WO2022238680A1

WO2022238680A1 - Food processor lid

Info

Publication number: WO2022238680A1
Application number: PCT/GB2022/051106
Authority: WO
Inventors: David FARAM; Nigel Richardson; Sean Sweeney; Aaron WILCOCK; Samuele Meda
Original assignee: Kenwood Limited
Priority date: 2021-05-14
Filing date: 2022-04-29
Publication date: 2022-11-17
Also published as: EP4337074A1

Abstract

There is provided a lid for a food processing container, the lid comprising an actuator movable along a first axis, wherein displacement of the actuator along the first axis causes mechanical displacement of a mechanical control element along a second axis.

Description

Food processor lid

Field

The present invention relates to a lid for a food processor and a lidded container for a food processor.

Background

Food processors typically include a lidded container having at least one tool which can be attached to a motor (e.g., an electric motor) for driving the tool to rotate to process food. Typically the motor is located in a base-unit to which the container is removably-attachable. Typically controls which allow the user to activate the motor and control its speed are provided on the side of the base, below the container.

In order to make the food processor more compact and easier to carry and store, it is desirable to reduce outward protrusions of the food processor. Particularly, it is desirable to provide the controls so as not to protrude outwards from the base, and for the device as a whole to have a relatively uniform footprint (e.g., with the container and the base having a similar horizontal extent). For this reason it is desirable to provide the controls on an upper surface of the food processor. Additionally, it is desirable to provide the controls on an upper surface of the food processor so that they are easier for the user to access when the food processor is located on lower surfaces.

However, it is difficult to provide the controls on an upper surface of the food processor when a lidded container forms the entire upper end of the food processor. This is because, particularly where the motor is located in the base, instructions for the motor from the controls located on the lid must first cross between the lid and the container, and then between the container and the base.

One solution is to transmit radio signals from the controls to the base. However, this requires that the controls be powered and may suffer from radio interference. Another solution is to provide a wired connection from the base to the lid, however since the lid should be fully removable to facilitate cleaning, this means that electric contacts such as pins and corresponding plug should be provided on the lid and container. Such electrical contacts may become blocked by dirt.

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

Summary of the Invention

Aspects and embodiments of the present invention are set out in the appended claims. These and other aspects and embodiments of the invention are also described herein.

In an aspect there is provided a lid for a food processing container. The lid comprises an actuator movable along a first direction or axis. Displacement of the actuator along the first axis causes mechanical displacement of a mechanical control element along a second direction or axis. The mechanical control element may be contained in the lid or in the food processing container. This advantageously allows an actuator situated on the lid of the food processor container to act as a control for a component in a base of the food processor.

The actuator may be arranged to be operable by a user applying a force along the first axis, or in the first direction, such as be the user operating a slider or rotary element.

Different displacements\movements of the actuator\control along the first axis may correspond to different modes of operation of a component of a food processor. The positioning of the actuator\control on the lid allows the food processor to have a relatively uniform footprint and is also an ergonomically advantageous position for the actuator/control. The actuator is preferably movable along the first axis by a user.

The mechanical arrangement described above allows the lid to be removably attachable to a food processer container which advantageously facilitates cleaning of the lid and container and permits unrestricted access to the container. The first axis is preferably substantially orthogonal to the second axis. Preferably the first axis is across the lid, such that the second axis extends towards the base of the container when the lid is fitted thereto.

Preferably the actuator is biased toward a neutral position corresponding to a neutral position of the mechanical control element. The neutral position of the actuator may correspond to a neutral or inoperative mode of a component of a food processor such as a motor, which may for example drive a food processing tool. For example, the positioning of the actuator\control in the neutral position may correspond to selecting a neutral mode of the motor of a food processor in which the motor is inoperative.

Further modes of operation may be selectable through displacement of the actuator and thus the mechanical control element. Preferably the actuator has a first position along the first axis in which the actuator causes displacement of a mechanical control element and a second position along the first axis in which the actuator causes a displacement of a mechanical control element, preferably wherein in the second position the actuator is configured to be restrained optionally by a releasable lock against the actuator bias to remain in the second position. The first position may select an operative mode of a motor of a food processor for example one in which the motor is energised such as a pulse setting. Moving the control\actuator to the second position may also select an operative mode of a motor of a food processor, such as a continuous operation mode. Alternatively or in addition the operative modes may be different drive or speed settings.

The actuator may be arranged to engage a transmission arrangement such as a transmission member to cause the displacement of the mechanical control element. A transmission provides an advantageous method of transmitting the displacement of the actuator along the first axis to displacement of the mechanical control element along the second axis. The actuator may preferably comprise a shaped structure for engaging with a complementary shaped structure of a transmission arrangement to cause the displacement of the transmission member and hence the mechanical control element. Preferably in an engaged configuration the actuator causes deflection and/or pivoting of a transmission arrangement to cause displacement of the mechanical control element.

