Patent Abstract:
A cap for closing a container including a cap body for contacting an open end of the container and at least one connector mounted to an exterior of said cap body for coupling said cap body to the container. The at least one connector includes an engaging piece and a lever. An initial movement of said at least one connector causes said engaging piece to contact the container and a further movement of said at least one connector causes said engaging piece to affix said cap body to the container.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/341,202, filed May 25, 2016, the content of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    This application is directed to a food processor, and more particularly, to an assembly configured to associate an attachment with a food processor base. 
         [0003]    Food processors, such as blenders generally include containers or multi-sized containers or jars mountable to a base unit. These containers are commonly used to process a plurality of different food products, including liquids, solids, semi-solids, gels and the like. It is well-known that blenders are useful devices for blending, cutting, and dicing food products in a wide variety of commercial settings, including home kitchen use, professional restaurant or food services use, and large-scale industrial use. They offer a convenient alternative to chopping or dicing by hand, and often come with a range of operational settings and modes adapted to provide specific types or amounts of food processing, e.g., as catered to particular food products. 
         [0004]    Typically, a cutting assembly threadably attaches to an end of the container. However, the rotary motion required to couple the cutting assembly to the container may stretch or deform a seal arranged between the components, resulting in the processed food items within the container leaking through the seal, as well as uncertainty for a user whether the cutting assembly is properly engaged with the container. Further, inclusion of threads on both the cutting assembly and the container adds not only complexity, but also cost to the food processor. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    According to one embodiment, a cap for closing a container including a cap body for contacting an open end of the container and at least one connector mounted to an exterior of said cap body for coupling said cap body to the container. The at least one connector includes an engaging piece and a lever. An initial movement of said at least one connector causes said engaging piece to contact the container and a further movement of said at least one connector causes said engaging piece to affix said cap body to the container. 
         [0006]    In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments when the cap is attached to the container, said cap body seals said open end of the container. 
         [0007]    In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments said connector is rotatable about an axis oriented generally perpendicular to the container. 
         [0008]    In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments said lever is operably coupled to said engaging piece such that rotation of said lever causes a similar rotation of said engaging piece. 
         [0009]    In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments said engaging piece includes a flange and said flange has a contoured surface complementary to an exterior surface of the container. 
         [0010]    In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments said flange is integrally formed with said lever. 
         [0011]    In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments said flange is indirectly connected to said lever via a linkage. 
         [0012]    In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments said flange is pivotally mounted to said lever. 
         [0013]    In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments said contoured surface of said flange extends about ninety degrees of a periphery of the container. 
         [0014]    In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments said engaging piece is configured to abut a lip formed about the container. 
         [0015]    In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments said cap body has a size and shape similar to said first end of the container. 
         [0016]    According to another embodiment, a food processing system includes a food processing base, a container having a first open end and a second closed end, and a cutting assembly connectable to said first open end of the container. The cutting assembly is mountable to the food processing base to associate the container with the food processing base. The cutting assembly includes a body for contacting said open end of the container and at least one connector mounted to an exterior of said body for coupling said body to said container. The at least one connected includes an engaging piece and a lever. An initial movement of said at least one connector causes said engaging piece to contact the container and a further movement of said at least one connector causes said engaging piece to affix said body to the container. 
         [0017]    In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments said connector is rotatable about an axis oriented generally perpendicular to the container. 
         [0018]    In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments said engaging piece includes a flange and said flange has a contoured surface complementary to an exterior surface of said container. 
         [0019]    In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments said contoured surface of said flange extends about ninety degrees of a periphery of said container. 
         [0020]    In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments when said cutting assembly is coupled to said container, said engaging piece is configured to abut a lip formed about the container. 
         [0021]    In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments said lever is operably coupled to said engaging piece such that rotation of said lever causes a similar rotation of said engaging piece. 
         [0022]    In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments said cutting assembly further includes at least one blade rotatable about an axis mounted to said body, said at least one blade being positioned within said container when said cutting assembly is coupled to said container. 
