Patent Description:
The invention has been developed primarily for use as a lid for a food processor such as a blender and/or a juicer and will be described hereinafter with reference to this application.

A blender is used to mix, stir, liquefy, and otherwise process foods and beverages. A typical blender has a motorised base with rotating blades, and a removable vessel typically in the form of a jug having an interior, with the jug contents being isolated from the outside environment by a lid. The removable vessel is coupled to the motorised base, and the action of the rotating blades causes the contents of the vessel to circulate around the vessel.

Accordingly, the lid is typically designed to withstand the forces exerted by the rising and circulating contents to securely seal the vessel (jug). Disadvantageously, this results in a lid which is relatively difficult to remove readily, or which may not adequately seal the vessel when the interior is subjected to a "negative pressure". Air will naturally flow from areas with higher pressure to areas with lower pressure, such that when pressure inside the vessel is lower than the pressure outside the vessel, the air in the external environment naturally moves to the lower pressure area inside the vessel, thus causing the lid to be pulled down.

Existing lids are also not easily operable with other appliances to make use of of the blender vessel as a storage device, for example. Further, existing lids do not create sufficient vacuum sealing to properly preserve ingredients for long periods and to limit the oxidation process.

Blender and juicers are also typically provided as two separate kitchen appliances. A user would firstly operate a juicer to create a juice, then transfer the contents of the juicer vessel into another appliance, for example, a blender, to blend the contents and to incorporate other ingredients. Notwithstanding the mess that results from the transference, the manual actions required to pour or transfer the contents from one appliance to another can be time consuming and inefficient. Additionally, the use of multiple appliances is not space-efficient as it typically requires a large kitchen bench footprint. A stirring pitcher having pivotable stirring handle is disclosed in document <CIT>. According to its abstract, in this document is shown a stirring pitcher which is easy to break down for cleaning and which has a uniquely shaped container that has at its bottom a trough with a contour that matches the contour of the stirrer spoon end. The stirrer includes a handle portion that extends above a container cover, and a stirrer portion which extends below the cover. Preferably the stirrer portion is detachable from the handle portion. The stirrer includes a pivot which is transverse to the longitudinal direction of the container trough, so that pivoting of the spoon about the pivot causes the spoon end to sweep the complete volume adjacent the container bottom.

It is an object of the present invention to substantially overcome, or at least ameliorate, one or more of the disadvantages of existing arrangements, or at least provide a useful alternative to existing arrangements.

According to the invention, it is provided a lid for a food processor according to claim <NUM>.

Preferably, the main part includes a roof extending over the top skirt, the roof including at least one latch member spaced apart around a periphery of the roof to releasably couple to the lip of the rim portion.

Preferably, the latch member can flex independently of the roof.

Preferably, the cover includes a latch member to releasably couple to a lip of the spout side opening.

Preferably, the roof latch member and the cover latch member each include a projection to engage the lip to secure to the body.

Preferably, at least one of the latch members includes a pull tab.

Preferably, at least one of the latch members includes a clip.

Preferably, the latch members have a sealing projection to engage the rim portion so that the sealing projection deflects into the inner surface of the sidewall to seal the body when the interior is subjected to a negative pressure relative to outside the interior.

Preferably, the sealing projections overlap the rim portion to provide sealing engagement inside and outside the chamber.

Preferably, the sealing projections overlap an opening of the spout to provide sealing engagement inside and outside the spout side opening.

According to the invention, the cover is pivotally connected to the main part.

According to the invention, the cover includes a notch cooperatively associated with a flange on said main part to retain the cover in an open position.

Preferably, the main part includes a guide adapted to cooperate with a corresponding ridge on the body to provide alignment of the main part and body.

There is also disclosed herein in combination:.

There is also disclosed herein, not forming part of the present invention, a lid for a food processor, the food processor including a hollow body providing an interior chamber to receive product and within which the product is processed, the body having a sidewall with a rim portion surrounding a body top opening, the rim portion having a lip, the body further including a spout protruding from the side wall adjacent the rim and having a spout side opening, the lid including:.

