FOOD SPINNER

A food spinner has a housing including a cover, a basket supported in the housing for rotation, a drive mechanism supported by the cover for rotating the basket, and a brake mechanism supported by the housing for braking the basket and stopping rotation of the basket. The brake mechanism has an operator for manual operation of the brake mechanism, and a braking member movable by the operator from an inoperative position to an operative position directly engaging the basket for braking the basket by friction.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring toFIGS. 1 to 5of the drawings, there is shown a food spinner embodying the invention, which is in the form of a salad spinner10for salad or vegetable, etc. The spinner10has a bowl-like housing100including a circular top cover110, a round basket200located in the housing100and supported for rotation about a vertical central axis of rotation X, and a drive mechanism300supported by the cover110for rotating the basket200so as to spin off water from salad or vegetable contained in the basket200. The basket200is in use closed by its own circular lid210, which couples the basket200to be in drive engagement with the drive mechanism300for rotation thereby.

The salad spinner10includes a brake mechanism500which is supported by the housing100for braking the basket200to stop rotation of the basket200, as described later.

The housing100has a round bottom101and a cylindrical side wall102on the bottom101, with a central spike105projecting upwardly from the bottom101. Similarly but slightly smaller in size, the basket200has a round bottom201and a cylindrical side wall202upstanding integrally therefrom. The basket bottom201has a central dent205which faces downwards and bears upon the spike105, such that the basket200is rotatable about the central axis X. The basket200with lid210is slightly smaller than the interior of the housing100with cover110, and fits loosely therein.

As to the basket200, its side wall202has a peripheral part203at the top, which in turn includes an upwardly-facing circular rim204. The rim204is slightly expanded, with a diameter slightly larger than that of the basket wall202, whereby a shallow flat cylindrical seat is formed across the top opening of the basket200, within which shallow flat cylindrical seat, or the rim204, the lid210fits and is located.

The lid210and the basket200are coupled together for simultaneous rotation through angular inter-engagement between peripheral lugs219on lid's lower surface and reinforcement ribs209on the basket's inner surface, such that the basket200and lid210will rotate and stop at the same time.

The housing cover110is convex upwardly and the basket lid210concave downwardly, together forming between them a circular central cavity in which the drive mechanism300is located.

The drive mechanism300comprises a lever310pivotable in opposite first and second directions, a first ratchet R1rotatable by the lever310pivoting in the first direction, a second ratchet R2rotatable by the lever310pivoting in the second direction, and a train of gears320arranged to transmit rotation from the first and second ratchets R1and R2in respective opposite first and second directions alternately to the basket200.

The lever310has one end311which is pivotably connected in a recessed central region111of the housing cover110by means of a horizontal axle330, with the opposite end being free for manual operation. The lever310is pivotable upwards and downwards relative to the cover110(c.f.FIGS. 1 and 2) for operating the drive mechanism300. The cover110is formed with an oblong recess112which encompasses the central region111and is shaped to match the lever310, fully into which recess112the lever310may be pivoted for storage (FIG. 2).

The hinged lever end311, that being of a cylindrical shape co-axial with the axle330, has opposite left and right side surfaces which are each formed with a respective ring of ratchet teeth311T for rotary ratchet operation to transmit rotational drive in only one direction. The teeth311T on one said lever end side surface are skewed in opposite angular direction (e.g. clockwise) compared to those on the opposite side surface (i.e. anti-clockwise). There are two said rotary ratchet operations which are to take place alternately, and in opposite angular directions, on opposite left and right sides of the lever310.

Each of the two ratchet operations also involves the use of a respective square-shaped rotary ratchet member312which is disposed on the axle330right next to the associated side surface of the lever end311. The ratchet member312is formed with a ring of ratchet teeth312T facing and co-operable with the ratchet teeth311T on that side surface. A coil spring313is disposed on the axle330to hold the two rings of teeth311T and312T inter-engaged when they rotate in the drive-transmitting direction, or they slip in the opposite direction.

As is apparent from the operation described above, the two ratchet members312are co-operable with the left and right side surfaces of the lever end311respectively, through interaction between their ratchet teeth311T and312T on each side, to implement the first and second ratchets R1and R2respectively. As is illustrated inFIG. 3A, the first ratchet R1will transmit clockwise rotational drive when the lever310is pivoted upwards (see arrows A), and the second ratchet R2will transmit anti-clockwise rotational drive upon the lever310being pivoted downwards (see arrows B).

The train of gears320is formed, in the sequence of drive, by a pair of bevel gears321, a compound bevel gear322, a compound gear323and a pinion324. The pair of bevel gears321is disposed on the axle330, at opposite ends thereof and right next to the ratchet members312respectively. Each bevel gear321has a square-shaped central recess matching and slidably receiving the respective ratchet member312for rotation thereby in the driving direction and to give it room to recede thereby allowing the relevant ratchet R1/R2to slip in the reverse direction.

