CN117015667A - Bearing assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a bearing assembly comprising a body having a deformable mounting member located about at least a portion of the body, the body supporting a spindle bearing and an annular shaft seal.

Description

Bearing assembly

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a bearing assembly, and in particular to a bearing assembly suitable for use in a food processing device such as a hand mixer or a bar mixer.

Background

Food processing equipment with manual blenders and the like typically include a motor unit in which a drive motor is mounted and at least one attachment member that is removable for ease of cleaning. Food processing equipment of this type may include multiple attachment components, each configured for a different specific use, and may be replaced as desired by the user. Typically, the removable attachment member includes an engagement portion at one end thereof configured to removably connect to the motor unit, and a drive shaft having a splined connection at one end for connection to a corresponding splined connection on the end of the drive shaft of the motor unit. The drive shaft is supported by bearings allowing rotational movement of the drive shaft within the housing of the attachment member.

In one example of an existing device, the drive shaft has at least one blade mounted on opposite ends of the joint so that the blade can rotate and perform machining actions as needed in use.

It is well known that liquid often flows from food during food processing, such as during mixing, stirring or churning. The processing action may also cause food particles to enter the food processing device. Thus, certain food processing equipment protects electrical and mechanical components from water damage or damage due to the ingress and accumulation of food particles. In existing devices, this problem is addressed by providing a seal between the drive shaft and the attachment member housing such that the bearing and motor members are on one side of the seal and the blades of the attachment member are on the other side of the seal.

However, food processing equipment, particularly bar blenders and hand blenders, often have some degree of radial misalignment between the components (e.g., between the motor drive shaft and the accessory drive shaft, or between the motor couplings within the motor unit). This misalignment corresponds to angular or radial movement of the drive shaft during use. In this case, radial means perpendicular to the central axis. This movement is accomplished by placing the bearing assembly in the housing with a flexible mount that allows the bearing assembly to move slightly to allow angular or radial movement of the shaft. Thus, the shaft can move angularly within the seal. Since the material of the seal has a certain elasticity, the seal can be deformed slightly, which also explains that the movement of the shaft does not affect the sealing effect. Sometimes sealing is also required in the shaft bearing area.

However, these existing solutions do not take into account the fact that the drive shaft is relatively short (e.g. less than 10 cm). Such a short drive shaft is required for a handheld food processing device having an inverted arrangement. An inverted arrangement refers to an arrangement in which the attachment member is located above the motor unit during use. Such an arrangement may be used to stir an accessory having a removable container (e.g., an "out-of-band" bottle) carrying processing material to prepare, for example, smoothie. The differences compared to a bar mixer device are that the motor unit is located above the whipped accessory, for example, during use, and that the accessory drive shaft is often longer.

In the case of a shorter drive shaft, the radial misalignment can result in a greater angular movement of the drive shaft within the attachment part housing. This degree of angular movement can cause the seal to deform, causing buckling and cracking, and thus leakage. Furthermore, the bearing assembly is subjected to radial forces that are much greater than those of processing equipment having longer drive shafts. Over time, ingress of liquid and food particles can prevent operation of the attachment member and shorten the operating life of the handheld device. In addition, radial forces may damage the bearing assembly.

The present invention aims to at least partially ameliorate the above problems of the prior art.

Disclosure of Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a bearing assembly comprising a body having a deformable mounting member located about at least a portion of the body, the body comprising a spindle bearing and an annular seal located therein.

By providing a seal within the body of the bearing assembly, for example, which is mounted directly within the body, the seal may be in fixed alignment with the bearing and may be constrained to move with the bearing. This may reduce radial deformation of the seal. The deformable mounting member enables the body to move as a unit with the shaft when placed on the shaft. This may allow radial movement of the body to compensate for misalignment between the rotating shaft and the motor shaft to be connected.

In an exemplary embodiment, the body includes a bearing cartridge, which may include an integral element. Alternatively, the bearing cartridge may comprise a hollow quill tube partially closed at one or both ends, e.g., having an open end and a partially closed end, wherein the partially closed end may include an axially aligned bore therethrough. Alternatively, the seal may be located between a partially closed end of the bearing cartridge and the shaft bearing. The bearing cartridge is thus able to house the bearing and the seal when assembled on the shaft.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the hollow quill tube may include a flange around one end, preferably an open end. The flange is configured to support the deformable mounting member and provide a defined position of the mounting member relative to the sleeve.