There is also disclosed herein, not forming part of the present invention, an assembly comprising a blender jug and a juicer apparatus,.

Preferably, the upper rim portion of the body is located proximate to an upper rim of the filter basket.

Preferably, the upper rim portion is generally level with the upper rim of the filter basket.

Preferably, the spout cover includes one or more sealing members to sealingly engage the spout and seal the interior chamber from an external environment surrounding the blender jug.

Preferably, the motorised base of the juicer apparatus is adapted to interchangeably receive the juicing apparatus and the blender jug for selective operation of the juicer apparatus and the blender jug.

Preferably, the assembly further includes the lid of the blender jug, and wherein: the body of the blender jug includes a sidewall, and the spout extends from the sidewall adjacent the upper rim portion, and wherein the upper rim portion includes a lip and the spout includes a spout side opening.

According to the invention, the lid includes:.

Preferably, the main part includes a roof extending over the top skirt, the roof including at least one latch member spaced apart around a periphery of the roof to releasably couple to the lip of the upper rim portion.

Preferably, the spout cover includes a latch member to releasably couple to a lip of the spout side opening.

Preferably, the latch members each have a sealing projection to engage the rim portion so that the sealing projection deflects into the inner surface of the sidewall to seal the body when the interior chamber is subjected to a negative pressure relative to outside the interior chamber.

Preferably, the sealing projections overlap the rim portion to provide sealing engagement inside and outside the interior chamber.

According to the invention, the cover includes a notch or protrusion cooperatively associated with a flange on said main part to retain the cover in an open position.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described by way of examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings:.

In the accompanying drawings, there is schematically depicted a container <NUM> within which food can be processed. As an example, the container <NUM> may be a container for a blender (see <FIG>) or other food processing apparatus within which a food product is engaged and processed in some form by a blade assembly <NUM> (see <FIG>). The blade assembly <NUM> has a blade <NUM> which may be rotatably driven by a drive assembly that includes a motor located within a drive motor power housing <NUM> (see <FIG>).

The container <NUM> includes a hollow vessel or body (jug) <NUM> having a handle <NUM> and a base <NUM> (see <FIG>) that engages the drive assembly for the food processor (blender). The container (jug) <NUM> has a generally central longitudinal axis <NUM> (See <FIG>).

The body <NUM> has an upper rim portion <NUM> defining a top opening <NUM>. The body <NUM> also has an interior <NUM> surrounded by a sidewall <NUM> (See <FIG>). A food product to be processed is delivered to the interior <NUM> where it is engaged by blades <NUM> of the blade assembly <NUM> or other apparatus that is motor driven by the drive assembly. As best seen in <FIG>, the sidewall <NUM> has a spout assembly <NUM> located adjacent the upper rim portion <NUM> providing a secondary access to and from the interior <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the spout assembly <NUM> is adapted to connect with various appliances to provide those appliances access to the interior <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the upper rim portion <NUM> terminates in a lip <NUM> which surrounds the top opening <NUM> that can be closed by means of a removable lid <NUM>. The lid <NUM> includes a main part <NUM> and a skirt <NUM> as best depicted in <FIG>. The main part <NUM> and the skirt <NUM> are preferably constructed of polymer material.

The main part <NUM> has a shape generally corresponding to opening <NUM> to at least substantially close the opening <NUM>. The main part <NUM> includes a roof <NUM> having a flange <NUM> that extends from the periphery of the roof <NUM> and extends generally in a direction along the axis <NUM> to a floor <NUM> of the flange <NUM> (See. The flange <NUM> is interrupted by one or more latch members <NUM> spaced apart around the roof <NUM>. In the embodiment depicted, there are two opposing latch members <NUM> positioned about the upper rim portion <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the latch members <NUM> are provided with protrusions in the form of ledges <NUM> extending transversely across an inner side surface of the latch members <NUM> proximal to the free hanging end of the latch members <NUM>. When the main part <NUM> closes the opening <NUM>, the ledges <NUM> locate under the lip <NUM> thereby latching the main part <NUM> to the rim portion <NUM> to securely close the opening <NUM>.

