Patent Publication Number: US-2018049592-A1

Title: Kitchen Appliance for Processing Foodstuff

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure relates generally to a kitchen appliance for processing foodstuff and, more particularly, to a food processor or chopper that is capable of not over-processing, e.g., over-chopping, foodstuff. 
     Conventional food processors include a rotating blade that slices and chops foodstuff in a bowl with a removable lid covering the bowl and blade. Generally, when power is supplied to the food processor, a user must actively initiate the chopping process, e.g., press downwardly on the lid or activate a button/switch. Similarly, a user may also be required to stop the chopping process by performing another action, e.g., releasing the lid or otherwise disengaging the motor. One problem users may encounter is that by the time the user decides to stop operation of the food processor, the chopper may have already processed the foodstuff more than necessary or desired. Another problem a user may encounter is that in order to ensure that all of the foodstuff is properly processed, portions of the foodstuff may ultimately become over-processed. 
     Therefore, it would be advantageous to manufacture a food processor that is capable of not over-processing foodstuff more than a predetermined amount, irrespective of when the user stops operation thereof. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Briefly stated, one aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a kitchen appliance for processing foodstuff. The kitchen appliance comprises a housing enclosing a motor, a bowl removably mounted onto the housing and defining a first cavity therein, and a removable lid to cover at least the bowl. A perforated basket is removably received between the bowl and the lid and defines a second cavity. A drive shaft is drivingly coupled with the motor to rotate relative to the housing, and extends through the first cavity and into the second cavity. A tool is removably coupleable with the drive shaft such that rotation of the drive shaft effectuates rotation of the tool. The tool is mountable in a first position on the drive shaft within the perforated basket, or mountable in a second position on the drive shaft within the bowl. In the first position of the tool, apertures of the perforated basket permit foodstuff processed by the tool into fragments smaller than the apertures to pass from the second cavity into the first cavity. In the second position of the tool, foodstuff is processed by the tool directly in the first cavity. 
     Another aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a kitchen appliance for processing foodstuff. The kitchen appliance comprises a housing enclosing a motor, a bowl removably mounted onto the housing and defining a first cavity therein, and a removable lid to cover at least the bowl. An apertured basket is removably received between the bowl and the lid, the basket having an apertured base end and an apertured skirt sidewall upwardly extending from the base end and defining a second cavity. A drive shaft is drivingly coupled with the motor to rotate relative to the housing, and extends through the first cavity and into the second cavity. A tool, mountable on the drive shaft within the apertured basket, is coupleable with the drive shaft such that rotation of the drive shaft effectuates rotation of the tool. Apertures of the apertured basket permit foodstuff processed by the tool into fragments smaller than the apertures to pass from the second cavity into the first cavity. The clearance between the base end or the sidewall of the basket and an adjacent wall of the appliance facing the base end or sidewall, respectively, is greater than or equal to a greatest dimension of the apertures. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the disclosure, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the disclosure, there is shown in the drawings embodiments of a kitchen appliance which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the disclosure is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a front and side perspective view of a fully assembled configuration of a kitchen appliance according to a first preferred embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a front and side perspective view of the kitchen appliance of  FIG. 1 , with a lid of the kitchen appliance removed; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional elevational view of the kitchen appliance of  FIG. 1 , taken along sectional line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 , with a rotational tool of the kitchen appliance in a first position thereof and the lid assembled; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional side elevational view of the kitchen appliance of  FIG. 1 , taken along sectional line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 2 , with the rotational tool in the first position thereof and the lid assembled; 
         FIG. 5  is a partial, cross-sectional side elevational view of the kitchen appliance of  FIG. 1 , taken along sectional line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 , with a basket of the kitchen appliance removed, the rotational tool in a second position thereof and the lid assembeled; 
         FIG. 6  is a bottom plan view of the rotational tool of the kitchen appliance of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of exemplary interlocking baskets for adjusting overall aperture size of the baskets; 
         FIG. 8  is a front and side perspective view of a kitchen appliance according to a second preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, with the lid removed; 
         FIG. 9  is a top plan view of the kitchen appliance of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional side elevational view of the kitchen appliance of  FIG. 8 , taken along sectional line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 8 , with the rotational tool in the first position thereof and the basket and the lid assembled; and 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional side elevational view of the kitchen appliance of  FIG. 8 , taken along sectional line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 8 , with the basket of the kitchen appliance removed, the rotational tool in a second position thereof and the lid assembled. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. The words “lower,” “bottom,” “upper” and “top” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words “inwardly,” “outwardly,” “upwardly” and “downwardly” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the kitchen appliance, and designated parts thereof, in accordance with the present disclosure. Unless specifically set forth herein, the terms “a,” “an” and “the” are not limited to one element, but instead should be read as meaning “at least one.” The terminology includes the words noted above, derivatives thereof and words of similar import. 
