CA2152248C - Food processor - Google Patents
Food processor Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2152248C CA2152248C CA 2152248 CA2152248A CA2152248C CA 2152248 C CA2152248 C CA 2152248C CA 2152248 CA2152248 CA 2152248 CA 2152248 A CA2152248 A CA 2152248A CA 2152248 C CA2152248 C CA 2152248C
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- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- tray
- cutter plate
- section
- cutter
- plate
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
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Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47J—KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
- A47J43/00—Implements for preparing or holding food, not provided for in other groups of this subclass
- A47J43/04—Machines for domestic use not covered elsewhere, e.g. for grinding, mixing, stirring, kneading, emulsifying, whipping or beating foodstuffs, e.g. power-driven
- A47J43/07—Parts or details, e.g. mixing tools, whipping tools
- A47J43/08—Driving mechanisms
- A47J43/082—Driving mechanisms for machines with tools driven from the upper side
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47J—KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
- A47J43/00—Implements for preparing or holding food, not provided for in other groups of this subclass
- A47J43/25—Devices for grating
Abstract
A food processor is provided herein. The food processor includes a tray which is configured to accommodate processed food, the tray having an upper face and an inner face, the upper face of the tray being open. The food processor includes a cutter plate which is provided to an upper section of the tray, the cutter plate being configured for reciprocatively moving along the upper face of the tray so as to process food materials. The food processor includes guiding means for supporting the cutter plate and for guiding the movement of the cutter plate, the guiding means being provided on the inner face of the tray. The food processor includes a cover provided above the cutter plate and attached to the tray, the cover having a hollow cylindrical member for receiving food materials. The food processor includes a drive section having driving means for reciprocatively moving the cutter plate and connecting means for mutually connecting the driving means and the cutter plate, the drive section being configured for attaching to the upper section of the tray. The connecting means mutually connects the driving means and the cutter plate when the drive section is attached to the tray.
Description
FOOD PROCESSOR
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a food processor, and more precisely relates to a food processor, which is capable of slicing, shredding and grating food materials.
BACKGROUND ART
Food processors have been used for slicing, shredding, grating food materials, e.g., vegetables. Conventional food processors have rotary blades for slicing food materials. By using the conventional food processors with rotary blades, however, shredded food is apt to be curved. Fibres of grated food are sometimes lodged on the rotary blades, so that grating cannot be executed well.
To solve the above described disadvantages, an improved food processor having a cutter plate, which is capable of reciprocatively moving, has been invented (see Japanese Patent Kokai Gazette No. 5-84144). In this food processor, food materials are placed into a hollow cylindrical member and are sliced or shredded by a reciprocatively moving cutter plate.
Processed food, which has been sliced or shredded, is accommodated in a tray, which is located below the cutter plate. By reciprocatively moving the cutter plate, the processed food can be prevented from being curved. Fibres of grated food cannot be lodged, so that grating can be executed well.
However, the above-identified improved food processor with the cutter plate must be of a large size. A purality of parts are integrally assembled, so it is difficult to wash each part.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
An object of a first aspect of the present invention is to provide a food processor, which can be compact in size and can be easily washed.
A first broad aspect of the present invention provides a food processor. The food processor includes a tray which is configured to accommodate processed food, the tray having an upper face and an inner face, the upper face of the tray being open. The food processor includes a cutter plate which is provided to an upper section of the tray, the cutter plate being configured for reciprocatively moving along the upper face of the tray so as to process food materials. The food processor includes guiding means for supporting the cutter plate and for guiding the movement of the cutter plate, the guiding means being provided on the inner face of the tray.
The food processor includes a cover which is provided above the cutter plate and which is attached to the tray, the cover having a hollow cylindrical member for receiving food materials. The food processor includes a drive section having both driving means for reciprocatively moving the cutter plate and connecting means for mutually connecting the driving means and the cutter plate, the drive section being configured for attaching to the upper section of the tray. The connecting means mutually connects the driving means and the cutter plate when the drive section is attached to the tray.
A second broad aspect of the present invention provides a food processor. The food processor includes a tray which is configured to accommodate processed food, the tray having an upper face and an inner face, the upper face of the tray being open. The food processor includes a cutter plate which is provided to an upper section of the tray, the cutter plate being configured for reciprocatively moving along the upper face of the tray so as to process food materials. The food processor includes guiding means for supporting the cutter plate and guiding the movement of the cutter plate, the guiding means being provided on the inner face of the tray.
The food processor includes a cover which is provided above the cutter plate and attached to the tray, the cover having a cylindrical member for receiving food materials. The food processor includes a stand for supporting the tray. The food processor includes a drive section having both driving means for reciprocatively moving the cutter plate and connecting means for mutually connecting the driving means and the cutter plate, the drive section being configured for attaching to the upper section of the tray. The connecting means mutually connects the driving means and the cutter plate when the drive section is attached to the stand.
A third broad aspect of the present invention provides a food processor. The food processor includes a tray which is configured to accommodate processed food, the tray having an upper face and an inner face, the upper face of the tray being open. The food processor includes a cutter plate which is provided above the tray, the cutter plate being configured for reciprocatively moving along the upper face of the tray so as to process food materials. The food processor includes a setting section which is configured for accommodating the tray. The food processor includes a cover which is provided above the cutter plate and which is attached to the setting section, the cover having a hollow cylindrical member for receiving food materials. The food processor includes guiding means for supporting the cutter plate and for guiding the movement of the cutter plate, the guiding means being provided on the inner face of the setting section. The food processor includes a drive section having both driving means for reciprocatively moving the cutter plate and connecting means for mutually connecting the driving means and the cutter plate, the drive section being configured for attaching to an upper section of the tray. The connecting means mutually connects the driving means and the cutter plate when the drive section is attached to the setting section.
By a first variant of these three broad aspects of the present invention, the cutter plate further comprises a frame section and a cutter section which is configured for attaching to, and detaching from, the frame section.
By a variation of the above first variant, the cutter section further comprises a slicing blade for slicing food materials, a shredding blade for shredding food materials, the shredding blade facing the slicing blade, and an adjusting plate for adjusting the thickness of the processed food, the adjusting plate being provided between the slicing blade and the shredding blade.
By a second variant of these three broad aspects of the present invention, and/or the above first variant thereof, the food processor further includes an inner tray which is attached on a bottom face of the cutter plate, the inner tray being configured for movement in the tray together with the cutter plate.
By a third variant of these three broad aspects of the present invention, and/or the above variants thereof, the drive section further comprises an electric motor, a driving gear for rotation by the motor, the driving gear being configured to be rotated in a plane which is parallel to a plane in which the cutter plate is configured to be reciprocatively moved, a drive roller which is eccentrically attached to the driving gear, the drive roller having a projected section projecting from the plane in which the driving gear is configured to be rotated, a movable plate having an engage hole which is movably engaged with the drive roller and which is configured for limiting a stroke of the movement of the drive roller, a guide rail for guiding the movement of the movable plate in a direction which is parallel to the direction of the reciprocative movement of the cutter plate, and a drive lever which is fixed to the movable plate and which is configured for engaging with the cutter plate.