Preferably the complementary structure of the actuator comprises at least one sloped surface wherein the sloped surface is arrangeable to oppose at least one complementary sloped surface of a transmission arrangement such that on displacement of the actuator along the first axis the sloped surfaces of the actuator and transmission oppose one another to cause displacement of the mechanical control element.

Optionally the transmission comprises a cam.

The transmission may comprise a deflectable member that is deflectable by the complementary structure of the actuator. Preferably the complementary structure of the actuator and the deflectable member comprises a protrusion and a recess, wherein the complementary structures are arranged such that in an unengaged configuration corresponding to the neutral position of the actuator the protrusion is aligned with the recess and the deflectable member is not deflected and in an engaged position the protrusion is not aligned with the recess and causes deflection of the deflectable member. Optionally the recess may comprise one or more ribs located to one or both sides of the recess, and wherein the rib(s) extend towards the actuator.

The mechanical control element is preferably biased to a neutral position, which preferably corresponds to a neutral position of the actuator, for example in which the motor is inoperative. The control element may have at least two displaced positions, and the actuator may be arranged selectively to displace the control element into one of the at least two positions. Each displaced position may correspond to a different operative state or setting of the motor, for example a different motor speed. Alternatively or in addition, a plurality of displaceable control elements may be provided, which may have one or more displaced positions, for example corresponding to further motor settings.

Preferably the lid comprises a feed tube extending therethrough. The lid may comprise a handle wherein the actuator, and/or transmission and/or mechanical control element are housed in the handle. Housing the actuator in the handle is an ergonomically advantageous arrangement and furthermore housing the transmission and/or mechanical control element in the handle conveniently does not require additional structure to be incorporated into the lid to house these elements. Optionally the handle extends between the upper surface of the lid and the feed tube, preferably upwardly from a position at or adjacent one end or an edge of an upper surface of the lid and horizontally from the feed tube, such that the handle is raised from the surface of the lid. The lid may be transparent or translucent, such that the handle position facilitates viewing of the interior of the container.

It will be appreciated that one or more elements of the lid described above may alternatively be associated with, be housed in, or form part of the container.

In another aspect there is provided a (lidded) container for a food processing device. The container comprises the lid described above; and a communication rod for mechanically communicating displacement of the control element to the base of the container via displacement of the communication rod from a neutral position. The control element and/or the transmission may be housed in the container, and/or the communication rod may be integral with the control element.

Preferably the communication rod is biased to the neutral position.

Preferably the container comprises a communication tube surrounding the communication rod. Preferably the communication tube is dimensioned so as to prevent human fingers displacing the communication rod from the neutral position.

Preferably communication between the communication rod and the control element is prevented when the lid is not secured to the container.

In another aspect there is provided a food processor comprising a container as described above and a base unit comprising a motor for driving a food processing component and a switch for controlling the motor, wherein displacement of the communication rod is arranged to actuate the switch. The actuator may also or alternatively control another component of the food processor for example a heating element, or a cooling element.

In another aspect there is provided an ergonomic lid for a food processing device that comprises a feed tube extending through a top surface of the lid for introducing food into a food processor, a mechanical actuator for interfacing with a food processor switch for controlling at least one component of the food processor. The mechanical actuator is ergonomically situated on the lid in proximity to the feed tube such that a user may grasp the feed tube with a hand and with the same hand operate the actuator; and/or the lid comprises a handle extending between an upper surface of the lid and the feed tube, and the actuator is ergonomically situated on the handle such that a user may grasp the handle with a hand whilst operating the actuator with the same hand.

Preferably the actuator comprises a toggle switch configured for being pushed by a finger or thumb, or gripped between finger and thumb.

In another aspect there is provided a lidded container comprising an actuator movable along a first axis. Displacement of the actuator along the first axis causes mechanical displacement of a mechanical control element along a second axis.

In another aspect there is provided a lid comprising a control movable by a user along a first axis, and a mechanical control element for controlling a component external to the lid, wherein the mechanical control element is movable along a second axis different to the first axis, and the lid further comprises a transmission configured, on being driven to move by the control moving along the first axis, to drive movement of the mechanical control element along the second axis for controlling the external component.

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; 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; solders; alloys; effluent; and/or other substances, and any reference to “food” herein may be replaced by such working mediums.

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 . 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.

