GB2548082A - Processing tool - Google Patents

Abstract

A processing tool 100 for a kitchen appliance 150, e.g. a stand mixer, comprises two mixing elements 30, 40 that are driven in a counter-rotating fashion, one being driven clockwise and the other anti-clockwise. The mixing elements may be arranged concentrically and may have a cage-like structure, a loop or half-loop structure or a double helix structure. The processing tool may be suitable for mixing or whisking. The counter-rotating mechanism may be co-axial with the rotating drive of the kitchen appliance. The gear arrangement may comprise bevel differential gears or planetary gears. The rotational speed ratio between the members and/or gearing ratio is approximately 1. One or more of the mixing elements may comprise a cutting edge and may be detachable from the tool. In a second aspect a food processing tool is adapted to be folded back on itself, e.g. at the tools half-way point, for cleaning and storage. The tool may comprise pivots and/or a fastener, e.g. a snap-fit, for holding the tool in a folded position.

Description

PROCESSING TOOL

This invention relates to a processing tool for a kitchen appliance having a rotating drive, and, more particularly, to whisks and other tools configured for use as attachments to electrically driven kitchen appliances such as blenders, food mixers, stand mixers and food processors.

Rotary kitchen tools such as whisks are well known and are widely employed in the preparation of foodstuffs and drinks. Typically, whisks comprise a shaft fitted with a circular boss, which supports both ends of several elongated elements of wire, plastics or other materials. Typically, each element is bent so as to proceed transversely and axially away from the boss, transversely across the axis of the shaft or handle of the whisk and then transversely and axially back to the boss; the ends of the various elements being disposed circumferentially around the boss such that, they form a somewhat cage-like tool which has proved to be simple, and reliable in operation.

However, current whisks and other rotary tools do not enable efficient shear mixing and blending, which is proven to reduce the time required to produce uniform mixture. Further, the cage-like structures are difficult to clean, especially when used with sticky or glutinous ingredients. Moreover, their three dimensional profile requires a good deal of storage space during use and during packaging of these tools for sale and distribution.

It is an aim of the disclosure to provide an improved rotary tool.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a tool comprising a shaft bearing, at or near one end thereof, a collar means, and a plurality of elongate elements. The elongate elements form a cage-like tool, with each end of each said element being attached to a respective location on the collar means. The tool being characterized in that the collar means comprises at least two collars capable of relative rotation, the ends of some of said elements being attached to one of said collars and the ends of others of said elements being attached to another of said collars. Further, the tool includes folding means to fold the tool at its halfway point. Since each elongate element presents an open ‘face’ in the direction of rotation it is easy for material to enter between them to be mixed, blended, or otherwise comminuted.

Preferably, said collar means comprises three collars. Preferably, each said collar supports both ends of one elongated element.

Preferably, individual elements are disposed in a predetermined sequence around the tool, such that at least two elements rotate in opposite directions.

Preferably, the latching means are provided for latching the elongated elements to the respective collars during the use of the tool, such that the elements will not tend to become relatively displaced during use of the tool.

Preferably, a user is readily able to unlatch and fold the elements for at least one of cleaning and storage.

Said latching means may comprise cantilevered arms conditioned to latch into recesses.

The shaft may include a differential gear box in a gear housing to drive the cage-like tool. Preferably, the differential gear box mechanism includes four bevel gears arranged such that each gear engages with two other gears.

Preferably, a driving bevel gear is a driven by an external drive, a driven bevel gear is positioned directly opposite to the driving bevel gear, remaining two pinion bevel gears are arranged on the sides of the driving bevel and the driven bevel gear, such that each of the driving bevel gear and the driven bevel gear engages with the two pinion bevel gears, such that when the driving bevel gear rotates, the driven bevel gear rotates in opposite direction.

Preferably, at least one of the elongate elements presents a sharpened edge pointing in its direction of rotation.

The sharpened edge pointing in the direction of rotation may further be angled or curved relative to its direction of rotation.

Preferably, a minimum distance between at least one of the elongate elements and a neighboring other one of the elongate elements during rotation is less than 3mm.

