Abstract:
A salad, rice and other foods washer and spinner includes an angled bowl and cover with a cranking handle that turns a basket and basket lid inside the bowl via a gear set. A twin speed gear set is disclosed which allows a different velocity of spin when the cranking handle is turned in one direction than when it is turned in the other direction. A bowl is angled with respect to a base member and a covering lid includes water inlet on a higher side of the lid that allows water from a faucet or jug to be directed through the cover and onto the basket lid where it is dispersed into the basket volume via holes in the basket lid, with water escaping, if desired through an outlet grille.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]    The present invention relates to an improvements in the design, capabilities and operation of a salad, rice and other foods washer and spinner that will give the capability to more completely remove impurities, including a tilted flow through design which provides for continuous washing. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]    The washing of foods is becoming increasingly important for a number of reasons. Increased food trade with countries with relaxed food production standards increasingly utilize improper techniques. Contamination can result from materials which remain on the food such as pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, as well as common dirt and dust. Even so called “organically grown” foods will contain undesired material. 
         [0003]    The dangers of food contamination are well known. In addition to unwanted particulate matter contamination, chemical agents can cause both short and long term ill effects. Nearly everyone has lost days to sickness due to food contamination. In extreme circumstances, food contamination can result in death. 
         [0004]    To attempt to wash food, techniques employed range from running water over the food, to soaking the food to dipping the food in water containing a mild oxidizing or reducing agent, or a mild soap, in the hope that the agent can come into contact with the organic contaminant and either render it harmless, or facilitate the removal of unwanted organics. However, where a chemicals oxidizing or reducing agent is left in contact with the food, it can cause flavor diminution. Leaving the food in contact with the purifying agent, or simply leaving the food in contact with water for a long time can cause water (and agent) absorption and change the firmness and other aspects of the food. 
         [0005]    Insofar as is known, no device or method has existed to quickly wash and treat food in a way which will help insure that the food will undergo maximized contact and cleaning in such a way in which the food will not be changed. No device is known to have offered a thorough contact with mild oxidizing or reducing agent, or a mild soap, with the ability for significantly shortened time of contact. What is needed is a washing device which is safe, convenient, and efficient. The needed safety, convenience, and efficiency characteristics will encourage food to be washed more often, and will encourage consumers to consume healthier foods. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]    A salad, rice and other foods washer and spinner includes an angled bowl and cover with a cranking handle that turns a basket and basket lid inside the bowl via a gear set. The cover houses the gear set and cranking handle and also has a water inlet on its higher side that allows water from a faucet or jug to be directed through the cover and onto the basket lid where it is dispersed into the basket volume via holes in the basket lid. Water may fill the angled bowl until the user stops adding water, or if the washer is placed into a sink or onto a draining board, until the water begins to pour out from the outlet grille on the lower edge of the cover. If the user allows a continuous flow of water to flow through the basket and simultaneously turns the cranking handle, the contents of the basket will be circumferentially agitated with an upper portion raised and lowered with regard to the water level. 
         [0007]    When the water level in the bowl is low the food material will be dipped and dragged through the water, and when the water level in the bowl is high, the food material may receive a sprinkling of water via the basket lid. Thus it may be preferable for less than all the contents to submerged during cranking, depending upon the most prominent desired effect. 
         [0008]    The effect is to gently wash the contents in agitated water and allow the pesticides, herbicides and dirt to flow away in the water stream. For particularly dirty items, the user can stop filling the bowl when the water level reaches a water fill line on the bowl. Gentle cranking of the handle will then allow the contents to be soaked, agitated and washed with or without flowing water. The user can also tip up the bowl to empty the dirty water and then refill and repeat as necessary. For items that are generally rounded, e.g. potatoes, brussels sprouts etc., the angled bowl and gentle cranking leads to a gentle tumbling of the contents inside the basket that aids and speeds up the cleaning process. This is particularly useful for dirty items such as new potatoes. Any dense particles such as stones or grit may be allowed to collect at the bottom of the bowl and fall into a dirt trap that consists of recessed slots. This dirt trap stops the particles being flushed back into the items being washed by turbulence. 
