CN116687236A - cordless food processor - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a cordless food processor comprising a base unit including a housing enclosing a drive motor. The housing defines a battery receiving cavity along a portion thereof in which the plurality of terminals are exposed. The food processor further comprises: a canister assembly mountable on the base unit and enclosing the food processing cavity; a food processing tool rotatably mounted within the tank assembly and configured to be driven by the motor when the tank assembly is mounted on the base; and a battery mountable in the battery receiving cavity in electrical connection with the plurality of terminals. The base unit is configured to operably power the drive motor using the battery.

Description

Cordless food processor

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to improvements to food processors, and more particularly to battery powered food processors with improved performance.

Disclosure of Invention

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a food processor includes a base unit including a housing enclosing a drive motor. The housing defines a battery receiving cavity along a portion thereof in which the plurality of terminals are exposed. The food processor further comprises: a canister assembly mountable on the base unit and enclosing the food processing cavity; a food processing tool rotatably mounted within the tank assembly and configured to be driven by the motor when the tank assembly is mounted on the base; and a battery mountable in the battery receiving cavity in electrical connection with the plurality of terminals. The base unit is configured to operably power the drive motor using the battery.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a food processor includes a base unit having a housing enclosing a drive motor. The housing defines an upper surface on which the drive connection of the base unit is mounted and is connected to the motor by the housing, and a collar extending upwardly from the upper surface and surrounding the drive connection. The food processor further includes a tank assembly mountable on the base unit and enclosing the food processing cavity. The canister assembly can be mounted on the base by receiving its lower edge within the collar. The food processing tool is rotatably mounted within the tank assembly and is configured to be driven by the motor when the tank assembly is mounted on the base.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a food processor includes a base unit having a housing enclosing a drive motor and a canister assembly mountable on the base unit and enclosing a food processing cavity. The canister assembly includes a canister housing having a handle on a first side thereof and an interlock channel defined on a second side of the canister housing opposite the first side of the canister housing. The food processor further includes a food processing tool rotatably mounted within the tank assembly and configured to be driven by the motor when the tank assembly is mounted on the base.

These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present disclosure will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.

Drawings

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a food processor in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the food processor of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the food processor with the battery in a removed position therefrom;

FIG. 4 is an assembled view of the canister assembly and base unit of the food processor;

FIG. 5 is an assembly view of a processing tool associated with a food processor with a tank assembly configured with an open lid;

FIG. 6 is an assembled view of various process tools and an adapter unit that may be used within the tank assembly;

FIG. 7 is a top view of an implementation of a blade unit of a processing tool;

FIG. 8 is a combined top-down slicing and shredding implementation of a processing tool;

FIG. 9 is an assembly view of the first and second pushers with the chute of the lid of the food processor;

FIG. 10 is a bottom perspective view of a portion of the food processor;

FIG. 11 is a side cross-sectional view of the food processor;

FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of an alternative food processor in accordance with another aspect of the disclosure;

FIG. 13 is a rear perspective view of the food processor of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is an assembly view of a processing tool that may be used within the tank assembly of the food processor;

FIG. 15 is a side cross-sectional view of the food processor;

FIG. 16 is a bottom perspective view of a portion of the food processor;

FIG. 17 is a bottom perspective view of a portion of a food processor in accordance with an alternative variation;

FIG. 18 is a front perspective view of another alternative food processor in accordance with another aspect of the disclosure;

FIG. 19 is an exploded view of the food processor of FIG. 18, showing its battery attachment; and

fig. 20 is a bottom perspective view of the food processor of fig. 18.

The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles described herein.

Detailed Description

The presently illustrated embodiments reside primarily in combinations of method steps and apparatus components related to a food processor appliance. Accordingly, where appropriate, apparatus components and method steps have been represented by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. Furthermore, like reference numerals in the specification and drawings denote like elements.

For purposes of this description, the terms "upper," "lower," "right," "left," "rear," "front," "vertical," "horizontal," and derivatives thereof shall relate to the disclosure as oriented in FIG. 1. Unless otherwise indicated, the term "front" shall refer to the surface of an element that is closer to the intended observer, while the term "rear" shall refer to the surface of an element that is farther from the intended observer. However, it is to be understood that the disclosure may assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Thus, unless the claims expressly state otherwise, the particular dimensions and other physical characteristics related to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting.

The terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. The inclusion of an element following "… …" does not, without limitation, preclude the presence of additional identical elements in a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.

Referring to fig. 1-10, reference numeral 10 generally designates a food processor. The food processor 10 includes a base unit 12, the base unit 12 including a housing 14 (fig. 10) enclosing a drive motor 16. The housing 14 defines along a portion thereof a battery receiving cavity 18 with a plurality of terminals 19 (fig. 3) exposed in the battery receiving cavity 18. The food processor 10 further includes a canister assembly 20, a food processing tool 24, and a battery 26, the canister assembly 20 being mountable on the base unit 12 and enclosing the food processing cavity 22, the food processing tool 24 being rotatably mounted within the canister assembly 20 and configured to be driven by the drive motor 16 when the canister assembly 20 is mounted on the base unit 12, the battery 26 being mountable in the battery receiving cavity 18 in electrical communication with the plurality of terminals 19. The base unit 12 is configured to operably power the drive motor 16 using a battery 26.

