NL2006889C2 - Assembly of an agitating element and a coupling device, device for agitating liquid and kit of parts. - Google Patents
Assembly of an agitating element and a coupling device, device for agitating liquid and kit of parts. Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- NL2006889C2 NL2006889C2 NL2006889A NL2006889A NL2006889C2 NL 2006889 C2 NL2006889 C2 NL 2006889C2 NL 2006889 A NL2006889 A NL 2006889A NL 2006889 A NL2006889 A NL 2006889A NL 2006889 C2 NL2006889 C2 NL 2006889C2
- Authority
- NL
- Netherlands
- Prior art keywords
- agitating
- coupling device
- assembly
- agitating element
- resilient
- Prior art date
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Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47J—KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
- A47J43/00—Implements for preparing or holding food, not provided for in other groups of this subclass
- A47J43/04—Machines for domestic use not covered elsewhere, e.g. for grinding, mixing, stirring, kneading, emulsifying, whipping or beating foodstuffs, e.g. power-driven
- A47J43/044—Machines for domestic use not covered elsewhere, e.g. for grinding, mixing, stirring, kneading, emulsifying, whipping or beating foodstuffs, e.g. power-driven with tools driven from the top side
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Food Science & Technology (AREA)
- Food-Manufacturing Devices (AREA)
- Mixers Of The Rotary Stirring Type (AREA)
Description
Assembly of an agitating element and a coupling device, device for agitating liquid and kit of parts
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
5 The invention relates to an assembly of an agitating element and a coupling device. The invention also relates to a device for agitating liquid. The invention further relates to a kit of parts.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
10 Many domestic appliances exist for the agitation of liquids such as milk. For instance, milk frothers are designed for frothing the milk used for preparing beverages like cappuccinos, milky coffees, café lattes, macchiato, etc. that typically comprises a liquid portion like coffee topped with a layer of frothed milk. Domestic milk frothers typically have one or more agitation elements to 15 be immersed in the milk and driven by hand, electromechanically, or magnetically and thereby froth the milk. A general aim may be to ensure frothing as fast as possible and/or e.g. also as uniformly as possible. The durability of the froth, i.e. the general time until a certain amount of the froth has collapsed, may also be of importance.
20
Patent specification DE 10200404043579 discloses a rechargeable handheld milk frother with a rotating annular spiral spring. Patent specification GB 384569 discloses a mixer for liquids having a frame consisting of a base and a stand with a housing with an electric motor which drives a shaft on which a 25 stirrer or mixer head is mounted.
US 7669517 describes an appliance and method for preparing a froth from a food liquid. A magnetically driven annular stirrer is slid over a cylindrical element on the bottom of the device, and rotates freely around this cylinder. 30 The stirrer comprises an annular spring rigidly mounted on a positioning element.
DE3006848 describes a manual stirring device that allows various types of stirrers to be mounted on a hand grip. The hand grip has an connector 35 opening wherein various types of stirrers may be stuck. The square connector opening has a split construction that may be forced apart when a 2 stirrer shaft is introduced, and has recesses that lock in a widened part of the stirrer shaft.
US 6811298 describes a coupling device for an appliance for domestic use. 5 This coupling device involves two hooks mounted on a resilient element. The hooks may be forced together to allow passage onto an opening of a tool to be connected. After that, the resilient element is released and the hooks click into corresponding recesses within the hollow square shaft of the tool.
10 At least some of these known domestic appliances do not provide an easy way of being handled e.g. when cleaning and/or using the device.
OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide an agitating device that is relatively 15 easy to clean and/or maintain. It is another object of the invention to provide a reliable and flexibly interchangeable agitating device.
The invention provides an assembly of an agitating element and a coupling device for coupling the agitating element to a driving element, wherein the 2 0 coupling device comprises at least one resilient element adapted for exerting a bias fixing the agitating element in a coupled state, wherein the agitating element may be released from the coupled state by displacing or deforming the resilient element against the bias. Such an assembly provides a stable configuration in the coupled state, but the agitating element may be easily 25 released by manually displacing or deforming the resilient element against the bias exerted by the resilient element, for instance for cleaning or replacement by a similar or different agitating element.
The agitating element may have any suitable form, such as various types of 30 whisks, including a circular whisk type which is preferred for milk frothing. The coupling device is a connector which may be used to connect the agitating element with a driving element. The driving element may be a handle for manually moving the agitating device, but would preferably be coupled to a driving mechanism such as a motor in a handheld or tabletop 35 domestic appliance, in particular a milk frother device.