The ledges <NUM> are configured to engage the underside of the lip <NUM> to resist positive pressure on the lid <NUM> that can be created within the body <NUM> (by certain liquid ingredients or when blending hot liquids, for example) but also to slidingly release from the lip <NUM> when encouraged.

In the embodiment depicted, one latch member <NUM> which is located on the edge of the roof <NUM> includes a pull ring <NUM>, preferably integrally formed with an outer side of the latch member <NUM>, extending outwardly away from the latch member <NUM>. The pull ring <NUM> allows a user (by using a finger, for example) to leverage the latch member <NUM> away from the body <NUM> in a first direction and a subsequent second direction. The first direction is generally along a plane perpendicular to the axis <NUM> to release the latch member <NUM> from the lip <NUM>. The second direction is generally parallel to the axis <NUM> to lift and rotate the lid <NUM> around a fulcrum located on the diagonally opposite edge on the periphery of the roof <NUM>. This rotation imparts a force upon any other latch members <NUM> thereby changing their angle of engagement with the lip <NUM>. As the rotation of the lid <NUM> increases, each ledge <NUM> of other latch members <NUM> are rotated relative to the underside of the lip <NUM> of the rim portion <NUM> encouraging the latch members <NUM> to flex and release the ledge <NUM> from the lip <NUM> to thereby remove the lid <NUM> from the body <NUM>. It will be appreciated that the latch members <NUM> may flex independently of the roof <NUM>.

The main part <NUM> may optionally include a central aperture <NUM> closable by a removable lid cap <NUM> which may be in the form of a measuring cup, for example. In alternative embodiments, the lid cap <NUM> may be replaced by a vacuum device (not shown) configured to hold a negative pressure within the body <NUM>. The cap <NUM> can be used to release vacuum pressure when necessary.

As mentioned, the skirt <NUM> is generally shaped to complement the cross-sectional profile of the body <NUM>. The skirt <NUM> and the main part <NUM> may be welded together using a process of induction welding. In this process, a thin metallic wire filament (ferrous) is enclosed within a trench located at the upper perimeter of the skirt <NUM>. The skirt <NUM> and the main part <NUM>, together with the filament, are placed within a magnetic field induced by a coil (not shown) with an electric current, whereby the field induces heat within the filament and causes both the main part <NUM> and the skirt <NUM> to be locally heated to melt temperature. The skirt <NUM> and the main part <NUM> are pressed together during this process and the locally melted polymer freezes to bond the skirt <NUM> and the main part <NUM> when the induction field is removed.

As seen in <FIG>, the skirt <NUM> is defined by sidewall <NUM> having an upper portion <NUM> and a lower portion <NUM>. A seal <NUM> is located therebetween. The seal <NUM> is constructed of a polymer, preferably an elastomer, to flex against the sidewall <NUM> and/or rim <NUM>.

The seal <NUM> has multiple flexible finger-like projections <NUM> extending around the periphery of the seal <NUM>. The projections <NUM> sealingly interface with the sealing face of the sidewall <NUM> and/or the rim <NUM> of the body <NUM> to sealingly connect or engage the skirt <NUM> with the body <NUM> to prevent ingredients (liquid) being transferred from the interior <NUM> to the upper side of the projections <NUM> during a blending operation, for example. As shown in <FIG>, an upper projection <NUM> is configured to cooperate with the rim <NUM> so that when a vacuum is enacted within the interior <NUM> of the body <NUM>, the upper projection <NUM> will deflect, thus increasing the interference and sealing force. That is, there is both an internal and external sealing of the container <NUM> (one inside the opening <NUM>, and one outside the opening <NUM>).

