GB2560431A

GB2560431A - Blender container

Info

Publication number: GB2560431A
Application number: GB1801089.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Palmer Paul
Original assignee: Kenwood Ltd
Current assignee: Kenwood Ltd
Priority date: 2017-01-23
Filing date: 2018-01-23
Publication date: 2018-09-12
Also published as: GB201801089D0; GB201701138D0; CN108338705A

Abstract

A container 100 for a food processing device comprises a working chamber 201 and means for receiving a drive for a rotary processing tool 104. The working chamber is shaped to direct processed material towards the rotary processing tool. The profile of the working chamber may comprise a first part 101 that rises from a base of the container and a second part 107 that curves inwardly and downwardly towards the rotary processing tool. The profile of the working chamber may be at least in part in the shape of an inverted J. The inner surface of the working chamber may be toroidal in shape and the container may comprise at least one aperture for releasing trapped air and an opening for receiving foods into the chamber. The container may be shaped as a round-bottom flask, a Florence flask or a volumetric flask. The working chamber may be split into at least two parts that are held together by a closure, such as a clamp or tie.

Description

(54) Title of the Invention: Blender container

Abstract Title: Container for food processor shaped to direct processed material towards a rotary processing tool (57) A container 100 for a food processing device comprises a working chamber 201 and means for receiving a drive for a rotary processing tool 104. The working chamber is shaped to direct processed material towards the rotary processing tool. The profile of the working chamber may comprise a first part 101 that rises from a base of the container and a second part 107 that curves inwardly and downwardly towards the rotary processing tool. The profile of the working chamber may be at least in part in the shape of an inverted J. The inner surface of the working chamber may be toroidal in shape and the container may comprise at least one aperture for releasing trapped air and an opening for receiving foods into the chamber. The container may be shaped as a round-bottom flask, a Florence flask or a volumetric flask. The working chamber may be split into at least two parts that are held together by a closure, such as a clamp or tie.

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BLENDER CONTAINER

Field

The present invention relates to a blender container for mixing, blending, and/or otherwise processing food.

Background

Blenders typically use high-speed multi-bladed rotary cutting tools to slice, blend, and pulverise food, often suspended in water or another fluid. This is typically performed in a hollow cylindrical or frusto-conical-shaped container called a goblet, with an upper opening and the rotary tool being located at the bottom of the goblet. (As used herein, the term “goblet” is used interchangeably with the term “container”.) The rotary tool typically receives motive power from a motor contained in a base unit to which the goblet is removably-attachable.

A problem that often occurs where the goblet is filled with working matter (e.g., food) suspended in solvent (e.g., water) is that the solvent and working matter co-rotates with the rotary blade, reducing the efficiency of the blade as it no longer strikes the working matter with its full force. Additionally, a standing vortex may form where working matter no longer recirculates back into the blades except possibly in a zone immediately proximate to the tool, or even the tool becoming at least partially uncovered, further reducing the efficacy of the blender. A situation may arise where some working matter is over-processed and other working matter is under-processed, or where the blade assembly becomes hot. These problems may also occur where no solvent is present.

The present invention is directed at least partially to ameliorate the above-described problems.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect, there is provided a container for a food processing device, comprising: a working chamber; and means for receiving a drive for a rotary processing 1 tool; wherein the working chamber (or a wall of the working chamber) is shaped to direct processed material towards the rotary processing tool.

Preferably, the working chamber is shaped to receive material urged outwardly by the rotary processing tool, and direct the material back inwardly, so as to recirculate the material back towards the rotary processing tool.

Preferably, the working chamber is shaped to direct material urged outwardly by the rotary processing tool upwardly and then back inwardly and downwardly, so as to recirculate the material back towards the rotary processing tool.

Preferably, the working chamber is formed as a single (and/or integral) piece. Preferably, the working chamber is integral with the container. Preferably, the working chamber is defined only by the container, that is, the working chamber is not defined by the container in conjunction with a lid (or removable cover) for the container.

Preferably, the cross-sectional shape of the working chamber is curved about an axis that is perpendicular to an axis of rotation of a rotary processing tool (or to a longitudinal axis of the container). Optionally, the working chamber is concavely or convexly curved.

Preferably, in use, the profile of the working chamber comprises a first part and a second part, wherein the first part rises from a base of the container, and the second part curves or inclines inwardly and downwardly towards the rotary processing tool.

Preferably, in use, the profile of the working chamber rises to an apex at a point vertically and/or horizontally offset from the rotary processing tool, and then falls inwardly and downwardly towards the tool.