It will be appreciated that the use of the battery 26 to power the drive motor 16 allows the battery powered food processor 10 described herein to operate without having to plug the food processor 10 into an external power source (e.g., wall outlet, etc.), and results in the disclosed food processor 10 being characterized as "cordless". In this way, the food processor 10 may be placed and operated at any convenient location along a counter space provided in a kitchen, regardless of whether the location is near an electrical outlet or another available power source. As shown in fig. 3, the battery 26 is removably coupled with the housing 14 of the base 12 within the depicted battery receiving cavity 18 such that a selected battery 26 of the possible plurality of available compatible batteries 16 may be selected and attached with the food processor 10 to power operation of the food processor 10 by way of an electrical connection facilitated by the connection of the terminals of the battery 26 with the terminals 19 of the food processor 10 exposed within the battery receiving cavity 26. In this way, the battery 26 may be removed from the food processor 10 for use with another compatible kitchen appliance (e.g., a manual blender, a manual mixer, a counter mixer, or another food processor similar to the mini-processor/shredder shown in fig. 12-19 and discussed further below) or replaced with a fully charged battery 26, such as when the current battery 26 has been depleted. In this way, the depleted battery may be charged using a compatible charger having similar mechanical components as the battery receiving cavity 26 and terminals 19 shown in connection with the present food processor 10. Examples of such chargers are described in co-pending, commonly assigned U.S. provisional patent application (attorney docket number SUB-15280F-US-PSP 2) filed concurrently herewith, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The battery 26 and corresponding electronic circuitry 27 (fig. 11) for controlling the operation of the food processor 10, including the operation of the drive motor 16, may be configured according to an architecture that uses voltages in the range of about 18-20 volts, and in one implementation 20 volts, it being understood that the actual voltages supplied and utilized may vary within a range around the desired operating voltages described, depending on factors commonly understood in the art. Thus, the battery 26 may be a five cell 20 volt battery, although other configurations are possible. In general, such voltages may be sufficient for the food processor 10 to operate within an acceptable operating speed with an acceptable torque for generally accepted use as a food processor, including operation of the motor 16, the motor 16 generally being understood to be a Direct Current (DC) motor, and in one aspect a brushless DC motor. Additional aspects of the electronic battery-powered operation of the food processor 10 are described further below.

Referring to fig. 4-9, certain features of the disclosed food processor 10 can increase the usability or overall performance of the appliance in a manner that does not necessarily rely on the use of the battery 26 as described above to exhibit such an effect. In one aspect, the food processor 10 may include a plug-in interface between the canister assembly 20 and the base unit 12. In particular, the housing 14 of the base unit 12 defines an upper surface 28, and the drive connection 30 of the base unit 12 is mounted on the upper surface 28 and connected to the drive motor 16 through the housing 14. The collar 32 may be formed with the upper surface 28 of the housing 14 or attached to the upper surface 28 of the housing 14 to extend upwardly from the upper surface 28 and around the drive connection 30. As such, the collar 28 may define an upper cavity 32 of the base unit 12, with the drive connection 30 positioned within the upper cavity 32. As shown in fig. 4, the canister assembly 20 can be mounted on the base unit 12 by receiving its lower edge 36 within the upper cavity 32 defined by the collar 32. More specifically, the can assembly 20 may include a can housing 38, the can housing 38 including the food product receiving cavity 18, the food product receiving cavity 18 including a lower wall 40 included in the can housing 38. The lower edge 36 of the tank assembly 20 may be defined on a lower flange 42 of the tank assembly 20 extending downwardly from the lower wall 40. In one aspect, the flange 42 may be inset relative to a sidewall 44 of the can housing 38, the sidewall 44 extending upwardly from the lower wall 42 to further define the food product receiving cavity 22. In this arrangement, the flange 42, which may be generally circular in shape, is capable of fitting within the collar 32 in generally intimate contact with the collar 32 such that the tank housing 38 is positioned generally relative to the base housing 14 with the lower edge 36 resting on the upper surface 28.