By a first variation of the above third variant, the drive section further comprises a locking mechanism which is fixed to the movable plate and which projects from the cutter plate toward the movable plate.
By a second variation of the above third variant, the locking mechanism further comprises two pairs of lock levers which are provided at positions at which the lock levers are configured for contacting front and rear end faces of the projected section, the lock levers being configured for moving in a direction which is perpendicular to the direction of movement of the projected section, each pair of the lock levers being biased mutually to contact one another and each pair of the lock levers being configured for mutually opening to introduce and engage with the projected section when the projected section contacts the lock levers.
By a fourth variant of these three broad aspects of the present invention, and/or the above variants thereof, the cutter plate can be attached and detached.
By a fifth variant of these three broad aspects of the present invention, and/or the above variants thereof, the setting section is configured for accommodating an extra cutter plate.
In more general terms, in the food processor of an aspect of the present invention, the driving section is provided over the tray so that the size of the food processor can be small.
The cutter plate is capable of reciprocatively moving along the upper face of the tray. In spite of its small size, the stroke of the cutter plate can be long, so that large food materials, e.g., a whole radish, can be processed without prior cutting to smaller sizes. Further, the tray, the driving section, the cover, etc. can be disassembled, so they can each be easily washed.
DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
In the accompanying drawings, FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a food processor of a first embodiment of an aspect of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a front sectional view thereof;
FIG. 3 is a plan view thereof;
FIG. 4 is a plan view of a lid, which is attached to a hollow cylindrical member for use in the food processor of the first embodiment of an aspect of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a plan view of a cutter plate having a cutter section for grating for use in the food processor of the first embodiment of an aspect of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a side view of the cutter plate;
FIG. 7 is a plan view of an extra cutter section for use in the food processor of the first embodiment of an aspect of the present invention;
FIG. 8 is a sectional view thereof;
FIG. 9 is a plan view of an adjusting plate for use in the food processor of the first embodiment of an aspect of the present invention;
FIG. 10 is a plan view of an adjusting plate for shredding;
FIG. 11 is a side sectional view of a food processor of a second embodiment of an aspect of the present invention;
FIG. 12 is a front sectional view thereof; and FIG. 13 is a plan view of lock levers of a locking mechanism for use in the food processor of the first embodiment of an aspect of the present invention.
AT LEAST ONE MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Preferred embodiments of aspects of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the above-mentioned drawings.
In a food processor shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a cover 41 having a hollow cylindrical member 40 is attached to an opening section of a tray 10 into which processed food is accommodated. A drive section 12, which includes driving means, is attached to a rear section of the hollow cylindrical member 40.
A whole upper face of the tray 10, which is formed into a box shape, is open. A cutter plate 14 is supported and is capable of reciprocatively moving along the open upper face of the tray 10. The cutter plate 14 is connected to the driving means of the drive section 12, so that the cutter plate 14 can be moved reciprocatively. As shown in FIG. 2, step sections 16 are formed in an inner upper section of the tray 10, and they are formed in the longitudinal direction of the tray 10.
Rotatable rollers 18 are provided on outer side faces of the cutter plate 14. The rollers 18 are rotatably supported on the step sections 16, so that the cutter plate 14 can be reciprocatively moved along the step sections 16.
The cutter plate 14 having a cutter section 14b for grating is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The cutter plate 14 comprises a frame section 14a and a cutter section 14b. The cutter section 14b can be exchanged according to the different kinds of food materials to be processed. An engage section 20 is formed at one end of the frame section 14. The engage section 20 is capable of engaging with a drive lever 22 of the drive section 12.
An electric motor 24 as the driving means is accommodated in the drive section 12. Rotary motion of the motor 24 is converted to reciprocative linear motion of the drive lever 22. A first gear 26 is engaged with a gear which is fixed to an output shaft of the motor 24; a second gear 27 is engaged with the first gear 26; and a driving gear 28 is engaged with the second gear 27. The gear ratio among the gears 26, 27 and 28 is designed to rotate the driving gear 28 at the desired speed. The driving gear 28 is rotated in a plane which is parallel to a plane in which the cutter plate 14 moves.
The driving gear 28 defines the stroke of the drive lever 22. The cutter plate 14 is reciprocatively moved by the drive lever 22. With this structure, the diameter of the driving gear 28 is made greater so as to make the stroke of the cutter plate 14 longer. To rotate the driving gear 28 smoothly, a support roller 30, which contacts and rotate on an upper end face of the driving gear 28, is provided. Note that the second gear 27 is engaged with gear teeth which are formed on an inner circumferential face of the driving gear 28 so as to rotate the driving gear 28.
A mechanism for converting the rotary motion of the driving gear 28 to the reciprocative linear motion of the drive lever 22 will now be explained. A drive roller 32 is eccentrically provided on the driving gear 28. The drive roller 32 is engaged with a movable plate 34. The movable plate 34 is linearly movable along guide rail 36.
The relationship between the movable plate 34, and the guide rail 36, will now be explained. The drive lever 22 is fixed to the movable plate 34. The fixed part is formed into a U-shaped part. Front ends of the U-shaped part are slidably inserted into a guide hole 36a of the guide rail 36.
In FIG. 3, the guide hole 36a of the guide rail 36 is formed parallel to the longitudinal direction of the tray 10.
The guide rail 36 is fixed to the drive section 12.
The movable plate 34 is formed into a diamond shape when viewed in plan. The movable plate 34 has an engage hole 34a in which the drive roller 32 is inserted. The engage hole 34a is formed perpendicular to the guide hole 36a of the guide rail 36. The drive roller 32 is moved by the rotation of the driving gear 28 with a circular track. Thus, the engage hole 34a is formed into an oblong hole, which defines the stroke of the movement of the drive roller 32. The length of the guide hole 36a is defined on the basis of the stroke of the drive roller 32 and the position of the U-shaped part of the movable plate 34.
When the driving gear 28 is rotated, the drive roller 32 moves with the engage hole 34a, so that the movable plate 34 is reciprocatively moved. Since the drive lever 22 is fixed to the movable plate 34, the drive lever 22 can be reciprocatively moved together with the movable plate 34. The stroke of the drive lever 22 is defined on the basis of diameter of the circular track of the drive roller 32.
In FIG. l, food materials, e.g., vegetables, are fed onto the cutter plate 14 via the hollow cylindrical member 40. The cylindrical member 40 is integrated with the cover 41, which is attached on the opened upper face of the tray 10. The size and the shape of the hollow cylindrical member 40 is variable.
In a first embodiment, the hollow cylindrical member 40 is formed into a hollow circular cylinder, and large materials, e.g., a whole radish, can be put thereinto.
A pusher 42 is inserted into the hollow cylindrical member 40. The pusher 42 is used for pressing food materials onto the cutter plate 14 through the hollow cylindrical member 40. A
circular flange 42a, whose diameter corresponds to inner diameter of the hollow cylindrical member 40, is formed at a lower end of the pusher 42.
Note that a pushing section 42a of the pusher 42 is formed into a cylinder so as to process small food materials easily.
A small pushing rod 44 is slidably inserted into the pushing section 42a. A bottom face of the pushing rod 44 coincides with that of the flange 42a when the pushing rod 44 is fully inserted into the pushing section 42a.
