WO2013037419A1

WO2013037419A1 - Dough kneading accessory for a food processor

Info

Publication number: WO2013037419A1
Application number: PCT/EP2011/066106
Authority: WO
Inventors: Monica Maria ROJAS RESTREPO; Mathias Belin; Jérôme Esteve
Original assignee: Aktiebolaget Electrolux
Priority date: 2011-09-16
Filing date: 2011-09-16
Publication date: 2013-03-21

Abstract

The present invention relates to a dough kneading accessory (100), a combined knife and dough tool (10), and a food processor (1) comprising such a combined knife and dough tool. The dough kneading accessory comprises a blade (101, 102) adapted to fit on a knife tool (20) for the food processor and cover at least a cutting edge of the knife tool, and a fixing means for fixing the blade to the knife tool. The present invention is advantageous in that it provides a single, combined tool which can be interchanged between two different operation modes and thereby perform two different tasks.

Description

DOUGH KNEADING ACCESSORY FOR A FOOD PROCESSOR

Field of the invention

The present invention generally relates to the field of tools for food

processors. In particular, the present invention relates to tools for dough kneading and chopping in food processors. Background of the invention

Food processors are normally able to perform several different tasks by using different tools operating in the food processor. There are a number of such tools available, such as knife tools, dough kneading tools, whipping tools, shredding tools etc. For example, by applying a knife tool in the food processor, chopping can be performed and by applying a dough tool, dough kneading can be performed in the food processor.

A drawback with known technique is that storage of such tools, in particular if having many, is rather space taking, especially when considering that each tool typically comprises both a shaft connectable to the driving arrangement in the food processor and a tool part (such as the knifes or blades).

Summary of the invention

It is with respect to the above considerations that the present invention has been made. An object of the present invention is to provide an improved alternative to the above mentioned technique and prior art. More specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide an accessory and a tool for a food processor which requires a reduced storage space. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a food processor comprising such a tool. These and other objects of the present invention are achieved by means of a dough kneading accessory, a combined knife and dough tool and a food processor having the features defined in the independent claims. Preferable embodiments of the invention are characterized by the dependent claims. Hence, according to a first aspect of the present invention, a dough kneading accessory for a food processor is provided. The dough kneading accessory comprises a blade adapted to fit on a knife tool for the food processor and cover at least a cutting edge of the knife tool, and a fixing means (or attachment means) for fixing (or attach) the blade to the knife tool.

According to a second aspect of the invention, a combined knife and dough tool for a food processor is provided. The combined knife and dough tool comprises a knife tool having a shaft adapted to be rotated by the food processor, and a knife attached to the shaft, wherein the knife has a cutting edge, and a dough kneading accessory according to the first aspect of the invention.

According to a third aspect of the invention a food processor is provided. The food processor comprises a combined knife and dough tool according to the second aspect of the invention.

The present invention is based on the idea of providing a dough kneading accessory which can be attached to a knife tool and thereby obtain a single, combined tool. The combined tool can be interchanged between two different operation modes and thereby perform two different tasks, namely chopping and kneading, in the food processor. Hence, the appliance of the dough kneading accessory (i.e. by applying it to the knife tool) will transform the knife tool into a dough tool (or kneading tool). In particular, the coverage of the cutting edge of the knife tool by the dough kneading accessory transforms the sharp chopping knife into a less sharp blade suitable for dough kneading.

The present invention is advantageous in that the dough kneading accessory has a reduced size compared to known dough tools comprising both kneading blades and a shaft. With the present invention, the shaft of the knife tool is utilized also for the dough kneading tool. Hence, storage of the tools for the food processor requires a reduced space.

Further, the present invention is advantageous in that it facilitates shifting the food processor between different operations modes, namely between chopping and kneading. Instead of replacing a whole tool (including the shaft), the dough kneading accessory may simply be attached or detached to the knife tool for shifting between the different operation modes.

Further, the present invention is advantageous in that the dough kneading accessory can be used as a protective cover when applied to the knife tool, in particular when the tool is not operating. The dough kneading accessory may protect users from the sharp cutting edge of the knife and also the cutting edge from being blunt by contact with metal objects, such as cutleries and other kitchen tools, during storage.