         [0009]    When washing has finished, the excess water can be drained out via the outlet grille in the cover. The cranking handle can then be turned again to spin dry the contents. This is particularly suited to salad greens where a high speed can drive out a lot of excess water. This water will collect at the bottom of the bowl between the bowl and the spinning basket. Heavy particles will once again drop into the dirt trap slots. In one embodiment a crank may be provided which will cause the basket to move at a slower speed when cranked in one direction and at a higher speed when cranked in the opposite direction. 
         [0010]    The Salad, rice and other foods washer and spinner can also be used for herb washing and is facilitated for use for rice washing with a rice wash attachment. To facilitate herb washing, a pair of clip in mesh panels allows the basket to be subdivided into compartments. Delicate or small items can be placed into these compartments for washing without fear of them being overly tumbled or getting mixed up with other items being simultaneously washed. Further, as the side partition forms a separate space at the outer part of the basket which will have more of an immersing and draining action as the basket turns. 
         [0011]    For rice washing, basket and basket lid can also be removed and replaced by a single rice paddle to agitate rice during washing. The rice is added along with some water and the handle is cranked for a few seconds. The water is then poured out though the outlet grille (along with the excess starch). The cycle is then repeated until the drainage water is sufficiently clear. Alternatively, the washer can be placed into a sink or onto a draining board and water allowed to gently flow continuously into the water inlet and out of the outlet grille whilst simultaneously agitating the rice using the crank driven paddle. When the water runs sufficiently clear the washing is complete and excess water can be drained by inverting the unit and allowing the water to drain out of the outlet grille. 
         [0012]    Other optional features include the provision of a brake function that may be provided to slow down the spinning basket. This consists of a wear pad on the underside of the water inlet bottom face that can be brought into contact with a matching face on the basket lid by the user&#39;s pressing down on the top face. The brake function can therefore be provided without the need for any extra components. 
         [0013]    Dual or twin speed can be provided to operate without special switching, perhaps simply by reversing the direction of turn of the handle. Due to the inertia and viscosity of water, and the close proximity of the basket to the bowl, it is noticeably more difficult to crank the handle when the basket is being forced to move through water during the washing cycle. Whilst it would be possible to reduce the gear ratio to ease cranking, this would limit the effectiveness during spin drying when the same gear ratio limits the upper rotational speed of the basket. It is therefore advantageous to have a means to change gearing. Two methods are presented, both of which are allow a different gear ratio depending on whether the handle is being cranked clockwise or counterclockwise. 
         [0014]    One technical method to attain a dual or twin speed is with ratchets. In this arrangement, both an internal and an external gear ring, with a common centre, act on the same drive gear. Both internal and external gear rings obtain their input motion from the same drive disc that is cranked in a conventional manner via a turning handle. However the interface between each gear ring and the drive disc consists of a one way ratchet and the two gear rings have ratchets that act in opposite rotational directions. In this way, when one gear ring is locked to the drive disc and transmitting motion to the drive gear, the other gear ring is being driven in the opposite direction by the same drive gear and being allowed to slip by the ratchet. If the drive disc is then turned in the opposite direction, even during a sudden change in direction, the ratchet that was slipping now starts to transmit the rotational input to the drive gear. The opposite gear ring is now forced to turn in the opposite direction by the drive gear and is allowed to do so its ratchet slipping. As the internal and external gear rings have different numbers of teeth, the gear ratio is switched depending on whether the drive disc is being rotated clockwise or counterclockwise. When the drive disc is released, the ratchets al low the rotating basket to over run. 
