Patent ID: 12193611

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIG.1Ashows a food processor100having a food preparation vessel in the form of a bowl102engaged with a base104housing a drive motor. User controls204on the base104control the operation of the motor. The top of the preparation bowl102is closed with a lid106including a food chute108for safely inserting food stuffs into the bowl102to be processed.

FIG.1Bprovides a schematic overview of the forces acting within the food processor ofFIG.1Awhen under load and when under no load conditions. In the drive base104the motor111drives the spindle assembly140via the coupling130. The spindle assembly140is detachably connected to the base of the food preparation vessel102as discussed in greater detail later in the specification. The connection between the spindle assembly140and the food preparation vessel102is such that when the spindle is driven in the anticlockwise direction indicated by arrow115, the torsion generated acts to bias the spindle assembly further into engagement with the food preparation vessel102. This force is indicated by arrow117. Furthermore an accessory disc109is attached to the spindle assembly140and driven in anticlockwise direction115. This also creates a reactive torsion between the spindle assembly140and the accessory disc109. The drive faces used to transmit torque to the accessory disc, bias the accessory disc downwardly into engagement with the spindle assembly as indicated by arrow119. This keeps the position of the accessory disc109stable within the lid106to more uniformly process the food.

In the no load condition, any torsion or rotation of the accessory disc and/or the spindle assembly140in the clockwise direction indicated by arrow113, will bias toward disengagement of the disc109and the spindle assembly140. The spindle assembly140is likewise biased towards disconnection with the base of the food preparation vessel102. This is convenient for the user when disassembling the components of the food processor100after a food preparation operation and in readiness for cleaning.

Referring toFIGS.2A and2B, the food preparation bowl102is shown separated from the base104. The connection between the bowl102and the base104is provided by two separate bayonet connections. As shown inFIG.2A, the bottom of the bowl102has outer bowl bayonet features116and inner bowl bayonet features120for simultaneous engagement with the outer base bayonet features114and the inner base bayonet features118shown inFIG.2B. When both bayonet connections are engaged, the bowl102is pressed onto the soft pads122of the base104to damp vibration and noise during operation.

As best shown inFIG.2B, the drive motor output110is conveniently provided in the form of a spline drive socket112. The spline drive socket112receives the lower spline drive126of the drive coupling130(seeFIGS.3and4). The drive coupling130extends through the base aperture124in the bottom of the bowl102to transfer power from the drive motor to the spindle assembly140(seeFIG.4).

The section view of the bowl102shown inFIG.3shows the drive coupling130inserted into the bowl102. The spindle assembly140has been omitted in the interests of clarity. The bottom of the preparation bowl102has an integrally formed coupling sleeve134defining the base aperture124for holding the drive coupling130. The drive coupling130is held in the sleeve134by a fixed bush136. A drive axle128extends through the bore of the fixed bush136to freely rotate therein. At the lower end of the drive axle128is the lower spline drive126with exterior splines for engagement with the spline drive socket112described above. The upper end of the drive axle128is keyed to the spindle spline drive132such that during use, the spline drive132rotates at the same speed as the drive motor output110.

Referring toFIGS.3and4, the exterior of the coupling sleeve134has integrally formed internal bayonet features138for engagement with the spindle assembly140. InFIG.4, the spindle assembly140is shown engaged with the coupling sleeve134via the internal1123483172bayonet features138. This detachable coupling is described in greater detail below with reference toFIGS.5,6and7.FIG.4also shows the spindle spline drive132of the drive coupling130engaged with the spindle input socket148. In turn, this provides the input power to the reduction gear assembly144such that the spindle142is driven at a slower speed than the drive motor output110(seeFIG.2B). The reduction gear assembly144is described in greater detail below with reference to the exploded perspective shown inFIG.8C.

The spindle assembly140includes a food leveler152that rotates together with the accessory spindle142on the thrust bearing146. Skilled workers will understand that processed food stuffs do not fill the preparation bowl102uniformly and the sweeping action of the food leveler152moves food away from the exit of the feed chute108(seeFIG.1) so as not to obstruct incoming food.

