Patent Publication Number: US-2022234232-A1

Title: Spiralizer Device

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present application relates generally to kitchen appliances for cutting foods and, more particularly, to spiralizer devices for cutting vegetables into elongated strands. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A spiralizer device is a kitchen appliance used for cutting vegetables into elongated strands. The spiralizing devices are configured to be used on a wide variety of vegetables, such as but not limited to zucchinis, potatoes, cucumbers, and carrots. The elongated strands often have a spiral shape which provides an aesthetically pleasing appearance as well as a functional shape for cooking. 
     A spiralizer device basically includes a base and a blade that rotates relative to the base. During use, a vegetable is positioned in the base and in contact against the blade. The blade is then rotated relative to the vegetable to cut the vegetable. The spiralizer device should be configured for the blade to smoothly rotate relative to the base for the vegetables to be cut into consistent and continuous strands. The spiralizer device should be constructed to prevent the cut vegetables from interfering with components that provide for rotation of the blade relative to the base. For example, gears and other like intermeshing components that provide for the relative rotation of the blade should be configured to prevent cut pieces of the vegetables from interfering with the operation. 
     It is necessary to regularly clean the spiralizer device after use. This removes pieces of the cut vegetables that remain on the device after cutting and ensures the spiralizer device is clean and ready for the next use. The spiralizer device should also be configured to be cleaned in a straight-forward manner. This includes providing access to the various surfaces of the base and blade to ensure that they are cleaned thoroughly. The design should prevent features that are difficult to access to remove the vegetable parts and/or to fully clean. 
     SUMMARY 
     One aspect is directed to a spiralizer device configured to be powered by a kitchen utensil. The spiralizer device comprises a base comprising a body comprising an annular shape with a central opening, a mount that extends outward from the base to engage with the kitchen utensil, and a gear attached to the body and in contact with the mount with the gear configured to be rotated by the mount. A cutting member is sized to fit within the central opening and comprises a blade with an exposed cutting edge with the cutting member comprising teeth that engage with the gear to rotate the cutting member relative to the base. 
     In another aspect, the spiralizer device further comprises a chute having a cylindrical shape and a central passage with the chute configured to attach to the base with the central passage aligned with the central opening of the body. 
     In another aspect, the chute is a first chute and the central passage is a first central passage, and further comprising a second chute with a cylindrical body that is sized to fit within the first central passage of the first chute and comprising a second central passage comprising a smaller diameter than the first central passage. 
     In another aspect, the base, the cutting member, and the chute are coaxially aligned. 
     In another aspect, the base further comprises a bottom section, and a top section connected to the bottom section with the bottom and top sections forming an interior space with the gear positioned within the interior space. 
     In another aspect, the base further comprises an annular blade holder movably connected to the bottom section and the top section with the blade holder comprising teeth that engage with the gear to rotate relative to the bottom section and the top section. 
     In another aspect, the blade holder comprises a cylindrical shape with a central opening and with a shelf that extends into the central opening and the cutting member comprises a flange that seats against the shelf. 
     In another aspect, the cutting member comprises a tapered body with a slot that receives the blade. 
     In another aspect, the mount comprises an elongated shape with a first end that extends outward beyond the base and a second end that is positioned within the base with the first end comprising a polygonal sectional shape to engage with the kitchen utensil. 
     One aspect is directed to a spiralizer device configured to be powered by a kitchen utensil. The spiralizer device comprises a base comprising a first annular section, a second annular section positioned on the first annular section and comprising a set of teeth with the second annular section being rotatable relative to the first annular section, a central opening formed by the first annular section and the second annular section, a mount that extends outward from the first annular section to engage with the kitchen utensil, and a gear attached to the mount and comprising gear teeth that engage with the teeth on the second annular section. A cutting member is positioned in the central opening and comprises a blade with an exposed cutting edge with the cutting member engaged with the second annular section to rotate with the second annular section and relative to the first annular section. 
     In another aspect, the spiralizer device further comprises a chute with a cylindrical shape and a central passage with the chute configured to attach to the base with the central passage aligned with the central opening of the base. 
     In another aspect, the first annular section and the second annular section extend around and form an interior space and with the gear positioned within the interior space. 
