Abstract:
A device for drying food is disclosed in an embodiment as a container including a bowl having a side wall terminating at a top edge defining an opening and a cover substantially covering the opening; a basket assembly disposed in the bowl and rotatable relative to the container about an axis at a variable rate of rotation, the basket assembly including a basket having a side wall terminating at a top edge; and a lid, the lid being releasably coupled to the basket and the cover.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0001]     This invention relates to spinning devices for drying wet food, such as salad spinners, and more particularly, to lids capable of being separated from associated covers to be cleaned.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     Various devices for drying food, such as salad spinners, are known. These salad spinners usually include a bowl, a cover connected to the bowl, a perforated basket, and a crank-type, lever, pull cord or other such actuator coupled to the basket for spinning the same. These prior spinners, however, are not always stable when actuated, often moving laterally during actuation, which can be merely an annoyance or may cause the spinner to fall off its support to the floor. These falls may cause the spinner to be damaged or food contents thereof to be spilled. To safely use the spinner, a user must often hold down the spinner with one hand and actuate with the other hand.  
         [0003]     Additionally, although some such devices include rotating lid mechanisms for covering the basket while spinning, these mechanisms generally may collect food particles between the lid and the cover and, if the cover and lid are clear, may exhibit undesirable water stain markings on difficult to access inner surfaces and are not capable of having such particles or watermarks removed therefrom.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0004]     It is a general object of the invention to provide an improved device for drying food which avoids the disadvantages of prior devices while affording additional structural and operating advantages.  
         [0005]     An important feature of the invention is the provision of a device of the type set forth which has a lid that is releasably coupled to the cover such that food particles that are trapped therebetween can be removed.  
         [0006]     An important feature of the invention is the provision of a device of the type set forth which has a brake to quickly stop the basket from spinning without soiling a user or contaminating the food being dried in the basket.  
         [0007]     A further feature of the invention is the provision of device of the type set forth which can be used with ease and convenience.  
         [0008]     In connection with the foregoing feature, a further feature of the invention is the provision of device of the type set forth, which can be operated with one hand while the bowl remains stationary in use.  
         [0009]     Certain ones of these and other features of the invention may be attained by providing a device for drying food comprising a container including a bowl having a side wall terminating at a top edge defining an opening and a cover substantially covering the opening; a basket assembly disposed in the bowl and rotatable relative to the container about an axis at a variable rate of rotation, the basket assembly including a basket having a side wall terminating at a top edge; and a lid, the lid being releasably coupled to the basket and the cover.  
         [0010]     The invention consists of certain novel features and a combination of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that various changes in the details may be made without departing from the spirit, or sacrificing any of the advantages of the present invention.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]     For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the invention, there is illustrated in the accompanying drawings a preferred embodiment thereof, from an inspection of which, when considered in connection with the following description, the invention, its construction and operation, and many of its advantages should be readily understood and appreciated.  
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a side elevational view of one embodiment of the device for drying food of the present invention, with a partial fragmentary sectional view of the brake assembly in a non-engaged condition;  
         [0013]      FIG. 1A  is an enlarged, fragmentary view of the brake assembly shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of the embodiment of the device for drying food of  FIG. 1 , with a partial fragmentary sectional view of the brake assembly in an engaged condition;  
         [0015]      FIG. 2A  is an enlarged, fragmentary view of the brake assembly shown in  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0016]      FIG. 3  is a partial fragmentary perspective top view of an embodiment of the lid and cover in a disengaged condition;  
         [0017]      FIG. 4  is a partial fragmentary perspective bottom view of an embodiment of the lid and cover in a disengaged condition;  
         [0018]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of the lid and cover of  FIGS. 3 and 4  in a engaged condition;  
         [0019]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of the lid and cover of  FIG. 5  in a engaged condition, showing the direction of the application of force to disengage the lid and cover;  
         [0020]      FIG. 7  is an exploded cross-sectional view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0021]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the brake assembly of  FIG. 2  in a non-engaged condition; and  
         [0022]      FIG. 8A  is a cross-sectional view of the brake assembly of  FIG. 8  in an engaged condition. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0023]     Referring to  FIGS. 1-7 , a device for drying food, such as a salad spinner  20 , is provided. The salad spinner  20  generally includes a container having a bowl  22  and a cover  24  for the bowl  22 , a perforated basket  26  disposed in the bowl  22 , a lid  28  for the basket  26  and a drive assembly  30  for rotating the perforated basket  26  via the lid  28  relative to the container.  