In one embodiment of the invention, the bearing cartridge may include a cartridge body and a cartridge cover including a partially closed face having a central bore therethrough and a collar shaped and sized to fit over the open end of the cartridge body or tube. Alternatively, the sleeve cover may include a shoulder extending from an edge of the collar. In this embodiment, provision of a sleeve cap assists in containing the bearing and seal within the cartridge. The shoulder of the sleeve cover provides support for the deformable mounting member.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the deformable mounting member may comprise chamfered edges. This increases the elastic deformability of the deformable mounting member and thus the assembly.

In one exemplary embodiment of the invention, the deformable mounting member comprises an annular ring shaped and configured to be secured to the circumference of the body. The provision of an annular ring in this embodiment means that the deformable mounting member provides a deformable mounting in all radial directions. Optionally, the deformable mounting member is constructed of an elastically deformable material. Alternatively, the deformable mounting member is made of rubber.

In one exemplary embodiment of the invention, the deformable mounting member may include a second seal between the bearing cartridge and the surface in which the bearing is to be mounted.

In an embodiment of the invention, the annular seal within the body may be a lip seal.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided an attachment member for a food processing device, the attachment member comprising a housing, a food processing assembly having a rotational axis, and a bearing assembly mounted within the housing and supporting the rotational axis as described above. The above problems are therefore addressed by providing a deformable bearing mounting assembly that contains a bearing and seal and moves with the shaft. The deformable mounting member may also provide a seal between the bearing assembly and the housing.

In an exemplary embodiment, the processing assembly is a hybrid assembly. Optionally, the mixing assembly comprises at least one blade mounted at one end of the rotating shaft, and preferably comprises a coupling, such as a spline, at the opposite end of the rotating shaft.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the length of the rotation axis is less than 10cm, and may be shorter, such as less than 8 cm or less than 6 cm. In this embodiment, the attachment member is adapted for use with the motor unit in the "inverted" arrangement described above, wherein the attachment member is placed on top of the motor unit and the motor unit forms a base.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a food processing apparatus comprising a motor unit, a container and an attachment part as described above.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the motor unit is detachably connected to the attachment part, and the attachment part is detachably connectable to the container.

Optionally, the motor unit forms a base of the food processing device when assembled. Thus, the food processing apparatus may be used in an inverted arrangement, wherein the attachment member is for the top of the motor unit.

In a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a kit of parts comprising a motor unit, a container and at least one attachment part as described above.

Any feature of one aspect of the invention may be applied to other aspects of the invention in any suitable combination. In particular, method aspects may be applied to apparatus aspects and vice versa. Furthermore, any, some, and/or all features of one aspect may be applied to any, some, and/or all features of any other aspect in any suitable combination.

It is also to be understood that the specific combinations of various features described and defined in any aspect of the invention can be implemented and/or provided and/or used independently.

In this specification, the word "or" may be interpreted exclusively or inclusively, unless otherwise indicated.

Furthermore, features implemented in hardware may typically be implemented in software and vice versa. Any reference herein to software and hardware features should be construed accordingly.

Although the present invention has been described in the context of a domestic food processing and preparation machine, it may be practiced in any application where efficient, effective and convenient preparation and/or processing of materials is desired, whether on an industrial scale and/or on a small scale. The field of use includes the preparation and/or processing of: chemicals, pharmaceuticals, paints, construction materials, apparel materials, agricultural and/or veterinary feeds and/or treatments (including fertilizers, cereals and other agricultural and/or veterinary products), oils, fuels, dyes, cosmetics, plastics, tars, facings, waxes, varnishes, beverages, medical and/or biological research materials, solders, alloys, waste water and/or other substances; and any reference herein to "food product" may be replaced with such working media.

The invention described herein may be used in any kitchen appliance and/or as a stand alone device. This includes any home food processing and/or preparation machine, including top-driven machines (e.g., stand mixers) and bottom-driven machines (e.g., blenders). It may be implemented in a heated machine and/or a cooled machine. It can also be used in machines built into a table or countertop, or in stand alone devices. The present invention may also be configured as a stand-alone device.

"food processing" as used herein shall include shredding, stirring, blending, kneading, grinding, mincing, shaping, shredding, grinding, cooking, freezing, making ice cream, juicing (centrifugally or in rolls), or other food processing actions involving physical and/or chemical conversion of food and/or beverage materials by mechanical, chemical, and/or heating means.

