Patent Description:
Consumers commonly use food processors for blending, cutting, and dicing food products in a wide variety of settings, including home kitchens, professional restaurants and food services, and large-scale industries. Food processors 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 catered to particular food products. Current food processors often include a feed chute for introducing food into the food processor for cutting by the internal blades. Many consumers prefer a wider feed chute for introducing more and larger ingredients, thereby shortening food preparation time and adding convenience. However, food processors with sufficiently large feed chutes usually require safety mechanisms that prevent or at least minimize injury to the consumers' hands as a result of introducing the food into the chute. Such mechanisms can make it more difficult for the user to clean the feed chute after use.

<CIT> describes a food processor that is provided with a wide feed tube. The food processor has a pusher that cooperates with a safety mechanism. The safety mechanism comprises a linkage assembly that prevents the food processor's motor from operating unless the pusher is inserted into the feed tube. <CIT> discloses a safety device for a food processor, where the switching-on of the motor depends on the presence of a pusher in the chute through which the products are introduced. The pusher has a rib with a lower end that bears against the upper end of a lid rod which bears against a bowl rod with a lower end that can bear against a switch. <CIT> describes a juicer that includes a linkage assembly operated with a pusher and a trigger assembly for allowing power to be supplied to motor. The linkage assembly includes a pressure component set in the end of the opening of a feed tube. The pressure component is connected with a follower lever, the follower lever installed in the inside of the feed tube can be moved up and down. The trigger assembly includes some signal generators installed in the bottom of the follower lever and some inductors installed in juicer base correspond to the signal generators. The inductors are connected electrically with motor's control circuit.

This disclosure describes a feed chute assembly having a safety mechanism that helps prevent injury to the consumer while also providing an easy to clean surface. The feed chute assembly includes a lid coupleable to a container of the food processing system. The lid has a feed chute for introducing food towards rotating blades at the top of the container. A linkage cover housing a linkage component for activating the motor couples to the feed chute. The linkage cover defines a channel within an inside perimeter of the feed chute. A user inserts a pusher into the feed chute such that a rib on the pusher extends into the channel, operatively engaging the linkage component to activate the motor. When the user removes the pusher from the feed chute, the motor stops the spinning blades. Advantageously, the configuration of the channel of this disclosure makes it easier for the user to clean the feed chute assembly after use.

The feed chute assembly of this invention comprises the features of claim <NUM>. A method of operating a feed chute assembly comprises the features of claim <NUM>. Preferred embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

A feed chute assembly of a food processing system of this invention includes a lid coupleable to a first end of a container. The lid has a feed chute for introducing food into the container. A sidewall of the feed chute defines an inner and outer surface. A linkage cover couples to the feed chute. The linkage cover houses a linkage component and defines a channel within an inside perimeter of the feed chute. The channel at least partially communicates with a portion of the linkage component through an opening in the sidewall of the feed chute. A pusher is insertable into the feed chute. A portion of an outer surface of the pusher defines a recess with respect to a remainder of the outer surface of the pusher. A rib is disposed within the recess. The rib is configured for insertion into the channel of the linkage cover such that, when the rib is at least partially inserted into the channel, the rib operatively engages the portion of the linkage component.

In further implementations, the linkage cover includes a first portion contacting the outer surface of the feed chute. The first portion houses the linkage component. A second portion contacts the inner surface of the feed chute. The second portion defines the channel extending vertically along the inner surface of the feed chute. In some implementations, the second portion includes a guide housing extending from the inner surface of the sidewall within the inside perimeter. The guide housing extends into the recess when the pusher is inserted into the feed chute. In some implementations, a shape of the rib corresponds to a shape of the channel. In some implementations, a cross section of the rib has one of an L-shape, T-shape, I-shape, and a wineglass shape. In some implementations, a length of the channel is less than a height of the inner surface of the feed chute. In some implementations, a portion of the inner surface of the feed chute located below the channel provides an easy to clean surface. In some implementations, the food processing system further includes a base housing a motor and the container has a second end removeably coupleable to the base. In some implementations, the portion of the linkage component is a roller operatively connected to a linkage system for activating the motor. In some implementations, the motor can only operate when the rib is at least partially inserted into the channel. In some implementations, wherein the pusher includes an upper peripheral rim extending outward from the sidewall. When the pusher is fully inserted into the feed chute, the upper peripheral rim covers a pilot opening of the channel. In some implementations, the pusher is configured to accommodate a second and smaller pusher.