As further shown, the collar 32 defines a plurality of alignment tabs 46 extending inwardly toward the drive connection 30 along the upper surface 28 of the housing 14. Accordingly, the tank housing 38 may define a plurality of notches 48, the plurality of notches 48 corresponding to respective ones of the plurality of alignment tabs 46 to receive the alignment tabs in the notches 48 when the tank assembly 20 is mounted on the base unit 12, as described above. This arrangement helps prevent rotation of the canister assembly 20 relative to the base unit 12, including under torque of the motor 16 delivered by the drive connection 30, as discussed further below. The at least one alignment tab 46 may include a spring-biased ball 50, which spring-biased ball 50 may engage a corresponding detent in the alignment recess 48 to provide a snap fit between the canister assembly 20 and the base unit 12, which may specifically add retention to such a fit. Additionally, the upper surface 28 of the housing 14 may define a plurality of alignment flanges 52 to assist in positioning the canister assembly 20 relative to the base unit 12. To prevent the inadvertent accumulation or retention of fluid within the cavity 34, the base unit 12 may define a drain aperture 54 therethrough, and the drain aperture 54 may have a hollow tubular interior defined by the housing 14. As such, fluid within cavity 34 may pass through drain hole 54 to deposit on a counter top upon which food processor 10 rests. Decorative trim strips 56 may be applied on the exterior of collar 32, including as in-mold features applied by a hot foil stamping process for transfer to housing 14 during manufacture of housing 14. As shown, collar 32 may be inset relative to an outer edge of upper surface 28 to, in one aspect, allow for desired assembly of canister assembly 20 to base unit 12 while facilitating placement of base 12 with a generally wider footprint, as discussed further below.

As can be seen in fig. 1 and 2, the canister assembly 20 includes the canister housing 38 described above, the canister housing 38 having a handle 58 on a first side of the canister housing 38, and an interlock channel 60 on a second side of the canister housing 38 opposite the first side of the canister housing 38. It is generally understood that the interlock channel 60 is part of an interlock mechanism that prevents operation of the food processor 10 if the canister assembly 20 is not present or properly positioned on the base unit 12 and/or if other operational requirements are not met. As such, the interlock channel 60 is intended to be aligned with a corresponding feature 62 on the base unit 12. As currently shown, the interlocking features 62 of the base unit 12 are positioned in a location generally understood to be the rear side of the base unit 12 (at least by being positioned opposite the user interface 64 portion of the base unit 12, the user interface 64 generally signaling the front of the food processor 10). As such, it should be appreciated that proper alignment of the canister assembly 20 with the base unit 12 is such that the interlock channel 60 is positioned on the rear side of the base unit 12 (i.e., disposed toward the battery 26) and the handle is positioned on the front side of the base unit 12 (i.e., disposed toward the user interface 64). A typical food processor integrates any interlock mechanism with the handle such that the interlock mechanism is oriented toward the front of such a food processor, which may obstruct the user's view of the food processing cavity. Currently, by locating the interlock channel 60 on the rear of the canister assembly 20, the user views the food processing cavity more directly through the transparent canister housing 38.

Referring to fig. 5, the tank assembly 20 further includes an interlock member 66 movably mounted in the interlock channel 60 (the interlock channel 60 may be open outside of the tank housing 38 and surrounded by trim, etc.) so as to be movable into and out of engagement with a locking mechanism 68 in the base unit 12 on the underside of the locking feature 62. It will be appreciated that the locking mechanism 68 (fig. 11) may be configured to disable the motor 16 and/or other functions of the food processor 10 if it is not engaged. Once engaged, the motor 16 is rendered operable, for example, by the interlocking member 66 passing through the interlocking feature 62 and contacting a portion of the locking mechanism. In this arrangement, the canister assembly 20 includes a lid 70, the lid 70 being hingedly connected to the canister housing 38 so as to be positionable in an open position (fig. 5) and a closed position (fig. 1) above an open end 72 of the canister housing 38. The cap 70 operably engages the upper end 66a of the interlock member 66, with the upper end 66a of the interlock member 66 extending upwardly out of the interlock channel 60 in a spring biased manner into alignment with a portion of the cap 70. When the lid is moved to the closed position, the lid contacts the upper end 66a of the interlocking member 66 to force it downwardly into engagement with the locking mechanism 68. Thus, when the lid 70 is opened, the interlock member 66 disengages from the locking mechanism 68. Thus, the canister assembly 20 must be mounted to the base unit 12 with the cover 70 in the closed position to operate the motor 16. The above-described plug-in arrangement between the canister assembly 20 and the base unit 12 facilitates assembly of the canister assembly 20 to the base unit 12 with the lid 70 in the closed position. It should also be noted that the hinged connection between the lid 70 and the can housing 38 may be such that the lid 70 may be removed when in the open position to allow additional access to the opening 72 and/or replacement with a "refrigerator lid" lacking the depicted chute 74 of the lid 70, as discussed further below.

With continued reference to fig. 5 (and with additional reference to fig. 11), the above-described lower wall 40 of the tank housing 38 may include a coupling 76 that is sealingly received in a central opening 78 through the lower wall 40 and is engageable with the drive connection 30 of the base unit 12 when the tank assembly 20 is in place on the base unit 12. In this way, the coupling may transfer rotational movement of the drive connection 30 (which is effected by the drive motor 16) to the food processing cavity for rotating the food processing tool 24, as discussed further below. Thus, the canister assembly 20 is a fully sealed configuration. As shown in fig. 5 and 6, the food processing tool 24 can be mounted on an adapter unit 80, the adapter unit 80 being operatively connected to the coupling 76 (e.g., by sliding engagement of the adapter unit 80 with the coupling 76 for rotational coupling). As shown in fig. 11, the adapter unit 80 includes a drive shaft 82 extending upwardly from the interface with the coupling 76. The drive shaft 82 may support certain variations of the processing tool 24 that are suitably positioned away from the lower wall 40 and toward the lid 70, as discussed further below. Furthermore, the drive shaft 82 may be rotatably engaged with a socket 84 in the cover 70 to stabilize the adapter unit 82 and the drive shaft 82, particularly for use with variations of the aforementioned processing tools.

