WO2008129221A2

WO2008129221A2 - Dispensing tap including an operating lever and cooking apparatus equipped with such a tap

Info

Publication number: WO2008129221A2
Application number: PCT/FR2008/050524
Authority: WO
Inventors: Philippe Martin; Stéphanie Feron; Anne-Estelle Follezour
Original assignee: Seb S.A.
Priority date: 2007-03-30
Filing date: 2008-03-26
Publication date: 2008-10-30
Also published as: FR2914169A1; EP2131709A2; FR2914169B1; WO2008129221A4; WO2008129221A3; CN101668463A; CN101668463B

Abstract

The invention relates to a liquid dispensing tap including a hollow body (2) defining a dispensing channel (3) open, on the one hand, at a connecting end (4) of the body (2) to a container (5) and, on the other hand, at a dispensing spout (10), a closing means (15) for the channel, subject to controlled closing and opening, which are placed between the connecting end (4) and the dispensing spout (10), an operating lever (17) which is connected, on the one hand, to the body (2) by articulation means (25) fitted so that the lever (17) is moveable between a rest position (R) and at least one forward or backward working position (T) relative to the rest position (R) and, on the other hand, to the means (15) for closing the channel (3), so as to control the opening when the lever (17) is in the working position (R), characterized in that the means (25) for articulating the operating lever (17) on the body (2) is fitted to allow the lever (17), in the rest position (R), to assume a low position or a high position.

Description

DELIVERY VALVE WITH MANUFACTURING LEVER AND CULINARY PREPARATION EQUIPMENT DON TEL

TAP

The present invention relates to the technical field of liquid dispensing valves used in particular for the withdrawal of food preparations.

It is for example known to use for filling fruit juice cups or liquid preparations obtained by mixing various foods, a dispensing valve comprising a control lever facing downwards. The valve is then designed to be opened when a thrust is exerted on the lever by means of a cup to be filled so as to allow the liquid to flow into the cup through a dispensing mouth arranged in the body of the tap forward. of the lever. Such a type of valve, which gives full satisfaction in its liquid distribution function, is likely to equip the removable bowl of a household appliance of cooking preparations called "blender". Such an appliance generally comprises a base on which the tank is adapted. When removing the tank, the control lever which extends below the level of the bottom of the tank prevents the latter from placing the latter in the middle of a work plan.

To overcome this problem, it has been proposed, as described for example in WO 2006/084055, to articulate the control lever on the base and disjoin the control lever of the valve body. In this way, the control lever remains in place on the base when the tank equipped with the tap is separated from the base so that the tank can be placed without difficulty in the middle of a work plan. However, such an apparatus, wherein the control lever is separated from the valve when removing the tank, has the disadvantage of being relatively complex to implement. In addition, the separation of the valve control lever makes it more difficult to engage the tank on the base, the control lever to be perfectly aligned with the faucet when the removable bowl is placed on the base.

It therefore appeared the need for a new type of dispensing tap that overcomes this disadvantage so as to allow a user to place on a worktop a tank equipped with a control lever valve, without having to disassemble beforehand the tap and that even when the tank is filled with liquid.

In order to achieve this objective, the invention relates to a liquid distribution valve comprising: a hollow body which delimits an open distribution channel at the level of a connecting end of the body to a container and on the other hand, of a distribution mouth,

Closed channel closing and controlled opening means, which are interposed between the connection end and the dispensing opening,

A control lever which is connected, on the one hand, to the body by hinge means adapted so that the lever is movable between a rest position and at least one working position advanced or retracted relative to the position of rest and, secondly, to the closing means of the channel so as to control their opening when the lever is in the working position, said distribution channel being closed by said closing means when the control lever is in the rest position .