Referring again to the illustration inFIG. 3A, the right bevel gear321will receive clockwise rotational drive from the first ratchet R1when the lever310is pivoted upwards (see arrows A), and the left bevel gear321will receive anti-clockwise rotational drive from the second ratchet R2upon the lever310being pivoted downwards (see arrows B). Overall, the two bevel gears321will rotate in opposite directions as the lever310is pivoted to reciprocate up and down.

Being located symmetrically right below the two bevel gears321, the compound bevel gear322has its opposite left and right sides in mesh with the bevel gears321respectively. Upon the lever310being pivoted up and down, as the two bevel gears321will turn in opposite directions but they are engaged on opposite sides of the compound bevel gear322, the compound bevel gear322will rotate in one direction (arrow C), in an intermittent yet unidirectional manner.

Via the bevel gears321, the first and second ratchets R1and R2are in drive transmission with the opposite sides of the compound bevel gear322, and the compound bevel gear322is driven by the first and second ratchets R1and R2alternately to rotate in one direction for in turn rotating the basket200. With the use of the compound bevel gear322, the rotational drive is not only unified in terms of direction but is also turned 90° to be about the central axis X, both for spinning of the basket200.

The compound gear323rotates in one direction (arrow D) and transmits the rotational drive, at an increased speed, to the pinion324for rotation in the opposite direction (arrow E). The pinion324is part of an accelerator400which primarily further increases the speed of the rotational drive to the basket200.

The accelerator400is another ratchet device which is formed by a horizontal flywheel410bearing an inner ring of ratchet teeth411and by a driver420located co-axially within the flywheel410for rotating the flywheel410in the same direction (arrow F) about a common vertical axis i.e. the central axis X. The flywheel410includes a central leg412which is split-tubular for drive engagement with and through a central hole211in the basket lid210, for spinning the basket200.

The driver420has a horizontal diamond-shaped plate421and a pair of pawls422freely hinged at opposite ends of the plate421for pivoting outwards and inwards about respective vertical axes. The plate421is integrally formed with the pinion324atop, by means of which the plate421is rotated to swing both of its pawls422outwards by virtue of centrifugal action. The flywheel410has its ratchet teeth411skewed in one direction for engagement by the pawls422when the pinion324or overall driver420rotates in direction E as it always does in operation.

The flywheel410and driver420are held together by means of a vertical spindle430along the central axis X. The spindle430mounts the accelerator400centrally and co-axially (i.e. about the central axis X) underneath a central hub115which is an integral part on the inner side of the housing cover110. The hub115houses most parts of the drive mechanism300, which are the hinged end311of the lever310, the axle330and related components i.e. at least the first and second ratchets R1and R2, the two bevel gears321and the compound bevel gear322.

The accelerator400is supported by the hub115centrally underneath the cover110, with the split-tubular leg412of its flywheel410projecting downwardly lowermost for engaging or coupling with the lid210of the basket200placed in the housing100when the housing100is closed by its cover110. Inside the housing100, the basket200is normally located in a central position by the spike105from below (i.e. the bottom of the housing100) and the accelerator leg412from above.

The rotational drive from the lever310is intermittent by nature and will, in practice, reduce down to zero momentarily every time upon the lever310changing its pivotal direction at either upper or lower stop position. The accelerator400serves to transmit the rotational drive, in an uninterrupted manner and at an increased speed, from the drive mechanism300to the basket200. The basket200(particularly when it is loaded with content) represents a significant mass or load to the drive mechanism300, and will continue to rotate by inertia once the motion is started.

The accelerator400operates in this manner. When the lever's rotational drive becomes slower than the basket200, the driver420(related to the former) will fall behind the flywheel410(related to the latter). Thus relative to the flywheel410, the driver420becomes rotating backward, whereupon its pawls422are pivoted inwards and slipped by the ratchet teeth411advancing faster. The basket200hence continues to rotate without losing much speed or being hindered by the then slower rotational drive, until the rotational drive re-gains dominance when the lever310sufficiently speeds up between the upper and lower stop positions.

In summary, the accelerator400is a rotary ratchet device which is operable in one direction to transmit rotational drive from the lever310when, or for as long as, the rotational drive is faster than the basket200and to release intermittently when the rotational drive is slower than the basket200. With the use of the accelerator400, the lever310will turn the basket200for as long as it is running faster, and will let go intermittently when it is behind.

Reference is now made to the brake mechanism500, which comprises an operator510for manual operation to operate the brake mechanism500and a braking member520movable by the operator510from an (upper) inoperative position (FIG. 4) to an (lower) operative position (FIG. 5) into direct engagement with the basket200for braking the basket200to stop rotation of the basket200by friction.

In this particular embodiment, the braking member520is arranged in the operative position to directly engage the side wall202of the basket200for stopping rotation thereof. More specifically, it is a peripheral part203of the side wall202that is directly engageable by the braking member510, as in general by being peripheral the peripheral part203is relatively farthest away from the axis of rotation X of the basket200and therefore comparatively speaking a minimum braking force is required. In particular, the peripheral part203is preferred to be the upward-facing rim204of the basket's side wall202.

