Patent Description:
Modern kitchen appliances sometimes comprise a vacuum pump to be connected with a respective object (such as a food container or bag) to which vacuum is to be applied. Therewith, the respective kitchen appliance can be provided with an additional function of a vacuum sealer, configured to apply a vacuum to the respective object. The vacuum may then increase a storage life of a respective content (such as a comestible) of the object. In the following, "applying vacuum to an object" is further referred to also as "vacuumizing the object". Document <CIT> discloses an example of a prior art kitchen appliance.

It is an object of the present invention to facilitate improvement of kitchen appliances comprising a vacuum pump. It is a further object to provide such improved kitchen appliance.

The objects are achieved by an accessory according to claim <NUM>, by an assembly according to claim <NUM> and by a kitchen appliance according to claim <NUM>. Advantageous embodiments are disclosed in the dependent claims.

An accessory according to the present invention is an equipment for a kitchen appliance (in particular for a hand-held kitchen appliance), the kitchen appliance comprising a power unit with a vacuum pump.

The accessory according to the present invention is connected or connectable with the vacuum pump, and it comprises a mouth element (forming an orifice) configured to be joined to a respective object to be vacuumized, i.e., to which vacuum is intended to be applied to. The mouth element may at least partially be made of silicone and/or a rubber material, for instance.

The accessory further comprises a transition portion configured to conduct air which in operation of the vacuum pump is pumped (sucked) from said object towards the vacuum pump. The transition portion is at least partially transparent.

Due to the transparency, the transition portion of the accessory according to the present invention permits a view into an interior of the transition portion. Therewith, a user is enabled to monitor at least a portion of a path the air or accidentally other material is sucked along, from the object towards the vacuum pump; such other material may comprise moisture or particles flowing along with the sucked air, or liquid and/or small-sized content of the object to be vacuumized which may inadvertently be sucked out of the object, e.g., when at least most of the air has been extracted therefrom. As such material may impair the vacuum pump, the user recognising it may stop operation of the vacuum pump for protection thereof. The present invention thus provides for an increased safety and durability of the vacuum pump.

The transparency of the transition portion may be provided in at least one window the transition portion may include, or the transition portion may be entirely transparent. The transition portion may be at least partially made of transparent plastics (in particular acrylic, polycarbonate and/or polyethylene, for instance) and/or of glass.

The transition portion may serve as a spacer between the respective object (to be vacuumized) and the vacuum pump, thus increasing a distance therebetween and, thereby, providing additional time for a user to stop the vacuum pump.

According to advantageous embodiments, the transition piece may contain a tubular (preferably cylindrical) piece; a centre axis thereof preferably extends along a designated sucking direction, i.e., a direction in which during utilisation of the accessory air may flow due to the operation of the vacuum pump. For a length L of such tubular piece (measured along a/the centre axis thereof) and a diameter D (measured orthogonally to the centre axis) L ≥<NUM>. 2D or L ≥ <NUM>. 5D or even L ≥ <NUM>. 7D may preferably hold true. Said tubular piece may include at least a portion having a rotationally symmetric shape (with respect to a/the centre axis).

The transition portion may advantageously comprise at least one collection receptacle configured to collect liquid possibly sucked out of the object, such as liquid carried (e.g., as moisture) with the respectively conducted air, and/or liquid (inadvertently) sucked instead of air. By means of such collection receptacle, the liquid is prevented to leak and/or to spatter around during operation of the vacuum pump.

In such embodiments, the at least partial transparency of the transition portion preferably may provide a view into the at least one collection receptacle; in particular, the at least one collection receptacle (i.e., a wall thereof) may preferably be at least partially transparent. Thereby, a user is enabled to monitor a filling level of the at least one collection receptacle, such that he can stop operation of the vacuum pump when the filling level has reached a predetermined limit. The accessory may comprise a visual indicator such as a marking line and/or a marking point to indicate said limit.

