Patent ID: 12213627

BEST MODE

The merits and characteristics of the disclosure and a method for achieving the merits and characteristics will become more apparent from embodiments described below in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but may be implemented in various different ways. The embodiments are provided to only complete the disclosure and to allow those skilled in the art to understand the category of the disclosure. The disclosure is defined by the category of the claims.

Further, embodiments of the disclosure will be described with reference to cross-sectional views and/or schematic views as idealized exemplary illustrations. Therefore, the illustrations may be varied in shape depending on manufacturing techniques, tolerance, and/or etc. Further, elements in the drawings may be relatively enlarged or reduced for convenience of description. Like numerals refer to like elements throughout.

Below, the disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings that illustrates a food processor according to the embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG.1is a perspective view showing a food processor according to an embodiment of the disclosure, andFIG.2is a cross-sectional view schematically showing internal elements of a food processor according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

As shown inFIGS.1and2, a food processor1according to an embodiment of the disclosure includes a housing10provided with a container accommodating chamber11and a driver accommodating chamber12.

The housing10includes a base14, a driver-accommodating-chamber lateral wall15, a first roof16, a second roof17, and a partition18.

The base14forms the bottoms of the container accommodating chamber11and the driver accommodating chamber12.

The partition18divides the container accommodating chamber11and the driver accommodating chamber12from each other. The container accommodating chamber11and the driver accommodating chamber12are provided side by side with the partition18therebetween.

The first roof16may form the ceiling of the container accommodating chamber11, and the second roof17may form the ceiling of the driver accommodating chamber12.FIGS.1and2show an example that the first roof16and the second roof17are separately formed. According to an embodiment, the ceilings of the container accommodating chamber11and the driver accommodating chamber12may be formed as a single body.

The second roof17includes a vacuum port40rotatably coupled thereto.

The vacuum port40alternates between a first state (seeFIGS.1and2) and a second state (seeFIGS.6and7).

In the first state, the vacuum port40is in close contact with an exhausting portion50of a cover30.

The vacuum port40includes an exhausting line (not shown) through which the exhausting portion50of the cover30connects and communicates with a vacuum pump60in the first state. The vacuum port40draws gas from the inside of a containing space of a containing tank22toward the vacuum pump60through the exhausting portion50of the cover30based on vacuum pressure generated by the vacuum pump60in the first state.

In the second state, the vacuum port40is spaced apart from the exhausting portion50of the cover30(seeFIG.7).

A portion of the vacuum port40may form the ceiling of the container accommodating chamber11together with the first roof16.

To this end, the first roof16or the second roof17may have a space formed to accommodate the vacuum port40.

As shown inFIG.1, the first roof16, the second roof17, and the vacuum port40may form an upper outer appearance of the housing10. In other words, an upper surface of the vacuum port40may be exposed to the top of the housing10.

The housing10includes a door13to open and close a portion on a lateral side of the container accommodating chamber11.

As shown inFIG.1, the container accommodating chamber11may be roughly shaped like a cylinder, and the door13may be opened and closed sliding laterally along a curved lateral side of the cylinder (seeFIG.6).

A protrusion13aprotruding outward is formed at one side of the door13. The protrusion13amay be used as a grip when a user opens and closes the door13.

A cooling plate81is formed in at least a portion on the lateral side of the container accommodating chamber11. The cooling plate81may also form a portion of the partition18.

The driver accommodating chamber12is provided with a cold energy generator82adjacent to the cooling plate81. The cold energy generator82may transfer cold energy to the cooling plate81so that the inside of the container accommodating chamber11can be maintained in a refrigerated or frozen state. The cold energy generator82may employ a Peltier element or the like thermoelectric element. According to an embodiment, the cooling plate81may be omitted, and one side of the cold energy generator82(a low temperature portion in the Peltier element) may be exposed to at least a portion on the lateral side of the container accommodating chamber11.

In the driver accommodating chamber12, heat dissipation units83and84may be provided adjacent to the cold energy generator82.

The heat dissipation units83and84may include a heatsink83and a heat dissipation fan84.

The driver-accommodating-chamber lateral wall15is formed with a plurality of heat dissipation holes15ain front of the heat dissipation fan84, so that high temperature wind generated by the heat dissipation fan84can be discharged to the outside of the housing10.