         [0023]    In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments rotation of said at least one blade is driven by said food processing base. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0024]    The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification embodies several aspects of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serves to explain the principles of the disclosure. In the drawings: 
           [0025]      FIG. 1  is a front view of an example of a food processing system; 
           [0026]      FIG. 2  is a front view of a container configured for use with a food processing system; 
           [0027]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a cutting assembly configured to couple to a container according to an embodiment; 
           [0028]      FIG. 4  is a perspective/of another cutting assembly configured to couple to a container according to an embodiment; 
           [0029]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of connector of the cutting assembly of  FIG. 4  according to an embodiment; 
           [0030]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of connector of the cutting assembly of  FIG. 4  according to an embodiment; 
           [0031]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a configured to couple to a container according to an embodiment; 
           [0032]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the cutting assembly and container of  FIG. 7  according to an embodiment; 
           [0033]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of another cutting assembly configured to couple to a container according to an embodiment; 
           [0034]      FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of the cutting assembly and container of  FIG. 9  according to an embodiment; 
           [0035]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of another cutting assembly configured to couple to a container according to an embodiment; and 
           [0036]      FIG. 12  is another perspective f the cutting assembly of  FIG. 11  according to an embodiment. 
       
    
    
       [0037]    The detailed description explains embodiments of the present disclosure, together with advantages and features, by way of example with reference to the drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0038]    Referring now to the  FIG. 1 , an example of a multi-functional food processing system  20  is illustrated in more detail. In general, the food processing system  20  can be adapted to perform any food processing or blending operation including as non-limiting examples, dicing, chopping, cutting, slicing, mixing, blending, stiffing, crushing, or the like. Although the food processing system  20  illustrated and described herein is a personal blender system, other food processing systems are within the scope of the present disclosure. The food processing  20  system includes a base  22  having a body or housing  24  within which a motorized unit (not shown) and at least one controller (not shown) are located. The base  22  includes at least one rotary component, such as a drive coupler (not shown) for example, driven by the motorized unit within the body  24 . The base  22  additionally includes a control panel or user interface  28  with one or more input devices  30  for turning the motorized unit on and off and for selecting various modes of operation, such as pulsing, blending, or continuous food processing. The drive coupler (not shown) is configured to engage a portion of an attachment  40  coupled to the base  22  for the processing of food products located within an interior of the attachment  40 . This will become more apparent in subsequent FIGS. and discussion. 
         [0039]    A plurality of interchangeable attachments  40  varying in size and/or functionality may be configured for use with the base  22 . For example, in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the attachment  40  connected to the food processor base  22  is a clear plastic container sized to hold one or more servings of a processed food therein. The container  40  generally includes a first end  42 , a second end  44 , and one or more walls  46  extending there between to define an interior chamber  48  within which food products are placed and processed. As best shown in  FIG. 2 , the first end  42  of the container  40  includes an opening  50  that provides access for the one or more food items into the chamber  48 . The second end  44  is generally closed such that food products contained within the chamber  48  are unable to escape through the second end  44 . Another component,  49  illustrated schematically in broken lines in  FIG. 2  may be configured to attached to the first end  42  of the container  40  and is used to associate or couple the container  40  with the base  22 . 
         [0040]    Referring now to  FIGS. 3-11 , a cutting assembly  60  is configured to associate the container  40 , or another of the plurality of interchangeable attachments, with the base  22 . The cutting assembly  60  is removably connected to the first, open end  42  of the container  40 . When the cutting assembly  60  is attached to the container  40 , the cutting assembly  60  seals the first end  42  of the container  40  such that the food products contained within the chamber  48  are unable to escape therefrom. The cutting assembly  60  may be formed from any suitable food safe material such as plastic for example. The cutting assembly  60  includes a body or base  62  having a shape and size generally complementary to the first end  42  of the container  40 . In an embodiment, best shown in  FIGS. 5 and 7 , a recess or cavity  64  is formed in a first side  66  of the base  62  and extends about a periphery thereof such that the first end  42  of the container  40  is received within the cavity  64 . As best shown schematically in  FIGS. 7, and 9 , a spindle  70  rotatable about an axis A extends from the first surface  66  of the base  64  into the chamber  48  of the container  40 . A blade assembly  72  including one or more blades  74  is mounted to and extends radially outward at an angle from the spindle  70 . Rotation of the spindle  70  and blade assembly  72  about axis A, driven by engagement with the drive coupler of the base  22 , is configured to process one or more food items within the container  40 . It should be understood that embodiments where the cutting assembly  60  does not include the spindle  70  or blade assembly  72 , such as when the cutting assembly is a cap for example, are also considered within the scope of the disclosure. 