Additionally or alternatively, the accessory may comprise a floater configured to swim on liquid eventually contained in the at least one collection receptacle. In particular, the floater may be movable relative to the mouth element. Therein, its position (relative to the mouth element) may be dependent on an amount of said liquid.

Preferably, the floater is configured to obstruct an intake of the power unit, in particular of the vacuum pump, when the accessory is connected therewith and when the collection receptacle contains a predetermined amount of liquid. By contrast, at least when the power unit and has an orientation designated for operation thereof, the floater preferably releases the intake unless said predetermined amount has been reached. Therein, the power unit may be devised to absorb an air flow from the accessory to the vacuum pump through the intake (when the accessory is connected therewith).

Accordingly, in such embodiments, when the accessory is attached to the power unit and has an orientation designated for operation thereof, the floater unblocks a passage through the accessory (in particular a passage from the transition portion to the vacuum pump through the intake) and thus allows pumped air to pass therethrough unless the collection receptacle contains a predetermined amount of liquid, and the floater blocks the passage if the collection receptacle contains said predetermined amount of liquid.

Thereby, the floater provides a safety means preventing liquid entering the vacuum pump even if a user oversees a need of stopping operation thereof.

To obstruct the intake (thus, to block said passage), the floater may be configured to abut, due to buoyancy of the swimming floater, against a power unit surface (e.g., a surface of the vacuum pump) containing said intake.

According to advantageous embodiments of the present invention, the accessory comprises a combination ring. Therewith, the accessory may be durably or detachably connected or connectable with the vacuum pump. The combination ring may include connection means, such as means of a press fit/ tight fit and/or of a frictional connection.

In embodiments comprising both such combination ring and at least one collection receptacle as mentioned above, the collection receptacle may be detachably combinable or detachably combined with the combination ring, such as by means of a screw coupling and/or a bayonet coupling. Therewith, an easy emptying of the collection receptacle may be possible without detaching the combination ring from the power unit.

The transition portion contains direction means configured perturb a flow of air being sucked (in use of the accessory and operation of the vacuum pump) through the transition portion; in particular, the direction means thus is configured to at least once change a direction of the flowing air. Such change of direction promotes moisture carried with the air to deposit on an inner surface of the transition portion, and thereby, inhibits that the moisture enters the vacuum pump. In order to achieve this, and according to the invention, the direction means comprises at least a section configured to direct the pumped air away from the vacuum pump; and/or at least a portion configured to direct the air along a screwed path.

For instance, such direction means may form a labyrinth.

In particular, the direction means may be configured to whirl the air flow (of sucked air). Thereby, a cyclonic effect may be provoked in the air flow, which may dry the air and remove dust particles eventually carried by the air.

In respective embodiments comprising a floater as mentioned above, said direction means may at least partially be provided by said floater.

In respective embodiments comprising a combination ring as described above, said direction means may at least partially be connected to the combination ring. In particular, the combination ring and at least a part of the direction means may be (integrally) formed as a single (common) monolithic piece.

In respective embodiments comprising at least one collection receptacle as mentioned above, in particular a wall thereof may serve as said direction means.

According to advantageous embodiments of the present invention, the accessory forms a first passage and, separated therefrom by a partition wall, a second passage, wherein in operation, the air pumped (sucked) from the object to the vacuum pump (and conducted by the transition portion) flows through the first passage before flowing through the second passage. Thereby, a path along which the air is conducted by the transition piece may be enlarged.

In respective embodiments comprising direction means as mentioned above, at least a portion thereof may be formed by said partition wall.

The first passage may at least partially surround at least a section of the second passage, and/or the second passage may at least partially surround at least a section of the first passage. Thereby, said path may be formed particularly large while at the same time the accessory may remain compact.

Preferably, in embodiments in which the transition portion further comprises at least one collection receptacle as detailed above, at least a portion of the first and/or of the second passage may be included in the collection receptacle/ a respective one of the collection receptacles. In particular, a wall of the at least one collection receptacle may at least partially form the partition wall separating the first passage from the second passage.