A lid 46 is capable of covering over an open upper face of the hollow cylindrical member 40. The lid 46 prevents the food materials in the hollow cylindrical member 40 from scattering outside. The lid 46 has the function of a safety mechanism. If the lid 46 is not set, the food processor cannot operate so as to provide safety.
In FIG. 4, the lid 46 has a disc section, which corresponds to the shape of the hollow cylindrical member 40, and a projected section 46a, which extends from an outer edge of the disc section. A hole 46b is bored in the projected section 46a, into which a switch button 50 of the drive section 12 is inserted. Switch button 50 is provided on an upper face of the drive section 12 as shown in FIG. 1. When the lid 46 covers the cylindrical member 40, the switch button 50 just comes into the hole 46b. In a first embodiment, since a top section of the switch button 50 is formed into a hemisphere, the inner shape of the hole 46b is formed into a hemisphere corresponding to the switch button 50.
A lock button 52 is provided in the drive section 12, which is located beside the switch button 50. A releasing boss 48 projects downwardly from a bottom face of the lid 46. Thus, the releasing boss 48 pushes the lock button 52 when the lid 46 covers the cylindrical member 40, so that the switch button 52 is released. With this structure, the food processor can operate while the lid 46 covers the cylindrical member 40.
Note that, as a safety mechanism, the switch button 50 may be provided in the drive section 12 and a projected section for pushing the switch button may be provided to the lid 46.
In this case, too, the food processor can operate while the lid 46 covers the cylindrical member 40.
To operate the above described food processor, the drive section 12 and the cover 41 are first assembled without the tray 10. Then, the cutter plate 14 is attached to the drive section 12. One end of the drive lever 22 is projected from the oblong hole of the cover 41, the length of the oblong hole being as long as the desired stroke of the linear movement of the drive lever 22. Thus, the drive lever 22 is inserted into a hole of the engage section 20 of the cutter plate 14 to set.
Note that, if the cutter plate 14 is set downwardly by engaging with the drive lever 22, the cutter plate 14 falls down, Accordingly, the cutter plate 14 is temporarily fixed to the cover 41 when the cutter plate 14 is engaged with the drive lever 22. The cutter plate 14 is temporarily fixed to the cover 41 by engaging a hook 60, which is formed on a bottom face of the cover 41, with a side face of the frame section 14a of the cutter plate 14.
During this temporary fixing of the cutter plate 14, the tray 10 is attached to the drive section 12 and the cover 41.
By attaching the tray 10, the roller 18 is mounted on the step section 16 of the tray 10, so that the frame section 14a is located above the hook 60. With this structure, the cutter plate 14 can be reciprocatively moved on the steps section 16.
In FIG. 1, the cutter plate 14 is located at a front stroke end. Even if the cutter plate 14 is located at a front stroke end or at a rear stroke end, a part of the cutter plate 14 is always located under the hollow cylindrical member 40.
After the tray 10 is set, food materials are put into the hollow cylindrical member 40, the lid 46 is set and the switch button 50 is then pushed. Upon pushing the switch button 50, the food processor starts. The cutter plate 14 is reciprocatively moved by the drive lever 22. When the food materials are pressed by the pushing rod 42, the food materials are processed, e.g., sliced, and such processed food materials fall onto the tray 10 and are accommodated therein.
After processing the food materials, the tray 10 is detached from the drive section 12 and the cover 41 so as to be able to remove the processed food. Note that the tray 10 is detached from the drive section 12 and the cover 41 by moving a releasing lever 51.
In a first embodiment, the cutter plate 14 is capable of reciprocatively moving over a whole open upper face of the tray 10, so that large food materials, e.g., a whole radish, can be processed without being cut into smaller pieces. The tray 10, the driving section 12 and the cover 41 can be disassembled, so they can be individually and easily washed.
The driving section 12 and the cover 41 are provided over the tray 10 so that the size of the food processor can be small.
Further, the tray 10 works as a member for supporting the drive section 12, etc., so that the number of parts can be reduced.
In FIG. 5, the cutter plate 14 has a cutter section 14b for grating. Since the cutter plate 14 is reciprocatively and linearly moved to process food materials, the grating by the food processor of aspects of the present invention will be better than that of the conventional food processor having rotary blades. Note that the degree of the grating can be adjusted by selecting the roughness of upper and lower faces of the cutter section 14b.
An extra cutter section 65 for slicing is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. As described above, the cutter section 65 can be attached to the common frame section 14a of the cutter plate 14. The cutter section 65 has a slicing blade 66 in a central part. The thickness of slicing is defined on the basis of a gap between the slicing blade 66 and a plate face (see FIG.
8). The thickness of slicing can be adjusted by exchanging an adjusting plate 67 (see FIG. 9), which is fitted in engage grooves 68a and 68b, which are formed in an inner face of the cutter section 65.
An extra cutter section 65 for shredding is shown in FIG.
10. An adjusting plate 71, which has shredding blades 70, is attached to the cutter section 65. The adjusting plate 71 is also fitted in the engage grooves 68a and 68b of the cutter section 65 as well as the adjusting plate 67. The food materials are shredded by the shredding blades 70 and the slicing blade 66.
In the processing of small amounts of food materials, the tray 10 may be too large to handle. To solve this problem, a small inner tray 72 may be attached to the bottom face of the cutter plate 14 (see FIG. 1). The inner tray 72 can be reciprocatively moved together with the cutter plate 14 while processing the food materials. In this case, the processed food is accommodated on the inner tray 72. The inner tray 72 can be attached to, and be detached from, the frame section 14a of the cutter plate 14.
The food processor of a second embodiment of an aspect of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 11 and 12.
In the first embodiment, the cutter plate 14 and the drive section 12 are engaged with the drive lever 22 to set the tray 10. The cover 41 and the drive section 12 are manually handled but it is troublesome to handle them manually. To solve the problem, in the second embodiment of an aspect of the present invention, the drive section 12 can be set without manual handling.
In FIG. 11, the drive section 12, including the motor 24, is mounted on a stand 80. The tray 10 is inserted into a lower space of the drive section 12 from a front side of the stand 80 and is attached to the lower side of the drive section 12.
The stand 80 is formed into a box whose front face is open for the insertion of the tray 10 into the space. The drive section 12 is capable of vertically moving with respect to the stand 80 so as to set the tray 10.
The arrangement of the motor 24 and the gears in the drive section 12 in this second embodiment of an aspect of the present invention is the same as that of the first embodiment of an aspect of the present invention. A drive roller 32 is provided in the driving gear 28. The drive roller 32 is fitted with the movable plate 34. The movable plate 34 is supported and guided reciprocatively to move by the guide rail 36. Note that the drive section 12 can be automatically connected to the cutter plate 14 by mounting the cutter plate 14 onto the tray 10.
As shown in FIG. 12, the cutter plate 14 of the second embodiment of an aspect of the present invention has the engage section 15, which is projected upwardly, at one end.
The engage section 15 is capable of engaging with a locking mechanism 82, which is provided below the movable plate 34 of the drive section 12. A slide section of the locking mechanism 82 is fixed on a bottom face of the movable plate 34. Lock levers 84 are provided in the slide section. The slide section is guided by a guide hole of the guide rail 36.
