Abstract:
A system for processing food items includes a rotatable cutting component capable of performing a plurality of food processing operations and a container for receiving a food item processed by said rotatable cutting component. The plurality of food processing operations are selected by a position of said food item as said food item engages said cutting component.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/341,201, 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 a food processor having one or more unique features designed for enhancing the safety, ease of use, and/or versatility of the food processor. 
         [0003]    Blenders 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. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    According to one embodiment, a system for processing food items includes a rotatable cutting component capable of performing a plurality of food processing operations and a container for receiving a food item processed by said rotatable cutting component. The plurality of food processing operations are selected by a position of said food item as said food item engages said cutting component. 
         [0005]    In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments said rotatable cutting component includes a first portion and a second portion, wherein a first food processing operation is selected when said food item is aligned with said first portion, and wherein a second food processing operation is selected when said food item is aligned with said second portion. 
         [0006]    In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments said first portion of said rotatable cutting component is substantially aligned with an axis of rotation of said rotatable cutting component. 
         [0007]    In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments said second portion of said rotatable cutting component is offset from an axis of rotation of said rotatable cutting component. 
         [0008]    In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments one of said plurality of food processing operations includes forming one or more semi-continuous lengths of said food item. 
         [0009]    In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments one of said plurality of food processing operations includes slicing, grinding or shredding said food item. 
         [0010]    In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments comprising a lid including an opening arranged in communication with said rotatable cutting component, said opening being movable to provide a food item to said rotatable cutting component at a plurality of positions. 
         [0011]    In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments said opening is configured to slide between said plurality of positions. 
         [0012]    In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments said opening is configured to rotate between said plurality of positions. 
         [0013]    In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments said rotatable cutting component includes a blade disc driven about an axis of rotation. 
         [0014]    In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments said blade disc is driven about said axis of rotation by a motor. 
         [0015]    In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments said blade disc is driven about said axis of rotation manually. 
         [0016]    In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments said first portion includes a receiver having at least one cutting edge. 
         [0017]    In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments said second portion includes a slicing slot and a slicing blade is arranged adjacent said slicing slot. 
         [0018]    In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments said slicing slot extends across a radius of said blade disc such that said slicing blade enables creation of a semi-continuous cut when said food item is aligned with said first portion. 
         [0019]    A method of operating a food processing system includes installing a rotatable cutting component into a chamber of a food processor. The rotatable cutting component is capable of performing a plurality of food processing operations. A food item is positioned adjacent the food processor. The position of the food item as the food item engages the rotatable cutting component selects one of the plurality of food processing operations to be performed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0020]    The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification embodies several aspects of the present invention and, together with the description, serves to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings: 
           [0021]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an example of a food processing system; 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a food processing system having a chute arranged at a center of the lid according to an embodiment; 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a food processing system having a chute arranged at an edge of the lid according to an embodiment; 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an attachment associated with the food processing system according to an embodiment; and 
           [0025]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the attachment positioned within a container of the food processing system according to an embodiment. 
       
    
    
       [0026]    The detailed description explains embodiments of the invention, together with advantages and features, by way of example with reference to the drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0027]    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, stirring, crushing, or the like. Although an example of a food processing system  20  is illustrated and described herein, 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 including at least one input device  30  for turning the motorized unit on and off and for selecting various modes of operation, such as pulsing, blending, or continuous food processing. 
         [0028]    The food processing system  20  additionally includes a container  40  adapted (e.g. sized and dimensioned) to receive one or more food products therein to be processed. 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 shown in the illustrated, non-limiting embodiment, a handle  49  may be integrally formed with at least a portion of the container  40 , such as a sidewall  46  for example. As best shown in the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the top  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 . 
         [0029]    A lid  52  generally complementary in size to the opening  50  is attached to the first end  42  of the container  40 . The lid  52  may be removably secured to the container  40 , such as via a plurality of threads, a press-fit configuration, or any other suitable type of connection for example. Alternatively, the lid  52  may be configured to fixedly attach to the first end  42  of the container  40 . Inclusion of the lid  52 , such as during a food processing and/or blending operation restricts movement of the one or more food products from the chamber  48  via the first end  42  of the container  40 . In one embodiment, the lid  52  may be shaped or include one or more features to prevent the accumulation of food particles thereon. In addition, a gasket  54  may be positioned between the lid  52  and the first end  42  to form a seal preventing a food product from spilling out at the interface between the lid  52  and the opening  50 . 
         [0030]    Depending on the type of food processing system  20  being used, the container  40  may be configured to slidably or rotatably attach to the base  22 . In the illustrated, non-limiting embodiment, the container  40  is moved vertically to connect to the base  22 . However, in other embodiments, sliding and/l or rotational movement of the container  40  in a direction other than the direction of downward movement of the container  40  onto the base  22  may be necessary to successfully mount the container  40  to the base  22 . In one embodiment, the connection formed between the base  22  and the container  40  is intended to limit unintended movement of the container  40  relative to the base  22  during operation of the food processing system  20 . 
         [0031]    In the illustrated, non-limiting embodiment, a rotatable assembly  60  including a spindle  62  extends through the second end  44  into the chamber  48  of the container  40 . Mounted to a portion of the spindle  62  adjacent an underside of the container  40  is a coupling component (not shown) configured to engage the rotary component of the base  22 . As a result of this engagement, the motorized unit within the base  22  may be used to drive rotation of the spindle  62  about an axis X-X. A plurality of interchangeable attachments  70 , such as shown in  FIG. 4  for example, varying in size and/or functionality may be configured for use with the rotatable assembly  60  for the processing of food products located within the chamber  48  of container  40 . 
