Patent Publication Number: US-8985010-B2

Title: Food processor with cutting blade assembly support

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED U.S. PATENT APPLICATIONS 
     Cross-reference is made to co-pending U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 12/769,746 entitled “Food Processor With A Lockable Adjustable Blade Assembly,” filed on Apr. 29, 2010, and U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 12/769,796 entitled “Adjustable Food Processor With Guide Ramp,” filed Apr. 29, 2010, each of which is assigned to the same assignee as the present application, each of which is filed concurrently herewith, and each of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to a domestic food processor, and more particularly to a food processor having a control for adjusting the cutting thickness of the food processor. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A food processor is a motorized domestic appliance for manipulating (e.g., chopping, slicing, dicing, shredding, grating, or blending) food items. Such an appliance includes a bowl with a removable lid. Food items are inserted into the bowl through a feed tube formed in the lid where they are cut by motor-driven cutting tool. 
     Food processors typically come equipped with a number of interchangeable cutting tools for slicing, shredding, or other food processing operations. One common cutting tool is a rotating disk-type cutter. Such a cutting tool includes a rotating disk having a cutting blade fixed thereto. The cutting blade is secured to the rotating disk at a location adjacent to an aperture formed in the disk so that pieces of food cut by the blade fall through the aperture and collect in the bottom of the bowl. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to one aspect of this disclosure, a food processor includes a base having a motor positioned therein, a removable bowl coupled to the base, and a removable lid coupled to the bowl so as to define a processing chamber. The lid has a feed tube that opens into the bowl. The food processor also includes a blade assembly positioned in the processing chamber and driven by the motor, and the blade assembly has a flange extending therefrom. A rotating disk is moveably coupled to the blade assembly, and the rotating disk has a plurality of slots formed therein. Each of the slots is sized to receive the flange of the blade assembly. The rotating disk is moveable relative to the blade assembly between a plurality of cutting positions to produce cut food items of varying thicknesses, and the flange of the blade assembly is received into one of the plurality of slots at each of the plurality of cutting positions. 
     In some embodiments, the rotating disk may include a blade support pivotably coupled to an outer rim of the rotating disk. The plurality of slots may be formed in the blade support. In some embodiments, the blade support may be moveable between a first position where the flange of the blade assembly is received in one of the plurality of slots, and a second position where the flange of the blade assembly is spaced apart from each of the plurality of slots. Additionally, in some embodiments, the rotating disk may be prevented from moving relative to the blade assembly when the blade support is placed in the first position, and the rotating disk may be permitted to move relative to the blade assembly when the blade support is placed in the second position. 
     In some embodiments, the outer rim of the rotating disk may have an opening defined therein, and the blade support may have a body positioned in the opening when the blade support is placed in the first position. The body of the blade support may extend outwardly from the opening when the blade support is placed in the second position. 
     In some embodiments, the rotating disk may include a locking device configured to maintain the blade support in the first position. In some embodiments, the locking device may include a tab extending from the blade support, and the tab may be received in a recess formed in the outer rim of the rotating disk when the blade support is placed in the first position. 
     In some embodiments, the plurality of slots may include at least five slots. Additionally, in some embodiments, the blade assembly may include a cutting blade secured to a mounting arm extending from a central shaft. In some embodiments, the flange of the blade assembly received in one of the plurality of slots may be an outer edge of the cutting blade when the rotating disk is placed at a first cutting position, and the flange of the blade assembly received in one of the plurality of slots may be an arcuate lip of the mounting arm when the rotating disk is placed at a second cutting position. 
     According to another aspect, a food slicer assembly for a food processor is disclosed. The food slicer assembly includes a cutting blade having an outer edge, and a rotating disk moveable to a plurality of positions relative to the cutting blade to adjust the distance therebetween. The rotating disk has an outer rim positioned adjacent to the outer edge of the cutting blade, and a blade support coupled to the outer rim, the blade support includes a plurality of slots, each of which is sized to receive the outer edge of the cutting blade. The outer edge of the cutting blade is received in a first slot at a first position of the rotating disk. 
