Abstract:
A food processor ( 10 ) includes: a blade ( 30 ) that is variously configurable by having its shape and configuration be selectively adjustable; a bowl ( 18 ) adapted to be used alone or with various sized bowl inserts ( 50, 60 ) which cooperate with the adjustable blade ( 30 ) for optimal relative sizing and performance; a variable length feed tube ( 304 ); a weighted feed tube pusher ( 306 ) for automatically pushing food through the tube ( 304 ); and a selectively actuable spatula ( 204 ); for cleaning the inside of the bowl ( 18 ).

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/875,681, filed Dec. 19, 2006, the entire content of which is incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Disclosure 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to food appliances and, more particularly, to electric food processors. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    Electric food processors exist in various sizes and forms. A food processor may be used to prepare food by mixing, grinding, chopping, slicing, grating, shredding, or by a variety of other processing operations. A food processor typically includes a base housing an electric motor, a drive shaft driven by the motor, a bowl and a lid mounted to the bowl. A rotatably driven blade is mounted to the drive shaft to process the food product inside the bowl. 
         [0006]    A limitation of existing food processor appliances is that they are confined to dedicated configurations of blade size and shape, bowl size and shape, and feed chute size and shape. Some are sold with interchangeable components, but, require storage space for these additional components, and, consequently, increase the overall expense of the appliance. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    Accordingly, the present disclosure is directed to a food processor appliance having variously configurable blade, bowl and feed chute components. Such components are inclusive of a manually actuable spatula for cleaning the inside of the bowl without requiring removal of the lid, a selectively extendable blade mechanism for operation in different size bowls and a weighted food pusher for automatically pushing food down a chute into a rotating food processor blade. 
         [0008]    According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a food processor includes: a mixing blade that is variously configurable by having its shape and configuration be selectively adjustable; a bowl adapted to be used alone or with various sized bowl inserts which cooperate with the adjustable blade for optimal relative sizing and performance; a variable length feed tube; a weighted feed tube pusher for automatically pushing food through the tube; and a selectively actuable spatula for cleaning the inside of the bowl. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be appreciated by reference to the drawings wherein: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a side plan view of a food processor in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the main bowl or food receptacle and blade mechanism of the food processor of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the main receptacle and blade mechanism illustrating the blades of the blade mechanism in a first radial outward position; 
           [0013]      FIGS. 4 and 5  are perspective and side plan views respectively illustrating the blades of the blade mechanism in the first radial outward position; 
           [0014]      FIGS. 6 and 7  are perspective and side plan views respectively illustrating the blades of the blade mechanism in the second radial inward position; 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the main receptacle incorporating a nested second medium-sized receptacle with the blade mechanism in the first radial outward position; 
           [0016]      FIGS. 9 and 10  are side and top plan views respectively of the main receptacle, second medium receptacle and mounted blade mechanism in the first radial outward position; 
           [0017]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the main receptacle further incorporating a nested third small receptacle with the blade mechanism in the second radial inward position; 
           [0018]      FIGS. 12 and 13  are side and top plan views respectively of the main receptacle, third small receptacle and mounted blade mechanism in the second radial inward position; 
           [0019]      FIGS. 14 and 15  are perspective and side plan views respectively of an alternate embodiment of the blade mechanism of  FIG. 4  illustrating the blades in the first radial outward position; 
           [0020]      FIGS. 16 and 17  are perspective and side plan views respectively of the blade mechanism of  FIGS. 14 and 15  illustrating the blades in the second radial inward position; 
           [0021]      FIGS. 18A and 18B  are partial cross-sectional views taken along the lines  18 A- 18 A and  18 B- 18 B of  FIG. 14  illustrating the mechanism for moving the blades of the blade mechanism of  FIGS. 14-17  between the first radial outward position and the second radial inward position; 
           [0022]      FIG. 19  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the main receptacle of the food processor of  FIG. 1  incorporating a spatula mechanism; 
           [0023]      FIG. 20  is a perspective view of the spatula mechanism of  FIG. 19 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 21  is a cross-sectional view illustrating the relationships of the actuator, helical screw and planetary gear mechanism of the spatula mechanism. 
