Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention generally relates to an apparatus for food processing.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Traditional food processors and benders typically utilize food processing blades or elements or blending blades or elements which are located or situated at the bottom portion of the food container associated therewith. A motor or other actuating device in these food processors or blenders is typically located or situated in a housing located beneath the food processing blades or elements or blending blades or elements. Maximum torque is often only needed at the start of food processing or for short periods when a significant load is placed on the food processing tool (for example a dough kneading tool). As such, the motor is often large so as to allow the food processing devices to achieve the required torque requirement for a given application. This means that it may be necessary to use a motor that is bigger, more expensive and heavier than is actually required for the majority of the processing operation.
[0003] And in hand blenders care must be taken so as to ensure that the food processing blades or elements or the blending blades or elements remain immersed within or submerged in the food or food ingredients during the processing or blending process so as to prevent the food or food ingredients from splattering and/or causing an unnecessary mess. Hand blenders also require that the user manually move the hand blender about in order to ensure that a complete processing and/or blending of the food or the food ingredients is achieved. Further, hand blenders also typically have smaller blades or processing elements which also requires that the operator of the hand blender move the processing or blending portion of same about in the food or food ingredients being processed.
[0004] As a result of the many shortfalls of the prior art food processing devices and/or blenders, there is a need for a food processor apparatus which overcomes the aforementioned problems.
SUMMARY
[0005] Embodiments of the present disclosure present technological improvements as solutions to one or more of the above-mentioned technical problems.
[0006] Before the present subject matter relating to an apparatus for food processing, it is to be understood that this application is not limited to the particular system described, as there can be multiple possible embodiments which are not expressly illustrated in the present disclosure. It is also to be understood that the terminology used in the description is for the purpose of describing the implementations or versions or embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of the present subject matter.
[0007] This summary is provided to introduce aspects related to an apparatus for food processing. This summary is not intended to identify essential features of the claimed subject matter nor is it intended for use in determining or limiting the scope of the present subject matter.
[0008] In an embodiment, an apparatus for food processing, includes a container, a motor and a controller. The container includes at least one rotatable, sharp blade. The motor is configured to drive a food processing tool. The controller is configured to control a food processing operation of the food processor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
[0009] The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference features and modules.
[0010] Figure 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, in a three-dimensional perspective.
[0011] Figure 2 illustrates a bottom perspective view of a set of blades in accordance with one aspect.
[0012] Figure 3 illustrates an exemplary impulse generator in the form of an impact mechanism.
[0013] It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any block diagrams herein represent conceptual views of illustrative methods embodying the principles of the present disclosure. Similarly, it will be appreciated that any flow charts, flow diagrams, and the like represent various processes which may be substantially represented in computer readable medium and so executed by a computer or processor, whether or not such computer or processor is explicitly shown.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments which do not limit the scope and ambit of the invention. The description provided is purely by way of example and illustration.
[0015] One or more embodiments are provided so as to thoroughly and fully convey the scope of the present invention to the person skilled in the art. Numerous details are set forth, relating to specific components, and methods, to provide a complete understanding of embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that the details provided in the embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of the present invention. In some embodiments, well-known processes, well-known apparatus structures, and well-known techniques are not described in detail.
[0016] The terminology used, in the present invention, is only for the purpose of explaining a particular embodiment and such terminology shall not be considered to limit the scope of the present invention. As used in the present invention, the forms "a,” "an," and "the" may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly suggests otherwise. The terms "comprises," "comprising," “including,” and “having,” are open ended transitional phrases and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, modules, units and/or components, but do not forbid the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The particular order of steps disclosed in the method and process of the present invention is not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance as described or illustrated. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.
[0017] In an embodiment, an apparatus for food processing includes a container, a motor and a controller. The container includes at least one rotatable, sharp blade. The motor is configured to drive a food processing tool. The controller is configured to control a food processing operation of the food processor.
[0018] In another implementation, at least one blade includes a first set of blades and a second set of blades, each mounted to a shaft.
[0019] In another implementation, at least one non-transitory memory storing is configured to store processor-executable instructions when executed by the controller.
[0020] In another implementation, an impulse generator is connectable between the motor and the food processing container, wherein the impulse generator is mechanical.