As shown in fig. 6, the adapter unit 80 may be configured to receive a number of different variations of the food processing tool 24 described above, which may be provided with the food processor 10 and/or may be used as an after market accessory. As shown, the tools 24 may include a blade unit 24a, a dough scraper 24b, an eggbeater 24c, and a combined slice-chop tray 24d, as well as other known variations of these tools. Blade unit 24a, shown in further detail in fig. 7, includes four blades 86 rigidly coupled to hub 88 at radially spaced locations (e.g., at 90 ° intervals) about hub 8. The hub can be mounted on the adapter unit such that rotation of the coupling 76 causes rotation of the blade 86 within the food processing cavity 22. Each blade 86 defines a base 90 extending along hub 88 and a sharpened edge 92, the sharpened edge 92 having a base end 92a positioned within about 10mm from the base 90 and extending along an axis 94 to a distal end 92b, the axis 94 being positioned at an angle α1 of about 19 ° relative to the base 90. Sharp edge 92 is configured in an arcuate manner to extend along radius R1 between base end 92a and tip end 92b (where radius R1 is about (e.g., +/-10%) 68 mm) and define an arc length of about (e.g., +/-10%) 67 mm. Blades 86 may be mounted at successive heights along hub 88 such that, for example, bottom blade 86a is about (e.g., +/-10%) 2.85mm above lower wall 40 and upper blade 86d is about (e.g., +/-10%) 55.75mm above lower wall 40. The intermediate blades 86b and 86c may be evenly spaced between the upper blade 86d and the lower blade 86 a.

As further shown in fig. 8, the shredder-slicer combination tray 24d may have a body 96 with a hub 98, the hub 98 being configured for press-fit engagement with the drive shaft 88 of the adapter unit 80 to be positioned adjacent the lid (e.g., at a distance between about 8mm and 10mm therefrom). In addition to the plurality of grinding/shredding features 100, the combining tray 24d also includes a slicing blade 102 positioned over an opening 104 through the body 96. The slicing blade 102 has a sharpened edge 106, the sharpened edge 106 having a base end 106a positioned at a distance D1 of about (e.g., +/-10%) 3.75mm of the hub 98 and extending along an axis 108 to a distal end 106b, the axis 108 being positioned at an angle a 2 of about 12 ° relative to a radius R2 of the body 96 extending through the distal end 106 b. Sharp edge 106 may be scalloped and/or serrated, but may generally extend along a radius R3 of about 60mm between base end 106a and distal end 106 b. In certain aspects, the distance D1 disclosed herein may be increased relative to existing variations of such tools 24D to reduce the likelihood of food being trapped between the base end 106a of the slicing blade 102 and the hub 98. In addition, the angle α2 of the slicing blade 102 may impart a backward curved arrangement that may improve cutting performance.

Referring to fig. 8, the above-described food chute 74 formed with the lid 70 and extending generally upwardly from the lid 70 may be configured for introducing food product into the food processing cavity with the lid 70 closed (and optionally with the motor 16 running). The chute 74 slidably receives a first pusher 108, the first pusher 108 being configured for enclosed receipt in the food chute 74. The first pusher 108 may include a base surface 110, the base surface 110 being operable to push food product into the food processing cavity 22, including contact with a mounted food processing tool 24 (e.g., the combination dial 24 d), and/or at least partially close an opening from the lid 70 into the chute 74. The first pusher 108 may also define an auxiliary chute 112 therethrough, and the auxiliary chute 112 may receive a second pusher 114 that is smaller than the first pusher 108. In this way, the full chute 74 may be used to introduce large items into the food processing cavity 22. The first pusher 108 may be used with a second pusher 114 in place within the auxiliary chute 112 to push food into/through the chute 74 and/or to close the opening of the chute 74. Similarly, to introduce small/narrow food items, the first pusher 108 may be inserted into the chute 74 without the second pusher 114 being in place so that the second pusher 114 may be used to push the items through the auxiliary chute 112. It will be appreciated that the food processor 10 may be generally used with the first pusher 108 and the second pusher 114 in place within the chute 74, including when the lid 70 is open (to introduce large or bulk items, including when the motor 16 is off). As such, the first pusher 108 may be adapted to retain itself within the chute 74, and also to retain the second pusher 114 within the auxiliary chute 112 when the lid 70 is opened or otherwise removed from the can housing 38. As shown, the first pusher 108 may include a first tab 116a, e.g., cut out in its geometry, the first tab 116a configured to exert a first retaining force on the interior of the food chute 74 when the first pusher 108 is received in the food chute 74. The first pusher 108 may also include a second tab 116b cut out in its geometry, the second tab 116b extending into a portion of the auxiliary chute (i.e., both tabs may be biased outwardly or include a flange on its operating end to effect frictional contact with a corresponding feature). The second tab 116b may exert a second retaining force on the second pusher 114. As described above, this arrangement helps to secure the first and second pushers 108, 114 in position relative to the chute 74. To maintain a desired general center positioning of the first and second pushers 108, 114 relative to the chute 74, 112, the first and second pushers 108, 114 may include centering ribs 118 at desired locations therearound to guide the features to their desired positions during assembly.