The driver accommodating chamber12is provided with the vacuum pump60.

The vacuum pump60is connected to the vacuum port40and vacuumizes the containing tank22by drawing gas out of the containing tank22when the vacuum port40is in the first state.

The driver accommodating chamber12may be provided with a driving motor70. The output shaft of the driving motor70is provided to be exposed toward the base14.

A magnet72may be rotatably provided in the base14at a side under the container accommodating chamber11, and a power transmission member71(e.g., a belt, a chain, etc.) for connecting the magnet72and the output shaft of the driving motor70may be provided in the base14.

When the driving motor70rotates the output shaft, the power transmission member71transmits rotational force to the magnet72so that the magnet72can be rotated.

As shown inFIG.1, a container20may be may be accommodated in the container accommodating chamber11.

The container20may include a handle21, the containing tank22, and a processing member23. The handle21and the processing member23may be omitted according to the kinds of containers.

The containing tank22is formed with an opening at its upper end to put a food ingredient therein, and forms an accommodating space in which the food ingredient put through the opening is accommodated.

The containing tank22may include the handle21extended outward, and the processing member23rotatably installed in the accommodating space.

The processing member23is provided to rotate together with the magnet72as affected by magnetic force generated from the magnet72.

The exhausting portion50of the cover30may include foreign matter trap.

The foreign matter trap prevents foreign matter flowing into the exhausting portion50from being introduced into the exhausting line of the vacuum port40while the vacuum pump60draws gas out of the accommodating space through the exhausting portion50and the exhausting line.

FIG.3is an exploded perspective view showing a cover and foreign matter trap in a food processor according to an embodiment of the disclosure,FIG.4is a cross-sectional view showing the foreign matter trap of which an exhaust channel is opened in a vacuum suction state, andFIG.5is a cross-sectional view showing the foreign matter trap of which the exhaust channel is closed in the vacuum suction state.

As shown inFIG.3, foreign matter trap50is detachably installed in the cover30. In the state that the foreign matter trap50is installed in the cover30, a second member200forming an upper portion of the foreign matter trap50is exposed to an upper portion of the cover30, and a first member100forming a lower portion of the foreign matter trap50is exposed to a lower portion of the cover30.

The upper portion of the cover30includes a first upper surface31, a second upper surface32, and a third upper surface33. The first upper surface31is annularly formed forming an upper edge of the cover30, the third upper surface33is positioned inside the first upper surface31and lower than the first upper surface31, and the second upper surface32connects the first upper surface31and the second upper surface32and forms an inclined surface.

A lateral surface36forming the lateral side of the cover30is annularly formed along the first upper surface31, and the outer circumference of the first upper surface31is formed to protrude more outward than the lateral surface36. In addition, the lateral surface36is provided with a plurality of sealing rings37.

Therefore, when the cover30is installed in the opening of the containing tank22, the lateral surface36is inserted in the containing tank22, and the plurality of sealing rings37are in close contact with the inner surface of the containing tank22, thereby preventing food accommodated in the containing tank22from leaking out. At the same time, the edge of the first upper surface31protruding more outward than the lateral surface36is seated on the upper end of the containing tank22.

The cover30includes a flap38extended from one side of the first upper surface31. The flap38may be used as a member for locking the cover30to the containing tank22, or a member for allowing a finger or the like to be inserted therein to pull the cover30when a user separates the cover30from the containing tank22.

In a central portion of the third upper surface33, a trap installation hole34is formed penetrating the third upper surface33. The trap installation hole34refers to a space where the foreign matter trap50is installed. A trap installation platform35is formed on an inner wall of the trap installation hole34so that the foreign matter trap50can be detachably mounted to the trap installation hole34.

According to an embodiment, the trap installation platform35includes a pressing projection35aprotruding by a predetermined length in a horizontal direction, and a blocking projection35bprotruding from the pressing projection35ain a substantially vertical direction. As shown inFIG.3, a locking-portion accommodating space35c, in which a locking piece (not shown) of the foreign matter trap50is accommodated, is formed between the pressing projection35aand the blocking projection35b.