Herein, the term "detachable attachment" (and similar terms such as "removable connection") refers to an attachment for use between a first object and a second object, preferably meaning that the first object is connected to the second object and can be separated (preferably repeatedly reconnected, re-separated, etc.), and/or meaning that the first object can be removed from the second object without damaging the first object or the second object; more preferably, the term means that the first object can be reattached to the second object without damaging the first object or the second object, and/or that the first object can be removed from the second object (and optionally also reattached) by hand and/or without the use of tools (e.g., screwdrivers, wrenches, etc.). Mechanisms such as snap-fit, bayonet fitting, and manually rotatable locking nuts may be used in this regard.

Any apparatus features as described herein may also be provided as method features and vice versa.

As used herein, means-plus-function features may alternatively be expressed in terms of their corresponding structures, such as a suitably programmed processor and associated memory.

Drawings

One or more aspects of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of an attachment member and bottle for a food processing device according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the attachment member of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a bearing cartridge for the attachment member of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of an attachment part and a bottle for a food processing device according to a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the attachment member of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of a bearing cartridge for the attachment member of FIG. 4 in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 7 shows a partial cross-sectional view of a food processing apparatus comprising an attachment part and a bottle assembled to a motor unit.

Detailed Description

As shown in fig. 1 and 2, an accessory for a food processing device includes an attachment member 100 and a bottle 200. The food processing apparatus is in an inverted arrangement, as shown in fig. 7, i.e. the attachment member 100 is configured to be positioned on top of the motor unit 101 of the food processing apparatus when assembled for use therewith.

The bottle 200, also referred to as a food container or receptacle, may be made of a plastic material and may be transparent or translucent so that the user can see the contents of the bottle 200. The bottle 200 is generally cylindrical, but for ergonomic reasons, indentations and protrusions may be provided on its inner or outer surface and one end 210 of the bottle is closed for improved gripping, improved handling, or for aesthetic purposes. The other opposite end of the bottle has an opening for receiving food and items to be processed. The opening has a collar 220, the collar 220 including a threaded portion 222 on an outer surface thereof. The threaded portion 222 is configured to engage with a corresponding threaded portion 122 on the inner surface of the lip 120 of the attachment component 100. Thus, the bottle 200 and the attachment member 100 can be connected and disconnected as desired. This particular connection of the bottle 200 and the attachment member 100 ensures that liquid in the food being processed is not ejected from the food processing device during use. Other suitable means of attachment are known in the art and the invention is not necessarily limited in this regard.

The attachment member 100 includes a housing 110. The housing 110 constitutes the main structure of the attachment member. The housing 110 may be constructed of plastic or metal, but should be rigid to ensure the structural integrity of the attachment member 100 during use, and lightweight for ease of use by a user. The housing 110 has a stepped profile, but is generally cylindrical, and the housing 110 is hollow except for an internal structure that is connected to an external structure and divides the interior into two separate chambers. The internal structure thereof is described in detail below.

The housing 110 will now be described in terms of three main areas. In the present exemplary embodiment, the housing is formed from a single piece of molded plastic. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the housing may alternatively be formed from multiple components that are fused, welded, glued, or otherwise connected together, and that the invention is not necessarily limited in this respect.

In a first bottle connection region (which may be referred to as a first region), the housing has a lip 120, the inner surface of which has a threaded portion 122 configured to engage with a corresponding threaded portion 222 on the outer surface of the collar 220 of the bottle 200. The first region has a maximum diameter and a depth sufficient to accommodate the collar 220 of the bottle. The depth is measured along the longitudinal axis of the housing. When oriented for use, this region forms the uppermost region of the attachment member 100.

The second region is a mixed region of the attachment member 100, and is integrally formed between the first region and the third region. The housing 110 has an internal structure at the second region that defines a cavity or well 130 in which food is deposited when the attachment member is oriented for use. The internal structure extends inwardly at the bottom 112 of the second region, forming the bottom 132 of the well 130. The base is generally "U" shaped in cross-section and is angled toward the axis of the attachment member 100. At the very center of the internal structure is a hole 134 through the base 132 for receiving and retaining the blade assembly 140. The shape of the aperture is substantially circular. The blade assembly 140 extends through the aperture 134 and into a third region of the housing 110. Blade assembly 140 is shown in fig. 2, which will be described in further detail below.

