CN118302090A - Kitchen equipment accessory - Google Patents

Abstract

An accessory (100) for a kitchen appliance is disclosed. The accessory (100) is for receiving a tool plate (120) having a working surface (122) for processing food. The accessory (100) also serves to limit rotational and/or axial movement of the tool plate (120) relative to the accessory (100).

Description

Kitchen equipment accessory

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an accessory, in particular for kitchen equipment such as food preparation equipment, in particular an accessory for receiving and limiting the movement of a tool plate such as a screen.

Background

Sieving refers to the process of directing food through a grating, mesh, or other perforated device, the pore size of which is such as to allow the desired food (e.g., flour, puree) to pass through while retaining unwanted elements (e.g., seeds, kernels, pulp, etc.) on the grating. In this way, a desired food product that is relatively free of unwanted elements can be obtained. Preferably, sieving is performed with tools having different pore sizes so that different undesired objects can be excluded.

One known sifting attachment for a food-making device includes a shallow bowl having a bottom with an aperture surrounded by a concentric bottom surface of the shallow bowl in which a flat, apertured sifter screen is removably disposed. The screen may be replaced with other screens having different apertures. The shallow bowl is then placed within the deeper bowl of the food processing apparatus, typically with its rim resting on the lip of the deeper bowl and the screen hanging above the bottom of the deeper bowl inner surface. The food to be sifted is pushed through the sieve by the rotating paddles of the food processing apparatus, which push the food towards the grating. The desired food product extruded through the grating then falls into a deeper bowl where it is collected for consumption or further processing.

When deployed as an accessory within the bowl of a stand mixer (typically a C-shaped appliance in which a driven tool is suspended from the bowl to operate on food in the bowl, as shown in FIG. 1), a disadvantage of the accessory is that the screen tends to move during use due to the force of the paddles. This can lead to undesirable rattles and even the screen rotating with the blade, thereby reducing its effectiveness. Another disadvantage of this arrangement is that the user tends to tilt the shallow bowl so that they can access the underside of the screen to scrape off food adhering thereto, but this may cause the screen to fall out of the shallow bowl, potentially releasing unwanted food objects accumulated on the upper side of the screen into the deeper bowl. Another disadvantage of this arrangement is that the appendage creates a "dead zone" along the horizontally extending concentric bottom surface of the shallow bowl surrounding the screen where food accumulates without being processed.

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

Disclosure of Invention

Aspects and embodiments of the invention are set forth below. These and other aspects and embodiments of the invention are also described herein.

According to one aspect, an accessory for a kitchen appliance is provided, wherein the accessory is for receiving a tool plate having a working surface for processing food, and wherein the accessory is for limiting rotational and/or axial movement of the tool plate relative to the accessory.

The accessory may further comprise one or more first engagement elements for engaging corresponding one or more second engagement elements on the tool plate, thereby limiting rotational movement of the tool plate. The first engagement element may include one or more pairs of ribs for receiving and constraining a corresponding second engagement element therebetween. The second engagement element is preferably arranged on the periphery of the tool plate.

The attachment is preferably used to axially clamp the tool plate. The accessory preferably comprises: a first member for receiving the tool plate, and a second member for exerting an axial force on the tool plate toward the first member (to cooperatively axially constrain the tool plate therebetween).

The attachment may comprise an outer wall having an inwardly extending element (preferably a lip or flange) for receiving the tool plate.

Preferably, the accessory is adapted to bi-directionally limit axial movement of the tool plate relative to the accessory.

The accessory may include an outer bowl and an inner bowl. The inner bowl may be configured to be removably attached to the outer bowl.

The inner bowl and the outer bowl may be configured to axially clamp the tool plate therebetween, thereby at least axially restricting movement between the accessory and the tool plate. Preferably, the outer bowl comprises a first member as described herein and the inner bowl comprises a second member as described herein. The first member may be a lip of the outer bowl. The second member may be a side wall of the inner bowl. Preferably, each of the inner bowl and the outer bowl is open at two opposite ends. One or preferably both of the bowls have holes in their bases.

The accessory may be used to limit rotational movement between the inner bowl and the outer bowl. Preferably, the inner bowl further comprises one or more third engagement elements and the outer bowl further comprises one or more fourth engagement elements for engaging the one or more third engagement elements to limit rotational movement of the inner bowl relative to the outer bowl; more preferably, wherein one of the outer bowl and the inner bowl includes one or more ribs and the other of the outer bowl and the inner bowl includes one or more recesses configured to receive the ribs. Optionally, one element (preferably the rib of the outer bowl) serves as both the fourth engagement element and the first engagement element herein. Optionally, the outer bowl includes a rib that engages both the tool plate and the inner bowl and serves to limit rotational movement of the tool plate and the inner bowl relative to the outer bowl. The recess is preferably impermeable (blind).

Preferably, the inner bowl and the outer bowl are configured to be releasably attached to each other. Optionally, the inner and outer bowls are configured to be releasably attached to each other via handles (preferably extending radially outwardly from the respective bowls), the handles being provided on each of the inner and outer bowls and for interlocking with each other; preferably, the handles of the inner bowl and the outer bowl are configured to operatively form a combination handle whereby the assembled accessory can be manipulated by a user.

Preferably, the accessory further comprises a first opening and a second opening, the second opening being at an end of the accessory opposite the first opening; wherein the attachment is for holding the tool plate adjacent the first opening such that in use the tool covers the first opening. Preferably, the accessory (more preferably, the outer bowl) comprises an outwardly folded lip around the second opening to obtain greater rigidity. Preferably, the accessory further comprises an inwardly extending lip surrounding the first opening, the lip being configured for receiving a tool plate.

The accessory may also include a side wall having an inner surface for guiding food toward the working surface of the tool plate. Preferably, the inner surface is for receiving a pressing tool such that the pressing tool abuts the inner surface.