         [0041]    Mounted about an exterior surface of the base  62  of the cutting assembly  60  are one or more connectors  80  configured to engage the container  40  and couple the container  40  to the cutting assembly  60 . Although two connectors  80  are illustrated in each of the embodiments, it should be understood that embodiments having any number of connectors  80  are within the scope of the disclosure. Further, although each connector  80  within an embodiment is substantially identical, embodiments including different connectors are also considered within the disclosure. 
         [0042]    Each connector  80  includes a lever  82  pivotally mounted to the exterior of the base  62 . The lever  82  is rotatable about a horizontal axis, arranged substantially perpendicular to the axis A of the spindle  70 . In the non-limiting embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 3 , each lever  82  includes a flange  84  having a contoured surface  86  generally complementary to an exterior of the container  40 . Although the flanges  84  are illustrated as having a width greater than that of the levers  82 , embodiments where the flanges  84  have a width equal to or less than the levers  82  are also considered within the scope of the disclosure. In an embodiment, the flanges  84  and contoured surfaces  86  are sized to wrap about at least a quarter (ninety degrees) of the periphery of the container  40 . The end  90  of the lever  82  adjacent the base  62  is coupled thereto via a linkage  88  such that the lever  82  is movable between a plurality of positions. 
         [0043]    In an embodiment, each of the connectors  80  is configured as an “over-center latch.” Once the base  62  is arranged in contact with the first end  42  of the container  40 , each lever  82  is pivoted towards the container  40  causing the contoured surface  86  of each lever  82  to engage the exterior surface of the container  40 . The force applied to the flanges  84  via contact with the container  40  is distributed evenly across surface  86  due to the complementary shape of the surface  86  relative to the container  40 . In an embodiment, a lip  52  is formed about the periphery of the container  40  such that the flange  84  is positioned directly adjacent the lip  52 . To restrict movement of the container  40  relative to the base  62 , the ends  90  of the levers  82  are rotated towards the base  62  such that the linkage  88  is arranged generally vertically. This rotation causes the flange  84  to apply a force to the lip  52  in the direction of the base  62 . As the flanges  84  contact the lip  52  of the container, a force, and more specifically a moment, is created that resists further rotation of the lever  82  towards the container  40 . As the lever  82  is rotated further and approaches its limit, the moment on the lever  82  changes due to the flange  84 , thereby promoting further rotation of the lever  82  about an axis to create a seal between the container  40  and the cutting assembly  60 . The lever  82  is configured to rotate towards the container  40  until it contacts an exterior surface thereof. As a result, movement of the container  40  relative to the cutting assembly  60  is restricted by the clamping pressure created via engagement of the flanges  84  with the lip  52  of the container  40 . 