     It should also be understood that the terms “about,” “approximately,” “generally,” “substantially” and like terms, used herein when referring to a dimension or characteristic of a component of the disclosure, indicate that the described dimension/characteristic is not a strict boundary or parameter and does not exclude minor variations therefrom that are functionally similar. At a minimum, such references that include a numerical parameter would include variations that, using mathematical and industrial principles accepted in the art (e.g., rounding, measurement or other systematic errors, manufacturing tolerances, etc.), would not vary the least significant digit. 
     Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein like numerals indicate like elements throughout, there is shown in  FIGS. 1-7  a kitchen appliance, generally designated  10 , in accordance with a first embodiment of the present disclosure. The kitchen appliance  10  is intended or designed for, but not limited to, slicing, dicing, cutting, grinding, shredding, chopping, whipping, blending or otherwise mixing foodstuff (not shown), which will all be referred to herein in the aggregate as processing. Exemplary foodstuff includes, but is not limited to, meat(s), vegetables, soup, beverages, sauces and the like, or any combination thereof. In the illustrated embodiment, the kitchen appliance  10  is in the form of a food processor or chopper, but the kitchen appliance  10  may be any device, such as a blender, a combination coffee maker/grinder or the like, that includes at least two separable components. As shown in  FIGS. 3-5 , the kitchen appliance  10  defines a longitudinal axis A that extends at least generally, and preferably exactly, perpendicularly to an underlying support surface (not shown), such as a tabletop or countertop, when the kitchen appliance  10  is placed on the support surface. 
     As shown best in  FIG. 3 , the kitchen appliance  10  includes a housing  12  that at least partially encloses a motor  14 . The motor  14  may be a one speed universal motor, but the present disclosure is not so limited. For example, the motor  14  may have multiple, distinct speeds that are selected by a user. Power may be supplied to the motor  14  from a conventional wall outlet (not shown) through a power cord (not shown). In the illustrated embodiment, an underside of the housing  12  is generally planar to rest substantially directly on an underlying support surface. Alternatively, however, the housing  12  may include spaced-apart feet extending downwardly from the underside of the housing  12  to support the kitchen appliance  10  on the support surface in a stable manner. 
     The housing  12  may be constructed of a polymeric material, such as an injection molded acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) material. The ABS material may be desirable due to its relatively smooth surface finish, its ability to readily take on various colors, its high impact and crack resistance, and its ability to be plated with a metallic finish. However, the housing  12  is not limited to polymeric or injected molded ABS materials, and may be constructed of nearly any generally rigid material that is able to take on the general shape of the housing  12  and perform the functionality of the housing  12  described herein. For example, the housing  12 , and any other components of the kitchen appliance  10 , may be constructed of a metallic or like material or combination of materials. The housing  12  may be generally or completely opaque, translucent or transparent. 
     A bowl  16  is removably mounted onto the housing  12 . In the illustrated embodiment, the bowl  16  includes a generally frustoconical upper portion  16   b  atop a generally cylindrical lower portion  16   a . The lower portion  16   a  includes a base wall  16   e  and an annular projection  16   c  projects downwardly therefrom. The projection  16   c  is received in a generally complementary annular channel  12   a  of the housing  12  when the bowl  16  is properly mounted onto the housing  12 . The upper portion  16   b  includes a radially outwardly extending annular flange  16   d  at a top end thereof, which at least partially rests upon an upper rim  12   b  of the housing  12  when the bowl  16  is properly mounted onto the housing  12  such that the bowl  16  is stable when properly positioned on the housing  12 . As should be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, however, the bowl  16  may be removably mounted onto the housing  12  via any of numerous alternative methods currently known or that later become known. Optionally, the bowl  16  may include a handle (not shown) that extends radially outwardly from at least a portion of an exterior surface of the side wall of the bowl  16 . 
     The bowl  16  may be constructed of a relatively rigid polymeric material, such as a molded styrene acrylonitrile (SAN) material. However, the bowl  16  is not limited to constructions using molded SAN material and may be constructed of nearly any polymeric, metallic, glass or like material that is able to form the desired shape(s) and withstand the normal operating conditions described herein. The bowl  16  may be generally or completely opaque, translucent or transparent. 