           [0025]      FIG. 22  is a perspective view of the main receptacle of the food processor of  FIG. 1  incorporating a weighted feed tube pusher; and 
           [0026]      FIG. 23  is a perspective view similar to the view of  FIG. 22  illustrating the feed tube pusher in its lowest position relative to the cover of the receptacle. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0027]    Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals identify similar or like components throughout the several views,  FIG. 1  illustrates a food processor appliance  10  in accordance with the principals of the present disclosure. Food processor  10  includes base  12  which houses motor  14  (depicted schematically) and having drive shaft  16  extending from the base  12  and actuated by the motor  14 . Motor  14  may be controlled and manipulated by a control panel which is mounted on the front of base  12  and is in communication with circuitry or logic within the base  12  to control functioning of food processor  10  as is known in the art. One suitable base is disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 7,063,283 to Wanat or commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 7,069,839 to Kernan, the entire contents of each disclosure being incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0028]    Referring now to  FIGS. 2-3 , in conjunction with  FIG. 1 , food processor  10  further includes main receptacle or bowl  18  mounted to the top of the base  12 . Main receptacle  18  may include handle  20  for engagement by the user, spout  22  in opposed relation to the handle  22  for pouring liquid contents accumulated within the main receptacle  18 , and lid or cover  24 . Cover  24  may include food chute  26  depending from the cover  24  and having central opening  28  for depositing of food substances within main receptacle  18 . Food chute  26  may be integral with cover  24  or may be independent from the cover  24  and positioned relative to the cover  24  when in use. If independent from cover  24 , food chute  26  may be supported by its placement on the upper surface of the cover  24 . With this arrangement, cover  24  will have opening  24   a  in communication with the central opening  28  of food chute  26 . Food chute  26  may further incorporate depending tab  26   a  which may cooperate with handle  22  to fix the food chute from rotational movement relative to cover  24 . In the alternative, depending tab  26   a  may incorporate a channel with an associated plunger which serves as a safety interlock ensuring that food chute  26  is properly positioned relative to cover  24 . Safety interlock arrangement(s) are disclosed in the Kernan &#39;839 patent. 
         [0029]    Food processor  10  incorporates a blade mechanism, generally identified by reference numeral  30 , for performing the slicing, dicing, chopping, etc. functions on the food substances. Blade mechanism  30  may be mounted about receptacle hub  32  of main receptacle  18  to operatively connect with drive shaft  16  of motor  14 . Receptacle hub  32  may incorporate a shaft or the like which cooperatively engages drive shaft  16  of motor  14  as is known in the art. 
         [0030]    With reference now to  FIGS. 2-5 , blade mechanism  30  will be described in detail. Blade mechanism  30  includes blade mount  34  and a pair of blades  36   a ,  36   b  operatively connected to the blade mount  34  and arranged in diametrical opposed relation as shown. Blade mount  34  incorporates central shaft  34   s  which cooperates with receptacle hub  32  of main receptacle  18  to operatively connect the components. Central shaft  34   s  may include central opening  34   p  having a polygonal or non-circular cross-section. In one embodiment, blade  36   a  is operatively connected to a lower surface of blade mount  34  through hinge or pin  38   a , and blade  36   b  is operatively connected to the upper surface of blade mount  34  through hinge or pin  38   b . Blade mechanism  30  further includes deployment member  40 , upper gear or ratchet wheel  42  mounted adjacent the upper surface of blade mount  34  and lower gear  44  mounted adjacent the lower surface of the blade mount  34 . Upper and lower gears  42 ,  44  may be identical in design. Deployment member  40  may be, for example, in the form of a rotatable control knob, and is secured or integrally connected to upper gear  42  and lower gear  44 . In one embodiment, deployment member  40  may extend through blade mount  34  with upper gear  42  and lower gear  44  secured about the periphery of the deployment member  40  through conventional means such as with the use of adhesives or the like. Alternatively, deployment member  40  may incorporate keyed slots to receive the respective upper and lower gears  42 ,  44  in a manner to secure the gears  42 ,  44  to the deployment member  40 . Deployment member  40  is adapted for rotational movement about mount axis “k” which causes corresponding rotational movement of upper gear  42  and lower gear  44  in the same direction. Each blade  36   a ,  36   b  incorporates at least one, preferably two, ratchet teeth  46   a ,  46   b  which cooperatively engage the respective teeth  48 ,  50  of upper gear and lower gear  42 ,  44 . 