According to the invention, a method of operating a feed chute assembly of a food processing system of this disclosure includes inserting a pusher into a feed chute of a lid coupled to a first end of a container. A sidewall of the feed chute defines an inner and outer surface. A linkage cover couples to the feed chute. The linkage cover houses a linkage component and defines a channel within an inside perimeter of the feed chute. The channel at least partially communicates with a portion of the linkage component through an opening in the sidewall of the feed chute. A portion of an outer surface of the pusher defines a recess with respect to a remainder of the outer surface of the pusher. A rib is disposed within the recess. In response to the inserting of the pusher, the rib at least partially inserts into the channel of the linkage cover such that the rib engages the portion of the linkage component.

In further implementations, the linkage cover includes a first portion contacting the outer surface of the feed chute. The first portion houses the linkage component. A second portion contacts the inner surface of the feed chute. The second portion defines the channel extending vertically along the inner surface of the feed chute. In some implementations, the second portion includes a guide housing extending from the inner surface of the sidewall within the inside perimeter. The guide housing extends into the recess when the pusher is inserted into the feed chute. In some implementations, a shape of the rib corresponds to a shape of the channel. In some implementations, a length of the channel is less than a height of the inner surface of the feed chute. In some implementations, engaging the rib with the portion of the linkage component includes engaging the rib with a roller operatively connected to a linkage system for activating a motor. In some implementations, the motor can only operate when the rib is at least partially inserted into the channel. In some implementations, the pusher includes an upper peripheral rim extending outward from the sidewall, and the method further includes covering a pilot opening of the channel with the upper peripheral rim when the pusher is fully inserted into the feed chute.

A reading of the following detailed description and a review of the associated drawings will make apparent the advantages of these and other features. Both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description serve as an explanation only and do not restrict aspects of the disclosure as claimed.

Reference to the detailed description, combined with the following figures, will make the disclosure more fully understood, wherein:.

In the following description, like components have the same reference numerals, regardless of different illustrated implementations. To illustrate implementations clearly and concisely, the drawings may not necessarily reflect appropriate scale and may have certain features shown in somewhat schematic form. The disclosure may describe and/or illustrate features in one implementation, and in the same way or in a similar way in one or more other implementations, and/or combined with or instead of the features of the other implementations within the scope of the appended claims.

In the specification and claims, for the purposes of describing and defining the invention, the terms "about" and "substantially" represent the inherent degree of uncertainty attributed to any quantitative comparison, value, measurement, or other representation. The terms "about" and "substantially" moreover represent the degree by which a quantitative representation may vary from a stated reference without resulting in a change in the basic function of the subject matter at issue. Open-ended terms, such as "comprise," "include," and/or plural forms of each, include the listed parts and can include additional parts not listed, while terms such as "and/or" include one or more of the listed parts and combinations of the listed parts. Use of the terms "top," "bottom," "above," "below" and the like helps only in the clear description of the disclosure and does not limit the structure, positioning and/or operation of the feed chute assembly in any manner.