     The bowl  16  defines a first cavity  18  therein and the annular flange  16   d  defines a mouth  16   f  of the first cavity  18 , opposite the base wall  16   e . As shown in  FIGS. 3-5 , a column  20  extends upwardly, generally along the longitudinal axis A, from the base wall  16   e  of the bowl  16  and into the first cavity  18 . In the illustrated embodiment, the column  20  is permanently and/or integrally formed (i.e., monolithic) with the bowl  16 . As should be understood, however, the column  20  may alternatively be formed as a separate component from the bowl  16 . The column includes an open top end  20   a  and an open bottom end  20   b  and is generally hollow therebetween. 
     An apertured/perforated basket  22  is removably, axially supported in the kitchen appliance  10  by the column  20 . In the illustrated embodiment, the basket  22  takes the form of a colander or a sieve. As should be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, however, the basket  22  described herein encompasses any apertured, perforated or meshed structure that holds foodstuff greater than a predetermined size and allows foodstuff smaller than the predetermined size to pass therethrough and into the bowl  16 . The illustrated basket  22  includes a base end  22   a  and a skirt sidewall  22   b  extending upwardly from the base end  22   a  and defining a second cavity  24  therebetween. A flared upper end  22   h  of the skirt sidewall  22   b  leads to an upper rim  22   g  of the basket  22 , which defines a mouth  22   f  of the second cavity  24 . The base end  22   a  and the sidewall  22   b  are both perforated with a plurality of apertures  22   c  of a predetermined size. In the illustrated embodiment, the apertures  22   c  are generally rectangular, but are not so limited, and may alternatively take the form of different shapes. As shown best in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the basket  22  further includes a cylindrical neck  22   d  projecting downwardly from the base end  22   a  thereof. 
     When the basket  22  is properly positioned atop the column  20 , the neck  22   d  is removably keyed with the upper end  20   a  of the column  20  to removably support the basket  22  atop the column  20  in a rotationally fixed manner, i.e., the basket  22  is prevented from rotating relative to the bowl  16 . For example, the neck  22   d  may include a plurality of tabs  22   e  projecting radially inwardly from the neck  22   d  that removably slide into corresponding slots  20   c  extending axially downwardly from the upper end  20   a  of the column  20 . Alternatively, the neck  22   d  may include slots (not shown) that engage tabs (not shown) of the column  20 . As should be understood, however, the column  20  may removably, axially support the basket  22  via any of numerous different alternative methods. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 3-5 , a lid  26  is removably mountable onto the annular flange  16   d  at the top end of the bowl  16 . When assembled, the lid  26  covers at least the bowl  16 , and also covers the basket  22  when seated on the column  20 , as shown. When the basket  22  is seated on the column  20  and the lid  26  is properly mounted onto the bowl  16 , at least a portion of a top wall  26   a  of the lid  26  engages the upper rim  22   g  of the basket  22  to further stabilize the basket  22  atop the column  20 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3-5 , a drive shaft  28  extends through the housing  12  generally along the longitudinal axis A. A bottom end  28   a  of the drive shaft  28  is drivingly coupled with the motor  14  in a conventional manner, to rotate relative to the housing  12  and about the longitudinal axis A. In the illustrated embodiment, the bottom end  28   a  of the drive shaft  28  is conventionally coupled to, and driven by, the motor  14  via a gear system  30 , wherein, for example, the bottom end  28   a  of the drive shaft  28  is reverse threaded to a gear of the gear system  30 , but the disclosure is not so limited. A bushing  31  supports and stabilizes the bottom end  28   a  of the drive shaft  28  for rotation. The drive shaft  28  axially extends upwardly through the column  20  and through the first cavity  18 . When the basket  22  is positioned atop the column  20 , the drive shaft  28  also extends through the second cavity  24 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, an upper end  28   b  of the drive shaft  28  removably seats into an underside of the lid  26 . As shown in  FIGS. 3-5 , the lid  26  includes a bushing  26   b  projecting downwardly from the lid  26 . A base end  26   c  of the bushing  26   b  is chamfered and the upper end  28   b  of the drive shaft  28  is rounded. In one embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the upper end  28   b  of the drive shaft  28  is removably journaled directly into bushing  26   b  when the lid  26  is placed on the housing  12 . The chamfered base end  26   c  of the bushing  26   b  and the rounded upper end  28   b  of the drive shaft  28  permit smooth engagement therebetween for rotation of the drive shaft  28 . Advantageously, the chamfered/rounded engagement also facilitates aligning of the drive shaft  28  with the bushing  26   b  and, therefore, with the lid  26 . Alternatively, as shown in  FIGS. 3-4 , the bushing  26   b  may include an inner bearing  26   d  into which the upper end  28   b  of the drive shaft  28  is removably journaled when the lid  26  is placed on the housing  12 . Similarly to the base end  26   c  of the bushing  26   b , the base end of the bearing  26   d  may also be chamfered, for smooth, facilitated engagement with the drive shaft  28  for rotation of the drive shaft  28 . 