“Food processing” as described herein should be taken to encompass chopping, whisking, stirring, kneading, mincing, grinding, shaping, shredding, grating, cooking, freezing, making ice-cream, juicing (centrifugally or with a scroll), or other food-processing activities involving the physical and/or chemical transformation of food and/or beverage material by mechanical, chemical, and/or thermal means. “Food processing attachment” encompasses any attachable component configured, for example on rotation and/or energising, to carry out any of the previously described food processing tasks.

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:

Fig. 1 is a schematic, not-to-scale cut-away drawing of a food processor device according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective, partial view of a handle-section of the food processor device of Fig.

1;

Fig. 3 is a side-on cut-away drawing of the handle-section of Fig. 2 in a first configuration;

Fig. 4 is a perspective drawing of the handle-section of Fig. 3 with the casing removed;

Fig. 5 is a side-on cut-away drawing of the handle-section of Fig. 2 in a second configuration;

Fig. 6 is a side-on cut-away drawing of the handle-section of Fig. 2 in a third configuration;

Fig. 7 is a side-on, cut-away, schematic sketch showing an alternative control mechanism for the device of Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 8 is a partial, perspective, sketch of a further alternative control mechanism for the device of Fig. 1 , and

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a food processor comprising the handle section of Fig. 2.

Specific Description

Fig. 1 shows a food processing device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Solid surfaces are indicated by solid lines, whilst dotted lines indicate holes through surfaces. The food processing device 100 comprises a base 110, a container 120, and a lid 130. The container 120 is removably attachable to the base 110 using latches, screws, or similar means of removable attachment. Similarly the lid 130 is removably attachable to the container 120 to close an open end of the container 120.

The base 110 has a motor 111 with a motor control unit 113, a switch 112, an electronic communication means 114 interconnecting the switch 112 with the motor 113 and motor control unit 113. The container 120 has an internal cavity 121 in which food can be placed for being processed by food processing tool 122. The container 120 also has a communication tube 123 which surrounds a communication rod 124. The communication rod 124 is biased towards a neutral position by biasing means 125.

Tool 122 can be any one of a slicing disk, blending blade, beater, whisk, juicing or mincing auger, grater, Spiralising tool, dicing tool, or similar food processing tool. The tool 122 may be provided on the lid 130 instead of on the container 120. Where the tool 122 is a through- processing tool one or more additional holes may be provided in the container 120 (or lid 130 if the tool 122 is located there) for dispensing material processed by the tool 122 outside the device 100 into e.g., a bowl or glass.

When the container 120 is properly attached to the base 110, the communication tube 123 is located above the switch 112 such that when the communication rod 124 is pushed downwards against the bias of the biasing means 125 it actuates the switch 112. Preferably the container 120 is arranged such that the switch 112 cannot be actuated by it unless the container 120 is properly attached to the base 110. When the communication rod 124 is not actuated the biasing means 125 returns it to the neutral position where the switch 112 is not actuated.

The communication tube 123 is shown as running along an outer wall of the container 120, this is advantageous as it avoids placing obstructions within the cavity 121 . However, the communication tube 123 may instead run through the cavity 121 to make the container 120 symmetrical in construction. For example the communication tube 123 may extend through the centre of the container 120 concentrically through a hollow drive-shaft.

The biasing means 125 can be any one of a coil-spring, a leaf-spring, a resiliently- compressible rubber element, a stretchable band, a magnet, or other return-means. The communication rod 124 may physically actuate the switch 112, or magnetically actuate it with a magnetic element in the lower end of the rod 124, or electrically actuate is by completing an electrical circuit of the switch 112, or other means of actuation. The switch 112 may be a micro-switch, or a leaf-switch, or electrical contacts.

The tool 122 can receive drive impetus from the motor 111 via drive shaft 126. Drive shaft 126 is preferably releasably attachable to the motor 111 and/or tool 122. Alternatively or additionally drive shaft 126 may comprise two or more releasably attachable sections of which one is permanently attached or releasably attached to the motor 111 and another similarly attached to the container 120, and which are releasably attachable to each other (e.g., by screw-threads).

The open upper end of the container 120 is closed by a releasably-attachable lid 130. The lid 130 includes a handle 131 upstanding from the lid 130, and a feed-tube 132 extending vertically through the lid 130 that opens at a lower end into the cavity 121 and at an upper end to the exterior of the device 100. Providing the handle 131 upwardly from the lid 130 can avoid needing to provide a handle extending outwardly from the side of the device 100, thus allowing the food processor 100 to have columnar/cylindrical footprint enabling easier storage. The feed-tube 132 is dimensioned so as to slidingly receive a pusher 140 for pushing food through the feed tube 132 into the cavity 121 to be processed by the tool 122. The pusher 140 may have stops 141 which block against the upper/outer opening of the feed tube 132 for preventing the pusher 140 falling completely through the feed tube 132.