     In another aspect, the first annular section, the second annular section, the cutting member, and the chute are co-axially aligned. 
     In another aspect, the cutting member comprises a tapered body. 
     One aspect is directed to a method of using a spiralizer device with a kitchen utensil. The method comprises: inserting a mount on the spiralizer device into a port on the kitchen utensil with the mount extending outward from a base of the spiralizer device with the base comprising an annular shape; rotating the mount and thereby rotating a holder relative to the base with the holder comprising an annular shape; rotating a cutting member that is positioned against the holder with the cutting member comprising a blade; and inserting a vegetable into a chute and against the cutting member and cutting the vegetable with the blade. 
     In another aspect, the method further comprises engaging teeth on the holder with a gear that is positioned on the mount and rotating the holder while rotating the mount. 
     In another aspect, the method further comprises inserting the cutting member into a central opening of the base and engaging ribs on the holder with ribs on the cutting member. 
     In another aspect, the method further comprises positioning a gear that is positioned on the mount and gear teeth on the holder within an interior space of the base and shielding the gear and the gear teeth. 
     In another aspect, the method further comprises attaching a cylindrical chute onto the base and aligning an input port in the chute with the cutting member. 
     In another aspect, the method further comprises inserting an additional cylindrical chute into the chute and reducing a size of the input port into the cutting member. 
     The features, functions and advantages that have been discussed can be achieved independently in various aspects or may be combined in yet other aspects, further details of which can be seen with reference to the following description and the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a spiralizer device attached to a kitchen utensil. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a spiralizer device. 
         FIG. 3  is a section view of the spiralizer device cut along line III-Ill of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of a spiralizer device. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a blade holder. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a cutting member. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an outer chute member. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an outer chute member attached to a base. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an inner chute member. 
         FIG. 10  is a flowchart diagram of a method of using a spiralizer device with a kitchen utensil. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present application is directed to a spiralizing device that cuts vegetables into elongated strands. The spiralizing device includes a base  20  that connects to a kitchen appliance  100 , and a cutting member  30  for cutting the vegetables. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the spiralizing device  10  is an accessory that connects to and receives power from the kitchen appliance  100 . In the example of  FIG. 1 , the kitchen appliance  100  is an electric mixer that includes a port  101  for receiving the spiralizing device  10 . The spiralizing device  10  can also be used with various other types of kitchen appliances that include ports  101  for mounting. 
       FIGS. 2, 3, and 4  illustrate an example of a spiralizing device  10  that includes the base  20 , the cutting member  30 , and the chute  40 . The base  20  includes an annular shape with a central opening  66  for the vegetables to pass through during the cutting process. The base  20  includes a bottom section  21  and a top section  22  that are connected together by fasteners  90 . Each of the bottom section  21  and top section  22  include annular shapes that together form the central opening  66 . The bottom section  21  and top section  22  further form an interior space  69 . The interior space  69  can be fully enclosed or include one or more openings. 
     A mount  23  is connected to and extends outward from one side of the base  20 . The mount  23  includes an elongated shape with a first end  24  that is positioned radially outward beyond the base  20  and a second end  25  positioned within the interior space  69  of the base  20 . In one example, the first end  24  includes a polygonal sectional shape to engage with the drive unit of the kitchen utensil  100  when the mount  24  is positioned within the port  101 . A flange  26  is connected to an exterior of the base  20  and includes an opening through which the mount  23  extends. The flange  26  can include a neck that extends outward to engage with the port  101  of the kitchen utensil  100 . 
     A gear  27  is attached to the mount  23 . The gear  27  includes a central opening  29  that receives the mount  23  and teeth  28  that extend around a circular exterior. The gear  27  is attached to the mount  23  to rotate when the mount  23  is rotated by the kitchen utensil  100 . The gear  27  is positioned within the interior space  69  of the base  20  to protect and shield the gear  27  from the cut vegetables and debris that can result from the cutting process. 
     The base  20  also includes a blade holder  60  configured to receive the cutting member  30 .  FIG. 5  illustrates the blade holder  60  removed from the base  20 . The blade holder  60  includes an annular shape with a top edge  61 , bottom edge  62 , and a central opening  65 . A lip  63  extends around the periphery of the top edge  61  and includes teeth  64 . The teeth  64  are aligned to face downward towards the bottom edge  62 . 