The inner surface is preferably arranged inwardly from a receiving element for receiving a tool plate. The inner/running surface is located away from the receiving element (e.g., lip) to provide a path for the food processing to pass through. This allows preventing the formation of dead zones under the tool plate surrounded by the inner surface.

The inner surface is preferably smooth and featureless (so as not to obstruct food within the inner surface), and is more preferably made of or coated with a low friction material, preferably PTFE.

Optionally, the side wall and/or the receiving element limit rotational movement of the tool plate relative to the accessory by friction.

The attachment may be used to provide a clear path for food within the interior surface on either side of the working surface of the tooling plate. Preferably, in use, the working surface surrounded by the side walls is exposed (i.e. unobstructed) on either side, more preferably such that food (i.e. "food material") does not accumulate on either side of the working surface. Preferably, the side wall and the receiving element are arranged to cooperatively constrain the tool plate axially therebetween; more preferably, wherein the side walls and the receiving element are adapted to apply an axial force on either side of the tool plate to limit axial movement of the tool plate relative to the accessory. Preferably, the receiving element extends inwardly from a side wall of the outer bowl. Preferably, the inner surface is provided by an inner surface of a side wall of the inner bowl. Preferably, the receiving element extends inwardly from a side wall of the outer bowl.

Preferably, the accessory is for interchangeably, removably retaining a plurality of tool plates, each tool plate having a different working surface for processing food (i.e., for performing different food processing activities). Preferably, each tool plate has holes of different sizes and/or shapes.

The accessory may also include one or more formations (e.g., protrusions or recesses) for limiting rotational movement of the accessory relative to the food processing bowl when the outer bowl is placed within the food processing bowl. Preferably, the formations comprise protrusions. Preferably, the food processing bowl includes a handle and the formation abuts the food processing bowl handle.

The accessory may also include a food processing bowl, wherein the accessory is configured to be positioned within the opening of the food processing bowl such that the tool plate is raised above the bottom of the food processing bowl for receiving processed food through the tool plate.

Preferably, the accessory further comprises a cover positionable over the accessory (more preferably over the second opening of the accessory) to close the accessory to prevent splashing outward from the accessory.

The accessory may further comprise a pressing tool configured to be attachable to a drive outlet of the food processing device to press the food material towards (preferably through (aperture)) the working surface of the tool plate; preferably, wherein the pressing tool comprises a rotatable resilient paddle for pushing the food material towards the tool plate.

Optionally, the accessory further comprises a tool plate arranged in the accessory.

According to another aspect, there is provided a tool plate for an accessory of a kitchen appliance, preferably as described herein, the tool plate comprising: a working surface for processing food, and one or more structures, preferably protrusions, for engaging the accessory.

Preferably, the tool plate working surface comprises (i.e. is provided with) a plurality of holes for processing food, more preferably for letting through food. Preferably, the aperture extends over the entire working surface, i.e. the aperture is provided on the working surface.

Preferably (the working surface of) the tool plate is one of a screen, a grinder or a slicer. Preferably, the tool plate is removably attached to the accessory.

Preferably, at least the working surface of the tool plate is flat. The tool plate may include a curved (or otherwise non-planar) surface surrounding the working surface. Preferably, the entire tool plate is flat. It should be understood that the tool plate is preferably thin (i.e., its thickness (more preferably significantly) is less than its "major" surface), but the term "tool plate" is preferably not so limited.

According to another aspect there is provided a combination comprising at least two tool plates as described herein, each tool plate having a mating formation for engagement with an accessory, preferably each tool plate having a different working surface for processing food (for performing different food processing activities).

According to another aspect, there is provided a kitchen appliance, preferably a stand mixer or a bottom driven food processor, comprising an accessory as described herein. The kitchen appliance may be a food processing appliance.

The kitchen device may further comprise a heating element configured to heat the food material pushed towards the tool plate; the kitchen appliance preferably further comprises a processor configured to control the heating of the heating element based on feedback from the temperature sensor.

The kitchen appliance may include an accessory as described herein, wherein the kitchen appliance further includes a processor configured to control the driving of the pressing tool based on the sensed torque of the pressing tool.

According to another aspect, there is provided a kit comprising: an accessory as described herein; and one or more tooling plates, preferably as described herein, each tooling plate having a working surface for processing food and each tooling plate for restraint by an accessory.

According to another aspect, there is provided an accessory for a kitchen appliance, wherein the accessory is for receiving a tool plate having a working surface for processing food; and wherein the attachment is for limiting movement of the tool plate in a lateral direction and at least one other direction (e.g., axial and/or radial).

According to another aspect, there is provided an accessory for a kitchen appliance, wherein the accessory is for receiving a tool plate having a working surface for processing food; and wherein the accessory is adapted to limit lateral and downward (in use) movement of the tool plate relative to the accessory, and is further adapted to limit movement of the tool plate relative to the accessory in at least one further direction.

According to another aspect, there is provided an accessory for a kitchen appliance, wherein the accessory is for receiving a tool plate having a working surface for processing food; and wherein the accessory is configured to limit angular movement (i.e., rotation) of the tool plate relative to the accessory in at least one direction. In other words, with the center of the tool plate as the origin, and the line along the tool plate surface as the zenith direction, the attachment is used to limit the angular movement of the tool plate relative to the attachment along polar angle (polar angle) and/or along azimuth angle (azimuths angle).

According to another aspect, there is provided an accessory for a kitchen appliance, the accessory having a food processing bowl; wherein the accessory is for receiving a tool plate having a working surface for processing food and for positioning within the opening of the food processing bowl such that the tool plate is raised above the bottom of the food processing bowl for receiving food processed by the tool plate working surface; wherein the accessory is adapted to constrain axial movement of the tool plate towards the bottom of the food processing bowl and further constrain rotational movement of the tool plate relative to the accessory and/or axial movement of the tool plate away from the bottom of the food processing bowl.

