Abstract:
A food processor ( 100 ) includes one or more of a removable feed tubes ( 155 ), a cover or lid ( 156 ) for a feed tube opening ( 154 ), a double sided grating disc ( 190 ), a bowl or receptacle ( 110 ) having a pour spout and a complimentary hinged spout lid ( 140   s ) on the bowl cover ( 140 ), a bowl mounted drive shaft ( 115 ), an extensible shaft for mounting various blades or discs at various heights, and an adjustable thickness slicing disc ( 180 ).

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/875,680, filed Dec. 19, 2006, the entire content of which is incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Disclosure 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to food appliances and, more particularly, to electric food processors. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    Electric food processors exist in various sizes and forms. A food processor may be used to prepare food by mixing, grinding, chopping, slicing, grating, shredding, or by a variety of other processing operations. A food processor typically includes a base housing an electric motor, a drive shaft driven by the motor, a bowl and a lid mounted to the bowl. A rotatably driven blade is mounted to the drive shaft to process the food product inside the bowl. 
         [0006]    A limitation of existing food processor appliances is that they are confined to dedicated configurations of blade size and shape, bowl size and shape, and feed chute size and shape. Some are sold with interchangeable components, but, require storage space for these additional components, and, consequently, increase the overall expense of the appliance. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    Accordingly, an improved food processor is provided. The food processor components include one or more of a removable feed tube, a cover or lid for a feed tube opening, a double sided grating disc, a bowl or receptacle having a pour spout and a complimentary hinged spout lid on the bowl cover, a bowl mounted drive shaft, an extensible shaft for mounting various blades or discs at various heights, and an adjustable thickness slicing disc. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the disclosure and, together with a general description of the disclosure given above, and the detailed description of the embodiment(s) given below, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure, wherein: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is a side view of a food processor in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of the main receptacle or housing of the food processor of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2B  is a side view of the housing of  FIG. 2A ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2C  is a side view of the drive shaft assembly of the housing of  FIGS. 2A and 2B ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of the housing of  FIGS. 2A and 2B , including medium and small receptacles; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3B  is a side view of the housing of  FIG. 3A ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3C  is a top view of the housing of  FIGS. 3A and 3B ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of a lid of the food processor of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4B  is a perspective underside view of the lid of  FIG. 4A ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5A-5D  are perspective views of the lid of  FIGS. 4A and 4B , with a cover for enclosing a feed tube opening in various stages of attachment; 
           [0019]      FIG. 6A  is a perspective view of the housing of  FIGS. 2A and 2B , including a slicing disc; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6B  is a side view of the housing of  FIG. 6A ; 
           [0021]      FIGS. 7A-7I  are various views of the slicing disc of  FIG. 6A ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 8A  is a top perspective view of a grating disc according to an aspect of the present disclosure for use with the food processor of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 8B  is a bottom perspective view of the grating disc of  FIG. 8A ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 8C  is a side view of the grating disc of  FIGS. 8A and 8B ; and 
           [0025]      FIGS. 9A-9F  are various views of the housing of  FIGS. 2A and 2B , including a large chopping blade. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0026]    Referring initially to  FIG. 1 , an improved food processor according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown generally as food processor  100 . Food processor  100  includes base  102 , a main receptacle or housing  110  operably connected to the base  102 , and a lid  140  configured to be selectively removable from the main receptacle  110 . Food processor  100  further includes nested medium receptacle  120  and small receptacle  130  selectively removable from within main receptacle  110 . 
         [0027]    Base  102  includes a motor or other rotary drive mechanism (not shown) and may include controls (not shown) for varying the settings of the motor. As will be discussed in further detail below, base  102  may include a locking mechanism (not shown) for preventing food processor  100  from activating when main receptacle  110  is not properly positioned on base  102  and/or lid  140  is not properly received on main receptacle  110 . Base  102  may include additional features known in the art. Thus, the aspects of the present disclosure should not be read as limited by the configuration of the embodiment of base  102  as shown. One suitable base is disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 7,063,283 to Wanat or commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 7,069,839 to Kernan, the entire contents of each disclosure being incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0028]    Turning now to  FIGS. 2A-2C , main receptacle  110  defines a large outer receptacle  112  having a handle  111  and a pour spout  113 . Handle  111  includes a locking mechanism  11   a  configured to prevent food processor  100  from activating when main receptacle  110  and base  102 , or main receptacle  110  and lid  140  are not properly aligned. Locking mechanism for food processors are known and locking mechanism  11   a  may include any of these various means for ensuring proper alignment of base  102 , main receptacle  110  and/or lid  140 . Main receptacle  110  includes lip or groove  110   a  for selective engagement with lid  140 , as will be discussed in further detail below. Main receptacle  110  is operably connected to base  102 . Mounted to a bottom  112   a  of receptacle  112  is a drive shaft assembly  115 . Drive shaft assembly  115  includes a flange  116  operably secured to bottom  112   a  of receptacle  112 . A tube  117  extends from flange  116  and includes a drive shaft  118 . A first end of drive shaft  118  includes a drive coupling  118   a  configured to operably engage a drive mechanism of base  102  ( FIG. 1 ). Drive coupling  118   a  is substantially similar to known blender-style couplings. A second end of drive shaft  118  includes a blade coupling  118   b  configured to engage a cutting blade or other attachment. As shown, blade coupling  118   b  defines a hexagonal member; however, alternative configurations are envisioned. Drive shaft assembly  115  further includes a bearing sleeve  119  positioned between drive shaft  118  and tube  117  to reduce the friction therebetween. 
