Abstract: A feedtube protector and actuator for a food processor having a cover with a feedtube of relatively large cross-sectional area, sometimes called an "expanded" feedtube. The cover remains secured in its normal operating position on the bowl during loading of food items into the feedtube. A single vertical downward movement of the protector apparatus onto the feedtube following loading causes the actuator to depress the movable control rod for rendering the motor drive operable. Conversely, a single vertical upward movement of the protector apparatus off from the feedtube fully exposes the feed passageway while simultaneously releasing the movable control rod for rendering the motor drive inoperable. The upper end of the control rod is covered by a protective cap.

Abstract: A rotary food slicing tool is provided for use in a food processor of the type having a housing with a motor drive and a working bowl mountable on the housing which is adapted to encircle the food slicing tool. The tool has an elongated hub with a lower end coupling removably engageable with the motor drive for rotating the tool in the bowl about an axis of rotation. The rotary slicing tool in accordance with the present invention includes a disc-like member mounted on the upper end of the elongated hub. This disc-like member includes a raised rim having a skirt extending downwardly therefrom and an arcuate opening extending inwardly from the raised rim to a position near the center of the disc-like member. A raised platform on the disc-like member includes a rearwardly sloping arcuate shoulder and a leading edge which overhangs the trailing portion of the opening forming an elevated forward facing slot between the disc-like member and the raised platform.

Abstract: A motor speed control circuit in which a source of alternating current (AC), a universal-type motor, a triac and a large capacitor are connected in series, with the armature current flowing through the large capacitor and with the control providing armature-current sensing and feedback action for each half cycle of motor operation for stabilizing motor speed at any speed setting in spite of changes in the torque load being imposed on the motor. A triggering circuit for the triac includes a diac connected on one side to the control electrode of the triac and on the other side to an RC network across the portion of the series circuit containing the large capacitor and the triac. The RC network includes a variable resistor for adjusting the speed of the motor by setting the phase of the signal to the triggering diac. Power is supplied to the motor during both positive and negative half cycles of the AC supply voltage.

Abstract: A protective guide and blocking structure are provided for preventing inadvertent actuation by a misaligned or tilted cover on a food processor of the type including tool drive means driven by a motor located in a base with control means for rendering the motor drive inoperative unless the control means is actuated. When the components of the food processor are properly positioned, the control means becomes actuated to permit operation of the motor drive for rotating the tool. The actuating means is a movable rod in a boss on the bowl defining a guideway through which the rod moves. The boss has a keyway-configured, slotted cap covering the upper end of the rod, and the actuator has a surface with a keyway therein which fits into the slotted cap and is capable of passing therethrough for depressing the movable rod. The protective apparatus in accordance with the present invention includes a vertical rib which partially extends upwardly along the rear front edge of the keyway-configured slot.

Abstract: A hybrid electrical braking method and system are provided for tool equipment having induction motor drives. This hybrid electrical braking can be used to advantage in various types of induction motor driven tool equipment where it is desirable rapidly to stop rotation of the motor rotor and tool, whenever the motor is turned off, for example in food processors of the type having a working bowl mounted on a base containing the induction motor, with tool drive means in the bowl for removably supporting a rotary food processing tool driven by the induction motor. The new electrical braking rapidly halts coasting of the rotor and tool by utilizing in sequence two different electromagnetic braking processes, producing rapid but gentle braking effect after the motor has been turned off.

Abstract: A julienne cutter is provided having a hub removably engageable with the drive of a food processor and a disc-like member secured to the hub. The disc-like member has an opening extending from a region near the hub to a region near the periphery and there is an elevated portion on the member located behind the opening with respect to the direction of rotation of the disc-like member. A unitary cutting structure is positioned in the opening for producing multiple closely spaced cuts and is formed of sheet metal having an elongated lower portion and an elevated elongated upper portion secured to the underside and to the elevated portion of the disc-like member, respectively. A plurality of relatively closely spaced blades extend upwardly generally perpendicular to and are located between and are integral wiht the elongated lower and elevated upper portions of the cutting structure.

Abstract: A pasta extruder for forming strand-like pasta. The extruder housing has a feed hopper and gears for feeding the pasta mixture to be extruded into the apparatus. An extrusion die plate having a plurality of extrusion orifices is mounted in the housing adjacent to a pressure chamber and axially of said gears.