         [0015]    A second possible arrange may include dual or twin speed with floating gears. In this arrangement, both an internal and external gear ring are mounted on the drive disc but neither gear ring actual engages the drive gear. Instead there are a pair of small idler gears one of which is always driven by the external gear and can be swung into engagement with the drive gear and the other always in engagement with the internal gear and also able to be swung into contact with the drive gear. The two idler gears are both mounted on a common platform that rotates (floats) about the common centre of the drive disc and internal and external gears. The idler gears may be positioned on either side of the drive gear and spaced apart in such a way as to ensure that it is not possible for both of them to touch the drive gear simultaneously. When the drive disc is rotated in a given direction, one of the idler gears is urged into engagement with the drive gear whilst the other is pushed away by virtue of being on a common platform. The drive gear will then be driven by the drive disc by the engaged idler gear. If the rotation of the drive disc is reversed, the idler gear that was in engagement is immediately driven out of engagement and the other idler gear moves into engagement. As the internal and external gears have different numbers of teeth, the gear ratio is switched depending on whether the drive disc is being rotated clockwise or counterclockwise. When the drive disc is released, the idler gears both move to a non engaged position so the rotating basket over runs freely. 
         [0016]    The angled bowl has a molded in dirt trap and pivot for rotatably supporting a basket. A rubber base is attached to the base of the bowl to provide grip. A basket sits on the pivot and can have a pair of herb compartment dividers slotted into it. A cover fits over the bowl and supports a drive disc with integrated internal gear. A central drive gear passes through the cover and is driven by the internal gear of the drive disc. A handle is provided on the drive disc. On the bowl side of the drive gear, a quick release shaft is provided to receive and drive the basket lid. The basket lid has lugs at its periphery that engage with the basket when the cover/basket lid are lowered into place. When used for rice washing, the basket and basket lid are removed and a rice paddle is placed on the bowl pivot. The drive gear passes over the drive end of the rice paddle and internal teeth drive the rice paddle to agitate the rice. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0017]    The invention, its configuration, construction, and operation will be best further described in the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0018]      FIG. 1  is a perspective exploded view of a composite first embodiment of the salad, rice and other foods washer and spinner of the invention and illustrating an upper view looking down onto the parts which cooperate to form the apparatus; 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the salad, rice and other foods washer and spinner of  FIG. 1 , but seen in an assembled condition as it would be during use; 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view looking at the bottom of a basket drive lid seen in  FIG. 1  while it is still mechanically engaged with the cover which was seen in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the underside of the lid and illustrating the rotational snap engagement member and brake wear pad; 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  is a perspective expanded view of the underside of the drive disk illustrating the set of circumferentially inwardly disposed drive teeth and their engagement with a driven gear  103 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  is an expanded perspective view looking into the basket which is engaged with an optional pair of herb dividers shown attached to the basket; 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  is a perspective isolated view of one of the dividers seen in  FIG. 6  in an un-flexed view and illustrating further details; 
           [0025]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view from below looking upward into the bowl assembly without the basket and showing the shape and location of the rotational support cone projection; 
           [0026]      FIG. 9  is a sectional view taken along line  9 - 9  of  FIG. 8  and illustrates the orientation of the troughs and rotational support cone projection; 
           [0027]      FIG. 10  is a perspective upper view looking down into the bowl assembly with the basket loaded into place and in condition to be loaded with a food to be washed; 
           [0028]      FIG. 11  is a perspective upper view looking down into the bowl assembly with the basket seen in  FIG. 10  removed and with a stirring paddle loaded into place over the rotational support cone projection, and prior to the introduction of rice to be washed; 
           [0029]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the underside of the cover and illustrating the stirring paddle; 
           [0030]      FIG. 13  is a plan view illustrating the first of two methods of achieving twin speed action, this first plan view utilizing directional clutches mounted between an inner gear and an outer gear which engages a driven gear; 
           [0031]      FIG. 14  illustrates a second twin speed gear arrangement in which a pair of intermediate drive gears are supported by an angled gear support, with the intermediate drive gears able to shift position to make an intermediate engagement between the an outer gear and a driven gear or between an inner gear and a driven gear depending upon the direction with which the main gear is turned, and with  FIG. 14  illustrating the neutral position; 
           [0032]      FIG. 15  is a view as in  FIG. 14  but illustrating clockwise movement of drive disk causing contact between the outer drive teeth, first intermediate drive gear and thence to the drive fitting; and 
           [0033]      FIG. 16  is a view as in  FIGS. 14 and 15  but illustrating counterclockwise movement of the drive disk causing contact between the drive teeth via the second intermediate drive gear to the drive fitting. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0034]    The description and operation of the salad, rice and other foods washer of the invention is best begun with reference to  FIG. 1  which illustrates is an exploded view of looking down onto the parts which cooperate to form the apparatus. The salad, rice and other foods washer and spinner  21  will be explained beginning at the lowermost extent of the vertically exploded members. A bowl assembly  23  includes a base member  25  which may have a rubber base  27  covering lower rim for good, slide-resistant operating support. A bowl member  31  is supported, preferably at an angle with respect to base member  25 . The angle of support for a fixed embodiment shown may be from about twenty to about forty degrees. In addition, a variable embodiment may be provided where the user can adjust the angle of the bowl member  27  with respect to the base member  25 , as desired by the user. 