         [0024]     The bowl  22  is circular in shape and has a central vertical axis A (shown in  FIG. 8 ) and a bottom wall  32  having a cone-shaped projection  34  in its center. The bowl  22  also includes a sidewall  36  terminating in a top edge  38  and a foot  40  connected to the bottom wall  32  and preferably made of a non-slip material.  
         [0025]     The basket  26 , as best seen in  FIG. 7 , includes a plurality of latitudinal, coaxial circular ribs  42  connected by a plurality of longitudinal ribs  44  of various lengths. The ribs  42  and  44  cooperate to define a plurality of various sized, generally rectangular apertures  46 . The basket  26  also includes a bottom  48  having a cone-shaped projection  50  at its center which sits atop cone-shaped projection  34  to form a rotational bearing. The ribs  42  and  44  together form a sidewall  52  terminating at an upper edge  54 .  
         [0026]     The lid  28 , as best seen in  FIGS. 1A, 2A ,  3 ,  4  and  7  includes a cylindrical peripheral sidewall  56  having a plurality of ribs  58  projecting outwardly therefrom. Referring to  FIG. 3 , the ribs  58  cooperate to provide a releasable coupling for releasably coupling with a plurality of mating ribs projecting inwardly from the cylindrical peripheral edge  54  of the basket  26 .  
         [0027]     The lid  28  can be of unitary construction or made up of more than one piece and may fully cover the basket or may be of open or perforated structure. The lid  28  may also include an annular groove  60  supporting a ring  67 . The lid  28  includes a frustoconical shaped central portion  62  depending from the lid  28 , a cover engagement member  64  integral with the frustoconical shaped central portion  62  and forming a shoulder  65 , and an internal, upwardly projecting portion  66  integral with the central portion  62 . The upwardly projecting portion  66  varies in width and has a shoulder surface  68  formed thereon.  
         [0028]     As seen in  FIG. 7 , the cover  24  includes a cylindrical sidewall  72  having an outer diameter substantially equal to the inner diameter of the top edge  38  of the bowl  22  thereby forming a friction fit therebetween. The cover  24  also has an upper surface portion  78 , a depending, substantially frustoconical shaped central surface portion  80 , a bottom surface portion  82  and a generally cylindrical upwardly projecting portion  84  (shown in  FIG. 3 ) disposable coaxially about a portion of the upwardly projecting portion  66  of the lid  28 . A plug  75  closes the lower end of the upwardly projecting portion  66  to prevent food from entering the interior thereof. The upwardly projecting portion  84  engages drive assembly  30 .  
         [0029]     As best seen in  FIGS. 3-7 , the cylindrical surface portion  80 , includes slots  81  running a portion of the length of the frustoconical shaped central surface portion  80 . Upwardly projecting portions  66  engage slots  81 , the upper end of the slots  81  coming to rest on shoulders  68 .  
         [0030]     As illustrated in  FIGS. 3-6 , cover  24  is releasably engageable with lid  28 . The releasable engagement is accomplished by cover engagement member  64  of lid  28  biasing out of its resting position as lid engagement member  74  of cover  24  passes internally downward in frustoconical shaped central portion  62 . Lid engagement members  74  include shoulders  76 , which come to rest in an abutting engagement with shoulders  65  of frustoconical shaped central portion  62 . Thus, as detailed further below, rotational movement of lid  28  in one embodiment is accomplished by the engagement between slots  81  and upwardly projecting portions  66 , as well as cover engagement member  64  and lid engagement member  74 . To disengage the cover  24  from the lid  28 , the user depresses cover engagement member  64  along grips  70 , which provide increased tactile engagement and applies force sufficient to deform frustoconical shaped central portion  80  and push lid engagement members  74  further inside frustoconical shaped central portion  62  so that shoulders  76  do not engage shoulders  65 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 5-6 . Permitting lid  28  and cover  24  to releasably engage one another allows a user to separate the lid  28  from cover  24  and remove any food debris that becomes trapped therebetween.  