The present invention is also advantageous in that, when the dough kneading accessory is applied to the knife tool, the (metal) knife forms a stiff core of the dough tool blade, thereby providing a robust dough kneading blade.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the blade may comprise a recess adapted to receive a knife of the knife tool. Hence, the knife may be inserted in the recess for applying the dough kneading

accessory to the knife tool. Preferably, the recess may be adapted to the shape of the knife and extend along a longitudinal direction of the blade of the dough kneading accessory. In an embodiment, the recess may be adapted to extend along the cutting edge (of the knife), thereby providing an improved fit to the knife tool.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the fixing means may be adapted to fix the knife in the recess, thereby providing a firm attachment of the blade of the dough kneading accessory to the knife, which reduces the risk of the blade to come loose from the knife.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the blade (of the dough kneading accessory) may be chamfered towards an edge of the blade, which edge is adapted to cover the cutting edge of the knife tool. Hence, the chamfered edge of the blade may cover the cutting edge of the knife. The present embodiment is advantageous in that the chamfered edge improves the dough kneading performance of the tool. Preferably, the chamfered edge is provided at the edge of the blade adapted to be the leading edge upon rotation of the tool.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the dough kneading accessory may further comprise a ring connected to the blade and adapted to be arranged around a shaft of the knife tool. The present embodiment is advantageous in that the ring may contribute to the fixing of the dough kneading accessory to the knife tool. The ring may be threaded on to the shaft of the knife tool when applying the dough kneading accessory.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the dough kneading accessory may further comprise a second blade being adapted to fit on the knife tool, and to cover at least a second cutting edge of the knife tool. The present embodiment is advantageous in that two, preferably opposing, blades provides an improved balance upon rotation of the tool. Further, most knife tools for food processors include two knifes. However, it will be appreciated that the dough kneading accessory may comprise any number of blades corresponding to the number of knifes of the knife tool.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the two blades may be, preferably rigidly, interconnected, for example by the ring adapted to be arranged around the shaft of the knife tool. The present embodiment is advantageous in that the dough kneading accessory may be provided in a single piece. Preferably, the dough kneading accessory may be moulded in a single piece, which may facilitate manufacturing of the dough kneading accessory.

Alternatively, the blades may not be interconnected, but instead realized as two separate parts, wherein each blade may be separately attachable to a knife of the knife tool.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the fixing means may comprise one or more of: a snap fit (e.g. provided in the blade), an interference fit (or press or friction fit) and a bayonet mount (e.g. formed by a slot in the dough kneading accessory and a pin on the shaft of the knife tool). However, it will be appreciated that the fixing means may be realized in any way to fix the blade to the knife tool. For example, the fixing means may be an interference fit between the knife and the recess. The recess may then be slightly narrower than the thickness of the knife, and slightly flexible, such that the fixing of the blade in the recess is provided by the friction between the knife and the area of the blade defining the recess. Hence, the knife may be pressed into the recess and the friction will retain it there. Further examples of means for fixing the blade to the knife tool will be described in the detailed disclosure.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the dough kneading accessory may comprise plastic and/or rubber material, which is

advantageous in that it reduces the risk of blunting the knife of the knife tool. According to an embodiment of the present invention, now referring in particular to the combined knife and dough tool according to the second aspect of the invention, the dough kneading accessory may be attachable to the knife tool (such that the cutting edge is covered by the blade). Hence, the knife tool may be transformed into a dough tool by attaching the dough kneading accessory to the knife tool.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the combined knife and dough tool may be in a dough kneading mode when the dough kneading accessory is attached to the knife tool and in a chopping mode when no additional accessory (such as the dough kneading accessory) is attached to the knife tool. The present embodiment is advantageous in that it provides two different operation modes for the food processor with a single combined knife and dough tool.

Further objectives of, features of, and advantages with, the present invention will become apparent when studying the following detailed disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. Those skilled in the art realize that different features of the present invention can be combined to create embodiments other than those described in the following.

Brief description of the drawings

These and other aspects of the present invention will be better understood through the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a dough kneading accessory according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2A shows a combined knife and dough tool according to an

embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2B is another view of the combined knife and dough tool in Figure 2A;

Figure 2C is an enlarged view of a part of the combined knife and dough tool in Figure 2A;

Figure 3A shows a dough kneading accessory according to another embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3B shows a combined knife and dough tool according to another embodiment of the present invention; and

Figure 4 shows a food processor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

All the figures are schematic, not necessarily to scale, and generally only show parts which are necessary in order to elucidate the invention, wherein other parts may be omitted or merely suggested.