According to another aspect, an accessory for a kitchen appliance is provided for removably retaining a tool plate having a working surface for processing food. Preferably, the attachment is for axially retaining the tool plate. Preferably, the attachment is for rotationally holding the tool plate.

According to another aspect, there is provided an accessory for a food processing device, comprising: an outer bowl having a first opening and a second opening, the second opening at an end of the outer bowl opposite the first opening, a first tool plate configured to be removably attached within the first opening to substantially cover the first opening, the first tool plate having a working surface with a hole therethrough, the working surface facing the second opening to allow food to contact the working surface through the second opening when the tool plate is positioned within the first opening (e.g., the aperture), the inner bowl having openings corresponding to the first opening and the second opening of the outer bowl, the inner bowl configured to be removably attached within the outer bowl to cooperatively retain the tool plate therebetween.

Preferably, the inner bowl and the outer bowl are configured to cooperatively retain the tool plate in both the rotational and axial directions when attached to each other.

Preferably, the first tool plate is rotationally retained by interengagement of a projection on one of the first tool plate and the outer bowl with a recess on the other of the first tool plate and the outer bowl.

Preferably, the accessory is configured such that when assembled to the first tool plate, the inner bowl and/or the outer bowl are in sealing contact with the first tool plate. Preferably, the sealing contact is made by resiliently pressing the inner bowl and/or the outer bowl against the first tool plate. Preferably, the sealing contact comprises a rubber seal.

Optionally, the inner bowl has a substantially smooth, featureless inner surface, and is preferably made of or coated with a low friction substance, preferably PTFE.

Preferably, the inner bowl and the outer bowl are configured to be releasably connected to each other via a handle on one of the handles that interlocks with a recess on the other.

Preferably, the grip is arranged to extend radially outwardly from the inner bowl and to engage with a recess defined by a radially outwardly extending ear element of the outer bowl, and wherein the grip and ear element are configured to operatively form a combined handle whereby the assembled accessory is manipulable by a user.

Preferably, the accessory further comprises one or more additional tool plates interchangeable with the first tool plate, wherein the additional tool plates have a different working surface than the first tool plate for performing different food processing activities. Preferably, one or more of the additional tool plates have apertures therethrough in the working surface thereof, the apertures being of a different size and/or shape than the apertures provided in the working surface of the first tool plate.

Preferably, one of the outer bowl or the inner bowl has an axially extending rib formed thereon that is configured to be received within a corresponding recess of the other of the inner bowl and the outer bowl when the inner bowl is assembled to the outer bowl for helping to prevent relative rotation between the inner bowl and the outer bowl.

Preferably, the outer bowl comprises an outwardly folded lip around the second opening to obtain greater rigidity.

Preferably, the outer bowl includes an inwardly extending lip surrounding the first opening, the lip configured to receive the first tool plate.

Preferably, wherein the first tool plate is one of a screen, a grinder or a slicer.

Preferably, the accessory further comprises a food processing bowl, wherein the outer bowl is configured to be placed within the opening of the food processing bowl, wherein the first tool plate is raised above the bottom of the food processing bowl for receiving food that has been processed by the first tool plate.

Preferably, the food processing bowl comprises one or more food processing bowl handles and the outer bowl comprises one or more protrusions configured to abut the food processing bowl handles when the outer bowl is placed within the food processing bowl to rotationally retain the outer bowl relative to the food processing bowl.

Preferably, the accessory further comprises a cover positionable over the second opening to close it to prevent splashing outward from the accessory.

Preferably, the accessory further comprises a pressing tool configured to be attachable to the drive outlet of the food processing device to press the food material through the aperture of the working surface of the first tool plate. Preferably, the pressing tool comprises a rotatable resilient paddle for pushing the food material through the first tool plate.

The accessory is preferably made of a food-safe and/or dishwasher-safe material.

According to another aspect, there is provided a food processing apparatus, preferably a stand mixer or a bottom driven food processor, comprising an accessory as described herein. Preferably, the food processing device further comprises a heating element configured to heat the food material pushed through the first tool plate. Preferably, the food processing device further comprises a processor configured to control the heating of the heating element based on feedback from the temperature sensor.

The food processing apparatus preferably comprises an accessory as described herein, wherein the food processing apparatus comprises a processor configured to control the driving of the pressing tool based on the sensed torque of the pressing tool.

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.

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 should also be appreciated that the particular combinations of features described and defined in any aspect of the invention may be implemented and/or provided and/or used independently.

In this document, the term "or" is to be interpreted as exclusive or inclusive, 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 field of domestic food processing and preparation equipment, it may be practiced in any field of use where efficient, effective and convenient material preparation and/or processing is desired, whether on an industrial scale or in small amounts. The application fields comprise: preparation and/or processing of chemicals; a drug; a coating; building materials; clothing material; agricultural and/or veterinary feeds and/or treatments, including fertilizers, grains, and other agricultural and/or veterinary products; oils; a fuel; a dye; cosmetic products; a plastic; tar; a facing; a wax; a varnish; a beverage; medical and/or biological research materials; solder; an alloy; effluent and/or other materials. Any reference herein to "food," "beverage" (or similar language) may be substituted with such working medium.

The invention described herein may be used with any appliance, such as kitchen equipment, and/or as stand alone equipment. This includes any household food processing and/or preparation device, including top drive devices (e.g., a stand mixer) and bottom drive devices (e.g., a food processor). It may be implemented in a heated and/or cooled appliance. The invention may also be implemented in hand-held (e.g., manual blenders) and bench-top (e.g., blenders) appliances. It can be used in a device built into a work table or work surface, or in a stand alone device. The invention may also be provided as a stand-alone device, whether motor-driven or manually driven.