The third region of the housing 110 is a motor unit coupling region. The third region, like the rest of the housing, is cylindrical and hollow. This region has a smallest diameter in the three housing regions for engagement with the motor unit during use and/or storage, for example by being mounted in and retained in the motor unit 101. Thus, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the diameter of the coupling region is defined by the shape and configuration of the motor unit, and the invention is not necessarily limited in this respect. The portion of the internal structure of the housing 110 forming the bottom 132 of the second region also forms the top of the third region, the center of which forms the recess 152. Recess 152 is connected to aperture 134. The recess 152 is shaped and configured to receive a bearing component and a sealing component, as will be described in more detail below.

The drive shaft 142 of the blade assembly 140 extends through the aperture into the main cavity defined by the third region. A hanging collar 154 extends from the top 150. The hanging collar 154 helps to guide the coupling of the drive shaft to the drive shaft 142 of the blade assembly 140 and stabilizes the attachment components on the motor unit. At the end of the third region, a wavy edge 160 is provided. A plurality of notches 170 are located near the edge 160. The recess 170 is adapted to secure the attachment member 100 to the motor unit 101 by, for example, receiving a ratchet tooth clip when the food processing apparatus is assembled for use.

Referring now specifically to fig. 2, the blade assembly 140 includes a drive shaft 142 positioned along a central longitudinal axis of the attachment member 100. The drive shaft 142 protrudes through the bottom 132 of the mixing region and extends into the cavity defined by the coupling region of the housing 110. In this example, the drive shaft terminates at one end in a connector in the form of an external spline 144. The external splines 144 are configured to engage with corresponding connections in the form of internal splines of a drive shaft in a motor unit of the food processing apparatus. In this way, torque is transferred from the motor unit to the drive shaft.

At an opposite end of the drive shaft 142, a machining blade 146 extends from the shaft into the well 130 in a generally radial direction. The blades 146 may be evenly spaced around the circumference of the drive shaft 142. In the present exemplary embodiment, there are two pairs of blades 146 bent at an obtuse angle, with one pair of blades arranged such that the tips of the blades protrude from the bottom 132 of the well 130 toward the lip 120 of the housing and the other pair of blades bent in opposite directions toward the bottom 132. The blade 146 does not protrude beyond the lip of the housing 120. The distance between the blade 146 and the spline 144 is short, e.g. less than 10cm, because the assembled food processing equipment is arranged upside down, i.e. the attachment part 100 is used on top of the motor unit during mixing/food processing.

A pair of washers 180 form an axial bearing between the blade 146 and the bearing assembly 300. At least one of the washers may be made of a low friction plastic material to prevent friction and wear. A similar washer structure 182 is disposed near the opposite end of the bearing assembly. The arrangement of washers 180, 182 maintains the axial position of shaft 142 and thus bearing assembly 300.

The intermediate portion of the shaft is supported by a bearing assembly 300 mounted in the recess 152. Bearing assembly 300 is shown in fig. 3. The drive shaft 142 is omitted from the drawing for clarity. The spindle bearing 310 is configured to be mounted around a middle portion of the drive shaft 142. Suitable bearings are known to those skilled in the art and the invention is not necessarily limited in this respect. The inner surface of the bearing defines a tubular space for receiving the drive shaft 142. The bearing 310 is elongated in the axial direction. This advantageously provides support along a majority of the axis 142. The bearing 310 may have a shallow recess in its outer surface.

At one end of the bearing 310 is a first seal 320. The first seal 320 includes an annular wall 322, the diameter of the annular wall 322 being similar to the diameter of the bearing 310. At the lower edge of the wall, closest to the bearing 310, there is an inwardly protruding flexible flange 324, which extends upwards and inwards, for example forming an acute angle with the wall 322. Thus, the seal 320 is a lip seal. It will be clear to those skilled in the art that other types of suitable seals may be used. Flange 324 terminates at substantially the same radial plane as wall 322. The flange defines a circular opening 326 for receiving the drive shaft 142. The diameter of the opening 326 is slightly smaller than the diameter of the drive shaft 142 so that the lip forms a tight seal around the shaft 142 in use. The seal 320 may be composed of a polymer having a low coefficient of friction. Suitable polymers will be known in the art.