Preferably, the container comprises a neck that is narrower than the working chamber. Preferably, the neck is, at least in part, recessed or extends into the working chamber.

Preferably, the profile of the working chamber is at least in part in the shape of an inverted J.

Preferably, the container further comprises at least one aperture for releasing trapped air, and more preferably wherein the aperture is other than the opening.

Preferably, the or each aperture is so located as to release trapped air from one region of the container (for example, the working chamber) to another.

Preferably, a plurality of said apertures is provided, which is distributed asymmetrically around the perimeter of the working chamber so as to promote flow from one side of the working chamber to another when the working chamber is filled to or above the level of the apertures. Preferably, the container further comprises an opening for receiving food into the container.

The container may have a spherical or spheroidal working chamber and/or a flat base. The container may be substantially shaped as a round-bottom flask, a Florence flask, or a volumetric flask. The container, or optionally just the working chamber, may taper inwardly and/or flare outwardly towards the opening.

Preferably, the portion of the working chamber that is shaped to direct processed material towards the rotary processing tool is arranged below the opening (that is, “below” being towards the rotary processing tool (or the base) from the opening) for receiving food into the container, and more preferably entirely below the opening for receiving food into the container. For example, the working chamber may comprise a lower portion of the container. Preferably, the or each aperture provides fluid communication between the opening and a region beneath the apex.

Preferably, in use, the opening is located vertically above the drive receiving means.

Preferably, the container further comprises a removable cover for the opening.

Preferably, the widest portion of the container, the working chamber and/or the apex is: below the opening; arranged other than at the opening; and/or to distal to the opening.

The widest portion of the container, the working chamber and/or the apex may be arranged at: the base of the container; a portion at least a quarter of the height of the 3 container from the base of the container; a portion at least a third of the height of the container from the base of the container; a portion at least half way up from the base of the container; or a portion at least three quarters of the height of the container from the base of the container.

Optionally, the container or the working chamber is rotationally symmetric about the axis of rotation of the rotary processing tool. Optionally, the container or working chamber is rotationally asymmetric about the axis of rotation of the rotary processing tool.

Preferably, the container further comprises means for interlocking the opening such that the drive cannot be energized unless the opening is closed by the removable cover.

Preferably, the container includes said rotary processing tool received by the drive receiving means. Preferably, the means for receiving a drive for a rotary processing tool is arranged in the base of the container. Preferably, the rotary processing tool is driven from below.

Preferably, the rotary processing tool includes blades shaped so as in use to drive food vertically and/or radially relative to an axis of rotation of the rotary processing tool.

Preferably, the container further comprises a spout.

Preferably, the container further comprises a removable plug for the spout.

Preferably, the container further comprises means for interlocking the spout such that the drive cannot be energized unless the spout is closed by the removable plug.

Preferably, the inner surface of the working chamber is substantially toroidal in shape for promoting poloidal flow of food around the working chamber.

Preferably, said inner surface is substantially horn-torus-shaped.

Preferably, the working chamber can be opened for facilitating cleaning.

Preferably, the working chamber comprises a walled member or a baffle for restricting or impeding the height within the container to which food is forced upwardly.

Preferably, the working chamber can be split into at least two parts along at least one split-line (to assist cleaning, for example).

Preferably, the container further comprises a closure for selectively holding the at least two parts together. The closure may be in the form of a clamp or a tie.

Preferably, the container further comprises gasketing formed along said at least one split-line, between said at least two parts, for sealing the or each split line.

Preferably, the container is of telescoping construction to allow variation of its volume.

Preferably, the container further comprises a temperature adjustment element for promoting recirculation of food within the working chamber.

Preferably, the container further comprises fins or vanes formed within the working chamber for discouraging co-rotation of food with the rotary processing tool.

Preferably, the axis of rotation of the rotary processing tool is located coaxially with a central axis of the working chamber.

Preferably, the container comprises means for engaging with a base unit of a kitchen appliance, the base unit may comprise a motor and a drive output for the rotary processing tool.

Preferably, there is provided a food processor (or a kitchen appliance for food more generally) incorporating the container as aforesaid.

In a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a goblet for a food processing device wherein food processing takes place is provided, comprising a working chamber, a rotary tool for processing food within the working chamber, rotating about a tool axis, wherein the working chamber has a side-wall with an inner surface, and wherein a profile 5 of the inner surface, going from outside of the working chamber towards the tool axis, rises to an apex at a point offset from the tool axis and above the rotary tool, and then falls towards the tool axis for directing food being processed to return to the rotary tool. This has the advantage of directing food back to the rotary tool to be further processed, disrupting vortex-formation, and ensuring the desired optimum processing environment.