According to the invention, the dispensing valve is characterized in that the articulation means of the control lever on the body are adapted to allow the lever, in the rest position, to occupy a low position or a high position. The ability offered by the hinge means to choose the orientation of the lever while the valve is closed allows, in the context, for example, a use of the tap mounted on the tank of a food preparation device of the type blender, position the lever in the up position so that the full tank can be placed on a work surface without risk of imbalance or deterioration of the valve. According to one characteristic of the invention, the end of the control lever located at the body is positioned between the dispensing orifice and the connecting end of the body, and the articulation means of the control lever are adapted so that the control lever is operable between its working and rest positions at least when the lever is in the low position and for the lever has at least one working position moved back from the rest position, so as to allow control the opening of the channel by exerting a push on the control lever. This embodiment of the valve according to the invention is particularly suitable for producing a valve for filling glasses or cups by exerting a thrust on the operating lever by means of a cup to be filled, so that the liquid flows, through the dispensing mouth, directly into the cup with which the thrust is exerted. According to another characteristic of the invention, the articulation means of the control lever on the body are adapted to allow, when the lever is in the rest position, a movement of the lever between the low position and the high position. This advantageous characteristic of the invention makes it possible to modify the high or low orientation of the lever without risk of leakage or loss of liquid.

According to yet another characteristic of the invention, the articulation means of the control lever are adapted so that the control lever is movable from the rest position, either towards an advanced working position, or towards a position of rearward work, the closing means of the channel being open when the control lever is placed in one or other of the working positions. Thus, it is possible to control the valve opening by exerting either a pull or a push on the lever.

According to a preferred but not strictly necessary characteristic of the invention, the hinge means are adapted so that the control lever is operable between its working and rest positions, so that in the lower position than in the high position. Thus, the implementation of this preferred feature allows to control an opening of the valve by exerting a thrust on the lever when the latter is, for example, in the low position, just as it will be possible to control an opening of the valve in pulling the lever when the latter is, for example, in the high position. This great versatility offers each user of the dispensing tap, the ability to choose the orientation of the lever according to his personal convenience or the type of container to fill for example. According to a characteristic of the invention, the dispensing mouth occupies a lateral position relative to the body.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the high and low positions of the lever are opposite and correspond to a substantially vertical orientation of the control lever when the dispensing mouth is oriented downwards.

According to the invention, the means for closing the channel can be made in any appropriate manner, chosen in particular according to the nature of the liquids dispensed by means of the tap and according to, for example, whether these liquids are gaseous or not, or else , distributed under pressure or not. According to one embodiment of the invention, the channel closure means comprise a valve movable in translation of axis Δ between an open position and a closed position against a seat arranged in the channel, as well as an elastic return member valve in the closed position.

In the context of this embodiment of the closure means and according to a characteristic of the invention, the lever articulation means comprise:

»An operating rod, of axis Δ, which is disposed in a bore of the body, which is connected at one of its ends to the valve whose other end extends outside the body and which is movable both in translation of axis Δ and in rotation of axis Δ, And a movable stirrup of generally U-shaped, the core of which is connected to the operating rod by a pivot connection of axis Δ 'perpendicular to the axis Δ, and whose two branches extend along, as well as on both sides of the body and are connected, at a distance from the core, to the control lever which is inclined with respect to the branches, the mobile retractor being adapted for, on the one hand, during its rotation around the axis Δ 'from a rest position to a working position, exerting a pull on the rod to move the valve in the open position and, secondly, by its rotation around the axis Δ , allow a passage of the control lever from its high position to its low position and reciprocally.

According to a feature of the invention, the valve, the elastic return member, the operating rod, the stirrup and the operating lever are then integral with a removable endpiece constituting the body.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the stirrup is rotatable about the axis Δ 'so as to disengage the branches of the stirrup relative to the body. This feature of the invention is particularly advantageous for facilitating the cleaning of the valve, and in particular allow easy removal of the nozzle. According to one characteristic of the invention, this rotation takes place over at least 70 °. The dispensing valve according to the invention is capable of being used for various applications such as, for example, the distribution of pressurized carbonated beverages or the distribution of fruit juices kept in refrigerated vats. In a preferred but not exclusive application, the dispensing valve according to the invention is designed to be used in combination with a food preparation apparatus and, for this purpose, the valve body comprises at its connection end means of attachment to a bowl of household appliances for culinary preparation.

The invention also relates to an electrical household appliance for culinary preparation comprising a tank equipped with a water tap. dispensing according to the invention, the dispensing mouth is oriented downwards.

According to a characteristic of the invention, the distribution valve of the appliance is removable. Of course, the various features of the invention mentioned above can be implemented with each other in different combinations when they are not incompatible or exclusive of each other.

Furthermore, various other features of the invention will emerge from the description given below with reference to the accompanying drawings which show, by way of non-limiting examples, an embodiment of the object of the invention.