     One or more ribs  67  are positioned along the inner side of the blade holder  60  and extend radially into the central opening  65 . The ribs  67  can include various spacings and sizes. A shelf  68  also extends around the inner side of the blade holder  60  and is exposed around the central opening  65 . In one example as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the ribs  67  are positioned along the shelf  68 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the blade holder  60  is co-axially aligned with the bottom and top sections  21 ,  22  of the base  20 . The lip  63  is aligned for the teeth  64  to engage with the teeth  28  on the gear  27 . Therefore, rotation of the mount  23  rotates the gear  27  which in turn rotates the blade holder  60 . Thus, the blade holder  60  rotates relative to the bottom and top sections  21 ,  22  of the base  20 . The teeth  64  and gear  27  are positioned in the interior space  69  formed by the bottom and top sections  21 ,  22  of the base  20 . This protects these components and prevents and/or reduces debris from accumulating which could prevent rotation and/or efficiency of the rotation of the blade holder  60 . In one example, the blade holder  60  fits within an opening formed between the bottom and top sections  21 ,  22  thus fully enclosing the interior space  69 . 
     The cutting member  30  is sized and shape to engage with the blade holder  60 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 6 , the cutting member  30  includes a body  31  and a blade  32 . The body  31  has a tapered shape that reduces in size from a first end  33  to a second end  34 . In one example, the body  31  includes a frusto-conical shape with a flat second end  34 . A slot  35  extends through the body  31  and is sized to receive the blade  32 . In one example, the slot  35  is perpendicular to the first end  33  and extends directly towards the second end  34 . In one example as illustrated in  FIG. 6 , a single slot  35  extends through the body  31  to receive a single blade  32 . In other examples, two or more slots  35  are positioned in the body  31  and each configured to receive a separate blade  32 . The second end  34  includes an opening  37 . The opening  37  provides for liquid or sections of the cut vegetables to pass through the cutting member  30 . 
     The body  31  further includes a flange  39  at the first end  33 . The flange  39  extends radially outward from the tapered surface and provides for engaging with the blade holder  60 . In one example, the body  31  is sized to fit within the opening  65  of the blade holder  60 . The flange  39  engages with the shelf  68  and positions the cutting member  30  in an axial position relative to the blade holder  60 . One or more ribs  36  extend outward from the underside of the flange  39 . The ribs  36  are configured to engage with the one or more ribs  67  on the blade holder  60 . During rotation of the blade holder  60 , the one or more ribs  67  engage with the one or more ribs  36 . Thus, the rotation of the blade holder  60  rotates the cutting member  30 . 
     The blade  32  is mounted in the slot  35 . In one example as illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the blade  32  includes a rectangular shape with a cutting edge  38  exposed to contact against the vegetable. The blade  32  can include various shapes and configurations, including but not limited to a straight edge, serrated edge, and an edge with multiple teeth. The different shapes and configurations provide for cutting the vegetables in the desired shapes. 
     The chute  40  includes one or more chute members  41 ,  51 . As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the chute  40  is co-axially aligned with the base  20  and the cutting member  30 . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates the outer chute member  41  that is configured to engage with the base  20 . The outer chute member  41  includes a cylinder section  42  and a flange  43 . A central opening  44  extends through each of the cylinder section  42  and flange  43  and is sized to receive one or more vegetables. One or more extensions  45  extend outward from a lower side of the flange  43  and engage with the base  20 . In one example, the extensions  45  are threads that engage with corresponding threads on the base  20  to secure the outer chute member  41  to the base  20 . 
       FIG. 8  illustrates the outer chute member  41  mounted to the base  20 . The central opening  44  of the outer chute member  41  aligns with the central opening  66  of the base  20  and forms a single opening. The cylinder section  42  includes a first diameter d 1  that is sized to receive vegetables of a first size. In one example, one or more sections of the outer chute member  41  are transparent to provide for a user to visually observe the vegetables. 