     In some embodiments, the food slicer assembly may further include a central shaft secured to an inner edge of the cutting blade, and a mounting arm secured to the central shaft and positioned below the cutting blade. In some embodiments, the mounting arm may have an arcuate lip extending parallel to the outer edge of the cutting blade. The lip may be received in the first slot of the blade support at a second position of the rotating disk. 
     In some embodiments, the blade support may include a body extending from a first end, and the first end may be hinged to the outer rim of the rotating disk such that the blade support is rotatable about a vertical axis. In some embodiments, when the rotating disk is at the first position, the outer edge of the cutting blade may be received in the first slot when the blade support is placed at a first position about the vertical axis, and the outer edge of the cutting blade may be spaced apart from each of the plurality of slots when the blade support is placed at a second position about the vertical axis. 
     Additionally, the first end of the body of the blade support may be coupled to the outer rim of the rotating disk via a pivot joint. The pivot joint may have the vertical axis extending therethrough. 
     According to another aspect, a food processor includes a base having a motor positioned therein, a removable bowl coupled to the base, a removable lid coupled to the bowl. The lid has a feed tube that opens into the bowl. A blade assembly is positioned in the bowl and is driven by the motor, and a rotating disk is moveable between a plurality of cutting positions relative to the blade assembly. The rotating disk has a blade support that includes a slot corresponding to each of the plurality of cutting positions, each slot being sized to receive a flange of the blade assembly. 
     In some embodiments, the blade assembly may include a cutting blade having an outer edge. The rotating disk may have an outer rim positioned adjacent to the outer edge of the cutting blade, and the blade support may be pivotably coupled to the outer rim. In some embodiments, the blade support may be pivotable between a first position where the outer edge of the cutting blade is received in one slot of the blade support, and a second position where the outer edge of the cutting blade may be spaced apart from the blade support. 
     In some embodiments, the flange of the blade assembly received in one of the plurality of slots may be the outer edge of the cutting blade when the rotating disk is placed at a first cutting position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The detailed description particularly refers to the following figures, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a food processor; 
         FIG. 2  is a partial cross sectional view of the food processor of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a view similar to  FIG. 2 , showing the rotating disk of the food slicer assembly of  FIG. 2  in another position relative to the cutting blade; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the food slicer assembly of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a partial cross sectional view of the food slicer assembly of  FIG. 2  taken along the line  5 - 5  shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a fragmentary perspective view of a blade support of the food slicer assembly of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a partial cross sectional view of another embodiment of a food processor; and 
         FIG. 8  is a view similar to  FIG. 7 , showing the rotating disk of the food slicer assembly of  FIG. 7  in another position relative to the cutting blade. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     While the concepts of the present disclosure are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific exemplary embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit the concepts of the present disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-6 , a food processor  10  is shown. One example of a food processor is the KitchenAid® 12-Cup Ultra Wide Mouth™ Food Processor, Base Model No. KFPW7600B, which is commercially available from Whirlpool Corporation of Benton Harbor, Mich., U.S.A. The food processor  10  has a base  12  that houses a motor  14  (shown schematically in  FIG. 2 ) and a control unit (not shown). Under the control of the control unit, the motor&#39;s output shaft  16  drives a cutting blade  18  (see  FIG. 2 ) to cut food items such as cheeses, meats, fruits, and vegetables. The base  12  also includes one or more buttons, switches, dials, or other types of controls  20 . A user operates the controls  20  to control the operation of the motor  14  and hence the food processor  10 . For instance, one of the controls  20  may be operable to turn the motor  14  on and off, while another control  20  may change the motor&#39;s speed. 
     As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the control unit may comprise analog and/or digital circuitry to process electrical signals received from the motor  14  (or other components of the food processor  10 ) and provide electrical control signals to the motor or other components of the food processor  10 . For example, the control unit may be embodied as a microcontroller that executes firmware routines to control the operation of the food processor  10 . 
