Abstract:
A processing apparatus and method includes a housing, including: a motor, and a drive shaft rotatable by a motor about a drive axis, including a drive engagement device movable along the drive axis, a bowl, the drive shaft extending into the bowl when the bowl is secured to the housing in a working position, a bowl lid including a chute, a lid shaft including a lid engagement device axially aligned with the drive shaft when the bowl and bowl lid are in the working position, and a pusher including a pusher engagement portion for causing the lid engagement device to move the drive engagement device into the retracted position when the bowl and bowl lid are in the working position, wherein, when the drive engagement device is in the retracted position, the drive shaft is rotatable by the motor.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a processing apparatus and method. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Processing apparatuses use blade tools to chop, shred, knead, and otherwise process materials, such as food. Typically, the food is introduced to a blade tool in use via a chute with a pusher for pushing the food through the chute. After the blade tool has acted on the food, the food is then stored in a bowl. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the present invention advantageously provide a processing apparatus with an improved interlock system and blade storage. 
     An embodiment of the invention includes a processing apparatus which includes a housing, including: a motor, and a drive shaft extending from the housing, the drive shaft being rotatable by the motor about a drive axis, the drive shaft including a drive engagement device being movable along the drive axis between an extended position and a retracted position. The apparatus further includes a bowl including a mouth, the bowl being removably mountable to the housing, the drive shaft extending into the bowl when the bowl is secured to the housing in a working position, a bowl lid removably mountable over the mouth of the bowl, the bowl lid being in a working position when mounted over the bowl, the bowl lid including a chute, a lid shaft mounted on the bowl lid and the chute, the lid shaft including a lid spring configured to be axially aligned with the drive shaft when the bowl and bowl lid are in the working position, and a pusher operable to be moved through the chute, the pusher including a pusher engagement portion for causing the lid spring to move the drive engagement device into the retracted position when the bowl and bowl lid are in the working position. When the drive engagement device is in the retracted position, the drive shaft is rotatable by the motor. 
     Another embodiment of the invention includes a method of assembling a processing apparatus, the method including: providing a housing, including: a motor, and a drive shaft extending from the housing, the drive shaft being rotatable by the motor about a drive axis, the drive shaft including a drive engagement device being movable along the drive axis between an extended position and a retracted position. The apparatus further includes providing a bowl including a mouth, the bowl being removably mountable to the housing, the drive shaft extending into the bowl when the bowl is secured to the housing in a working position, providing a bowl lid removably mountable over the mouth of the bowl, the bowl lid being in a working position when mounted over the bowl, the bowl lid including a chute, providing a lid shaft mounted on the bowl lid and the chute, the lid shaft including a lid spring configured to be axially aligned with the drive shaft when the bowl and bowl lid are in the working position, and providing a pusher operable to be moved through the chute, the pusher including a pusher engagement portion for causing the lid spring to move the drive engagement device into the retracted position when the bowl and bowl lid are in the working position. When the drive engagement device is in the retracted position, the drive shaft is rotatable by the motor. 
     Another embodiment of the invention includes a processing apparatus, including: a housing, including: a motor, and a drive shaft extending from the housing, the drive shaft being rotatable by the motor about a drive axis, the drive shaft including a drive engagement means being movable along the drive axis between an extended position and a retracted position. The apparatus further includes means for containing including a mouth, the containing means being removably mountable to the housing, the drive shaft extending into the containing means when the containing means is secured to the housing in a working position, means for covering removably mountable over the mouth of the containing means, the covering means being in a working position when mounted over the containing means, the covering means including a means for a chute, a lid shaft mounted on the covering means and the chute means, the lid shaft including a lid spring configured to be axially aligned with the drive shaft when the containing means and covering means are in the working position, and a pushing means operable to be moved through the chute means, the pushing means including a pusher engagement portion for causing the lid spring to move the drive engagement means into the retracted position when the containing means and covering means are in the working position. When the drive engagement means is in the retracted position, the drive shaft is rotatable by the motor. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, certain embodiments of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof herein may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional embodiments of the invention that will be described below and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
     In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of embodiments in addition to those described and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this disclosure, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the disclosure itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of various embodiments of the disclosure taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of a food processing apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of a first portion of the food processing apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of a second portion of the food processing apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of a food processing apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a drive shaft protector in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a food pusher in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof and show by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice them, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized, and that structural, logical, processing, and electrical changes may be made. The progression of processing steps described is an example; however, the sequence of steps is not limited to that set forth herein and may be changed as is known in the art, with the exception of steps necessarily occurring in a certain order. 