Detailed description of embodiments

A dough kneading accessory for a food processor according to an

embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figure 1. Figure 1 shows a dough kneading accessory 100 comprising two blades 101 , 102 interconnected by a ring 103. Preferably, the blades 01, 102 are elongated and either straight or curved. As shown in Figure 1 , one 101 of the blades may be curved and one 102 may be straight. However, both blades may be straight or both may be curved. Each blade 101 , 102 is chamfered along one of its longitudinal edges 104, 105. The chamfered edges 104, 105 are adapted to be the leading edges as the dough kneading accessory rotates during operation. Each blade 101 , 102 comprise a recess 106 which preferably extends along the blade 101 , 102, from the blade tip towards the ring 103, and preferably along the chamfered edge 104, 105 of the blade 101 , 102. The recess may e.g. be about 5 to 20 mm deep and the width of the recess (i.e. between the inner walls of the recess 106 in the direction from the upper side to the bottom side of the blade 101 , 102) may preferably be tapered towards the chamfered edge 104, 105. E.g. the recess 106 may be in the range of 2 mm the widest to about 0 mm closest to the chamfered edge 104, 105.

The dough kneading accessory 100, or at least the blades 101 , 102 of the dough kneading accessory 100, may be made of plastic and/or rubber.

Preferably, the dough kneading accessory 100 is moulded in a single piece of plastic or rubber.

Advantageously, the design of the dough kneading accessory may be adapted to fit a particular knife tool, and the measures and shapes of the dough kneading accessory are preferably adapted to the measures and the shapes of that particular knife tool. The design adaptations of the dough kneading accessory for fitting it to a knife tool will be further explained in connection to Figures 2A-2C.

With reference to Figures 2A-2C, a combined knife and dough tool for a food processor according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

Figures 2A and 2B are two different views of a combined knife and dough tool 10 and Figure 2C is an enlarged view of a part of the combined knife and dough tool 10 shown in Figures 2A and 2B. The combined knife and dough tool 10 comprises a knife tool 20 having a shaft 21 from which knifes 22, 23 extends radially. The shaft 21 is adapted to be coupled to the drive

mechanism of a food processor for rotating the knife tool 20 during operation in the food processor. Each knife 22, 23 is provided with a cutting edge extending along the longitudinal direction of the elongated knife 22, 23, from the knife tip towards the shaft 21. The cutting edge is arranged to be the leading edge of the knife 22, 23 upon rotation of the knife tool 20. The knifes 22, 23 may be straight or curved. As shown in Figures 2A-2B, one 22 of the knifes 22, 23 may be curved and one 23 may be straight. However, both knifes may be straight or both may be curved. It will be appreciated that the knife tool of the combined knife and dough tool may be formed as any conventional knife tool for a food mixer.

The combined knife and dough tool 10 further comprises the dough kneading accessory 100. The combined knife and dough tool 10 is in a dough kneading mode when the dough kneading accessory 100 is applied to the knife tool 20, as shown in Figures 2A-2C, and in a chopping mode when the dough kneading accessory 00 is detached from the knife tool 20, i.e. when no accessory is attached to the knife tool 20 (not shown).

The blades 01 , 102 of the dough kneading accessory 100 are adapted to extend along, and have substantially the same shape as the knifes 22, 23, such that each blade 101 , 102 covers at least the cutting edge of the knife 22,23 , and preferably also at least the upper side of substantially the whole knife 22, 23. Optionally, also the bottom side of the knife 22, 23 may be covered by the blade 101, 102 (not shown in Figures 2A-2C). Further, the recesses 106 of the blades 101 , 102 are adapted to match and receive (or fit to) the knifes 22, 23. Therefore, when the dough kneading accessory 100 is mounted to the knife tool 20, the portion of the blade 101 , 102 which defines the recess 106 covers (or surrounds), and extends along, the cutting edge of the knife 22, 23 (as shown in Figures 2A-2C).