     The kitchen appliance  10  further includes at least one rotatable tool  32 . As should be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, the kitchen appliance may optionally include two or more separate and distinct rotatable tools or cutting mechanisms (none shown). In the illustrated embodiment, the tool  32  is a chopping tool, such as, for example, without limitation, a slicing or S-blade. As should be understood, however, the rotatable tool  32  may have many alternative forms or shapes, such as, for example, without limitation, a generally flat or planar shredding blade. 
     The rotatable tool  32  is removably coupleable with the drive shaft  28  such that rotation of the drive shaft  28  about the longitudinal axis A effectuates rotation of the tool  32 . In the illustrated embodiment, the rotatable tool  32  includes a tool spindle  32   a , which is removably keyed to the drive shaft  28  (as will be described in further detail below) and two or more blades  32   b  projecting laterally (or radially) outwardly from the tool spindle  32   a.    
     As shown best in  FIGS. 3-5 , the drive shaft  28  includes at least one upper tooth  34   a  ( FIG. 4 ) projecting laterally (or radially) outwardly from the drive shaft  28  and at least one lower tooth  34   b  ( FIGS. 3, 5 ), spaced axially downwardly from the at least one upper tooth  34   a , and also projecting laterally (or radially) outwardly from the drive shaft  28 . In the illustrated embodiment, a pair of diametrically opposed upper teeth  34   a  project laterally (or radially) outwardly from the drive shaft  28  and a pair of diametrically opposed lower teeth  34   b  project laterally (or radially) outwardly from the drive shaft  28 , but the disclosure is not so limited. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper teeth  34   a  and the lower teeth  34   a  extend in the parallel planes, substantially perpendicularly to one another, but the disclosure is also not so limited. As should be understood, more than two upper teeth  34   a  or lower teeth  34   b  may be employed, and, for example, an unequal number of upper teeth  34   a  and lower teeth  34   b  may also be employed. Furthermore, where a plurality of upper teeth  34   a  or lower teeth  34   b  are employed, they need not be diametrically opposed. 
     The rotatable tool  32  is mountable in a first position ( FIGS. 3, 4 ), wherein the tool spindle  32   a  is keyed to the upper teeth  34   a , and also mountable in a second position ( FIG. 5 ), wherein the tool spindle  32   a  is keyed to the lower teeth  34   b . The upper teeth  34   a  are axially positioned along the drive shaft  28 , such that when the basket  22  is properly mounted on the column  20 , the upper teeth  34   a  are located within the basket  22 . Accordingly, when the basket  22  is mounted on the column  20  and the rotatable tool  32  is mounted in the first position, the rotatable tool  32  is also located for rotation within the basket  22 . The lower teeth  34   b  are axially positioned along the drive shaft  28 , such that when the bowl  16  is properly mounted on the housing  12  without the basket  22  (see  FIG. 5 ), the lower teeth  34   b  are located within the bowl  16 . Therefore, when the basket  22  is removed and the rotatable tool  32  is mountable in the second position, the rotatable tool  32  is located for rotation within the bowl  16 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3-5 , the tool spindle  32   a  includes an internal, generally cylindrical, axially extending tool hub  36 . A first, generally annular channel  38  is defined between the inner tool hub  36  and an outer, annular wall  32   c  of the tool spindle  32   a . The channel  38  defines an axial extent  38   H  ( FIG. 3 ) extending upwardly from an open base end  32   d  of the tool spindle  32   a . In the illustrated embodiment, the axial extent  38   H  of the first channel  38  extends substantially toward the upper end of the tool spindle  32   a , but the disclosure is not so limited. 