     The invention will now be described with reference to the drawing figures in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout. Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a processing apparatus  100  includes a motor housing  102  which may include a control panel  104  for controlling functions of the apparatus  100 . The control panel  104  may include buttons, e.g., buttons  105 - 110 , as a user interface to select the apparatus functions. Such functions may include, without limitation, speed, processing time, pulse, operation type, and power. The control panel  104  may further include a visual indicator (not shown), which may be, for example, a light (e.g., an LED) or a screen (e.g., LCD) for providing information to a user. A bowl  112  may be placed over the motor housing  102 . A bowl lid  114  may be placed over the mouth  115  of the bowl  112 . The bowl  112  may include a handle  116 , first and second level indicators  118 ,  119  for indicating levels of processed material, and first and second lock indicators  120 ,  121  for indicating whether the bowl  112  is secured to the motor housing  102  and to the bowl lid  114 . A third lock indicator  122  may be located on the motor housing  102  such that, when aligned with a portion of the first lock indicator  120 , may inform the user that the bowl  112  is secured to the motor housing  102  and in a working position. A fourth lock indicator  123  may be located on the bowl lid  114  such that, when aligned with a portion of the second lock indicator  121 , may inform the user that the bowl lid  114  is secured to the bowl  112  and in a working position. The bowl lid  114  may further include a handle lock  124  for assisting the user in aligning the bowl lid  114  properly on the bowl  112  and a pusher chute  126  for receiving a pusher  128 . There may also be a first locking mechanism (not shown) for securing the bowl  112  to the motor housing  102 , and a second locking mechanism (not shown) for securing the bowl lid  114  to the bowl  112 . 
     The apparatus  100  may further include feet  130  which may be formed of a material, for example, rubber, which may provide a non-marking base for the apparatus  100 . The feet  130  may further be formed to provide a gripping function, e.g., as suction cups, such that the apparatus  100  does not move on its working surface during operation. A cord wrap  132  may be provided to allow an electrical cord  210  ( FIG. 2 ) to be wrapped up when the apparatus  100  is not in use or to shorten the cord  210  when in use. Alternatively, a retractable cord assembly (not shown) may be provided. Decorative items, e.g., logo  134 , may be provided for additional information and/or for aesthetic purposes. 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded view of a first portion of the processing apparatus  100 . The motor housing  102  further includes a motor having a drive axis, e.g., a motor assembly  202 , and related parts that generate the desired mechanical action. The motor housing  102  can have a base  204  and a body  206 . The motor housing  102  may also incorporate electric and/or electronic motor control devices such as a first printed circuit board  208  that, in this example, regulates and interfaces electrical power between a power cord  210  and the motor assembly  202 . Also, the  FIG. 1  control panel  104  may include user interface and operation elements such as a membrane switch surface  212  which could include operational markings such as labels, embossments, etchings, or equivalent. These markings can correspond with individual controls, buttons and/or indicators contributing to the user interface system, e.g., the buttons  105 - 110 . If desired, information could flow to and from the user through various intermediating elements, such as buttons and lights that in this example are attached to control plate  214  and light cover  216 . Signals could flow between the various controls and indicators and a device such as a second printed circuit board  218 , which, in this example, creates the appropriate signals for the first printed circuit board  208 , causing the desired activity to occur. 
     The motor housing  102  could also employ at least one suction cups, e.g. a foot  130 , that can help secure the apparatus to a work surface. The motor housing  102  could also include supporting hardware such as wire cover  220  that may constrain the power cord  210  in a fixed position inside the motor housing  102 . 
     A motor supporter  222 , formed of, e.g., rubber, could contain the motor assembly  202  which could rotate a motor axle gear  224 . The motor axle gear  224 , in turn, may mesh with a drivetrain assembly that may include at least one gear  226  (e.g., a star gear), a gear bracket  228 , a first bushing  230  attached to the gear bracket  228 , and a second and third bushing  232 ,  233  that may be attached to a bushing mount  234 . The bushings  230 ,  232 ,  233  may be formed of, e.g., bronze. The drivetrain assembly can rotate a drive shaft  236  that could be positioned to be exposed to the exterior of the motor housing  102 , and can be supported by a drive shaft mount  238 . 