An assembly according to the present invention comprises a power unit of a kitchen appliance, the power unit comprising a vacuum pump. The assembly further comprises at least one accessory according to an embodiment of the present invention; in case of various accessories, these may be according to different or the same embodiment/s. Therein, the power unit is compatible with the accessory/accessories, i.e., the vacuum pump is connected or connectable therewith (e.g., by means of a press fit/ tight fit and/or of a frictional connection).

The vacuum pump may be durably fixed or detachably fixable to a drive component of the power unit; such drive component, which may comprise an electric motor, may be configured to drive the vacuum pump, and/or may be combinable with and/or configured to drive one or more further components (such as a tool for treating food) additionally or alternatively to the vacuum pump.

A kitchen appliance according to the present invention comprises an assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, and at least one tool for treating food. Therein, the power unit comprises a drive component configured to drive the tool. The at least one tool may include a rotatable knife assembly and/or an agitator, for instance.

According to advantageous embodiments of the present invention, the kitchen appliance may be a hand-held kitchen appliance. In particular, it may comprise a hand blender or a hand mixer.

In the following, advantageous embodiments of the present invention are explained with respect to the accompanying drawings. As is to be understood, the various elements and components are depicted as examples only, may be facultative and/or combined in a manner different than that depicted. Reference signs for related elements are used comprehensively and not defined again for each figure.

In <FIG>, an exemplary embodiment of an assembly <NUM> according to the present invention is shown in perspective view. The assembly comprises an exemplary embodiment of an accessory <NUM> according to the present invention, and a power unit <NUM> of a kitchen appliance according to the present invention.

The power unit <NUM> comprises a vacuum pump <NUM> and a drive component <NUM> including an electric motor (not visible) configured to drive the vacuum pump <NUM>. In the example shown in <FIG>, the vacuum pump <NUM> is detachable from the drive component <NUM>. A tool (not shown) such as a rotatable knife assembly and/or an agitator may be attachable, alternatively to the vacuum pump <NUM>, to the drive component <NUM>. The drive component <NUM> then preferably is adapted to also drive the tool. In particular, in this case, the kitchen appliance comprises a hand blender, with at least the drive component <NUM> forming part thereof.

In the situation depicted in <FIG>, the accessory <NUM> is attached to the power unit <NUM>; in particular, the accessory is connected with the vacuum pump <NUM>.

The accessory <NUM> comprises a ring-shaped mouth element <NUM> to be joined to an object (in particular to a valve preferably comprised by or attachable to the object) a vacuum is to be applied to. Moreover, the accessory <NUM> comprises a transition portion <NUM>.

As is seen in more detail in <FIG>, the transition portion <NUM> comprises a combination ring <NUM> for connecting the accessory <NUM> with the vacuum pump <NUM> (as shown in <FIG>), such as by means of a tight fit (press fit).

Further indicated in <FIG> is an air flow F occurring when the accessory <NUM> is used: The such flowing air enters the accessory <NUM> through the mouth element <NUM> and then and is conducted, by the transition portion <NUM>, through a first passage P<NUM> before flowing through a second passage P<NUM>. Therein, direction means <NUM> of the accessory <NUM> are configured to change a direction of the air flow F, i.e., of the air sucked through the transition portion <NUM>. In the exemplary embodiment shown in <FIG>, the direction means <NUM> comprises a portion 123p directing the air along a screwed path, in particular along a helix. Thereby, a cyclonic effect is provoked in the flowing air, as indicated in <FIG>, which cyclonic effect may slow down and dry the air, and which also may clear the air from dust particles eventually carried therewith. Moreover, according to the invention, the portion 123p further is a section (of the direction means <NUM>) directing the air flow F away from the (not shown) vacuum pump.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in <FIG>, the direction means <NUM> and the combination ring <NUM> form part of an integral, monolithic piece.