The goblet may further have one or more through-holes or slots formed in the side-wall for allowing air to escape from under the apex. This facilitates filling of the working chamber.

The goblet may have a central aperture defined through an upper surface of the working chamber, with the through-holes or slots communicating a space beneath the apex to the aperture. This further facilitates filling of the working chamber.

The aperture of the goblet may further be located above the rotary tool, and the throughholes or slots may be distributed asymmetrically around the circumference of the sidewall for promoting, when the working chamber is filled with food to or above the level of the through-holes or slots, a flow from one side of the working chamber to the other across the tool axis. This discourages the formation of a dead-zone above the tool.

The central aperture of the goblet may further be closed by a removable cover. This improves safety.

The aperture of the goblet may be interlocked so that a motor from which the rotary tool receives rotary drive cannot be energized unless it is closed by the removable cover.

The rotary tool of the goblet may comprise blades shaped so as to drive food vertically and/or radially relative to the rotary tool during operation. This promotes through-put of the rotary tool.

The goblet may further comprise a spout defined through the side-wall for allowing material to be poured into and out of the working chamber. This improves the versatility of the goblet.

The goblet may further comprise a removable plug that may be placed in the spout to close it during operation. This improves safety.

The spout of the goblet may be interlocked so that a motor from which the rotary tool receives rotary drive cannot be energized unless it is closed by the removable plug. This improves safety.

The working chamber of the goblet may be substantially toroidal in shape for encouraging poloidal flow of food around the working chamber during operation. This improves through-put of the rotary tool. The working chamber may further be substantially horn-torus-shaped.

The side-wall of the working chamber of the goblet may be divisible into two or more parts along one or more split-lines for facilitating cleaning of an inside of the working chamber. This allows hard-to-clean parts (e.g., under the apex) to be cleaned easily.

The goblet may further comprise clamps or ties for selectively holding the two or more parts together. This improves safety.

The goblet may further comprise gasketing formed along the one or more split-lines between the two or more parts for sealing the one or more split lines. This further improves safety.

The working chamber of the goblet may be of telescoping construction to allow variation of a volume of the working chamber. This allows adjustment of the volume of the working chamber to different amounts of food.

The goblet may further comprise heating and/or cooling elements for applying heating and/or cooling for encouraging cyclical flow of food within the working chamber.

The goblet may further comprise vertically-oriented fins or vanes formed within the working chamber, extending from an inner side-wall towards the tool axis, for discouraging co-rotation of food with the rotary tool.

The tool axis may be located at a central axis of the working chamber or of the container.

The invention also encompasses a kit of parts for constructing any of the apparatuses or apparatus elements herein described.

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 'or' 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.

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; 8 plastics; tars; finishes; waxes; varnishes; beverages; medical and/or biological research materials; solders; alloys; effluent; and/or other substances, and any reference to “food” herein may be replaced by such working mediums. It will be appreciated that the processing of food may include the processing and/or blending of liquid, and may also include the processing of solid food or ice into a liquid form.

The invention described here may be used in any kitchen appliance and/or as a standalone 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. blenders). It may be implemented in heated and/or cooled 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.

Brief Description of Drawings

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

Figure 1 shows a side cutaway view of a goblet according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a detail of the shoulder 107 from Figure 1, and

Figure 3 shows a side cutaway schematic view of a goblet according to a further embodiment of the present invention.

Specific Description

Figure 1 illustrates a goblet 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The goblet 100 has a cylindrical side-wall 101 surrounding a central axis 102. Above the cylindrical side-wall 101, and also surrounding the central axis 102, a funnel 103 of smaller diameter than the cylindrical side-wall 101 is formed. The funnel 103 has an upper opening 108 allowing ingredients to be inserted into the goblet 100. A curved, arcuate shoulder 107 is formed so as to connect the upper end of the cylindrical side-wall

101 and the lower end of the funnel 103. The cylindrical side-wall 101 may be either 9 vertically straight, or may taper towards either end.

A rotary tool 104 is formed at the bottom of the goblet 100, preferably at a central location but also possibly offset from the central axis 102. The rotary tool 104 receives rotary drive from the base unit 105, which drives it to rotate about a tool axis which in this case is the central axis 102, as illustrated by the circular arrow in Figure 1. The rotary tool may receive rotary drive by means of at least one of: a mount for receiving a drivable shaft; a drivable shaft comprising part of the goblet 100; a drivable shaft of the rotary tool 104; and a coupling means between a drivable shaft and the rotary tool 104.