Referring toFIGS.5,6and7, the bayonet connection between the spindle assembly140and the coupling sleeve134of the preparation bowl102is shown in greater detail. Bayonet features138are integrally formed on the exterior of the coupling sleeve134(which in turn is integral with the bowl102). As best shown inFIG.7, the spindle housing150has a series of vertical rib features154integrally formed about the interior surface of the lower end of the spindle assembly140(seeFIGS.4and8B). The internal bayonet features138have inclined surfaces156positioned to engage and slide over the complementary surfaces158on top of each of the bayonet ribs154. As the food processing accessory (for example a dicer) engages with the food, there is a reactive torque that transfers through to the spindle housing150acting in a direction162opposite to the rotation of the spindle/motor. This torsion on the spindle housing150urges the rib features154further into engagement along the inclined surface156of the bayonet feature138.

The components of the spindle assembly140are shown inFIGS.8A,8B and8C. As described above, the spindle assembly140has a spindle housing150which detachably engages the bottom of the food preparation bowl102. Rotatably mounted within the spindle housing150is the spindle input socket148with internal spine formations for engagement with the spindle spline drive132of the drive coupling130(as described above).

As best shown inFIGS.8A and8B, the spindle input socket148drives the sun gear168using the fastening pin156. The reduction gear assembly144(seeFIG.8C) uses planetary gears to reduce the speed of the square drive socket172while increasing the torque. In the gear assembly shown, the reduction ratio is 6:1, but the particular gear reduction used will ultimately depend on the optimum functioning of the accessory to be driven. Usually a reduction of at least3:1is required for the torque increase (and speed decrease) that will enhance some slicers, shredders, mixers or graters.

A gear chassis160is seated within the spindle housing150on seal158. The gear chassis160holds the planetary gear bracket162on which the three planetary gears170are rotatably mounted. The larger diameter bottom portion of the planetary gears170engages the sun gear168while the smaller diameter portions of the planetary gears170engage the internal gear166. The internal gear166is rigidly secured to the spindle housing150via the three steel fastening pins164. Rotating on top of the internal gear166is the square drive socket172fixed to the three axles of the planetary gears170. The top portion of the spindle housing150has an access opening allowing the square drive174of the spindle142to engage with the square drive socket172.

The spindle142has external leveler splines180that mate with the internal splines of the food leveler152. As previously described, this rotates beneath the accessory to stop processed food from piling too high beneath the chute108. Above the leveler splines on the spindle142is an accessory seal178to abut the central hub of the accessory disc194(described below). Adjacent the seal178are inclined drive faces176for abutting engagement with complementary faces196formed within the hub194of the accessory192.

At the top of the spindle142is a domed tip182that is held in a spindle retainer186fixed into the central aperture188of the lid106by the retainer bracket184. The spindle retainer186is a low friction material (e.g. POM plastic) that will not melt when the spindle142is rotating at high speeds and/or pressed upwardly against the lid106.

FIG.10shows an enlarged partial section view of the inclined drive faces176of the spindle142engaging the complementary faces196formed within the hub194of the accessory192. During use, the spindle is driven in the direction of arrow198. The force of the drive faces176on the complementary faces196not only rotates the accessory but a component199of the contact force is directed downward to urge the accessory192into engagement with the spindle142. Specifically, the accessory192is urged against the accessory seat178of the spindle142such that food debris is prevented from getting between the spindle and the accessory hub194which would otherwise hold the disc192in an incorrect position. In the embodiment shown, the spindle142has four diametrically opposed drive faces176, each of which engage the complementary faces196of the accessory192. The drive faces176are inclined to the direction of driven rotation198and angled downwards while the complementary faces196are inclined to the direction of driven rotation198and angled upwards (with respect to their orientation during normal use as shown inFIG.10). Skilled workers in this field will appreciate that both sets of engaging surfaces on the spindle and the accessory hub need not by inclined to the direction of rotation198. The downward bias of the accessory192onto the accessory seat178can be achieved if only the spindle has drive faces inclined to the direction of rotation or the accessory hub has driven faces inclined to the direction of rotation.

As shown inFIG.11, the hub194of the accessory192is provided with a drive face receiving recess200to guides the drive faces176on the spindle exterior into engagement with the complementary faces196within the accessory hub194. The drive face receiving recesses200allows some relative rotation between the spindle142and the accessory192. Rotating the accessory192relative to the spindle142through an angle α, completely disengages the spindle from the hub194so the accessory192can be lifted free of the spindle. This effectively prevents the accessory192from getting jammed on the spindle142by residual processed food while at the same time ensuring the accessory is firmly biased into engagement with the spindle during operation.