         [0035]    Seen above the bowl member  23  is a basket  35  which can be of almost any type but preferably will be concentrically balanced and have ample openings to admit and transmit water freely. The basket has an upper rim  37  which is generally closed for about 1-2 centimeters about its upper periphery to give upper structural integrity and to support a series of circumferentially inwardly directed engagement ribs  41  which will be used to drive the basket  35 . Basket  35  has a central rotational aperture  43 , located at a rotational center of said basket  35 , and which can be seen through several of the vertical curving ribs  45 . Also seen are several horizontal ribs  47 . It is understood that the basket  35  can assume a variety of different shapes. 
         [0036]    Above the basket  35 , an optional stirring paddle member  51  is seen. It is contemplated that the stirring paddle would be utilized in absence of the basket  35  and that stirring will occur with the stirring paddle member  51  used directly with respect to the bowl  31 . The stirring paddle member  51  may have a series of blade projections  53  with a series of apertures  55  which may lessen the stirring resistance. The stirring paddle member  51  may have an upper insertion portion  57  which may aid in rotational insertion into a drive structure (to be discussed). Also seen are two optional side paddle blades  59  which may be used to give the paddle more support and better balance. 
         [0037]    Above the stirring paddle member  51  is a basket drive lid  61  which has a series of radial ribs  63  and may have a series of circumferential ribs  65  crossing the radial ribs  63  at right angles. Near an outer periphery of the basket drive lid  61 , a series of downwardly directed locating lugs  67  are used to engage the circumferentially inwardly directed engagement ribs  41  within the basket  35  in order to drive rotation of the basket  35  along with the basket drive lid  61 . At the center of the basket drive lid  61 , a drive aperture  69  has structures partially seen which will mechanically engage the basket drive lid  61  in order to impart rotational force to the basket drive lid  61  and basket  35  when engaged with each other as a unit. It may also be preferred that the optional stirring paddle member  51  operate without the basket drive lid  61  with the stirring paddle member  51  to obtain drive force directly and without the aid of the basket drive lid  61 . 
         [0038]    Above the basket drive lid  61  is a cover  81  supporting mechanical drive components which are shown in exploded view to facilitate a further description thereof. Cover  81  has an outer periphery  83  for engaging an upper rim of the bowl member  31 . At one side of the cover  81  and adjacent the outer periphery  83  is a outlet grille  85  which may consist of a series of closely spaced slots in order to permit water drainage or overflow without providing so large of an opening that moisture will be excessively spirally thrown out during spinning. 
         [0039]    Also seen with respect to the lid  81  and adjacent the outlet grille is a circular depression having a circular depression flat space  89  adjacent a circular depression vertical wall  91 . At the center of the circular depression flat space  89 , a boss  93  has a reinforced base structure  95 . Boss  93  surrounds a drive disk anchoring bore or aperture  96 . The boss  93  supports turning engagement with a drive disk  97 . Drive disc  97  is sized to fit within circular depression flat space  89  and generally flush with a top surface  99  adjacent a circular depression vertical wall  91 . 
         [0040]    Also within the circular depression flat space  89  is seen a driven gear boss  101 , above which is positioned a driven gear  103  with a, possibly integral, combination lower basket lid  61  and stirring paddle member  51  drive fitting  105  extending below it. The drive fitting  105  fits through a central aperture  107  in the driven gear boss  101 . The drive fitting  105  fits through and its rotationally supported by the driven gear boss  101 . The circumferential size of the gear boss  101  supports and provides an increased and stable bearing area to support the driven gear  103  and drive fitting  105 . 
