Food processing apparatus

A food processing tool is provided with a base forming an operative surface disposed above a work surface. A first blade is disposed adjacent and generally parallel to the operative surface. A main body has a sidewall forming a chamber with front and rear openings. A rotatable rod extends into the chamber, and an external handle rotates the rod. A pusher element is attached to the rod and includes a set of pins extending from its lower surface to engage a food item. A second blade may be mounted in a slot adjacent the work surface and have a plurality of cutting points extending upwardly from a central spine, generally perpendicular to the first blade. A cover is removably attachable to the operative surface to cover the blades. A top face of the cover has a pin receiving structure to assist in removing the pusher from the rod.

BACKGROUND

This disclosure relates to an apparatus for processing foods, and more specifically to a tool used to create thin strips of foods in a spiral shape.

SUMMARY

The design disclosed herein provides a food processing apparatus having a compact design that improves performance and provides various user protection features. In general terms, a food item is placed on an operative surface inside the apparatus and rotatably held in place by a pin or similar structure adjacent two cutting blades. One blade is arranged generally perpendicular to the operative surface to cut the food item into strips. This first blade may include a plurality of blades, with the number of blades depending on the size of the strips desired. The other blade is arranged generally parallel to the first blade or blades and is used to slice the food item. The food item is engaged by a rotatable pusher at the top of the food item, and a handle is provided such that the user is able to rotate the food item against both the first blade and the second blade, thereby creating narrow spirals of food. These resulting spirals are then discharged through an opening in the operative surface. The pusher is easy to remove from the rotatable rod to which it is attached, enabling the user to clean the pusher without having to reach into the unit and possibly engaging the blades.

A better understanding of the invention will be obtained from the following detailed descriptions and accompanying drawings, which set forth illustrative embodiments that are indicative of the various ways in which the principals of the invention may be employed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It should be noted that in the description and drawings, like or substantially similar elements may be labeled with the same reference numerals. However, sometimes these elements may be labeled with differing numbers or serial numbers in cases where such labeling facilitates a more clear description. Additionally, the drawings set forth herein are not necessarily drawn to scale, and in some instances proportions may have been exaggerated to more clearly depict certain features. As stated above, this specification is intended to be taken as a whole and interpreted in accordance with the principles of the invention as aught herein and understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. It will be understood that the reference to elements as being generally flat or generally parallel or similar terms is intended to encompass minor variations therein that may be dictated by manufacturing tolerances or other concerns, and/or which are otherwise operable for their intended purposes.

As shown in, e.g.,FIGS. 1-4, food processing apparatus10includes a base68intended to be placed on a fiat workspace, such as a cutting board or counter top (not shown), for creating spiral cuts of a food item60, shown inFIG. 14. Base68may be removable to improve the ability to fully clean the unit. Food processing apparatus10also comprises a main body12forming a holding chamber20disposed on top of a lower body14. Main body12consists of a sidewall22extending upwardly from lower body14to terminate in a top surface18. Sidewall22is integrally formed with a plurality of legs41extending downwardly from lower body14, and these components are preferably composed of a hard plastic such as ABS.

FIG. 3is an exploded view that shows two different possible embodiments, namely one with base68, shown as being removable, and one where base68is not used. Base68includes a plurality of slots69, each adapted to receive one of legs41of main body12. As noted above, it will be understood that base68is optional, and in case it is not desired to use the base68, a plurality of feet66may be provided for mounting on the bottom of legs41to provide support on the appropriate working surface. Optional markings (not shown) may be placed on the base68adjacent one of the slots69and on one of the legs41to make it easier for the user to assemble the unit properly after it has been disassembled.

A plate30is attached to an upper portion of lower body14and forms a generally flat operative surface32that will be disposed in holding chamber20and parallel to the working surface. In the embodiment depicted, plate30is clipped to receiving structure35in lower body14by means of clips34. Center pin31is secured to plate30to act as a spike or holding member to retain the food item60adjacent to the operative surface32in a rotatable manner. Slicing blade36is fastened to plate30and has a cutting surface37that is slightly offset from, and parallel to, the generally flat operative surface32. Slicing blade36is located adjacent to the exit channel55formed in plate30, whereby food that has been sliced exits through the exit channel55to the working surface. Base68also includes a discharge chute70to permit the spiral output of food processing apparatus10to be easily discharged from the operative surface32to the working surface (not shown) such as a cutting board or countertop.

A dual comb blade38is also mounted to food processing apparatus10in one of two positions. As can be seen inFIG. 3, dual comb blade38has a first, larger comb38aon one side to cut food into wider strips, and a second narrower comb38bon the other side to cut food into narrower strips. Both combs consist of a plurality of upright pins formed by wire cutting, and dual comb blade38may be installed so that one or the other of the combs38a,38bis exposed above operative surface32.

Dual comb blade38includes an insert molded grip39and is held in its operative position by means of a fixing screw42inserted into passage43as seen most clearly inFIG. 6. Conical tip42aof fixing screw42will fit into center slot38cof comb blade38. The user should ensure that dual comb blade38is installed so that each cutting pin thereon is the same height from the operative surface32; i.e., the tops thereof are not at an angle to operative surface32, where they might contact pins48on pusher16, as discussed below, resulting in damage to comb blade38. As discussed in more detail below, a removable blade guard50is also provided. Dual comb blade38may be installed in its blade channel44when the blade guard50is in place, which helps o retain the dual comb blade38in the proper alignment and avoids an improper angle for dual comb blade38. A rib (not shown) may be placed on the bottom of the main body56of blade guard50, directly above comb blade38, to assist in maintaining comb blade38in its proper alignment. Therefore, when dual comb blade38is installed in either configuration, the upright pins of combs38aor38bare generally perpendicular to operative surface32. Thus, as shown, e.g., inFIG. 14, a food item60being processed will first be cut into strips by one side of dual comb blade38, and then sliced thinly by slicing blade36.