     Turning to  FIG. 6 , the tool hub  36  has a generally cruciform shaped slot  42  in a base end  36   a  thereof. The slot  42  includes a first laterally extending slot  42   a  and a second laterally extending slot  42   b  oriented substantially perpendicularly to the first slot  42   a . The first slot  42   a  defines an upward axial extent  42   a   H  ( FIG. 5 ) extending from the base end  36   a , a length  42   a   L  and a width  42   a   w  ( FIG. 6 ). Likewise, the second slot  42   b  defines an upward axial extent  42   b   H  ( FIG. 3 ) extending from the base end  36   a , a length  42   b   L  and a width  42   b   w . A second axially extending channel  42   c  is positioned at the intersection of the first slot  42   a  and the second slot  42   b  and extends entirely through the tool hub  36  and tool spindle  32   a  to slidably receive the drive shaft  28  therethrough. 
     To mount the rotatable tool  32  in the first position thereof, i.e., key the rotatable tool  32  with the upper teeth  34   a , the lid  26  is removed and the base end  32   d  of the tool spindle  32  is engaged with the upper end  28   b  of the drive shaft  28  (with the basket  22  in place on the column  20 ). The rotatable tool  32  is advanced axially downwardly, with the drive shaft  28  slidably advancing upwardly through the second axially extending channel  42   c  of the tool hub  36 . The rotatable tool  32  is manually rotated about the drive shaft  28  to align the upper teeth  34   a  with the first slot  42   a . The length  42   a   L  and a width  42   a   w  of the first slot  42   a  are dimensioned to complementarily engage, e.g., substantially fittingly receive, the diametrically opposed upper teeth  34   a . An upper end (of the axial extent  42   a   H ) of the first slot  42   a  defines a shoulder  44  ( FIG. 4 ). 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the axial extent  42   a   H  of the first slot  42   a  is dimensioned such that the shoulder  44  rests on the upper teeth  34   a , to axially support the rotatable tool  32  in the first position thereof. Therefore, the drive shaft  28  is slidably advanced through the second axially extending channel  42   c  of the tool hub  36  until abutment of the shoulder  44  with the upper teeth  34   a . As should be understood, however, the axial extent  42   a   H  of the first slot  42   a  may alternatively be dimensioned so that the shoulder  44  does not engage the upper teeth  34   a , but rather permits the drive shaft  28  to slidably advance through the second axially extending channel  42   c  of the tool hub  36  until the base end  32   d  of the tool spindle  32   a  rests against, and is axially supported by, the base end  22   a  of the basket  22 . The lid  26  is then re-positioned atop the bowl  16  and the basket  22 , with the upper end  28   b  of the drive shaft  28  journaling into the bushing  26   b , for use of the kitchen appliance  10 . 
     To mount the rotatable tool  32  in the second position thereof, i.e., key the rotatable tool  32  with the lower teeth  34   b , the lid  26  is removed and the basket  22  is also removed, i.e., withdrawn from engagement with the column  20 . The rotatable tool  32  is then mounted on the column  20 . As shown best in  FIG. 5 , the rotatable tool  32  is aligned such that the column  20  is axially, slidably advanced through the first annular channel  38 , via the open end  32   d  thereof, to mount the rotatable tool  32  onto the column  20 , and the drive shaft  28  is axially, slidable advanced through the second channel  42   c . A gap or spacing  40  ( FIGS. 3, 4 ) separates the column  20  from the drive shaft  28  so as to receive at least a portion of the tool hub  36  ( FIG. 5 ). The tool spindle  32   a  is, therefore, sized and/or shaped to fit over the column  20  in the bowl  16  and engage the drive shaft  28 . 
     The first slot  42   a  complementarily receives the lower teeth  34   b  in the second position of the rotatable tool  32 . That is, the length  42   a   L  and width  42   a   w  of the first slot  42   a  are also dimensioned to complementarily engage, e.g., substantially fittingly receive, the diametrically opposed lower teeth  34   b . Because the lower teeth  34   b  are oriented perpendicularly to the upper teeth  34   a , the rotatable tool  32  must be manually rotated 90° about the drive shaft  28 , i.e., about the longitudinal axis A, from the orientation of the rotatable tool  32  in the first position to align the first slot  42   a  with the lower teeth  34   b.    
     Upon rotation of the rotatable tool  32  to align the first slot  42   a  with the lower teeth  34   b , the second slot  42   b , which is perpendicular to the first slot  42   a , aligns with the upper teeth  34   a . The length  42   b   L  and width  42   b   w  of the second slot  42   b  are dimensioned to receive the diametrically opposed upper teeth  34   a . In one embodiment, the length  42   b   L  and width  42   b   w  of the second slot  42   b  are dimensioned to substantially fittingly receive the diametrically opposed upper teeth  34   a , but the disclosure is not so limited. Alternatively, the length  42   b   L  and width  42   b   w  of the second slot  42   b  may be dimensioned to loosely receive the upper teeth  34   a.    