3
The resilient element may be at least partially constructed from a resilient material such as rubber, but it may also derive its resilience from its form such as a spring. The manually displacing or deforming against the bias would temporarily diminish the bias exerted on the agitating element, 5 allowing to remove it from the assembly for cleaning, or to be replaced by another agitating element. This would also allow replacing the agitating element by a different agitating element suitable for a different purpose, for instance replacing an agitating element suitable for milk frothing for an agitating element suitable for other purposes, such as a stirring element, a 10 cutting element or a grinding element. Preferably, the resilient element is adapted to be deformed when in the coupled state, and to be essentially stress-free in a released state.
Preferably, the coupling device engages the agitating element in at least a 15 first position and a second position, wherein at least one of the first and second position is located at a distance from the axis of rotation of the agitating element, and wherein at least in the coupled state the resilient element connects the first position and the second position under a bias. This configuration leads to improved stability and reliability of the connection of 2 0 the coupling device and agitating element during use. The points of engagement may be point-like, for instance defined by connectors located at specific positions, or may also comprise continuous sections, for instance when a connector spans a circle or an arc wherein it engages the agitating element.
25
It is advantageous if the coupling device engages the agitating element in at least two positions located symmetrically at a distance with respect to the axis of rotation. This allows for a good stability and transfer of rotational force through the coupling device during operation.
30
In a preferred embodiment, the coupling device comprises a resilient leg engaging the agitating element in at least one position at a distance from the axis of rotation of the agitating element. Such a construction allows a relatively simple construction to achieve a good and stable assembly.
35 4
It is preferred if the coupling device comprises a resilient fork structure engaging the agitating element at opposite sides with respect to the axis of rotation. This allows for a relatively simple and easy construction and makes it easy to connect or remove the agitating element. The fork-like structure 5 may be a resilient bendable bridge.
Preferably, the coupling device and/or the agitating element are provided with at least one gripping element. Gripping elements provide a more secure coupling and allow for predetermining the mutual engagement in a controlled 10 way. The gripping elements will also allow for a good force distribution when agitating. A gripping element engages a corresponding part in a partially enclosing fashion. The gripping element may comprise male and female connector parts, that may be integrated with either the coupling device and/or the agitation element. A relatively stable coupled state may be obtained if the 15 gripping elements are part of the coupling device, and are engaging the agitating element at several positions. In a preferred embodiment, the gripping element is a snap-on gripping element. This allows securing the position of the mutual positions of the agitating element and the coupling device in the coupled state. Snap-on gripping elements comprise a resilient 2 0 part that is forced to a displaced state in order to enable engaging an opposite part.
It is advantageous if the coupling device comprises at least one stirring element, preferably a stirring element usable when the agitating element is 25 released. Thus, it is also possible to stir with the coupling element if no agitating element is coupled. This increases the functionality and freedom of design. The stirring element may for instance be the forked structure and/or gripping elements attached to a driving shaft that may be rotated to cause stirring.
30
In a preferred embodiment, the agitating element is essentially disc-shaped, wherein the axis of rotation in the coupled state essentially coincides with the center of the disc. An essentially disc-shaped agitating element gives a stable agitation during operation. Disc-shaped includes circular shapes that 35 may be provided with apertures in the centre as in a donut-shape or a wheel-type shape, or recesses or protrusions on the outer circumference.
5 A particularly stable and secure coupled state may be achieved if the essentially disc-shaped agitating element is provided with at least one aperture, wherein the coupling device engages the agitating element on an 5 inner circumference of the aperture. More preferably, the coupling device is provided with gripping elements that at least partially enclose the inner circumference of the central aperture of the agitating element. For an even greater stability, the coupling device engages the agitating member essentially in the plane of the disc shape.
10
It is advantageous if the outer circumference of the disc-shaped agitating element is provided with agitating members protruding away from the axis of rotation. Such an arrangement provides for good agitating properties while allowing enough space for engagement by the coupling device. Most 15 preferably, the agitating protrusions comprise essentially planar agitating members, more preferably disc-shaped or semi disc-shaped planar agitating members, wherein the planar members fan out along the outer circumference with respect to the axis of rotation.