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section, in the rest position, of an embodiment of a dispensing valve according to the invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section similar to FIG. 1 of the dispensing valve in a working position remote from its operating lever. Fig. 3 is a perspective of an electrical household appliance for culinary preparation whose bowl is equipped with the tap, illustrated in FIG. 1 and 2, with the lever facing down. Figs. 4 and 5 are elevations partially broken away from the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 3 showing the lever respectively in the rest position and in the retracted working position.

Fig. 6 is a perspective showing the tank of the household appliance illustrated fig.3, placed on a work plan. Figs. 7 to 9 are views similar to FIG. 3 showing the lever oriented vertically upwards, respectively in the rest position, in the retracted working position and in the advanced working position. FIG. 10 is a view of the valve illustrated in FIG. 1 and 2 in an unobstructed position of the caliper before disassembling the valve. Fig. 11 is an exploded view of the valve illustrated in FIG. 1 and 2 after disassembly. A dispensing valve according to the invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 and generally designated by the reference 1, comprises a hollow body 2 defining a distribution channel 3 open at one end 4 connecting the body 2 to a container such as a tank 5 of a device appliance for culinary preparation shown in FIG. 3. In order to allow a connection of the valve 1 to the tank 5, the end 4 comprises as fixing means to the tank 5, lugs 6 intended to cooperate with grooves arranged at the end of a head d adaptation 7 of the tank 5 to form a bayonet fastening system. The hollow body 2 comprises, at a distance from its connection end 4, a dispensing opening 10 connected to the channel 3. According to the illustrated example, the dispensing opening 10 is disposed laterally while being directed downwards. In order to facilitate the cleaning of the distribution channel 3, the hollow body 2 comprises, opposite the connection end 4, a removable endpiece 11 fixed by threads 12 to the main part of the body 2.

The dispensing valve 1 further comprises means 15 for closing the channel 3 interposed between the connecting end 4 and the dispensing orifice 11. The closing means 15 are further enslaved in closing by a spring 16 and controlled in opening by a lever 17, as will appear later. According to the illustrated example, the closure means 15 comprise a valve 18 which is pushed by the spring 16 against a seat 19 arranged in the distribution channel 3. The seat 19 is here defined by an annular shoulder secured to the walls of the channel 3 The valve 18 is made of plastic or elastomer and forms, in this case, the end of a flexible jacket 20 which extends to the endpiece 11 by including the spring 16. The flexible jacket 20 thus isolates the spring 16 from the liquids circulating in the distribution channel 3.

According to the illustrated example, the lever 17 is connected to the body 2 and the valve 18 by hinge means 25 which comprise, firstly, an actuating rod 26 of cylindrical shape of revolution axis Δ. The rod 26 is connected by one of its ends 27 to the valve 18 and passes through a bore 36 of cylindrical shape, arranged in the nozzle 11, so that its end 28 opposite the end 27 extends outside the body 2. The hinge means 25 then comprise a movable stirrup 29 which has a general U shape which defines two branches 30, visible in FIG. 3, connected by a core 31. In the normal position of use, the two branches 30 extend on either side of the body 2. The two branches 30 are connected, at their end 32 opposite the soul 31, to the control lever 17 and have a sufficient length so that their connecting ends with the lever 17 are located between the mouth 10 and the connecting end of the body 2. The core 31 to retract 29 is connected to the rod 26 by a pin 33 which is perpendicular to the lever 17 and which defines a pivot link axis Δ 'perpendicular to the axis Δ. The core 31 has, in addition, a bearing surface 34 on the tip 11 which is flat. The dispensing valve 1, as so constituted, is designed, according to the illustrated example, to be removably fitted on the tank 5 of a blender-type kitchen preparation appliance comprising a base 40 on which is adapted 5. The base 40 encloses an electric motor for driving a mixing blade 41 disposed in the tank 5 as shown in FIG. 4. Given the height of the base 40, the lever 17 can be positioned downward. The blender can be used to produce fruit drinks obtained by grinding pieces placed in the tank 5. When the beverage has the desired consistency, it can be sampled using the tap 1 according to the invention of the following way.