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the container <NUM> and lid <NUM> include cooperating alignment / orientation features in the form of a ridge <NUM> extending away from the sidewall <NUM> into the interior <NUM> and longitudinally along the axis <NUM>, and a corresponding guide <NUM> extending from the floor <NUM> of the lid <NUM>. This cooperating arrangement may at least ensure that the lid <NUM> is placed in the correct orientation without having the user having to struggle to achieve proper alignment. That is, the guide <NUM> interacts with the ridge <NUM> to assist the user with aligning the lid <NUM> with the container <NUM>.

As mentioned, the jug <NUM> includes a spout assembly <NUM> located integrally within the sidewall <NUM> adjacent the upper rim portion <NUM> providing a secondary access <NUM> (spout side opening) to and from the interior <NUM>. By locating the spout <NUM> on the sidewall <NUM>, the top of the container <NUM> is freed up to receive a vacuum device or other cooperating device (not shown).

As best seen in <FIG> and <FIG>, the spout <NUM> is adapted to connect with various appliances (such as a juicer) to provide those appliances access to the interior <NUM>. In <FIG> and <FIG>, a part of a juicer <NUM> is shown, and has an exit tube <NUM> that fits within the spout <NUM> to deliver juice to the interior <NUM>. The container <NUM> can then be stored with the extracted juice and the spout <NUM> may be used to pour the juice from the container <NUM>. <FIG> depicts a full jug <NUM>, lid <NUM> and juicer <NUM> assembly, and will be described in further detail below.

Turning specifically to <FIG>, <FIG>, the spout assembly <NUM> includes a spout cover/sealing assembly <NUM>. In the preferred form, the spout cover <NUM> is located on the lid <NUM>. It may, however, be located on the container <NUM>. The spout cover <NUM> has, at one end, a protrusion <NUM> locatable within a recess <NUM> on the lid roof <NUM>, and is adapted in use to permit movement of the spout cover <NUM> about a pivot point <NUM> so that the spout cover <NUM> can pivot to open and close the spout <NUM> and secondary access <NUM>. At the other end of the spout cover <NUM> is a clip <NUM> to ensure the spout <NUM> remains sealed during normal (non-vacuum) blending. When a vacuum is applied to the jug <NUM> before blending, the clip <NUM> is relieved of load as the vacuum pressure holds the lid <NUM> on the jug <NUM>. The clip <NUM> operates in a similar way to ring <NUM> using a finger to help open / close the lid <NUM>. Interestingly, however, the spout cover <NUM> may be closed, and the lid <NUM> opened from the ring <NUM> end, such that the spout <NUM> may act as a pivot. The clip <NUM> includes a ledge <NUM> that is lockable under a lip <NUM> as previously discussed and in this embodiment formed on the outside of the spout <NUM>.

<FIG> show detailed views of a notch or protrusion <NUM> and how it assists keeping the spout cover <NUM> open (<FIG>) so it does not fall into the closed position (<FIG>). The notch or protrusion <NUM> extends from the spout cover protrusion <NUM> which is rotatable within recess <NUM>. The notch or protrusion <NUM> may be urged by a user past the end <NUM> of the upper portion <NUM> of the flange <NUM>, to retain the spout cover <NUM> in an open configuration until positive force is applied by a user to close the spout cover <NUM>.

The spout cover <NUM> includes an outer face <NUM> and an inner face <NUM>. In the embodiment depicted, the inner face <NUM> includes two latch members <NUM> oppositely positioned and adapted to seal with either the inside <NUM> and outside <NUM> of the spout <NUM> (which protrudes away from the side wall <NUM> as mentioned above) and the secondary access <NUM>. The latch members <NUM> are similar to those described above being provided with protrusions in the form of ledges <NUM> extending away from the outer face <NUM> to receive seals <NUM>. The seals <NUM> includes a series of fingers <NUM> adapted to engage with both the inside <NUM> and outside surface <NUM> of the spout <NUM>. That is, the seals <NUM> overlap the spout <NUM>. The seals <NUM> will compress under vacuum against the container <NUM>. The seals <NUM> resist ingredients coming out while blending, whilst still remaining relatively easy to open and close for the user. The seals <NUM> resist air from being pulled into the vessel through the secondary access spout <NUM>. By resisting air access, an internal vacuum may be achieved. As mentioned above, as the vacuum pressure increases, the assembly pulls the seals <NUM> down harder.