In FIG. 13, the lock levers 84 are capable of moving in a direction which is perpendicular to the direction of the reciprocative movement of the cutter plate 14 or the engage section 15. Each pair of lock levers 84 is always biased mutually to contact one another by springs 86. Upon engaging with the engage section 15, the lock levers 84 are capable of holding the engage section 15 so as not to move back and forth. Outer side faces of the lock levers 84 are formed into slope faces so as to introduce the engage section 15 easily into the locking mechanism 82. Note that outer side faces of the engage section 15 are also formed into slope faces so as easily to come thereinto.
To operate the food processor of the second embodiment of an aspect of the present invention, the cutter plate 14 is first mounted onto the tray 10, the cover 41 is set on the tray 10, and the tray 10 on which the cutter plate 14 and the cover 41 have been set is inserted into the stand 80. The cutter plate 14 can be automatically engaged with the drive section 12. Consequently, the cutter plate 14 is allowed to locate at any position when the cutter plate 14 is mounted on the tray 10.
When the tray 10 is inserted into the stand 80, the drive section 12 is slid slightly upwardly. After the tray 10 is inserted, the drive section 12 is pushed downwardly to fix it to the stand 80. By the fixing, the engage section 15 can engage with the locking mechanism 82.
In the mounting of the cutter plate 14 on the tray l0 and setting the tray 10 in the stand 80, the engage section 15 is not engaged with the locking mechanism 82, but the cutter plate 14 is moved by the locking mechanism 82 when the movable plate 34 moves. When the cutter plate 14 arrives at the stroke end, the locking mechanism 82 is further moved, so that the engage section 15 opens the lock levers 84 and is caught in the locking mechanism 82. Since the engage section 15 of the cutter plate 14 is located on the track of the movement of the locking mechanism 82, the above described motions, e.g., of opening the lock levers 84, are automatically executed.
Dampers 88 are provided which absorb any shock which is caused by the tray 10, on the front and rear inner faces of the tray 10.
The food materials are placed into the hollow cylindrical member 40 in the same way as in the first embodiment of an aspect of the present invention. Note that in the second embodiment of an aspect of the present invention, there are two coaxial sub-pushing rods in the pushing rod 42, so the inner diameter of the hollow cylindrical member 40 can be selected on the basis of the size of the food materials. After completing food processing, the drive section 12 is moved slightly upwardly and the tray 10 in which processed food is accommodated can be drawn from the stand 80.
In the second embodiment of an aspect of the present invention, the tray 10 can be inserted into, and be drawn from, the stand 80 without handling the drive section 12.
Since the cutter plate 14 can be automatically connected to the drive section 12, the cutter plate 14 can be attached very easily.
Note that the connecting mechanism which connects the cutter plate 14 and the drive section 12 can also be employed with the food processor of the first embodiment of an aspect of the present invention. The engage section 15 is provided to the cutter plate 14 of the first embodiment of an aspect of the present invention, and the engage section 15 is capable of engaging with the locking mechanism 82. With this structure, the cutter plate 14 and the locking mechanism 82 are automatically connected by: mounting the cutter plate 14 onto the tray 10; setting the cover 41 on the tray 10; and setting the drive section 12 onto the cover 14. By the automatic connecting mechanism, the action of assembling the cutter plate 14 and the drive lever 22 can be omitted. The operation of the food processor of the first embodiment of an aspect of the present invention can be started only by setting the cover 41 and the drive section 12 onto the tray 10, which works as a supporting means.
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a food processor, and more precisely relates to a food processor, which is capable of slicing, shredding and grating food materials.
BACKGROUND ART
Food processors have been used for slicing, shredding, grating food materials, e.g., vegetables. Conventional food processors have rotary blades for slicing food materials. By using the conventional food processors with rotary blades, however, shredded food is apt to be curved. Fibres of grated food are sometimes lodged on the rotary blades, so that grating cannot be executed well.
To solve the above described disadvantages, an improved food processor having a cutter plate, which is capable of reciprocatively moving, has been invented (see Japanese Patent Kokai Gazette No. 5-84144). In this food processor, food materials are placed into a hollow cylindrical member and are sliced or shredded by a reciprocatively moving cutter plate.
Processed food, which has been sliced or shredded, is accommodated in a tray, which is located below the cutter plate. By reciprocatively moving the cutter plate, the processed food can be prevented from being curved. Fibres of grated food cannot be lodged, so that grating can be executed well.
However, the above-identified improved food processor with the cutter plate must be of a large size. A purality of parts are integrally assembled, so it is difficult to wash each part.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
An object of a first aspect of the present invention is to provide a food processor, which can be compact in size and can be easily washed.
A first broad aspect of the present invention provides a food processor. The food processor includes a tray which is configured to accommodate processed food, the tray having an upper face and an inner face, the upper face of the tray being open. The food processor includes a cutter plate which is provided to an upper section of the tray, the cutter plate being configured for reciprocatively moving along the upper face of the tray so as to process food materials. The food processor includes guiding means for supporting the cutter plate and for guiding the movement of the cutter plate, the guiding means being provided on the inner face of the tray.
The food processor includes a cover which is provided above the cutter plate and which is attached to the tray, the cover having a hollow cylindrical member for receiving food materials. The food processor includes a drive section having both driving means for reciprocatively moving the cutter plate and connecting means for mutually connecting the driving means and the cutter plate, the drive section being configured for attaching to the upper section of the tray. The connecting means mutually connects the driving means and the cutter plate when the drive section is attached to the tray.
A second broad aspect of the present invention provides a food processor. The food processor includes a tray which is configured to accommodate processed food, the tray having an upper face and an inner face, the upper face of the tray being open. The food processor includes a cutter plate which is provided to an upper section of the tray, the cutter plate being configured for reciprocatively moving along the upper face of the tray so as to process food materials. The food processor includes guiding means for supporting the cutter plate and guiding the movement of the cutter plate, the guiding means being provided on the inner face of the tray.
The food processor includes a cover which is provided above the cutter plate and attached to the tray, the cover having a cylindrical member for receiving food materials. The food processor includes a stand for supporting the tray. The food processor includes a drive section having both driving means for reciprocatively moving the cutter plate and connecting means for mutually connecting the driving means and the cutter plate, the drive section being configured for attaching to the upper section of the tray. The connecting means mutually connects the driving means and the cutter plate when the drive section is attached to the stand.
A third broad aspect of the present invention provides a food processor. The food processor includes a tray which is configured to accommodate processed food, the tray having an upper face and an inner face, the upper face of the tray being open. The food processor includes a cutter plate which is provided above the tray, the cutter plate being configured for reciprocatively moving along the upper face of the tray so as to process food materials. The food processor includes a setting section which is configured for accommodating the tray. The food processor includes a cover which is provided above the cutter plate and which is attached to the setting section, the cover having a hollow cylindrical member for receiving food materials. The food processor includes guiding means for supporting the cutter plate and for guiding the movement of the cutter plate, the guiding means being provided on the inner face of the setting section. The food processor includes a drive section having both driving means for reciprocatively moving the cutter plate and connecting means for mutually connecting the driving means and the cutter plate, the drive section being configured for attaching to an upper section of the tray. The connecting means mutually connects the driving means and the cutter plate when the drive section is attached to the setting section.
