Abstract:
A food processing system includes a food processor wherein an initial operation of said food processor is configured to cut a food item in a first, generally vertical direction and a later operation of said food processor is configured to cut said food item in a second direction. The second direction is distinct from the vertical direction.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/341,206, filed May 25, 2016, the content of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    This application is directed to a food processor, and more particularly, to a food processor having one or more unique features designed for enhancing the safety, ease of use, and/or versatility of the food processor. 
         [0003]    Blenders are commonly used to process a plurality of different food products, including liquids, solids, semi-solids, gels and the like. It is well-known that blenders are useful devices for blending, cutting, and dicing food products in a wide variety of commercial settings, including home kitchen use, professional restaurant or food services use, and large-scale industrial use. They offer a convenient alternative to chopping or dicing by hand, and often come with a range of operational settings and modes adapted to provide specific types or amounts of food processing, e.g., as catered to particular food products. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    According to one embodiment, a food processing system includes a food processor wherein an initial operation of said food processor is configured to cut a food item in a first, generally vertical direction and a later operation of said food processor is configured to cut said food item in a second direction. The second direction is distinct from the vertical direction. 
         [0005]    In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments said first direction and said second direction are generally perpendicular to one another. 
         [0006]    In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments said second direction includes a generally horizontal direction. 
         [0007]    In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments comprising a stationary blade plate having a plurality of blades arranged about a periphery thereof, each of the plurality of blades having a distinct cutting configuration configured to cut the food item in a first plane of said two planes. 
         [0008]    In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments comprising a blade assembly operably coupled to a rotatable component of said food processor, said blade assembly being arranged adjacent an underside of said blade disc. 
         [0009]    In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments said blade assembly is configured to further cut said food item in said second direction. 
         [0010]    In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments comprising a container having a hollow chamber, within which said blade plate is mounted. 
         [0011]    In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments comprising at least one smaller container removably coupled to said container such that said smaller container is disposed within said hollow chamber, each smaller container being associated with one of said plurality of blades of said blade disc. 
         [0012]    In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments comprising a lid including an opening arranged in communication with said food processor, wherein at least one of said opening and said blade plate is movable between a plurality of positions such that said opening is associated with one of said plurality of blades of said blade plate. 
         [0013]    In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments said food processor further comprises at least one oscillating blade configured to cut a food item in said first direction. 
         [0014]    In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments wherein movement of said oscillating blade is partially restricted by said lid. 
         [0015]    In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments said food processor further comprises a rotatable assembly, and movement of said oscillating blade is driven by rotation of said rotatable assembly about an axis. 
         [0016]    In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments said oscillating blade includes a plurality of first blades oscillating along a first axis and a plurality of second blades oscillating along a second axis, said second axis having a different orientation than said first axis. 
         [0017]    In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments a second operation of said food processor is configured to cut said food item in another vertical direction, distinct from said vertical direction of said initial operation, said second operation occurring after said initial operation and before said later operation. 
         [0018]    According to another embodiment, a food processing system includes a container for receiving a food item processed by said food processing system. A configuration of said processing performed by said food processing system is determined by a position of the food item as it enters said container. 
         [0019]    In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments each configuration cuts said food item in a generally vertical direction. 
         [0020]    In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments the food processing system further includes a stationary blade plate having a plurality of blades arranged at different positions thereon, each of the plurality of blades having a distinct cutting configuration. 
         [0021]    In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments said position of said food item is aligned with one of the plurality of blades. 
         [0022]    In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments the food processing system further includes a blade assembly operably coupled to a rotatable component of the food processing system, said blade assembly being arranged adjacent an underside of said blade plate. 
         [0023]    In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments said food item is positioned at one of a first position arranged a center of the food processor and a second position adjacent an outer periphery of said food processor. 
         [0024]    In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments comprising a lid including an opening arranged in communication with said food processor, said opening being movable between a plurality of positions. 