[0021] In another implementation, the control mechanism is arranged to activate the impulse generator at a predetermined torque of the motor.
[0022] In another implementation, the total time period of all activations of the apparatus is at least five seconds for blending segments is at least thirty-five seconds.
[0023] In another implementation, measuring lines are located on an interior side wall of the container.
[0024] In another implementation, the food processing operation is a chopping operation, a mixing operation, a blending operation, a liquefying operation, a grating operation, a beating operation, a whipping operation, a whisking operation, a stirring operation, a pureeing operation, a pulsing operation, an ice crushing operation, a crumbing operation, an extracting operation, a dough preparing operation, or a smoothie preparing operation.
[0025] In another implementation, the food processing apparatus is a hand-held device.
[0026] Figure 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, in a three-dimensional perspective.
[0027] In an embodiment, the food processing apparatus includes container with an attached lid is shown mounted to blender base. A blade assembly similar to the blade assembly is positioned within the container. Other sizes of containers may be used in various embodiments. Other blade arrangements or other processing tools may be used with containers that are mounted to blender base. In some embodiments, blade assemblies which include transmissions positioned within the container itself may be used in conjunction with blender base and stored sequences that are used to operate the food processing apparatus. In an embodiment, the food processing attachment 20 includes a main body 21, a plurality of food processing blades 22 attached to the main body 21, and a mixing element 21A which, in a preferred embodiment, is formed in the main body 21 and which can be designed to facilitate mixing during the food processing process. In a preferred embodiment, the food processing attachment 20 can also include a spacer portion 24, about which the main body 21 and/or the remainder of the food processing attachment 20 can freely rotate, which spacer portion 24 can serve to elevate and to protect the food processing attachment components 21 and 21A, and/or the food processing blades 22, which are situated above same, from coming into contact with the bottom of a respective cooking pot, cooking container, cooking utensil, or any other device or item, in connection with which the apparatus 100 is being utilized. In this regard, in a preferred embodiment, the spacer portion 24 is rotatably connected to the main body 21 of the food processing attachment 20.
[0028] The food processor apparatus 100 also includes a plate 25 which, in a preferred embodiment, is of a circular shape. Although described as being of a circular shape, it is important to note that the plate 25 can take any shape depending on the nature of the use of the apparatus 100 and, therefore, the plate 25 can be square in shape, rectangular in shape, oval in shape, or can be designed to have any other shape. In a preferred embodiment, the plate has a hole or opening 27 in the center thereof through which the cylindrical housing portion 12 of the apparatus 100 can pass. In a preferred embodiment, the hole or opening 27 of the plate 25 is lined with a rubber gasket or a similar or like element (not shown) which can facilitate the placement and/or the movement of the cylindrical housing portion 12 within and/or through the hole or opening 27 as described herein.
[0029] In an embodiment, the apparatus 100 can also be battery powered and can be equipped with direct current (DC) motor. In still another preferred embodiment, the electric motor can also be either an AC motor or a DC motor and the apparatus 100 can be equipped with any DC-AC conversion circuitry or equipment or AC-DC conversion circuitry or equipment in order to facilitate use of the apparatus with any type or kind of motor and any available power source. In a preferred embodiment, the main housing portion also houses a control device or a controller and any attendant circuitry and/or equipment activating, de-activating, enabling, or disabling, or controlling and/or all operations and functions which can be performed by the apparatus 100.
[0030] The apparatus can be utilized in connection with cooking pots, cooking containers, cooking utensils, or any other devices or items having any depth. Also, since a preferred embodiment use of the apparatus 100 of the present invention may involve placing the apparatus on top of a cooking pot, cooking container, cooking utensil, or other device or item, and lowering the food processing blades onto the food or food ingredients to be processed, the slideability of the plate 25 vis-a-vis the cylindrical housing portion 12 and vice versa, allows the user or operator to place the plate 25 over the cooking pot, cooking container, cooking utensil, or other device or item, so as to prevent food therein from splattering, and so as to allow the user or operator to activate the apparatus 100 in order to cut or slice through the food or food ingredients until the food processing attachment reaches the bottom of the cooking pot, cooking container, cooking utensil, or other device or item, at which time and/or position the apparatus 100 c.