         [0031]     Referring to  FIG. 8 , the drive assembly  30  includes a linearly reciprocating handle structure  94  (or plunger assembly) moveable along vertical axis A. The reciprocating handle structure  94  includes a disc shaped upper end  96 , or button structure, and a coaxial cylindrical sidewall  98  depending therefrom. The cylindrical sidewall  98  has a slot  99  adjacent to its upper end.  
         [0032]     Referring again to  FIG. 8 , the drive assembly  30  may also include a conversion mechanism  112  for converting the reciprocating movement of the handle structure  94  to rotary motion of the basket  26 . The conversion mechanism  112  includes an elongated helical screw shaft  114  coaxial with the handle structure  94  and connected at one end to the disc shaped upper end  96 , preferably by a pin  107 . The elongated helical shaft  114  extends a slight distance below the lower end of the cylindrical sidewall  98 .  
         [0033]     The conversion mechanism  112  also includes a nut  116  having a slot  118  shaped to receive the helical shaft  114  therethrough for screw-type engagement therewith.  
         [0034]     As seen in the embodiment of  FIG. 8 , the drive assembly  30  also includes a cap  120  having a top wall  122  and a substantially cylindrical sidewall  124 . The substantially cylindrical sidewall  124  includes a radially inwardly extending projection  126  at its bottom end. The cap  120  is disposed about the terminal end  63  of the upwardly projecting portion  61  of the lid  28  above shoulder surface  71  and the projection  126  is disposed in slot  73  to maintain the cap  120  attached to upwardly projecting portion  61 . The cap  120  limits the axial movement of the nut  116 .  
         [0035]     Referring again to  FIG. 8 , the drive assembly  30  also includes a helical compression spring  128  seated in groove  130  of the upwardly projecting portion  84   a  and against the disc shaped upper portion  96  of the reciprocating handle structure  94 .  
         [0036]     In operation, the drive assembly  30  works as follows. The conversion mechanism  112  is typically in a non-engaged normal rest condition where the engaging portions (not shown) of the nut  116  are spaced apart axially from the engaging portions  132  of the lid  28 . The spring  128  biases the drive assembly  30  to this condition.  
         [0037]     When downward force is applied to the disc shaped upper portion  96  of the reciprocating handle structure  94 , the reciprocating handle structure  94 , the attached helical shaft  114  and the nut  116  initially move together axially downwardly so that the engaging portions of nut  116  contact associated engaging portions  132  of the lid  28 . The conversion mechanism  112  is now in the engaged condition.  
         [0038]     Continuing application of force in the same direction causes the helical shaft  114  to axially move through the slot  118  of the nut  116  to rotate the nut  116 . This causes engaging portions of the rotating nut  116  to contact the engaging portions  132  of the lid  28  to rotate the lid  28  and the perforated basket  26  coupled thereto about vertical axis A. The reciprocating handle structure  94  may be plunged down until the disc shaped upper end  96  or other portion of reciprocating handle structure contacts a portion of the cover  24 . When downward force is terminated, the nut is free to climb the helical shaft  114  so as to decouple from the engagement portions  132  of the lid  28  as the lid  28  continues to rotate. When downward force is no longer applied, the spring  128  causes the reciprocating handle structure  94 , the helical shaft  114  and the nut  116  to initially move axially upwardly together until the nut  116  contacts the top wall  122  of the cap  120  to stop further axial movement of the nut  116 . The conversion mechanism  112  is now in its disengaged condition. The helical shaft  114  and the reciprocating handle structure  94 , however, continue to move axially upward. During this axial movement, the helical shaft  114  moves through the slot  118  of nut  116  causing it to rotate. Repeated plunging motions may be applied, as necessary, to rotate the basket  26  in which wet or washed food is placed. The rotation of the perforated basket  26  causes the liquid on the food to be sent out of the perforated basket  26  through apertures  46  by centrifugal force into the bowl  22 , thereby drying the food in the basket.  
         [0039]     In addition to the engagement described above, which may couple the lid  28  to the basket  26 , the ribs  44  of the perforated basket  26  and the ribs  58  of the lid  28  cooperate to ensure that the basket  26  rotates when the reciprocating handle structure  94  is plunged down. When the lid  28  is rotated, each rib  58  thereof can contact a rib  44  to rotate the perforated basket  26 .  