Moreover, the second passage P<NUM> of the exemplary accessory <NUM> shown in <FIG> is enclosed by a cylindrically shaped collection receptacle <NUM> configured to collect liquid which may be sucked out of the object, e.g., liquid carried with the respectively conducted air and/or liquid inadvertently sucked out of the object instead of air.

In the present case, a wall 122w of the collection receptacle <NUM> provides a partition wall <NUM> separating the first passage P<NUM> from the second passage P<NUM>. In particular, the first passage P<NUM> radially surrounds the collection receptacle <NUM> and, therewith, the second passage P<NUM>.

A screw coupling of the combination ring <NUM> and an outer wall <NUM> of the transition portion <NUM> permits separation of the outer wall <NUM> - and, therewith, of the collection receptacle <NUM> - from the combination ring <NUM>. Thereby, an easy emptying of the collection receptacle <NUM> is facilitated.

According to the present invention, the transition portion <NUM> is at least partially transparent. For example, it may include one or more transparent window(s), or it may be entirely made of a transparent material. In particular, the transition portion <NUM> may at least partially be made of a transparent plastic (such as acrylic (plexiglass), polycarbonate and/or polyethylene, for instance) and/or glass.

Preferably, the transparency of the transition portion <NUM> facilitates a view into the collection receptacle <NUM>. As a consequence, a user can monitor a filling level (not shown) of the collection receptacle <NUM>, such that he can stop operation of the vacuum pump and/or empty the collection receptacle <NUM> in case the filling level of the collection receptacle <NUM> has reached a predetermined limit. Thereby, the liquid can be prevented to enter the vacuum pump and to thereby impair the vacuum pump.

In <FIG>, respective accessories <NUM>', <NUM>", <NUM>‴ according to further exemplary embodiments not according to the present invention are shown in cross section and with respective air flows F occurring during utilisation of the respective accessory.

Further to the respective mouth elements <NUM>', <NUM>", <NUM>‴, the accessories <NUM>', <NUM>", <NUM>‴ each comprise a respective at least partially transparent, rotational symmetric transition portion <NUM>', <NUM>", <NUM>‴. For a length L (measured along a centre axis X) and a diameter D (measured orthogonally to the length) of the respective transition portions <NUM>', <NUM>", <NUM>'", the relation L ≥ <NUM>. 5D, even L ≥ <NUM>. 7D holds true; to simplify the figures, said dimensions are indicated only in <FIG>. Due to said relation, the air flow F is given an advantageous length for releasing moisture and/or dust particles eventually carried with the air flow, and for giving a user time to react, so as to stop the vacuum pump when liquid might be about to enter it.

The transition portion <NUM>' shown in <FIG> is shaped as a tubular piece serving as a spacer between the respective object (to be vacuumized) and the vacuum pump (not shown), thus increasing a distance therebetween and, thereby, providing additional time for a user to stop the vacuum pump. Therein, at least a portion of the outer wall <NUM>' of the transition portion <NUM>' is preferably transparent, allowing a user to observe whether material (such as liquid and/or particles) is carried with the air flow F, which may make such stop of the vacuum pump advisable.

As indicated in <FIG>, in utilisation of the respective accessory <NUM>", <NUM>''', an air flow F of air pumped through the respective mouth element <NUM>", <NUM>‴ to the (not shown) vacuum pump flows through a respective first passage P<NUM> and, thereafter, through a respective second passage P<NUM>. The first passage P<NUM> is separated from the second passage P<NUM> by a respective partition wall <NUM>", <NUM>" including holes H allowing the conducted air to pass from the first passage P<NUM> into the second passage P<NUM>.

In the embodiments of <FIG>, the partition walls <NUM>", <NUM>‴ are formed by respective receptacle walls <NUM>'w, <NUM>‴w partially delimiting a respective collection receptacle <NUM>", <NUM>‴ configured to collect liquid possibly sucked out of the object, such as liquid carried with the respectively conducted air, i.e., with the air flow F, and/or liquid inadvertently sucked instead of air.

