BLADE COLUMN FOR FOOD CHOPPER

Abstract

A column of blades for chopping food, for use in a food chopper, having a receptacle and a lid. The column rotates in a cutting direction within the chopper during use and mounts a plurality of cantilevered blades spaced circumferentially around the column. The upper blades include a leading edge having a single beveled cutting edge on its underside, as well as a trailing edge that is angled downward. The lowermost blade includes a leading edge having a single beveled cutting edge on its upper side and a flat trailing edge.

Description

BLADE COLUMN FOR FOOD CHOPPER CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is related to attorney reference number 132090D200, which is incorporated herein by reference. STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED INVESTIGATION

[0002] Not applicable. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates in general to domestic food choppers.

[0004] It is well known to provide food choppers for domestic use. These choppers differ from blenders in that food is chopped into relatively small pieces rather than being turned into a puree or viscous liquid. Although electric versions are available, it is also well known that these choppers are operated manually by a hand crank, as in USD 530995, or manually by a pull cord, as in USD 614457, both from the current applicant. These choppers are typically used for chopping tomatoes, onions, carrots, and the like into smaller pieces, such as for salsa. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a food chopper having an improved chop.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide a food chopper with an improved blade column that provides improved chopping.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide a food chopper blade column in which the upper blades tend to push the food down towards additional cutting blades.

[0008] These and other objects are achieved by means of a food grinder blade column. The column will rotate in a cutting direction within the grinder during use, and mounts a plurality of cantilevered blades spaced circumferentially around the column. The upper blades include a leading edge having a single beveled cutting edge on its lower face, as well as a trailing edge that is angled downward. The lowest blade includes a leading edge having a single beveled cutting edge on its upper face and a flat trailing edge. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The objects and features of the invention indicated above are explained in more detail with reference to the drawings, in which the same reference numbers indicate similar elements, and in which: r Lonnn / zznz / E / YiAi

[0010] Figure 1 is a top perspective view of a food chopper employing a column of blades according to the present invention in the operating configuration

[0011] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view from above of the food chopper in Figure 1.

[0012] Figure 3 is a side cross-sectional view along line 3-3 of the figure 1.

[0013] Figure 4 is a top perspective view of a column of blades as in Figure 2.

[0014] Figure 5 is a top view of the blade column in Figure 4.

[0015] Figure 6 is a set of detailed sectional views along lines 6a, 6b and Figure 5, 6c, illustrates the various configurations of the blades side by side.

[0016] Figure 7 is an exploded view of the blade column of Figure 4. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] With reference to Figure 1, a food chopper employing a blade column according to the present invention is generally designated by reference number 10. The food chopper 10 generally includes a receptacle 12, a lid 14, a blade column 16, and a drive mechanism 18 for the blade column 16. The receptacle 12 is generally in the form of a concave bowl with a side wall 19 leading to an upper rim 20, and it receives the food to be chopped, as well as containing the food during and after chopping. The side wall 19 is typically cylindrical or frustoconical (tapering downwards), as known in the art. The lid 14 seals the upper rim 20 and serves to prevent food from escaping the receptacle 12 during chopping, but removing the lid 14 allows access to the food in the receptacle 12.

[0018] The blade column 16 is received within the receptacle 12 and cover 14 to rotate in a cutting direction 21 (Figure 5) about the longitudinal axis 22 (Figure 7). The blade column 16 includes at least one upper blade 24 and a single lower blade 26, all extending radially outward from the axis 22, and are circumferentially spaced equidistantly, as best illustrated in Figure 5. In the preferred embodiment shown, there are two of the upper blades 24, but different arrangements such as one, three, or more upper blades 24 are possible.

