AU2012200558B2

AU2012200558B2 - Food processing apparatus and a receptacle therefor

Info

Publication number: AU2012200558B2
Application number: AU2012200558A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Maxim Guyatt; Scott Nash; Nick O'loughlin; Thomas Paul Wilson
Original assignee: Sunbeam Corp Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Sunbeam Corp Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2011-01-31
Filing date: 2012-01-31
Publication date: 2015-12-10
Anticipated expiration: 2032-01-31
Also published as: CN102613916A; AU2012200558A1

Abstract

Abstract A receptacle for a food processing apparatus is provided. The food processing apparatus includes a switching device switchable between a first switch state in which operation of the food processing apparatus is prevented and a second switch state in 5 which operation of the food processing apparatus is permitted. The receptacle includes a body defined by at least one wall and a base, the body including a mouth and being adapted to receive a lid for closing said mouth, a safety interlock arrangement including a mechanical linkage moveable between a first position causing the switching device to assume the first state and a second position causing the switching device to assume 10 the second state, the mechanical linkage moving to the first position when the mouth is not closed by the lid and moving to the second position when the mouth is closed by the lid. The receptacle further includes a substantially opaque passage for accommodating the mechanical linkage.

Description

P/00101 1 Regulation 32 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title: Food processing apparatus and a receptacle therefor The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: 1 Food processing apparatus and a receptacle therefor Field of the invention The present invention relates to a food processing apparatus, and in particular to receptacle for a food processing apparatus which includes a safety interlock which 5 prevents operation of the apparatus when a lid is not in place. Background of the invention Food processing apparatuses, such as food processors or blenders, typically include a power base, a bowl, one or more rotating attachments (e.g. a blade), and a lid. The lid prevents ingredients from escaping the bowl during operation, and prevents or limits 10 access to the bowl during operation. Some food processing apparatuses include a safety feature whereby a safety interlock prevents operation of the blades when the lid is not in place. This kind of interlock typically includes an actuator that is housed in a handle of the bowl and acts between the lid and the power base. One problem with such a safety interlock is that it includes a channel into which food stuff and other debris 15 can enter, and which is difficult to clean. Furthermore, it is often desirable for bowls and their handles to be transparent or translucent. In this case the presence of food and/or debris in the handle becomes unsightly. Accordingly it would be desirable to have a food preparation device with a safety interlock that is unlikely to have an unsightly channel as described above. Alternatively, 20 or additionally, it would be desirable to provide the public with a useful alternative to existing food processing apparatus. Reference to any prior art in the specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that this prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia or any other jurisdiction or that this prior art could 25 reasonably be expected to be ascertained, understood and regarded as relevant by a person skilled in the art.

2 Summary of the invention In one aspect the present invention provides a receptacle for a food processing apparatus, the food processing apparatus including a switching device switchable between a first switch state in which operation of the food processing apparatus is 5 prevented and a second switch state in which operation of the food processing apparatus is permitted, the receptacle including: a body defined by at least one wall and a base, the body including a mouth and being adapted to receive a lid for closing said mouth, wherein the at least one wall is substantially transparent; a safety interlock arrangement including a mechanical linkage moveable between a first position causing 0 the switching device to assume the first state and a second position causing the switching device to assume the second state, the mechanical linkage moving to the first position when the mouth is not closed by the lid and moving to the second position when the mouth is closed by the lid, and wherein the receptacle further includes a substantially opaque passage for accommodating the mechanical linkage, wherein the 15 body is moulded around the substantially opaque passage. The substantially opaque passage may be disposed on the at least one wall and may be substantially straight. The receptacle may include a substantially transparent handle, and the substantially shaped passage may be provided in the substantially transparent handle. 20 The substantially opaque passage may be C-shaped. The safety interlock arrangement may include a biasing means for urging the mechanical linkage to the first position. The mechanical linkage may include a shaft and an actuating means, the shaft being accommodated by the substantially opaque passage, and wherein when the lid is in 25 place a first end of the shaft is acted upon causing the actuating means to cause the switching device to assume the second state.