As shown in Fig. 2, the handle 131 of the lid 130 extends upwardly at one end from the lid 130 and horizontally from the feed tube 132. Preferably the attachment between the lid

130 and the container 120 is sufficiently strong to allow the container 120 and the lid 130 to be carried attached via the handle 131 against the force of gravity acting upon their weight. Even more preferably the attachment between the base 110, container 120, and lid 130 is sufficiently strong to permit them to be carried by the handle 131 against the force of gravity acting on them.

As is best seen in Fig. 9, the lid 130 can be transparent (e.g., it may be made of a transparent plastic or glass, for example it may be made of a copolymer thermoplastic such as Tritan(TM)) thus enabling the user to see the interior of the container 120. The transparent surface area of the lid 130 is maximised by providing that portion of the handle

131 that extends horizontally across the lid so that it is raised away from the upper transparent surface of the lid 130. The handle 131 may also extend vertically down the side of the container 120 and comprise locking elements (e.g., latches) for locking with the container 120, maximising the area on which the lid 130 is secured to the container 120. The handle 131 may also extend all the way to the base 110, and include the communication tube 123 and communication rod 124 which may be integrally formed with the control rod 136.

A control 133 extends upwardly from the handle 131 . A direction of actuation of the control 133 can be horizontally towards and/or away from the feed tube 132. This allows the user to grip the feed tube 132 whilst pushing the control 133 towards and away from the feed tube 132, which is an ergonomically advantageous and convenient arrangement. Additionally, providing the control 133 on the handle 131 allows the user to grip the handle 131 with the four fingers of their hand whilst actuating the control 133 with their thumb, which is another ergonomically advantageous way of operating the device 100. Movement of the control 133 at least partly in a horizontal direction is converted into vertical actuation of the control-rod 136 by a horizontal/vertical transmission means housed within the casing of the handle 131. The control 133 is preferably a flange-shaped toggle switch that can be gripped between finger and thumb for ease of actuation. The control 133 is movableVdisplaceable along the first axis to engage or disengage the transmission means. In the engaged state the transmission arrangement causes displacement of the control rod 136 along the second axis. In a disengaged state the transmission does not cause displacement of the control rod 136 along the second axis.

A slider-type control such as the control 133 shown in Fig. 2 is advantageous compared to e.g., a push-button control in that it is easier to provide multiple control-options and settings. A push-button control typically provides binary control (depressed and not- depressed) and can only be configured to have more settings with difficulty, whilst a slider can potentially be slid between two, or three or more positions. A rotary-knob control (for example a knob linked to a toothed pinion which rotates to drive a toothed rack which in turn drives the transmission mechanism) may also provide similar numbers of options compared to a slider-control, however it is more difficult to visually confirm its present setting compared to a slider as the knob itself does not change location but merely rotates about its axis between differing settings.

The lid 130 and container 120 are preferably arranged so that the control rod 136 can only actuate the communication rod 124 when the lid 130 is securely attached to the container 120. In this way accidental activation of the motor 111 when the lid 130 is not securely attached to the container 120 is prevented.

An exemplary arrangement of the horizontal/vertical transmission means between the control 133 and the control rod 136 is shown in Figs. 3, 4, 5, and 6. The control 133 has a downward protrusion 133a that moves with it when it is slid horizontally in a slot in the handle 131. A resiliently flexible board 134 is located beneath the control 133 extending away from a fixing point 135 proximate to the feed tube 132. The fixing point 135 fixes the end of the flexible board 134 closest to the feed tube 132 relative to the lid 130. A control rod 136 is located beneath the flexible board 134, extending, when the lid 130 is properly attached to the container 120, towards an upper opening of the communications tube 123, such that when the control rod 136 moves toward the communication tube 123 it can actuate the communications rod 124. A resilient member 137 biases the control rod 136 towards a neutral position.

The flexible board 134 comprises a “V” or “U” shaped depression 134a extending transversely across it shaped to accommodate the downward protrusion 133a. Upwardly- protruding ribs 134b extend transversely either side of the depression 134a for increasing rigidity and increasing deflection of the flexible board 134 under the force of the downward protrusion 133a when it is moved out of the depression 134a. At the opposite end of the flexible board 134 to the fixing point 135 an actuator 134c is formed for actuating the control rod 136 when the flexible board 134 is bent downwardly to contact it.