         [0041]    At the other side of the lid  81 , a depression  111  is seen. The depression  111  forms a water guiding and splash containment reservoir at the outermost circumferential part of the lid  81 , with the other end of the depression containing a flow through slot  113  at the other end of the depression  111  near the inside. The flow through slot  113  is a narrow extended slot which evenly extends about the inner portion of the reservoir to form a cantilever brake portion  117  which may be depressed at the conclusion of the spinning operation to form a friction brake against the top of the basket drive lid  61 . During the filling stage, water may be conveniently introduced into the depression and fill the inside of the bowl  31  by virtue of the water running through the narrow flow through slot  113 . 
         [0042]    The drive disk  97  has an upwardly projecting member  121  as a handle, but is fitted with a rotatable handle  125  so that the user can grasp the rotatable handle  125  rather than the upwardly projecting member  121  which would otherwise produce friction against the user&#39;s hand. A slip bearing  127  and ring  129  is provided for secure bearing and stability. 
         [0043]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , a view of the salad, rice and other foods washer and spinner  21  in assembled view is seen. The tilt of the bowl member  31  is readily noticeable. If the bowl member  31  is filled, it can be seen that, due to the tilt, the bottom of the outlet grille  85  will mark the level of water horizontally across the bowl member  31 . The user, if more effective, and even if the bowl member  31  is fixed with respect to the base member  25 , place the salad, rice and other foods washer and spinner  21  on a more tilted or less tilted surface as needed. A greater tilt can give a more impacting slosh on turning, while a lesser tilt will give a less impacting more swirling effect. Notice that the depression  111  forms a flow trough when seen with the free standing tilt seen in  FIG. 2 , and that the flow through slot  113  lies at the bottom of the incline of the depression  111 . In the position seen in  FIG. 2 , the salad, rice and other foods washer and spinner  21  can be placed in sink or basin, with a steady flow of water into the depression  111  while the rotatable handle  125  can be easily used to drive disk  97  to turn the basket member  35 . As this occurs, water will exit through the outlet grille  85 . 
         [0044]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , a perspective view looking at the bottom of the basket drive lid  61  while it is still mechanically engaged with the cover  81  is shown. The outer periphery  81  of the cover  81  is seen through the spaces between the series of radial ribs  63  and series of circumferential ribs  65  of the basket drive lid  61 . At the center, the underside center of the basket drive lid  61  is seen as having a rectangular cross sectional fitting  131  to provide cross sectional length for increased integrity for engagement with the lower basket lid  61  and stirring paddle member  51  drive fitting  105 . A quick release  135  is seen as a slightly longer extension with an angled locking member for engaging the basket drive lid  61  onto the drive fitting  105 . With this configuration, the removal of the cover  81  will cause the automatic removal of the basket drive lid from the basket  35 . 
         [0045]    The basket drive lid  61  is stably attached to and supported by the cover  81 . The basket  35  central rotational aperture  43  fits over a projection (not yet shown) at the bottom inside of the bowl member  31 . However, when the basket drive lid  61  and stably attached cover  81  is placed over the basket  35 , the basket  35  shifts about one centimeter from a leaning position due to the tilt of the bowl member  31 , into a rotational locking position with the basket drive lid  61 . The lid  81  may have a rotational keyed position with respect to the bowl member  31 . When the lid  81  is securely placed with respect to the bowl member  31 , the basket drive lid  61  will automatically rotationally lock with the basket  35 . Note that the series of downwardly directed locating lugs  67  have an exterior inwardly tapering surface to help it enter and register within the basket member  35 . 
         [0046]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , a view of the underside of the lid  81  is seen. Through the drive disk anchoring aperture  96 , a drive disk  97  rotational snap engagement member  141  is seen. The rotational snap engagement member  141  holds the drive disk  97  in place, but allows it to be removed for cleaning or if it is needed to be removed for periodic maintenance. A series of drainage holes  145  are shown to allow any moisture to escape from the circular depression flat space  89 . 