The rotary tool 104 is preferably shaped so as to drive food being processed at least vertically (typically, downwardly, but alternatively upwardly) and possibly outwardly relative to it, and may optionally be located on a raised pedestal relative to the base of the goblet 100 surrounding it. If, for example, the rotary tool is located near the base of the goblet 100, it may also be shaped to move food being processed horizontally (e.g., radially from or towards the central axis 202).

As can be seen in Figure 2, the internal surface of the goblet 100 in the area of the shoulder 107 connecting the cylindrical side-wall 101 to the funnel 103 rises towards the central axis 102 to reach an apex 107a offset from the central axis 102 before falling to form a lip 107b beneath the meeting point between the shoulder 107 and the funnel 103. When in operation this internal shape of shoulder 107 results in the flow-pattern 106 seen in in Figure 1, whereby food being processed is propelled downwardly by rotary tool 104, flows outwardly from the central axis 102 along the base of the goblet 100, then up the internal surface of the cylindrical side-wall 101, up the inside curvature of the shoulder 107 to the apex 107a, and then downwardly towards the central axis 102 from the lip 107b. By continually cycling food back towards and through the rotary tool 104, the flow pattern 106 greatly reduces the possibility of material co-rotating with the blades of the rotary tool 104 or a standing vortex forming which keeps the majority of food away from the rotary tool 104, thus ensuring even and efficient processing.

To enhance the flow pattern 106, the lip 107b preferably extends downwardly level to or below the apex 107a.This ensures that food travelling upwardly along the inside of the cylindrical side-wall 101 to its top is directed downwardly even if it does not follow the 10 inside curvature of shoulder 107 up to the apex 107a. The space defined between the cylindrical side-wall 101 and shoulder 107 is preferably substantially toroidal (i.e., ring or doughnut-shaped) so as to encourage circular, continuous flow for thorough and efficient processing.

Preferably the lip 107b narrows to a point at a point nearest to the tool 104, or is otherwise shaped so that working-matter flowing downwardly along it is directed back towards the tool 104. Preferably a tangent of the curved surface at the lowest point of the lip 107b passes through the tool axis, either at the tool 104 or above it, such that food following a parabolic arc under the influence of gravity arrives back at the blades of the tool 104.

To prevent an air-pocket being formed under the apex 107a, though-holes or slots are defined through the lip 107b and the funnel 103 to allow air to escape from under the apex 107a into the funnel 103 as food flows up the inside of the goblet 100. These through-holes or slots may be located symmetrically about the lip 107b, or may be located asymmetrically (i.e., with more on one side than another). When located asymmetrically this has the advantage of encouraging flow from one side of the interior to the other across the central axis 102 (when the goblet is filled to or above the level of the holes), thus helping to prevent a dead-zone forming directly above the rotary tool 104 which material does not move out of.

Figure 3 illustrates a goblet 200 similar to the goblet 100 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment the working-chamber 201 of the goblet 200 is generally toroidal in shape, and more specifically may be horn-torus shaped (that is, a torus/doughnut-shape in which the sides of the central hole meet so as to fill in the hole), save that the upper “horn” of the horn-torus-shaped working-chamber 201 of the goblet 200 is replaced by a hole in which a funnel 203 is formed. This results in a working chamber 201 that appears, in cross-section, like two circles side-by-side.

The funnel 203 is closed by a removable cover 204. The cover 203 may be interlocked so that the motor may not be activated to drive the rotary tool 202 without it being present.

A rotary tool 202 is formed on the lower “horn” of the horn-torus-shaped working11 chamber 201. The rotary tool 202 acts so as to move food in the working chamber 201 vertically, either upwardly or downwardly, and or horizontally (e.g., outwardly). This may be achieved by making at least some of the blades of the rotary tool 202 propellershaped, or by inclining each blade at a specific angle-of-attack relative to the direction of rotation, along at least part of their length.

The blades of the rotary tool 202. or at least that portion of them which acts to move material vertically, preferably at most extend to the mid-point of each of the circles - that is, the point directly below the apex 206 of the working chamber 201 - so as to avoid acting counter to the desired flow pattern 207. The direction of extension of the blades of the rotary tool 202 is also preferably towards the centre point of the circular crosssection. Alternatively the rotary tool may be shaped so as to move food downwardly on one side of the apex 206 (e.g., on the inner side) and upwardly on the other (e.g., on the outer side).