         [0031]    Blades  36   a ,  36   b  are adapted to rotate about their respective pivot pins  38   a ,  38   b  in response to corresponding rotational movement of deployment member  40 . In one embodiment, blades  36   a ,  36   b  are adapted for rotational movement from a first extended or radial outward position depicted in  FIGS. 4-5  to a second collapsed or radial inward position depicted in  FIGS. 6-7  via manipulation of deployment member  40 . In particular, rotation of deployment member  40  in a counterclockwise direction depicted by directional arrow “b”  FIG. 4  will cause corresponding counterclockwise rotation of upper and lower gears  42 ,  44  whereby the respective ratchet teeth  46   a ,  46   b  of blades  36   a ,  36   b  intermesh with the teeth  48 ,  50  of upper and lower gears  42 ,  44  to move the blades  36   a ,  36   b  to the radial second inward position of  FIGS. 6 and 7 . Similarly, rotational movement of deployment member  40  in a clockwise direction will correspondingly drive blades  36   a ,  36   b  to the first radial outward position of  FIGS. 4-5  through cooperation of the respective gears  42 ,  44  and ratchet teeth  46   a ,  46   b . This feature, thus, enables the operator to selectively position blades  36   a ,  36   b  of blade mechanism  30  in the first outward or second inward positions to accommodate various sized bowls or receptacles. It is envisioned that blades  36   a ,  36   b  may be selectively arranged at relative positions between or intermediate of the first outward and second inward positions. Is further envisioned that blades  36   a ,  36   b  may be secured in any of these positions through a locking mechanism associated, e.g., with either deployment member  40 , upper gear  42  and/or lower gear  44 .  FIGS. 2-3  illustrate blades  36   a ,  36   b  in the first radial outward position within main receptacle  18 . 
         [0032]    Referring now  FIGS. 8-10 , in another aspect of the present disclosure, main receptacle  18  incorporates a second or medium sized bowl or receptacle  50  nested within the main receptacle  18 . In one arrangement, second receptacle  50  incorporates a peripheral flange  52  which is supported by the upper surface or flange of main receptacle  18 . Second receptacle may accept cover  22  of main receptacle  18  or may include its own cover specifically configured for the dimensions of the second receptacle  50 . Blade mechanism  30  may be mounted relative to hub  54  of second receptacle  50 , e.g., about the hub shaft, to rotate with the hub  54  upon actuation of motor  14 . In one embodiment, a shaft extension  56  is provided to extend between hub  32  of main receptacle  18  and hub  54  of second receptacle  50  to connect the hub  54  of the second receptacle  50  with the output of drive shaft  16  and motor  14 . Shaft extension  56  may incorporate a polygonal or any non-circular cross-section to cooperate with a similar dimensioning of the respective shaft receiving opening of hub  54  of second receptacle  50 . As depicted in the drawings, during operation, blades  36   a ,  36   b  may be in their first radial outward position due to the relatively enlarged dimensioning of the second receptacle  50 . 
         [0033]      FIGS. 11-13  illustrate the addition of a third small bowl or receptacle  60  nested within second receptacle  50 . Due to the relatively small dimensioning or internal diameter of third receptacle  60 , the operator will move blade mechanism  30  to the second radial inward position of  FIGS. 6-7  to ensure that blades  36   a ,  36   b  will be accommodated within the third receptacle  60 . The transition from the first radial outward position of blades  36   a ,  36   b  to the second radial inward position of blades  36   a ,  36   b  may be effected in the aforedescribed manner. A supplemental extension shaft  62  may interconnect hub  54  of second receptacle  50  with hub  64  of third receptacle  60  to couple the output of motor  18  with blade mechanism  30 . 
         [0034]      FIGS. 14-18  illustrate an alternate embodiment of the blade mechanism  30 . Blade mechanism  100  incorporates central blade mount  102 , a pair of blades  104   a ,  104   b  mounted to the central blade mount  102  and deployment member  106 . Blades  104   a ,  104   b  define elongated openings  108   a ,  108   b.    
         [0035]    The peripheral reaction of blades  104   a ,  104   b  defining openings  108   a ,  108   b  may be received within grooves or channels of the blade mount. Deployment member  106  is received within blade mount  102  and is adapted for rotational movement through predetermined sectors of rotation within the blade mount  102 . Respective rotational movement of deployment member  106  will move blades  104   a ,  104   b , between the first radial outward position depicted in  FIGS. 14-15  and the second radial inward position of  FIGS. 16-17  for accommodation of the blades  104   a ,  104   b  within different sized receptacles or bowls as discussed hereinabove. Any means for operatively connecting blades  104   a ,  104   b  with deployment member  106  to permit movement of the blades between the outward and inward positions are envisioned including, e.g., the gear arrangement, discussed in connection with  FIG. 1 . In one embodiment best depicted by the cross sectional view of  FIG. 17 , deployment member  106  includes upper and lower external ratchet teeth arranged in opposed relation as shown. Upper ratchet teeth cooperatively engage internal ratchet teeth of blade  104   a  and lower teeth cooperatively engage internal ratchet teeth of blade  104   b . Rotation of deployment member in a clockwise direction will cause blades  106   a ,  106   b  to extend in a radial outward direction through cooperation of the ratchet teeth of deployment member and blades  106   a ,  106   b  of  FIGS. 14-15  while rotation of the deployment member in a counterclockwise direction will cause corresponding movement of the blades to the radial inward position of  FIGS. 16-17 . 