<FIG> shows an implementation of a food processor <NUM> for use with the feed chute assembly <NUM> of this disclosure. In some implementations, the food processor <NUM> can generally comprise a base <NUM> housing a motor (not shown), an electronic display <NUM>, and a container <NUM>. The container <NUM> may further comprise a bowl <NUM> with a handle <NUM>. The feed chute assembly <NUM> includes a lid <NUM>, a linkage cover <NUM> and any of a first pusher <NUM>, and a second pusher <NUM>. The lid <NUM> can removeably couple to a first end 16a of the container <NUM> while a second end 16b of the container <NUM> can removeably couple to the base <NUM>. Notably, the lid <NUM> does not function as a lid or cover for the feed chute assembly <NUM>, but rather as a lid or cover for the food processor <NUM>. The lid <NUM> can comprise an integral feed chute <NUM> for introducing food into the container <NUM>. The feed chute <NUM> may receive the first pusher <NUM> for guiding the food toward rotating blades (not shown) disposed near the first end 16a of the container <NUM>. The linkage cover <NUM> may communicate with the handle <NUM>, as further described below. In some implementations, the first pusher <NUM> can accommodate the smaller, second pusher <NUM>.

<FIG> shows an implementation of the feed chute <NUM> of this disclosure coupled to the linkage cover <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the feed chute <NUM> can have a substantially "D" shape. For example, the feed chute <NUM> can comprise a sidewall <NUM> having a linear portion 134a and a curved portion 134b. The sidewall <NUM> furthermore defines an inner surface 136a and an outer surface 136b. The linkage cover <NUM> may couple to the curved portion 134b of the sidewall <NUM>. In some implementations, the linkage cover <NUM> may have a first portion 130a contacting the outer surface 136a of the sidewall <NUM> and a second portion 130b, i.e., a guide housing, contacting the inner surface 136a of the sidewall <NUM>. The second portion 130b may define a channel <NUM> extending vertically along the inner surface 136a of the sidewall <NUM> between opposing angled sides 131a,b. The channel <NUM> may at least partially communicate with a roller <NUM> of a linkage component electronically connected to the motor through an opening <NUM> in the sidewall <NUM>, as further described below. In some implementations, a length of the channel <NUM> may be less than a full height of the inner surface 136a of the sidewall <NUM>. When the channel <NUM> does not extend for the full height of the inner surface 136a of the sidewall <NUM>, the portion of the inner surface 136a located below the channel <NUM> may be smooth, advantageously providing the user with an easy to clean surface.

<FIG> shows an implementation of the first pusher <NUM> of this disclosure. Like the feed chute <NUM>, the first pusher <NUM> can have a substantially "D" shape for forming a close fit within the feed chute <NUM>. For example, the first pusher <NUM> can comprise a sidewall <NUM> having a linear portion 144a and a curved portion 144b. The sidewall <NUM> can furthermore define an inner surface 146a and an outer surface 146b. In some implementations, the first pusher <NUM> may include an upper peripheral rim <NUM> extending outward from the sidewall <NUM>. A portion of the outer surface 146b of the curved portion 144b defines a recess <NUM> with respect to a remainder of the outer surface 146b. In some implementations, the recess <NUM> can extend an entire height of the sidewall <NUM>, as shown. The recess <NUM> may be partially defined by opposing angled sides 148a,b corresponding to the opposing angled sides 131a,b of the second portion 130b of the linkage cover <NUM>.