2 0 The invention also provides a device for agitating liquid, in particular for frothing milk or other milk based liquids, comprising a driving element, and an assembly according to any of the preceding embodiments wherein the coupling device of the assembly is connected to the driving element and the agitating element is releasably coupled to the coupling device.
25
In a preferred embodiment, the device further comprises a container for liquids and a cover for closing the container, wherein the driving element is integrated in the cover and the coupling element is adapted to position the coupled agitating element in the container for agitating liquids therein.
30
In an alternative embodiment, the device further comprises a container for liquids, wherein the driving element is integrated in the bottom of the container and the coupling element is adapted to position the coupled agitating element in the container for agitating liquids therein.
35 6
The invention further provides a kit of parts, comprising at least one assembly as described herein, wherein the kit comprises at least two interchangeable agitating elements. The interchangeable agitating elements could be of the same type, in order to enable operation of the assembly while 5 one of the agitating elements is for instance being cleaned. The agitating elements may also be of different types for different uses.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will now be further elucidated by the following non-restrictive 10 examples, according to Figures 1-4.
Figures 1a-b show an assembly according to the invention.
Figure 2 shows a domestic appliance comprising the assembly according to the invention.
15 Figures 3a-b show an alternative embodiment of the assembly according to the invention.
Figures 4a-b show yet another alternative embodiment of the assembly according to the invention.
2 0 DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Figures 1a and 1b show a releasable assembly according to the claims, configured as a whisk assembly 1, suitable for use in a domestic appliance such as the milk frother shown in Figure 2. The advantage of the embodiment shown in Figures 1a and 1b is such that the device is 25 convenient to use, quick to assemble/disassemble, and easy to maintain and clean. The coupling device and/or the agitating element 10 may be moulded from plastic materials.
The whisk assembly 1 in Figure 1a is shown in an uncoupled state, wherein 30 the coupling device 2, comprising resilient legs 3,4, is uncoupled to the agitating element 10. In contrast, Figure 1b shows the whisk device 1 in a coupled state, wherein the coupling device 2 is coupled to the agitating element 10. The coupling device 2 comprises a shaft 5 and reinforcer 6. In this embodiment, the shaft 5 is a vertically orientated cylinder defining an axis 35 of rotation, and provides an element to connect the whisk assembly 1 to a driving element such as a motor or a handle. The reinforcer 6 provides 7 additional strength to the coupling device 2. The coupling device 2, comprises two resilient legs 3,4 on the end of which are gripping elements 7,8. In this embodiment, the gripping elements 7,8 are female parts, suitable for receiving a complementary male part. The male part to be received by the 5 gripping elements 7,8 is the inner circumference 12 of the agitating element 10.
The agitating element 10 is annular in shape, and comprises a cavity 11, an inner circumference 12 and an outer circumference 13 with a fan-like array of 10 protruding discs 14, defining the outer circumference 13 The inner circumference 12 of the agitating element is a reinforced ring shaped to fit the snap-on gripping elements 7,8.
The gripping elements 7,8 of the coupling device 2 clamp around the inner 15 circumference 12 of the agitating element 10, and snap to secure the inner circumference 12. This occurs only when a deformation of the resilient legs 3,4 has been induced to the coupling device 2 specifically. A deformation is induced when a substantial inward pressure is applied at the resilient elements 3,4, as indicated by the arrows in Figure 1a. The inward pressure, 2 0 as per the arrows in Figure 1a, is preferably applied by the hand of the user, by a gripping action. This inward pressure pushes the resilient elements 3,4 inwards, and therefore the gripping elements 7,8 inwards. This more compact conformation of the coupling device 2 permits to introduce the gripping elements 7,8 into the cavity 11 of the agitating element 10, and snap onto the 25 inner circumference 12 as shown in Figure 1b. When the applied pressure is removed, the resilient elements 3,4 are biased to spring back to their original conformation, as per Figure 1a. In the unbiased conformation, the distance spanned by the gripping elements 7,8 is somewhat larger than the inner circumference 12. This bias exerts an outward pressure to the inner 30 circumference 12 of the agitating element 10. The outward pressure ensures a secure lock fit between the coupling device 2 and agitating element 10. The resilience of the resilient elements 3,4, and the complementary fit of the gripping elements 7,8 (female part) and inner circumference 12 (male part), work together to ensure the assembly remains stable during operation. 35 Furthermore, the symmetry of the two resilient elements 3,4 contributes to the stability of the whisk device 1 in the coupled state, since an equal, 8 opposite pressure will be exerted in the plane of rotation of the agitating element 10.