Preferably, at least one of the elongate elements resiliently contacts a neighboring other one of the elongate elements during rotation.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a processing tool (preferably, a removable processing tool) for a kitchen appliance having a rotating drive comprising: a counter-rotating mechanism for connection (preferably, removable connection) to the rotating drive of the kitchen appliance; and first and second members for processing food and arranged to be rotated by the counter-rotating mechanism, wherein one member is arranged to be rotated clockwise and the other member is arranged to be rotated anticlockwise (preferably, when viewed from the same reference point), wherein the counterrotating mechanism is arranged to provide counter-rotational drive about a common axis.

Preferably, the processing tool is a mixing tool.

Instead of the processing tool being for a kitchen appliance, it may be for any other form of appliance.

Preferably, the term “rotation” is herein used to refer to orbital and/or spin rotation. Preferably, the term “mixing” includes whisking.

The counter-rotating mechanism may be arranged to pick up drive directly from the rotating drive of the kitchen appliance.

Preferably, the counter-rotating mechanism comprises a drive shaft for connecting to the rotating drive and for picking up drive from the rotating drive, wherein the drive shaft is arranged to drive the counter-rotating mechanism.

Preferably, the drive shaft comprises a spindle and a formation arranged to engage with the rotating drive.

Preferably, the counter-rotating mechanism is arranged to be connected to the rotating drive such that the counter-rotating mechanism is coaxial with the rotating drive of the kitchen appliance.

Preferably, the first member is arranged within the second member, and preferably wherein the first and second members are concentric.

Preferably, the counter-rotating mechanism is arranged to pick up drive from only one rotating drive.

The first and/or second members may be arranged to spin by means of the counter-rotating mechanism.

The drive shaft may be arranged to drive the first member directly.

Preferably, the tool further comprises a locking member arranged to prevent bodily spin of the counter-rotating mechanism (and preferably of the entire counter-rotating mechanism).

Preferably, the locking member is arranged to engage with the kitchen appliance.

Preferably, the counter-rotating mechanism comprises a counter-rotating gear arrangement.

Preferably, the gear arrangement comprises a gear arranged to drive the second member, wherein the gear is driven by the drive shaft.

Preferably, the gear arranged to drive the second member is driven by the drive shaft by means of at least one intermediate gear.

Preferably, the gear arrangement comprises a differential gear arrangement, and more preferably a bevel differential gear arrangement or preferably a planetary gear arrangement.

Preferably, the gear arrangement comprises at least three bevel gears.

Preferably, the at least three bevel gears intermesh orthogonally.

The gear arrangement may comprise four bevel gears, and wherein each of the four bevel gears intermesh with two other of the four bevel gears.

Preferably, the drive shaft passes through a gear that is arranged opposite the gear arranged to drive the second member.

Preferably, the tool further comprises a gear housing for the gearing arrangement.

The locking member may be coupled to the gear housing so as to prevent bodily spin of the gear arrangement (and preferably of the entire gear arrangement).

Preferably, the gear housing is sealed to prevent user access to the gear arrangement and/or to prevent solid or liquid ingress.

The drive shaft may be arranged to be rotated clockwise and/or anti-clockwise by the rotating drive.

Preferably, the counter-rotating mechanism comprises only one drive shaft for directly picking drive from said rotating drive

The ratio of the rotational speed of the first and second member may be between 0.5 and 2, and preferably between 0.75 and 1.25, and more preferably approximately 1.

The gearing arrangement may comprise at least two gears having a gearing ratio of between 0.5 and 2, and preferably between 0.75 and 1.25, and more preferably approximately 1.

Preferably, the second member is a scaled up copy of the first member. Preferably, the members are arranged to align in the same plane. Preferably, the members are shaped as a hoop or a half hoop. Preferably, at least one member is shaped such that it does not solely lie in a single plane and the least one member may be substantially shaped as a double helix. Preferably, the members are formed from a resilient material. Preferably, at least one of the members comprises a cutting edge. Preferably, the cutting edge is arranged to face the direction of rotation of the member comprising the cutting edge.

Preferably, the members are separated from one another by less than or equal to 4mm, preferably less than or equal to 3mm, and more preferably less than or equal to 2mm.