Dicing dense or fibrous foods such as potato, sweet potato and beetroot can benefit from reducing the speed and increasing the torque on the dicing disc192. Referring back toFIGS.9A to9D, the dicing disc192has dual functionality. Firstly, the leading edge of the blade191rotationally cuts into the food being processed. Secondly a ramped section193of the dicing disc192behind to the blade, forces the food being processed onto the dicing grid190beneath. The dicing grid190is a matrix of cutting blades arranged specifically to the size of food required to be processed.

This two-stage process is more efficient for foods such as sweet potato when the dicing disc192is driven with a higher torque. On the other hand, if the dicing disc192operates at high speeds, there is a greater risk of incomplete processing, particularly of high density fibrous foods, that often results in inconsistent food quality or jamming of the appliance. High speed, high torque processing also increases the potential for motor failure due to a high electrical current draw in order to maintain motor speed under load.

The slower processing speed provided by the spindle assembly140improves control and function of the dicing disc192and dicing grid190as the interaction between the accessory and the food is more accurate and efficient. Incorporating the gear assembly into the spindle assembly, instead of into multiple different accessories that functions better at a lower speed, is more cost effective. Having the gear assembly in the spindle assembly also provides the scope to position the gears towards the top of the bowl, which need not reduce the internal volume at the lower portion of the mixing bowl. Less volume at the lower portion of the bowl can have a negative practical impact during use.

A further embodiment of the food processor will now be described with reference toFIGS.12to20. In this embodiment a cheese grating/shredding disc202engages the spindle142within the bowl102in two different orientations depending on whether grating or shredding is required. When the disc202is placed on the spindle with the shredding side207upwards, the shredding formations209are protruding upwards to engage the food (seeFIGS.16,17and20). On the grating side203, the grating formations205protrude upwardly (seeFIGS.12,13,14,15,18and19).

FIGS.16and17show the shredding side207of the grating/shredding disc202. The hub194has the complementary faces196configured to engage with the four inclined drive faces176of the spindle142as shown inFIG.20. Likewise, in the grating configuration (FIGS.15,18and19), inserting the spindle142from the other side of the hub194will allow the four inclined drive faces176to engage the complementary faces196such that the disc202is still biased downwards into engagement with the spindle142.

The cheese grating/shredding disc202, like the dicing disc192, functions more effectively if driven at a slower speed but high torque. Given these accessories are best suited to use with the spindle assembly140, the interior of the accessory hubs194are configured to commit engagement with the inclined drive faces176on the spindle142. Accessories intended for use with the food processor may function better at higher speeds (or even lower speeds) in which case their respective hubs194have internal configurations allowing engagement with only the most appropriate spindle assembly.

The food processor and food processing system described here allows the complete range of accessories intended for use with a particular processing device to be operated at the most appropriate speed.

The traditional drawbacks caused by vertical movement of the disc within the food preparation bowl are reduced or avoided by the various interengagements between the accessory, the spindle assembly, the bowl and drive base. In particular, the engagement between the accessory disc and the spindle to biased into engagement during operation, and the engagement between the spindle assembly and the bottom of the bowl which also biases into engagement during normal operation, acts to prevent the disc from lifting upwards and jamming against the lid or potentially removing the lid and endangering the user.

During use, the dicing disc192cut dense vegetables such as sweet potato with ease and fed the slices through the dicing grate190(seeFIG.9) into the bowl without jamming. This indicates the downward force on the disc hub194applied by the inclined drive faces176is greater than the resistant shear force of food processing operation. Likewise, the cheese grating disc202operating at a reduced speed and higher torque reduces the risk of jamming and clogging within the lid due to a build up of residual cheese from earlier cuts.

With the inclined drive faces176used by the present spindle142keeps the disc biased downwardly into engagement with the accessory seat178on the spindle142. This results in:Less scrap food (i.e. processed food in shapes differing from that intended);Less “ribboning” of food where the higher speed of the cutting operation tends to curl the food rather than adhering to a more uniform and intended shape at a slower speed;Cutting the food at a lower speed generates and draws less moisture from the food compared to cutting at higher speeds;Lower speed processing improves the distribution of the food around the bowl whereas high speed processing has a tendency to pile the food directly beneath the feed chute; andThe higher torque associated with the geared reduction reduces the potential for the disc jamming particularly when processing.