The whisk assembly 1 can also be easily disassembled into the uncoupled 5 state, as shown in Figure 1a. This disassembly may be performed by the application of inward pressure as indicated by the arrows in Figure 1a on the resilient elements 3,4 of the whisk device 1, against the bias. This action, effectively unlocks the inner ring circumference 12 from the gripping elements 7,8. In this way the user may easily separate the coupling device 2 10 and the agitating element 10.
Figure 2 shows an exemplary domestic appliance with the whisk assembly as described in figure 1 incorporated therein. In this embodiment the domestic appliance is a milk frother 20 comprising a whisk assembly 26. The milk 15 frother further comprises a container 21 for liquids, such as milk, and a cover 22 for closing the container 21. The driving motor 23 of this milk frother 20, is integrated, either detachably or permanently, in the cover 22, such that the milk frother 20 is top-down driven. The whisk assembly 26 is connected to the milk frother 20 via the shaft of the coupling device 27. The coupling 2 0 device 27 is adapted to position the coupled agitating element 28 in the container 21, for agitating liquids therein. In this embodiment, the milk frother 20 is powered by a source located on the base plate 25. The base plate 25 also functions to stabilize the container 21 of the milk frother 20. The power supplied from the base plate 25 is directed to the driving motor 23 e.g. via the 25 handle 24, to maintain a top-down driving element. The whisk assembly 27 makes it easy to replace and/or clean the agitating element 28.
In an alternative embodiment, the agitating could also be driven, mechanically or magnetically, from the bottom of the device. In such an embodiment, shaft of the coupling device 21 would have to be 30 correspondingly shorter in order to position the agitating element relatively close to the bottom of the container 21.
In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the releasable connector may also be a whisk assembly 30 as shown in Figure 3a and Figure 3b. The 35 coupling device 30 in Figure 3a is shown in an uncoupled state, wherein the coupling device 31, is uncoupled to the agitating element 34, and Figure 3b 9 shows the whisk device 30 in a coupled state, wherein the coupling device 31 is coupled to the agitating element 34. The two said states are interchangeable within the same embodiment.
5 In this embodiment, the whisk device 30 comprises a shaft 32. This is a vertically orientated cylinder, and provides an element to connect the whisk device 30 to a driving element. In this embodiment the shaft 32 is preferably hollow and composed of resilient material, such as rubber.
10 The coupling device 31 comprises a protruding resilient element 33, integrated in the shaft 32. In this embodiment the shaft 32 will be continuous with the resilient element 33 wherein it is adapted to receive an inward pressure, as indicated by the arrows in Figure 3a.
15 The agitating element 34, shown here schematically, is annular shaped and comprises an embedded groove 38 along the inside of the inner circumference 36. The conformation of the groove 38 is complementary the dimension of the resilient element 33, in such a way that the groove 38 is capable of receiving the resilient element 33 under a bias. The embedded 2 0 groove 38 of the agitating element 34 can be considered the female part, and the resilient element 33, the male part.
The method of assembly of the whisk device 30 according to this embodiment is such that upon pressure exerted at the shaft 34, as indicated 25 by the arrows in Figure 3a, the resilient element’s 33 outer most points, move inwards. Preferably pressure should be inwardly applied by the hand of the user in close proximity to the resilient component 33. The inward movement of the resilient element 33 results in a more compact conformation of the coupling device 31, and permits the cavity 35 of the agitating element 34 to 30 contain therein the coupling device 31, and fully receive the resilient element 33, as per in Figure 3b. The resilient element 33, and the groove 38 of the inner circumference 36 are correctly aligned, and the manual pressure removed, the resilient element 33 is biased to spring back to the original conformation, as per Figure 3a. This spring back action exerts an outward 35 pressure into the groove 38 of the agitating element 34, as the resilient element 33 slots into the groove 38. The outward pressure ensures a secure 10 lock fit between the coupling device 31 and agitating element 34, forming the coupled state whisk device 30, as per Figure 3b.
The whisk assembly 30 can be easily disassembled by applying pressure at 5 the points indicated by the arrows in Figure 3a on the shaft 32. This pressure will induce an inward movement of the shaft 32 and the outer most points of the protruding element 33, so that the resilient element 33 slots out of the groove 38 of the agitating element 34. Alternatively, the shaft could be stretched in the length direction, resulting in a likewise deformation of the 10 resilient element 33 that would allow to couple or uncouple the agitating element 34. The user can then separate the coupling device 31 and the agitating element 34 away from each other with ease.