By a first variant of these three broad aspects of the present invention, the cutter plate further comprises a frame section and a cutter section which is configured for attaching to, and detaching from, the frame section.
By a variation of the above first variant, the cutter section further comprises a slicing blade for slicing food materials, a shredding blade for shredding food materials, the shredding blade facing the slicing blade, and an adjusting plate for adjusting the thickness of the processed food, the adjusting plate being provided between the slicing blade and the shredding blade.
By a second variant of these three broad aspects of the present invention, and/or the above first variant thereof, the food processor further includes an inner tray which is attached on a bottom face of the cutter plate, the inner tray being configured for movement in the tray together with the cutter plate.
By a third variant of these three broad aspects of the present invention, and/or the above variants thereof, the drive section further comprises an electric motor, a driving gear for rotation by the motor, the driving gear being configured to be rotated in a plane which is parallel to a plane in which the cutter plate is configured to be reciprocatively moved, a drive roller which is eccentrically attached to the driving gear, the drive roller having a projected section projecting from the plane in which the driving gear is configured to be rotated, a movable plate having an engage hole which is movably engaged with the drive roller and which is configured for limiting a stroke of the movement of the drive roller, a guide rail for guiding the movement of the movable plate in a direction which is parallel to the direction of the reciprocative movement of the cutter plate, and a drive lever which is fixed to the movable plate and which is configured for engaging with the cutter plate.
By a first variation of the above third variant, the drive section further comprises a locking mechanism which is fixed to the movable plate and which projects from the cutter plate toward the movable plate.
By a second variation of the above third variant, the locking mechanism further comprises two pairs of lock levers which are provided at positions at which the lock levers are configured for contacting front and rear end faces of the projected section, the lock levers being configured for moving in a direction which is perpendicular to the direction of movement of the projected section, each pair of the lock levers being biased mutually to contact one another and each pair of the lock levers being configured for mutually opening to introduce and engage with the projected section when the projected section contacts the lock levers.
By a fourth variant of these three broad aspects of the present invention, and/or the above variants thereof, the cutter plate can be attached and detached.
By a fifth variant of these three broad aspects of the present invention, and/or the above variants thereof, the setting section is configured for accommodating an extra cutter plate.
In more general terms, in the food processor of an aspect of the present invention, the driving section is provided over the tray so that the size of the food processor can be small.
The cutter plate is capable of reciprocatively moving along the upper face of the tray. In spite of its small size, the stroke of the cutter plate can be long, so that large food materials, e.g., a whole radish, can be processed without prior cutting to smaller sizes. Further, the tray, the driving section, the cover, etc. can be disassembled, so they can each be easily washed.
DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
In the accompanying drawings, FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a food processor of a first embodiment of an aspect of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a front sectional view thereof;
FIG. 3 is a plan view thereof;
FIG. 4 is a plan view of a lid, which is attached to a hollow cylindrical member for use in the food processor of the first embodiment of an aspect of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a plan view of a cutter plate having a cutter section for grating for use in the food processor of the first embodiment of an aspect of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a side view of the cutter plate;
FIG. 7 is a plan view of an extra cutter section for use in the food processor of the first embodiment of an aspect of the present invention;
FIG. 8 is a sectional view thereof;
FIG. 9 is a plan view of an adjusting plate for use in the food processor of the first embodiment of an aspect of the present invention;
FIG. 10 is a plan view of an adjusting plate for shredding;
FIG. 11 is a side sectional view of a food processor of a second embodiment of an aspect of the present invention;
FIG. 12 is a front sectional view thereof; and FIG. 13 is a plan view of lock levers of a locking mechanism for use in the food processor of the first embodiment of an aspect of the present invention.
AT LEAST ONE MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Preferred embodiments of aspects of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the above-mentioned drawings.
In a food processor shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a cover 41 having a hollow cylindrical member 40 is attached to an opening section of a tray 10 into which processed food is accommodated. A drive section 12, which includes driving means, is attached to a rear section of the hollow cylindrical member 40.
A whole upper face of the tray 10, which is formed into a box shape, is open. A cutter plate 14 is supported and is capable of reciprocatively moving along the open upper face of the tray 10. The cutter plate 14 is connected to the driving means of the drive section 12, so that the cutter plate 14 can be moved reciprocatively. As shown in FIG. 2, step sections 16 are formed in an inner upper section of the tray 10, and they are formed in the longitudinal direction of the tray 10.
Rotatable rollers 18 are provided on outer side faces of the cutter plate 14. The rollers 18 are rotatably supported on the step sections 16, so that the cutter plate 14 can be reciprocatively moved along the step sections 16.
The cutter plate 14 having a cutter section 14b for grating is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The cutter plate 14 comprises a frame section 14a and a cutter section 14b. The cutter section 14b can be exchanged according to the different kinds of food materials to be processed. An engage section 20 is formed at one end of the frame section 14. The engage section 20 is capable of engaging with a drive lever 22 of the drive section 12.
An electric motor 24 as the driving means is accommodated in the drive section 12. Rotary motion of the motor 24 is converted to reciprocative linear motion of the drive lever 22. A first gear 26 is engaged with a gear which is fixed to an output shaft of the motor 24; a second gear 27 is engaged with the first gear 26; and a driving gear 28 is engaged with the second gear 27. The gear ratio among the gears 26, 27 and 28 is designed to rotate the driving gear 28 at the desired speed. The driving gear 28 is rotated in a plane which is parallel to a plane in which the cutter plate 14 moves.
The driving gear 28 defines the stroke of the drive lever 22. The cutter plate 14 is reciprocatively moved by the drive lever 22. With this structure, the diameter of the driving gear 28 is made greater so as to make the stroke of the cutter plate 14 longer. To rotate the driving gear 28 smoothly, a support roller 30, which contacts and rotate on an upper end face of the driving gear 28, is provided. Note that the second gear 27 is engaged with gear teeth which are formed on an inner circumferential face of the driving gear 28 so as to rotate the driving gear 28.
A mechanism for converting the rotary motion of the driving gear 28 to the reciprocative linear motion of the drive lever 22 will now be explained. A drive roller 32 is eccentrically provided on the driving gear 28. The drive roller 32 is engaged with a movable plate 34. The movable plate 34 is linearly movable along guide rail 36.
The relationship between the movable plate 34, and the guide rail 36, will now be explained. The drive lever 22 is fixed to the movable plate 34. The fixed part is formed into a U-shaped part. Front ends of the U-shaped part are slidably inserted into a guide hole 36a of the guide rail 36.
In FIG. 3, the guide hole 36a of the guide rail 36 is formed parallel to the longitudinal direction of the tray 10.
The guide rail 36 is fixed to the drive section 12.