[0031] Figure 2 illustrates a bottom perspective view of a set of blades in accordance with one aspect.
[0032] In an embodiment, the blade assembly may be configured to engage with a container. In this particular embodiment, the second end 2008 of the blade assembly includes a cavity that is configured to engage with a spindle (not shown) in the container. As shown, the second end 2008 of the blade assembly 2000 may include a pattern, such as a star-shaped pattern which engages with the shape of the spindle. Although a star-shaped pattern is illustrated, other configurations are also contemplated, such as, but not limited to, circular, triangular, square, rectangular, or hexagonal patterns. In an embodiment, the blade assembly is configured to engage with the lid. More specifically, as shown, the first end of the blade assembly may include a pin or other protruding component configured to be inserted into a bushing (not shown) located on an underside of a container lid. It should be appreciated that the invention is not limited in this respect, and for example, in another embodiment, the first end of the blade assembly may include a recess component engageable with a protruding component on the lid, and/or the second end of the blade assembly may include a protruding component that is engageable with a recessed component on the container.
[0033] Figure 3 illustrates an exemplary impulse generator in the form of an impact mechanism.
[0034] In an embodiment, the impulse generator to the food processing tool 130, cutting hard objects using a rotary blade has the effect that each impulse of the impulse generator delivers a much higher momentary force / inertia to the rotary blade, and thus food. Rapid repetition of this action further improves food processing. When hit by the impulse-driven food processing tool, food will not be pushed away as the first impact will start cutting/mixing then there will be a pause while the energy is stored via accumulator, in this pause the food will slow down or stop moving in front of the blade, soon after there will be another high force impact event and so on. The impulse generator may be selective. Under no or low torque requirements the impulse generator does not operate. Instead, the food processing tool is instead driven by the motor in a conventional manner, and the impulse generator bypassed. The threshold at which point the impulse generator is engaged is set to be around the mean torque requirement 210 for the motor when operating as normal. When a load is placed on the motor greater than the threshold the impulse generator is activated so as to drive the food processing tool and to multiply the torque to achieve the desired result. Once the torque that is required becomes lower than the threshold the impulse generator will disable itself again.
[0035] The impulse generator is hydraulically or pneumatically driven. The impact driver mechanism may be surrounded by sound insulation of sufficient thickness and attenuating properties to reduce sound typically emitted by the mechanism to the user to below the first action level under EU directive 2003/10/EC (i.e. 80dB(A)), and preferably to below 60 dB(A) or less (the approximate level of human speech at a distance of ~1 meter and a comfortable sound-level for a domestic kitchen).
[0036] The foregoing description of the invention has been set merely to illustrate the invention and is not intended to be limiting. Since modifications of the disclosed embodiments incorporating the substance of the invention may occur to person skilled in the art, the invention should be construed to include everything within the scope of the invention. , Claims:We claim:
1. An apparatus for food processing, comprising:
a container including at least one rotatable, sharp blade;
a motor configured to drive a food processing tool;
a controller configured to control a food processing operation of the food processor.
2. The apparatus for food processing as claimed in claim 1, wherein the container further comprises a removable lid for facilitating access to at least one rotatable, sharp blade.
3. The apparatus for food processing as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one rotatable, sharp blade is detachably connected to the container.
4. The apparatus for food processing as claimed in claim 1, wherein the food processing tool is selected from the group consisting of chopping blades, slicing blades, grating blades, and mixing blades.
5. The apparatus for food processing as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to adjust the speed of the motor based on user input.
6. The apparatus for food processing as claimed in claim 1, wherein the apparatus further comprising a safety mechanism configured to prevent operation of the motor when the container is not properly secured.
7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein measuring lines are located on an interior side wall of the container.
8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the food processing operation is a chopping operation, a mixing operation, a blending operation, a liquefying operation, a grating operation, a beating operation, a whipping operation, a whisking operation, a stirring operation, a pureeing operation, a pulsing operation, an ice crushing operation, a crumbing operation, an extracting operation, a dough preparing operation, or a smoothie preparing operation.
9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the food processing apparatus is a hand-held device.