Preferably, at least one of the members is detachable from the tool.

Preferably, at least one of the members is adapted to be folded back on itself, preferably so as to reduce the envelop of the tool and/or the member.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a processing tool comprising: a member for processing (and preferably, for mixing, and more preferably for whisking) food; and a spindle on the tool for rotating the member; wherein the member is adapted to be folded back on itself.

The tool may comprise a fastener for locking the member in place in a folded position.

The tool may further comprise a pivot for permitting the member to be folded back on itself.

Preferably, the pivot is arranged to allow pivoting about an axis perpendicular to the spindle.

Preferably the tool further comprises at least one more member for processing food and a plurality of pivots and wherein each member is coupled to a separate pivot so as to allow each member be folded back on itself.

Preferably, the fastener comprises a snap-fit fastening.

Preferably, the kitchen appliance is a stand mixer.

The invention extends to: toois as described herein and/or substantiaiiy as iiiustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings; and a kitchen appiiance as described herein and/or substantially as illustrated with reference to Figure 7.

The invention extends to any novel aspects or features described and/or illustrated herein.

The invention extends to methods and/or apparatus substantially as herein described and/or as illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The invention also provides a computer program and a computer program product for carrying out any of the methods described herein and/or for embodying any of the apparatus features described herein, and a computer readable medium having stored thereon a program for carrying out any of the methods described herein and/or for embodying any of the apparatus features described herein. The invention also provides a signal embodying a computer program for carrying out any of the methods described herein and/or for embodying any of the apparatus features described herein, a method of transmitting such a signal, and a computer product having an operating system which supports a computer program for carrying out any of the methods described herein and/or for embodying any of the apparatus features described herein.

Any apparatus feature as described herein may also be provided as a method feature, and vice versa. As used herein, means plus function features may be expressed alternatively in terms of their corresponding structure, such as a suitably programmed processor and associated memory.

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

It should also be appreciated that particular combinations of the various features described and defined in any aspects of the invention can be implemented and/or supplied and/or used independently.

In this specification the word '01^ can be interpreted in the exclusive or inclusive sense unless stated otherwise.

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

Other technical advantages will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the following figures, descriptions and claims. Moreover, while specific advantages have been enumerated above, various embodiments may include all, some or none of the enumerated advantages.

The present invention is now described, purely by way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which:-Figure 1 shows an exploded view of a tool;

Figure 2 shows a front view the tool;

Figure 3 shows a side view the tool;

Figure 4A shows a side view of the tool in a folded position;

Figure 4B shows a perspective view of the tool in the folded position;

Figure 5 shows a cross section view of the tool;

Figure 6 shows the tool with different orientations of the member loops; and Figure 7 shows the tool deployed in a kitchen appliance.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2, in which corresponding features carry the same reference numbers. Fig. 1 shows an exploded view of a processing tool 100, and in particular a mixing tool. Fig. 2 shows a counter-rotating gear arrangement that is arranged to provide counter-rotation about a common axis (i.e. coaxial), that is a contra-rotating gear arrangement, in the form of a front view of the tool 100.

According to the disclosure, the tool 100 comprising a shaft (preferably, herein also referred to as a “driving shaft”) 75, differential bevel gear (or “loop”) hub 10, and three elongated members each bent or otherwise configured to form a loop - outer member 20, middle member 30, and inner member 40. The three elongated member loops are designed to have a similar, and preferably concentric, profile. However, in order to maintain concentricity the member loops are made of varying sizes while maintaining their shape. Therefore, the middle member loop 30 is slightly smaller than the outer member loop 20, and the inner member loop 40 is slightly smaller than the middle member loop 30.

Whilst the outer member 20, middle member 30, and inner member 40 are presented as loop-shaped here, other shapes can be used. For example, the outer member 20, middle member 30, and inner member 40 can be half-loops connected to receive drive at one end only.