3 The mechanical linkage may further include a bar extending between the shaft to the actuating means. The bar may be substantially perpendicular to the shaft and/or the actuating means. The receptacle may further include one or more seals located between the mechanical 5 linkage and a wall of the substantially opaque passage. In a second aspect the present invention provides a food processing apparatus including a receptacle as described above. In a third aspect the present invention provides a process for manufacturing the receptacle as described above, the method including: sealing two ends of the 10 substantially opaque passage to form a sealed passage; moulding the body of the receptacle around the sealed passage; unsealing the two ends of the sealed passage; and fitting the safety interlock arrangement or part thereof into the unsealed opaque passage. Sealing two ends of the opaque passage may include inserting a pin into each of the 15 two ends. Unsealing two ends of the sealed passage may include removing the pin from each of the two ends. Moulding the receptacle around the sealed passage may include moulding at least part of a handle of the receptacle around the sealed passage. 20 Moulding the receptacle around the sealed passage may include moulding a portion of a wall of the receptacle around the sealed passage. Fitting the interlock arrangement into the unsealed opaque passage may include the step of sliding a mechanical linkage of the interlock arrangement into the passage.

4 Brief description of the drawings Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a food processing apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 shows a partial section through the food processing apparatus of Figure 1; 5 Figure 3 shows a partial perspective section view of a power base connected to a lid of the food processing apparatus of Figure 1 via a safety interlock arrangement. Figure 4 shows a flow diagram illustrating the steps in a process for manufacturing a receptacle for a food processing apparatus in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention. 10 Figures 5A to 5E illustrate the receptacle and safety interlock components at various steps though the manufacturing process of Figure 4: Figure 5A shows a perspective view of a sealed passage; Figure 5B shows a perspective view of a receptacle including the sealed passage of Figure 5A; 15 Figure 5C shows a perspective view of a linkage being inserted into the passage of Figure 5A; Figure 5D shows a perspective view of a cap being positioned to secure the linkage inside the passage; and Figure 5E shows a perspective view of the linkage being secured inside the passage by 20 the cap shown in Figure 5D. Detailed description of the embodiments Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a food processing apparatus 100 according to one embodiment of the invention. The food processing apparatus shown is a food processor 5 and will be referred to as such throughout this specification. It will, however, be appreciated that the food processing apparatus could alternatively be a mixer, liquidiser, blender or other apparatus for mixing, chopping, blending or processing food. The food processor 100 includes a power base 102 which houses a motor (not shown) 5 that drives a rotating mechanism such as a shaft (not shown) which extends through aperture 104 (indicated in Figure 2) in the power base 102. The rotating mechanism is adapted to rotate a utensil (not shown) such as a blade which is driven to process food/ingredients which are placed in a food processing receptacle 106. The power base 102 includes a user interface via which a user can operate the food processor 100, as 10 well as a safety switching device 208 (see Figures 2 and 3) which includes a switch actuator 304, a safety switch frame 306, and a safety switch 308. The safety switching device is switchable between a first or disabled state in which operation of the motor (and, accordingly, of the utensil) is prevented and a second or enabled state in which operation of the motor (and utensil) is permitted. The safety switch 308 shown in this 15 embodiment is a micro switch, but can also be a tact, reed or optical switch. Receptacle 106 is received on the power base 102. The receptacle 106 in the present embodiment is a bowl 106, which is defined by a base 108 and wall 110, and which includes a handle 112. The base 108 of the bowl 106 is configured to engage with the power base 102, and interfaces with the rotating mechanism and utensil in order to 20 allow the utensil to be rotated inside the bowl 106. The wall 110 of the bowl 106 defines a mouth 114 by which ingredients can be added to the bowl, and that can be securely closed by a removable lid 116. In this instance the lid 116 is secured in place by setting the lid over the mouth and rotating the lid in the direction shown by arrow 200 in Figure 2. 