As used herein, the term "processing" preferably means any action associated with or conducive to converting a product into food or vice versa, including, for example, applying mechanical work (e.g., for cutting, beating, mixing, stirring, scoring, spiraling, grinding, extruding, shaping, kneading, etc.) and heating and cooling. As used herein, "food" and "food material" may include beverages and frozen materials and materials used to make them (e.g., coffee beans).

"Food processing" herein shall include cutting, stirring, kneading, cutting, grinding, shaping, shredding, grinding, cooking, freezing, ice cream making, juice extraction (centrifugation or extrusion) or other food processing activities involving physical and/or chemical conversion of food and/or beverage materials by mechanical, chemical and/or thermal means. "food processing accessory" includes any attachable component, for example, for performing any of the food processing tasks previously described when rotated and/or energized.

The invention extends to a method, system and apparatus substantially as described herein and/or as illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The invention extends to any novel aspect or feature described and/or illustrated herein.

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

Drawings

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

FIG. 1 shows a prior art vertical mixer;

fig. 2 shows an exploded perspective view of an accessory according to the invention;

FIG. 3 shows a side view in cross-section of the accessory of FIG. 2 after assembly;

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view in cross-section of an assembled accessory when positioned in the bowl of the stand mixer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 shows a simplified schematic cross-sectional view of a bowl with the accessory of FIG. 4 positioned on a stand mixer;

Fig. 6 shows a simplified schematic cross-section of an accessory according to a second embodiment connected to a food processor.

Detailed Description

The present invention is described with particular reference to screen 120 and screen attachment 100, wherein screen 120 serves as an example of a tool plate and attachment 100 serves as an example of an attachment for a holding tool. It should be understood that the invention is equally applicable to the retention of other tool plates such as cutters or planers.

Fig. 2 shows a screen attachment 100 designed to be installed in the bowl 16 of the stand mixer 10 of fig. 1.

The stand mixer 10 of fig. 1 includes a horizontally extending base 11 from one end of which extends a vertical support 12, the support 12 having a motor control knob 12a and a hand piece release switch 12b. A horizontally extending handpiece unit 13 extends from an opposite end of the holder 12 intersecting the base 11, substantially parallel to the base 11 overhanging it. The head unit 13 has an upper drive outlet 13a facing away from the base 11 and a horizontal drive outlet 13b facing away from the stand 12. When the head release switch 12b is actuated, the head unit 13 can pivot away from the base 11. A lower planetary drive outlet 14 depends from the head unit 13 towards the base 11, facing a bowl 16 removably located in a suitable recess in the base 11. The planetary drive outlet 14 has an eccentrically located tool attachment point 15 to which a tool can be attached to perform work in a bowl 16. The outlets 13a, 13b and 14 receive rotational drive from one or more motors located in the stand 12 and the handpiece unit 13 via suitable gearing, wherein the speed of the motors can be varied using the control knob 12 a.

The screen attachment 100 of fig. 2 includes an inner bowl 110, two or more interchangeable screens 120, each screen 120 having a different sized and/or shaped aperture, and an outer bowl 130, the outer bowl 130 supporting the screen 120 being designed to be positioned within the bowl 16, the inner bowl 110 being positioned concentrically within the bowl 16. When assembled, the screen 120 is retained by the inner bowl 110 and the outer bowl 130, or between the inner bowl 110 and the outer bowl 130, both axially (to prevent the screen 120 from falling off when the accessory 100 is tilted) and rotationally (to prevent the screen 120 from co-rotating with the tool 200). The bowl 16 may be secured to the stand mixer 10 using a base 16b of the bowl 16, which base 16b may include suitable securing means, such as a bayonet mount or the like. The bowl 16 is also provided with a handle 16a so that the user can more easily handle the bowl.

The inner bowl 110 has a generally vertically oriented cylindrical wall (i.e., side wall) 111 with a smooth, low friction (e.g., PTFE/Teflon ^TM coated) inner surface (i.e., running surface) for allowing food material to slide off of it during processing. At the upper end, one or more, preferably two handles 112 are formed extending radially outwardly from the cylindrical wall 111. The handle 112 may be generally annular to define a handle aperture 112a, and when assembled with the outer bowl 130, the handle 112 may also form an axially extending hook 112b on a side facing the outer bowl 130 for latching to the outer bowl 130. The outer surface of the cylindrical wall 111 may have a recess 113 (i.e., a third engagement element) defined therein for receiving a corresponding inwardly facing rib 133 of the outer bowl 130, which allows for limiting relative rotation between the inner bowl 110 and the outer bowl 130. The recess 113 is partial/non-penetrating (i.e., does not extend directly through the entire thickness of the inner bowl 110 sidewall). This provides a smooth inner surface of the side wall 111 of the inner bowl 110. In the example embodiment shown in fig. 2, the inner bowl 110 includes two pairs of recesses 113 adjacent each handle 112, and the outer bowl 130 includes two corresponding ribs 133 adjacent each ear element 132 (only one pair of recesses 113 and ribs 133 are visible in fig. 2). The inner bowl 110 may have axially extending stiffening ribs 114 formed on an outer surface thereof.

Each interchangeable screen 120 includes a plate having apertures of different shapes and sizes for allowing and excluding the passage of different food materials. In this way, different materials may be screened by exchanging one screen 120 for another. One or more locating features 121 (i.e., second engagement elements) are formed on each screen 120. For example, the feature 121 may be a radially outwardly extending protrusion that extends to abut the ribs 133 (i.e., the first and fourth engagement elements) of the outer bowl 130 to prevent rotation of the screen 120 relative to the outer bowl 130, which means that the screen 120 is prevented from co-rotating with the tool 200. In the example embodiment shown in fig. 2, each screen 120 includes two locating features 121 and the outer bowl 130 includes two pairs of corresponding ribs 133 (only one pair of ribs 133 is visible in fig. 2). Feature 121 rests on lip 131 between ribs 133, thereby preventing screen 120 from rotating relative to outer bowl 130. Alternatively, the outer bowl 130 may include a partial cutout arranged to receive the feature 121 and rotationally retain the screen 120. In yet another alternative, the screen 120 may be rotationally retained by friction between the screen 120 and the inner bowl 110 and/or the outer bowl 130.