The differential bevel gear hub 10 comprises a gear housing 11 that accommodates four bevel gears 61-64 arranged in a differential gearbox fashion. All the bevel gears 61-64 are assembled inside the gear housing and enclosed within a casing (not shown), primarily to prevent entry of liquid into the internal part of the gear housing during cleaning, and also to ensure that users do not have any direct access to the gears. The bevel gears 61-64 are assembled such that they cannot be removed. The gear housing 11 is also provided with bearings to enable all gears to rotate freely about their respective axes.

The bevel gear 61 is the driving gear, which takes its drive from an external drive outlet, for example, a drive outlet of an electrically powered kitchen appliance, such as food stand mixer, food processor, blender, or a drive outlet of a hand blender. The external drive outlet is arranged to be stationary or to be a planetary drive outlet. The bevel gear 62 is the driven gear, which takes its drive from the two pinion bevel gears - the bevel gear 63 and the bevel gear 64. Both the pinion bevel gears 63 and 64 are located at the sides of the bevel gears 61 and 62 and receive their drive from the bevel gear 61. When the bevel gear 61 rotates, as it picks the drive from the external drive outlet, the bevel gear 62 also rotates, however in a direction opposite to the bevel gear 61. Each pinion bevel gear 62 and 63 includes a pinion shaft 83 and 84 respectively.

In this embodiment, the gearing ratio of the bevel gears 61, 62, 63 and 64 is one. In an alternative example, the gearing ratio of the bevel gears 61, 62, 63 and 64 are not all equal, which enables members to move at different speeds. For example, the middle member loop 30 may be designed to run faster than the outer and inner member loops 20 and 40.

The bevel gear 61 extends to form a collar 70 at the top. The collar 70 has means to support the main drive shaft 75. In this example, the main drive shaft 75 is screwed to the collar 70 and locked by a nut 50. The main drive shaft 75 is engaged with the external drive outlet, such that the bevel gear 61 rotates along with the main drive shaft 75, as it picks up the drive from the external drive outlet. The top of gear housing 11 is provided with two raised features 12 extending upward to support the collar 70 during rotation.

The bottom of the bevel gear 61 is provided with an extended feature 71 to support and hold an inner member shaft 42 extending from an inner member collar 41. The opposite ends of the inner member loop 40 are secured to the collar 41 and disposed to diametrically opposing side of the collar 41. Thus, the inner member loop 40 rotates along with the bevel gear 61, about the same axis as the main drive shaft 75.

The inner member loop 40 is secured to the inner member collar 41 in a way it can pivot freely about a horizontal axis 55 perpendicular to the main drive shaft axis, for example it is secured by means of a hinge or pivot. This enables the inner member loop to fold up on itself when not in use, as shown in Figs. 4A and 4B. The inner member collar 41 also has latching features 43 to its side, placed slightly below the point where the inner member loop 40 is secured to the collar 41. These features temporarily lock the inner member loop to prevent it from swinging, especially during operation. The user can undo the latching when not in use, to fold away the inner member loop. Similarly, two more independent latching means 23 and 33, are provided to support both outer member loop 20 and middle member loop 30 respectively, such that both member loops 20 and 30 are locked in place during operation. Therefore, the latching means 23, 33 and 43 enable the elongated member loops 20, 30 and 40 respectively to be strong and rigid during operation. Further, unlatching the latching means 23, 33 and 43 enables them to be loose and free to move for storage purpose. It is also to be noted that both the outer member loop 20 and middle member loop 30 can also be folded down at their respective hinged point axis, in a way similar to inner member loop, as shown in Figs. 4A and 4B.

The two pinion bevel gears 63 and 64 rotate as they pick up drive from the driving gear bevel gear 61, which in turn rotates the bevel gear 62 in an opposite direction to the bevel gear 61. The bevel gear 62 extends downwards, below the gear housing, to form a collar 31. The collar 31 is designed to secure both ends of the middle member loop 30 in diametrically opposing side of the collar 31 (similar to the inner member loop 40 and the collar 41 arrangement). Thus, the middle member loop 30 rotates along with the bevel gear 62, about the same axis as the main drive shaft 75, however in a direction opposite to inner member loop 40. Therefore, the tool 100 enables the inner and middle member loops 40 and 30 to rotate relative to each other in different directions. For example, if inner member loop 40 rotates clockwise, the middle member 30 rotates anti-clockwise.