     A removable bowl  22  is secured to the base  12 . The bowl&#39;s handle facilitates placement of the bowl  22  on the base  12 . The bowl  22  includes a removable lid  26  secured to its upper peripheral edge. The lid  26  has a feed tube  28  formed thereon through which food items such as cheeses, meats, fruits, and vegetables are inserted into the bowl  22  to be processed by the food processor  10 . Collectively, the lid  26  and the bowl  22  define a processing chamber  24  where food items are processed by the cutting blade  18 . 
     The bowl  22 , lid  26 , and feed tube  28  are generally made of a transparent or translucent plastic material, so that the contents of the food processor  10  can be viewed by a user without removing the lid  26  from the bowl  22 . Moreover, one or more locking mechanisms may be used to lock the bowl to the base  12  and the lid  26  to the bowl  22 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , when the removable bowl  22  is secured to the base  12 , the output shaft  16  of the motor  14  is coupled to a drive stem  30 . The drive stem  30  is in turn coupled to a food slicer assembly  32 . As shown in  FIGS. 2-4 , the food slicer assembly  32  includes a rotating disk  34  and a blade assembly  36 , with the cutting blade  18  being one component thereof. The rotating disk  34  effectively divides the processing chamber  24  into an upper compartment  38  located between the disk  34  and the lid  26 , and a lower compartment  40  located below the rotating disk  34 . A vertical distance, D, between the cutting edge  42  of the cutting blade  18  and the upper surface  44  of the rotating disk  34  defines a cutting thickness. In other words, the thickness of the pieces of food items cut by the food processor  10  is determined by the distance D between the cutting edge  42  of the cutting blade  18  and the upper surface  44  of the rotating disk  34 . When the distance D between the cutting edge  42  of the cutting blade  18  and the upper surface  44  of the rotating disk  34  is increased, thicker pieces of food items are created, with thinner pieces of food items being created when the distance D between the cutting edge  42  of the cutting blade  18  and the upper surface  44  of the rotating disk  34  is decreased. As will be discussed in greater detail below, the rotating disk  34  is moveable upwardly or downwardly between a plurality of cutting positions relative to the cutting blade  18  to vary the cutting thickness of the food processor  10 , thereby creating thicker or thinner pieces of cut food items. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2-5 , the blade assembly  36  includes a central shaft  46  that extends from a lower end  48  to an upper end  50 . The lower end  48  receives the drive stem  30 , thereby coupling the slicer assembly  32  to the output shaft  16  such that the slicer assembly  32  may be driven by the motor  14 . The blade assembly  36  also includes a hub  52  positioned at the upper end  50  of the central shaft  46 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , a tip  54  of the hub  52  is received in a guide sleeve  56  extending downward from the underside of the lid  26 . 
     An inner edge  58  of the cutting blade  18  is received in a slot  60  formed between the hub  52  and the upper end  50  of the central shaft  46 . As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the cutting blade  18  is secured within the slot  60  such that substantial deflection of the cutting blade  18  is inhibited when the cutting blade  18  cuts food items in the processing chamber  24 . The cutting blade  18  is also secured to a mounting arm  62  extending away from the upper end  50  of the central shaft  46  to an end  64 . A number of fasteners  66  (i.e., screws) positioned at a rear edge  68  of the cutting blade  18  extend into the mounting arm  62 , thereby rigidly securing the cutting blade  18  to the mounting arm  62 . It will be appreciated that in other embodiments the fasteners  66  may take the form of T-stakes, pins, posts, or other structures capable of securing the cutting blade  18  to the mounting arm  62 . Additionally, the mounting arm  62  may include an overmold that receives the cutting blade  18 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the blade assembly  36  also includes a pair of flanges  70  extending beyond the end  64  of the mounting arm  62 . One of the flanges  70  is an outer edge  72  of the cutting blade  18 . Another flange  70  is an arcuate-shaped lip  74  extending outwardly from the end  64  of the mounting arm  62  that is parallel to the outer edge  72  of the cutting blade  18 . As will be discussed in greater detail below, at least one of the flanges  70  is received in one of a plurality of slots  76  formed in the rotating disk  34  at each of the cutting positions. 