When the screen 120 is positioned between the inner bowl 110 and the outer bowl 130, its perforated surface is exposed upwardly through the inner bowl 110 such that the tool 200 can extend axially through the inner bowl 110 to contact the perforated surface of the screen 120 without any feature blocking access to the screen 120 and/or acting as a "food trap" (i.e., a point on the attachment where raw food accumulates).

Thus, the inner bowl 110 and the outer bowl 130 cooperatively retain the screen 120 in such a way that movement of the screen panels is reduced during use and tilting while avoiding food traps (conversely, if retaining features are provided above or below the screen 120, these features will collect food product against them during use of the accessory, thereby reducing the effectiveness of the accessory). Elimination of food traps is more important as they may also be unhygienic as they may be difficult to clean.

Further, the inner bowl 110 and the outer bowl 130 provide removable retention of the screen 120. This is advantageous over fixed/permanent retention because the fixing of the screen 120 or the integral arrangement with the bowl 110 or 130 would make it difficult to vary the pore size of the screen 120.

The apertures of the screen 120 may be present only in the central region 122 of the screen 120 and the region surrounding the screen 120 (e.g., the region contacting the lower edge of the cylindrical wall 111) is void of apertures to improve sealing.

The cylindrical wall 111 of the inner bowl 110 may also have a sealing element, such as a rubber seal, extending from the lower edge of the wall 111 to contact the screen 120 and/or extending from the screen 120 toward the wall 111 to seal the gap therebetween and prevent food material from entering therethrough. When assembled to the outer bowl 130, the outer bowl 130 may similarly be brought into sealing contact with the screen 120, including by providing an insert rubber seal on the outer bowl 130 and/or screen 120. Alternatively, the seal between the outer bowl 130 and/or the inner bowl 110 and the screen 120 may be formed simply by the elastic pressure of the inner bowl 130 and/or the inner bowl 110 against the screen, which is created by the elasticity of the inner bowl 130 and/or the elasticity of the inner bowl 110 and their interconnection pushing them against the screen 120.

The screen 120 may be a metal plate (e.g., stainless steel) having holes therein that are pierced, laser machined, drilled, or otherwise formed. Or they may be made of a relatively stiff wire mesh. Rigid hoops or ribs may be formed on the periphery of the screen 120 to enhance rigidity. The collar or rib may interlock with a corresponding recess of the inner bowl 110 or outer bowl 130 to assist in positioning the screen 120 relative thereto.

As shown particularly in fig. 3, the outer bowl 130 may cooperate with the inner bowl 110. The outer bowl 130 forms an axially extending cylindrical wall having an inner diameter that is greater than the inner diameter of the cylindrical wall 111 so as to substantially surround the inner bowl 110 when they are locked together. This is accomplished by an ear element (i.e., outer bowl stem) 132, the ear element 132 having a protrusion 132a and a recess 132b, the protrusion being designed to interlock with the (inner bowl) handle 112 to facilitate engagement between the inner bowl 110 and the outer bowl 130 and limit their relative rotation. This may be accomplished, for example, by the handle 112 being received in the recess 132b and the protrusion 132a being received in the aperture 112a of the handle 112. For additional security, the hooks 112b of the handle 112 are hooked under the ear elements 132. To facilitate such interengagement, one or both of the handle 112 and the tab member 132 can be made of an elastic material, such as nylon or spring steel. The combination of the ear-like element 132 and the handle 112 allows the user to more conveniently handle the inner bowl 110 and the outer bowl 130 when combined and separated. Positioning the ear elements 132 and handles 112 at or near the upper end of the attachment, at or near the upper opening of the combination through which food enters for processing, and outside the working area of the tool 200 (i.e., outside and above the volume it sweeps during screening), also helps to avoid food gathering in and around their depressions and protrusions.

As shown in fig. 3, when the inner bowl 110 and the outer bowl 130 are assembled together, a gap may be formed therebetween, and food may enter the gap, particularly in the absence of a seal between the inner bowl 110 and the screen 120. However, since the inner bowl 110 and the outer bowl 130 can be easily detached from each other by manually disengaging the hook 112b from the outer bowl 130 and removing the handle 112 from the recess 132b, the gap can be easily accessed by a user for manual cleaning. Or the user may detach the inner bowl 110, the outer bowl 130, and the screen 120 from each other and place them in the dishwasher for washing. To facilitate this, the accessory 100 should preferably be made of a dishwasher safe material. The accessory 100 should also preferably be made of a food safe material.

The screen is supported on an inner lip 131 extending inwardly from the lower edge of the cylindrical wall of the outer bowl 130. In this way, when the inner bowl 110 and the outer bowl 130 are joined together, the screen 120 placed therebetween rests between the inner lip 131 and the lower edge of the wall 111, the screen 120 is held axially therebetween, and the screen 120 does not fall out if the accessory 100 is tilted. The lip 131 also helps to increase the rigidity of the outer bowl 130. The lip 131 may be replaced with other elements for retaining/receiving the screen 120 (i.e., with other receiving elements), such as inwardly projecting tabs or rods extending through the lower end opening of the outer bowl 130.