The movable plate 34 is formed into a diamond shape when viewed in plan. The movable plate 34 has an engage hole 34a in which the drive roller 32 is inserted. The engage hole 34a is formed perpendicular to the guide hole 36a of the guide rail 36. The drive roller 32 is moved by the rotation of the driving gear 28 with a circular track. Thus, the engage hole 34a is formed into an oblong hole, which defines the stroke of the movement of the drive roller 32. The length of the guide hole 36a is defined on the basis of the stroke of the drive roller 32 and the position of the U-shaped part of the movable plate 34.
When the driving gear 28 is rotated, the drive roller 32 moves with the engage hole 34a, so that the movable plate 34 is reciprocatively moved. Since the drive lever 22 is fixed to the movable plate 34, the drive lever 22 can be reciprocatively moved together with the movable plate 34. The stroke of the drive lever 22 is defined on the basis of diameter of the circular track of the drive roller 32.
In FIG. l, food materials, e.g., vegetables, are fed onto the cutter plate 14 via the hollow cylindrical member 40. The cylindrical member 40 is integrated with the cover 41, which is attached on the opened upper face of the tray 10. The size and the shape of the hollow cylindrical member 40 is variable.
In a first embodiment, the hollow cylindrical member 40 is formed into a hollow circular cylinder, and large materials, e.g., a whole radish, can be put thereinto.
A pusher 42 is inserted into the hollow cylindrical member 40. The pusher 42 is used for pressing food materials onto the cutter plate 14 through the hollow cylindrical member 40. A
circular flange 42a, whose diameter corresponds to inner diameter of the hollow cylindrical member 40, is formed at a lower end of the pusher 42.
Note that a pushing section 42a of the pusher 42 is formed into a cylinder so as to process small food materials easily.
A small pushing rod 44 is slidably inserted into the pushing section 42a. A bottom face of the pushing rod 44 coincides with that of the flange 42a when the pushing rod 44 is fully inserted into the pushing section 42a.
A lid 46 is capable of covering over an open upper face of the hollow cylindrical member 40. The lid 46 prevents the food materials in the hollow cylindrical member 40 from scattering outside. The lid 46 has the function of a safety mechanism. If the lid 46 is not set, the food processor cannot operate so as to provide safety.
In FIG. 4, the lid 46 has a disc section, which corresponds to the shape of the hollow cylindrical member 40, and a projected section 46a, which extends from an outer edge of the disc section. A hole 46b is bored in the projected section 46a, into which a switch button 50 of the drive section 12 is inserted. Switch button 50 is provided on an upper face of the drive section 12 as shown in FIG. 1. When the lid 46 covers the cylindrical member 40, the switch button 50 just comes into the hole 46b. In a first embodiment, since a top section of the switch button 50 is formed into a hemisphere, the inner shape of the hole 46b is formed into a hemisphere corresponding to the switch button 50.
A lock button 52 is provided in the drive section 12, which is located beside the switch button 50. A releasing boss 48 projects downwardly from a bottom face of the lid 46. Thus, the releasing boss 48 pushes the lock button 52 when the lid 46 covers the cylindrical member 40, so that the switch button 52 is released. With this structure, the food processor can operate while the lid 46 covers the cylindrical member 40.
Note that, as a safety mechanism, the switch button 50 may be provided in the drive section 12 and a projected section for pushing the switch button may be provided to the lid 46.
In this case, too, the food processor can operate while the lid 46 covers the cylindrical member 40.
To operate the above described food processor, the drive section 12 and the cover 41 are first assembled without the tray 10. Then, the cutter plate 14 is attached to the drive section 12. One end of the drive lever 22 is projected from the oblong hole of the cover 41, the length of the oblong hole being as long as the desired stroke of the linear movement of the drive lever 22. Thus, the drive lever 22 is inserted into a hole of the engage section 20 of the cutter plate 14 to set.
Note that, if the cutter plate 14 is set downwardly by engaging with the drive lever 22, the cutter plate 14 falls down, Accordingly, the cutter plate 14 is temporarily fixed to the cover 41 when the cutter plate 14 is engaged with the drive lever 22. The cutter plate 14 is temporarily fixed to the cover 41 by engaging a hook 60, which is formed on a bottom face of the cover 41, with a side face of the frame section 14a of the cutter plate 14.
During this temporary fixing of the cutter plate 14, the tray 10 is attached to the drive section 12 and the cover 41.
By attaching the tray 10, the roller 18 is mounted on the step section 16 of the tray 10, so that the frame section 14a is located above the hook 60. With this structure, the cutter plate 14 can be reciprocatively moved on the steps section 16.
In FIG. 1, the cutter plate 14 is located at a front stroke end. Even if the cutter plate 14 is located at a front stroke end or at a rear stroke end, a part of the cutter plate 14 is always located under the hollow cylindrical member 40.
After the tray 10 is set, food materials are put into the hollow cylindrical member 40, the lid 46 is set and the switch button 50 is then pushed. Upon pushing the switch button 50, the food processor starts. The cutter plate 14 is reciprocatively moved by the drive lever 22. When the food materials are pressed by the pushing rod 42, the food materials are processed, e.g., sliced, and such processed food materials fall onto the tray 10 and are accommodated therein.
After processing the food materials, the tray 10 is detached from the drive section 12 and the cover 41 so as to be able to remove the processed food. Note that the tray 10 is detached from the drive section 12 and the cover 41 by moving a releasing lever 51.
In a first embodiment, the cutter plate 14 is capable of reciprocatively moving over a whole open upper face of the tray 10, so that large food materials, e.g., a whole radish, can be processed without being cut into smaller pieces. The tray 10, the driving section 12 and the cover 41 can be disassembled, so they can be individually and easily washed.
The driving section 12 and the cover 41 are provided over the tray 10 so that the size of the food processor can be small.
Further, the tray 10 works as a member for supporting the drive section 12, etc., so that the number of parts can be reduced.
In FIG. 5, the cutter plate 14 has a cutter section 14b for grating. Since the cutter plate 14 is reciprocatively and linearly moved to process food materials, the grating by the food processor of aspects of the present invention will be better than that of the conventional food processor having rotary blades. Note that the degree of the grating can be adjusted by selecting the roughness of upper and lower faces of the cutter section 14b.
An extra cutter section 65 for slicing is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. As described above, the cutter section 65 can be attached to the common frame section 14a of the cutter plate 14. The cutter section 65 has a slicing blade 66 in a central part. The thickness of slicing is defined on the basis of a gap between the slicing blade 66 and a plate face (see FIG.
8). The thickness of slicing can be adjusted by exchanging an adjusting plate 67 (see FIG. 9), which is fitted in engage grooves 68a and 68b, which are formed in an inner face of the cutter section 65.
An extra cutter section 65 for shredding is shown in FIG.
10. An adjusting plate 71, which has shredding blades 70, is attached to the cutter section 65. The adjusting plate 71 is also fitted in the engage grooves 68a and 68b of the cutter section 65 as well as the adjusting plate 67. The food materials are shredded by the shredding blades 70 and the slicing blade 66.
In the processing of small amounts of food materials, the tray 10 may be too large to handle. To solve this problem, a small inner tray 72 may be attached to the bottom face of the cutter plate 14 (see FIG. 1). The inner tray 72 can be reciprocatively moved together with the cutter plate 14 while processing the food materials. In this case, the processed food is accommodated on the inner tray 72. The inner tray 72 can be attached to, and be detached from, the frame section 14a of the cutter plate 14.