The interengagement of the spindle assembly140and the bottom of the bowl102also prevents lifting of the disc192,202. With the torsion on the spindle housing150generated by the motor biasing the bayonet connection into engagement, the spindle housing150is fixed to the bowl102, and only the spindle142rotates.

Using two separate bayonet connections between the bowl102and the base104strengthens this connection to guard against lifting, or so called ‘diaphragming’ bowl bottom upwards. The two bayonet connections are oriented at right angles to each other for a more uniformly distributed load.

FIGS.21to25show an alternative form of the dicing grid210.FIG.21shows a top perspective of the dicing grid210(referring to its orientation when mounted on the spindle assembly).FIG.22is the perspective of the underside of the dicing grid210whileFIGS.23,24and25are exploded perspectives showing the individual components from different points of view.

The dicing grid210is made up of three main components; the metal grid216sandwiched between a top ring212and a base ring214. In the center of the metal grid216is an aperture for the hub218configured for engagement with the spindle assembly (not shown). The central hub218is over molded into the middle of the metal grid216. The top ring212and the base ring214are secured together via a ring of threaded fasteners220engaging the internally threaded bores222. However skilled workers in this field will readily appreciate that the top ring and the base ring may be joined by welding, such as ultrasonic spot welding, or adhesive such as silicone.

The internal periphery of the top ring212has blocks228of various size to fit between the peripheral ends of the metal blades making up the grid216. The base ring214has a set of complementary blocks230that extend upwardly into the gaps between the peripheral ends of the grid blades, not already filled by the blocks228on the top ring212. By interleaving the blocks228and230about the periphery of the metal grid216ensures that forces transferred through the grid to the top ring212and base ring216is more evenly distributed between both rings.

At the bottom of the base ring214are diametrically opposed orientation features224and226. These features seat into complementary features within the food preparation vessel (not shown) to correctly position the dicing grid210during use.

Using this structure, the dicing grid210is produced cost effectively while not compromising the overall strength and robust construction of the accessory.

FIG.1Ashows a food processor100having a food preparation vessel in the form of a bowl102engaged with a base104housing a drive motor111(seeFIG.4). User controls204on the base104control the operation of the motor. The top of the preparation bowl102is closed with a lid106including a food chute108for safely inserting food into the bowl102.

FIGS.26and27are exploded perspectives of the food processor100showing a cutting disc250and a dicing/chipping accessory254lifted from the food preparation bowl102. The dicing/chipping accessory254combines the function of dicing and “chipping” (i.e. making chips) depending on its orientation when placed in the bowl102. With the intersecting blades of the dicing grid beneath the feed chute108, relatively dense vegetables (e.g. potatoes and sweet potatoes) are diced, and with the parallel chip blades beneath the feed chute108, the food is cut into thick strips, or “chips”.

As shown inFIG.28, cutting disc250is positioned between the feed chute108and the dicing/chipping accessory254. The spindle140engages the hub of the cutting disc250for rotation at a cutting speed suitable for the food being cut. As described above, the spindle assembly140has a gear train for gearing the motor output to the required cutting speed and torque.

The spindle assembly140detachably connects to the base of the food preparation bowl102. By connecting with the base of the food preparation bowl102, the spindle assembly140engages the drive coupling130which provides a drive train to the motor111housed in the base104.

A food leveler152(seeFIG.27) extends from the spindle assembly140to sweep away any build-up of food dices or chips beneath the feed chute108. Skilled workers will understand an uneven build-up of processed food can impede the processing of further food.

FIGS.30A and30Bare top and bottom perspectives of the cutting disc250. The spindle assembly140has drive faces176(seeFIG.27) to engage complementary faces within the hub194of the cutting disc250. The drive faces176are inclined such that the cutting disc250is simultaneously rotated and biased downwards into engagement with the spindle assembly140when driven by the motor111. The central hub194extends from the upper side of the cutting disc250. The cutting blade191extends from the top of the central hub194to define an opening between the top surface of the disc and the underside of the blade191. An inclined surface193extends from the trailing edge of the blade191down to the plane of the disc250. A sector-shaped aperture in the disc250directly beneath the blade191and the inclined surface193provides a passage from the feed chute108to the dicing/chipping accessory254.