     The rotating disk  34  includes a planar body  80  and a central sleeve  82  extending downwardly from a lower surface  84  thereof. It will be appreciated that one or more of the components of the rotating disk  34  may be formed from plastic or a metallic material. The rotating disk  34  includes a passageway  86  that extends through the sleeve  82  and receives the central shaft  46  of the blade assembly  36 . The planar body  80  also has a contoured opening  88  extending from the upper surface  44  to the lower surface  84 . The contoured opening  88  is sized to receive the mounting arm  62  of the blade assembly  36 . When the blade assembly  36  is positioned in the rotating disk  34 , a gap or throat  92  is defined between the cutting edge  42  and the body  80 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     During operation, the motor  14  causes the blade assembly  36  to rotate. The blade assembly  36  acts on a sidewall  94  of the sleeve  82  such that the rotating disk  34  and the blade assembly  36  rotate together. Food items inserted through the feed tube  28  are urged into contact with the upper surface  44  of the rotating disk  34  while being acted upon (i.e., cut) by the cutting blade  18 . Cut food items, along with other food items small enough to fit within the throat  92 , pass from the upper compartment  38  into the lower compartment  40  through the throat  92 . 
     As best seen in  FIG. 5 , the mounting arm  62  has a ramp  95  defined therein, which guides food items from the throat  92  into the lower compartment  40  of the bowl  22 . The surface  96  of the ramp  95  is sloped downward from an upper end  97  positioned adjacent to the cutting edge  42  to a lower end  98 . As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the surface  96  extends radially outward from the central shaft  46  to the end  64  of the mounting arm  62 . The angle of inclination or slope of the surface  96  changes along the radially length of the surface  96 , increasing from approximately 15 degrees at the end  64  to approximately 25 degrees near the central shaft  46 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the surface  96  has an angle of inclination a of approximately 22 degrees. In other embodiments, the surface  96  may be convex or concave in one or more directions. The central shaft  46  and the end  64  of the mounting arm  62  act as sidewalls for the surface  96  such that food items entering the throat  92  are guided down the ramp  95 . In that way, the surface  96  is encapsulated or captured, thereby reducing the potential for food items to travel outside of the processing path and thus reducing unwanted debris. 
     A rim  90  extends upwardly from the outer perimeter of the disk&#39;s planar body  80 . The rotating disk  34  has a diameter that is slightly less than the inner diameter of the bowl  22  such that the rim  90  is positioned adjacent to, but spaced slightly apart from, the inner wall of the bowl to permit rotation of the disk  34  within the bowl  22 . The rotating disk  34  also includes a blade support  100  pivotably coupled to the rim  90 . 
     As best seen in  FIG. 6 , the blade support  100  has the plurality of slots  76  formed therein. Each of the slots  76  extends parallel to the outer edge  72  of the cutting blade  18 , and each of the slots  76  is sized to receive one of the flanges  70 . In the illustrative embodiment, five slots  76  are formed in the blade support  100 , and the slots  76  are spaced apart from each other by two millimeters. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments the blade support  100  may include additional or fewer slots and the spacing between the slots may be adjusted. 
     The blade support  100  has a body  102  extending from an end  104  hinged to the rim  90  at a pivot joint  106 . The pivot joint  106  includes a cylindrical pivot pin  108  that extends through, and is positioned in, the rim  90  and the end  104 . It will be appreciated that in other embodiments the pivot pin  108  may be formed as part of the blade support  100 . As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 6 , the blade support  100  pivots relative to the rim  90  about an axis  112  defined by the pivot joint  106  between an engaged position and a disengaged position. 