As discussed above, the spout assembly <NUM> of the jug <NUM> is adapted to connect with various appliances (such as a juicer) to provide those appliances access to the interior <NUM> of the jug body <NUM>. <FIG> shows a full assembly of the jug <NUM> (hereinafter the blender jug <NUM>) with the lid <NUM>, and a juicer apparatus <NUM>. The juicer apparatus <NUM> as depicted includes, amongst other things, a motorised base <NUM> comprising the drive motor power housing <NUM> described above, a juicer chamber <NUM> surrounded by a chamber housing <NUM>, a filter basket <NUM> having a grating disc <NUM>, and a feed tube <NUM>. The filter basket <NUM> is located within the juicer chamber <NUM> and is rotatable by an output shaft of the motorised base <NUM>. The juicer chamber <NUM> has the exit tube <NUM> as described above, which fits within the spout assembly <NUM> so as to provide a connection between the juicer chamber <NUM> and the interior <NUM> of the blender jug <NUM>. A food item to be juiced (e.g. a piece of fruit) is inserted into the feed tube <NUM> at the top of the juicer apparatus <NUM>, and subsequently contacts the grating disc <NUM>. Operation of the juicer apparatus <NUM> enables rotation of the output shaft of the motorised base <NUM>, which subsequently rotates the filter basket <NUM> and/or the grating disc <NUM> to juice the piece of fruit. The juice product is delivered from the juicer chamber <NUM>, through the exit tube <NUM>, and into the interior <NUM> of the blender jug <NUM>.

The blender jug <NUM> may subsequently be transported or stored with the extracted juice, and the spout assembly <NUM> may be used to pour the juice from the blender jug <NUM>. The spout assembly <NUM> may alternatively be disconnected from the exit tube <NUM> of the juicer chamber <NUM>, so as to disconnect the blender jug <NUM> from the juicer apparatus <NUM>. The juicer apparatus <NUM> may then be removed from the motorised base <NUM> and replaced with the blender jug <NUM>. It will be thus appreciated that the motorised base <NUM> is a single motorised base that can accept both the blender jug <NUM> and the juicer apparatus <NUM> interchangeably and selectively. As such, the blender jug <NUM> may be placed on the same motorised base <NUM> (in a like manner to the juicer apparatus <NUM>), and connected for a blending operation. In this way, the ability of the full assembly to function as a blender and juicer combination may be realised, with the blender jug <NUM> being capable of receiving contents from a juicing operation of the juicer apparatus <NUM>, and subsequently being used for a blending operation without the need to transfer or pour the contents to a separate container or apparatus.

It will be appreciated that the blender jug <NUM> and the lid <NUM> of the full assembly may include substantially similar features as described above, with some of the relevant features repeated below for completeness. The blender jug <NUM> includes the hollow body <NUM> having the sidewall <NUM> which surrounds the interior chamber <NUM> that receives product and within which the product is processed. The spout <NUM> extends from the sidewall <NUM> of the body <NUM> and is adapted to be connected to the exit tube <NUM> of the juicer chamber <NUM> in use. The spout <NUM> may be covered by the spout cover <NUM> located on the lid <NUM>. The body <NUM> also includes the upper rim portion <NUM> surrounding the body top opening <NUM>, whereby the upper rim portion <NUM> is located proximate to the exit tube <NUM> of the juicer chamber <NUM> in use. The upper rim portion <NUM> is also located proximate to an upper rim <NUM> of the filter basket <NUM> in use. In one form, the upper rim portion <NUM> is generally level with the upper rim <NUM> of the filter basket <NUM> in use. The spout <NUM> may also include one or more sealing members in the form of the clip <NUM>, one or more latch members <NUM>, and/or the seals <NUM> described above. These sealing members sealingly engage the spout <NUM> and seal the interior chamber <NUM> from an external environment surrounding the blender jug <NUM>.

