Patent ID: 7525070

Claim:
A household apparatus ( 1 ) comprising: a first panel ( 2 ) pivotably connected to a second panel ( 3 ) by a hinge ( 4 ), the hinge ( 4 ) comprising at least one recess ( 6 ) formed in the first panel ( 2 ) and at least one hinge element ( 8 ) connected to the second panel ( 3 ), the at least one hinge element ( 8 ) rotatably mounted in the recess ( 6 ); the at least one hinge element ( 8 ) capable of moving between a retracted position in which the at least one hinge element ( 8 ) cannot penetrate the recess ( 6 ) so as to enable the first and second panels ( 2 , 3 ) to be separated and a pivoting position in which the at least one hinge element ( 8 ) can penetrate the recess ( 6 ) so as to pivotably connect the first and second panels ( 2 , 3 ) when the first and second panels ( 2 , 3 ) are properly arranged with respect to one another; and a control element ( 9 ) having a gripping member ( 30 ) for enabling the control element ( 9 ) to be manually moved between a releasing position and a locking position; wherein the control element ( 9 ) cooperates with the at least one hinge element ( 8 ) so that when the control element ( 9 ) is in the locking position, the at least one hinge element ( 8 ) is in the pivoting position and when the control element ( 9 ) is in the releasing position, the at least one hinge element ( 8 ) is in the retracted position.