With continued reference to fig. 11, the housing 14 of the base unit 12 may be configured to generally improve the stability and balance of the food processor 10 (particularly when used in conjunction with heavy food products, such as when mixing dough, etc.). In one aspect, this may be accomplished by lowering the center of mass of both the base unit 12 and the food processor 10 as a whole while increasing the width of the base unit 12. In one implementation, the housing 14 may have a height H1 of about 140mm between the upper surface 28 and the bottom surface 120 thereof. Additionally, the housing 14 may have a diameter D2 of about 180 mm. As shown in fig. 10, the housing 14 may include an annular foot pad 122 coupled to the bottom side 120 of the housing 14. The annular foot pad 122 may generally surround the bottom side 120 to provide a resting arrangement that is consistently in a generally widest position (e.g., avoiding a narrower effective base size between corner legs, etc.). The footpad 122 may be overmolded (e.g., from a thermoplastic elastomer, silicone, etc.) onto the bottom side 120 of the housing 14 and may have a diameter D3 of about (e.g., +/-10%) 170 mm. A gap 124 may be defined in footpad 122 to allow any liquid flowing through drain holes 54 to flow outwardly from under base unit 12. In addition, the housing 14 of the base unit 12 defines a protrusion 126 extending outwardly from a side wall 128 of the housing 14, and the battery receiving cavity 18 is defined within the protrusion 126. The annular foot pad 122 may also define a tab 123 extending on the underside of the protrusion 126 to maintain stability of the food processor 10, including when the battery 26 is pressed into place within the cavity 18.

In one aspect, the control circuit 27 may include a controller in the form of a microprocessor or the like that may include programming to operate the food processor 10, including based on user input received through the interface 64 described above. In various aspects, the programming may include firmware or software particularly suited for operating the motor 16 via current received from the battery 26. In one example, the programming may be adapted to maintain an acceptable low temperature of the battery 26 and/or the motor 16 in a proactive manner based on the current drawn by the motor 16. In the example of the food processor 10 shown, there are three buttons 130a, 130b, and 130c that cause the motor 16 to operate at different speeds (e.g., high, medium, and low). It will be appreciated that operation of the motor 16 at these different speeds will result in correspondingly different current draws. In one example, low speed operation may result in a current draw of about 15 amps, medium speed operation with a current draw of 20 amps, and high speed operation with a current draw of 40 amps. In this way, operation of the motor 16 at a high speed setting will result in faster heating of the motor 16 and/or the battery 26, such that a timer may be implemented that only allows operation at a speed of 40 amps to be drawn for a certain amount of time to prevent excessive heating. In this way, the controller programming may cause the motor 16 to run at full high speed for a predetermined time interval (e.g., about 20 seconds, or in some examples about 10 seconds) before the speed is reduced (e.g., by about 5% to 10% to reduce the heating effects of such operation, but still operate the motor 16 at an acceptably high speed as perceived by the user). In this way, lower speed operation may allow for longer time intervals (e.g., at least about 40 seconds) before a similar speed reduction is achieved. The software may also implement a cool down time interval requirement such that the entire timer is maintained during a fast pulse of the same button (e.g., button 130 c). In addition, the circuit 27 may also control the operation of a series of indicator lights 132 on the front of the housing 14 that are used to communicate the state of charge of the battery 16 (e.g., at 25% intervals corresponding to each of the four depicted indicator lights 132).

As shown in fig. 12-17, alternative examples of the present food processor 210 may be configured to be otherwise referred to as a "chopper" and/or microprocessor, or the like. In this regard, the food processor 210 is generally smaller than the food processor 10 shown in fig. 1-11 and discussed above. In some other aspects, the food processor 210 may provide simplified operations for faster, smaller uses, such as for shredding or processing smaller amounts of food and/or stirring and mixing condiments, sauce, and the like. In general, the food processor 210 may include fewer processing tools 224 than discussed above, and in some applications may include only the blade unit 224, as shown in fig. 12-17. Additionally, the cover 270 may lack a chute and/or pusher as described above, and employ a spray opening 334 for adding liquid (e.g., oil in the preparation of emulsions, etc.). In addition, the depicted lid 270 may be fitted over the open end 272 of the can housing 238 by a bayonet (rather than a hinged) connection, with the corresponding interlocking members 226 operating by engagement of such a bayonet mechanism when the can assembly 220 is in place on the base unit 212. Further, the canister assembly 220 may not include a fully sealed arrangement as described above, wherein the adapter unit 280 is connected to an elongated drive connection extending upwardly through a central flange 336, the central flange 336 surrounding a lower opening 278 in the lower wall 248 of the canister housing 238. In one aspect, the housing 214 of the base unit 212 may have a height H2 of about 118mm and a diameter D4 of about 145mm between the upper surface 228 and the bottom surface 320 of the housing 214, which may allow the present food processor 210 to achieve stability and balance characteristics similar to those discussed above with respect to the food processor 10. As shown in fig. 16, the base unit 212 may include a plurality of annular leg members 322 that produce similar effects to the annular foot pads 122 discussed above, including an extended area 323 that stabilizes the base unit 212 during insertion of the battery 26 through the base unit 212. Alternatively, as shown in fig. 17, the bottom surface 320 may include a plurality of individual feet 338, including one foot disposed on the underside of the protrusion 126 corresponding to the location of the battery receiving cavity 218.