     Upon aligning the first slot  42   a  with the lower teeth  34   b  and the second slot  42   b  with the upper teeth  34   a  (which occurs simultaneously), the rotatable tool  32  is advanced axially downwardly, with the drive shaft  28  slidably advancing upwardly through the second axially extending channel  42   c  of the tool hub  36 . Upon slidably passing the upper teeth  34   a , the upper teeth  34   a  are axially slidably advanced through the second slot  42   b . The axial extent  42   b   H  of the second slot  42   b  is dimensioned to provide sufficient clearance for sliding the upper teeth  34   a  therethrough to properly position the rotatable tool  32  in the second position thereof. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the rotatable tool  32  is advanced axially downwardly until the shoulder  44  rests on the lower teeth  34   b , to axially support the rotatable tool  32  in the second position thereof. As indicated above, however, the axial extent  42   a   H  of the first slot  42   a  may alternatively be dimensioned so that the shoulder  44  does not engage the lower teeth  34   b , but rather permits the drive shaft  28  to slidably advance through the second axially extending channel  42   c  of the tool hub  36  until the base end  32   d  of the tool spindle  32   a  rests against, and is axially supported by, the base wall  16   e  of the bowl  16 . The lid  26  is then re-positioned atop the bowl  16 , without the basket  22 , and with the upper end  28   b  of the drive shaft  28  journaling into the bushing  26   b , for use of the kitchen appliance  10 . 
     The kitchen appliance  10  is generally operated in a conventional manner, as should be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. For example, without limitation, a switch mechanism (not shown) may be operably connected to the motor  14  to actuate or permit actuation of the motor  14 . The switch mechanism may include a first, open/disengaged position, wherein the power circuit to the motor is interrupted, and, therefore, power from the power supply (wall outlet) does not reach the motor  14 , and a second, closed/engaged position, wherein the power circuit is connected, such that the power from the power supply reaches the motor  14 . The switch mechanism is normally oriented, e.g., biased, in the disengaged position, thereby acting as a safety interlock feature of the kitchen appliance  10 , such that the motor  14  cannot be actuated unless certain components of the kitchen appliance  10  are properly assembled and/or configured. 
     For example, without limitation, when the lid  26  is properly mounted onto bowl  16 , the motor  14  may be actuated or permitted to be actuated by pressing downwardly on the lid  26 , such that the switch is manually actuated from the disengaged position to the engaged position, in a manner well understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. Therefore, if the bowl  16  is not properly attached to the housing  12 , and/or the lid  26  is not properly attached to the bowl  16 , the motor  14  cannot be actuated. 
     When the basket  22  is properly positioned on the column  20 , and the rotatable tool  32  is properly positioned in the first position thereof, as described above, foodstuff to be processed is placed in the second cavity  24  of the basket  22 . After the lid  26  is properly positioned to cover the basket  22  and the bowl  16 , and power is supplied to the motor  14 , the motor  14  effectuates rotation of the drive shaft  28  about the longitudinal axis A, and the keyed engagement between the upper teeth  34   a  and the tool spindle  32   a , as explained above, effectuates rotation of the rotatable tool  32  about the longitudinal axis A to process the foodstuff within the basket  22 . 
     The apertures  22   c  of the basket  22  permit foodstuff processed by the rotatable tool  32  into fragments that are smaller than the apertures  22   c  to pass from the second cavity  24  of the basket  22  into the first cavity  18  of the bowl  16  through the apertures  22   c . With the rotating tool  32  in the second cavity  24 , the foodstuff fragments that pass through the apertures  22   c  and fall into the first cavity  18  are no longer in contact with the rotating tool  32  and, therefore, are not further processed thereby. Advantageously, foodstuff is, therefore, only processed until reduced to fragments that may pass through the apertures  22   c . Accordingly, the foodstuff is generally not over-processed into a size substantially smaller than the apertures  22   c , regardless of how long the rotatable tool  32  is actuated. 