         [0047]    The cantilever brake portion  117  of the depression  111  is seen as having a wear pad  149  which is seen to be a thickened material and is expected to bear all of the frictional force against the basket drive lid  61  when depressed from the top side. The wear pad  149  may have a shape to cause the wear to occur predominantly in its center and to inhibit catching engagement. Further, the wear pad  149  may be located over one of the series of circumferential ribs  65  to insure that an uninterrupted smooth braking action may be applied. 
         [0048]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , an underside of the drive disk  97  reveals a set of circumferentially inwardly disposed drive teeth  153  on the driven gear  103 . The orientation of the drive disk  97  and driven gear  103  is similar to the orientation seen in  FIG. 4 , but with the cover  81  and circular depression flat space  89  member removed. Thus, the driven gear  103  is shown in a position similar to that which it would be located if it was being driven by the drive disk  97  while being rotationally held in place by the lower boss  147 . As the drive disk  97  turns about the axis of the rotational snap engagement member  141 , the driven gear  103  turns. As can be seen, adjustment of the size of the driven gear  103  and overall size of the drive disk  97  and its circumferentially inwardly disposed drive teeth  153  will dictate the number of turns of the driven gear  103  for each turn of the drive disk  97 . 
         [0049]    Also seen is a closeup view of the quick release  135 . Quick release  135  is cantilevered from one side of the overall generally square drive fitting  105  so that a user merely needs to urge the single cantilevered spring inward to release the basket drive lid  61  from its mechanical connection with the cover  81 . The inside of the upwardly projecting member  121  can be seen as a hollow bore with internal pegs to engage complementary members on the stirring paddle  51 . 
         [0050]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , an expanded view of the basket  35  is seen to illustrate further details. Basket  35  has a series of slots  161  which are best seen on the far side of the basket  35 . The slots  161  accommodate a pair of dividers  165  which can partition the space within the basket  35  roughly into thirds. The dividers  165  have a pair of end tabs  167  which secure the dividers  165  into the slots  161  from a position out side of the upper rim  37 . 
         [0051]    Referring to  FIG. 7  further details of one of the dividers  165  is seen. At the bottom of the divider  165  a laterally projecting tab  169  is seen. The laterally projecting tab  169  has the capability of inserting into one of several spaces at the bottom of basket  35  in order to somewhat limitingly adjust the shape of the resulting pockets formed with respect to the space in between the divider  165  and the inside of the basket  35 . Divider  35  is seen as having vertical members  171  and horizontal members  173 , however any structure is acceptable. It is preferable that the structure be a flow-through structure for maximum cleaning. 
         [0052]    Referring to  FIG. 8 , a lower view looking up into the bowl assembly  23  is shown. Seen in section is a rotational support cone projection  181  which engages central rotational aperture  43  in basket  35  at the center of basket  35  and provides a low friction rotatability for the basket  35  within the bowl  37 . Also seen at the bottom of the bowl  37 , within perhaps within the confines of the base member  25 , is a section of troughs  185  meant to form a natural trap for any particulate matter which is heavier than water. Particulates which are lighter than water are very likely to flow out of the outlet grille. The depth and width of the troughs  185  are such that particulate matter is very likely to remain undisturbed despite the continued turning of the basket  35 . If a large amount of heavy debris is collected at the beginning of the washing operation, the basket can be easily removed by removing the cover  81 , then lifting out the basket  35  and simply washing the bowl  37  with tap water at an angle so that water can flow longitudinally through the troughs  185  to clean them out. 
         [0053]    Referring to  FIG. 9 , a sectional view taken along line  9 - 9  of  FIG. 8  illustrates the orientation of the troughs  185  with respect to the rotational support cone projection  181 . The troughs  185  can be in any orientation, but an orientation where the basket  35  turning direction and water flow approaches the troughs  185  laterally is believed to be advantageous in giving any trapped debris the best chance for being easily removed from any swirling water in the bowl  37 . 
         [0054]    Referring to  FIG. 10 , a perspective upper view looking down into the bowl assembly  23  with the basket  35  loaded into place, is shown. The central rotational aperture  43  (not seen directly in  FIG. 10 ) is brought down over the rotational support cone projection  181  which can be partially seen. In this position, the basket  35  is ready for loading food items to be washed. Note the even and close relationship between the basket  35  and the bowl  37 . 