It should be appreciated that, beyond the differences specifically discussed herein, the structural and operational aspects of the present food processor 210 are generally similar to those aspects discussed above with respect to the food processor 10 (like elements are indicated in the drawings with like reference numerals as used in fig. 1-11, with the addition of 200). In particular, the food processor 210 is configured to operate on power from the same or similar configuration of battery 26 discussed above, the battery 26 being received in a structurally compatible battery cavity 218 and using a similarly adapted electronic architecture that operates at an output of 20 volts, for example. In this regard, it should be noted that the control circuit 127 may be adapted to work with a motor 216 that is smaller than the motor included in the food processor 10 described above and/or to operate at a lower speed as required by such small appliances. In addition, the canister assembly 220 is configured to use the same male connection as described above, while using three alignment tabs 246 (instead of the four alignment tabs 46 described above) disposed on the interior of the collar 232 and corresponding notches 248 defined on the lower flange 248 of the canister housing 238. It should also be noted that the canister assembly 220 may similarly include an interlocking channel 260 disposed on the rear side of the food processor 210 and a separate handle 258 disposed on the front of the food processor 210 in a similar manner as discussed above (with the base unit 212 including a similarly configured locking mechanism 258).

As shown in fig. 18-20, another example food processor 410 configured as a shredder or microprocessor similar to the food processor 210 discussed above with respect to fig. 12-17 may be adapted to operate with a smaller battery 426 than the 20 volt example batteries 26, 226 also discussed above. As with the other food processor 10, 210 examples discussed above, the food processor 410 includes a base unit 412, the base unit 412 including a housing 414 enclosing a drive motor. The housing 414 defines a battery receiving cavity 418 along a portion thereof, with a plurality of terminals 419 (fig. 19) exposed in the battery receiving cavity 418. The food processor 410 further includes a canister assembly 420, a food processing tool 424, the canister assembly 420 being mountable on the base unit 412 and enclosing the food processing cavity 422, the food processing tool 424 being rotatably mounted within the canister assembly 420 and configured to be driven by a drive motor when the canister assembly 420 is mounted on the base unit 412, and a battery 426 being mounted in the battery receiving cavity 418 in electrical communication with the plurality of terminals 419. The base unit 412 is configured to operably power the drive motor using a battery 426.

Similar to the operation of food processor 210, food processor 410 may provide simplified operations for faster, smaller uses, such as for shredding or processing smaller amounts of food and/or stirring and mixing condiments, sauce, and the like. The food processor may include a blade unit 424 and a spray opening 534 for adding liquid. In addition, the depicted lid 470 may be fitted over the open end 472 of the tank housing 438 by a bayonet connection, with the corresponding interlocking members 426 being operated by engagement of such a bayonet mechanism when the tank assembly 420 is in place on the base unit 412. In addition, the adapter unit 480 may be connected with an elongated drive connection extending upwardly through a central flange (similar to flange 336 in fig. 15) surrounding a lower opening in the lower wall 448 of the tank housing 438. In one aspect, the housing 414 of the base unit 412 may have a height H2 of about 118mm and a diameter D4 of about 145mm between the upper surface 428 and the bottom surface 520 of the housing 414, which may allow the present food processor 410 to achieve stability and balance characteristics similar to those discussed above with respect to the food processors 10, 210 discussed elsewhere herein. Base unit 412 may include a plurality of individual legs 538.

As described above, the food processor 410 is configured to operate on power from a battery 426 that is generally smaller than the 20 volt model of the battery 426 discussed above. In this regard, the output of the battery 426 may be small, such as by being configured for 12 volt operation. Additionally, because the smaller output battery 426 provides a lower current to the associated device, the size of the battery 426 may also be smaller, yet still provide the desired power duration and corresponding use of the food processor 410 (or other related appliance). Thus, the size of the battery 426 shown in fig. 17-20 in conjunction with the food processor 410 is smaller than the size of the battery 26 shown in conjunction with other examples of the food processors 10, 210. Thus, the battery cavity 418 on the housing 414 of the base unit 412 is smaller than the battery cavities of the other food processors 10, 210 discussed herein. As particularly shown in fig. 19, the battery cavity 418 extends through a lesser height than the battery cavity of the food processor 10, 210 configured for use with the 20 volt battery 26. As such, the base unit 412 and the housing 414 lack the protrusions 126 corresponding to the location of the battery receiving cavity 218 in the food processor 210. Instead, the present battery cavity 418 is positioned above the bottom surface 520 of the base unit 412. In particular, such protrusions 126 may be eliminated due to at least the lower weight associated with the smaller battery 426. The open space along the bottom surface 520 of the rear of the base unit 412 may be used for the vent 140, as shown in fig. 20, the vent 140 may be used to vent heat generated by the operation of the food processor 410.