     As should be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, the size of the apertures  22   c  of the basket  22  may be adjustably dimensioned in order to select an appropriate, or user-desired, aperture size for the foodstuff being processed. For example, without limitation, a user may select one of multiple baskets  22  for use, each having differently sized/shaped and/or differently oriented apertures  22   c . As another example, without limitation, interlocking baskets  22  and  22 ′ may be utilized, as shown in  FIG. 7 , each basket  22  and  22 ′ having differently sized and/or differently oriented apertures. The outer basket  22 , for example, may have larger apertures  22   c , whereas the inner basket  22 ′ may have smaller apertures  22   c ′ or merely differently oriented apertures  22   c ′. For example, the apertures  22   c ′ may be out of phase with the apertures  22   c  when the baskets  22  and  22 ′ are overlapped. The baskets  22  and  22 ′ may be telescopically oriented and releasably interlocked together, e.g., via a bayonet style connection  46  as illustrated. As shown, the connection  46  may include multiple levels, corresponding to multiple degrees of aperture overlap between the two baskets  22  and  22 ′. The overlap of the apertures  22   c  and  22   c ′ results in varied degrees of smaller sized openings  22   c ″ for foodstuff to pass through. As should be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, however, the apertures  22   c  may be adjustably dimensioned via any of numerous different methods, currently known or that later become known, and the disclosure is not limited to the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 7 . 
     Also with respect to the apertures  22   c , the clearance between the base end  22   a  or the sidewall  22   b  of basket  22 , i.e., any portion of the sidewall  22   b  having apertures  22   c  therein, and an adjacent wall of the kitchen appliance  10  facing the base end  22   a  or sidewall  22   b , respectively, is greater than or equal to a greatest dimension of the apertures  22   c . For example, as shown best in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the distance D between the sidewall  22   b  of the basket  22  and the lid  26  is greater than the greatest dimension of any aperture  22   c . Advantageously, such clearance prevents foodstuff fragments that pass through any aperture  22   c  from becoming lodged in between the basket  22  and the adjacent structure of the kitchen appliance  10 , and helps to ensure that foodstuff fragments passing through the apertures  22   c  have a substantially unobstructed path down to the first cavity  18 . 
     When a user prefers to utilize the kitchen appliance  10  in a conventional manner, i.e., without the basket  22 , the user removes the lid  26 , withdraws the rotatable tool  32  from engagement with the drive shaft  28  and removes the basket  22  from atop the column  20  as explained above. As also explained above, the user may thereafter re-engage the rotatable tool  32  with the drive shaft  28  and position the rotatable tool  32  in the second position thereof ( FIG. 5 ). After the lid  26  is re-positioned atop the bowl  16 , the kitchen appliance  10  may be used in a conventional manner, wherein the foodstuff is processed by the rotatable tool  32  directly in the first cavity  18 . 
       FIGS. 8-11  illustrate a second embodiment of the kitchen appliance  110 . The reference numerals of the present embodiment are distinguishable from those of the above-described first embodiment ( FIGS. 1-7 ) by a factor of one-hundred (100), but otherwise indicate the same elements as indicated above, except as otherwise specified. The kitchen appliance  110  of the present embodiment is substantially similar to that of the earlier embodiment. Therefore, the description of certain similarities and modes of operation between the embodiments may be omitted herein for the sake of brevity and convenience, and, therefore, is not limiting. 
     One difference over the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-7 , as shown best in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , is that the apertured/perforated basket  122  includes a plurality of angularly spaced apart, axially extending ribs  123 , projecting radially outwardly from the basket  122  to support the basket  122  atop the bowl  116 . The ribs  123  are sized and dimensioned such that the bottom ends of the ribs  123  abut the frustoconical upper portion  116   b  of the bowl  116  to support the basket  122  atop the bowl  116 . In the illustrated embodiment, the basket  122  includes four (4) ribs  123  angularly spaced approximately 90° apart from one another to support the basket  122  atop the bowl  116  in a stable manner, maintaining the basket  122  properly leveled. As should be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, however, the basket  122  can include more or less ribs  123  preferably generally equally angularly spaced apart, to support the basket  122  atop the bowl  116  in a stable and level manner. As also should be understood, the ribs  123  may be sized and dimensioned to abut the radially outwardly extending annular flange  116   d  at a top end of the upper portion  116   b . In the illustrated embodiment, frictional engagement between the ribs  123  and the bowl  116  substantially prevents the basket  122  from rotating. Alternatively, however, the bowl  116  may include slots or the like, corresponding to the ribs  123  and for engagement therewith, for further preventing rotation of the basket  122 . 
     Turning to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , another difference over the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-7  pertains to the drive shaft. The drive shaft  128 , in the present embodiment, is comprised of a first drive shaft portion  129   a , a shaft adapter  129   b , and a second drive shaft portion  129   c . The shaft adapter  129   b  is removably slidable atop the first drive shaft portion  129   a , and the second drive shaft portion  129   c  is rotationally fixedly secured to the shaft adapter  129   b , as will be described in further detail below. The bottom end  128   a  of the first drive shaft portion  129   b  is drivingly coupled with the motor  114  in a conventional manner (as explained with respect to the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-7 ), to rotate relative to the housing  112  and about the longitudinal axis A. 