Dense food such as potato and sweet potato are manually feed down the feed chute108in the feed direction280. A plunger278(seeFIG.28) is used to push the food and protect the user's fingers from injury. The food is pressed against the top of the cutting disc250as it rotates within the food preparation bowl102. The blade191cuts into the food at a known height above the top surface of the disc250. This cuts a slice of known thickness which is immediately urged downwards by the inclined surface193following the blade191. The slice of food is pushed through the dicing grid or the parallel blades of the dicing/chipping accessory254. The dicing grid268cuts food into pieces with a cross-sectional shape corresponding to the openings defined by the blades of the dicing grid. The parallel blades of the chipper cuts the food into wide strips defined by the spacing between the parallel blades. This keeps the dimensions of the processed food consistent. Consistently sized pieces of food cook more uniformly and provide better end results.

The peripheral rim of the cutting disc250includes diametrically opposed detents252that allow the user to lift the cutting disc out of the open top of the preparation bowl102. As best shown inFIG.30B, the periphery of the cutting disc250extends upwardly to define an inverted channel immediately adjacent the peripheral rim. The dicing/chipping accessory254has a top ring212(seeFIGS.29and31) which extends at least partially towards or into the inverted peripheral channel282of the cutting disc250. If food is pressed hard against the cutting disc250by the feed chute plunger278, the periphery of the cutting disc250may flex into contact with the top of the top ring212. Any contact will be low friction sliding contact to avoid significant loss of cutting speed.

As best shown inFIGS.29,31,32and33, the top ring212of the dicing/chipping accessory254provides a peripheral side wall securing the dicing grid268and the parallel blade array256. The bottom ring214provides a supporting flange for the diametrically opposed orientation features224and226, as well as the chipping side and dicing side holding slots258and260respectively. In the middle of the dicing/chipping accessory254is a ring shaped central hub284through which the upper end of the spindle assembly140extends (as shown inFIG.4).

As shown inFIG.34, most of the blades in the parallel blade array256are only supported at their opposite ends. However, the blade286closest to the middle of the top ring212may also be supported at the central hub284. For convenience, the Applicant refers to this as the first blade286and the adjacent blades as the second blade288, third blade290and so on. The first blade286is shown as connected to the central hub284but other forms of the blade array256have a first blade that does not contact the hub. This is dependent on the hub diameter and the spacing between the first blade286and the centre of the disc. If the first blade286does not contact the hub284, it is the longest blade. Likewise, the second and third blades288and290are longer than the other blades further from the central hub284and hence prone to a greater degree of deflection under the pressure of food forced downwards by the cutting disc250. This relatively large deflection towards the middle of the parallel blades can lead to inconsistent thicknesses in the chips which can be detrimental during the cooking stages. To address this, dicing/chipping accessory254includes one or more bridges270,271connecting to an intermediate position along the deflection prone blades (such as second blade288and third blade290) to provide greater structural rigidity. As the parallel blades get progressively shorter, the skilled worker will appreciate there is less chance of significant deflection in the blades and reinforcing bridges270and271are not necessary.

The Applicant's work in developing the dicing/chipping accessory254has found that the depth of the parallel cutting blades256in the feed direction280should be less and/or equal to the width of the spacing between each of the blades in order to avoid the food jamming and causing an obstruction. In other words, the depth of the parallel blades in the feed direction defines the minimum spacing between adjacent blades. For consistent chip thicknesses, the parallel blades should have a uniform depth and spacing.

Likewise, the Applicant has found that any bridges270,271between parallel blades256should also have a depth in the feed direction equal to that of the blades. Similarly, the bridges270,271should preferably extend perpendicular to the parallel blades. This minimises the length of the bridges270,271and therefore maximises the structural rigidity of the parallel blade array256.