Respective outer walls <NUM>", <NUM>‴ of the accessories <NUM>", <NUM>‴ delimit the receptacles <NUM>", <NUM>‴ radially outwards (with regard to a respective centre axis X of the accessories). Preferably, the outer walls <NUM>", <NUM>‴ are at least partially transparent, thus providing a view into the receptacles <NUM>", <NUM>''', such that a user can monitor a filling level thereof as mentioned above.

In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the partition wall <NUM>" is conically shaped and narrows in direction away from the mouth element <NUM>". Thereby, the partition wall <NUM>" provides direction means <NUM>" configured to disturb the air flow F, in particular to at least once change a direction of the pumped air conducted by the transition portion.

In the embodiment depicted in <FIG>, the partition wall <NUM>‴ comprises a cylindrical portion and, at an end thereof, a conical portion narrowing in direction away from the mouth element <NUM>. In this case, the conical portion thus provides direction means <NUM>‴ which in utilisation of the accessory <NUM>‴ disturbs the air flow F, in particular by at least once changing a direction thereof.

The disturbance of the air flow respectively slows down the air flow, possibly clears it from dust particle eventually carried therewith, and increases deposition of moisture, thus liquid, on respective inner surfaces of the accessories <NUM>", <NUM>'". The deposited liquid may then slip along the respective surface to a bottom of the respective collection receptacle <NUM>", <NUM>‴ (and in case of the accessory <NUM>‴ shown in <FIG>, to a ground of the first passage P<NUM>). Thereby, in particular, the vacuum pump is protected from being impaired by entering material.

In <FIG>, an assembly 1ʺʺ according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown in perspective view. The assembly comprises a power unit 20ʺʺ (with a vacuum pump 21ʺʺ and a drive component <NUM>"") and an accessory 10ʺʺ according to a further embodiment of the present invention. Also in this example, the power unit 20ʺʺ and the accessory 10ʺʺ form part of a kitchen appliance comprising a hand blender. In the situation depicted in <FIG>, a tool (not shown) such as a rotatable knife assembly or an agitator preferably further comprised by the kitchen appliance is detached from the drive component <NUM>"", allowing attachment of the vacuum pump 21ʺʺ and the accessory 10ʺʺ instead.

<FIG> shows the accessory 10ʺʺ (separated from the power unit 20ʺʺ) in a perspective view, and <FIG> provides a cross sectional view of the accessory 10ʺʺ which comprises a mouth element <NUM>"" to be joined to a (not shown) object a vacuum is to be applied to, and a transition portion <NUM>"" including a combination ring <NUM>"" for (detachable or durable) connection of the accessory 10ʺʺ with the vacuum pump <NUM>"", e.g. by means of a tight fit (press fit).

The transition portion 12ʺʺ comprises a first collection receptacle <NUM>""a and a second collection receptacle 122ʺʺb each configured to collect liquid sucked out of the object to be vacuumized. An outer wall 124ʺʺ of the transition portion 12ʺʺ forms a wall of the second collection receptacle <NUM>""b and is at least partially transparent. Thereby, a user is enabled to monitor a filling level of the second collection receptacle <NUM>""b, and to stop operation of the power unit 20ʺʺ (in particular, of the vacuum pump thereof) when the filling level has reached a predetermined limit, which may be indicated by a sign (not shown) preferably marked on the transition portion 12ʺʺ, in particular on the outer wall <NUM>°". Additionally, a receptacle wall 122ʺʺw delimiting both the first and the second collection receptacles (and separating them) may preferably be at least partially transparent. Thereby, the user can control also the filling level of the first collection receptacle <NUM>""a.

The accessory 10ʺʺ shown in <FIG> (and also, in <FIG>) further comprises a floater <NUM>"". The floater 126ʺʺ is movable relative to the mouth element 11ʺʺ and configured swim on liquid eventually contained in the collection receptacles <NUM>""a, <NUM>""b. When the content thereof reaches a predetermined level, the floater is moved, by buoyancy force, to a position in which it blocks a passage through accessory, in particular through the transition portion and to the vacuum pump.