         [0036]    As a further feature, deployment member  106  includes upper flange  120  having locking tab  122  depending therefrom in an axial direction. Locking tab  122  is selectively receivable within key ways  124 ,  126  defined within the upper surface portion of blade mount  102  to selectively secure deployment member  106  at respective positions corresponding to the radial outward and inward positions of blades  104   a ,  104   b . In particular, when it is desired to move blade mechanism  100  to the radial inward position depicted in  FIGS. 16-17 , the operator may lift deployment member  106  in a vertical direction thereby (directional arrow “m”) releasing locking tab  122  from key way slot  124 . The operator then rotates deployment member in the direction of directional arrow “t” to move blades  104   a ,  104   b  to the radial inward position of  FIGS. 16-17 . Once in this position, the operator may release or move upper flange  120  of deployment member  106  toward blade mount  102  permitting the locking tab  122  to be received within key slot  126  thereby securing blades  104   a ,  104   b  in the first radial inward position. The procedure may be reversed to move and secure blades  104   a ,  104   b  to the second radial inward position. Ratchet teeth  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118  of deployment member  106  and blades  104   a ,  104   b  may be dimensioned to permit translation of deployment member  106  relative to blades  104   a ,  104   b.    
         [0037]      FIGS. 19-21  illustrate another aspect of the present disclosure. Food processor includes a spatula mechanism  200  to assist in scraping the side walls of enclosure or bowl  202 . Spatula mechanism  200  includes a pair of scraper or spatula arms  204 ,  206  connected by a gear mechanism  208 . Gear mechanism  208  preferably includes manual actuator  210  having central helical screw  212  depending therefrom and a plurality of interconnecting gears  214 ,  216  arranged in a planetary gear arrangement. In one embodiment, manual actuator  210  is mounted within or relative to an opening  218  in cover  220 . Helical screw  212  attached to manual actuator  210  rotates upon depression of manual actuator  210  towards enclosure  202  in the direction of directional arrow “d” ( FIG. 20 ) and thereby cooperatively engages first gear  214  which cooperates with second gear  216 , which, in turn, cooperates with central gear section  222  of spatula arm  208  to cause at least spatula arm  206  to rotate relative to spatula arm  204 . In this arrangement, spatula arms  204 ,  206  wipe the inside wall of the bowl  202 . 
         [0038]      FIGS. 22-23  illustrate a food processor bowl  300  for mounting to a food processor base (not shown). Food processor bowl  30  includes a feed tube  302 . Feed tube has tube extension  304  which may be selectively attached or detached from the feed tube  302 . A weighted feed tube pusher  306  may be mounted at least partially within tube extension  304  and is, e.g., slidable within the tube extension  304 . Pusher  306  is of sufficient weight such that under the force of gravity the pusher  306  presses food product within tube extension  304  and feed tube  302  downwardly into a rotating disc blade  308 . A manual control tab  310  is provided for manual control of pusher  306 , e.g., to lift the pusher  306  or to translate the pusher  306  in a downward direction. A slot  312  in the extension  304  accommodates a portion of tab  310  to permit sliding movement of the tab  310  relative to the tube extension  310 . 
         [0039]    Commonly assigned U.S. patent application entitled “Food Processor” under Attorney Docket No. 2200/p, filed on Dec. 19, 2006 U.S. provisional Ser. No. 60/875,680, and commonly assigned U.S. patent application entitled “Food Processor” under Attorney Docket No. 2202/p filed on Dec. 19, 2006 U.S. provisional Ser. No. 60/875,679 each disclose subject matter related to the present disclosure. The entire disclosures of each of these applications are hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
         [0040]    Although the foregoing disclosure has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example, for purposes of clarity or understanding, it will be obvious that certain changes and modifications may be practiced within the scope of the appended claims.