Figs. 3 and 4 show the control 133 in a first, neutral configuration, in which the motor 111 is not activated and the transmission disengaged. In this first configuration the control 133 is located in a central position, with the downward protrusion accommodated in the depression 134a between the ribs 134b. In this position the flexible board 134 is not bent by the protrusion 133a. In this configuration the control rod 136 is biased away from the communication rod 124 by the force of the resilient member 137.

Fig. 5 shows the control 133 in a second, continuous-operation configuration, in which the transmission is engaged and motor 111 is activated to operate continuously. In this configuration, the control 133 is moved away from the feed tube 132 in the direction indicated by the large arrow, and the protrusion is moved over one of the ribs 134b so as to deflect the board 134 downwards so as to bring the actuator 134c into contact with the control rod 136, thereby engaging the transmission and displacing the control rod 136 towards the communication rod 124. The communication rod 124 is thus displaced downwards by the control rod 136 to actuate the switch 112. Once actuated, the switch 112 signals the motor control unit 113 via the electronic communication means 114 to activate the motor 111.

As the protrusion 133a can rest stably on top of the ribs 134b, the control 133 can remain stably in the second configuration, thereby keeping the transmission engaged and allowing continuous operation without further user interaction, until the user moves it back to the first, neutral position. However, to enhance the securing of the control 133 in the second configuration a releasable lock (e g., click mechanism, snap-lock, latch or similar releasable lock) may be provided to hold the control 133 in the second configuration.

To allow further speeds of operation, one or more additional ribs having a differing height to the ribs 134b may be provided further away from the feed tube, such that when the protrusion 133a rest on top of the additional rib(s) the control rod 136 is pushed further downwards (or anyway to a different height) than in the second configuration. The difference in how far the control rod 136 is pushed can result in the communication rod 124 being pushed a different amount as well. When the switch 112 detects the differing degree of actuation by the communication rod 124 (e.g., by an additional or different circuit being completed, by a different or different leaf-switch being actuated by a magnet of the communication rod 124, or a different or additional micro-switch being closed) it signals to the motor control unit 113 to drive the tool 122 at a different speed.

Fig. 6 shows a third, pulse-operation configuration in which the motor 111 is only activated for a short period of time. In this configuration the control 133 is moved towards the feed tube 132, in the direction of the large arrow. Similarly to the second configuration, this moves the protrusion 133a out of the depression 134a and on to one of the ribs 134b to deflect the flexible board 134 downwards engaging the transmission thus pushing the control rod 136 to actuate the communication rod 124, thus actuating the switch 112, thus activating the motor 111. However, the movement of the control 133 towards the feed tube 132 pushes the control 133 against the bias of a return mechanism 138 (e.g., a coil spring, leaf-spring, repulsive magnet etc.). Once the user stop pushing the control 133 towards the feed tube 132, the return mechanism 138 returns the control 133 back to the neutral position in which, the control rod 136 is biased away from the communication rod 124 by the force of the resilient member 137, deactivating the motor 111. In the second configuration, therefore, the transmission is engaged and motor 111 is thus only activated as long as the user pushes the control 133 towards feed tube 132. Whilst the flexible board 134 has been described as bending/deflecting relative to fixing point 135, however other configurations are possible. For example the board 134 may instead be rigid and pivot relative to the point 135 which may instead be a pivot/hinge, with the board 134 biased away from the control rod 136 by a biasing means such as e.g., a spring.

The control rod 136 can have an arcuate notch 136a provided on its upper surface. This notch 136a accommodates movement of the actuator 134c across the upper surface of the control rod 136 during actuation of the control rod 136 by the actuator 134c. The resilient member 137 can have a rigid, fixed guide post 137a that acts to guide the control rod 136 along a vertical direction during movement, preventing it from slipping sideways. The handle 131 may contain a horizontal guide 139 fixed relative to the lid 130 that guides the control 133 to move along a horizontal direction (e.g., the control 133 may have a tubular element 133b that encircles the guide 139 and is slidable thereon). The return mechanism 138 may be fixed at one end of the horizontal guide 139 having a stop 139a that prevents movement of the control 133 past it. For example the return mechanism 138 may be a coil spring provided around a part of the horizontal guide 139 proximate to the stop 139a but not around the part of the guide 139 distant to the stop 139a, thus biasing the control 133 towards the neutral position along only part of its travel, and leaving part of the travel of the control 133 along the guide 139 without biasing impetus.

