Two level feed tube for food processor

Abstract

An integral two level feed tube is provided for a food processor having a working bowl for enclosing a rotary tool, and a removable cover adapted to be locked on the bowl with the two level feed tube forming a passageway through the cover into the bowl through which a food pusher can be plunged. The feed tube has an upper portion forming an upper passageway having a first (smaller) cross-sectional area and a lower portion forming a lower passgeway having a second (larger) cross-sectional area. The lower portion has a horizontally, inwardly projecting flange at its upper end where the smaller upper passageway enters the larger lower passageway. The pusher is plungable through both passageways for pushing food items toward the tool. The upper portion is substantially shorter than the lower portion. Accordingly, longer food items desired to be sliced lengthwise are inserted in the upper tube diagonally and come to rest horizontally ready for lengthwise slicing in the lower passageway. Also, the cover may be removed, inverted, and larger items placed directly into the larger lower passageway; or the item may be rested temporarily on the tool with the lower passageway enclosing the item when the cover is locked onto the bowl. The shape and size of the smaller upper passageway is configured to prevent an adult hand from extending through it for preventing inadvertent contact with an operating rotary tool.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.