         [0029]    Referring now to  FIG. 3A-3C , medium receptacle  120  is sized and dimensioned to be received within large receptacle  112 . Medium receptacle  120  includes a pour spout  123 . Medium receptacle  120  further includes a shaft extension mechanism  125 . Shaft extension mechanism  125  extends through a bottom  120   a  of medium receptacle  120  and is operably connected to the second end of drive shaft  118 . As will be discussed in further detail below, shaft extension mechanism  125  is configured to operably engage various attachments. Medium receptacle  120  may include handles (not shown) for facilitating removal of medium receptacle  120  from within large receptacle  112 . 
         [0030]    Still referring to  FIGS. 3A-3C , small receptacle  130  is configured to be received within medium receptacle  120 . Small receptacle  130  includes a flanged opening  132  for receiving shaft extension mechanism  125  from medium receptacle  120 . As will be discussed in further detail below, small receptacle  130  is configured to permit selective mounting of various cutting and/or grating attachments. 
         [0031]    Lid  140  may include spout cover  140   s  configured to cover spouts  113 ,  123  of large receptacle  112  and medium receptacle  120  ( FIG. 1 ), respectively. Spout cover  140   s  is connected to lid  140  by hinge  143  ( FIGS. 1 and 3B ). Spout cover  140   s  is configured such that spouts  113 ,  123  of large and medium receptacles,  112 ,  120 , respectively, are covered during activation of food processor  100 . By pivoting away from spouts  113 ,  123 , spout cover  140   s  permits the contents of large receptacle  112  or medium receptacle  120  to be poured without having to remove lid  140  from main receptacle  110 . 
         [0032]    Turning now to  FIGS. 4A-5D , an alternate embodiment of lid  140  will be described. Lid  150  defines a substantially circular body  152  sized and dimensioned to cover main receptacle  110  ( FIG. 1 ). Lid  150  includes internal frame  153  which defines a feed tube opening  154 . Opening  154  may be generally oval-shaped although other shapes and dimensions are envisioned. Lid  150  may have feed tube  155  and a cover  156 . Feed tube  155  is selectively positionable adjacent or within opening  154 . Cover  156  is adapted for positioning relative to frame  153  to cover opening  154  in the absence of feed tube  155 , e.g., when the feed tube  155  is not in operation. Lid  150  is configured for operable engagement with main receptacle  110 . Lid  150  includes a groove or lip  151   a  extending about an outer circumference  151  configured for selective engagement with lip or groove  110   a  formed on main receptacle  110  ( FIG. 1 ). Lid  150  further includes a flange  158  adapted for engagement by the operator to assist in removing the lid  150 . 
         [0033]    As shown, feed tube  155  defines a substantially annular body having a substantially oval cross-section. Feed tube  155  is configured for selective engagement with lid  150  about opening  154 . Feed tube  155  may include tabs  155   a  configured to selectively engage lid  150 . Tabs  155   a  may snap into corresponding structure of frame  153  to releasably secure feed tube  155  within opening  154 . Feed tube  155  may be released from lid  150  by pressing tabs  155   a  inwardly toward each other. Feed tube  154  further includes a lock release mechanism  155   b  configured to operably engage lock mechanism  11   a  formed in handle  111  when feed tube  155  is proper secured to lid  150 . Feed tube  155  is configured for use with a pusher  150   a  ( FIG. 1 ) to encourage items through feed tube  155 . 
         [0034]    Turning to  FIGS. 5A-5D , cover  156  is configured to selectively engage lid  150  about opening  154 . Cover  156  defines a substantially oval body  160  and has handle  162 . One end  162   a  of handle  162  is pivotally attached to frame  153  defining feed tube opening  154 . In one embodiment, a pivot pin  166  extends through opening  168  of handle  162  and is received within a corresponding receiving element  170  of frame  153 . Cover  156  may rotate or revolve about hinge or pin  166  to be displaced from feed tube opening  154  as depicted in  FIGS. 5A-5D . It is envisioned the pin  166  may be threaded and receiving element  170  may incorporate internal threads whereby cover  156  may be selectively secured within any position relative to frame  153  including the “covered” position of  FIG. 5A  and the displaced position of  FIG. 5D . Thus, cover  156  may not require complete removal from lid  150  during use of feed tube opening  154 . The other end  162   b  of handle  162  may include detent  162   c  which may ride within a corresponding groove or beneath body  152  during the pivotal movement thereof. 