[0019] The blade column 16 also includes a blade shaft 30 that mounts the blades 24 and 26 in fixed positions. The blade shaft 30 is rigid and elongated along the longitudinal axis 22, with an upper end 32 and a lower end 34. The blades 24 and 26 are longitudinally separated along the blade shaft 30, with this separation preferably (but not necessarily) equal. Similarly, the lower blade 26 is separated from the lower end 34 of the blade shaft 30, where this separation is approximately equal to the desired final size of the chopped food. r Lonnn / zznz / E / YiAi

[0020] The blade shaft 30 shall be operatively connected to the drive mechanism 18 such that the drive mechanism 18 causes the rotation of the blade shaft 30 and the blades 24 and 26 in the cutting direction 21. Due to the forces involved, this connection shall normally be gears or another similar direct connection. In the embodiment shown, the drive mechanism 18 is a pull cable connected to a one-way drive mechanism (not shown) similar to that shown in US7264189. In this manner, the illustrated embodiment includes an opening at the lower end 34 of the drive shaft 30 to receive a pin extending from the receptacle 12, and the upper end 32 of the shaft 30 includes a faceted drive head to be received in a corresponding receptacle (not shown) in the cap 14 that is connected to the drive mechanism 18. Other arrangements are possible.The drive mechanism 18 could be located in the cover 14, but be operated by a hand crank or an electric motor. Although not shown, it is also known in the art that the drive mechanism 18 is located below the receptacle 12 and connects to the blade shaft 30 through an opening (not shown) in the bottom of the receptacle 12.

[0021] Each of the blades 24 and 26 has a radial length chosen such that each blade 24 and 26 is received tightly within the side wall 19 of the receptacle 12. Each of the blades 24 and 26 is generally rectangular in shape and includes an inner end 36, an outer end 38, a top face 40, a bottom face 42, and a leading edge 44 and a trailing edge 46. As best shown in Figure 5, the leading edge 44 of each blade 24 and 26 is linear, but curved leading edges 44 (and trailing edges 46, if desired) are also possible. For each of the blades 24 and 26, the leading edge shall be a cutting edge.

[0022] The arrangements described above are well known from manual and electric meat grinders on the market. The improvements to the blade column 16 according to the present invention will now be described.

[0023] A concern with prior art choppers has been that the blades cause the chopped food pieces to be propelled into the receptacle 12 and then stick to the underside of the lid 14 or to a portion of the side wall 19 beyond the reach of the blades, and therefore the desired level of chopping is not achieved without further manual intervention. The present invention addresses this problem. In particular, the blades 24 and 26 are shaped to direct the food for further chopping. This is achieved by the upper blade 24 directing the chopped food downwards, while the lower blade 26 directs the food upwards.

[0024] A review of Figures 4 to 6 will show that the leading edge 44 of the upper blade includes a single bevel on the lower face 42, while the leading edge 44 of the lower blade 26 includes a single bevel on the upper face 40. It is believed that the bevel acts as a cam surface such that food cut by the bevel on the lower face 42 of the upper blade 24 will be pushed downwards; while food cut by the bevel on the upper face 40 of the lower blade 26 will be pushed or driven upwards. In this way, food cut by the upper blade 24 will be directed towards the lower blade 26, while food cut by the lower blade 26 will be directed towards the upper blade 24.To further enhance this effect, the trailing edge 46 of each of one or more upper blades 24 includes a deflector 48 in the form of a downward-sloping portion of the blade 24. As you might imagine, food particles that are not pushed down by the bevel on the lower face 42 will collide with the lower face 42 of the deflector 48, providing a second opportunity to push the food particles down toward the other blades.

[0025] The present invention also includes an innovative structure for constructing the blade column 16 that is particularly suitable for the situation with the drive mechanism 18 in the cover 14. With reference to Figure 7, the column 16 includes a core 50 elongated in the direction of the axis 22. The core 50 includes an elongated drive pin 52 at its upper end, wherein the drive pin has a non-circular cross-section normal to the axis 22. In the embodiment shown, this cross-section is in the form of a hexagon with protrusions at each corner, but other forms are possible. The core 50 also includes a base 54 stepped outwards from the drive pin 52 to form a stop against sliding of the components along the drive pin 52, as explained more clearly below.

[0026] Each of the upper blades 24 and the lower blade 26 includes an opening at its inner end 36, this opening being shaped to fit the drive pin 52 with the ability to slide along it but preventing relative rotation. In this way, it can be seen that the blades 24 and 26 could be mounted on the core 50 by inserting the drive pin 52 into the opening of the blades 24 and 26 and sliding the blades 24 and 26 into their longitudinal position.

