Multifunctional food processing tool for use with a food processing device
AssigneeWhirlpool Corporation
InventorsMichael P. Conti, David J. Gushwa, Mitchell L. Robertson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A food processing device including a base having a motor positioned therein, a removable bowl coupled to the base, and a removable lid coupled to the bowl so as to define a processing chamber. The food processing device includes a multifunctional food processing tool that is positioned in the processing chamber and driven by the motor. The food processing tool includes a pair of adjustable blades. The food processing device includes an adjustment assembly operable to change the pitch of the adjustable blades while the food processing tool is driven by the motor.
Claims20
A food processing device comprising:
- a base having a motor positioned therein,
- a removable bowl coupled to the base,
- a removable lid coupled to the bowl so as to define a processing chamber, the lid having a feed tube that opens into the bowl,
- a food processing tool positioned in the processing chamber and driven by the motor to rotate about a central axis, the food processing tool including a hub defining the central axis and a pair of adjustable blades extending outwardly from the hub, each adjustable blade having a cutting edge formed thereon, and
- an adjustment assembly including a lever extending outwardly from the base, the lever being moveable relative to the base and operable to pivot each adjustable blade while the food processing tool is rotated about the central axis between a plurality of positions including (i) a first position in which each adjustable blade extends substantially parallel to a bottom surface of the removable bowl, and (ii) a second position in which each adjustable blade extends substantially orthogonal to the bottom surface of the removable bowl.
A food processing device comprising:
- a base having a motor positioned therein,
- a removable bowl coupled to the base,
- a removable lid coupled to the bowl so as to define a processing chamber, the lid having a feed tube that opens into the bowl,
- a food processing tool positioned in the processing chamber and driven by the motor to rotate about a central axis, the food processing tool including a hub defining the central axis and at least one adjustable blade extending outwardly from the hub, the adjustable blade being configured to rotate about a pivot axis extending through the hub orthogonal to the central axis, and
- an adjustment assembly operable to cause the adjustable blade to rotate about the pivot axis while the food processing tool is driven by the motor.
A food processing tool for a domestic food processing device, comprising:
- a hub including a socket sized to receive an output shaft of the food processing device, the hub defining a central rotation axis of the food processing tool,
- a shaft movably coupled to the hub, the shaft being configured to move vertically along the central rotation axis, and
- a pair of adjustable blades extending outwardly from the hub, each blade having a cutting edge formed thereon,
- wherein each adjustable blade is pivotally coupled to the shaft such that vertical movement of the shaft causes the adjustable blades to pivot about an axis extending orthogonal to the central rotation axis.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.