FIG.35shows the open top of the preparation bowl102. The interior surface of the bowl defines an inward step292for supporting the dicing/chipping accessory254(seeFIGS.31-33) during operation. On diametrically opposed sides of the step292are orientation feature recesses294. At 90° to each of recesses294is a single catcher holding recess296. The orientation feature recesses294are configured to receive either of the diametrically opposed orientation features224or226protruding from the bottom of the dicing/chipping accessory254(seeFIG.31). However, there is only a single catcher holding tab recess296provided in the inward step292so the dicing/chipping accessory254will only sit flat on the interior step292if the catcher264is covering the non-operating blade array. This forces the user to have the dicing/chipping accessory254in the correct orientation when positioning it in the preparation bowl102.

The embodiment shown inFIGS.36,37and38is a modular dicing/chipping disc306. In contrast to the integrally formed dicing/chipping disc254shown inFIGS.31to33, the modular disc306has individually removable blade structure modules310and312. The blade structure modules shown are a chip cutting module310having the parallel blade array256and the dicing module312with a dicing grid268. With both of the modules310and312having a semicircular shape, the user can ‘mix and match’ modules depending on the required food processing operations. Other embodiments (not shown) will have more than two modules, each having a sector-shape which combine to form the complete disc.

Like the parallel blade array256in the chipping/dicing disc254ofFIGS.31to33, the parallel blade module310has a bridge270between the first and second blades286and288for structural rigidity and reduced blade deflection during use. In other embodiments (not shown), the structure of the parallel blade module310may be rigid enough and hence not have any bridges between the blades. Likewise, further embodiments (not shown) will have parallel blade modules310with two or more bridges270between two or more blades to ensure blade deflection is within acceptable limits.

The chip cutting module310and the dicing module312have complementary detachable engagement features314and316respectively. These allow the modules to detachably interengage such that a range of different blade structure modules (not shown) can be used in the accessory disc306. The chip cutting module310and the dicing module312are held in the frame provided by the peripheral ring308. The internal surface of the peripheral ring308may have a slight taper to match a complementary taper on the external surfaces of the modules310and312. In this way the modules310and312tend to wedge into the peripheral ring for secure engagement therewith. There may also be features on the modules and the peripheral ring308that key the modules to the ring.

The modular dicing/chipping disc306is configured for use with an alternative embodiment of the catcher (not shown in the Figures). Rather than hinging the semicircular plate of the catcher to the bottom ring214, peripheral features on the catcher semicircle slide within the external channel318on the chip module310and the external channel320on the dicing module312. By rotating the catcher semicircle within these channels310and320, the chip cutting module310or the dicing grid268may be selectively covered.

The embodiment shown inFIG.39is a semi-modular disc326with a fixed dicing grid268like the integrally formed dicing/chipping disc254shown inFIGS.31to33, and a removable parallel blade module310like the modular disc306ofFIGS.36to38. Alternatively, the parallel blade array may be fixed, and the dicing grid is a detachable module. Similarly, there may be (i) multiple individually removable blade structure modules in combination with a fixed blade structure, (ii) multiple fixed blade structures in combination with a removable blade structure module, or (iii) multiple removable blade structure modules in combination with multiple fixed blade structures. In this way, the semi-modular disc326also provides the ability to ‘mix and match’ blade structure combinations depending on the required food processing operations for particular recipes.

The parallel blade module310shown inFIG.39has a module centre wall350defining the boundary with the dicing grid268fixed in the peripheral ring308. The centre wall350is divided by the module hub328which fits about on side of the disc hub284mounted to the dicing grid268. Like the parallel blade module310of the modular disc306shown inFIGS.36to38, the parallel blade module310of the semi-modular disc326has a bridge270between the first and second blades286and288for structural rigidity and reduced blade deflection during use. In other embodiments (not shown), the structure of the parallel blade module310may be rigid enough and hence not have any bridges between the blades. Likewise, further embodiments (not shown) will have parallel blade modules310with two or more bridges270between two or more blades to ensure blade deflection is within acceptable limits.

As best shown inFIGS.41,42and43, the catcher is mounted to the bottom ring214for rotation about a hinge axis298extending along a diameter of the dicing/chipping accessory254. Preferably, the catcher264is at least partially formed from an elastic material such as silicone such that it is expandable to hold more food than a more rigid catcher.