When the foreign matter trap50is installed in the trap installation platform35, the locking portion of the foreign matter trap50enters from one side of the pressing projection35ainto the blocking projection35b. In the embodiment shown inFIG.3, the foreign matter trap50is partially inserted in the trap installation platform35, and then the foreign matter trap50is rotated clockwise so that the locking portion can be moved from one side of the pressing projection35atoward the blocking projection35b.

As shown inFIG.3, the pressing projection35ais formed to lower the height of the locking-portion accommodating space35cas approaching the blocking projection35b, and therefore the locking portion is pressed by the pressing projection35aand locks the foreign matter trap50in the trap installation platform35. However, due to the presence of the blocking projection35b, the foreign matter trap50is allowed to rotate clockwise only until the locking portion is blocked by the blocking projection35b. Therefore, regardless of a user's force, the foreign matter trap50is installed in the same direction with respect to the cover30.

To separate the foreign matter trap50from the cover30, a user rotates the foreign matter trap50counterclockwise until the locking portion is released from the pressing projection35aand lifts and separates the foreign matter trap50from the cover30.

With this structure shown inFIG.3, not only it is easy to attach or detach the foreign matter trap50to and from the cover30when the foreign matter trap50is required to undergo cleaning or the like, but also it is possible to remove the foreign matter trap50from the cover30and insert a push rod (not shown) in the containing tank22through the trap installation hole34when a food ingredient is needed to be forcibly moved toward the processing member23or pressed in the containing tank22.

Meanwhile, as shown inFIGS.4and5, the foreign matter trap50according to an embodiment of the disclosure includes the first member100, the second member200, a movable member300, and a check valve400. The first member100forms the lower portion of the foreign matter trap50, and the second member200forms the upper portion of the foreign matter trap50. The check valve400is coupled to the second member200, and the movable member300is movably provided between the first member100and the second member200.

The second member200includes a port contact surface211.

The port contact surface211may be formed as an approximately horizontal surface, and a ridge212is extended upward along the outer circumference of the port contact surface211. The port contact surface211forms a surface with which the vacuum port40(seeFIG.2) is in close contact in the first state.

In a central portion of the port contact surface211, a check-valve accommodating hole222is formed. The check-valve accommodating hole222is extended from the port contact surface211in an approximately vertically downward direction. An installation platform accommodating hole223and an exhaust channel outlet224are formed on the bottom of the check-valve accommodating hole222. A plurality of exhaust channel outlets224may be formed around the installation platform accommodating hole223.

Under the bottom225, a first downward protruding ring251and the second downward protruding ring252are extended downward. The first downward protruding ring251is formed to surround the exhaust channel outlet224, and the second downward protruding ring252is formed to surround the first downward protruding ring251. The first downward protruding ring251is formed to protrude more downward than the second downward protruding ring252.

Under the port contact surface211, a lateral wall260is formed to protrude downward surrounding the second downward protruding ring252. The lateral wall260is provided with a sealing ring231. The sealing ring231is in contact with the third upper surface33(seeFIG.3) when the foreign matter trap50is installed in the cover30, and seals a space between the trap installation hole34and the foreign matter trap50to prevent the loss of vacuum pressure.

The check valve400includes an opening/closing wing410, a grip420, and an installation platform430.

As shown inFIG.4, the check valve400includes the opening/closing wing410, and the installation platform430.

The opening/closing wing410has a flat bottom and an arc-shaped upper surface, and is made of an elastic material. Therefore, the opening/closing wing410is elastically transformed more easily toward a periphery than a central portion.

The installation platform430is extended downward from the central portion of the opening/closing wing410.

The installation platform430may be formed to have a multistage structure where the diameter increases downward. The uppermost portion of the installation platform430is formed to have a smaller diameter than the inner diameter of the installation platform accommodating hole223, but the lowermost portion of the installation platform430is formed to be larger than the inner diameter of the installation platform accommodating hole223and positioned to be exposed to the lower portion of the installation platform accommodating hole223, thereby preventing the check valve400from being separated from the second member200.

The central portion of the installation platform430may be formed to have the same size as the inner diameter of the installation platform accommodating hole223, or may be formed to have an intermediate fitting tolerance with respect to the installation platform accommodating hole223. Therefore, in the state that the check valve400is lifted and the central portion of the installation platform430is fitted into the installation platform accommodating hole223, the check valve400does not fall by its own weight but is maintained as it is lifted. In this state, the opening/closing wing410is spaced apart from the exhaust channel outlet224, and the check valve400does not fall by its own weight, thereby maintaining the exhaust channel outlet224opened.