     When the blade support  100  is in the engaged position (see  FIGS. 2 and 3 ), one of the flanges  70  of the blade assembly  36  is received in a corresponding slot  76 . In the engaged position, the body  102  is fully positioned in an opening  110  formed in the rim  90 . When the blade support  100  is pivoted to the disengaged position, the body  102  extends outwardly from the opening  110 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . In the disengaged position, the slots  76  are spaced apart from the flanges  70  of the blade assembly  36 . 
     The rotating disk  34  includes a locking device  114  that secures the blade support  100  in the engaged position. In the illustrative embodiment, the locking device  114  includes a rectangular tab  116  extending from an end  118  of the body  102 . When the blade support  100  is in the engaged position, the tab  116  is received in a recess  120  formed in the rim  90 . Another recess  122  formed in the end  118  of the body  102  permits a user to apply sufficient force to release the blade support  100 . It will be appreciated that in other embodiments the locking device  114  may take the form of a latch, pin, or other mechanism configured to maintain the blade support  100  in the engaged position. 
     As discussed above, the rotating disk  34  is moveable upwardly and downwardly between a plurality of cutting positions relative to the cutting blade  18 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , in one cutting position of the rotating disk  34 , the outer edge  72  of the cutting blade  18  is received in the upper slot  124  of the blade support  100 . In another cutting position, the lip  74  of the mounting arm  62  is received in the upper slot  124  of the blade support  100 . In other cutting positions, the lip  74  may be positioned in any of the other slots  76  of the blade support  100 . It will be appreciated that in other embodiments both flanges  70  of the blade assembly  36  may be received in slots  76  of the rotating disk  34 . Additionally, in other embodiments, the blade assembly  36  may include only a single flange  70 , such as, for example, the outer edge  72  of the cutting blade, which is received in a slot  76  at each of the cutting positions. In addition to providing support to the cutting blade  18 , the engagement of one of the flanges  70  with one of the slots  76  inhibits or prevents the upward and downward movement of the rotating disk  34  when the blade support  100  is in the engaged position. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the food slicer assembly  32  includes a separate locking mechanism  130  positioned below the lower surface  84  of the rotating disk  34  that is configured to prevent the upward and downward movement of the rotating disk  34 . In that way, the rotating disk  34  can be locked at one cutting position relative to the cutting blade  18 . In the illustrative embodiment, the locking mechanism  130  is also configured to prevent the blade assembly  36  from rotating relative to the rotating disk  34 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the locking mechanism  130  includes a user-operated pin  132 . The term “user-operated pin” as used herein refers to a pin that is manually operated by the user without the use of a tool. This is distinct from, and in contrast to, a set screw, hex bolt, or other fastener that is operated by the user through the use of a wrench, screw driver, or other tool. The user-operated pin  132  includes an elongated shaft  134  extending from an end  136  positioned outside of the sleeve  82  to an end  138  positioned in an aperture  140  defined in the central shaft  46 . A button-head  142  sized to receive a finger of a user is formed at the end  136  of the shaft  134 . The outer surface  144  of the shaft  134  includes a smooth section  146  and another section having a plurality of teeth  148  extending therefrom. 
     The shaft  134  of the user-operated pin  132  extends through a vertically-extending slot  150  defined in the sidewall  94  of the sleeve  82 . The sidewall  94  includes a plurality of teeth  152  that extend into the slot  150 . As indicated by arrow  154  in  FIG. 2 , the shaft  134  is moveable between a locked position, in which the teeth  148  of the shaft  134  interdigitate or engage with a number of the teeth  152  of the sidewall  94 , and an unlocked position, in which the teeth  148  of the user-operated pin are spaced apart from the teeth  152  of the sleeve. In the locked position, the rotating disk  34  is prevented from moving upward and downward relative to the cutting blade  18 . It will be appreciated that in other embodiments the central shaft  46  may have a number of teeth configured to engage with the teeth  148  of the user-operated pin  132 . It will also be appreciated that in other embodiments the user-operated pin  132 , central shaft  46 , and sleeve  82  may have any combination of slots, grooves, flanges, or other structures suitable for locking the rotating disk  34  in position relative to the cutting blade  18 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the aperture  140  defined in the central shaft  46  extends inwardly to a bottom  160 . A cylindrical guide pin  162  is positioned in an opening  164  formed at the bottom  160  of the aperture  140  and extends away from the bottom  160  to an end. A spring  168  extends over the guide pin  162  is coupled at a spring end  170  to the end  138  of the user-operated pin  132 . It will be appreciated that in other embodiments the guide pin  162  may take the form of a cross, hexagon, or other shape to provide guidance and stability to the spring  168 . The spring  168  biases the user-operated pin  132  away from the bottom  160  of the aperture  140  thereby engaging the teeth  148  of the user-operated pin with the teeth  152  of the sleeve. 