InFIG.41the catcher264is shown in one position covering the dicing grid268such that the parallel blade array256is exposed for making chips. InFIG.42, the catcher is in a second position covering the parallel blade array256while the dicing grid268is exposed.FIG.43shows the catcher264midway between the chipping side and the dicing side. The catcher264has a semicircular plate with apertures266. At the diameter of the semicircle, are protrusions to form a hinge joints300in the bottom ring214directly above the orientation features224and226. It will be appreciated that the hinge joints300may also be below, or through the orientation features224and226, as long as the catcher264is able to rotate about a suitable hinge axis. A locking assembly324selectively retains the catcher264in position on the chipping side or the dicing side of the accessory254.

A catcher holding tab262extends from the semi-circular plate normal to the hinge axis298. To cover the dicing grid268, the holding tab262is received in the dicing side holding slot260and to cover the parallel blade array256the holding tab262is retained in the chipping side holding slot258.

As best shown inFIGS.44and45, the catcher holding tab262includes a retractable pin302with a rounded head sized to resiliently seat in the pair of retaining apertures304on opposite side walls of the retaining slots258and260. Note that the figures do not show both ends of the retractable pins302or both of the inwardly facing retaining apertures304, however the skilled worker will appreciate that the pin302resiliently retracts into the holding tab262as the user pushes into the holding slots258and260until the retaining apertures are engaged. Likewise, an interference fit between the pin302and the slots258/260and/or the retaining apertures304can be used to hold the catcher in place. The locking assembly324may take many other forms that would be suitable for selectively retaining the catcher264on the chipping side of the dicing side during a food processing operation.

The catcher264collects any small amounts of food that may slip from the outlet of the feed chute108over to the non-operating side of the dicing/chipping accessory254. These pieces of food will not have been processed through the chipping or dicing blades and are retained by the catcher to preserve the consistency of the food in the preparation vessel102.

Any juice or other liquids that splash from the feed chute side to the non-operating side drain through the array of apertures266in the catcher264. However, all but the smallest pieces of unprocessed food are retained by the catcher264and removed when the dicing/chipping accessory254is cleaned.

FIG.40shows a cleaning tool272with protrusions for removing food residues from the apertures of the catcher264.FIGS.47to50show the cleaning tool272being used to clean the array of apertures266in the catcher264. The cleaning tool has a base276in the form of a flat semicircle dimensioned to correspond with the semi-circular plate of the catcher264. Projections274extend from one side of the flat base276and are positioned in registration with the apertures266in the catcher264. The cleaning tool272can engage the apertures266of the catcher264regardless of whether the catcher is covering the dicing grid or the parallel blades on the chipping side. In order for the protrusions to be in register with the apertures266, regardless of the orientation264, the array of apertures266is preferably symmetrical about an axis of symmetry299(seeFIG.40) extending normal to the hinge axis298of the catcher264.

Likewise, the openings or gaps between the blades in the dicing grid268and the parallel blade array256need to be configured to accommodate the projections274when engaged with the catcher264. As shown inFIG.47, each of the projections274extends into an individual opening defined by the blades of the dicing grid268. This also requires the apertures266in the catcher264to be positioned in registration with one of the openings defined in the dicing grid. Similarly, the channels formed between the parallel blades286,288,290and so on are positioned so they accommodate rows of the projections274when the cleaning tool272engages the catcher264while covering the chipping side of the accessory254.

In some embodiments, the cross-section of the projections274may be square or another non-circular shape. The shape of the apertures266may correspond to that of the projections or there may be a degree of difference to promote cleaning contact between the two. Furthermore, configuring the cleaning tool272such that the projections274are able to extend between the blades of the accessory reduces the space required to store the accessories for the food processor together with the associated cleaning tool. In other embodiments, the cleaning tool is formed to be integral with the accessory254. In this embodiment, it may be convenient that the catcher264does not have any apertures266but the protrusions274extend from either side of the semi-circular plate. However, it is preferable that the cleaning tool272with suitably dimensioned projections274are provided for the user to safely clean between the blades of the chipping side and the dicing side.

Conveniently the cleaning tool is formed from relatively compliant polymers such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polypropylene, or other suitable thermoplastic.

While some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments as would be understood by those skilled in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination the skilled addressee would readily understand to be suitable in particular circumstances.

The present invention has been described herein by way of example only. Skilled workers in this field will readily appreciate many variations and modifications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the broad inventive concept.