Similarly to the first embodiment, food moving either upwardly or downwardly relative to the rotary tool 202 is directed by the shape of the inner surface of the working chamber 201 to flow repeatedly along flow pattern 207 through the rotary tool 202, thus ensuring thorough and efficient processing. Flow-pattern 207 is preferably substantially poloidal that is, it flows around the torus-shaped working chamber 201 in a circular pattern from top to bottom and inside to outside so that material is thoroughly and continually processed.

To aid pouring of material into and out of the working chamber 201, a spout 205 is formed in a side-wall of the working chamber 201. The spout 205 may have a removable plug, which may be interlocked similarly to the cover 204, to allow it to be sealed during operation. Indeed, the funnel 203 and cover 204 may be omitted entirely and replaced with a downwardly-depending upper “horn” so as to promote vertical flow proximate to the rotary tool 202, and the spout 205 used exclusively for inserting and removing food into/from the working chamber 201.

Vertically-oriented fins or vanes may be formed within the working chamber 201, for example extending inwardly from an inner side-wall, to discourage toroidal flow (caused by, for example, co-rotation with the rotary tool).

In both goblet 100 and goblet 200 the goblet is preferably made of a transparent material like glass or clear plastic so that the processing state of food can be observed directly. Both rotary tools 104 and 202 are preferably made of a food-safe, corrosion-resistant material like stainless steel.

Whilst bladed tools 104 and 202 have been shown for exemplary purposes, other mixing, whisking, cutting, and shredding tools may be used.

Whilst the rotary tools 104 and 202 have been the primary source of vertical movement of the food in the examples given here, other ways of encouraging vertical flow may supplement or replace this effect. This may be done by, for example, selective heating/cooling of the goblets 100 and 200 by heating/cooling elements (which also cook/cool the food) so as to encouraging material to rise/fall in the centre and fall/rise near the side-walls of the goblets 100 and 200.

As the shape of the goblets 100 and 200 is most effective when filled to the top of the apexes 107a and 206, multiple goblets of different sizes may be provided with the blender appliance for processing different amounts of food, or the goblets 100 and 200 may be of adjustable volume (e.g., by having a vertically telescoping construction).

Goblets 100 and 200 may be separable into two or more parts along one or more splitlines (e.g., one defined through the cylindrical side-wall 201) to facilitate cleaning under the apexes 107a and 206, with the parts ordinarily held together by clamps or ties. Sealing along the split-lines may be enhanced by rubber gasketing or similar sealing means.

Whilst tools 104 and 202 are described as rotating about the central axis of the goblet as this is advantageous for creating even, symmetrical flow, they may instead rotate about a tool axis offset from the central axis. In this case goblets 100 and 200 are preferably shaped asymmetrically. For example, in goblet 100 the lip 107b is shaped to direct food flowing down it back towards the tool axis, by, for example, pointing towards the tool 104. In goblet 200, the “horns” of the torus would instead be formed below and above the tool axis.

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

CLAIMS:

1. A container for a food processing device, comprising:

a working chamber; and means for receiving a drive for a rotary processing tool;

wherein the working chamber is shaped to direct processed material towards the rotary processing tool.

2. A container according to claim 1, wherein the working chamber is shaped to receive material urged outwardly by the rotary processing tool, and direct the material back inwardly, so as to recirculate the material back towards the rotary processing tool.

3. A container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the working chamber is shaped to direct material urged outwardly by the rotary processing tool upwardly and then back inwardly and downwardly, so as to recirculate the material back towards the rotary processing tool.

4. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the working chamber is defined only by the container.

5. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the working chamber is integral with the container.

6. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the working chamber is curved about an axis that is perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the rotary processing tool.

7. A container according to any of the preceding claims, wherein, in use, the profile of the working chamber comprises a first part and a second part, wherein:

the first part rises from a base of the container; and the second part curves inwardly and downwardly towards the rotary processing tool.

8. A container according to any of the preceding claims, wherein, in use, the profile of the working chamber rises to an apex at a point vertically and/or horizontally offset from the rotary processing tool, and then falls inwardly and downwardly towards the tool.

9. A container according to any of the preceding claim, wherein the container comprises a neck that is narrower than the working chamber.

10. A container according to Claim 9, wherein the neck is, at least in part, recessed or extends into the working chamber.

11. A container according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the profile of the working chamber is at least in part in the shape of an inverted J.

12. A container according to any preceding claim, further comprising at least one aperture for releasing trapped air.

13. A container according to claim 12, wherein the or each aperture is so located as to release trapped air from one region of the container to another.

