# US 10,869,577 B2 · Food processing apparatus and method

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- Number: US 10,869,577 B2
- Document ID: US10869577B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/903,803
- Filed: 2018-02-23
- Published: 2018-06-28
- Granted: 2020-12-22
- Earliest claimed: 2014-07-03
- Assignees: SharkNinja Operating LLC
- Applicants: SharkNinja Operating LLC
- Inventors: Daniel Stephen Potter; Devin Joseph Coakley; Michael Joseph Smith
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10869577B2

## CPC

- A47J 43/0727: {Mixing bowls}
- A47J 43/0705: {for machines with tools driven from the upper side (A47J43/0727 - A47J43/08 take precedence)}
- A47J 43/0716: {for machines with tools driven from the lower side (A47J43/0727 - A47J43/08 take precedence)}
- A47J 43/082: {for machines with tools driven from the upper side (A47J43/087, A47J43/09 take precedence)}
- A47J 43/085: {for machines with tools driven from the lower side (A47J43/087, A47J43/09 take precedence)}
- A47J 43/087: {for machines with several driving units (A47J43/09 takes precedence)}
- A47J: KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES

## Abstract

Food processing apparatuses having a drive unit which has more than one mode of operation, works with more than one food processing container, and/or may be operated in more than orientation are disclosed. The drive unit may be operated in first and second modes of operation. In some embodiments, the drive unit may be actuated in a different manner in the second mode of operation as compared to the first mode of operation. In some embodiments, the orientation of the drive unit in the second mode of operation is vertically flipped upside-down as compared to the orientation of the drive unit in the first mode of operation.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A food processing apparatus comprising:
a drive unit configured to drive a processing tool;
a first activation site to permit actuation of the drive unit;
a first container; and
a second container;
wherein:
the drive unit is useable in a first mode of operation with the first container and is useable in a second mode of operation with the second container;
in the first mode of operation, the first activation site is accessible by a user; and
in the second mode of operation, a user is prevented from interacting with the first activation site when the drive unit is placed in an upright position on a flat support surface.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The food processing apparatus of claim 1, wherein, in the second mode of operation, the first activation site is inaccessible by the user when the drive unit is placed in the upright position on the flat support surface.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The food processing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first activation site is recessed relative to an end of the drive unit.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The food processing apparatus of claim 1, wherein:
the drive unit has a first orientation relative to a support surface when being used in the first mode of operation;
the drive unit has a second orientation relative to the support surface when being used in the second mode of operation; and
the first orientation of the drive unit is vertically flipped upside-down as compared to the second orientation of the drive unit.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The food processing apparatus of claim 1, wherein:
in the first mode of operation, the first container supports the drive unit; and
in the second mode of operation, the drive unit supports the second container.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The food processing apparatus of claim 1, wherein in the second mode of operation, the drive unit is actuated at a second activation site that is different from the first activation site.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The food processing apparatus of claim 6, wherein the second activation site comprises a surface of the second container.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The food processing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first activation site comprises a user-actuated button.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The food processing apparatus of claim 8, wherein the user-actuated button includes a rocker switch.

### Claim 10 (depends on 8)

The food processing apparatus of claim 8, wherein the user-actuated button is gasket-sealed to the drive unit.