Preferably, the width of the recess 106 (i.e., the distance between the inner walls of the recess 106 in the direction from the upper side to the bottom side of the blade 101 ,102) substantially corresponds to the thickness of the knife 22, 23, such that the shape of the tapered recess 106 substantially

corresponds to (or matches) the shape of the cutting edge of the knife 22, 23. Further, the width of the blade 101 , 102 (i.e. the distance from the chamfered edge 104, 105 to the opposing edge of the blade 101 , 102) may substantially correspond to (or match) the width of the knife 22, 23 (i.e. the distance from the cutting edge to the opposing edge of the knife 22, 23). Furthermore, the length of the blade 101,102 (i.e. the distance from the tip of the blade to the ring 103) may substantially correspond to (or match) the length of the knife 22, 23 (i.e. the distance from the tip of the knife 22, 23 to the shaft 21).

Further, the ring 103 of the dough kneading accessory 100 is adapted to fit to the shaft 21 of the knife tool 20, wherein the inner radius of the ring 03 may substantially correspond to (or match) the outer radius if the shaft 21.

An example of a mounting of the dough kneading accessory 10 to the knife tool 20 will now be described with reference to Figures 2A and 2B.

The dough kneading accessory 100 may be applied to the knife tool 20 by bringing the ring 103 onto the shaft 21 in the direction indicated by arrow 201. When the dough kneading accessory 100 reaches the knifes 22, 23 it is slightly rotated (or twisted) in the direction indicated by arrows 202, such that the knifes 22, 23 are pressed into, and received by, the recesses 106 of the blades 101 , 102.

The dough kneading accessory 100 further comprises fixing means. Such fixing means may e.g. be formed of the interference fit (or friction fit) of the knifes 22, 23 in the blades 101 , 102. Further, the ring 103 may also form a part of the fixing means, as it is adapted to hold the dough kneading accessory 100 to the shaft 21. Furthermore, the dough kneading accessory 100 may be provided with a (small) protrusion 107 arranged at the ring 103 for holding the dough kneading accessory 00 to the bottom fringe of the shaft 21. A corresponding recess (not shown) may be provided in the bottom fringe of the shaft 21 , such that the protrusion 107 may be received through the recess of the shaft 21 as the dough kneading accessory 100 is guided along the shaft in the direction indicated by arrow 201 during mounting of the dough kneading accessory 100 to the knife tool 20. When the dough kneading accessory 100 has reached the knifes 22, 23, and the protrusion 107 has passed through the recess of the shaft 2 , rotation (or twisting) of the dough kneading accessory 100 in relation to the knife tool 20 (as indicated by arrows 202) may circumferentially move the protrusion 107 away from the recess of the shaft 21 , thereby locking (or fixing) the dough kneading accessory 100 to the knife tool 20.

The above merely states some examples of how to fix the dough kneading accessory to the knife tool. However, it will be appreciated that the dough kneading accessory 100 may be provided with any fixing means for fixing it to the knife tool 20.

A dough kneading accessory according to another embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to Figure 3A.

Figure 3A shows a dough kneading accessory 300 for a food processor comprising two blades 301 , 302 interconnected by an interconnecting portion 303. The blades 301 , 302 are provided with chamfered edges 304, 305. One 301 of the blades is provided with a recess 306 reaching from the tip of the blade 301 to the interconnecting portion 303, wherein the opening of the recess 306 also reaches from tip of the blade 301 to the interconnecting portion 303, thereby allowing a knife of a knife tool to be inserted in the recess 306 in a direction transversal to the longitudinal direction of the blade 301. Further, the other blade 302 is provided with a recess 307 reaching from the tip of the blade 301 to the interconnecting portion 303, wherein the opening of the recess 307 is provided adjacent to the interconnecting portion 303 and merely reached a few centimetres (such as 2-4 cm) towards the tip of the blade 302, such that a knife of a knife tool may be inserted in the recess 307 merely in a direction substantially along (or parallel with) the longitudinal direction of the blade 302. Preferably, the recesses 306, 307 further extend into the interconnecting portion 303. A combined knife and dough tool for a food processor according to an embodiment of the invention, as well as further details of the dough kneading accessory 300 will know be described with reference to Figure 3B.