The housing cover110has a peripheral portion or edge119, at which the brake mechanism500is provided, in alignment with the rim204of the basket200. At where the brake mechanism500is, the cover100is formed with a recess118having a bottom hole117which reveals a small section of the basket rim204below.

The operator510and braking member520are an integral one-piece structure, with the former being an upper part and the latter a lower part. The operator510is received or sits in the recess118, whilst the braking member520extends through the hole117for accessing the basket rim204. The braking member520has an upper inoperative position slightly off the rim204and a lower operating position directly engaging the rim204, being in general movable between the upper inoperative position and the lower operative position. The braking member520is resiliently biased towards the inoperative position, i.e. upwards, by means of a coil spring530in the recess118acting upon the bottom of the operator510.

To operate the braking mechanism500, the operator510acts as a press knob for depression against the action of the spring530in order to press the braking member520into direct contact with the basket rim204, thereby applying friction to the rim204and hence the basket200to stop rotation thereof.

The braking member520has a bifurcate lower end for, in the operative position, engaging the rim204to brake the basket200by riding on or over the rim204when viewed in cross-section. The bifurcate lower end comprises a first prong521for bearing upon an outer side or surface of the basket rim204and a relatively shorter second prong522for bearing marginally upon an inner side or surface of the rim204, with a bend523between the prongs521and522that matches the upper cross-sectional shape of the rim204(FIG. 5).

The first prong521is sufficiently long to extend downwardly and cross the basket rim204from above such that even if there is any minor misalignment the braking member520is able to re-align and engage with the rim204at the desired position i.e. with its bend523right against the top of the rim204. The second prong522, that being on the inner side of the rim204, is made sufficiently short to avoid physical contact with the lid210of the basket200. This is in line with the function of the brake mechanism of the subject invention, which is applying friction to brake the basket through direct engagement with the basket proper.

To assist in the braking of the basket200, the brake mechanism500optionally includes a brake element540to provide additional direct engagement with the basket200when the braking member520is in its operative position. The brake element540is provided adjacent, at a small distance apart from, the basket200for engagement by the basket200when the basket200is being engaged by the braking member520.

As mentioned earlier, the basket200is supported loosely in the housing100for rotation. Hence the basket200will inevitably be displaced, albeit slightly, when the braking member520engages and applies a frictional braking force upon the basket200. It is desirable if such a displacement can be utilized to trigger the use of the brake element540. Hence, as in the case of the described embodiment, the basket200is arranged to be displaced by the braking member520into engagement with the brake element540for additional friction.

In terms of specific construction, the cover110of the housing100is formed, on its lower or inner surface, with an integral annular rib or collar114which has the same diameter as the rim204of the basket200and is operatively in alignment with the basket200or rim204, extending co-axially with the basket200about the axis of rotation X. The collar114is a part of the cover110which extends vertically downwardly from the cover's underside, reaching at a small distance short of the rim204when the basket200is in its normal central position in the housing100. The collar114extends almost 360° around the central axis X, save the recess118that locates the operator510and braking member520. The collar114provides, as an example of implementation of, the brake element540.

The height of the collar114is determined and the basket200is designed to stay in its normal central position during spinning operation, without coming into contact with the collar114, with the result that the basket200is normally free to rotate without hindrance. However, upon braking by the braking member520applied upon the rim204, the basket200will be slightly tilted or deformed, or displaced generally stated, such that a part of the (rotating) rim204, and in particular the part opposite the braking member520about the central axis X, will slidingly come into contact with and bear or abut upon a part of the collar114at the same position, whereby additional braking is applied to facilitate stopping of the basket200.

The part of the collar114that is most likely engageable by the rim204of the displaced basket200during braking is at where it is directly or diametrically opposite the braking member520about the central axis X, because the basket200is likely pivoted by the braking member520about the central spike105such that the part of its rim204farthest away (i.e. directly/diametrically opposite) is tilted uppermost.

Based on this phenomenon, the collar114may be replaced by a stationary post or lug depending vertically from the inner surface of the housing cover110at a position directly or diametrically opposite the braking member520about the central axis X. A plurality of, for example two or three, such posts or lugs may be provided together with the braking member520at equiangular positions about the axis of rotation X or around the inner surface of the cover110to provide enhanced or balanced braking assistance. Such post(s) or lug(s) is another example of implementation of the brake element540. As their presence is discrete (i.e. not continuous) compared to the collar114, the chance or extent of unintended hindrance to the normal spinning of the basket200(i.e. being hit by the rim204) is minimized.

The braking member540, e.g. the collar114or aforesaid post(s) or lug(s), serves additionally or alternatively as an abutment or protrusion which protrudes from the inner surface of the cover110and is provided adjacent the basket200for bearing by the basket200when the basket200is being engaged by the braking member520, thereby maintaining the position of the basket200during braking of the basket200. Such an abutment is provided on at least one side of the spike105, which supports the basket200for rotation, opposite the braking member520about the axis of rotation X. The abutment is provided by an inner part of the housing cover110and is operatively in alignment with the basket200for bearing by the basket200.

The invention has been given by way of example only, and various other modifications of and/or alterations to the described embodiments may be made by persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as specified in the appended claims.