The body of the bearing assembly is a sleeve tube 330 for enclosing the bearing 310 and the first seal 320. Sleeve tube 330 includes a cylindrical housing defining an interior cavity for housing bearing 310 and first seal 320. Sleeve tube 330 has a partially closed surface 332 at one end and a circular opening in the middle through which shaft 142 passes. The partially closed surface 332 provides a surface against which the first seal may rest. The other opposite end of sleeve tube 330 is open.

A sleeve cap 340 is mounted on the open end of sleeve tube 330. The sleeve cover 340 also has a centrally located circular opening 342 through which the shaft 142 passes. The sleeve cap 340 is shaped and configured to frictionally fit over the open end of the sleeve tube 330. The annular sidewall of the sleeve cap 340 terminates in a radially outwardly extending shoulder 344. Together, sleeve tube 330 and sleeve cap 340 form a bearing cartridge. Thus, the seal 320 is mounted within the bearing assembly.

When the attachment component 100 is assembled for use, the first seal 320 is disposed against the shaft 142. Advantageously, the first seal prevents liquid or food particles from entering between the shaft and the bearing 310.

The second seal 350 is formed by an elastically deformable annular ring located around substantially the middle portion of the bearing cartridge 330, 340. The shoulder 344 of the sleeve cap 340 provides a surface for supporting the second seal 350 against which the second seal 350 may rest. The second seal 350 includes chamfered edges that allow, for example, greater expansion of the material as needed to facilitate assembly over the quill tube and into the recess 152. The second seal 350 is slightly smaller than the quill tube and is shown in a relaxed state, thus resulting in an interference fit once assembled, as shown.

With additional reference to FIG. 2, the second seal 350 enables the bearing cartridge to be deformably mounted within the recess 152 to translate angular or radial movement of the drive shaft into compression and deformation of the second seal. Thus, the second seal also provides a deformable mounting member. The first seal 320 and the bearing 310 mounted on the drive shaft 142 may move with the drive shaft 142. In addition, the second seal prevents liquid from entering between the bearing cartridge and the housing 110.

Referring to fig. 4, 5 and 6, a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown, wherein like features to those of fig. 1, 2 and 3 are identified with like reference numerals.

As with the first embodiment, fig. 4 and 5 show an attachment part 100 and a bottle 200 for a food processing device. The food processing apparatus is in an inverted arrangement, that is, the attachment member 100 is configured to be in use above the motor unit of the assembled food processing apparatus.

In the exemplary embodiment, bearing assembly 400 includes a quill tube 430, quill tube 430 includes a first seal 420 and a bearing 410, and the tube is a single piece having an open end. As described above, the first seal 420 may include an annular wall 422 and a lip or flange 424 having a hole 426 for a drive shaft. The open end of the quill tube 430 includes a shoulder 438 formed by a flange extending outwardly around the rim of the open end of the quill tube 430. The sleeve tube 430 forms a bearing cartridge as described in the first embodiment.

The shoulder 438 of the sleeve tube 430 provides a surface against which the second seal 440 can rest to position the second seal 440 when the second seal 440 is pushed onto the tube 430. With additional reference to FIG. 4, as previously described, the second seal 440 enables the bearing cartridge to be deformably mounted within the recess 152.

The bearing 410 may be a press fit in the tube 430 so as to be prevented from being removed from the tube 430 in use. Alternatively or additionally, the washer structure 182 on the coupling side of the shaft 142 may also inhibit axial movement of the bearing 410.

For both embodiments of the invention as described above, the second seal is compressed between the inner surface of the recess 152 and the outer surface of the bearing cartridge when the attachment part 100 is assembled for use. Advantageously, this allows the bearing cartridge to be deformably mounted in place during use. The bearing assemblies 300, 400 may thus exert the necessary pressure on the shaft 142 required to support the shaft during use. Any lateral movement of the shaft is compensated for by the elastically deformable second seals 350, 440 and a tight seal is maintained between the housing 110 forming the mixing zone and the housing forming the coupling zone. The body of the bearing assembly includes bearings 310, 410 and first seals 320, 420 which are advantageously capable of angular and radial movement as the shaft in use, thereby limiting deformation of the first seals 320, 420. In addition, the drive shaft 142 is limited in the radial or angular force applied to the bearings 310, 410.