Still referring to <FIG>, in some implementations, a rib <NUM> may extend along an entire height of the recess <NUM> without projecting beyond the outer surface 146b. However, the disclosure also contemplates that the rib <NUM> may extend for less than an entire height of the recess <NUM>. Thus, the recess <NUM> can advantageously provide a protected area to prevent damage to the rib <NUM>. In some implementations, the rib <NUM> may be molded with the first pusher <NUM>. However, the disclosure also contemplates that the rib <NUM> could be molded separately and attached to the first pusher <NUM>. The recess <NUM> and the rib <NUM> may be located on the first pusher <NUM> such that, when a user inserts the first pusher <NUM> into the feed chute <NUM>, the rib <NUM> inserts into the channel <NUM> of the linkage cover <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. When the user at least partially inserts the rib <NUM> into the channel <NUM>, the rib <NUM> may operatively engage the roller of the linkage component (<FIG>). When the user fully inserts the rib <NUM> into the channel <NUM>, the upper peripheral rim <NUM> may cover a pilot opening <NUM> of the channel <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, this configuration of the rib <NUM> and the channel <NUM> may allow both the rib <NUM> and the channel <NUM> to reside within an inner perimeter P of the feed chute <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, engagement of the rib <NUM> with the roller <NUM> of the linkage component <NUM> may cause the roller <NUM> to rotate about an arc and convert into linear vertical motion to activate a microswitch (not shown) of the food processor <NUM> through an intermediate link <NUM> in the handle <NUM>. A microprocessor or printed circuit board (PCB) (not shown) in the base <NUM> may sense the activation of the microswitch, thus allowing the motor to supply power to rotate the blades. If the motor is still running when the user removes the first pusher <NUM> from the feed chute <NUM>, the microprocessor or PCB may also sense a deactivation of the microswitch. Deactivation of the microswitch can stop the rotation of the blades within a short time frame - for example, less than <NUM> seconds. A biasing mechanism, such as a spring <NUM>, may allow the roller <NUM> to return to its starting position when the user removes the first pusher <NUM> from the feed chute <NUM>. Advantageously, this safety mechanism may prevent the user from accessing the interior of the feed chute <NUM> and blades while the motor rotates the blades. Moreover, the motor can only operate when the user at least partially inserts the rib <NUM> into the channel <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, implementations of the rib <NUM> can have a shape selected to correspond to a shape of the channel <NUM>. For example, a cross-section of the rib <NUM> may have an "L" shape, with a stem portion 150a extending from the outer surface 136b of the first pusher <NUM> within the recess <NUM>, and a leg portion 150b extending substantially transverse to the stem portion 150a. Likewise, a cross-section of the channel <NUM> can have an L-shape to accommodate the L-shaped rib <NUM>. The L-shaped configuration of the rib <NUM> and the channel <NUM> advantageously provides the user with a smooth motion as the user inserts the first pusher <NUM> into the feed chute <NUM>. In an alternative implementation, shown in <FIG>, a cross-section of the rib <NUM>' may have a "wineglass" shape, with a stem portion 150a' extending from the outer surface 136b of the first pusher <NUM> within the recess <NUM>, and a symmetrically-angled portion 150b' for engaging the roller <NUM>. Likewise, a cross-section of the channel <NUM>' may have a wineglass shape to accommodate the wineglass shaped rib <NUM>'. The wineglass shaped configuration of the rib <NUM>' and the channel <NUM>' may advantageously provide a constant travel distance on the first pusher <NUM> to ensure that the microswitch is always pressed when the first pusher <NUM> reaches the same point inside the feed chute <NUM>. The disclosure also contemplates other suitable configurations of the rib <NUM> and the channel <NUM>, such as a "T" or an "I" shape.

Claim 1:
A feed chute assembly (<NUM>) for a food processing system, the feed chute assembly comprising:
a lid (<NUM>) coupleable to a first end of a container (<NUM>), the lid having a feed chute (<NUM>) for introducing food into the container, a sidewall of the feed chute (<NUM>) defining an inner and outer surface;
a linkage cover (<NUM>) coupled to the feed chute (<NUM>), the linkage cover housing a linkage component (<NUM>) and defining a channel (<NUM>) within an inside perimeter of the feed chute (<NUM>), the channel (<NUM>) at least partially in communication with a portion of the linkage component (<NUM>) through an opening in the sidewall of the feed chute (<NUM>);
a pusher (<NUM>) insertable into the feed chute (<NUM>), a portion of an outer surface (146b) of the pusher defining a recess (<NUM>) with respect to a remainder of the outer surface of the pusher (<NUM>); and
a rib (<NUM>) disposed within the recess (<NUM>), the rib (<NUM>) configured for insertion into the channel (<NUM>) of the linkage cover (<NUM>) such that, when the rib (<NUM>) is at least partially inserted into the channel (<NUM>), the rib (<NUM>) operatively engages the portion of the linkage component (<NUM>).