The food processor of a second embodiment of an aspect of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 11 and 12.
In the first embodiment, the cutter plate 14 and the drive section 12 are engaged with the drive lever 22 to set the tray 10. The cover 41 and the drive section 12 are manually handled but it is troublesome to handle them manually. To solve the problem, in the second embodiment of an aspect of the present invention, the drive section 12 can be set without manual handling.
In FIG. 11, the drive section 12, including the motor 24, is mounted on a stand 80. The tray 10 is inserted into a lower space of the drive section 12 from a front side of the stand 80 and is attached to the lower side of the drive section 12.
The stand 80 is formed into a box whose front face is open for the insertion of the tray 10 into the space. The drive section 12 is capable of vertically moving with respect to the stand 80 so as to set the tray 10.
The arrangement of the motor 24 and the gears in the drive section 12 in this second embodiment of an aspect of the present invention is the same as that of the first embodiment of an aspect of the present invention. A drive roller 32 is provided in the driving gear 28. The drive roller 32 is fitted with the movable plate 34. The movable plate 34 is supported and guided reciprocatively to move by the guide rail 36. Note that the drive section 12 can be automatically connected to the cutter plate 14 by mounting the cutter plate 14 onto the tray 10.
As shown in FIG. 12, the cutter plate 14 of the second embodiment of an aspect of the present invention has the engage section 15, which is projected upwardly, at one end.
The engage section 15 is capable of engaging with a locking mechanism 82, which is provided below the movable plate 34 of the drive section 12. A slide section of the locking mechanism 82 is fixed on a bottom face of the movable plate 34. Lock levers 84 are provided in the slide section. The slide section is guided by a guide hole of the guide rail 36.
In FIG. 13, the lock levers 84 are capable of moving in a direction which is perpendicular to the direction of the reciprocative movement of the cutter plate 14 or the engage section 15. Each pair of lock levers 84 is always biased mutually to contact one another by springs 86. Upon engaging with the engage section 15, the lock levers 84 are capable of holding the engage section 15 so as not to move back and forth. Outer side faces of the lock levers 84 are formed into slope faces so as to introduce the engage section 15 easily into the locking mechanism 82. Note that outer side faces of the engage section 15 are also formed into slope faces so as easily to come thereinto.
To operate the food processor of the second embodiment of an aspect of the present invention, the cutter plate 14 is first mounted onto the tray 10, the cover 41 is set on the tray 10, and the tray 10 on which the cutter plate 14 and the cover 41 have been set is inserted into the stand 80. The cutter plate 14 can be automatically engaged with the drive section 12. Consequently, the cutter plate 14 is allowed to locate at any position when the cutter plate 14 is mounted on the tray 10.
When the tray 10 is inserted into the stand 80, the drive section 12 is slid slightly upwardly. After the tray 10 is inserted, the drive section 12 is pushed downwardly to fix it to the stand 80. By the fixing, the engage section 15 can engage with the locking mechanism 82.
In the mounting of the cutter plate 14 on the tray l0 and setting the tray 10 in the stand 80, the engage section 15 is not engaged with the locking mechanism 82, but the cutter plate 14 is moved by the locking mechanism 82 when the movable plate 34 moves. When the cutter plate 14 arrives at the stroke end, the locking mechanism 82 is further moved, so that the engage section 15 opens the lock levers 84 and is caught in the locking mechanism 82. Since the engage section 15 of the cutter plate 14 is located on the track of the movement of the locking mechanism 82, the above described motions, e.g., of opening the lock levers 84, are automatically executed.
Dampers 88 are provided which absorb any shock which is caused by the tray 10, on the front and rear inner faces of the tray 10.
The food materials are placed into the hollow cylindrical member 40 in the same way as in the first embodiment of an aspect of the present invention. Note that in the second embodiment of an aspect of the present invention, there are two coaxial sub-pushing rods in the pushing rod 42, so the inner diameter of the hollow cylindrical member 40 can be selected on the basis of the size of the food materials. After completing food processing, the drive section 12 is moved slightly upwardly and the tray 10 in which processed food is accommodated can be drawn from the stand 80.
In the second embodiment of an aspect of the present invention, the tray 10 can be inserted into, and be drawn from, the stand 80 without handling the drive section 12.
Since the cutter plate 14 can be automatically connected to the drive section 12, the cutter plate 14 can be attached very easily.
Note that the connecting mechanism which connects the cutter plate 14 and the drive section 12 can also be employed with the food processor of the first embodiment of an aspect of the present invention. The engage section 15 is provided to the cutter plate 14 of the first embodiment of an aspect of the present invention, and the engage section 15 is capable of engaging with the locking mechanism 82. With this structure, the cutter plate 14 and the locking mechanism 82 are automatically connected by: mounting the cutter plate 14 onto the tray 10; setting the cover 41 on the tray 10; and setting the drive section 12 onto the cover 14. By the automatic connecting mechanism, the action of assembling the cutter plate 14 and the drive lever 22 can be omitted. The operation of the food processor of the first embodiment of an aspect of the present invention can be started only by setting the cover 41 and the drive section 12 onto the tray 10, which works as a supporting means.
Claims (11)
1. A food processor, comprising:
a tray which is configured to accommodate processed food, said tray having an upper face and an inner face, said upper face of said tray being open;
a cutter plate provided on an upper section of said tray, said cutter plate being configured for reciprocatively moving along said upper face of said tray so as to process food materials;
guiding means for supporting said cutter plate and for guiding said movement of said cutter plate, said guiding means being provided on said inner face of said tray;
a cover provided above said cutter plate and attached to said tray, said cover having a hollow cylindrical member for receiving food materials; and a drive section having driving means for reciprocatively moving said cutter plate, and connecting means for mutually connecting said driving means and said cutter plate, said drive section being configured for attaching to said upper section of said tray;
wherein said connecting means mutually connects said driving means and said cutter plate when said drive section is attached to said tray.
a tray which is configured to accommodate processed food, said tray having an upper face and an inner face, said upper face of said tray being open;
a cutter plate provided on an upper section of said tray, said cutter plate being configured for reciprocatively moving along said upper face of said tray so as to process food materials;
guiding means for supporting said cutter plate and for guiding said movement of said cutter plate, said guiding means being provided on said inner face of said tray;
a cover provided above said cutter plate and attached to said tray, said cover having a hollow cylindrical member for receiving food materials; and a drive section having driving means for reciprocatively moving said cutter plate, and connecting means for mutually connecting said driving means and said cutter plate, said drive section being configured for attaching to said upper section of said tray;
wherein said connecting means mutually connects said driving means and said cutter plate when said drive section is attached to said tray.