The first member100includes bottoms111a,111band112and a lateral wall113.

The bottom is formed with a lifting-shaft accommodating hole111a, a fluid inlet hole111b, and a spacer112. The lifting-shaft accommodating hole111ais formed penetrating the central portion of the bottom, and the plurality of fluid inlet holes111bare radially formed around the lifting-shaft accommodating hole111a. The plurality of spacers112are formed protruding upward from the bottom by a certain height. The spacers112may be formed between the lifting-shaft accommodating hole111aand the fluid inlet hole111b. According to an alternative embodiment, the spacer112may be formed between the fluid inlet holes111b.

The lateral wall113is extended upward from the bottom111, and includes an inclined portion113aextended upward forming a slope from the outside of the bottom111and.

The inclined portion113amoves foreign matter, which is blocked by foreign matter shield311(to be described later), toward the fluid inlet hole111b. To smoothly discharge foreign matter, the fluid inlet hole111bmay be formed adjacent to the inclined portion113a, or the fluid inlet hole111bmay be partially formed in the inclined portion113a.

As shown inFIGS.4and5, the lateral wall113may be partially extended more downward than the bottom while surrounding the inclined portion113aand the bottom. The lower end of the lateral wall113formed to surround the outer side of the bottom111prevents foreign matters from being splashed and introduced into the fluid inlet hole111bdue to a vortex or the like as food inside the containing tank22is rotated in the containing tank22by the rotation of the processing member23.

The movable member300includes the foreign matter shield311approximately shaped like a ring-shaped plate.

The outer diameter of the foreign matter shield311is smaller than the inner diameter of the lateral wall113bof the first member100, but is formed such that the edge of the foreign matter shield311can be positioned adjacent to the lateral wall113bin the state that the movable member300is installed in the first member100. For example, a gap between the foreign matter shield311and the lateral wall113bmay be less than 2 mm.

The movable member300includes an upward protruding ring313formed to annularly protrude from the upper surface of the foreign matter shield311, a blocking plate322provided inside the upward protruding ring313, a lifting shaft323aextended downward from the blocking plate322, and a separation preventing end323b.

The lifting shaft323ais formed to have an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the lifting-shaft accommodating hole111aof the first member100. There is a gap between the lifting-shaft accommodating hole111aand the lifting shaft323a, so that the movable member300can freely move up and down with respect to the first member100as long as the lifting shaft323ais positioned inside the lifting-shaft accommodating hole111a.

The separation preventing end323bis extended from the lower end of the lifting shaft323aand formed to have a larger diameter than the lifting shaft323awhile having a diameter difference from the lifting shaft323a. The separation preventing end323bis placed under the lifting-shaft accommodating hole111aof the first member100and prevents the movable member300from being separated from the first member100.

As shown inFIG.4, the vacuum port40is in close contact with the port contact surface211so as to surround the check-valve accommodating hole222in the vacuum suction state (i.e., the first state). Although it is not shown, the vacuum port40may include an element for pressing the check valve400downward in the first state. In the state that the check valve400is pressed downward, vacuum pressure is applied from the vacuum pump60through the vacuum port40, and therefore the edge of the opening/closing wing410is elastically transformed and lifted upward by the vacuum pressure, thereby opening the exhaust channel outlet224.

Therefore, gas inside the containing tank22is discharged along the exhaust channel formed in a space between the fluid inlet hole111b, the foreign matter shield311, and the lateral wall113b, a space between the second downward protruding ring252and the upward protruding ring313, and a space between the first downward protruding ring251and the upward protruding ring313, and connected to the exhaust channel outlet224, thereby vacuumizing the containing tank22.

While the containing tank22is vacuumized in the state ofFIG.4, liquid or the like in the containing tank22may flow into the foreign matter trap50. For example, a food ingredient may be splashed and introduced into the fluid inlet hole111bwhile food is processed, or bubbles generated while food is processed may rise and flow into the fluid inlet hole111b.