Abstract: Safety interlock method and apparatus employing magnetic effects for food processors having a base enclosing a motor drive, working bowl detachably mountable on the base for receiving various rotatable tools removably installable on drive means in the bowl, with removable cover for the bowl. Such food processors normally include a hopper or feed tube on the cover with manually operated pusher for feeding food items down it to the rotating tool. The safety interlock in one embodiment prevents actuation of the drive to prevent tool rotation unless two conditions are met: (1) the working bowl is in proper position and (2) the cover is in proper position. The safety interlock in another embodiment prevents actuation of the motor drive unless three conditions are met: (1) bowl in proper position, (2) cover in proper position, and (3) food pusher is inserted into the feed tube.

Abstract: A French fry rotary cutter tool is provided for use in food processors having a hub removably engageable with the drive means of the food processor and a disc-like member secured to the hub having an opening extending from a region near the hub to a region near the periphery with an elevated portion located behind the opening. A cutting structure is positioned in the opening for producing multiple, elongated rectangular cuts in food applied thereto which pass through the opening into the bowl of the processor. The cutting structure is formed of a continuous strip of blade metal bent into a rectangular-wave shape having alternating, spaced flat, lower and lower portions which are secured, respectively, to the underside and elevated portions of the disc-like member. The bent strip defines a plurality of spaced, parallel blades which have a square-wave appearance.

Abstract: An improved capacitive braking system is provided for fractional Horsepower induction motors in home appliances, for example in a food processor of the type having a working bowl mounted on a housing containing the induction motor, with a shaft in the bowl for removably supporting a rotary food processing tool to be driven by the induction motor. The new braking system rapidly halts the coasting motion of the motor rotor and tool after the motor has been disconnected from the electric power line. A first switch is provided to control the application of electrical energy to the induction motor for sustained operation, and a second "pulse" switch is provided to control the application of electrical energy to the induction motor for brief surges of momentary operation. The braking system includes a second capacitor which is external to the induction motor and distinct from the starting capacitor normally associated with an induction motor.

Abstract: An integral two level feed tube is provided for a food processor having a working bowl for enclosing a rotary tool, and a removable cover adapted to be locked on the bowl with the two level feed tube forming a passageway through the cover into the bowl through which a food pusher can be plunged. The feed tube has an upper portion forming an upper passageway having a first (smaller) cross-sectional area and a lower portion forming a lower passgeway having a second (larger) cross-sectional area. The lower portion has a horizontally, inwardly projecting flange at its upper end where the smaller upper passageway enters the larger lower passageway. The pusher is plungable through both passageways for pushing food items toward the tool. The upper portion is substantially shorter than the lower portion. Accordingly, longer food items desired to be sliced lengthwise are inserted in the upper tube diagonally and come to rest horizontally ready for lengthwise slicing in the lower passageway.

Abstract: An improvement in a food processor of the type having a housing enclosing a motor, a drive shaft extending from the housing, a working bowl which is detachably mountable on the housing in position to surround the shaft for receiving the various rotatable food processing tools which are removably installed on the shaft, with a removable cover on the bowl. Food processors of this type normally include a hopper or feed tube which is carried by the cover, and a manually operated pusher or plunger which is used to feed food items down through the hopper onto the rotating cutter blade, slicing disc, rasping tool, etc.

Abstract: An improvement in a food processor of the type which includes a working bowl mountable on a base housing and enclosing rotatable food processing tools. The bowl includes a removable cover having a food receiving hopper therethrough. The improvement comprises a food pusher which is selectively insertable into the hopper and is in the form of an ingredient dispensing receptable with a dispensing opening for metering an ingredient from the receptacle into the bowl.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for conversion of an uneven arm beam balance from metric weight measurement to English weight measurement, and the reverse conversion are described. An illustrative example is a balance rated to measure in kilograms and having a main beam scale graduated in uniform increments of metric weight with associated notched poises, a main weight being discretely positionable in respective notches. A secondary beam scale in parallel relationship with the main beam reads from zero to a value equal to one such metric weight increment, along which a secondary (slider) weight is slidable for making the fine-tuning weight measurements between respective graduations of the main scale. For conversion, there is also provided on the main beam a main English scale graduated in uniform increments of English weight with associated notched poise arranged so that a shift in the position of the main weight by a distance equivalent to 400N Grams weighs an increase of N pounds Avoirdupois.