         [0044]    With reference to  FIGS. 4-6 , an end  90  of each lever  82  may be pivotally mounted to the base  62 . In addition, the flanges  84  having a contoured surface  86  configured to contact the container  40  may be formed as a component  92  separate from the levers  82 . The yoke  92  includes a support member  94  arranged substantially perpendicular to the flange  84 . As shown, the support member  94  is pinned to a portion of the base  62  and is coupled to a corresponding lever  82  via a linkage  96 . When the cutting assembly  60  is disconnected from the container  40  and the levers  82  are pivoted open, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the free end  98  of the support member  94  is configured to extend through a side of the base  62  into the cavity  64 . Installation of the first end  42  of the container  40  into the cavity  64  engages the free end  98 , causing the yoke  92 , and therefore the lever  82 , to pivot towards the container  40  (see  FIG. 6 ). Further rotation of the levers  82  causes the contoured surface  86  of the flange  84  to contact the exterior of the container  40 , such as abutting lip  52  for example. Even further rotation of the free end of the lever  82  towards the container  40  creates a compressive force which causes the flanges  84  to clamp tightly against the container  40 , to restrict movement and create a seal between the container  40  and the cutting assembly  60 . This further rotation results in the free end of the levers  82  being disposed between an exterior surface of the container  40  and between a position substantially aligned with the rotational axis of the lever  82 . In some embodiments, the further rotation of the levers  82  additionally creates a vertical force applied to the yoke  92 , and transmitted to the lip  52 . In an embodiment, the rotational axis of the level  82  is positioned such that when the lever  82  is fully rotated, the compressive force created between the lip  52  and the flange  84  drives the lever  82  to a greater state of closure. 
         [0045]    In yet another embodiment, shown in  FIGS. 7-10 , each flange  84  is pivotally connected to a corresponding lever  82  via a linkage  100 . In the illustrated, non-limiting embodiment, the linkage  100  extends from a central portion of the lever  82  towards the base  62  such that the flange  84  is disposed generally adjacent the first surface  66  of the base  62 . In one embodiment, the flange  84  is indirectly coupled to the base  62  via the linkage  100  and lever  82 . In another embodiment, illustrated in  FIGS. 9-10 , the flange  84  may also be directly coupled to the base  62 . As shown, a portion  102  of the flange  84  is oriented parallel to and offset from the contoured surface  86  and is pivotally connected to the base  62 . When the cutting assembly  60  is affixed to the container  40 , portion  102  of the flange  84  is arranged in overlapping contact with an exterior surface of the base  62 . 
         [0046]    Once the first end  42  of the container  40  is aligned and arranged in an overlapping configuration with the base  62 , such as when the first end  42  is inserted within cavity  64  for example, partial rotation of the levers  82  pivots the contoured surface  86  of the flange  84  into contact with the exterior of the container  40 . The levers  82  are configured to rotate towards the container  40 , even after the flange  84  is arranged in contact a surface of the container  40 . Further rotation of the levers  82  towards the container  40  increases the compressive force applied to the container  40  via the flanges  84 , thereby forming a seal and restricting movement of the container  40  relative to the cutting assembly  60 . At a final point of rotation of the lever  82 , the force of compression decreases slightly as the lever  82  rotates over center and the compressive force drives the flange  84  of the lever  82  into contact with the side of the container  40 . 
         [0047]    In yet another embodiment, illustrated in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , each flange  84  is pivotally mounted to an end  90  of a corresponding lever  82 . Each lever  82  is configured to rotate about a connection member  102  having a first arm  104  disposed adjacent a first side of the base  62  and a second, similar arm  106  disposed adjacent a second, opposite side of the base  62 . The end  108  of each arm  104 ,  106  of a connection member  102  is rotatable about an axis and includes a plurality of outwardly extending teeth  110  such that each end  108  is similar to a gear. As shown in the FIGS., the end  108  of the first arm  104  of the connection member  102  associated with a first lever  82  is arranged adjacent the end  108  of a second arm  106  of the connection member  102  associated with a second lever  82  of the cutting assembly  60 . As shown, the teeth  110  of the adjacent ends  108  are disposed in interleaving engagement, such drat rotation of a connection member about a respective axis (coupled to a first lever  82 ) drives a similar rotation of a second connection member, coupled to another lever  82 , about its respective axis. Through this arrangement, opening or closing of one lever  82  will create a corresponding opening or closing of the other lever  82 . Although the connectors  80  in each of the embodiments illustrated and described herein is an “over-center latch,” other types of connections for coupling the cutting assembly  60  to the container  40  are contemplated herein. 
         [0048]    All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein. 
         [0049]    The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the disclosure (especially in the context of the following claims) is to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the disclosure and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the disclosure unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the disclosure. 
         [0050]    Exemplary embodiments of this disclosure are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the disclosure. Variations of those embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the disclosure to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this disclosure includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the disclosure unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1