         [0025]    In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments said food processor further comprises at least one oscillating blade configured to cut said food item in a generally vertical direction. 
         [0026]    In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments wherein movement of said oscillating blade is partially restricted by an adjacent component of the food processing system. 
         [0027]    In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments said food processor further comprises a rotatable assembly and movement of said oscillating blade is driven by rotation of said rotatable assembly about an axis. 
         [0028]    In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments said oscillating blade includes a plurality of first blades oscillating in a first direction and a plurality of second blades oscillating in a second direction, said second direction being different than said first direction. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0029]    The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification embodies several aspects of the present invention and, together with the description, serves to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings: 
           [0030]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an example of a food processing system; 
           [0031]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a blade assembly and a blade plate associated with a container of the food processing system according to an embodiment; 
           [0032]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a lid and chute of the food processing system arranged in a first position associated with a food processing configuration according to an embodiment; 
           [0033]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a food processing system including a plurality of small containers associated with each blade of a blade plate according to an embodiment; 
           [0034]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the food processing system of  FIG. 4  having a lid and chute mounted thereto according to an embodiment; 
           [0035]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view a food processing system including an oscillating blade according to an embodiment; 
           [0036]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of another embodiment of an oscillating blade according to an embodiment; and 
           [0037]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional of the food processing system include the oscillating blade of  FIG. 7  according to an embodiment. 
       
    
    
       [0038]    The detailed description explains embodiments of the invention, together with advantages and features, by way of example with reference to the drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0039]    Referring now to the  FIG. 1 , an example of a multi-functional food processing system  20  is illustrated in more detail. In general, the food processing system  20  can be adapted to perform any food processing or blending operation including as non-limiting examples, dicing, chopping, cutting, slicing, mixing, blending, stirring, crushing, or the like. Although an example of a food processing system  20  is illustrated and described herein, other food processing systems are within the scope of the present disclosure. The food processing  20  system includes a base  2  having a body or housing  24  within which a motorized unit (not shown) and at least one controller (not shown) are located. The base  22  includes at least one rotary component, such as a drive coupler (not shown) for example, driven by the motorized unit within the body  24 . The base  22  additionally includes a control panel or user interface  28  with including at least one input device  30  for turning the motorized unit on and off and for selecting various modes of operation, such as pulsing, blending, or continuous food processing. 
         [0040]    The food processing system  20  additionally includes a container  40  adapted (e.g. sized and dimensioned) to receive one or more food products therein to be processed. The container  40  generally includes a first end  42 , a second end  44 , and one or more walls  46  extending there between to define an interior chamber  48  within which food products are placed and processed. As shown in the illustrated, non-limiting embodiment, a handle  49  may be integrally formed with at least a portion of the container  40 , such as a sidewall  46  for example. As best shown in the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the top  42  of the container  40  includes an opening  50  that provides access for the one or more food items into the chamber  48 . The second end  44  is generally closed such that food products contained within the chamber  48  are unable to escape through the second end  44 . 
         [0041]    A lid  52  generally complementary in size to the opening  50  is attached to the first end  42  of the container  40 . The lid  52  may be removably secured to the container  20 , such as via a plurality of threads, or a press-fit configuration. Alternatively, the lid  52  may be configured to fixedly attach to the first end  22  of the container  40 . Inclusion of the lid  52 , such as during a food processing and/or blending operation restricts movement of the one or more food products from the chamber  48  via the first end  42  of the container  40 . In one embodiment, the lid  52  may be shaped or include one or more features to prevent the accumulation of food particles thereon. In addition, a gasket  54  may be positioned between the lid  52  and the first end  42  to form a seal preventing solid and liquid food products from spilling out at the interface between the lid  52  and the opening  50 . 
         [0042]    Depending on the type of food processing system  20  being used, the container  40  may be configured to slidably or rotatably attach to the base  22 . In the illustrated, non-limiting embodiment, the container  40  is moved vertically to connect to the base  22 . However, in other embodiments, sliding and/or rotational movement of the container  40  in a direction other than the direction of downward movement of container  40  onto the base  22  may be necessary to successfully mount the container  40  to the base  22 . In one embodiment, the connection formed between the base  22  and the container  40  is intended to limit unintended movement of the container  40  relative to the base  22  during operation of the food processing system  20 . 