14. A container according to claim 12 or 13, wherein a plurality of said apertures is provided, which is distributed asymmetrically around the perimeter of the working chamber so as to promote flow from one side of the working chamber to another when the working chamber is filled to or above the level of the apertures.

15. A container according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising an opening for receiving food into the container.

16. A container according to Claim 15, wherein the portion of the working chamber that is shaped to direct processed material towards the rotary processing tool is arranged below the opening.

17. A container according to Claim 15 or 16 as dependent on claim 12 as dependent on claim 8, wherein the or each aperture provides fluid communication between the opening and a region beneath the apex.

18. A container according to any of claims 15 to 17, wherein, in use, the opening is located vertically above the drive receiving means.

19. A container according to any of claims 15 to 18, further comprising a removable cover for the opening.

20. A container according to claim 19, further comprising means for interlocking the opening such that the drive cannot be energized unless the opening is closed by the removable cover.

21. A container according to any of Claims 15 to 20, wherein the widest portion of the working chamber is arranged other than at the opening

22. A container according to any of Claims 15 to 21, wherein the widest portion of the working chamber is arranged below the opening.

23. A container according to any of Claims 15 to 22, wherein the widest portion of the working chamber is arranged distal ly to the opening.

24. A container according to any of Claims 15 to 23, wherein working chamber is arranged at the base of the container.

the widest portion of the

25. A container according to any of Claims 15 to 23, wherein the widest portion of the working chamber is arranged at least a quarter of the height of the container from the base of the container.

26. A container according to any of Claims 15 to 23, wherein the widest portion of the working chamber is arranged at least a third of the height of the container from the base of the container.

27. A container according to any of Claims 15 to 23, wherein the widest portion of the working chamber is arranged at least halfway up from the base of the container.

28. A container according to any of Claims 15 to 23, wherein the widest portion of the working chamber is arranged at least three quarters of the height of the container from the base of the container.

29. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the container or the working chamber tapers inwardly and/or flares outwardly.

30. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the container or the working chamber is rotationally symmetric about the axis of rotation of the rotary processing tool.

31. A container according to any of Claims 1 to 29, wherein the container or the working chamber is rotationally asymmetric about the axis of rotation of the rotary processing tool.

32. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the means for receiving a drive for a rotary processing tool is arranged in the base of the container.

33. A container according to any of the preceding claims, including said rotary processing tool received by the drive receiving means.

34. A container according to claim 33, wherein the rotary processing tool includes blades shaped so as in use to drive food vertically and/or radially relative to an axis of rotation of the rotary processing tool.

35. A container according to Claim 33 or 34, wherein the rotary processing tool is driven from below.

36. A container according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a spout.

37. A container according to claim 36, further comprising a removable plug for the spout.

38. A container according to claim 37, further comprising means for interlocking the spout such that the drive cannot be energized unless the spout is closed by the removable plug.

39. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the working chamber comprises a flat base.

40. A container according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the inner surface of the working chamber is substantially toroidal in shape for promoting poloidal flow of food around the working chamber.

41. A container according to claim 40, wherein said inner surface is substantially horn-torusshaped.

42. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the working chamber is substantially spherical or spheroidal.

43. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the container is substantially shaped as a: round-bottom flask; a Florence flask; or a volumetric flask.

44. A container according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the working chamber can be opened for facilitating cleaning.

45. A container according to claim 44, wherein the working chamber can be split into at least two parts along at least one split-line.

46. A container according to claim 45, further comprising a closure for selectively holding the at least two parts together.

47. A container according to claim 46, wherein the closure is in the form of a clamp or a tie.

48. A container according to any of claims 44 to 47, further comprising gasketing formed along said at least one split-line, between said at least two parts, for sealing the or each split line.

49. A container according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the container is of telescoping construction to allow variation of its volume.

50. A container according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a temperature adjustment element for promoting recirculation of food within the working chamber.

51. A container according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising fins or vanes formed within the working chamber for discouraging co-rotation of food with the rotary processing tool.

52. A container according to any preceding claim, the working chamber further comprising a baffle for restricting the height within the container to which food is forced upwardly by the rotary processing tool.

53. A container according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the axis of rotation of the rotary processing tool is located coaxially with a central axis of the working chamber.

54. A container according to any preceding claim, further comprising means for engaging with a base unit of a kitchen appliance.

55. A food processor incorporating the container of any of the preceding claims.

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: GB1801089.2 Examiner: Miss Cassandra Fraser