Further, one of the raised features 12 on the gear housing 11 is further extended in an outwardly upward direction to form an arm 13. This extended arm has a U-shaped coupling means (preferably, herein also referred to as a “locking member”) 14 to accommodate a center locator pin fixed on the external drive outlet. The coupling 14 holds the gear housing stationary, while the bevel gear 61 picks up drive from the external drive outlet. This helps in effective transfer of the drive from the bevei gear 61 to the bevel gear 62. Yet further, the sides of the gear housing 11 have latching means 23 to secure both ends of the outer member loop in a way similar to inner and middle member loops 40 and 30. The outer member loop 20 attaches to the gear housing 11 and thus rotates only as a result of the bodily rotation of the tool 100 as it is driven by the drive outlet in a planetary motion, without actually taking any drive from the motor. This enables all three elongated member loops 20, 30 and 40, to move independently and relative to each other in opposite directions.

In the normal condition, the tool can be stored completely flat as the members may be aligned in the same plane and placed one inside the other as shown in the Figs. 2 and 3. However, as the main shaft 75 picks up drive from the drive outlet, the three elongated member loops rotate and form the cage-like shape of the tool as shown in the Fig. 6. When the drive outlet is switched off, the tool 100 is capable of returning to its flat condition. Then the user can remove the tool from the drive outlet and unlock the members from their respective latching means to fold the members for easy storing as shown in Figs. 4A and 4B.

As shown in Fig. 5, the cross section of the member loops 20, 30 and 40 is essentially circular shaped. In an alternative example, the shape of the cross section of the member loops is, for example: a star; rectangle; hexagon; blade section; or twisted thread. Further, the overall profile of the members loops 20, 30 and 40 are designed to follow a three dimensional curve that has a significant effect on the mixing/beating performance.

As shown, the member loop 20 is enclosed by member loops 30 and 40, and member loop 30 is enclosed by member loop 40. The member loops 20, 30 and are arranged concentrically.

Figures 6 and 7 show the tool 100 deployed in a kitchen appliance 150.

While in operation, a constant relative shear motion is provided between the food and rotating tool 100, and in particular between each loop member, which is enabled by contrarotating member loops 20, 30 and 40. Further, each of the members loops 20, 30 and 40 may be modified to incorporate flexible materials, either intermittently or all around the profile, to create a wiping/scrapping action as it rotates and move around the bowl. This helps achieve faster and more uniform mixing.

The contra-rotating loops 20, 30, and 40 may also be modified to carry sharpened edges, or blades, so that the blades point along the direction of rotation so as to enhance the cutting effect of the blades and create a scissor-like effect between closely rotating contra-rotating loops 20, 30, and 40. These blades may be integrally formed with the loops or adhered or otherwise attached to them. In an alternative example, at least of the one contra-rotating loops 20, 30, and 40 is modified to present a curved or angled edge, preferably in the direction of rotation, by, for example, having a helical twist between a lower portion of the loop and an upper portion about the axis of rotation, thus maximizing the scissor-like effect.

The clearance between the loops 20, 30, and 40 as they rotate is minimised to, less than or equal to 4mm, preferably less than or equal to 3mm, and more preferably less than or equal to 2mm, to further maximize the sheering effect. To minimize the clearance distance, at least one of the contra-rotating loops 20, 30, and 40 is formed of springy or elastically deformable (resilient) material (such as spring steel or a suitable polymer) so as to press against and maintain contact with a neighboring contra-rotating loop 20, 30, and 40 during rotation.

In an alternative, loop-shaped mixing members (preferably also referred to as “elements”), cage-type mixing elements (i.e., multiple loops of the same diameter fixed either temporarily or permanently so as to co-rotate, enclosing a space in a fashion similar to a cage) are available to be used. The cage-type mixing elements are arranged concentrically, enclosing a space of any desired shape, including bell-shaped, globular, and cylindrical. Moreover, the innermost whisking element is arranged to have whisking and/or mixing elements formed within it so as to co-rotate with it, thus utilizing the empty space within it for further mixing and/or whisking. One or more of the whisking elements is or are arranged to be symmetrical about the axis of rotation or asymmetrical, or even, in the case of the innermost whisking element, offset from the axis of rotation.