When liquids and the like foreign matters enter the vacuum pump60, the vacuum pump60is likely to be damaged. Therefore, the foreign matter trap50prevents foreign matters such as liquids, etc. from flowing into the vacuum pump60.

When solid foreign matters are introduced into the fluid inlet hole111b, the solid foreign matters fall again into the containing tank22or remain on the bottom of the first member100through the fluid inlet hole111balong the inclined portion113aby their own weight.

Although solid foreign matters move along the exhaust channel as affected by vacuum pressure, the gap between the foreign matter shield311and the lateral wall113bof the first member100is so narrow that the solid foreign matters cannot pass this gap. Therefore, the solid foreign matters are blocked by the foreign matter shield311and eventually fall again into the containing tank22or remain on the bottom of the first member100through the fluid inlet hole111balong the inclined portion113aby its own weight.

When a large amount of liquid foreign matters such as bubbles is introduced into the fluid inlet hole111b, the movable member300rises due to buoyancy in the liquid foreign matters as shown inFIG.5, and the blocking plate322of the movable member300comes into contact with the first downward protruding ring251, thereby partially closing the exhaust channel. Therefore, vacuumizing using the exhaust channel is stopped, thereby preventing the liquid foreign matter from reaching the vacuum pump60.

In this embodiment, only the contact between the blocking plate322of the movable member300and the first downward protruding ring251is carried out to close the exhaust channel. According to an alternative embodiment, when the movable member300rises, the upward protruding ring313may come into contact with the first downward protruding ring251and/or the second downward protruding ring252to primarily close the exhaust channel, and at the same time the blocking plate322may come into contact with the first downward protruding ring251to secondarily close the exhaust channel. In this case, the exhaust channel is closed in two ways, and therefore foreign matter is more effectively blocked. To this end, the upward protruding ring313may be shaped like a wedge of which a cross-sectional area decreases upward.

When a small amount of liquid foreign matters is introduced into the fluid inlet hole111bas liquid is splashed while food is processed, the movable member300cannot have buoyancy and rise. Therefore, a small amount of liquid foreign matters can move along the exhaust channel, but the gap between the foreign matter shield311and the lateral wall113bof the first member100is so narrow that the liquid foreign matters can form a liquid film in the gap between the foreign matter shield311and the lateral wall113bwithout passing through this gap.

Because the liquid film is formed in the gap between the foreign matter shield311and the lateral wall113b, the movable member300rises due to difference in pressure between an upper side and a lower side, and the blocking plate322of the movable member300comes into contact with the first downward protruding ring251as shown inFIG.5, thereby partially closing the exhaust channel. Therefore, vacuumizing using the exhaust channel is stopped, thereby preventing the liquid foreign matter from reaching the vacuum pump60.

In a case of using a powder-type food ingredient, a dust filter (not shown) may be additionally provided to prevent the powder-type food ingredient from flowing into the fluid inlet hole111band reaching the vacuum pump60.

The dust filter may be provided in the fluid inlet hole111b, and prevent the powder-type food ingredient from flowing into the foreign matter trap50through the fluid inlet hole111b.

Alternatively, the dust filter may be installed between the second member200and the movable member300, and provided to cross the exhaust channel in the state the second member200and the movable member300are assembled, thereby preventing the powder-type food ingredient from passing through the exhaust channel.

Alternatively, the dust filter may be installed on the bottom of the check-valve accommodating hole222or in the exhaust channel outlet224, thereby preventing the powder-type food ingredient introduced into the foreign matter trap50from being discharged through the exhaust channel outlet224.

Alternatively, the dust filter may be installed on the port contact surface211of the second member200, thereby preventing the powder-type food ingredient discharged through the exhaust channel outlet224from entering the vacuum pump60.

Meanwhile, in the state that the vacuum port40is removed (i.e., in the second state), the upper side of the opening/closing wing410is in an atmospheric pressure state and the exhaust channel is in a negative pressure state. Due to such pressure difference, the opening/closing wing410closes the exhaust channel outlet224. Therefore, the negative pressure in the containing tank22is maintained.

A user may place the container in the container accommodating chamber11and then close the door13, thereby closing the container accommodating chamber11.

As necessary, a user may operate the vacuum pump60to vacuumize the containing tank22.