     One or more parts of the drivetrain assembly may be enclosed or supported by a base gear cover  240 , a top gear case  242 , and a first washer  244 , e.g., a bakelite washer. Various components of the motor housing  102  may also be supported and protected by a sealing ring  246 , and a shock circle  248 . 
     There can also be included optional trim elements such as a decorative cover  250 , a decorative ring  252 , and other decorative items, e.g., the logo  134 . The apparatus  100  may be manufactured in an economical and reliable manner, for example, by using various assembly and fastening strategies that could include hardware such as fasteners  254  and screws  256 - 264 . At least some screws, for example, those visible to the user or subject to debris, may be covered by screw covers  265 . 
     The motor housing  102  may also incorporate an interlock system that can permit the apparatus to operate only when it is properly configured. Typically, the interlock system would detect the presence or absence of items necessary for operation. The interlock system may include a motor engagement device, e.g., a microswitch  266 , that can restrict electrical power from flowing to the motor assembly  202 . Alternatively, a mechanism such as a clutch could also be used for the motor engagement device to disrupt the flow of mechanical energy through the drivetrain assembly. 
     The microswitch  266  within the interlock system may be actuated by a switch lever  268  that can be supported by a fulcrum bar  270 . The switch lever  268  may interface with an action bar  272  that can ordinarily be maintained in a default extended position as a result of pressure applied to the action bar  272  by a first spring  274  supported by a spring mount  276 . The action bar  272  may glide against a pin  278  connected to a first lever  280 , both of which may be contained within the drive shaft  236 . The first lever  280  may be a drive engagement device, and may be located in the drive shaft  236 . These items may then convey a common motion between an extended default position and a retracted position, the retracted position only being achievable against the pressure applied by the first spring  274 . The first lever  280  may interface with the exterior of the motor housing  102 , through the center of the drive shaft  236 . This arrangement allows the first lever  280  to convey its extended or retracted position to the microswitch  266 . The interlock system may be arranged so the presence of items deemed necessary for the operation of the apparatus causes the first lever  280  to assume its retracted position, allowing the machine to be activated. 
     The proper orientation of the drive shaft  236  and the interlock mechanism may be maintained by additional hardware such as a fastening collar  282 , additional washers  284 ,  285  and a securing gasket  286 . Also, a drive shaft protector  288  may be introduced to ensure that the first lever  280  is only retracted by proper the installation of the items intended to be detected. The drive shaft protector  288  will be described in more detail below with respect to  FIG. 5 . 
     Now turning to  FIG. 3 , a second portion of the apparatus  100  is illustrated. The motor housing  102  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) may interface with a container assembly  300  that may include the bowl  112  and a bowl lid  114 . The bowl  112  may include the handle  116  that may further include a bowl handle cover  302 . The bowl  112  may be constructed so it can fit over the drive shaft  236  ( FIG. 2 ). The bowl lid  114  may include a lid shaft  303  that may house a second lever  304  that retracts the first lever  280  ( FIG. 2 ) only as a result of the proper installation of the bowl  112 , bowl lid  114 , and any other items required for operation. 
     The apparatus  100  may further include blade tools  306 ,  308 ,  310  that can be positioned inside the bowl  112  on the drive shaft  236  and be rotated as a result of the mechanical action created by the motor housing  102 . The blade tools  306 ,  308 ,  310  may be reconfigurable and can be selected by the user based on the properties of the material to be processed by the apparatus and the intended results. The blade tools  306 ,  308 ,  310  may include a chopping blade  306 , a dough blade  308 , and a cutter disc  310 . One or more of the blade tools  306 ,  308 ,  310  may be secured to a blade shaft  312  that may be inserted into the bowl  112  and interfaced with the drive shaft  236 . Some of these items may be stabilized by additional hardware such as a fox cap  314 . 