[0027] Ensuring the correct longitudinal position of the blades 24 and 26 is achieved first by the base 54, which acts as a stop for the lower blade 26. Further positioning is achieved by using one or more spacers 56. Each spacer has an opening to receive the drive pin 52. While not required, it is strongly preferred that the opening in the spacer with a cross-section closely receive the non-circular drive pin 52 so that the spacers 56 cannot rotate relative to each other. A spacer 56 is placed on the drive pin 52 above the lower blade 26, and then the drive pin 52 is inserted into the opening of the upper blade 24. As can be seen, the spacer 56 acts as a stop for the upper blade 24, fixing its longitudinal position.It is also observed that the angular position of the upper blade 24 is important during this insertion to create the desired circumferential spacing of the blades 24 and 26 (Figure 5). If more than two blades are to be used, then additional pairs of spacer 56 and upper blade 24 are assembled to the drive pin 52 as desired. In the preferred configuration shown with three blades, there are two spacers 56 and two upper blades 24.

[0028] Blades 24 and 26, along with spacers 56, are secured in place by a pin cap 58 attached to the free end of the drive pin 52 and pressed closely against the uppermost blade 24 to hold all blades 24, 26, and spacers 56 between the pin cap 58 and the base 54. The pin cap 58 can be secured in position by various means. Typically, the end cap 58 includes an opening (full or blind) to receive the drive pin 52. The connection between the end cap 58 and the drive pin 52 could take the form of a threaded connection; adhesive; heat; friction or ultrasonic bonding; or other means. In the embodiment shown, the pin cap 58 includes a stepped opening, the free end of the drive pin 52 includes a threaded hole, and a screw 60 extends through the opening in the end cap 58 and into the threaded hole of the drive pin 52.to hold the end cap 58 in place. To prevent food from entering the opening of the end cap 58, a plug 62 is press-fitted onto the outer end of the opening in the end cap 58.

[0029] From the above it will be seen that this invention is well adapted to achieve all the purposes and objects set forth above together with the other advantages that are inherent in its structure.

[0030] Certain features and subcombinations shall be deemed useful and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated and is within the scope of the claims.

[0031] Since many possible embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from its scope, it should be understood that everything set forth in this document or shown in the accompanying drawings should be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. r Lonnn / zznz / E / YiAi

Claims

1. A blade column for use in a food chopper comprising a receptacle and a lid, with the blade column held therein to rotate in a cutting direction about a longitudinal axis, said blade column including a blade shaft defining said longitudinal axis; a lower blade cantilevered from said blade shaft; and at least one upper blade cantilevered from said blade shaft and circumferentially separated from said lower blade; each of said upper and lower blades including an upper face and a lower face, as well as a front edge and a rear edge defined by said cutting direction, the improvement characterized in that it comprises: each of said at least one upper blade having a single bevel on said lower face thereof defining a cutting edge on said front edge;and said lower blade has a single bevel on said upper face thereof which defines a cutting edge on said front edge.; 2. The blade column according to claim 1, characterized in that said at least one upper blade comprises two upper cutting blades.

3. The blade column according to claim 1, characterized in that each of said at least one upper blades further includes a downward-angled deflector on said rear edge thereof.

4. The blade column according to claim 3, characterized in that said at least one upper blade comprises two upper cutting blades.

5. The blade column according to claim 1, characterized in that said blade shaft comprises: a core comprising an elongated drive pin and a base extending radially from a lower end of said drive pin, wherein said drive pin has a non-circular cross section normal to said longitudinal axis; one or more spacers; and a pin cap fixed to a free end of said drive pin, such that said lower blade is fixed between said base and said spacer, and said upper blade is fixed between said spacer and said pin cap.

6. The blade column according to claim 5, characterized in that said at least one upper blade comprises two upper cutting blades.

7. The blade column according to claim 5, characterized in that each of said at least one upper blades further includes a downward-angled deflector on said rear edge thereof. r Lonnn / zznz / E / YiAi 8. The blade column according to claim 7, characterized in that said at least one upper blade comprises two upper cutting blades. r Lonnn / zznz / E / YiAi

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