When no force is exerted on the lever 17, the latter is in a rest position R as shown in FIG. 1 and 4, wherein the valve 18 is in the closed position of the dispensing channel 3. When a user wishes to take the drink prepared, it is sufficient for him to exert, by means of a glass or a cup 42, a push in the direction of the arrow Fl on the lever 17, as shown in FIG. 5. The lever 17 then backs up working position T as illustrated also fig.2. Given the rigid connection between the lever 17 and shrink 29, the recoil movement of the lever 17 causes a rotation of the core 31 about the axis Δ '. This rotation causes the rounded lower end of the core 31 to bear and rotate against the flat face of the endpiece 11, which induces a pull on the rod 28 against the spring 16 and thus releases the valve 18 of its support on the seat 19 causing an opening of the channel 3 and thus a flow of the liquid contained in the tank 5 by the dispensing opening 10 in the cup 42. When the thrust on the lever 17 is released, the spring 16 recalls the valve 18 in the closed position, which puts the lever 17 in its rest position R.

Furthermore, in view of the cylindrical nature of the rod 26 and the bore 36 which receives it, a pivot connection is made between the lever 17 and the body 2, which makes it possible to move the lever 17 from a low position such that illustrated fig. 4 to 5 in a raised position as shown 6. This mobility of the lever 17 allows to place the tank 5 equipped with the valve 1 on a work plan without the lever obstructing it. In addition, the embodiment of the valve shown allows the rotation of the lever 17 around the axis Δ, while the lever 17 is in the rest position, so that the valve 18 remains in the closed position during this movement. There is therefore no risk of leakage of the liquid contained in the tank 5.

In addition, thanks to the articulation performed, it is possible to rotate 180 ° of the lever 17 from its lower position to the high position in which it is located, opposite the position low, above the tap 1 as shown in fig. 7 to 9. The passage from the low position to the opposite high position can, as explained above, to make the valve 18 remaining closed.

In the high position, the opening of the valve 18 can be controlled by exerting a thrust on the lever 17 in the direction of the arrow F2, as shown in FIG. 8. Taking into account the conformation of the stirrup 29 and the shape of the core 31 whose rounded upper and lower ends constitute cams that can alternatively bear against the end piece 11 depending on the direction of rotation of the lever 17 relative to the axis Δ ', the opening of the valve 18 can also be obtained by exerting traction on the lever 17 in the direction of the arrow F3, which places the lever 17 in an advanced working position, as illustrated in FIG. 9. It should be noted that, according to the illustrated example, it is also possible to obtain an opening of the valve 18 by exerting traction on the lever 17 when the latter is in the lower position as shown in FIG. 3. Moreover, when a thrust is exerted on the lever 17, an end 46 of the lever 17 abuts against the body 2, which limits the amplitude of the movement and therefore the opening of the valve 18. On the other hand, when a pull is exerted on the lever 17 it is possible to obtain a greater range of motion and therefore a larger opening of the valve 18. Thus, depending on whether you push or pull on the lever 17 is obtained two different flow rates. The slow speed obtained by pushing on the lever 17 is more suitable for filling a small container such as a glass, while the rapid speed obtained by pulling on the lever 17 is more suitable for filling a large container such as a carafe for example. Furthermore, the shroud core 31 is designed to allow a 180 ° rotation to retract about the axis Δ ^{f in} order to clear the branches 30 relative to the body 2 of the valve as shown in FIG. 10. This position facilitates disassembly, as shown in fig. 11, of the nozzle 11 relative to the other part of the body 2, to allow cleaning of the valve. It should be noted that, according to the illustrated example, the core 31 carries a hubcap 45 which is removed before tilting the stirrup in its unobstructed position as illustrated in FIG. 10 and 11. However, the user also has the possibility to disassemble the valve without removing the hubcap 45, by swinging the stirrup 29 around the axis Δ 'less than 90 ° so that the hubcap does not come abut against the tip 11 but at least 70 ° so that the branches 30 free access to the tip 11 to allow its unscrewing. Of course, various modifications can be made to the valve according to the invention within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1 - Liquid dispensing valve comprising:

A hollow body (2) defining a distribution channel (3) open at the level of one end (4) connecting the body (2) to a container (5) and, on the other hand, part of a dispensing mouth (10),

Means (15) for closing the channel, controlled in closing and controlled opening, which are interposed between the connection end (4) and the distribution mouth (10),

- a control lever (17) which is connected, on the one hand, to the body (2) by hinge means (25) adapted so that the lever (17) is movable between a rest position (R) and at least one working position (T) advanced or retracted relative to the rest position (R) and, secondly, to the means (15) for closing the channel (3), so as to control their opening when the lever (17) is in the working position (T), said distribution channel (3) being closed by said closing means (15) when the control lever (17) is in the rest position

(R), characterized in that the means (25) for articulating the control lever (17) on the body (2) are adapted to allow the lever (17), in the rest position (R), to occupy a low position or a high position.