     To change the distance D between the cutting edge  42  of the cutting blade  18  and the upper surface  44  of the rotating disk  34 , the user unlocks the blade support  100  from the rim  90  and pivots the blade support  100  about the axis  112  from the engaged position to the disengaged position. The user then presses the button-head  142  to depress the user-operated pin  132 . The spring  168  is compressed and the teeth  148  are moved out of contact with the teeth  152  of the sleeve  82 . When the teeth  148  of the user-operated pin are spaced apart from the teeth  152  of the sleeve, the user may slide the rotating disk  34  upwardly or downwardly to another cutting position. 
     Once the rotating disk  34  is at the desired cutting position, the user releases the button-head  142 , and the spring  168  urges the user-operated pin  132  away from the bottom  160  of the aperture  140 , thereby reengaging the teeth  148  with the teeth  152  and locking the rotating disk  34  into the desired cutting position. The user pivots the blade support  100  from the disengaged position back to the engaged position, thereby preventing substantial deflection of the cutting blade  18  and providing an additional locking feature to prevent the upward/downward movement of the rotating disk  34  relative to the cutting blade  18 . 
     It will be appreciated that in other embodiments the slicer assembly  32  may not include the blade support  100 . In such embodiments, changing the distance D between the cutting edge  42  of the cutting blade  18  and the upper surface  44  of the rotating disk  34  would involve operating only the user-operated pin  132  of the locking mechanism  130 . Similarly, in other embodiments including the blade support  100 , the locking mechanism  130  may be omitted and replaced with a different thickness adjustment assembly operable by a user to vary the cutting thickness of the food processor  10 . In those embodiments, changing the distance D between the cutting edge  42  of the cutting blade  18  and the upper surface  44  of the rotating disk  34  would involve, first, moving the blade support  100  to the disengaged position, which would release the rotating disk  34  for upward and downward movement, and, second, operating the thickness adjustment assembly. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , another embodiment of a food slicer assembly is shown in a food processor. Many of the components of the food processor of  FIGS. 7 and 8  are common with the components of the food processor of  FIGS. 1-6 . Such common components have common reference numerals. The food processor of  FIGS. 7 and 8  is essentially the same as the food processor of  FIGS. 1-6  except that the food slicer assembly (hereinafter food slicer assembly  200 ) includes a different locking mechanism to prevent the upward and downward movement rotating disk  34  relative to the cutting blade  18 . 
     The slicer assembly  200 , like the slicer assembly  32  described above in reference to  FIGS. 1-6 , includes a blade assembly  36  and a rotating disk  34 . In addition to the cutting blade  18 , the blade assembly  36  includes a central shaft  202  extending from an upper end  204  to a lower end  206 . The lower end  206  receives the drive stem  30 , thereby coupling the slicer assembly  200  to the motor  14 . As shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , one section  208  of central shaft  202  has a plurality of teeth  210  extending outwardly from an outer surface  212  thereof. 
     The rotating disk  34  includes a central sleeve  214  extending downwardly from a lower surface  84  thereof. A passageway  216  extends through the sleeve  214  and receives the central shaft  202  of the blade assembly  36 . Similar to the locking mechanism  130  described above in reference to  FIGS. 1-6 , a pair of locking mechanisms  230  are positioned below the lower surface  84  of the rotating disk  34 . 