     The first drive shaft portion  129   a  extends axially upwardly through the column  120  approximately to the flange  116   d  of the bowl  116 . Similar to the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-7 , the first drive shaft portion  129   a  includes at least one lower tooth  134   b  projecting laterally (or radially) outwardly therefrom. In the illustrated embodiment, a pair of diametrically opposed lower teeth  134   b  project laterally (or radially) outwardly from the first drive shaft portion  129   a , but the disclosure is not so limited. As shown in  FIG. 11 , the rotatable tool  132  is mounted onto the first drive shaft portion  129   a  in the second position of the tool  132  (with the perforated basket  122  removed) in a rotationally fixed manner as explained with respect to the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-7  (generally, the tool hub  136  of the rotatable tool  132  is keyed with the lower teeth  134   b ). 
     To mount the rotatable tool  132  in the first position thereof (within the perforated basket  122 ), however, the shaft adapter  129   b  is removably attached to the first drive shaft portion  129   a  in a rotationally fixed, male-female engagement. As shown in  FIG. 10 , the shaft adapter  129   b  includes a lower portion  131  defining a lower channel  131   a  therein and an upper portion  133  defining an upper channel  133   a  therein. The lower channel  131   a  in the lower portion  131  is sized and dimensioned to slidably receive the first drive shaft portion  129   a  therein. The lower portion  131  also includes a laterally extending slot  131   b  having an upward axial extent extending from the base end of the shaft adapter  129   b  to slidably receive the lower teeth  134   b  of the first drive shaft portion  129   a . To slide the shaft adapter  129   b  onto the first drive shaft portion  129   a , the slot  131   b  is aligned with the lower teeth  134   b  in order to advance the first drive shaft portion  129   a  and the lower teeth  134   b  through the lower channel  131  and the slot  131   b , respectively, in a rotationally fixed manner. 
     The second drive shaft portion  129   c  is rotationally fixedly secured to the shaft adapter  129   b . As shown in  FIG. 10 , the second drive shaft portion  129   c  includes at least one adapter tooth  134   c  projecting laterally (or radially) outwardly therefrom and at least one upper tooth  134   a  projecting laterally (or radially) outwardly therefrom and spaced upwardly from the at least one adapter tooth  134   c . In the illustrated embodiment, a pair of diametrically opposed upper teeth  134   a  and a pair of diametrically opposed adapter teeth  134   c  project laterally (or radially) outwardly from the second drive shaft portion  129   c , but the disclosure is not so limited. 
     A bottom portion of the second drive shaft portion  129   c  is fixedly secured in the upper channel  133   a  of the upper portion  133  of the shaft adapter  129   b  and the adapter teeth  134   c  are fittingly received within corresponding slots  133   b  in the upper portion  133  in a manner well understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to rotationally fix the second drive shaft portion  129   c  to the shaft adapter  129   b . As should be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, however, the second drive shaft portion  129   c  may be fixedly secured to the shaft adapter  129   b  via any of numerous methods currently known or that later become known, or, alternatively, the second drive shaft portion  129   c  may be integrally constructed with the shaft adapter  129   b , i.e., the second drive shaft portion  129   c  and the shaft adapter  129   b  being a monolithic unit. Yet alternatively, the second drive shaft portion  129   c  may be rotationally fixedly removably attachable to the shaft adapter  129   b  in a like manner as the first drive shaft portion  129   a.    
     In operation, when the shaft adapter  129   b  is mounted onto the first drive shaft portion  129   a  (as explained above) and the perforated basket  122  is supported atop the bowl  116 , the shaft adapter  129   b  and attached second drive shaft portion  129   c  extend into and through the perforated basket  122  through a channel  125  of the perforated basket  122 , extending upwardly from the base end  122   a  thereof. As shown in  FIG. 10 , the rotatable tool  132  is mounted onto the second drive shaft portion  129   c  in the first position of the tool  132  in a rotationally fixed manner in a like manner as explained with respect to the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-7  (generally, the tool hub  136  of the rotatable tool  132  is keyed with the upper teeth  134   a . The upper end  128   b  of the second drive shaft portion  129   c  removably seats into an underside of the lid  126 , in like manner as explained with respect to the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-7 . 
     It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this disclosure is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.