2 - dispensing valve according to claim 1, characterized in that:

The end of the control lever (17) located at the body (2) is positioned between the dispensing opening (10) and the connecting end (4) of the body,

• the articulation means (25) of the control lever are adapted so that the control lever (17) is operable between its working positions (T) and rest (R) at least when the lever is in the low position and so that the lever has at least one working position (T) moved back from the rest position (R), so as to allow a controlling the opening of the channel (3) by exerting a thrust on the control lever (17).

3 - dispensing valve according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the hinge means (25) of the control lever (17) on the body (2) are adapted to allow, when the lever (17) is in rest position (R), a movement of the lever (17) between the low position and the high position.

4 - dispensing valve according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the articulation means (25) of the control lever are adapted so that the control lever (17) is movable from the position of rest (R), either to an advanced working position or to a retracted working position, the means (15) closing the channel being open when the control lever is placed in one or the other of the positions of work (T). 5 - dispensing valve according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the hinge means (25) are adapted so that the control lever (17) is operable between its working and rest positions both in low position in high position.

6 - dispensing valve according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the dispensing mouth (10) occupies a lateral position relative to the body (2).

7 - dispensing valve according to claim 6, characterized in that the high and low positions of the lever (17) are opposite and correspond to a substantially vertical orientation of the control lever when the dispensing opening (10) is oriented downwards .

8 - dispensing valve according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the means (15) for closing the channel (3) comprise:

A valve (18) movable in translation Δ axis between an open position and a closed position against a seat (19) arranged in the channel (3),

And an elastic member (16) for returning the valve (18) in the closed position. 9 - dispensing valve according to claim 8, characterized in that the articulation means (25) of the lever (17) comprise:

An operating rod (26), of axis Δ, which is arranged in a bore (36) of the body (2), which is connected at one of its ends to the valve (18), the other end of which extends outside the body (2) and is movable both in translation of axis Δ and in rotation of axis Δ,

A movable stirrup (29), generally U-shaped, whose core (31) is connected to the actuating rod (26) by a pivot connection of axis Δ 'perpendicular to the axis Δ, and whose two branches (30) extend along and on both sides of the body (2) and are connected at a distance from the core (31) to the control lever (17) which is inclined with respect to branches, movable retractor (29) being adapted for, on the one hand, during its rotation about the axis Δ 'from a rest position (R) to a working position (T), exert a pull on the rod (26) to move the valve (18) in the open position and, secondly, by its rotation about the axis Δ, allow a passage of the control lever from its upper position to its low position and vice versa.

10 - dispensing valve according to claim 9, characterized in that the core (31) has two opposite ends rounded constituting cams alternately bearing against one end of the body (2) according to the direction of rotation of the stirrup (29) about the axis Δ ', to rotate and exert traction on the rod (26) moving the valve (18) in the open position.

11 - Dispense valve according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the valve (18), the elastic return member (16), the operating rod

(26), the stirrup (29) and the operating lever (17) are integral with a removable endpiece (11) constituting the body (2).

12 - Dispense valve according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the shrink (29) is rotatable about the axis Δ 'so as to disengage the legs (30) of the stirrup relative to the body (2). 13 - dispensing valve according to claim 12, characterized in that the stirrup (29) is rotatable about the axis Δ 'in a rotation of at least 70 °.

14 - Dispense valve according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the body (2) comprises at its connecting end (4) means (6) for fixing to a tank (5) of domestic appliance for culinary preparation.

- Electrical household appliance for culinary preparation comprising a tank (5) equipped with a dispensing valve (1) according to claim 14, the dispensing mouth (10) is oriented downwards.

16 - Electrical household food preparation appliance according to claim 15, characterized in that the dispensing valve (1) is removable.