The food processor 410 may use a similarly adapted electronic architecture for the food processor 10, 210 described above, except for the circuit and motor modifications corresponding to the 12 volt architecture. In this regard, it should be noted that the control circuitry associated with the food processor 410 may be adapted to operate with a smaller motor than that included in the food processors 10, 210 described above and/or at a speed suitable for the needs of such small appliances. As further shown in fig. 19, the battery 426 is adapted for a snap-fit arrangement with the battery cavity 418, wherein the battery is moved in a lateral direction 542 towards the battery cavity and pressed into engagement therewith. In this arrangement, terminals 419 of battery cavity 418 engage aligned battery terminals to electrically connect with battery 426 when battery 426 is fully received in battery cavity 418. As shown, the battery 426 may include spring-loaded tabs 544 that are urged outwardly such that when the battery 426 is fully received in the battery cavity 418, the tabs 544 may be moved inwardly by initial engagement with corresponding notches 546 in the battery cavity 418 and then moved outwardly behind the notches 546 to be fixedly retained therewith. When the battery 426 is to be removed, a button 548 associated with the projections 544 may be pressed to move the projections 544 inwardly, releasing them from the notches 546. As further shown, the battery is positioned in an orientation in which its charge level indicator light 550 is visible upward when used with the food processor 410.

It should be appreciated that, beyond the differences specifically discussed herein, the structural and operational aspects of the present food processor 410 are generally similar to those aspects discussed above with respect to the food processors 10 and 210 (like elements are indicated in the drawings with like reference numerals as used in fig. 1-11, with the addition of 400). In particular, the tank assembly 420 is configured to use the same plug-in connections (and employ the same structural elements) as discussed above in connection with the food processor 210. It should also be noted that the canister assembly 420 may similarly include an interlocking channel 460 disposed on the rear side of the food processor 410, and a separate handle 458 disposed on the front of the food processor 410 in a similar manner as discussed above (with the base unit 412 including a similarly configured locking mechanism).

The invention disclosed herein is further summarized in the following paragraphs and further characterized by any and all combinations of the various aspects described therein.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a food processor includes a base unit including a housing enclosing a drive motor. The housing defines a battery receiving cavity along a portion thereof in which the plurality of terminals are exposed. The food processor further comprises: a canister assembly mountable on the base unit and enclosing the food processing cavity; a food processing tool rotatably mounted within the tank assembly and configured to be driven by the motor when the tank assembly is mounted on the base; and a battery mountable in the battery receiving cavity in electrical connection with the plurality of terminals. The base unit is configured to operably power the drive motor using the battery.

The housing of the base unit defines an upper surface on which the drive connection of the base unit is mounted and is connected to the motor by the housing, and a collar extending upwardly from the upper surface and surrounding the drive connection, and the canister assembly is mountable on the base by receiving its lower edge within the collar.

The collar defines a plurality of alignment tabs extending inwardly along an upper surface of the housing toward the drive connection, the canister assembly includes a canister housing defining a lower edge of the canister assembly, and the canister housing defines a plurality of detents corresponding to respective ones of the plurality of alignment tabs for receiving the alignment tabs into the detents when the canister assembly is mounted on the base unit.

The collar defines an outer portion having a decorative band applied thereto using a hot foil stamping process.

The canister assembly includes a canister housing having a handle on a first side thereof and an interlock channel defined on a second side of the canister housing opposite the first side of the canister housing.

The can assembly further includes an interlock member movably mounted in the interlock channel and movable into engagement with the locking mechanism in the base, and a lid positionable in an open position over the open end of the can housing and a closed position, the lid operably engaging the interlock member when in the closed position such that the interlock member engages the locking mechanism when the lid is in the closed position and disengages the locking mechanism when the lid is in the open position.

The tank assembly includes: a tank housing defining a lower surface; a coupling sealingly received in a central opening through the lower surface and engageable with the drive connection of the base unit to rotate the coupling by rotation of the motor; and a cover coupleable over the open upper side of the can housing and the food processing tool mounted on an adapter unit operatively connected with the coupling and including a drive shaft rotatably engaged with the cover.

The food processing tool is a blade unit comprising a hub mountable on the adapter unit and four blades rigidly coupled to the hub at radially spaced locations about the hub, each blade defining a base extending along the hub and a sharpened edge having a base end positioned within about 10mm from the base and extending to a distal end along an axis positioned at an angle of about 19 ° relative to the base, the sharpened edge extending along a radius of about 68mm between the base end and the distal end and defining an arc length of about 67 mm.