Figure 3B shows a combined knife and dough tool 30 comprising a knife tool 20 and the dough kneading accessory 300. It will be appreciated that the knife tool 20 may correspond to the knife tool 20 described with reference to Figures 2A-2C. The dough kneading accessory 300 is fixable to the knife tool 20 by a snap fit 308 comprising a (small) protrusion at the inner wall of the recess of the blade 301. The slightly resilient blade 301 and/or protrusion allows the knife to be pressed into the recess and then to be retained in the recess by the protrusion.

With the present embodiment, the dough kneading accessory 300 can be mounted to the knife tool 20 by inserting one of the knifes in one 307 of the recesses in a direction almost parallel to the longitudinal direction of the blade 302 and at the same time inserting the other knife in the other recess 306 in a direction substantially transversal to the longitudinal direction of the blade 301 such that the snap fit fixes the knife in the recess 306. The present

embodiment is advantageous in that the fixing of one of the blades 302 to the knife is achieved by the blade 302 encapsulating the knife.

A food processor according to an embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to Figure 4.

Figure 4 shows a food processor 1 comprising a combined knife and dough tool 10 having a knife tool and a dough kneading accessory attachable to the knife tool. For operating the food processor 1 , the tool 10 is mounted to the drive mechanism of the food processor 1. For performing chopping in the food processor 1 , the knife tool is used without the dough kneading accessory and for performing dough kneading in the food processor 1 , the dough kneading accessory is applied to the knife tool, thereby transforming the knife tool into a dough tool. While specific embodiments have been described, the skilled person will understand that various modifications and alterations are conceivable within the scope as defined in the appended claims.

For example, the features (such as dimensions, shapes and materials) of the dough kneading accessory described with reference to Figures 1 and 2A-2C may be applied to the dough kneading accessory described with reference to Figures 3A-3B and vice versa.

Further, in the present disclosure, with the term "fixing" it is meant fastening or attaching. The fixing means may be used to attach the blade of the dough kneading accessory to the knife tool in a substantially firm way, i.e. such that the possible relative movement between the blade and the knife is substantially small or even disabled when the blade is fixed to the knife.

Furthermore, it will be appreciated that terms related directions (such as up, down, upper or bottom) in the present disclosure, are referring to the dough kneading accessory, the tools and the food processor when they are oriented for operation.

Claims

1. A dough kneading accessory (100) for a food processor (1), the dough kneading accessory comprising:

a blade (101 , 102) adapted to fit on a knife tool (20) for the food processor and cover at least a cutting edge of the knife tool; and

a fixing means for fixing the blade to the knife tool.

2. A dough kneading accessory as defined in claim , wherein the blade comprises a recess (106) adapted to receive a knife (22, 23) of the knife tool.

3. A dough kneading accessory as defined in claim 2, wherein the recess is adapted to extend along the cutting edge.

4. A dough kneading accessory as defined in claim 2 or 3, wherein the fixing means is adapted to fix the knife in the recess.

5. A dough kneading accessory as defined in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the blade is chamfered towards an edge (104, 105) of the blade, which edge is adapted to cover the cutting edge of the knife tool.

6. A dough kneading accessory as defined in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a ring (103) connected to the blade and adapted to be arranged around a shaft (21) of the knife tool.

7. A dough kneading accessory as defined in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a second blade (101 , 102) being adapted to fit on the knife tool, and to cover at least a second cutting edge of the knife tool.

8. A dough kneading accessory as defined in claim 7, wherein the two blades are, preferably rigidly, interconnected.

9. A dough kneading accessory as defined in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fixing means comprises one or more of: a snap fit (308), an interference fit and a bayonet mount.

10. A dough kneading accessory as defined in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the dough kneading accessory comprises plastic and/or rubber material.

11.A combined knife and dough tool (10) for a food processor (1 )

comprising:

a knife tool (20) having a shaft (21) adapted to be rotated by the food processor, and a knife (22, 23) attached to the shaft, the knife having a cutting edge; and

a dough kneading accessory (100) as defined in any one of claims 1-10.

12. A combined knife and dough tool as defined in claim 11 , wherein the dough kneading accessory is attachable to the knife tool.

13. A combined knife and dough tool as defined in any one of claims 11- 12, wherein the combined knife and dough tool is in a dough kneading mode when the dough kneading accessory is attached to the knife tool and in a chopping mode when no additional accessory is attached to the knife tool.

14. A food processor (1) comprising a combined knife and dough tool (10) as defined in any one of claims 11-13.