Whilst mixing, including whisking, has been used as an example of processing, the contrarotating tool described here is also, or alternatively, arranged to be used for any other form of processing, such as cutting, blending, beating, kneading, shredding, incorporating, comminution and/or any other processing suitable to achieve a desired culinary (or other) processing and/or preparation result.

Whilst the invention has been described in the field of domestic food processing and preparation machines, it can also be implemented in any field of use where efficient, effective and convenient preparation and/or processing of material is desired, either on an industrial scale and/or in small amounts. The field of use includes the preparation and/or processing of: chemicals; pharmaceuticals; paints; building materials; clothing materials; agricultural and/or veterinary feeds and/or treatments, including fertilisers, grain and other agricultural and/or veterinary products; oils; fuels; dyes; cosmetics; plastics; tars; finishes; waxes; varnishes; beverages; medical and/or biological research materials; solders; alloys; effluent; and/or other substances.

Whilst the invention has been described in the context of a downwardly-depending tool, it may also extend upwardly, or at any suitable angle, and is not limited to a specific orientation.

The invention described here may be used in any kitchen appliance and/or as a stand-alone device. This includes any domestic food-processing and/or preparation machine, including both top-driven machines (e.g., stand-mixers) and bottom-driven machines (e.g., food processors). It may be implemented in heated and/or cooled machines. The invention may also be implemented in both hand-held (e.g., hand blenders) and table-top (e.g., blenders) machines. It may be used in a machine that is built-in to a work-top or work surface, or in a stand-alone device. The invention can also be provided as a stand-alone device, whether motor-driven or manually powered.

It will be understood that the present invention has been described above purely by way of example, and modifications of detail can be made within the scope of the invention.

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

Reference numerals appearing in the claims are by way of illustration only and shall have no limiting effect on the scope of the claims.

Claims (47)

CLAIMS:

1. A processing tool for a kitchen appliance having a rotating drive comprising: a counter-rotating mechanism for connection to the rotating drive of the kitchen appliance; and first and second members for processing food and arranged to be rotated by the counter-rotating mechanism, wherein one member is arranged to be rotated clockwise and the other member is arranged to be rotated anticlockwise, wherein the counter-rotating mechanism is arranged to provide counter-rotational drive about a common axis.

2. A tool according to Claim 1, the tool being removable, wherein the counter-rotating mechanism is adapted to be removable from the rotating drive of the kitchen appliance.

3. A tool according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the counter-rotating mechanism is arranged to pick up drive directly from the rotating drive of the kitchen appliance.

4. A tool according to any preceding claim, wherein the counter-rotating mechanism comprises a drive shaft for connecting to the rotating drive and for picking up drive from the rotating drive, wherein the drive shaft is arranged to drive the counterrotating mechanism.

5. A tool according to Claim 4, wherein the drive shaft comprises a spindle and a formation arranged to engage with the rotating drive.

6. A tool according to any preceding claim, wherein the counter-rotating mechanism is arranged to be connected to the rotating drive such that the counter-rotating mechanism is coaxial with the rotating drive of the kitchen appliance.

7. A tool according to any preceding claim, wherein the first member is arranged within the second member.

8. A tool according to any preceding claim, wherein the counter-rotating mechanism is arranged to pick up drive from only one rotating drive.

9. A tool according to any preceding claim, wherein the first and/or second members are arranged to spin by means of the counter-rotating mechanism.

10. A tool according to any of Claims 4 to 9, wherein the drive shaft is arranged to drive the first member directly.

11. A tool according to any preceding claim, further comprising a locking member arranged to prevent bodily spin of the counter-rotating mechanism.

12. A tool according to Claim 11, wherein the locking member is arranged to engage with the kitchen appliance.

13. A tool according to any preceding claim, wherein the counter-rotating mechanism comprises a counter-rotating gear arrangement.

14. A tool according to Claim 13, wherein the gear arrangement comprises a gear arranged to drive the second member, wherein the gear is driven by the drive shaft.

