 ) is emptied by means of the plunger (10) and fed to the preparation means, characterized in that the hold-down punch (9) relative to the plunger (10), in particular with common drive means (12) for the hold-down punch (9) and the plunger (10) , adjusted and thereby the capsule (2), in particular on a capsule peripheral edge, subjected to force and against the blade (7) for opening the capsule

(2) and preferably positioning the capsule (2) relative to the knife (7). Method according to claim 15,

characterized,

that hold-down punch (9) reaches its maximum extended hold-down position before the plunger (10) touches the capsule (2) and / or for emptying, in particular maximum, deformed.

Method according to one of claims 15 or 16,

characterized,

that the capsule (2) in a loading position of a capsule drawer (18) on the capsule drawer (1) and placed with the capsule drawer (18) in a functional position between the, in particular rinsing drawer side knife (7), and the hold-down punch (9) and the plunger (10) is adjusted before the hold-down punch (9) and the plunger (10) against the capsule (2) are adjusted.

Method according to one of claims 15 to 17,

characterized,

in that the closure element is locked in its closure position, in particular the capsule drawer (18) in the functional position, with locking means (26), and in that the locking means (26), in particular for releasing the locking means (26) after emptying the capsule (2), preferably by adjusting a blocking bolt (34) of the locking means (26) from a blocking position, by adjusting the hold-down punch (9) and / or the plunger (10) are actuated.