2. A food processor, comprising:
a tray which is configured to accommodate processed food, said tray having an upper face and an inner face, said upper face of said tray being open;
a cutter plate provided on an upper section of said tray, said cutter plate being configured for reciprocatively moving along said upper face of said tray so as to process food materials;
guiding means far supporting said cutter plate and for guiding said movement of said cutter plate, said guiding means being provided on said inner face of said tray;
a cover provided above said cutter plate and attached to said tray, said cover having a hollow cylindrical member for receiving food materials;
a stand for supporting said tray; and a drive section having driving means for reciprocatively moving said cutter plate, and connecting means for mutually connecting said driving means and said cutter plate, said drive section being configured for attaching to said upper section of said tray;
wherein said connecting means mutually connects said driving means and said cutter plate when said drive section is attached to said stand.
a tray which is configured to accommodate processed food, said tray having an upper face and an inner face, said upper face of said tray being open;
a cutter plate provided on an upper section of said tray, said cutter plate being configured for reciprocatively moving along said upper face of said tray so as to process food materials;
guiding means far supporting said cutter plate and for guiding said movement of said cutter plate, said guiding means being provided on said inner face of said tray;
a cover provided above said cutter plate and attached to said tray, said cover having a hollow cylindrical member for receiving food materials;
a stand for supporting said tray; and a drive section having driving means for reciprocatively moving said cutter plate, and connecting means for mutually connecting said driving means and said cutter plate, said drive section being configured for attaching to said upper section of said tray;
wherein said connecting means mutually connects said driving means and said cutter plate when said drive section is attached to said stand.
3. A food processor, comprising:
a tray which is configured to accommodate processed food, said tray having an upper face and an inner face, said upper face of said tray being open;
a cutter plate provided above said tray, said cutter plate being configured for reciprocatively moving along said upper face of said tray so as to process food materials;
a setting section which is configured for accommodating said tray;
a cover provided above said cutter plate and attached to said setting section, said cover having a hollow cylindrical member for receiving food materials;
guiding means for supporting said cutter plate and for guiding said movement of said cutter plate, said guiding means being provided on said inner face of said setting section; and a drive section having driving means for reciprocatively moving said cutter plate, and connecting means for mutually connecting said driving means and said cutter plate, said drive section being configured for attaching to an upper section of said tray;
wherein said connecting means mutually connects said driving means and said cutter plate when said drive section is attached to said setting section.
a tray which is configured to accommodate processed food, said tray having an upper face and an inner face, said upper face of said tray being open;
a cutter plate provided above said tray, said cutter plate being configured for reciprocatively moving along said upper face of said tray so as to process food materials;
a setting section which is configured for accommodating said tray;
a cover provided above said cutter plate and attached to said setting section, said cover having a hollow cylindrical member for receiving food materials;
guiding means for supporting said cutter plate and for guiding said movement of said cutter plate, said guiding means being provided on said inner face of said setting section; and a drive section having driving means for reciprocatively moving said cutter plate, and connecting means for mutually connecting said driving means and said cutter plate, said drive section being configured for attaching to an upper section of said tray;
wherein said connecting means mutually connects said driving means and said cutter plate when said drive section is attached to said setting section.
4. The food processor according to claim 1, claim 2 or claim 3, wherein said cutter plate further comprises:
a frame section; and a cutter section which is configured for attaching to, and detaching from, said frame section.
a frame section; and a cutter section which is configured for attaching to, and detaching from, said frame section.
5. The food processor according to claim 4, wherein said cutter section further comprises:
a slicing blade for slicing food materials;
a shredding blade for shredding food materials, said shredding blade facing said slicing blade; and an adjusting plate for adjusting the thickness of said processed food, said adjusting plate being provided between said slicing blade and said shredding blade.
a slicing blade for slicing food materials;
a shredding blade for shredding food materials, said shredding blade facing said slicing blade; and an adjusting plate for adjusting the thickness of said processed food, said adjusting plate being provided between said slicing blade and said shredding blade.
6. The food processor according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising an inner tray which is attached on a bottom face of said cutter plate, whereby said inner tray is configured for movement in said tray together with said cutter plate.
7. The food processor according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said drive section further comprises:
an electric motor;
a driving gear for rotation by said motor, said driving gear which is configured to be rotated in a plane which is parallel to a plane in which said cutter plate is configured to be reciprocatively moved;
a drive roller which is eccentrically attached to said driving gear, said drive roller having a projected section projecting from the plane in which said driving gear is configured to be rotated;
a movable plate having an engage hole within which said drive roller is movably engaged and which is configured for limiting a stroke of the movement of said drive roller;
a guide rail for guiding the movement of said movable plate in a direction which is parallel to the direction of the reciprocative movement of said cutter plate; and a drive lever which is fixed to said movable plate and which is configured for engaging with said cutter plate.
an electric motor;
a driving gear for rotation by said motor, said driving gear which is configured to be rotated in a plane which is parallel to a plane in which said cutter plate is configured to be reciprocatively moved;
a drive roller which is eccentrically attached to said driving gear, said drive roller having a projected section projecting from the plane in which said driving gear is configured to be rotated;
a movable plate having an engage hole within which said drive roller is movably engaged and which is configured for limiting a stroke of the movement of said drive roller;
a guide rail for guiding the movement of said movable plate in a direction which is parallel to the direction of the reciprocative movement of said cutter plate; and a drive lever which is fixed to said movable plate and which is configured for engaging with said cutter plate.
8. The food processor according to claim 7, wherein said drive section further comprises:
a locking mechanism which is fixed to said movable plate and which projects from said cutter plate toward said movable plate.
a locking mechanism which is fixed to said movable plate and which projects from said cutter plate toward said movable plate.
9. The food processor according to claim 8, wherein said locking mechanism further comprises:
two pairs of lock leavers which are provided at positions at which said lock levers are configured for contacting front and rear end faces of said projected section, said lock levers being configured for moving in a direction which is perpendicular to the direction of movement of said projected section, each pair of said lock levers being biased mutually to contact one another, said pair of lock levers being configured for mutually opening to introduce and engage with said projected section when said projected section contacts said lock levers.
two pairs of lock leavers which are provided at positions at which said lock levers are configured for contacting front and rear end faces of said projected section, said lock levers being configured for moving in a direction which is perpendicular to the direction of movement of said projected section, each pair of said lock levers being biased mutually to contact one another, said pair of lock levers being configured for mutually opening to introduce and engage with said projected section when said projected section contacts said lock levers.
10. The food processor according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein said cutter plate are configured to be attached and detached.
11. The food processor according to claim 3, wherein said setting section is configured for accommodating an extra cutter plate.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2152248 CA2152248C (en) | 1995-06-20 | 1995-06-20 | Food processor |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2152248 CA2152248C (en) | 1995-06-20 | 1995-06-20 | Food processor |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2152248A1 CA2152248A1 (en) | 1996-12-21 |
| CA2152248C true CA2152248C (en) | 2006-03-21 |
Family
ID=4156088
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2152248 Expired - Lifetime CA2152248C (en) | 1995-06-20 | 1995-06-20 | Food processor |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2152248C (en) |
Families Citing this family (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN106889915B (en) * | 2017-04-14 | 2024-04-26 | 广东百胜图科技有限公司 | Food processor |
| CN110151022B (en) * | 2019-05-27 | 2021-01-22 | 平江县华文食品有限公司 | Automatic all-in-one of food processing |
-
1995
- 1995-06-20 CA CA 2152248 patent/CA2152248C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2152248A1 (en) | 1996-12-21 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKEX | Expiry |
Effective date: 20150622 |