As shown in fig. 3 and 4, the outer bowl 130 is positioned within the bowl 16 and rests against the upper edge of the bowl. The outer bowl 130 can form an outwardly extending outer lip 135 at its upper edge such that interengagement of the outer lip 135 with the lip of the bowl 16 prevents the accessory 100 from falling into the bowl 16. To add strength, the outer lip 135 may form a folded portion where the outer lip 135 folds back outwardly and downwardly along a portion of the axial extent of the cylindrical wall of the outer bowl 130. Rotation of the accessory 100 relative to the bowl 16 may be prevented by frictional contact therebetween. For example, the outer bowl 130 may have an outer surface formed of a relatively high friction material such as a surface roughened rubber. Alternatively or additionally, the outer bowl 130 can form an axially/radially extending protrusion 134, the protrusion 134 extending to abut a feature of the bowl 16 (e.g., the handle 16 a) to prevent rotation of the accessory 100 relative to the bowl. Alternatively, the protrusions 134 may be locked (i.e., engaged) with the handle 16a, such as by a snap fit lock.

As shown in fig. 4, the tool 200 may extend downwardly through the upper opening of the accessory 100 into contact with the screen 120 locked between the outer bowl 130 and the inner bowl 110 to help squeeze the food material through the screen 120. The tool 200 includes a central axially extending shaft 210 having a securing element 220 formed thereon, the securing element 220 allowing securing of the tool 200 to the tool attachment point 15 of the planetary outlet 14 of the stand mixer 10, for example. One or more arms 230 extend radially from the shaft 210 from which pressing elements 240 extend radially downward to contact the screen 120 for pressing the food material through the screen 120. The pressing elements 240 may be paddle elements and are preferably made of an elastic material such as rubber or spring steel so that they can elastically press food through the screen 120 and through hard objects deposited on the screen 120. To facilitate planetary movement, the radial diameter of the tool 200 should preferably be at least half the exposed surface of the screen 120, and more preferably about 2/3.

The inner bowl side wall 111 has a convex side profile and the inner surface of the inner bowl side wall 111 is smooth. This allows the arms 230 of the tool 200 to cover substantially the entire working surface of the screen 120 surrounded by the side walls 111. As a result, food can be processed through substantially the entire working surface 122 of the screen 120 surrounded by the side walls 111, and the inner surfaces of the side walls 111 provide a running side surface for food processing without dead zones.

Fig. 5 shows an accessory 100 deployed in a stand mixer 300 that is similar to stand mixer 10, except for the differences in the following description. A heating element 311a is provided on the base 311 of the stand mixer 300 for heating the contents of the bowl 316. Thus, food material that falls downwardly from the accessory 100 into the bowl 316 after being forced through the screen 120 by the tool 200 may be heated. Thus, for example, fruit material that is pureed or juiced through the screen 120 may be reduced by heating to produce a sauce or jam. The base of the bowl 316 may have a suitable aperture through which a temperature sensor (not shown) may extend to contact the bowl to control heating of the bowl. The sensor may be in communication with a processor 317 housed in the upright portion 312 (or elsewhere) of the upright mixer 300, and the processor 317 may control the heating element 311a based on user input.

For example, if the user selects the "jam making" or "sauce making" option using a suitable user interface (e.g., a touch screen interface), the stand mixer 300 can indicate to the user that the accessory 100 should be used and place any desired additional ingredients (e.g., sugar) within the bowl. Once the user confirms that accessory 100 is attached and that an appropriate amount of, for example, fruit is in the accessory (e.g., by selecting "OK" in the user interface), stand mixer 300 can activate a motor, for example, in a head unit 313 of stand mixer 300, to drive planetary drive outlet 314 to which tool 200 has been attached to tool attachment point 315. Once enough juice/puree has been pushed through the screen 120, which may be determined by the processor 317 from the time elapsed since the motor was activated (e.g., 2-5 minutes), or sensed from, for example, the change in torque and level experienced by the tool 200 and sensed by a suitable sensor, the heating element 311a is activated. The heating may be ended by user interaction, or by a suitable temperature (e.g. jam set temperature of 105 degrees celsius) preferably reaching a predetermined amount of time (e.g. 30 seconds), or by a weight sensor associated with the base 311 that senses that sufficient water has evaporated from the bowl 316 and that the sauce has been reduced to the desired consistency. The stand mixer 300 may then use a sound, light, touch screen interface, notification delivered to a user device such as a mobile phone, or otherwise indicate to the user that their desired sauce or jam is ready.

Fig. 6 shows the accessory 100 deployed in a bowl 600 of a bottom-drive food processor 400. The principle of operation herein is similar to that described in the above vertical mixers 10 and 300, except as described below.

In the food processor 400, rather than being driven from the top, the tool 700 is driven by a motor 501 located in the base unit 500 via a drive shaft 800, which drive shaft 800 extends through a hole in the bottom of the bowl 600 and through a similar shaft hole provided in the center of the screen 120 to connect with the tool 700 within the accessory 100. The tool 700 may simply rotate circularly about the axis of the shaft 800 instead of having a planetary action and thus have a diameter similar to the inner diameter of the inner bowl 110 in order to push the food material through the entire perforated area 122 of the screen 120.

The base 500 may include a heating element 503, the heating element 503 having a similar temperature probe contacting the bowl 600 as the heating element 311 a. The base may also include a processor 502 that operates similarly to the processor 317 described above.

The bowl 600 may also be surrounded by a lid 900, the lid 900 also being mounted on the accessory 100 to prevent food material from splashing out of the bowl 600. The lid 900 may have a suitable peripheral seal formed at the point where it meets the bowl 600 to seal the gap between them. To allow vaporized water to escape from the bowl 600, the lid 900 may have a closable vent on its upper surface so that the user may choose to allow steam/vapor to escape or conversely to retain steam/vapor in the bowl. A support point 910 may be provided at the center of the cover 900 for supporting the shaft 800 into the cover 900 and supported by the cover 900.