         [0040]     Alternatives to drive assembly  30  may also be used with the present invention. For example, the conversion mechanism of the drive assembly could include a gearing system wherein the linear reciprocating handle structure (or plunger assembly) may include a shaft having a vertically disposed gear rack. The gearing system would also include an annular gear rack disposed on or coupled to the lid  28  (and basket  26 ) and an intermediary primary gear coupling the vertical gear rack to the annular gear rack. When downward force is applied to the plunger assembly, the vertical gear rack engages the primary gear, which in turn engages the circular rack to rotate the lid and basket coupled thereto. When downward stroke is terminated, the intermediate gear is then free to decouple from the circular rack as the lid  28  continues to rotate with basket  26 .  
         [0041]     As illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 8 A, the salad spinner  20  may include a stop mechanism  100  to prevent axial movement of the reciprocating handle structure  94 . The stop mechanism  100  includes the slot  99  of the cylindrical sidewall  98  and a latch  102  supported by the cover  24 .  
         [0042]     The latch  102  includes a central portion  104  terminating in a projection  106 . As seen in  FIGS. 8 and 8 A, when it is desired to prevent axial movement of the reciprocating handle structure  94 , the handle structure  94  is fully depressed and the latch  102  is slid so that the projection  106  is placed in slot  99  of the reciprocating handle structure  94 .  
         [0043]     Referring again to  FIGS. 1-2A , a salad spinner  20  is illustrated having a brake assembly  200  is provided to stop the rotation of the basket  26  and the cover  24  is provided to accommodate the brake assembly  200 .  
         [0044]     The brake assembly  200  includes an actuator  202  coupled to a brake pad. The actuator  202  is formed of a flexible, resilient material, such as a rubber or plastic, and is shaped and dimensioned to be flexible and resilient. The actuator  202  includes an annular sidewall  206  connected to a top wall  208 . The top wall  208  has interior and exterior surfaces  210 ,  212  and a substantially cylindrical projection  214  depending from the interior surface  210  centrally thereof. The projection  214  has an axial bore  216  in its distal end.  
         [0045]     The brake pad  204  is formed of a hard material, such as a plastic. The brake pad  204  includes a cylindrical sidewall  220  and a bottom wall  222  integral therewith. The sidewall  220  has a radially outwardly extending annular flange  220 A at its open end. The bottom wall  222  and the cylindrical sidewall  220  define a bore  218 . The bottom wall  222  has interior and exterior surfaces  224 ,  226 . The brake pad  204  also has a cylindrical projection  228  projecting up from the interior surface  224  of the bottom wall  222 , centrally thereof.  
         [0046]     As seen in  FIGS. 1A and 2A , the brake pad  204  is coupled, by an interference fit, or the like, to the actuator  202 . Specifically, the cylindrical projection  214  of the actuator  202  is disposed in the bore  218  of the cylindrical sidewall  220  of the brake pad  204 . Additionally, the cylindrical projection  228  of the brake pad  204  is disposed in the inner bore  216  of the cylindrical projection  214  of the actuator  202 .  
         [0047]     As seen in  FIG. 1A , the cover  24  has interior and exterior surfaces  229 A,  229 B and includes a circular opening bounded by a cylindrical sidewall  230  depending from the interior surface  229 A of the cover  24  and integral at its distal end with a bottom wall  232 . Upstanding from the bottom wall  232  is a first annular sidewall  234  having a radial slot  236 . A second annular sidewall  238 , shorter and thicker than first annular sidewall  234  and coaxial therewith, extends both below and above the bottom wall  232 . The second annular sidewall  238  is disposed radially inwardly from the first annular sidewall  234 . The second annular sidewall  238  defines an aperture  240 . The bottom wall  232  may also include apertures generally between the sidewalls  234  and  238 . The apertures would allow moisture or water to flow out of the circular opening as necessary.  
         [0048]     The brake assembly  200  is supported and carried by the cover  24 . The sidewall  206  of the actuator  202  is disposed between cylindrical sidewall  230  and the first annular sidewall  234  and rests on the bottom wall  232 . The first annular sidewall  234  has an outer diameter substantially equal to the inner diameter of the sidewall  206  of the actuator  202  to form an interference fit therewith. When the brake assembly  200  is carried by cover  24 , the top wall  208  of the actuator  202  is advantageously disposed at the exterior surface  229 B of the cover  24 . The brake pad  204  extends into the aperture  240  defined by the second annular sidewall  238 .  