A second food processing device 200 identical in every way to the food processing device 100 except in the details of the operation of how its control 233 controls the motor of the device 300 is shown in Fig. 7. In this device 200 the communication rod 224 in the container 220 is actuated by the control rod 236 against the bias of the resilient member 237 by a pivoting element 234 being driven to rotate about its pivot 235 by the displacement of the control 233. Once the control 233 is released, the resilient member 237 biases the control rod 236, pivot 234, and control 233 back to the neutral position. The use of pivot 234 as the transmission device for translating horizontal movement of the control 233 into vertical actuation of the control rod 236 enables a relatively simple construction where only one biasing means need be used in the lid 230 to achieve pulse mode. In order to enable the device 200 to have both a pulse and a continuous mode of operation, the control 233 may have two positions. In the first position the control 233 pushes against the pivot 234 as described above. In the second position, the control 233 is moved further into engagement with a snap-mechanism (or similar releasably-engageable means such as latch) that holds the control 233 in place relative to the lid 230 until the user moves the control 233 out of engagement with the snap-mechanism.

A third processing device 300 identical in every way to the food processing device 100 except in the details of the operation of how its control 333 controls the motor of the device is shown in Fig. 8. In the device 300 the control 333 actuates the control rod 336 by a pair of downwardly-protruding side-by-side opposite-facing sloped elements 333a and 333b of the control 333. The sloped elements 333a and 333b are, when the control 33 is in the neutral position, located directly above the control rod 336, respectively facing corresponding upward-facing side-by-side angled surfaces 336a and 336b at the upper end of the control rod 336. When the control 333 is slid horizontally along its slot away from the feed tube, sloped element 333a pushes against the angled surface 336a, driving the control rod 336 downwards to activate the motor of the device 300. When the control 333 is slid horizontally along its slot towards the feed tube, the sloped element 333b pushes against the angled surface 336b, again driving the control rod 336 downwards to activate the motor of the device 300. This is advantageous as it does not require the use of an additional element between the control 333 and the control rod 336 in order to convert horizontal motion into vertical actuation, but instead the transmission is integrated into the control 333 and control rod 336.

In order to enable a pulse-mode in the device 300, movement of the control 333 in a first direction may depress the control rod 336 against the bias of a resilient member until the control 333 is released. In order to enable a continuous mode, movement of the control 333 in a second direction may bring the control 333 into engagement with a releasable lock (e.g., a click mechanism or latch) thus holding the control rod 336 down against the bias of its resilient member until the releasable lock is released by the user. In a further alternative embodiment of device 300, the angled surfaces 336a and 336b each be formed on independent control rods each attached to a resilient member, and actuate differing communication rods within the container which actuate differing switches within the base. In this way moving the control 333 in a first direction can send a first instruction to the base (e.g., to drive the motor at a first speed setting) and moving the control 333 in a second direction can send a second instruction to the base (e.g., to drive the motor at a second speed).

Other forms of transmission are also possible. For example the control may be a horizontally-aligned slidable toothed rack provided in toother inter-engagement with a transmission that is a toothed pinion, and the control-rod may be a vertically-aligned rack also provided in toothed inter-engagement with the pinion. In this configuration horizontal displacement of the control results in vertical displacement of the control-rod.

The lids, pushers, and containers of the devices 100, 200, and 300 are preferably dishwasher-safe and food-safe. T o facilitate this they should lack lubricant oils and greases which may dry up during washing in a dishwasher and/or leak into food.

In all of the devices 100, 200, and 300 the communication rod of the container is preferably recessed into the container when in its neutral state such that the switch of the base will not be actuated by the communication rod accidentally. For example the communication tube 123 may be dimensioned such that human fingers cannot enter into it to push the communication rod 124.

Whilst operation of the devices 100, 200, and 300 has been described in terms of controlling a motor, any other controllable component may be controlled by their respective controls. For example a heating and/or cooling element in the base 110 or container 120 may be activated, and its output varied, by moving the control 133 to differing positions, alternatively or additionally to control of the motor 111.

Whilst the bases and containers of the devices 100, 200, 300 are described as being separable, they may instead be integrally formed. For example the base 110 may be integrally formed with the container 120. Particularly but not only when the base 110 is integrally formed with the container 120, the communication rod 124 may be omitted and the switch 112 located directly under the control rod 136.

As used herein the term “horizontal” means along a major direction of extension of the lid across the opening of the container of the devices 100, 200, 300. “Vertical” should be understood as indicating into or out of their respective containers. Other horizontal-to- vertical transmission means are possible other than those described for device 100, 200, and 300, including rotating gears, belts, and pulleys.

As used herein, the term "removable attachment" ( and similar terms such as “removably attachable”), as used in relation to an attachment between a first object and a second object, preferably connotes that the first object is attached to the second object and can be detached (and preferably re-attached, detached again, and so on, repetitively), and/or that the first object may be removed from the second object without damaging the first object or the second object; more preferably the term connotes that the first object may be re-attached to the second object without damaging the first object or the second object, and/or that the first object may be removed from (and optionally also re-attached to) the second object by hand and/or without the use of tools (e.g. screwdrivers, spanners, etc.). Mechanisms such as a snap-fit, a bayonet attachment, and a hand-rotatable locking nut may be used in this regard.