A radially extending wiper 810 may also extend from the shaft 800 to wipe the bottom of the screen 120 to prevent food from adhering thereto. Preferably, the wipers 810 extend in a manner that does not coincide with the paddles of the tool 700 (i.e., they extend in a different rotational direction than the paddles of the tool 700) so that they do not block food pressed through the screen 120 by the tool 700. In addition, the stirring element 820 may extend radially and axially from the shaft 800 toward the bottom of the bowl 600 to stir the liquid or food material accumulated therein. Stirring element 820 may be a stirrer or blade, a spatula or similar tool.

In alternative configurations, the shaft 800 may include multiple coaxial shafts that rotate at different speeds and are connected to different tools. These coaxial shafts may be driven by a motor 501 using a suitable transmission, or by an independently actuatable motor. For example, the tool 700 and wiper 810 may be driven by a first central shaft, and the stirring element 820 may be driven by a second hollow shaft surrounding the first central shaft. In such a configuration, different tools may be driven at different speeds, e.g., stirring element 820 may be driven to rotate faster than tool 700 to ensure more uniform cooking. The tools may also be driven independently of each other to avoid unnecessary handling, e.g. engaging only one gear mechanism, providing rotational drive for one of the coaxial shafts when required.

In each of the above-described apparatuses 10, 200, and 600, the screen 120 may be replaced by other plate-like tools. For example, the screen 120 may be replaced with a (preferably similarly shaped) grinder or cutting tray onto which the food material is moved by a suitable tool, instead of the tool 200/700 (e.g., an element that may contact vegetables, meat or cheese, a clamp, a grip or a claw) to grind and/or cut the ground/cut material into the bowl 16/316/600 therebelow. An additional plate without holes may be provided, also shaped like the screen 120, on which the food may be mashed.

As used herein, the term "removable attachment" (and similar terms, such as "removably attached"), as used in an attachment between a first object and a second object, preferably means that the first object is attached to the second object and can be detached (and preferably repeatedly reattached, etc.), and/or 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 may be reattached to the second object without damaging the first object or the second object, and/or the first object may be removed from (and optionally also reattached to) the second object by hand and/or without the use of tools (e.g., screwdrivers, wrenches, etc.). In this regard, mechanisms such as a snap fit, bayonet connection, and manual rotation of the lock nut may be used.

As used herein, the term "constrained" (and similar terms, such as "holding"), such as for a constraint of a first object to a movement of a second object, preferably means that the second object is held in place by the first object such that movement of the second object in one or more directions or aspects is restricted (more preferably prevented).

As used herein, the term "axially" (and similar terms, such as "axial"), as used with respect to an accessory and a tool plate, preferably means a direction along the major axis of the accessory (which is generally vertical in use), more preferably a direction perpendicular to the working surface of the tool plate.

In the present context, "food-safe" means any substance which does not release a large amount of substances harmful to human health after ingestion. For example, it should be BPA-free.

"Dishwasher safe" means that its physical and chemical properties should be stable under conditions prevalent in a dishwasher over prolonged exposure. For example, it should be able to withstand exposure to a mixture of water and typical dishwasher substances (e.g., washing with Fairy ^TM or Finish ^TM dishwasher tablets and water at a temperature of 82 degrees celsius for up to 8 hours without significant degradation (e.g., rupture)).

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.

Some aspects are listed below:

1. an accessory for a food processing device, comprising:

An outer bowl having a first opening and a second opening, the second opening being provided at an end of the outer bowl opposite the first opening,

A first tooling plate configured to be removably attached within the first opening to substantially cover the first opening, the first tooling plate having a working surface with a hole therethrough that faces the second opening when the tooling plate is positioned within the first opening (i.e., the aperture) for allowing food to contact the working surface through the second opening,

-An inner bowl having an opening corresponding to the first and second openings of the outer bowl, the inner bowl being configured to be removably attached within the outer bowl so as to cooperatively retain the tool plate therebetween.

2. The accessory of aspect 1, wherein the inner bowl and the outer bowl are configured to cooperatively retain the tool plate in both rotational and axial directions when connected to each other.

3. The accessory of aspect 2, wherein the first tool plate is rotatably retained by interengagement of a protrusion on one of the first tool plate and the outer bowl with a recess on the other of the first tool plate and the outer bowl.

4. The accessory of any preceding aspect, wherein the accessory is configured such that the inner bowl and/or the outer bowl are in sealing contact with the first tool plate when assembled thereto.

5. The accessory of aspect 4, wherein the sealing contact is made by resiliently pressing the inner bowl and/or the outer bowl against the first tool plate.

6. The accessory of aspects 4 or 5, wherein the sealing contact comprises a rubber seal.

7. Accessory according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the inner bowl has a substantially smooth, featureless inner surface and is preferably made of or coated with a low friction substance, preferably PTFE.

8. An accessory according to any preceding claim wherein the inner bowl and outer bowl are configured to be releasably interconnected by interlocking a handle on one with a recess on the other.

9. The accessory of aspect 8, wherein the handle is configured to extend radially outwardly from the inner bowl and engage with a recess defined by a radially outwardly extending ear-like element of the outer bowl, and wherein the handle and the ear-like element are configured to cooperatively form a composite handle, whereby the assembled accessory is manipulable by a user.

10. The accessory of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising one or more additional tool plates interchangeable with the first tool plate, wherein the additional tool plates have a different working surface than the first tool plate for performing different food processing activities.

11. The accessory of aspect 10, wherein one or more of the additional tool plates has perforations defined in a working surface thereof that are of a different size and/or shape than the holes provided in the working surface of the first tool plate.

12. An accessory according to any preceding claim, wherein one of the outer or inner bowls has an axially extending rib formed thereon, the rib being configured to be received within a corresponding recess on the other of the inner and outer bowls when the inner and outer bowls are assembled for helping to prevent relative rotation between the inner and outer bowls.

13. An accessory according to any preceding claim wherein the outer bowl includes an outwardly folded lip around the second opening to provide greater rigidity.