The upper rim portion <NUM> may include the lip <NUM> as described above, and the spout <NUM> includes the secondary access or spout side opening <NUM>. The lid <NUM> may further include the main part <NUM> to cooperate with the lip <NUM> to close the body top opening <NUM>. The lid <NUM> may also further includes a top skirt (corresponding to the skirt <NUM> described above) to extend into the interior <NUM> of the body <NUM> and to sealingly interface with the inner surface of the sidewall <NUM> and the upper rim portion <NUM>. The lid <NUM> may further include the spout cover/sealing assembly <NUM> which is moveably attached to the main part <NUM> and cooperates with the spout <NUM> to close the spout side opening <NUM>.

The main part <NUM> of the lid <NUM> may further include the roof <NUM> that extends over the skirt <NUM>, whereby the roof <NUM> may include one or more of the latch members <NUM> spaced around the periphery of the roof <NUM> to releasably couple the lip <NUM> of the upper rim portion <NUM>. The spout cover <NUM> may also include one or more of the latch members <NUM> described above, to releasably couple to the lip of the spout side opening <NUM>.

<FIG> also depicts dimensions of the full assembly in a preferred form.

Height H1 depicts a distance between an upper rim <NUM> of the juicer chamber <NUM> and an internal portion <NUM> of the exit spout <NUM>. This height H1 may be in a range of between about <NUM> to <NUM>, preferably between about <NUM> to <NUM>, and more preferably about <NUM>.

Height H2 depicts a distance between the upper rim <NUM> and an external portion <NUM> of the exit spout <NUM>. This height H2 may be in a range of between about <NUM> to <NUM>, preferably between about <NUM> to <NUM>, and more preferably about <NUM>.

Height H3 depicts a distance between the upper rim <NUM> and a base portion <NUM> of the juicer chamber <NUM>. This height H3 may be in a range of between about <NUM> to <NUM>, preferably between about <NUM> to <NUM>, and more preferably about <NUM>.

Length L1 depicts a length of the exit spout <NUM>. This length L1 may be in a range of between about <NUM> to <NUM>, preferably between about <NUM> to <NUM>, and more preferably about <NUM>. The exit spout <NUM> may have an internal diameter in a range of between about <NUM> to <NUM>, and preferably about <NUM>. The exit spout <NUM> may also have an external diameter in a range of between about <NUM> to <NUM>, and preferably about <NUM>. The exit spout <NUM> may also extend at an angle of between about <NUM> to <NUM> degrees relative to the plane along which the upper rim <NUM> of the juicer chamber <NUM> extends. Preferably, this angle is about <NUM> degrees.

Height H4 depicts a distance between the upper rim portion <NUM> of the blender jug <NUM> and the inner surface <NUM> of the spout <NUM>. This height H4 may be in a range of between about <NUM> to <NUM>, preferably about <NUM>.

Height H5 depicts a distance between the upper rim portion <NUM> of the blender jug <NUM> and a first base portion <NUM> (i.e. a portion facing the interior <NUM>) of the blender jug <NUM>. This height H5 may be in a range of between about <NUM> to <NUM>, preferably between about <NUM> to <NUM>, and more preferably about <NUM>.

Height H6 depicts a distance between the upper rim portion <NUM> of the blender jug <NUM> and a second base portion <NUM> (i.e. a portion facing the exterior of the full assembly, and in contact with the bench surface) of the blender jug <NUM>. This height H6 may be in a range of between about <NUM> to <NUM>, and preferably about <NUM>.