         [0043]    In the illustrated, non-limiting embodiment, a rotatable assembly  60  including a spindle  62  extends through the second end  44  into the chamber  48  of the container  40 . Mounted to a portion of the spindle  62  adjacent an underside of the container  40  is a coupling component (not shown) configured to engage the rotary component of the base  22 . As a result of this engagement, the motorized unit within the base  22  may be used to drive rotation of the spindle  62  about an axis X. A plurality of interchangeable attachments  70  varying in size and/or functionality may be configured for use with the rotatable assembly  60  for the processing of food products located within the chamber  48  of container  40 . 
         [0044]    Referring now to  FIGS. 2-5 , the food processing system  20  is adapted for use with a plate  70  including a plurality of openings  72  arranged about a periphery of the plate  70  at distinct locations. Each opening  72  is configured to receive a dicing blade  74 . In the illustrated, non-limiting embodiment, the plate  70  includes four openings  72  for receiving up to four dicing blades  74 , each having a unique configuration. However, it should be understood that a plate  70  having two or more openings  72  for receiving various blades  74  are within the scope of the disclosure. The dicing blades  74  may be interchangeable and are accessed and removably inserted into the openings  72  via a side of the plate  70 . 
         [0045]    The plate  70  is configured to mount within the container  40  near the first end  42  thereof in a generally horizontal orientation. A lip (not shown) may be formed in an interior surface of the container  40  to retain the plate  70  in a position near the lid  52 . In one embodiment, a diameter of the plate  70  is complementary to, for example, substantially identical to or slightly smaller than, a diameter of the chamber  48 . 
         [0046]    In some embodiments, a blade assembly  80 , best shown in  FIG. 2 , may be mounted to the a portion of the rotatable assembly  60 , such as the spindle  62  for example, for rotation about axis X. The blade assembly  80  includes at least one blade  82  having one or more blade surfaces for cutting a food item as the blade assembly  80  rotates about axis X. When positioned within the container  40 , the blade assembly  80  is arranged directly adjacent an underside of the plate  70  such that the at least one blade  82  is configured to further cut a food item extending through one of the plurality of dicing blades  74  mounted to the plate  70 . 
         [0047]    To operate the food processing system  20 , an operator installs the plate  70  within the chamber  48  of the container  40 . The user will then couple the lid  52  to the first end  42  of the container  40 . The lid  52  of the food processing system  20  includes a chute  56  ( FIG. 3 ) having a passageway  58  through which a food item may be inserted into the chamber  48  of the container  40  for processing. The lid  52  is attached to the container  40  such that chute  56  of the lid  52  is in a position aligned with a desired one of the plurality of dicing blades  74 . The lid  52  is configured to attach to the container  40  in a plurality of positions. Alternatively, or in addition, the plate  70  may be configured to attach to the container  40  at a plurality of positions, for example in instances where the lid  52  and the associated chute  56  may affix to the container  40  in only a single position. For each position of the lid  52  and/or plate  70 , the passageway  58  of the chute  56  is arranged in communication with one of the plurality of dicing blades  74 . 
         [0048]    After attaching the lid  52 , a user initiates operation of the food processing system  20 , and feeds a desired food item into the chute  56 , such as with a pusher or plunger for example. The force applied by the user causes the food item to engage the adjacent dicing blade  74 , which cuts the food item in a first direction extending vertically and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the chute  56 . This configuration of the plate  70  may be used to form vertical slices or fries of a food item. In embodiments where the food processing system  20  additionally includes a blade assembly  80  coupled to the spindle  62 , the rotation of the at least one blade  82  of the blade assembly  80  further cuts the food item in a second horizontal direction, perpendicular to the cuts of the dicing blade  74 . 