25 A portion 117 of the wall of the lid 116 is shown in Figure 1. This wall of the lid 116 includes a number of outwardly facing projections 130 that are received in corresponding slots in the wall of the bowl (not shown). Rotation of the lid 116 pushes the projections 130 along the respective slots and beneath associated ledges in the wall of the bowl so that the lid 116 is secured in place. The lid 116 includes a formation 218 6 which, when the lid 116 is in place, interacts with a safety interlock arrangement 120 of the bowl 106 as described below. The lid 116 further includes a chute 118 by which food can be introduced into the bowl 106 during operation without having to remove the lid 116. 5 The bowl 106 and lid 116 are made from transparent (or translucent) material which allows a user to observe contents of the bowl 106 during processing. Typically, the bowl 106 and handle 112 are an integrally manufactured (e.g. moulded) piece. This integral bowl/handle design provides for relatively cheap and efficient manufacture (compared, for example, to designs with a separate bowl and handle), and also reduces tolerance 10 build-up for the safety interlock arrangement 120 described below. Being made from the same material as the bowl 106, the handle 112 is also transparent/translucent (or partially transparent/translucent). The bowl 106 includes the safety interlock arrangement 120. The aim of the safety interlock 120 is to ensure that the motor of the food processing apparatus 100 cannot 15 be operated unless the lid 116 is securely in place. As discussed in further detail below, when the lid 116 is not in place the safety interlock arrangement 120 is in a neutral position and does not engage with the switching device 208 in the power base 102. This causes the switching device 208 to be in the disabled state. Conversely, when the lid 116 is secured in place the safety interlock arrangement 120 is in an active position, 20 causing the switching device 208 to be in the enabled state. Turning to Figure 2, the interlock arrangement 120 includes a linkage 201 which provides a link between the lid 116 (when in place) and the switching device 208 in the power base 102. In this embodiment the linkage 201 includes a shaft 204 which has a top end 202 for engaging with the lid 116 when the lid is in place. A bar 214 extends 25 perpendicularly from a bottom end of the shaft 204, and an actuating pin 206 for engaging with the switch actuator 304 of the switching device 208 extends perpendicularly from the bar 214. In this instance the bar 214 and actuating pin are 206 are an integrally formed component which is connected to the shaft 204, though the shaft 204, bar 214 and pin 206 may be separate or integral components as desired. As 7 will be appreciated, the interlock arrangement 120 may include fewer or additional components (either integrally formed or connected) arranged to accommodate for the relative position of the switching device 208 and the point at which the interlock arrangement 120 is acted upon by the lid 116. 5 The bottom end of the shaft 204 also includes a formation 216 for engaging with a biasing means 302 (the other end of the biasing means 302 supported by the bowl cap 310 as described below). The biasing means 302 acts to keep the interlock 120 in the neutral position when the lid 116 is not in place, so that the actuating pin 206 does not engage with the switching device 208 and operation of the food processor is prevented. 10 Conversely, when the lid 116 is in place formation 218 of the lid 116 interacts with the interlock arrangement 120 (by bearing on the top of the shaft 204), urging the shaft 204 downwards against the biasing means 302 and thereby causing the pin 206 to engage with the switching device 208.The components of the interlock arrangement 120 are secured in place by a cap 310. Cap 310 is shaped to be received at the base of the 15 bowl 108 below the handle 112, and is fastened in place (e.g. by screws or other fastening means). The cap 310 accommodates the bottom end of the shaft 204, the bar 214, the actuating pin 206 and the biasing means 302, and correctly positions these components to allow interfacing with the switching device 208. In order to accommodate the interlock arrangement 120, the bowl 106 is provided with a 20 channel 212 running from the mouth 114 of the bowl 106 (or proximate thereto) to the base 108 of the bowl 106 (or proximate thereto). In the illustrated embodiment the channel 212 is substantially straight and is formed as part of the bowl wall 110 (protruding slightly therefrom), though alternative channel locations are of course possible. 