This embodiment is advantageous in that the coupling device comprises no partially hidden crevices permitting considerable ease of cleaning and 15 maintenance. The total surface area of the coupling device 31 is easily accessible. The resilient element 33 is also considerably less susceptible to damage by stress caused by the force of the driving motor, since the resilient element 33 is closer to the centre of centrifugal force.
2 0 Figures 4a and 4b show another embodiment, wherein the releasable connector is an agitator assembly 40 comprising at least one non-resilient coupling element 42, and at least one resilient member 44. The agitator assembly 40 in Figure 4a is shown in an uncoupled state, wherein the coupling device 41, comprising a rigid shaft 42 and a resilient member 44, is 25 uncoupled to the agitating element 46. In contrast, Figure 4b shows the coupled state, wherein the coupling device 41 is coupled to the agitating element 46.
The shaft 42 fits the central cavity 47 of the agitating element, shown here 30 schematically. The shaft 42 may be coupled to a driving motor located on the bottom side of a container for stirring liquids, below the agitating element 46. The resilient element 44 of Figure 4a and 4b is a toe 45, which may be comparable to the gripping elements shown in Figure 1. Upon applied manual pressure, the toe 45 is displaced inwards. This more compact 35 conformation of the coupling device 41 permits the toe 45 to engage the complementary shaped pocket 50 under a bias. The tension created by the 11 spring back action of the resilient element 44, once the manual pressure is released, locks the toe 45 into the pocket 50 into a predetermined mutual orientation.
5 To disassemble the assembly 40, pressure by the hand of the user is applied to the resilient element 44, at the site indicated by the arrows in Figure 4a, pulling the resilient element 44 and connected toe 45, out of the pocket 50 at the inner circumference 48 of the agitating element 46. The user can then separate the coupling device 41 and the agitating element 46.
10 An advantageous feature of this embodiment is the toe 45 and pocket 50, comprise a snap lock element, which further stabilizes the coupled state. The toe 45 is forced in to the pocket 50 by the initial manual pressure applied. A similar pressure must therefore be applied if the toe 45 is to be released from the pocket 50 of the agitating element 46.
15
Claims (16)
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| NL2006889A NL2006889C2 (en) | 2011-06-01 | 2011-06-01 | Assembly of an agitating element and a coupling device, device for agitating liquid and kit of parts. |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| NL2006889 | 2011-06-01 | ||
| NL2006889A NL2006889C2 (en) | 2011-06-01 | 2011-06-01 | Assembly of an agitating element and a coupling device, device for agitating liquid and kit of parts. |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| NL2006889C2 true NL2006889C2 (en) | 2012-12-04 |
Family
ID=44483826
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| NL2006889A NL2006889C2 (en) | 2011-06-01 | 2011-06-01 | Assembly of an agitating element and a coupling device, device for agitating liquid and kit of parts. |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| NL (1) | NL2006889C2 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE102020125789B4 (en) | 2020-10-02 | 2022-08-25 | Felix Stefan Gotthard Schwarzer | Device for use with food processors |
Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3374025A (en) * | 1965-06-14 | 1968-03-19 | Moulinex Sa | Grippers for handling objects |
| US6532863B1 (en) * | 2002-09-03 | 2003-03-18 | Ming-Tsung Lee | Food processor |
| WO2009020384A1 (en) * | 2007-08-08 | 2009-02-12 | Foremost B.V. | Milk frother |
-
2011
- 2011-06-01 NL NL2006889A patent/NL2006889C2/en not_active IP Right Cessation
Patent Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3374025A (en) * | 1965-06-14 | 1968-03-19 | Moulinex Sa | Grippers for handling objects |
| US6532863B1 (en) * | 2002-09-03 | 2003-03-18 | Ming-Tsung Lee | Food processor |
| WO2009020384A1 (en) * | 2007-08-08 | 2009-02-12 | Foremost B.V. | Milk frother |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE102020125789B4 (en) | 2020-10-02 | 2022-08-25 | Felix Stefan Gotthard Schwarzer | Device for use with food processors |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| V1 | Lapsed because of non-payment of the annual fee |
Effective date: 20150101 |