         [0049]    In one embodiment, as can be seen in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the container  40  includes at least one smaller container  86  arranged at least partially within chamber  48 . In the illustrated, non-limiting embodiment, the container  40  includes a plurality of smaller containers  86 , that may be removably inserted via an opening  88  formed in a portion of the container  40 , such as the sidewall  46  thereof for example. Each of the plurality of smaller containers  86  may be associated with one of the plurality of openings  72  and dicing blades  74  of the plate  70 . Accordingly, as a user processes a first food item via a blade  74  arranged at a first location of the plate  70 , the first food item is received within a chamber  87  of the smaller container  86  associated with that position. In one embodiment, the chute  56  may be repositioned to another location such that a second food item may be processed via a second dicing blade  74  and received within the chamber  87  of a smaller container  86  associated with the second position. In one embodiment, the position of the smaller containers  86  may rotate with the plate  70  relative to the lid  52 , such as when the feed chute  56  is configured to attach to the container  40  in only a single position for example. 
         [0050]    Referring now to  FIGS. 6-8 , another configuration of a food processing system  20  is illustrated. As shown, an oscillating blade  100  is mounted adjacent the first end  42  of the container  40 . The oscillating blade  100  includes a generally rectangular frame  102  having a plurality of blades  110  extending between a first surface  104  and a second, opposite surface  106  of the frame  102 . The blades  110  are arranged generally parallel to one another and are separated from one another by a distance. As shown, the blades  110  are oriented vertically such that a cutting surface of each blade  110  is arranged at the uppermost surface of the blade  110 . 
         [0051]    The frame  102  is positioned such that movement of the frame  102  is restricted a first direction. In the illustrated, non-limiting embodiment, a corner of the frame  102  is arranged in contact with an adjacent portion of the lid  52 , such that the contact there between limits movement of the frame  102  in the first direction. A portion of the frame  102  arranged generally adjacent the center of the container  40 , substantially aligned with a portion of the rotatable assembly  60  includes a slot  114 . A screw or pin  116  movably coupled to the distal end of the rotatable assembly  60  is arranged within the slot  114 . As the rotatable assembly  60  rotates about an axis, the screw  116  moves within the slot  114  causing the frame  102  and the blades  110  therein to oscillate. Because movement of the frame  102  is restricted in a first direction, the oscillation of the frame  102  and blades  110  occurs in only one direction or along an axis, for example parallel to the longitudinal axis of the blades  110 . 
         [0052]    Another embodiment of the oscillating blade  100  is shown in  FIG. 7 . In this configuration, the oscillating blade  100  includes a first frame  102  having a plurality of first blades  110  extending in a first direction and a second frame  120  having a plurality of second blades  122  extending in a second direction. The first direction and the second direction may, but need not be generally perpendicular to one another. As shown, the first frame  102  and the second frame  120  are stacked one on top of the other. In the illustrated, non-limiting embodiment, the first blades  110  and the second blades  122  are both oriented vertically such that the cutting surfaces of both are arranged at an uppermost edge, respectively. 
         [0053]    As previously described, a portion of the first frame  102  includes a slot  114  aligned with the rotatable assembly  60  of the container  40 . In addition, the first frame  102  abuts a portion of the container  40  to restrict movement of the first frame  102  in a first direction. The second frame  120  similarly includes one or more extended portions having a slot  124  formed therein. The slots  124  of the second frame  120  are configured to receive a pin  126  extending from an adjacent portion of the first frame  102 . The interface between the pins  126  of the first frame  102  and the slots  124  of the second frame  120  restricts movement of the second frame  120  relative to the first frame  102  in a second direction. As a result, when a screw  116  extending from a spindle  62  or other rotating component moves within the slot  114  of the first frame  102 , the motion is transmitted to both the first frame  102  and the second frame  120  simultaneously. However, movement of the first frame  102  in the first direction is partially restricted by engagement with the container  40  and movement of the second frame  120  is partially restricted by the interface with the container  40 . As a result, the first frame  102  may be configured to oscillate in a first direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the plurality of first blades  110 , and the second frame  120  may be configured to oscillate in a second direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the plurality of second blades  122 . In the illustrated, non-limiting embodiment, the oscillation of the plurality of first blades  110  is perpendicular to the oscillation of the plurality of second blades  122 . 