Further, as necessary, a user may operate the driving motor70to process (e.g., crush) a food ingredient in the containing tank22by the processing member23. In this case, the driving motor70operates to rotate the magnet72and the processing member23rotates together with the magnet72based on the magnetic force of the magnet72even though the processing member23is not mechanically connected to the driving motor70and the magnet72, thereby processing the food ingredient in the containing tank22.

According to an embodiment, the processing member23in the containing tank22rotates based on the magnetic force, and thus there are no needs of efforts to couple the output shaft of the motor and the rotary shaft of the processing member in a conventional food processor. Further, the processing member23is rotatable only by placing the container above the magnet72regardless of a placing direction of the container. In addition, it is possible to solve problems of sealing and insanitation caused by the rotation of the rotary shaft (e.g., wear fragment generated while the rotary shaft is rotating) in the conventional container as the rotary shaft of the processing member penetrates the containing tank and is exposed to the bottom of the containing tank so as to couple with the output shaft of the motor.

Further, as necessary, a user may operate the cold energy generator82to lower the temperature inside the container accommodating chamber11, so that a food ingredient can be processed or the processed food ingredient can be stored at a low temperature according to the characteristics of the food ingredient put in the containing tank22or a user's tastes.

According to an embodiment, the food processor1is more effective in maintaining the low temperature because the container accommodating chamber11is closed by the door13or the like.

FIG.6is a perspective view showing a food processor according to an embodiment of the disclosure in which a vacuum port is in a second state, andFIG.7is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the food processor in the state ofFIG.6.

As shown inFIG.6, a user may open the door13and take the container20out of the container accommodating chamber11.

The food processor1may be structured to make the vacuum port40pop up when a user opens the door13.

As described above, the vacuum port40is maintained in close contact with the exhausting portion (or the foreign matter trap50) of the cover30in the first state. To easily and safely take out the container20, the vacuum port40needs to be switched over to the second state before a user opens the door13and takes the container20out of the container accommodating chamber11.

If a user takes the container20out of the container accommodating chamber11without switching the vacuum port40over to the second state before taking out the container20, it is not easy to take out the container20because the vacuum port40and the cover30are in close contact with each other while the vacuum port40is maintained in the first state. If the container20is forcibly taken out, food inside the containing tank22may spill out or the vacuum port40may be broken while the cover30or the exhausting portion50is separated from the containing tank22.

Accordingly, the food processor1according to an embodiment may be structured such that the vacuum port40automatically switches over to the second state while popping up as a user opens the door13.

To this end, the food processor1includes a sensor (not shown) for detecting whether the door13is opened or closed, and is thus structured such that the vacuum port40pops up when the sensor detects that the door13operates to open the container accommodating chamber11.

The vacuum port40may be structured to switch over to the second state while popping up by elasticity of a spring or the like elastic member. In other words, the elastic member is storing elasticity when the vacuum port40is in the first state, the housing10includes a holding means for maintain the vacuum port40in the first state, the holding means releases the vacuum port40from being maintained in the first state when the sensor detects that the door13operates to open the container accommodating chamber11, and the elastic member makes the vacuum port40pop up with the stored elasticity.

Alternatively, without using the sensor, a mechanical structure for physically connecting the door and the holding means is provided such that the holding means releases the vacuum port40from being maintained in the first state as the door13is opened, and the elastic member makes the vacuum port40pop up with the stored elasticity.

Alternatively, to make the vacuum port40pop up, a motor or the like motive element may be used instead of using the elastic member.

As described above, the food processor1according to an embodiment of the disclosure is structured such that the vacuum port40automatically switches over to the second state while popping up as a user opens the door13, and it is therefore possible to prevent problems that may occur when a user takes the container20out of the container accommodating chamber11without switching the vacuum port40over to the second state.

Alternatively, the food processor1may be structured such that the vacuum port40is not maintained in the first state while the door13does not close the container accommodating chamber11.

To this end, the holding means may be structure to maintain the vacuum port40in the first state only when the sensor detects that the door13is closed.

In the case of including the mechanical structure for physically connecting the door and the holding means without using the sensor, the holding means may be structured to maintain the vacuum port40in the first state only by the operation of closing the door13.

In the case where a motor or the like motive element is used instead of using the elastic member to make the vacuum port40pop up, the motive element may be structured to provide motive power for switching the vacuum port40over to the first state under the condition that the door is closed.