“Food safe” in this context means any substance that does not shed substances harmful to human health in clinically significant quantities if ingested. For example, it should be BPA-free.

“Dishwasher safe” means that it should be physically and chemically stable during prolonged exposure to the conditions prevailing within a dishwasher machine. For example it should be able to withstand exposure to a mixture of water and a typical dishwasher substance (e.g., washing with Fairy™ or Finish™ dishwasher tablets and water, at temperatures of 82 degrees centigrade for as long as 8 hours without visibly degrading (e.g., cracking)). 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.

The following lists a number of aspects:

1. A lid for a food processing device container, the lid comprising a control movable by a user along a first axis, and a mechanical control element for controlling a component external to the lid, wherein the mechanical control element is movable along a second axis different to the first axis, and the lid further comprises a transmission configured, on being driven to move by the control moving along the first axis, to drive movement of the mechanical control element along the second axis for controlling the external component.

2. The lid of aspect 1 where the first axis is substantially orthogonal to the second axis.

3. The lid of any preceding aspect wherein the first axis is substantially along a major axis of the lid whilst the second axis is across it.

4. The lid of any preceding aspect, further comprising a resilient element configured to return the mechanical control element to a neutral position when the mechanical control element is no longer driven by the transmission.

5. The lid of any preceding aspect wherein the control has a neutral position, and a first position, corresponding respectively to a neutral mode and a first control mode of the external component, and preferably the control also has a second position different to the first position, the second position corresponding to a second control mode of the external component. The lid of aspect 5 wherein the control has a protrusion, and wherein the transmission comprises a board extending parallel to the first axis and movable relative to a fixed point, the board having a depression defined therein configured in the neutral position to receive the protrusion, the board being configured in the first position of the control to be pushed by the protrusion to drive the mechanical control element to instruct the external component to enter the first control mode. The lid of aspect 6 wherein the control is movable to a second position along the first axis different to the first position, wherein when located in the second position the control is configured to remain stably in the second position without further user interaction, the second position corresponding to a second control mode of the external component. The lid of aspect 7, further comprising a releasable lock configured to hold the control in the second position. The lid of any one of aspects 6-8, further comprising a biasing means configured to bias the control from the first position towards the neutral position. The lid of any one of aspects 6-9 wherein the board further comprises one or more ribs located to one or both sides of the depression, and wherein the rib(s) extend towards the toggle. The lid of aspect 5 wherein the transmission comprises a pivot. The lid of aspect 5 wherein the transmission comprises at least one a pair of opposed sloped surfaces, wherein one surface of the pair of surfaces is a surface of the control, and the other surface of the pair of surfaces is a surface of the mechanical control element. The lid of aspect 12, wherein the transmission comprises two pairs of opposed sloped surfaces, wherein a first pair of the two pairs is configured to convert drive impetus of the control in a first direction along the first axis into movement of the mechanical control element along the second axis, and a second pair of the two pairs is configured to covert drive impetus of the control in a second direction along the first axis into movement of the mechanical control element along the second axis.

14. The lid of any preceding aspect, further comprising a feed-tube extending therethrough.

15. The lid of aspect 14, wherein the feed tube is located along the first axis.

16. The lid of any preceding aspect, wherein the control comprises a toggle switch configured for being gripped between finger and thumb.

17. A food processing device comprising a container, the external component, and the lid of any preceding aspect.

18. The food processing device of aspect 17, wherein the external component is at least one of a motor, a heating element, and a cooling element.

19. The food processing device of aspect 18 as dependent from any one of aspects aspect 5-13, wherein the external element is a motor configured to drive a food processing tool within the container, and the neutral mode corresponds to the motor being unenergized whilst the first control mode corresponds to a pulse setting of the motor.

20. The food processing device of aspect 19 as dependent from any one of aspects 7- 10, wherein the second control mode corresponds to a continuous operation setting of the motor.

21. The food processing device of any one of aspects 17-20 wherein the container comprises a communication rod configured to be actuated by the mechanical control element and in turn to actuate a switch associated with the motor in order to energise it.

22. The food processing device of aspect 21 wherein the container comprises a communication tube surrounding the communication rod.