         [0032]    Referring now to  FIGS. 2-5 , a food processing system  20 , such as shown in  FIG. 1  for example, including an attachment configured to perform a plurality of distinct food processing operations based on a position of a food item relative to the container  40  is illustrated. A blade disc  70 , best illustrated in  FIG. 4 , is mountable to a portion of the rotatable assembly  60 , such as the spindle  62  for example, within the chamber  48  of the container  40  for driven rotation about axis X. A central portion of the blade disc  70  includes at least one cutting tool configured to perform a first cutting operation on a food item aligned therewith. As shown, the central portion of the blade disc  70  is configured to function as a spiralizer and form one or more semi-continuous lengths of a food item, similar to noodles for example. 
         [0033]    In the illustrated, non-limiting embodiment, a receiver is arranged at a center of an upper surface  72  of the blade disc  70 . As shown, the receiver  74  is generally conical in shape such that a first end of the receiver (not shown), such as the apex end thereof, is attached to or is integrally formed with the blade disc  70 . It should be understood that the receiver  74  illustrated and described herein is intended as an example only and other shapes are also within the scope of the disclosure. The receiver  74  is configured to receive any of a variety of foods, including fruits and vegetables, such as, zucchini, cucumber, potato, carrot, and squash for example. Formed in the receiver  74  is a slot  76  and at least one cutting edge  78  arranged directly adjacent the slot  76 . The slot  76  and cutting edge  78  may extend vertically and/or circumferentially in a sidewall of the receiver  74 . In addition, the orientation and type of cutting edge  78  may be varied to achieve different shapes and textures. In embodiments including more than one cutting edge, each strand or semi-continuous length of the food item formed by a respective cutting edge  78  may be substantially identical, or alternatively, may be different. The receiver  74  illustrated and described relative to the central portion of the blade disc  70  is intended as an example only, and it should be understood that other types of cutting tools configured to perform any suitable food processing operation may be connected to or integrally formed with the central portion of the blade disc  70 . 
         [0034]    A second, non-central portion of the blade disc  70  is configured to perform a second food processing operation, distinct from the food processing operation at the central portion of the blade disc  70 . In the illustrated, non-limiting embodiment, the second portion of the blade disc  70  additionally includes a slot  80  and at least one first blade  82  mounted directly adjacent the slot  80 , generally within the plane of the blade disc  70 . The at least one blade  82  may, but need not, extend over the full radius of the blade disc  70  and in the illustrated, non-limiting embodiment is configured to contact and slice a food item. In embodiments where the blade  82  extends over the full radius of the blade disc  70 , the slicing blade may contribute to the creation of the semi-continuous cuts formed when a food is aligned with the central portion of the blade disc  70 . However, it should be understood that the non-central portion of the blade disc  70  may consist of any of a plurality of different cutting tools. For example, the non-central portion of the blade disc  70  may not include a slot  80  or blade  82  as described, and instead include a tool configured to shred, grind, or grate a food item instead of slicing it. 
         [0035]    To operate the food processing system  20 , an operator couples the blade disc  70  to the rotatable assembly  60  within the chamber  48  of the container  40 . The user will then couple the lid  52  to the first end  42  of the container  40 . The lid  52  of the food processing system  20  includes a chute  56  having a passageway  58  through which a food item may be inserted into the chamber  48  of the container  40  for processing. In conventional food processing systems, the chute  56  is formed as an integral portion of the lid  52  and is therefore arranged at a fixed location relative to the lid  52 . In the embodiment of the food processing system  20  illustrated in  FIGS. 2-5 , the chute  56  is movable between a plurality of positions relative to the lid  52 . As shown, the chute  56  is configured to slide or rotate for example, between a first position arranged generally at a center of the lid ( FIG. 2 ), and a second position adjacent an outer periphery of the lid ( FIG. 3 ). By positioning the chute  56  at the center of the lid  52 , the passageway  58  of the chute  56  is substantially aligned with the receiver  74  of the blade disc  70 . A food item inserted through the chute  56  into the centrally located receiver  74  is sliced into noodles as the blade disc  70  rotates about the food item. 
         [0036]    When the chute  56  is positioned adjacent an edge of the lid  52 , the chute  56  is substantially aligned with the outer portion of the blade disc  70 . In this position, a food item extending through the passageway  58  of the chute  56  is cut into slices by the blade  82  as the blade disc  70  rotates about the axis X. In an embodiment, the at least one blade  82  configured to perform the second food processing operate may have two or more sections arranged over the radial length thereof. In an embodiment, each section is associated with a corresponding position of the feed chute  56  and is configured to provide a cut piece of a food item having one or more distinct properties. For example, the different sections of the blade  82  may be configured to create food items cut into distinct thicknesses. 
         [0037]    The user may therefore select the position of the chute based on which food processing operation he or she desires. Although the blade disc is illustrated and described as being driven about an axis of rotation automatically by a motor, it should be understood that other embodiments where rotation of the blade disc is driven manually, such as by operation of a crank for example, are also within the scope of the disclosure. 
         [0038]    The food processing systems  20  described herein provide the user with increased functionality for an attachment associated with the system  20 . A user will no longer need to continually replace components of the system  20  to achieve different size cuts or slices. 
         [0039]    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. 
         [0040]    The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (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 invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention. 
         [0041]    Exemplary embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. 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 invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention 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 invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.