The food processing tool is a combination chopper and slicer disk having a hub centrally disposed therein and adapted to be coupled with an adapter unit and a slicer blade positioned over an opening through the disk, the slicer blade having a sharpened edge having a base end positioned within about 3.75mm of the hub and extending to an end along an axis positioned at an angle of about 12 ° relative to a radius of the disk extending through the end, the sharpened edge extending along a radius of about 60mm between the base end and the end.

The tank assembly includes: a can housing defining a food processing cavity and an upper opening; a lid generally surrounding the food processing cavity and defining a food chute configured for introducing a food product into the food processing cavity; a first pusher configured for receipt in the food chute and defining a first tab configured for exerting a first retaining force on the interior of the food chute when the first pusher is received in the food chute, the first pusher further defining an auxiliary chute therethrough and a second tab extending into a portion of the auxiliary chute; and a second pusher receivable in the auxiliary chute, the second protrusion exerting a second retaining force on the second pusher.

The housing of the base unit defines a protrusion extending outwardly from a side wall of the housing, the battery receiving cavity is defined within the protrusion, and the base unit further defines an annular foot pad coupled on a bottom side of the housing, the annular foot pad defining a protrusion extending on an underside of the protrusion.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the described disclosure and construction of other components is not limited to any particular material. Other exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure disclosed herein may be formed from a variety of materials, unless described otherwise herein.

For the purposes of this disclosure, the term "coupled" (and all forms thereof) generally means that two elements are connected to each other (either electrically or mechanically) directly or indirectly. The connection may be fixed in nature or may be removable. Such connection may be achieved by two components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional intermediate members that are integrally formed with each other or with the two components as a single unitary body. Unless otherwise indicated, such connection may be permanent in nature or may be removable or releasable.

It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the present disclosure as shown in the exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present inventions have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the system's structures and/or members or connectors or other elements may be altered, and/or the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be altered. It should be noted that the elements and/or components of the system may be constructed of any of a variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of present invention. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the desired and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present inventions.

It is to be understood that any process described or any step in the described process can be combined with other processes or steps disclosed to form structures within the scope of the disclosure. The exemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes and should not be construed as limiting.

Claims (10)

1. A food processor, comprising:

a base unit comprising a housing surrounding the drive motor, the housing defining a battery receiving cavity along a portion thereof in which the plurality of terminals are exposed;

a canister assembly mountable on the base unit and enclosing a food processing cavity;

a food processing tool rotatably mounted within the canister assembly and configured to be driven by the motor when the canister assembly is mounted on a base; and

a battery mountable in the battery receiving cavity in electrical connection with the plurality of terminals, wherein the base unit is configured to operably power the drive motor using the battery.

2. The food processor of claim 1 wherein the housing of the base unit defines:

An upper surface on which a drive connection of the base unit is mounted and connected with the motor through the housing; and

a collar extending upwardly from the upper surface and surrounding the drive connection, wherein the canister assembly is mountable on the base by receiving a lower edge thereof within the collar.

3. The food processor of claim 2, wherein:

the collar defines a plurality of alignment tabs extending inwardly toward the drive connection along an upper surface of the housing; and is also provided with

The canister assembly includes a canister housing defining the lower edge of the canister assembly, the canister housing defining a plurality of detents corresponding to respective ones of the plurality of alignment tabs for receiving the alignment tabs into the detents when the canister assembly is mounted on the base unit.

4. A food processor as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the collar defines an outer portion having a decorative band applied thereto using a hot foil stamping process.

5. The food processor of claim 1 wherein the pot assembly comprises:

A canister housing having a handle on a first side thereof; and

an interlock channel is defined on a second side of the tank housing opposite the first side of the tank housing.

6. The food processor of claim 5 wherein the tank assembly further comprises:

an interlocking member movably mounted in the interlocking channel and movable into engagement with a locking mechanism in the base; and

a lid positionable in an open position and a closed position over the open end of the canister housing, the lid operably engaging the interlocking member when in the closed position such that the interlocking member engages the locking mechanism when the lid is in the closed position and disengages the locking mechanism when the lid is in the open position.

7. The food processor of claim 6 wherein the lid is movable into and out of the closed position by rotation of the lid within the open end of the body of the can assembly.

8. The food processor of claim 5 or 6, wherein:

the base defines a front side and a rear side, the front side having a user interface thereon, and the battery receiving cavity is defined on the rear side;

The locking mechanism is positioned on the rear side of the base such that a use position of the canister assembly relative to the base is defined with the interlocking channel aligned with the locking mechanism and the handle oriented toward the front of the base.

9. The food processor of claim 8 wherein the user interface includes a set of battery charge indicator lights.

10. The food processor of any one of claims 1-7 wherein the battery receiving cavity is configured for receiving the battery in a releasably retained arrangement by moving the battery into the battery receiving cavity in a radial direction relative to the base unit.