Referring now to fig. 7, in use, the food processing apparatus 102 is assembled by connecting the bottle 200 to the attachment member 100, wherein the attachment member is mounted on the motor unit 101. The machining device 102 is arranged to be vertically placed in use, the motor unit 101 forming a base of the device 102, which base may be supported on an end face 103 of the motor unit 101. Torque from the motor unit is transferred to the blade 146 via a motor drive shaft connected to the drive shaft 142, allowing the blade to rotate and perform the necessary machining actions. The food in the bottle 200 falls into the well 130 and is processed or mixed due to the rotational movement of the blade 146. This will drain the water and result in a small particle food. If the drive shaft 142 of the attachment member 100 is moved laterally, a watertight seal may be maintained by providing the first seal 320, 420 within the bearing cartridge of any of the embodiments of the present invention, as the first seal 320, 420 is not significantly deformed. The mounting of the bearing cartridge is flexible and the bearing cartridge moves with the movement of the drive shaft 142. The second seals 350, 440 are telescoping as necessary to allow the bearing cartridge to move laterally.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the blades of the above embodiments may be replaced with other processing blade devices or other suitable rotating food processing armatures (e.g., mixers, agitators, etc.).

It will be appreciated that the invention has been described above by way of example only and that modifications of detail may be made within the scope of the invention.

Each feature disclosed in the specification and (where appropriate) the claims and drawings may be provided independently or in any appropriate combination.

Reference signs appearing in the claims are for illustration only and do not limit the scope of the claims.

Claims (21)

1. A bearing assembly comprising a body, wherein the body has a deformable mounting member located about at least a portion of the body, the body supporting a spindle bearing and an annular shaft seal.

2. Bearing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the body comprises a bearing cartridge with a hollow tube, preferably the spindle bearing comprises an elongated annular element.

3. The bearing assembly of claim 2, wherein the hollow tube has a partially closed end comprising an axially aligned bore for receiving a shaft, optionally the opposite end of the hollow tube is an open end.

4. A bearing assembly according to claim 3, wherein the seal is located between a partially closed end of the hollow tube and the spindle bearing.

5. The bearing assembly of claim 3 or 4, wherein the bearing cartridge comprises an outwardly extending flange supporting the deformable mounting member.

6. The bearing assembly of claim 3 or 4, wherein the bearing cartridge further comprises a sleeve cap comprising a partially closed face having a central bore for receiving a shaft, and a collar shaped and dimensioned to fit over the open end of the hollow tube.

7. A bearing assembly according to claim 6, wherein the outwardly extending flange is provided on a sleeve cap, preferably the outwardly extending flange comprises a shoulder extending from an edge of the collar.

8. A bearing assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the deformable mounting member comprises an annular element shaped and configured to fit over the circumference of the body.

9. The bearing assembly of claim 8, wherein at least one outer edge of the annular element comprises a chamfered edge.

10. A bearing assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the deformable mounting member is constructed of an elastically deformable material.

11. The bearing assembly of claim 10, wherein the deformable mounting member is comprised of rubber.

12. A bearing assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the deformable mounting member comprises a second seal between the bearing cartridge and a surface in which the bearing is to be mounted.

13. The bearing assembly of any of the preceding claims, wherein the annular seal within the body is a lip seal.

14. An attachment component for a food processing apparatus comprising a housing, a food processing assembly having a rotational axis, and a bearing assembly according to any preceding claim mounted within the housing and supporting the rotational axis.

15. The attachment member of claim 14, wherein the food processing assembly is a mixing assembly comprising at least one blade mounted to an end of the rotating shaft.

16. An attachment member according to claim 15, wherein the mixing assembly comprises a coupling, optionally a spline, at the opposite end of the shaft.

17. An attachment member according to any one of claims 14-16, characterized in that the length of the rotation axis is less than 10cm, preferably less than 8 cm, more preferably less than 6 cm.

18. An accessory for a food processing device, comprising a container and an attachment member according to any one of claims 14 to 17, the container being detachably connected to the attachment member.

19. Food processing apparatus, characterized by comprising a motor unit and an accessory according to claim 18, the motor unit being detachably connected to the attachment part.

20. Food processing apparatus according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that the motor unit forms a base of the food processing apparatus when assembled to the attachment part.

21. Kit of parts, characterized in that it comprises a motor unit, a container and at least one attachment part according to any one of claims 14 to 17.