         [0035]    In an alternative, cover  156  may be selectively engageable with  150  such that cover  156  may be separated from lid  150 . In this manner, cover  156  may be inverted, with handle  162  facing downwards, and repositioned within opening  154  (shown in phantom in  FIG. 5D ), thereby reducing the profile of lid  150 . Accordingly, cover  156  may be stored within lid  150  and within main receptacle  110 . 
         [0036]    Handle  162  may includes a lock release mechanism  172  configured to operably engage safety lock mechanism  11   a  formed in handle  111  when cover  156  is properly secured to lid  150  about opening  154 , in the first position ( FIG. 5A ). 
         [0037]    Referring now to  FIGS. 6A-7I , food processor  100  may include a slicing disc  180 . Slicing disc  180  defines a substantially circular body  182  including an adjustable slicing mechanism  184 . Extending from circular body  182  is a shaft  186  configured for operable engagement with drive shaft  118  ( FIG. 1 ) through shaft extension mechanism  125 . Adjustable slicing mechanism  184  includes an adjustment knob  185  configured to raise or lower slicing blade  187  relative to circular body  182 . Slicing disc  180  may include indicia or markings  188   a  to indicate the distance of slicing blade  187  from circular body  182 , thereby indicating slice thickness. Adjustable slicing mechanism  184  is configured such that slicing blade  187  may be positioned against circular body  182  to permit safe cleaning of slicing disc  190 . Slicing disc  180  is configured to be received within small and/or medium receptacles  120 ,  130  ( FIG. 1 ). Adjustable slicing mechanism  184  is positioned within slicing disc  180  such that slicing blade  187  aligns with opening  154  formed in lid  150  when lid  150  is securely attached to main receptacle  110 . Any means for varying the height of slicing blade  187  with adjustment knob  185  are envisioned including threaded or cam means. 
         [0038]    Turning to  FIGS. 8A-8C , food processor  100  may include a grating disc  190 . Grating disc  190  defines a substantially circular body  192  having a first side  194  and a second side  196  and defining an opening  195  therethrough. Opening  195  is configured for operable engagement with shaft  118  through shaft extension mechanism  125 . First side  194  of grating disc  190  includes large cutters  194   a  for grating or creating julienne slices. Second side  196  of grating disc  190  includes small cutters  196   a  for finer grating. Grating disc  190  is configured to be received within small and/or medium receptacles  120 ,  130  ( FIG. 1 ). As with adjustable slicing mechanism  184  of slicing disc  180 , large and small cutters  194   a ,  196   a  of grating disc  190  are positioned such that cutters  194   a ,  196   a  align with opening  154  formed in lid  150  when lid  150  is securely attached to main receptacle  110 . 
         [0039]    Turning back to  FIGS. 3A-3C , food processor  100  may further include a small chopping blade  200 . Small chopping blade  200  is similar to known chopping blades and may include serrations, grooves, multiple cutting surfaces or other suitable configurations for food processing. Small chopping blade  200  is configured to be received with small receptacle  130 . Small chopping blade  200  is configured fit about flanged opening  132  and operably engages shaft extension mechanism  125 . 
         [0040]    With reference now to  FIGS. 9A-9F , food processor  100  may further include a large chopping blade  210 . Like small chopping blade  200 , large chopping blade  210  may include serrations, grooves, multiple cutting surfaces or other suitable configurations for food processing. Large chopping blade  210  is configured for operable engagement with drive shaft  118  and/or shaft extension mechanism  125 , depending on which receptacle  112 ,  120 , respectively, large chopping blade  210  is mounted. Large chopping blade  210  is configured for use within large receptacle  112  or medium receptacle  120 . 
         [0041]    Food processor  100  may be arranged in any number of configurations to perform various functions. Food processor  100  is configured for chopping, grating or slicing various items in various configurations. 
         [0042]    Commonly assigned U.S. patent application entitled “Food Processor” under Attorney Docket No. 2201/p, filed Dec. 19, 2006, U.S. provisional Ser. No. 60/875,681 and commonly assigned U.S. patent application entitled “Food Processor” under Attorney Docket No. 2202/p filed Dec. 19, 2006 U.S. provisional Ser. No. 60/875,679 each disclose subject matter related to the present disclosure. The entire disclosures of each of these applications are hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
         [0043]    Although the illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various other changes and modifications may be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the disclosure.