It will be appreciated that the relative heights described above may at least allow the full assembly to be located at a reasonably low height compared to existing combination blender juicer appliances. In particular, in the depicted embodiment, the upper rim portion <NUM> of the blender jug <NUM> is generally proximate to the upper rim <NUM> of the juicer chamber <NUM> (and generally level with the upper rim <NUM> of the filter basket <NUM>) in use. The exit spout <NUM> of the juicer chamber <NUM> and the spout assembly <NUM> of the blender jug <NUM> are also generally proximate to the upper rim portion <NUM> (and thereby the top opening <NUM>) of the blender jug <NUM> in use. The relative arrangement of the upper rim portion <NUM> of the blender jug <NUM>, the spout assembly <NUM> of the blender jug <NUM>, the upper rim <NUM> of the filter basket <NUM>, and the exit spout <NUM> of the juicer chamber <NUM>, may at least allow a maximum fill height of the blender jug <NUM> to be achieved, and at the same time, minimising the overall height of the full assembly such that the full assembly may be used in kitchens with low hanging cupboards and limited bench space, for example.

The above preferred embodiments have a number of advantages including a lid <NUM> that can function as a standard blender type lid, and also operatively mate to a juicer apparatus <NUM> or the like, and provide a closed seal for vacuum application. There is provided a simple operation of juicing and vacuuming functions with minimal user interaction required. The interchangeability of the blender jug <NUM> and the juicer apparatus <NUM> (i.e. both operable by a single motorised base) may also provide for a more efficient and clean operation when both blending and juicing is required, whilst at the same time minimising the overall footprint of the full assembly.

A further advantage of the above described preferred embodiments is that they may allow juicing from the appliance <NUM> into a vessel <NUM> which can then be vacuum sealed. Vacuum sealing of juice preserves ingredients for longer by limiting the oxidation process.

A yet further advantage of the above described preferred embodiments is that they may provide a lid vessel assembly position for both juice ingress and vacuum modes. The juice can enter the vessel with the spout cover <NUM> open (See <FIG>). The user closes the spout cover <NUM> (<FIG>) and can then apply vacuum pressure to the vessel <NUM> without the need to move the lid or lid assembly to an open and closed positions.

A further advantage of the above described embodiments is that the spout <NUM> protrudes from the vessel side wall <NUM> and is able to be sealed for vacuum. That is, it is not captured to the lid and is not planar. The spout <NUM> may also be sealed in more than one plane.

Claim 1:
A lid (<NUM>) for a food processor, the food processor including a hollow body (<NUM>) providing an interior chamber (<NUM>) to receive product and within which the product is processed, the body (<NUM>) having a sidewall (<NUM>) with a rim portion (<NUM>) surrounding a body top opening (<NUM>) , the rim portion (<NUM>) having a lip (<NUM>), the body (<NUM>) further including a spout (<NUM>) protruding from the sidewall (<NUM>) adjacent the rim portion (<NUM>) and having a spout side opening (<NUM>), the lid (<NUM>) including:
a main part (<NUM>) to cooperate with the lip (<NUM>) to close the body top opening (<NUM>);
a top skirt (<NUM>) to extend into the interior (<NUM>) of the body (<NUM>) and sealingly interface with an inner surface of the sidewall (<NUM>) and the rim portion (<NUM>); the lid being characterized by:
a cover (<NUM>) moveably attached to the main part (<NUM>) and to cooperate with the spout (<NUM>) to close the spout side opening (<NUM>); and
the cover (<NUM>) having a side skirt to extend into the spout and sealingly interface with an inner surface (<NUM>) and an outer surface (<NUM>) of the spout side opening (<NUM>);
wherein the cover (<NUM>), which is pivotally connected to the main part (<NUM>), also includes a notch or protrusion (<NUM>) cooperatively associated with a flange (<NUM>) on said main part (<NUM>) to retain the cover (<NUM>) in an open position.