Feed tube protector retaining apparatus

In a food processor having a drive motor and control means for enabling the operation of said drive motor;

• a working bowl having a shaft projecting upwardly therethrough, said shaft being coupled to said drive motor for rotation of a food processing tool coupled to said shaft within said bowl;
• a bowl cover detachably secured to said bowl and including a feed tube for introducing food items through said bowl cover into said bowl;
• a feed tube protector hingedly mounted to said bowl cover for pivotal movement between a closed position over said feed tube and an opened position retracted from said feed tube, said feed tube protector being mounted by means of two elongated hinge members separated from one another, formed from a resilient material and defining hinge pins on the outer surfaces thereof for engaging openings in hinge brackets formed on said bowl cover whereby said elongated hinge members can be squeezed to deform said hinge members toward one another such that said hinge pins can be engaged or disengaged from the openings in said hinge brackets to connect or disconnect said feed tube cover and said bowl cover;
• an apparatus for retaining said feed tube protector to said bowl cover when said protector is in said closed position comprising interference means for preventing the deformation of said elongated hinge members whereby said feed tube protector cannot be removed from said food processor when in said closed position over said feed tube.