     The blade shaft  312  may include one or more of an active region that can convey mechanical rotation to the inserted blade tools. The blade shaft  312  may also include one or more of an inactive region that could retain a blade tool without rotating it while the machine is otherwise operating or for storage when the apparatus  100  is not in use. This configuration could avoid having to provide exterior storage for unused blades or losing blades that are not in use. In addition, if the apparatus  100  is stored with the bowl lid  114  on the bowl  112  with the blades blade tools  306 ,  308 ,  310  in the bowl, accumulation of dust and debris may be averted. 
     The user may add additional material into the container assembly while the apparatus  100  is operating. The pusher chute  126  may be included with the bowl lid  114 , to accept the additional material and the pusher  128 . Also, to help the user insert the material, an outer pusher  316  may be provided for use as a tool that the user may insert into the pusher chute  126  to complete the introduction and processing of newly added material. 
     The installation of the outer pusher  316  may ensure operation of the apparatus, and may protect the user from suffering direct contact with the rotating blade assembly. Therefore, it may be desirable for the interlock to monitor and require the installation of the outer pusher  316 . The bowl lid  114  may include an engagement sensor  318  that may be secured by a bracket  320  and that may be maintained in a default extended position through mechanical pressure exerted by a second spring  322 . The engagement sensor  318  may be configured so the proper installation of the outer pusher  316  could cause the engagement sensor  318  to interact with a pusher engagement portion  602  ( FIG. 6 ) and an optional pusher engagement portion ramp  604  ( FIG. 6 ) included as part of the outer pusher  316 . This action causes the engagement sensor  318  to assume its retracted position against the force of the second spring  322 . The engagement sensor  318  also interacts with the second lever  304  that is similarly maintained in a default position through force applied by a lid spring, e.g., a third spring  324 , located in the lid shaft  303 . As a result, the movements of the engagement sensor  318  and the second lever  304  can be related to the installation of the outer pusher  316 . Through motion of the engagement sensor  318  and lid spring (e.g., third spring  324 ), the lid engagement device (e.g., the second lever  304 ) may be pushed down, which can move and engage the drive engagement device (e.g., the first lever  280 ) into the retracted, working, or operable position. 
     When the outer pusher  316  is inserted into the pusher chute  126 , the bowl lid  114  is secured to the bowl  112 , and the bowl  112  is secured to the motor housing  102 , the apparatus  100  may be in a operable, or working, position. In this position, the lid engagement device (e.g., second lever  304 ), drive engagement device (e.g., first lever  280 ), and drive shaft  236  may be axially aligned. The drive engagement device (e.g., first lever  280 ) may be moved into the retracted position. 
     One or more of these elements may be protected by a shelter  326  over the engagement sensor  318  and bracket  320 . Also, a portion of the engagement sensor  318  may protrude into a lid shaft guide  328  located on the chute  126  to avoid actuation of the engagement sensor  318  by any object other than the pusher engagement portion  602 . The pusher engagement portion  602  may move through the lid shaft guide  328 , for example, as a rail. 
     The second lever  304  may be positioned to interact with the first lever  280 . This configuration causes the interlock mechanism to only allow the machine to operate as a result of the proper installation of critical elements, such as one or more of the bowl  112 , the blade shaft  312 , the bowl lid  114 , and the outer pusher  316 . 
     The outer pusher  316  may include an inner chute  606  ( FIG. 6 ) that may accept additional material and may accept an inner pusher  330  that may be used as a tool to complete the insertion of material into the inner chute  606 . The inner pusher  330  may include a liquid intake port  332  to allow the user to pour fluid, e.g., water, into the container assembly while the apparatus is operating without the need to remove parts and without the risk of the additional fluid splashing out of the machine upon contact with the rotating blade assembly. The inner pusher  330  and the outer pusher  316  may be joined by a pusher locking mechanism  334 ,  336  so the plurality of pushers may be operated as a single assembly, e.g., the pusher  128  shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 4  shows a cross-section of the apparatus  100  such that elements of  FIGS. 1-3  are illustrated in their assembled positions. It should be appreciated that, in the configuration shown, the apparatus  100  would be in an operative position, such that the interlock is engaged. 