Meanwhile, the food processor1may be structured such that the door13cannot close the container accommodating chamber11when the vacuum port40is not in the first state.

In other words, the door13is not closed as long as the vacuum port40is in the second state.

To this end, the holding means for maintaining the vacuum port40in the first state is linked to the door13, and an obstructing element for preventing the door13from being closed when the holding means does not maintain the vacuum port40in the first state may be located on a path of opening/closing the door13.

Meanwhile, the food processor1may be structured such that the vacuum port40is switched over from the second state to the first state when the container20being accommodated in the container accommodating chamber11is seated on the base14. In this case, the vacuum port40may not be switched over to the first state or maintained in the first state when the container20is not accommodated in the container accommodating chamber11or not seated on the base14. In this case, switching the vacuum port40over between the first state and the second state may not interlock with the opened/closed state of the door13.

To this end, the food processor1may include a sensor or switch for detecting whether the container20is present inside the container accommodating chamber11, or whether the container20is seated on the base14, and include a motive element for automatically switching the vacuum port40over from the second state to the first state according to sensing results of the sensor or the state of the switch.

Alternatively, the obstructing element may be additionally provided not to maintain the vacuum port40in the first state, and the food processor1may be structured such that the obstructing element is activated to obstruct maintaining the vacuum port40in the first state when the container20is absent inside the container accommodating chamber11or is not seated on the base14.

The obstructing element may be provided as a switch that appears and disappears according to the locations of the container20. For example, when the container20is absent inside the container accommodating chamber11or not seated on the base14, the obstructing element may protrude on the path of switching the vacuum port40from the second state to the first state, thereby preventing the vacuum port40from being switched over from the second state to the first state.

It will be understood by a person having ordinary knowledge in the art to which the disclosure pertains that the disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms without changing the technical spirit or essential features. Therefore, it should be understood that the foregoing embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and not restricted in all aspects. The scope of the disclosure is defined by the following claims rather than the foregoing detailed description, and all changes or modifications from the meaning and scope of the claims and their equivalents should be construed as being included in the scope of the disclosure.

Mode for Invention

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a food processor includes: a housing including a container accommodating chamber, a door for opening and closing a lateral side of the container accommodating chamber, and a driver accommodating chamber; a containing tank put in the container accommodating chamber or taken out of the container accommodating chamber through the lateral side of the container accommodating chamber opened by the door, formed with an opening through which a food ingredient is put therein, and including an accommodating space formed to accommodate the food ingredient put through the opening; a cover detachably coupled to the containing tank, closing the opening while being coupled to the containing tank, and including an exhausting portion formed to communicate with the accommodating space; a vacuum pump provided in the driver accommodating chamber; and a vacuum port switched over between a first state to be in closed contact with the exhausting portion and a second state to be spaced apart from the exhausting portion in the container accommodating chamber, and including an exhausting line by which the vacuum pump and the exhausting portion are connected to communicate with each other in the first state.

The vacuum port may be switched over between the first state and the second state by interlocking with opened and closed states of the door.

The vacuum port may be switched over from the first state to the second state as the door opens the container accommodating chamber.

The door may not close the container accommodating chamber unless the vacuum port is in the first state.

The vacuum port may not be maintained in the first state unless the door closes the container accommodating chamber.

The lateral side of the container accommodating chamber may include a curved surface, and the door is laterally opened and closed along the curved surface.

The exhausting portion may include foreign matter trap to prevent foreign matter introduced into the exhausting portion from flowing into the exhausting line while the vacuum pump draws gas out of the accommodating space through the exhausting portion and the exhausting line.

The containing tank may include a processing member provided to be rotatable to process the food ingredient inside the accommodating space, the food processor further including a magnet provided under the container accommodating chamber and providing magnetic force that affects the processing member; and a driving motor provided in the driver accommodating chamber and rotating the magnet.

The food processor may further include: a cooling plate provided in at least a portion on the lateral side of the container accommodating chamber; and a cold energy generator provided in the driver accommodating chamber and transferring cold energy to the cooling plate.

The food processor may further include a heat dissipation unit to discharge heat generated from the cold energy generator to the outside of the housing.