15. A tool according to Claim 14, wherein the gear arranged to drive the second member is driven by the drive shaft by means of at least one intermediate gear.

16. A tool according to any of Claims 13 to 15, wherein the gear arrangement comprises a differential gear arrangement, and preferably a bevel differential gear arrangement or preferably a planetary gear arrangement.

17. A tool according to any of Claims 13 to 16, wherein the gear arrangement comprises at least three bevel gears.

18. A tool according to Claim 17, wherein the at least three bevel gears intermesh orthogonally.

19. A tool according to any of Claim 13 to 18, wherein the gear arrangement comprises four bevel gears, and wherein each of the four bevel gears intermesh with two other of the four bevel gears.

20. A tool according to any of Claims 13 to 19 when dependent on at least Claim 4, wherein the drive shaft passes through a gear that is arranged opposite the gear arranged to drive the second member.

21. A tool according to any of Claims 13 to 20, wherein the tool further comprises a gear housing for the gearing arrangement.

22. A tool according to Claim 21, wherein the locking member is coupled to the gear housing so as to prevent bodily spin of the gear arrangement.

23. A tool according to Claim 21 or 22, wherein the gear housing is sealed to prevent user access to the gear arrangement and/or to prevent solid or liquid ingress.

24. A tool according to any of Claims 4 to 23, wherein the drive shaft is arranged to be rotated clockwise and/or anti-clockwise by the rotating drive.

25. A tool according to any preceding claim, wherein the counter-rotating mechanism comprises only one drive shaft for directly picking drive from said rotating drive

26. A tool according to any preceding claim, wherein the ratio of the rotational speed of the first and second member is between 0.5 and 2, and preferably between 0.75 and 1.25, and more preferably approximately 1.

27. A tool according to any of Claims 13 to 26, wherein the gearing arrangement comprises at least two gears having a gearing ratio of between 0.5 and 2, and preferably between 0.75 and 1.25, and more preferably approximately 1.

28. A tool according to any preceding claim, wherein the second member is a scaled up copy of the first member.

29. A tool according to any preceding claim, wherein the members are arranged to align in the same plane.

30. A tool according to any preceding claim, wherein the members are shaped as a hoop ora half hoop.

31. A tool according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one member is shaped such that it does not solely lie in a single plane.

32. A tool according to Claim 31, wherein the least one member is substantially shaped as a double helix.

33. A tool according to any preceding claim, wherein the members are formed from a resilient material.

34. A tool according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the members comprises a cutting edge.

35. A tool according to Claim 34, wherein the cutting edge is arranged to face the direction of rotation of the member comprising the cutting edge.

36. A tool according to any preceding claim, wherein the members are separated from one another by less than or equal to 4mm, preferably less than or equal to 3mm, and more preferably less than or equal to 2mm.

37. A tool according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the members is detachable from the tool.

38. A tool according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the members is adapted to be folded back on itself.

39. A processing tool comprising: a member for processing food; and a spindle on the tool for rotating the member; wherein the member is adapted to be foided back on itseif.

40. A tooi according to Ciaim 38 or 39, comprising a fastener for iocking the member in piace in a foided position.

41. A tooi according to any of Ciaims 38 to 40, further comprising a pivot for permitting the member to be foided back on itseif.

42. A tooi according to Ciaim 41, wherein the pivot is arranged to aiiow pivoting about an axis perpendicuiar to the spindie.

43. A tooi according to any of Ciaims 39 to 42, further comprising at ieast one more member for processing food and a piuraiity of pivots and wherein each member is coupied to a separate pivot so as to aiiow each member be foided back on itseif.

44. A tooi according to any of Ciaims 40 to 43 when dependent on Ciaim 40, wherein the fastener comprises a snap-fit fastening.

45. A kitchen appiiance inciuding a tooi according to any preceding ciaim, preferabiy wherein the kitchen appiiance is a stand mixer.

46. A tooi substantiaiiy as herein described with reference to and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.

47. A kitchen appiiance substantiaiiy as herein described with reference to and/or as shown in Figure 7.