         [0055]    Referring to  FIG. 11 , a perspective upper view looking down into the bowl assembly  23  with the basket  35  removed and with the optional stirring paddle member  51  loaded into place over the rotational support cone projection  181  which is only partially seen by a portion of its base. The top of the debris trapping troughs  185  can be seen for the first time from above. Note that the troughs are at the gravitational bottom of the bowl  37  and that the debris trapping troughs generally lie within a circular flattened area  191 . Note also that the series of blade projections  53  sweep generally laterally across the troughs. Note also that the detail of the upper insertion portion  57  of the stirring paddle member  51  may ideally provide a slip fit into the drive fitting  105  rather than become lifted out of the bowl  37  when the cover  81  is removed. 
         [0056]    Referring to  FIG. 12 , a view of the underside of the cover  81  illustrates the stirring paddle member  51  shown in a slip fit connection with the drive fitting  105 . For the first time the lower rotational support cone projection  181  pivot fitting  193  is seen fully. Also seen is a bowl engagement channel  195  which will help to insure a stable fit over the upper rim of bowl member  31 . 
         [0057]    In  FIGS. 13-16 , two methods of achieving twin speed action in accord with the direction of turn of the drive disk  97  will be illustrated. Referring to  FIG. 13 , a bi-directional ratchet arrangement  201  is seen. A center gear  205  is provided to drive the driven gear  103 , in addition to the circumferentially inwardly disposed drive teeth  153 . Rather than a direct connection between the circumferentially inwardly disposed drive teeth  153  and the drive disk  97 , the circumferentially inwardly disposed drive teeth  153  are formed on a first inner ratchet ring  221 . A first outer ratchet ring  223  is provided integrally with the drive disk  97 . The first inner ratchet ring  221  has a number of cantilever spring projections  225  extending from the first inner ratchet ring  221  and to engage a groove  227  in the first outer ratchet ring  223 . From the orientation seen in  FIG. 13 , only counterclockwise movement of drive disk  97  and first outer ratchet ring  223  will cause the circumferentially inwardly disposed drive teeth  153  to drive the drive fitting  105  counterclockwise. A clockwise movement of the drive disk  97  and first outer ratchet ring  223  will not cause the first inner ratchet ring  221  to move. 
         [0058]    A smaller version of this arrangement is seen with respect to center gear  205 . Center gear  205  is supported by a second outer ratchet ring  231 . A second outer ratchet ring  233  is provided integrally with a hub  235  connected directly to the drive disk  97  near its center. The second outer ratchet ring  231  has a number of cantilever spring projections  237  extending from the second inner ratchet ring  231  and to engage a groove  239  in the second outer ratchet ring  231 . From the orientation seen in  FIG. 13 , only clockwise movement of drive disk  97 , hub  235  and second inner ratchet ring  233  will cause the circumferentially outwardly disposed drive teeth  205  to drive the drive the second outer ratchet ring  231  to enable the drive fitting  105  to turn clockwise. 
         [0059]    Note that in accord with the ratio of teeth shown, the movement of the circumferentially inwardly disposed drive teeth  153  against the drive fitting  105  causes the drive fitting  105  to turn a little less than four times for each revolution of the drive disk  97 . However, when the teeth of the center gear  205  is driving the drive fitting  105  in the other direction, the drive fitting  105  is caused to turn a little less than two times for each revolution of the drive disk  97 . Thus, the combination of clutches  221 ,  223 ,  231  and  233  enables two speed differential direction turning of the drive fitting  105  and thus the basket  35 . 
         [0060]    Referring to  FIG. 14 , a second twin speed gear arrangement is shown. As in  FIG. 5 , drive disk  97  includes circumferentially inwardly disposed drive teeth  153 . The center of the drive disk supports a hub member  251  which is fixed to the drive disk  97  and turns as the drive disk  97  turns. Hub member  251  includes gear teeth  253 . An angled gear support  255  is shown pivotally mounted about the center of rotation of the drive disk  97  and below the hub member  251  and an underside surface  257  of the drive disk  97 . The angled gear support  255  can be optionally located to the side of hub member  251  facing away from the drive disk  97 . 