14. The accessory of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer bowl includes an inwardly extending lip surrounding the first opening, the lip configured to receive the first tool plate.

15. An accessory according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the first tool plate is one of a screen, a grinder or a slicer.

16. The accessory of any preceding aspect, further comprising a food processing bowl, wherein the outer bowl is configured to be positioned within the opening of the food processing bowl, the first tool plate being raised above the bottom of the food processing bowl, the food processing bowl for receiving processed food passing through the first tool plate.

17. The accessory of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the food processing bowl includes one or more food processing bowl handles and the outer bowl includes one or more protrusions configured to abut the food processing bowl handles to rotationally retain the outer bowl relative to the food processing bowl when the outer bowl is placed within the food processing bowl.

18. The accessory of any preceding aspect, further comprising a cover positionable over the second opening to close the second opening to prevent splashing outward from the accessory.

19. The accessory of any preceding aspect, further comprising a pressing tool configured to be connectable to a drive outlet of the food processing device to press the food material through the aperture of the working surface of the first tool plate.

20. The accessory of any of the preceding aspects, preferably made of a food and/or dishwasher safe material.

21. The accessory of aspect 20, wherein the pressing tool includes a rotatable resilient paddle for pushing the food material through the first tool plate.

22. A food processing device comprising an accessory of any preceding aspect, the food processing device preferably being a stand mixer or a bottom-driven food processor.

23. The food processing device of aspect 22, further comprising a heating element configured to heat the food material pushed through the first tool plate.

24. The food processing device of aspect 23, further comprising a processor configured to control heating of the heating element based on feedback from the temperature sensor.

25. The food processing device according to any of the aspects 22-24, comprising the accessory according to any of the aspects 20-21, wherein the food processing device comprises a processor configured to control the driving of the pressing tool based on the sensed torque of the pressing tool.

Claims (25)

1. An accessory for a kitchen appliance, wherein the accessory is for receiving a tool plate having a working surface for processing food, and wherein the accessory is for limiting rotational and/or axial movement of the tool plate relative to the accessory.

2. The accessory of claim 1, further comprising one or more first engagement elements for engaging corresponding one or more second engagement elements on the tool plate, thereby limiting rotational movement of the tool plate.

3. The accessory of claim 2, wherein the first engagement element includes one or more pairs of ribs for receiving and constraining a corresponding second engagement element therebetween.

4. An accessory as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the accessory is adapted to axially grip the tool plate.

5. The accessory of claim 4, wherein the accessory comprises: a first member for receiving the tool plate, and a second member for exerting an axial force on the tool plate toward the first member.

6. An accessory as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising an outer wall having an inwardly extending element for receiving the tool plate.

7. Accessory according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an outer bowl and an inner bowl.

8. The accessory of claim 7, wherein the inner bowl is configured to be removably connected to the outer bowl.

9. The accessory of claim 7 or 8, wherein the inner bowl and the outer bowl are configured to axially sandwich the tool plate therebetween.

10. Accessory according to any of claims 7-9, characterized in that the accessory is adapted to limit rotational movement between the inner bowl and the outer bowl.

11. The accessory of claim 10, wherein the inner bowl further comprises one or more third engagement elements and the outer bowl further comprises one or more fourth engagement elements for engaging the one or more third engagement elements to limit rotational movement of the inner bowl relative to the outer bowl; preferably, wherein one of the outer bowl and the inner bowl comprises one or more ribs and the other of the outer bowl and the inner bowl comprises one or more recesses configured to receive the ribs.

12. The accessory of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a sidewall having an inner surface for guiding food to a working surface of the tool plate.

13. An accessory as claimed in claim 12 when dependent on claim 6 wherein the inner surface is disposed inwardly from the element for receiving a tool plate.

14. Accessory according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the inner surface is smooth and featureless and is preferably made of or coated with a low friction material, preferably PTFE.

15. An accessory as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 14 wherein the accessory is adapted to provide a clear path for food within the inner surface on either side of the working surface of the tool plate.

16. An accessory as claimed in any preceding claim for interchangeably removably retaining a plurality of tool plates, each tool plate having a different working surface for processing food.

17. The accessory of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising one or more formations for restricting rotational movement of the accessory relative to the food processing bowl when the outer bowl is placed within the food processing bowl.

18. The accessory of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a food processing bowl, wherein the accessory is configured to be positioned within an opening of the food processing bowl such that the tool plate is raised above a bottom of the food processing bowl for receiving processed food through the tool plate.

19. The accessory of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a pressing tool configured to be connectable to a drive outlet of a food processing device to press food material towards a working surface of the tool plate; preferably, wherein the pressing tool comprises a rotatable resilient paddle for pushing the food material towards the tool plate.

20. A tool plate for an accessory of a kitchen appliance, preferably according to any one of claims 1 to 19, said tool plate comprising: a working surface for processing food, and one or more structures, preferably protrusions, for engaging with the accessory.

21. A combination comprising at least two tool plates according to claim 20, each tool plate having a mating structure for engaging with the accessory, preferably each tool plate having a different working surface for processing food.

22. Kitchen appliance, characterized in that it comprises an accessory according to any of the preceding claims, preferably a stand mixer or a bottom-driven food processor.

23. The kitchen appliance of claim 22, further comprising a heating element configured to heat food material pushed toward the tool plate; the kitchen appliance preferably further comprises a processor configured to control heating of the heating element based on feedback from the temperature sensor.

24. The kitchen appliance of any of claims 22-23, comprising an accessory of claim 19, wherein the kitchen appliance further comprises a processor configured to control the driving of the press tool based on the sensed torque of the press tool.

25. A kit, comprising:

the accessory according to any one of claims 1 to 19; and

One or more tool plates, preferably according to claim 20, each tool plate having a working surface for processing food and each tool plate being adapted to be restrained by the accessory.