         [0054]    Although the embodiment of the food processing system.  20  illustrated in  FIG. 6  only includes a single oscillating blade  100 , embodiments including a plurality of oscillating blades  100 , each having a distinct blade configuration are considered within the scope of the application. The plurality of oscillating blades  100  may be mounted at various positions about the periphery of the container  40 . For example, the plurality of oscillating blades may be integrally formed into a blade plate  70 . 
         [0055]    With reference to  FIGS. 6 and 8 , the food processing system  20  may additionally include a blade assembly  130  configured to rotate about axis X. In the embodiment of  FIG. 8 , the blade assembly  130  is mounted to the rotatable assembly  60  and includes at least one blade  132  having one or more cutting surfaces for cutting a food item as the blade  132  rotates about the axis of rotation X. When positioned within the container  40 , the blade assembly  130  is arranged directly adjacent an underside of the plate  70  such that the at least one blade  132  is configured to further cut a food item extending through an oscillating blade  100  mounted to the plate  70 . 
         [0056]    In the embodiment of  FIG. 6 , the blade assembly  130  includes a disc  134  having an opening  136  formed therein. A blade  138  having at least one cutting surface  140  is arranged directly adjacent the opening  136 . As the blade assembly  130  rotates about the axis of rotation X, the at least one cutting surface  140  engages the food item provided at the outlet of the oscillation blade  100 . The at least one cutting surface  140  of the blade  138  extends perpendicular to the blades of the oscillation blade  100 , for example in a horizontal plane. Inclusion of the disc  134  thereby limits the height of the food produced. In the illustrated, non-limiting embodiment, the disc  134  additionally includes one or more vertically extending blades  142  configured to further vertically slice the food item output from the oscillation blade  100 . In such embodiments, the at least one vertical blade  142  is arranged upstream from the opening  136  and the blade  138  relative to the direction of rotation of the disc  134 . 
         [0057]    To operate the food processing system  20 , a user installs the at least one oscillation blade  100  relative to the container  40 . The user will then couple the lid  52  to the first  42  of the container  40  such that the chute  56  is in a position aligned with a desired oscillating blade  100  or opening  72 . In embodiments including a plurality of oscillating blades  100 , the lid  52  may be configured to attach to the container  40  in a plurality of positions. Alternatively, or in addition, the at least one oscillating blade  100  may be configured to attach to the container  40  at a plurality of positions, for example in instances where the lid  52  or the chute  56  may affix to the container  40  at only a single position. After attaching the lid  52 , a user initiates operation of the food processing system  20 , and feeds a desired food item into the chute  56 . Application of a force to the food item, such as with a plunger for example, may no longer be necessary or may be greatly reduced, due to the vibration of the blades, which cut the food item in a first, vertical direction, to form slices or fries. In embodiments where the food processing system  20  additionally includes a blade assembly  130  coupled to the rotatable assembly  60 , the rotation of the at least one blade of the blade assembly  130  further cuts the food item in a second horizontal direction, perpendicular to the cuts of the oscillating blade  100 . Although the food processing system  20  is illustrated and described as having the oscillating blade  100  arranged upstream of a blade plate  70  or disc  134  relative to a path of travel of a food item, embodiments where the oscillating blade  100  may be arranged downstream from the blade plate  70  or disc  134 , or embodiments that do not include an oscillating blade are also contemplated herein. 
         [0058]    The food processing systems  20  described herein provide the user with increased functionality for an attachment associated with the system  20 . A user will no longer need to continually replace components of the system  20  to achieve different size cuts or slices. 
         [0059]    All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein. 
         [0060]    The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) is to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless other wise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention. 
         [0061]    Exemplary embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.