This is shown in more detail in <FIG> showing the accessory 10ʺʺ attached to the power unit 20ʺʺ in cross sectional views and in an orientation designated for use.

In <FIG>, a situation is depicted in which the power unit 20ʺʺ (along with the accessory 10ʺʺ) is in an orientation designated for operation, and the floater 126ʺʺ is most close to the mouth element <NUM>"", which in the present case is determined by the receptacle wall <NUM>""w. In this situation, when the accessory is connected with the (not shown) vacuum pump and the vacuum pump is operated, an air flow F is generated: The air flow F passes through the mouth piece 11ʺʺ into a first passage P<NUM>, then is directed, by the floater 126ʺʺ serving as a direction means 123ʺʺ disturbing the air flow F, into a second passage P<NUM> before finally flowing through an intake I of the power unit 20ʺʺ to the (not shown) vacuum pump. In the present case, the receptacle wall 122ʺʺw serves as a partition wall 125ʺʺ separating the first passage P<NUM> from the second passage P<NUM>.

Liquid (not shown in <FIG>) accidentally being sucked, from the object to be vacuumized into the accessory <NUM>"", can accumulate in the first collection receptacle <NUM>""a including the first passage P<NUM>. A further operation of the vacuum pump may then cause a liquid level in the first collection receptacle <NUM>""a to be raised; in particular, further liquid may be sucked from the object to be vacuumized into the accessory 10ʺʺ. The liquid may thus fill also the second collection receptacle <NUM>""a. When the liquid thus has reached a predetermined level, it raises the floater 126ʺʺ due to buoyancy.

In such manner, in the situation shown in <FIG>, the floater 126ʺʺ has been moved, by the liquid Q, to a second position, in which the floater 126ʺʺ closes the intake I and thus blocks a passage from the transition portion 12ʺʺ to the vacuum pump. As a consequence, in spite of the (high) filling level of the collection receptacle, the liquid is prevented to proceed to the vacuum pump, even if a user does not actively stop operation of the vacuum pump. Thus, the floater 126ʺʺ provides for additional safety of the power unit.

Disclosed is an accessory <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>", <NUM>'", 10ʺʺ for a kitchen appliance comprising a power unit <NUM>, 20ʺʺ with a vacuum pump. The accessory is connected or connectable with the vacuum pump and comprises a mouth element <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>", <NUM>'", <NUM>"" configured to be joined to an object a vacuum is to be applied to. Moreover, the accessory comprises a transition portion <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>", <NUM>'", 12ʺʺ configured to conduct air pumped, in operation of the vacuum pump, from said object through said mouth element to the vacuum pump. The transition portion <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>", <NUM>'", 12ʺʺ is at least partially transparent.

Claim 1:
Accessory (<NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>", <NUM>"', 10ʺʺ) for a kitchen appliance comprising a power unit (<NUM>, 20ʺʺ) with a vacuum pump, wherein the accessory is connected or connectable with the vacuum pump and comprises
- a mouth element (<NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>", <NUM>"', 11ʺʺ) configured to be joined to an object a vacuum is to be applied to, and
- a transition portion (<NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>", <NUM>'", <NUM>"") configured to conduct air pumped, in operation of the vacuum pump, from said object through said mouth element to the vacuum pump,
wherein the transition portion (<NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>", <NUM>'", 12ʺʺ) is at least partially transparent, wherein the transition portion contains direction means (<NUM>, <NUM>", <NUM>'", 123ʺʺ) configured to disturb a flow of pumped air the transition portion is configured to conduct and characterized in that
the direction means (<NUM>, <NUM>", <NUM>'", <NUM>"") comprises
- at least a section (123p, <NUM>'") configured to direct the pumped air away from the vacuum pump; and/or
- at least a portion (123p) configured to direct the air along a screwed path.