GB2468361A

GB2468361A - Height-adjustable rotating table with food processing equipment

Info

Publication number: GB2468361A
Application number: GB0903947A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Meriam Bouait Blanchard
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-03-06
Filing date: 2009-03-06
Publication date: 2010-09-08
Also published as: GB0903947D0

Abstract

A table 1 comprises a tabletop 2, an adjustable support means 4 to support the tabletop above the floor at variable heights, and a plurality of food processing equipment 7,8,9,10,11,12 operable by one hand positioned on the table. The tabletop 2 may be circular in shape but with a truncated section 3 at which the use may sit or stand. The tabletop may also be rotatable to allow the user to operate different equipment without moving. Switches 6 located on the edge of the tabletop 2 may be control drive motors which adjust the height of the support and/or cause rotation the tabletop. Power points 13 may be provided on the tabletop to deliver power to the food processing appliances. The appliances may be freestanding or secured to fixing means on the table. A dome-shaped cover may be provided to cover the table. In use, a person can stand or sit adjacent the table, and present with one hand food to be processed to the different equipment from a single position.

Description

Title: Table Supporting Food Processing Equipment The present invention relates to a table supporting food processing equipment, especially for use with persons having reduced or no mobility in one arm or hand.

Most people process food to prepare meals using tools of various kinds. For example food may need chopping with a knife, shredding with a grater, slicing, or mixing with a blender. Such tasks usually require the cook to use two hands, one hand to operate the tool and the other hand to support the food being processed by the tool.

For people with use of only one hand or arm, or with reduced mobility in one hand or arm, preparing meals is very difficult if not impossible.

The invention seeks to provide a solution to this problem.

According to the present invention there is provided a table supporting food processing equipment comprising:

a) a table top,

b) adjustable support means to support the table top above the floor at variable heights, and c) a plurality of food processing equipment operable by one hand positioned on the table, in use a person can stand or sit adjacent the table, and present with one hand food to be processed to the different equipment from a single position.

Preferably the adjustable support means is electrically driven.

Preferably rotation means allow the table top to rotate, and preferably the rotation means includes a motor to rotate the table top to operate the equipment from a single position.

Preferably the table top is generally circular with a truncated periphery defining a generally straight table edge adjacent which a person can stand or sit to operate the equipment from a single position.

Preferably switches or controls are provided adjacent the straight edge to control the adjustable support means andlor rotation means.

Preferably power points are provided on the table to deliver power to food processing equipment

on the table.

Preferably a fixing point is provided on the table to which food equipment can be releasably secured.

Preferably scales are provided on the table top. The scales may be integrally formed in the table top.

In one embodiment the food processing equipment are free standing on the table. At least some equipment may each have an integral motor.

In another embodiment the food processing equipment are integrated with the table. Preferably a single drive motor is provided for at least some of the equipment. Preferably a remote control is provided to control the motorised equipment.

The food processing equipment may be two or more items selected from a hand blender, soup blender, chip slicer, potato holder, herb and garlic chopper, tin opener, food processor, fruit peeler, egg slicer, vegetable peeler, graters, and food support plate.

A cover may be provided for the table top. The table top may be generally circular with a domed cover.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing showing a perspective view.

Referring to the drawing there is shown a table 1 supporting food processing equipment.

Table 1 has a generally circular table top 2 with a truncated periphery defining a straight edge 3 adjacent which a person can stand or sit. Table top 2 is supported above the ground at variable heights by adjustable support means in the form of a motorised telescopic pedestal pole 4 extending from a base with three legs 5A,5B,5C. Optional rotation means is provided in the form of an electric motor (not shown) allowing table top 2 to rotate (clockwise and anti-clockwise) about the pole 4. The rotation means and the motorised telescopic pole 4 may be controlled by switches 6.

Various items of food processing equipment are shown by way of example provided on the table top 2. These include a blender 7 with integral motor, a root vegetable peeler 8 with integral motor (which doubles as a salad spinner), a chopping board with spike 9, and grater 10 releasably secured to a fixing point IOA (to which other apparatus could also be attached), a mixing bowl 11 which sits on scales 12 with control buttons l2A and display 12B. Scales 12 are integrally formed in the table top.

Power points 13 are provided on the table to deliver power to food processing equipment on the table, e.g. blender 7 and peeler 8.

Preferably scales are provided on the table top. The scales may be integrally formed on the table.

The food processing equipment shown are by way of example, however others types may used.

Typically two or more items of equipment may be selected from a hand blender, soup blender, chip slicer, potato holder, herb and garlic chopper, tin opener, food processor, fruit peeler, egg slicer, vegetable peeler, graters, and food support plate.

A cover (not shown), e.g. a domed cover, may be provided for the table top 2. Such a cover may be made of acrylic or plexiglass.

In use, a person can sit or stand at the table in one position adjacent edge 3 and reach all the equipment. The table can be set at a desired height by adjusting telescopic leg 4 using switches 6.

The table can be rotated using switches 6 so that, at any one time, a desired item of processing equipment is in front of the person. Food can be presented to a given item of equipment with one hand. A meal can thus be prepared with ease using one hand.