25 As discussed above, in order to allow the contents of the bowl 106 to be viewed, the wall 110 of the bowl 106 is transparent or translucent. Consequently, the channel 212 running through the wall 110 is also transparent and the interlock passage 210 is visible. In order to allow the interlock arrangement 120 to interact with the switching device 208, the ends of the channel 212 are open (allowing movement of the 30 components of the interlock arrangement 120). Consequently, it is possible for debris 8 (e.g. foodstuffs or similar) to enter the channel 212 and become stuck there during use and/or cleaning of the bowl 106. This results in an unsightly bowl 106. In order to address this issue, embodiments of the present invention provide an opaque or substantially opaque passage 210 which lies inside the channel 212 and which 5 accommodates the interlock arrangement (or part thereof). In this case passage 210 accommodates the linkage/shaft 204. As the passage 210 is opaque/substantially opaque, the components of the interlock arrangement 120 that extend therethrough are not visible to a user, nor is any debris that may be caught inside the channel 212. In order to further address this issue, and if desired, one or both ends of the passage 10 210 can be provided with a seal, such as an o-ring. In this case the relevant end(s) of the passage 210 may be provided with a notch or similar for receiving the o-ring, which is sized so as to contact the linkage/shaft 204 but not prevent movement thereof. By providing such a seal the ingress of debris into the passage 210 can be prevented or reduced. 15 As discussed above, when the lid 116 is securely in place, the formation 218 carried by the lid bears against the top end 202 of the shaft 204, urging the shaft 204 downward relative to the bowl 106. This causes the shaft 204 to push the actuating pin 206 down such that it cooperates with the actuator 304 of the switching device 208, causing it to assume the enabled state. 20 When the lid 116 is removed from the bowl 106, the safety interlock arrangement 120 is urged back to a neutral position by the biasing means 302. In this position the switch actuator 304 is released and the switching device 208 is returned to the disabled state in which operation of the food processor 100 is prevented. In alternative embodiments of the invention the interlock arrangement 120 can be 25 arranged to extend from where it interfaces with the lid 116 (or the formation 218 thereon), through the handle 112 of the bowl 106 to interface with the switching device 208 of the power base 102. In such an arrangement the interlock arrangement will be shaped to provide a link through the handle - for example, the components having a C- 9 shape, and the opaque passage which accommodates the interlock arrangement will be correspondingly shaped. Figure 4 shows a diagram of a process for manufacturing a food processor bowl 106 that includes a safety interlock 120 such as that described above. Figures 5A to 5E 5 depict various stages of the manufacturing process. At step 402 a passage 210 is sealed 402 by inserting sealing pins 502, for example rubber or brass pins, into the two open ends of the passage 210 as indicated by arrows 504 in Figure 5A. The passage 210 is made of an opaque or substantially opaque material, such as stainless steel or ABS steel. This produces a sealed passage 506 as 10 shown in Figure 5A. At step 404, the bowl 106 is moulded around the sealed passage 506 (see Figure 5B). Providing the sealing pins 502 prevents the bowl material from entering the passage 210, and moulding the bowl 106 directly around the passage 210 ensures that no gaps exist between the passage 506 and the material of the bowl 106. The bowl 106 is 15 moulded from a transparent/translucent plastic material such as (for example) Tritan, PET, SAN or PC. At step 406 the sealed passage 506 is unsealed by removing the pins 502. At step 408, the shaft 204 of the interlock arrangement 120 is inserted into the passage 210 in the direction of arrow 508 as shown in Figure 5C. If desired, 0-rings may be 20 used at the top and or bottom of the passage to seal gaps between the passage and the interlock arrangement. Once the interlock is in place, the spring 302 and the bowl cap 310 are assembled at step 410 and fastened in place (step 412) in order to keep the interlock 120 in place. This may be done by using screws (not shown), or by clipping on the bowl cap 310 over 25 a receiving surface 510 adapted to receive the bowl cap 310. The receiving surface 510 may, for example, include a ridged edge to facilitate the fastening of the bowl cap 310. Alternative means such as an adhesive, screws or alternative fastener may also be used.