         [0049]     The brake assembly  200  is moveable between a non-engaged position, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 1 A, and an engaged position as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 2 A. In the non-engaged position, the lid  28  and basket  26  are free to rotate, as discussed above with respect to the first salad spinner  20  embodiment.  
         [0050]     The lid  28  includes an annular brake surface  61  against which the brake pad  204  applies frictional force when in an engaged position. The annular brake surface  61  may be integral with the lid  28  or may be a separate ring  67  made part of the lid  28  by insertion into an annular groove  60 . The ring  67  may be formed of a flexible, resilient material, such as rubber or plastic, and is shaped and dimensioned to be fit into the groove  60  of the lid  28 . In the engaged position, the bottom wall  222  of the brake pad  204  contacts the annular brake surface  61  of the lid  28  to stop the rotation of the lid  28  and connected basket  26 . Unaesthetic appearance of frictional abrasion from the brake pad  204  upon the lid  28  as can be seen though the clear cover  24  is minimized by localizing abrasion onto the annular brake surface  61 .  
         [0051]     The brake assembly  200  is moved, as seen in  FIGS. 2 and 2 A, to the engaged position simply by applying downward pressure, such as by a finger, on the top wall  208  of the actuator  202 . The brake pad  204  coupled thereto is moved downward guided by the second annular sidewall  238  through aperture  240  to contact the lid  28 , which stops the lid  28  and basket  26  from rotating. The second annular sidewall  238  also aids in preventing the brake pad  204  from being tilted by the rotating lid so that a large portion of the surface area of the bottom wall  222  of the brake pad  204  contacts the lid  28 . The annular flange  220 A will contact the top end of the second annular sidewall  238  to retain the brake pad  204  in assembly with the cover  24 .  
         [0052]     When pressure is released, the flexible resilient nature of the actuator  202  biases the brake assembly  200  back to the non-engaged position. Alternatively, a spring, such as a compression spring, or other biasing means, could be used to bias the brake assembly  200  to its non-engaged position thereby allowing the actuator  202  to be formed of most any material and/or to be integrally formed as a one-piece unit with the brake pad. Alternatively, the brake pad  24  may be coupled in a hinging manner to the cover  24  facilitating a controlled generally axial relationship of the brake pad  204  movement in relationship to the lid  28 .  
         [0053]     In another embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 8 A brake assembly  300  is shown carried by cover  24 . In this embodiment, brake assembly  300  includes actuator  302  and lever body  304 . Lever body  304  includes a lid engagement arm  306  and a cover engagement arm  308 . Cover engagement arm  308  has a series of shoulders  310  so as to engage cover  24  and provide a pivot point for lever body  304  as detailed below. Lever body  304  is formed of a resilient material, such as plastic, that is sufficiently firm so as to transfer sufficient frictional force to lid  28  through lid engagement arm  306 , so as to stop rotation of the lid  28 . The frictional force applied through the lid engagement arm upon the rotating lid may also be sufficient force so as to cause the rotating lid  28  to press against a portion of the non-rotating cover  24  so as to more rapidly stop the rotation of the lid  28 .  
         [0054]     Lid  28  may include an annular groove  29  to accommodate lid engagement arm  306 . In operation, as illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 8 A, the user depresses actuator  302 , thereby pressing down upon lever body  304 . This application of force is transferred down lever body  304  to lid engagement arm  306  and cover engagement arm  308 . Shoulders  310  reduce or prevent the movement of cover engagement arm  308 , thus causing lever body  304  to pivot downward with lid engagement arm  306  contacting lid  28 , forcing lid  28  into contact with cover  24  to halt the rotation of lid  28 .  
         [0055]     When the downward pressure applied by the user is released, the flexible resilient nature of integral protrusions (not shown) from the lever body  304  biases brake assembly  300  back to the non-engaged position. Alternatively, a spring, such as a compression spring, or other biasing means, could be used to bias the brake assembly  300  to its non-engaged position, thereby allowing the actuator  302  to be formed of most any material and/or to be integrally formed as a one-piece unit with the lever body  304 .  
         [0056]     While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. Therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only and not as a limitation. The actual scope of the invention is intended to be defined in the following claims when viewed in their proper perspective based on the prior art.