If desired a hand-held remote control may be used to control electrical food processing equipment to facilitate one handed use of the table.

Food processing equipment may be strategically positioned on the table top 2 so that two adjacent items of equipment perform sequential tasks. For example a chip slicer could be position next to a potato peeler.

The food processing equipment may be free standing on the table, and some may each have an integral motor. Alternatively some food processing equipment may be integrally formed with the table with some sharing a common motor. In this respect, access to the base of food processing equipment may be made from under the table to facilitate repairs without removing the equipment. Equipment or parts thereof may be removable from the table for cleaning.

The invention may take a form different to that specifically described above. For example the support means may include an arm extending generally horizontally from a bracket on a wall whereby the table top is supported by a wall. The arm may pivot on the bracket and fold against a wall to store the table top against the wall when not in use.

It is envisaged that the table top may be made with the integral apparatus being specific to the table of the invention. However the table top could be adapted to receive non-integral apparatus whereby a person could purchase existing apparatus as required and use such apparatus on the

table top

Further modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A table supporting food processing equipment comprising:a) a table top,b) adjustable support means to support the table top above the floor at variable heights, and c) a plurality of food processing equipment operable by one hand positioned on the table, in use a person can stand or sit adjacent the table, and present with one hand food to be processed to the different equipment from a single position.
2. A table according to claim 1, wherein the adjustable support means is electrically driven.
3. A table according to claim 1 or 2, wherein rotation means allows the table top to rotate.
4. A table according to claim 3, wherein the rotation means includes a motor to rotate the table top to operate the equipment from a single position.
5. A table according to any preceding claim, wherein the table top is generally circular with a truncated periphery defining a generally straight table edge adjacent which a person can stand or sit to operate the equipment from a single position.
6. A table according to claim 5, wherein switches or controls are provided adjacent the straight edge to control the adjustable support means and/or rotation means.
7. A table according to any preceding claim, wherein power points are provided on the table to deliver power to food processing equipment on the table.
8. A table according to any preceding claim, wherein a fixing point is provided on the table to which food equipment can be releasably secured.
9. A table according to any preceding claim, wherein scales are provided on the table top.
10. A table according to claim 9, wherein the scales may be integrally formed in the table top.
11. A table according to any preceding claim 1, wherein the food processing equipment are free standing on the table.
12. A table according to any preceding claim, wherein at least some equipment may each have an integral motor.
13. A table according to any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the food processing equipment are integrated with the table.
14. A table according to claim 13, wherein a single drive motor is provided for at least some of the equipment.
15. A table according to any preceding claim, wherein a remote control is provided to control the niotorised equipment.
16. A table according to any preceding claim, wherein the food processing equipment may be two or more items selected from a hand blender, soup blender, chip slicer, potato holder, herb and garlic chopper, tin opener, food processor, fruit peeler, egg slicer, vegetable peeler, graters, and food support plate.
1 7. A table according to any preceding claim, wherein a cover may be provided for the table top.
18. A table according to claim 17, wherein the table top may be generally circular with a domed cover.
19. A table substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.Amendments to the claims have been filed as folows: I. A table supporting food processing equipment comprising:a) a table top,b) adjustable support means to support the table top above the floor at variable heights, and c) a plurality of food processing equipment operable by one hand positioned on the table, in use a person can stand or sit adjacent the table, and present with one hand food to be processed to the different equipment from a single position.2. A table according to claim I, wherein the adjustable support means is electrically driven.3. A table according to claim 1 or 2, wherein rotation means allows the table top to rotate.4. A table according to claim 3, wherein the rotation means includes a motor to rotate the table top to operate the equipment from a single position.5. A table according to any preceding claim, wherein the table top is generally circular with a truncated periphery defining a generally straight table edge adjacent which a person can stand or sit to operate the equipment from a single position.6. A table according to claim 5, wherein switches or controls are provided adjacent the straight edge to control the adjustable support means and/or rotation means.7. A table according to any preceding claim, wherein power points are provided on the table to deliver power to food processing equipment on the table.8. A table according to any preceding claim, wherein a fixing point is provided on the table to which lood equipment can be releasably secured.9. A table according to any preceding claim, wherein scales are provided on the table top.JO. A table according to claim 9, wherein the scales may be integrally formed in the table top.1 1. A table according to any preceding claim 1, wherein the food processing equipment are free standing on the table.12. A table according to any preceding claim, wherein at least some equipment may each have an integral motor. 00S 0 013. A table according to any of claims I to 10, wherein the food processing equipment are integrated with the table.14. A table according to claim 13, wherein a single drive motor is provided for at least some of the equipment.15, A table according to any preceding claim, wherein a remote control is provided to control the motorised equipment.16. A table according to any preceding claim, wherein the food processing equipment may be two or more items selected from a hand blender, soup blender, chip slicer, potato holder, herb and garlic chopper, tin opener, food processor, fruit peeler, egg slicer, vegetable peeler, graters, and food support plate.17. A table according to any preceding claim, wherein a cover may be provided for the table top.18. A table according to claim 17, wherein the table top may be generally circular with a domed cover.19. A table substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.