10 In one embodiment, there is also an upper bowl cap 512 that fastens onto the bowl and assists in keeping the interlock 120 in place. The upper bowl cap 512 may be fastened using any of the methods described above that may also be used for the bowl cap 310. In such an embodiment, steps 410 and 412 include assembling and/or fastening the 5 upper bowl cap 512. If the interlock 120 is of the type that resides in the handle 112 of the bowl 106, then in step 404 described above, the part of the bowl 106 that is moulded around the sealed passage 506 is the bowl handle 112. Alternative manufacturing processes are possible. For example, and depending on the 10 materials used, the bowl could be initially moulded without including a sealed passage. In this case the passage 210 could be forced in to the bowl after moulding (e.g. by a press fit) or a passage 210 could be machined into the moulded bowl in a post machining process (e.g. by drilling or similar). It will be understood that the invention disclosed and defined in this specification 15 extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the invention.

Claims

1. A receptacle for a food processing apparatus, the food processing apparatus including a switching device switchable between a first switch state in which operation of the food processing apparatus is prevented and a second switch state in which 5 operation of the food processing apparatus is permitted, the receptacle including: a body defined by at least one wall and a base, the body including a mouth and being adapted to receive a lid for closing said mouth, wherein the at least one wall is substantially transparent; a safety interlock arrangement including a mechanical linkage moveable between 10 a first position causing the switching device to assume the first state and a second position causing the switching device to assume the second state, the mechanical linkage moving to the first position when the mouth is not closed by the lid and moving to the second position when the mouth is closed by the lid, and wherein the receptacle further includes a substantially opaque passage for 15 accommodating the mechanical linkage, wherein the body is moulded around the substantially opaque passage.

2. The receptacle of claim 1, wherein the body includes a substantially transparent handle integrally formed with the body.

3. The receptacle of claims 1 or 2, wherein the substantially opaque passage is 20 disposed on the at least one wall and is substantially straight.

4. The receptacle of claim 2, wherein the substantially opaque passage is provided in the substantially transparent handle.

5. The receptacle of claim 4 wherein, the substantially opaque passage is C shaped. 12

6. The receptacle of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the safety interlock arrangement includes a biasing means for urging the mechanical linkage to the first position.

7. The receptacle of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein 5 the mechanical linkage includes a shaft and an actuating means, the shaft being accommodated by the substantially opaque passage, and wherein when the lid is in place a first end of the shaft is acted upon causing the actuating means to cause the switching device to assume the second state.

8. The receptacle of claim 7, wherein the mechanical linkage further includes a bar 10 extending between the shaft to the actuating means.

9. The receptacle of claim 8, wherein the bar is substantially perpendicular to the shaft and/or the actuating means.

10. The receptacle of any one of claims 1 to 9, further including one or more seals located between the mechanical linkage and a wall of the substantially opaque 15 passage.

11. A process for manufacturing the receptacle of any one of claims 1-10,, the method including: sealing two ends of the substantially opaque passage to form a sealed passage; moulding the body of the receptacle around the sealed passage; 20 unsealing the two ends of the sealed passage; and fitting the safety interlock arrangement or part thereof into the unsealed opaque passage. 13

12. The process of claim 11, wherein sealing two ends of the opaque passage includes inserting a pin into each of the two ends.

13. The process of claim 12, wherein unsealing two ends of the sealed passage includes removing the pin from each of the two ends. 5

14. The process of any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein moulding the receptacle around the sealed passage includes moulding at least part of a handle of the receptacle around the sealed passage.

15. The process of any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein moulding the receptacle around the sealed passage includes moulding a portion of a wall of the receptacle 10 around the sealed passage.

16. The process of any one of claims 11 to 15, wherein fitting the interlock arrangement into the unsealed opaque passage includes the step of sliding a mechanical linkage of the interlock arrangement into the passage.

17. A food processing apparatus including a receptacle according to any one of 15 claims 1 to 10.