     Each locking mechanism  230  includes a user-operated pin  232  and a lever  234  coupled thereto. The user-operated pin  232  includes a shaft  236  that is positioned in a through-hole  238  formed in a sidewall  240  of the sleeve  214 . The shaft  236  extends from an end  242  positioned outside of the sleeve  214  to an end  244  positioned in the passageway  216 . The user-operated pin  232  moves back and forth within the through-hole  238 , as indicated by arrow  246 , between a locked position and an unlocked position. 
     The lever  234  is positioned within the passageway  216  and is pivotably coupled to the sidewall  240  of the sleeve  214 . The lever  234  has a lever body  250  that extends from an upper end  252  to a lower end  254 . The upper end  252  of lever body  250  includes a tip  256  that is sized to engage with the teeth  210  formed on the central shaft  202 . The lower end  254  is coupled to the end  244  of the user-operated pin  232 . As shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the ends  244 ,  254  are in contact but are not fixed to each other. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments the ends  244 ,  254  may be pivotably fastened together. 
     The lever body  250  is pivotably coupled to the sidewall  240  at a pivot joint  260 . The pivot joint  260  includes a cylindrical pivot pin  262  that extends through lever body  250  and the sidewall  240 . The lever body  250  pivots about an axis defined by the pivot joint  260  between an engaged position and a disengaged position. In the engaged position, the tip  256  of the lever  234  is engaged with a number of the teeth  210  of the central shaft  202 . When the lever  234  is in the engaged position, the rotating disk  34  is prevented from moving relative to the cutting blade  18 . In the disengaged position, the tip  256  of the lever is spaced apart from the teeth  210  of the central shaft  202  such that the lever  234  does not prevent the rotating disk  34  from being moved to another cutting position. 
     A spring  266  is positioned in the passageway  216  of the sleeve  214  and is coupled to the upper end  252  of the lever body  250 . The spring  266  extends from a spring end  268  coupled to the lever body  250  to a spring end  270  coupled to the sidewall  240  of the sleeve  214 . The spring  266  biases the upper end  252  of the lever  234  toward the central shaft  202  thereby engaging the tip  256  with the teeth  210  of the central shaft  202 . 
     When the user depresses the user-operated pin  232  of each locking mechanism  230 , the user-operated pin  232  is moved from the locked position to the unlocked position. The shaft  236  of the user-operated pin  232  acts on the lower end  254  of the lever  234 , thereby causing the lever  234  to pivot from the engaged position to the disengaged position. As the upper end  252  moves away from the central shaft  202 , the spring  266  is compressed. Thus, when the user-operated pin  232  is in the unlocked position, the lever  234  is in the disengaged position. 
     When the user releases the user-operated pin  232 , the spring  266  urges the upper end  252  toward the central shaft  202  thereby re-engaging the tip  256  with the teeth  210 . As the lever  234  moves back to the engaged position, the lever body  250  urges the user-operated pin  232  back to the locked position. 
     While the disclosure has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such an illustration and description is to be considered as exemplary and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only illustrative embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the disclosure are desired to be protected. 
     For example, while food processor  10  is herein illustrated as a conventional domestic food processor, the features and aspects disclosed herein can also be implemented in other types of food processing devices such as automatic food slicers, dicers, ice shavers and the like. Similarly, the blade support could be removable from the rotating disk  34  instead of being pivotably coupled to the rim. Additionally, the rotating disk could be directly coupled to motor, and the blade could be moveable relative to the rotating disk. 
     There are a plurality of advantages of the present disclosure arising from the various features of the method, apparatus, and system described herein. It will be noted that alternative embodiments of the method, apparatus, and system of the present disclosure may not include all of the features described yet still benefit from at least some of the advantages of such features. Those of ordinary skill in the art may readily devise their own implementations of the method, apparatus, and system that incorporate one or more of the features of the present invention and fall within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.