Food processing machine

Abstract

A food processing assembly (20) includes a base member (21), a container (22) and a cover (23). The base member (21) has a platform portion (26) adapted to carry the container (22) and a housing portion (25) for a motor. A wall (29) of the housing (25) has a plurality of air inlet slots (35) and a gutter (37) protects the slots (35) from receiving any liquid which might be on the base member (21). The container (22) has a sidewall (52) with an open top that has a peripheral rim (57). A cover (23) includes a tab assembly (73) that has a notch (70) to receive the rim (57). The vertical lifting of a handle portion (77) of the tab assembly (73) removes the cover (23) from the container (22). A spout (61) and a handle (60) are formed near the top of the container (22). A heat shield (62) includes a body portion (63) which is attached to the sidewall (52) at a location under the spout (61), and it also includes a flap (62). The body portion (63) protects the hand of the user when engaging the sidewall (52) of the container (22) and the flap (64) protects the hand of the user from drippings from the spout (61).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]This invention relates to a food processing machine of the type which utilizes a mixing blade to blend food products in a container. More particularly, this invention relates to the manner in which the cover of the container is attached to and detached from the container, and the manner in which hot food products can be safely dispensed from the container. In addition, this invention relates to the manner in which the motor which rotates the blade is protected from moisture.BACKGROUND ART[0002]Most food processing equipment that blends foods in a container by means of a rotating blade includes a cover for the container. Such covers must be securely attached to the container during the mixing of the foods, and yet, at the same time, be removable without requiring undo force. Some prior art covers are made of a flexible material and include a slot which receives a lip of the container thereby holding the cover on the container. In some of these covers, a tab exten...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006]It is thus an object of one aspect of the present invention to provide food processing equipment with a container and a cover that can be securely attached to the container and yet be easily removed.

[0007]It is another object of that aspect of the present invention to provide the food processing equipment, as above, in which the cover is removed from the container by flexing a handle but which will not become overflexed after multiple uses.

[0008]It is an object of another aspect of the present invention to provide food processing equipment with a large container from which hot liquids can be readily dispensed without allowing the heat from the liquids to irritate or harm the user.

[0009]It is an object of an additional aspect of the present invention to provide food processing equipment which is powered by an air cooled motor in a housing and which prohibits liquid from entering the housing with the air.

[0013]Yet another aspect of the invention relates to a food processing assembly which includes a container and a base member adapted to carry the container. Air intake openings are formed in the base member and a gutter is provided to prevent liquid from being received by the openings.

[0014]These aspects of the invention thus include a food processing assembly including a container having a base surface and at least one sidewall extending upwardly from the base surface and forming an open top. A peripheral rim is formed on the container near the open top. A spout is formed on the sidewall near the open top and a handle is formed on the sidewall generally opposed to the spout. A heat shield is attached to a portion of the sidewall generally at the location of the spout. A cover is provided to close the upper open surface, the cover having at least one tab assembly. The tab assembly includes a body portion having a notch to engage the rim and a handle portion extending upwardly from the body portion. Upon upward movement of the handle portion, the rim will come out of the notch to release the cover from the container. A base member is adapted to carry the container and air intake openings are formed in the base member. A gutter is provided to prevent liquid from being received by the openings.

Problems solved by technology

However, after multiple flexures, this release system of the prior art tends to breakdown such that the tab becomes oversexed resulting in the inability of the cover to latch onto the container.

An additional problem arises when the equipment is being used to mix large volumes of hot liquids, such as soups or the like.

However, if the equipment includes a very large container, for example, of more than one gallon in volume, as might be used in institutions such as hospitals or the like, dispensing of the heavy hot liquid can be problematic.

But such not only exposes that hand to the temperature of the hot liquid in the container but also exposes that hand to the possibility of hot drippings from the spout.

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