         [0061]    The angled gear support  255  provides angular displacement and differential distance from center, to a first intermediate drive gear  261  and a second intermediate drive gear  265 . In  FIG. 14  it can be seen that first intermediate drive gear  261  is engaged with respect to the circumferentially inwardly disposed drive teeth  153 . Also, second intermediate drive gear  265  is engaged with respect to circumferentially outwardly oriented gear teeth  253  the hub member  251 . The angled gear support  255  keeps the drive gears  261  and  265  engaged with the drive teeth  153  and drive teeth  253 , respectively. The angled gear support  255  is allowed to pivot with respect to hub member  251  and drive disk  97 . Even with no movement of drive disk  97 , the angled gear support  255  can move over a limited angular displacement of about thirty degrees while the drive gears  261  and  265  turn against their respective teeth  153  and  253 . 
         [0062]    The lower basket lid  61  and stirring paddle member  51  drive fitting gear  105  is displaced inwardly from the circumferentially inwardly disposed drive teeth  153 . This can be accomplished by providing a slightly larger diameter drive disk  97 , since the drive fitting  105  will generally, absent additional gearing, be located at the center of axis of spin of the basket  35  or stirring paddle member  51 . Other variables which may be changed include the diameter of the drive fitting  105 . Note that in  FIG. 14 , the drive fitting  105  is not linked to the drive teeth  153 . The only way that the drive bearing  105  can turn is by linking the turning of the drive disk  97  to it via (a) drive teeth  153  turning of drive gear  261  with drive gear  261  in drivable contact with drive fitting  105 , or (b) drive teeth  253  turning of drive gear  265  in drivable contact with drive fitting  105 . 
         [0063]    A combination of either some frictional contact of the drive disk  97  with angled gear support  255  or drive gear  261 &#39;s contact with drive teeth  153  will cause the angled gear support  255  to move slightly with the drive disk  97  between a middle position shown in  FIG. 14 , to a position where drive gear  261  makes contact with drive fitting  105  and back through about thirty degrees where drive gear  265  makes contact with drive fitting  105 . 
         [0064]    Thus it can be seen from the perspective of  FIG. 14  that clockwise movement of drive disk  97  enables transmission of the drive teeth  153  via the first intermediate drive gear  261 , to the drive fitting  105  which will produce about four turns of the drive fitting  105  for each turn of the drive disk  97 . Similarly, counterclockwise movement of drive disk  97  enables transmission of the drive teeth  253  via the second intermediate drive gear  265 , to the drive fitting  105  which will produce about two turns of the drive fitting  105  for each turn of the drive disk  97 , so that dual speed can be achieved. 
         [0065]    Referring to  FIG. 15 , a view similar to that in  FIG. 14 , illustrates clockwise movement of drive disk  97  causing contact between the drive teeth  153  via the first intermediate drive gear  261  to the drive fitting  105 . Note that second intermediate drive gear  265  has moved out of contact with drive fitting  105  and simply spins freely due to continued contact with drive teeth  253 . 
         [0066]    Referring to  FIG. 16 , a view as in  FIGS. 14 and 15  illustrates counterclockwise movement of drive disk  97  causing contact between the drive teeth  253  via the second intermediate drive gear  265  to the drive fitting  105 . Note that first intermediate drive gear  261  has moved out of contact with drive fitting  105  and simply spins freely due to continued contact with drive teeth  153 . 
         [0067]    While the present invention has been described in terms of a structure, device and process for constructing and using a salad, rice and other foods washer and spinner, one skilled in the art will realize that the structure and techniques of the present invention can be applied to many structures and devices which are used in the kitchen, and particularly where gearing, balance and water flow through are needed. 
         [0068]    Although the invention has been derived with reference to particular illustrative embodiments thereof, many changes and modifications of the invention may become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, included within the patent warranted hereon are all such changes and modifications as may reasonably and properly be included within the scope of this contribution to the art.