When not in use, dual comb blade38may be stored in a storage slot57formed in blade guard50. It will be understood that only one comb is needed, and the dual comb arrangement shown is optional. It will also be understood that food processing apparatus10could be used without dual comb blade38to create a wider spiral output.

As seen most clearly inFIG. 3, boss19is disposed on top surface18and forms a rod opening21, which extends entirely through top surface18. Main body12has a first or front opening28through which the food item60may be placed) the holding chamber20for processing; this front opening28should be large enough to accommodate the usual food items that one would wish to spiral cut. A second or rear opening29is also provided to, e.g., assist in removing or attaching removable blade guard50.

Pusher rod24extends through rod opening21and is supported by rod bushing25. Rod24has a proximal end disposed inside the holding chamber20and a distal end disposed external to holding chamber20. A pusher16is threaded on the proximal end of rod24, and a crank26is fixed to the distal end of rod24. Crank26further comprises a crank arm26ato which a crank knob27may be attached. The size of the components of crank26will dependent on the size of the overall unit and the force required to process the food item60. It will be understood that pusher rod24and the components attached thereto may be moved upward and downward, in a direction parallel to the central axis of pusher rod24, without rotation, and the rotation of crank26, rod24and pusher16is used for processing the food item60the blades as discussed herein.

Pusher16has a plurality of pins48extending downwardly a bottom surface to engage and hold the food item60. Pins48are preferably stainless steel and molded into pusher16. Pusher16also includes a boss45formed thereon which acts as a receptacle to receive, among other things, the proximal end of rod24. A pusher threaded insert62is mounted in opening59of boss45. As seen more clearly inFIGS. 12 and 13, a flexible sleeve33, which in this embodiment consists a silicone sleeve, also fits into opening59, and is held in place by tube anchor65, which includes a set of internal threads to receive the threads24aon the proximal end of rod24to secure pusher16to rod24. Thus, a top portion33aof flexible sleeve33extends above the top of opening59on boss45.

As seen inFIGS. 12 and 13, when crank26is pulled up to the loading position, the top portion33aof flexible sleeve33is received in the rod opening21in top18. As crank26is turned slightly, the friction fit between flexible sleeve33and rod opening21holds the pusher rod24and pusher16in the loading position, without the user needing to maintain any upward pressure thereon, so that the user may use both hands to load the food item60into the holding chamber20. Then, a small amount of downward pressure on crank26will release this friction fit, and enable the user to engage the food item60with pusher pins48and start the process.

As shown inFIG. 14, after food item60is held by both center pin31and pusher16, the rotation of crank26will cause the food item60rotate against the dual comb blade38first, and then against cutting surface37of slicing blade36, thereby creating narrow spirals of food which are discharged through exit channel55. To prevent the spiraled food from collecting below lower body14, discharge chute70may be provided to assist in discharging the food to the working surface such as a cutting board.

Additional safety features are provided by the present design. For example, blade guard50s used to protect the use from the slicing blade36when the food processing apparatus10is not in use and also assists in separating the pusher16from rod24. Blade guard50is preferably composed of a stiff plastic such as ABS and consists of a main body56, a front guard leg52at a front end thereof for gripping and holding the blade guard50and a rear guard leg53that engages plate30. A pin engagement structure54is also formed on the top surface of the main body56of blade guard50, and is shaped to receive the pins48on pusher16, as will be described in more detail below.

Blade guard50may be installed by inserting it through front opening28until rear guard leg53extends out the rear opening29and over catch30a, which is formed as part of plate30, and slot53alines up with notch30b.A small rib or similar structure (not shown may be formed on the inner surface of second guard leg53to lock into a small slot formed between plate30and lower body14. Front guard leg52then connects to lower body14by means of a similar rib52aconnecting to surface41abetween a pair of legs41. Thus, when blade guard50is in place, cutting surface37of blade36is fully covered, as is comb blade38if installed in its operative position. As noted above, comb blade38may be removed from its storage slot57when blade guard50is in place, such as is shown inFIGS. 1 and 4, and then placed into its operative channel44, before blade guard50is removed. The interaction of either comb blade38aor38bwith an inner surface of rear guard leg53will help to ensure that the comb blade38aor38bis in the proper operative position i.e., not askew with respect to operative surface32).

The use of blade guard50to assist in removal of pusher16can be seen most clearly inFIGS. 9 through 11, where there is no food item in holding chamber20, and blade guard50has been installed, e.g., after food processing apparatus10has been used and is in need of cleaning. InFIG. 9, crank26and rod24are pushed downwardly, until pins48on pusher16engage the pin engagement structure54and thereby prevent further clockwise rotation of rod24and pusher16, as shown inFIG. 10. Since pusher16is threaded onto rod24in a clockwise direction, a turn of the crank26in the counter-clockwise direction will unscrew the rod24from pusher16as rod24continues to rotate. Once the rod24and pusher16are disassembled, as shown inFIG. 11, the user may remove blade guard50, with pusher16mounted thereon, from the assembly for cleaning without having to reach inside the housing where the blades are located, increasing the overall safety of the unit.

It will be understood that the rotating nature of food processing apparatus10requires that the food item60being sliced is centered on center pin31. Operative surface32may optionally include one or more centering rings46to assist the user in ensuring that the food item60is properly centered. These centering rings46can be seen most clearly inFIG. 3.