     The inner chute member  51  is sized to engage with the outer chute member  41  to accommodate smaller vegetables. As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the inner chute  51  includes a cylinder section  52  and a flange  53 . An opening  54  extends through the inner chute member  51  and includes a second diameter d 2  that is smaller than the first diameter d 1  of the outer chute member  41 . This smaller second diameter d 2  accommodates smaller vegetables. Further, the outer diameter of the cylinder section  52  is smaller than the first diameter d 1  to provide for the inner chute member  51  to fit within the central opening  44  of the outer chute member  41 . The inner chute member  51  seats with the outer chute member  41  with the cylinder section  52  extending through the cylinder section  52  and the flange  53  contacting against the top edge. A gap  55  is formed between the edge of the flange  53  and the cylinder section  52 . The gap  55  receives the upper edge of the cylinder section  42  when the inner chute member  51  is seated in the outer chute member  51 . 
     The inner and outer chute members  51 ,  41  provide for accommodating different sizes of vegetables. For larger vegetables, the inner chute member  51  is removed and the vegetables are moved through the opening  44  of the outer chute member  41 . For smaller vegetables, the inner chute member  51  is seated in the outer chute member  41  and the vegetables are moved through the opening  54  in the inner chute member  51 . 
     The inner and outer chute members  51 ,  41  are sized to further accommodate a push stick that is used to move the vegetables into contact with the blade  32 . The push stick can have an elongated shape with a length measured between opposing ends. The length of provides for a user to grasp the push stick near a first end and for the second end to be inserted into the chute  40  and contact against the vegetables. The user can apply a force to move the vegetables through the chute  40  and into contact with the blade  32 . The push stick has an outer diameter sized to fit within the openings  44 ,  54  of each of the inner and outer chute members  51 ,  41 . 
       FIG. 10  illustrates a method of using a spiralizer device  10  with a kitchen utensil  100 . This includes inserting a mount  23  on the spiralizer device  10  into a port  101  on the kitchen utensil  100  (block  150 ). The mount  23  extends outward from a base  20  of the spiralizer device  10  which facilitates the insertion into the port  101 . The kitchen utensil  100  powers the spiralizer device  10  by rotating the mount  23 . The spiralizer device  10  is configured to be supported by the kitchen utensil  100  when attached. In one example as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , a lock  102  on the spiralizer device  10  secures the spiralizer device  10  to the kitchen utensil  100 . In one example, the lock  102  includes a threaded bolt that extends through an opening on the flange  26  and mates with the kitchen utensil  100 . 
     With the spiralizer device  10  connected to the kitchen utensil  100 , the kitchen utensil  100  provides power to rotate the mount  23  thereby rotating a holder (block  152 ). The rotating holder  60  is engaged with a cutting member  30  that includes a blade  32 . The rotation of the holder  60  rotates the cutting member  30  (block  154 ). With the cutting member  30  rotating, a vegetable is moved into contact against the cutting member  30  and the vegetable is cut (block  156 ). 
     The spiralizer device  10  can be constructed from a variety of different materials. Materials includes but are not limited to plastics and metals. The different components of the spiralizer device  10  can be constructed from the same or different materials. In one example, the base bottom and top sections  21 ,  22 , the blade holder  60 , and cutting member body  31 , outer chute  41 , and inner chute  51  are constructed from plastic including the gear  27  and the teeth  64  of the blade holder  60 , and the blade  32  is constructed from metal. In one example, just the blade  32  and the mount  23  are constructed from metal and the other components are constructed from plastic. In another example, just the blade  32  is constructed from metal with the other components constructed from plastic. 
     The spiralizer device  10  is configured to cut vegetables into elongated strands. The spiralizer device  10  can also be used to cut other items. 
     Spatially relative terms such as “under”, “below”, “lower”, “over”, “upper”, and the like, are used for ease of description to explain the positioning of one element relative to a second element. These terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to different orientations than those depicted in the figures. Further, terms such as “first”, “second”, and the like, are also used to describe various elements, regions, sections, etc. and are also not intended to be limiting. Like terms refer to like elements throughout the description. 
     As used herein, the terms “having”, “containing”, “including”, “comprising” and the like are open ended terms that indicate the presence of stated elements or features, but do not preclude additional elements or features. The articles “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural as well as the singular, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. 
     The present invention may be carried out in other specific ways than those herein set forth without departing from the scope and essential characteristics of the invention. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.