23. The food processing device of aspect 22, wherein the communication rod has a communication rod biasing means associated therewith configured to return it to an unactuated position in which the switch is not actuated recessed within the communication tube, and preferably wherein the communication tube is dimensioned so as to prevent human fingers actuating the communication rod when it is in the unactuated position. 24. The food processing device of any one of aspects 21-23, wherein the lid and container are configured so that the mechanical control element can only actuate the communication rod when the lid is securely attached to the container.

25. The food processing device of any one of aspects 19-24 further comprising a base unit removably attachable to the container.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A lid for a food processing container, the lid comprising an actuator movable along a first axis, wherein displacement of the actuator along the first axis causes mechanical displacement of a mechanical control element along a second axis.

2. The lid of claim 1 wherein the lid is removably attachable to a food processer container.

3. The lid of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the first axis is substantially orthogonal to the second axis.

4. The lid of any preceding claim wherein the first axis is across the lid.

5. The lid of any preceding claim wherein the actuator is biased toward a neutral position corresponding to a neutral position of the mechanical control element.

6. The lid of any preceding claim wherein the actuator has a first position along the first axis in which the actuator causes displacement of a mechanical control element and a second position along the first axis in which the actuator causes a displacement of a mechanical control element, preferably wherein in the second position the actuator is configured to be restrained optionally by a releasable lock against the actuator bias to remain in the second position.

7. The lid of any preceding claim wherein the actuator is arranged to engage a transmission arrangement to cause the displacement of the mechanical control element in an engaged configuration.

8. The lid of claim 7 wherein the actuator comprises a shaped structure for engaging with a complementary shaped structure of a transmission arrangement to cause the displacement of the mechanical control element.

9. The lid of claim 7 or 8, wherein in an engaged configuration the actuator causes deflection and/or pivoting of the transmission arrangement to cause displacement of the mechanical control element.

10. The lid of claim 8 wherein the complementary structure of the actuator comprises at least one sloped surface wherein the sloped surface is arrangeable to oppose at least one complementary sloped surface of a transmission arrangement such that on displacement of the actuator along the first axis the sloped surfaces of the actuator and transmission oppose one another to cause displacement of the mechanical control element.

11 . The lid of claim 7, 8 or 9, wherein the transmission comprises a cam.

12. The lid of claim 8 wherein the transmission comprises a deflectable member that is deflectable by the complementary structure of the actuator.

13. The lid of claim 12 wherein the complementary structure of the actuator and the deflectable member comprises a protrusion and a recess, and wherein the complementary structures are arranged such that in an unengaged configuration corresponding to the neutral position of the actuator the protrusion is aligned with the recess and the deflectable member is not deflected and in an engaged position the protrusion is not aligned with the recess and causes deflection of the deflectable member.

14. The lid of any preceding claim wherein the mechanical control element is biased to a neutral position.

15. The lid of any preceding claim wherein the control element has at least two displaced positions, and the actuator is arranged selectively to displace the control element into one of the at least two positions, and/or comprising at least one further control element having at least one displaced position.

16. The lid of any preceding claim comprising a feed tube extending therethrough, preferably wherein the feed tube extends parallel to the second axis.

17. The lid of any preceding claim comprising a handle wherein the actuator, and/or transmission and/or mechanical control element are housed in the handle.

18. The lid of claim 17 wherein the handle extends between the upper surface of the lid and the feed tube, preferably upwardly from one end of an upper surface of the lid and horizontally from the feed tube.

19. A container for a food processing device the container comprising: a lid according to any previous claim; and a communication rod for mechanically communicating displacement of the control element to the base of the container via displacement of the communication rod from a neutral position.

20. The container of claim 19 wherein the communication rod is biased to the neutral position.

21. The container of any one of claims 19 or 20 wherein the container comprises a communication tube surrounding the communication rod.

22. The container of any one of claims 19 to 21 , wherein communication between the communication rod and the control element is prevented when the lid is not secured to the container.

23. A food processor comprising: a container according to any one of claims 19 to 22; a base unit comprising a motor for driving a food processing component; and a switch for controlling the motor, wherein the container is removably mountable to the base unit, and displacement of the communication rod is arranged to actuate the switch.

24. An ergonomic lid for a food processing device comprising: a feed tube extending through a top surface of the lid for introducing food into a food processor, a mechanical actuator for interfacing with a food processor switch for controlling at least one component of the food processor, wherein: the mechanical actuator is ergonomically situated on the lid in proximity to the feed tube such that a user may grasp the feed tube with a hand and with the same hand operate the actuator; and/or the lid comprises a handle extending between an upper surface of the lid and the feed tube, and the actuator is ergonomically situated on the handle such that a user may grasp the handle with a hand whilst operating the actuator with the same hand.

25. The lid of any of claims 1 -18 or claim 24, wherein the actuator is a slider or a rotary element.