       FIG. 5  shows a drive shaft protector  288  for use with the apparatus  100 . The drive shaft protector  288  includes a body  505  that fits over an end of the first lever  280 . The end of the end of the first lever  280  ( FIG. 2 ) may protrude into the body and be accessible at a hole  515  such that the second lever  304  ( FIG. 3 ) may contact and depress the first lever  280  when the outer pusher  316  is inserted into the chute  126 . An optional slot  510  may allow the side of the end of the first lever  280  to be visible inside the drive shaft protector  288 , which may in proper placement of the drive shaft protector  288  during assembly. 
       FIG. 6  depicts the outer pusher  316 , which includes the aforementioned part of the pusher locking mechanism  334 , the pusher engagement portion  602 , the optional pusher engagement portion ramp  604 , and the inner chute  606 . The outer pusher  316  also has a bottom surface  608  that includes an angled portion  610 . The angle of the angled portion  610  may be nonperpendicular to the drive axis. A nonlimiting example of an angle of the angled portion  610  may be 30-40° from a horizontal axis, or 50-60° from the drive axis. The angled portion  610  may also have an angle where it meets the remainder of the bottom surface  608 , e.g., 30°. During operation of the apparatus  100 , when the outer pusher  316  is inserted into the pusher chute  126 , the angled portion  610  generates an effect to force material that may stick to the outer pusher  316  or to the side of the pusher chute  126  through the blade tool in use (e.g., any of blade tools  306 ,  308 ,  310 ) and into the bowl  112 . 
     Embodiments of the a processing apparatus may include other functions. For example, a temperature control system, such as an ice vessel or heating device, may be provided. Such a temperature control system may help to maintain food. 
     An overflow switch may shut off machine, e.g., in case of foaming or pressure buildup. In one embodiment, the switch may be attached to the engagement sensor  318 . An overflow spout can direct the exit path of material that exceeds the capacity of the container. Embodiments may also include an automatic cleaning capability that allows the user to operate the machine while intentionally overfilling the container assembly with water or other cleaning material, causing it to exit through the overflow spout, thereby cleaning the parts of the apparatus that ordinarily interact with the material it is processing. An automatic drying capability, possibly used after the automatic cleaning cycle, may eliminate or expel most of the remaining water or cleaning material from the machine, such as by centrifugal action, airflow, heat, or similar activity involved with the apparatus&#39;s operation 
     An air intake control port can affect the results of the material being processed. This could be used for achieve specific results, such as in making whipped cream, shaving cream, or to condition dough or batter to control the fluffiness of the subsequently baked or cooked product. 
     A serving or portioning mode may be provided in which the apparatus is operated in conjunction with the air intake, causing the air to displace contained material and a controlled amount of material to intentionally be discharged through the overflow spout. This could be used, for example, to allow the material within the apparatus to be distributed for individual consumption. 
     Embodiments include color coding of various parts, e.g., the blade tools  306 ,  308 ,  310 , for easy reconfiguration and identification. Additional embodiments of the invention may include an inverted design such that the motor housing  102  is located at the top of the apparatus and is installed suspended, for example, from under a kitchen counter or cabinet. 
     Further embodiments include an ice cream cycle, which may be a program mode to make ice cream and other frozen desserts. A power cord adapter may be provided which may include, for example, a specially flattened region to allow the entire unit to be placed inside an ordinary freezer such that the flattened region of the power cord may be positioned across the existing freezer door seal gasket to allow the freezer door to close and the freezer operate normally. 
     Embodiments may include a temperature sensor (e.g., a thermometer, thermocouple, or thermistor) for measuring the temperature of processed material for use as part of the some modes of the control algorithm. The temperature sensor may be used with the aforementioned temperature control system or for processes and recipes requiring the real-time temperature to be considered when making control decisions. 
     It should be appreciated that, although the material to be processed is often discussed as “food,” other materials may be processed. Further, the materials described herein for forming various items of the apparatus  100  are not intended to be limiting, and are only provided as examples. 
     The processes and devices in the above description and drawings illustrate examples of only some of the methods and devices that could be used and produced to achieve the objects, features, and advantages of embodiments described herein. Thus, they are not to be seen as limited by the foregoing description of the embodiments, but only limited by the appended claims. Any claim or feature may be combined with any other claim or feature within the scope of the invention. 
     The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the detailed specification, and, thus, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of the invention which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and variations will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described, and, accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to that fall within the scope of the invention.