Radial Comminuting Face Patents (Class 241/92)
  • Patent number: 4456184
    Abstract: A horizontal disc-like tool head is detachably mounted on an upper coupling portion of an elongated hub, while a lower coupling portion of the hub is adapted to be coupled to and rotated by the tool drive shaft of a food processor. The tool head has a receptacle underneath it for receiving the upper coupling portion of the hub, which has a flange-like configuration with spaced, projecting, peripheral teeth. The receptacle has a plurality of spaced, lip retainers which are adapted to receive and retain such teeth when the hub is inserted in an axial direction and then rotated about the tool axis for changing its angular orientation in the receptacle. The teeth and lip retainers have corresponding matching sizes, so that the hub properly fits into the receptacle in only one position, thus preventing incorrect insertion of the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1984
    Assignee: Wilson Research & Development, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Williams, Edward R. Kozlowski
  • Patent number: 4448100
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1984
    Assignee: Cuisinarts, Inc.
    Inventor: John W. Breeden
  • Patent number: 4448360
    Abstract: A continuous output food processor has a bowl with a chute adapted to direct food processed by the food processor laterally out from the bowl. An inclined vibrating deck is mounted in the bowl below a food processing tool. This deck extends on a downward incline laterally out from the bowl through a chute. Food processed by the rotary tool becomes deposited on this vibrating deck and is guided and moved by the vibrating deck out from the bowl for discharge into a waiting container positioned under the outer end of the chute. The vibrating deck as well as the rotating food processing tool are driven by the electric motor drive of the food processor. The vibrating deck is driven by an eccentric coupled to such drive through a connecting rod coupled at its other end to a wrist pin mounted on the deck. The deck is provided with a plurality of pivot link mounts as spaced locations to facilitate the vibrating motion and stabilize the inclined orientation of this deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1984
    Assignee: Cuisinarts Research & Development, Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Williams
  • Patent number: 4448359
    Abstract: A combination drain pump/disposer is used with a vessel such as a dishwasher and includes a housing defining an impeller cavity, an inlet above the housing which communicates with the vessel, a pump outlet extending through a side wall of the cavity and communicating with the drain line, and a waste impeller positioned within the cavity. The impeller includes a disc-shaped base substantially parallel to and spaced slightly above the floor of the cavity, a plurality of soil-sizing orifices, an upstanding rim extending about a periphery of the base and including an inner wall defining a plurality of radially-extending, substantially vertical cutting edges and an outer wall defining a plurality of radially-extending, substantially vertical pumping vanes, and at least one breaker tooth extending upwardly from the base and positioned inwardly of the rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1984
    Assignee: Hobart Corporation
    Inventor: Theodore F. Meyers
  • Patent number: 4423758
    Abstract: A knife assembly for a disc type wood chipper for cutting wood chips from a log, for example, comprises a knife seat and knife clamp between which a multi-section two-edged reversible knife and an associated counter knife are releasably clamped. One surface of the knife has serrations which engage serrations on one surface of the counter knife to ensure proper knife alignment and enable knife position adjustment, at least in one embodiment. The counter knife is also adjustably positionable relative to the knife seat and knife clamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1984
    Assignee: Murray Machinery, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack R. Haller, Dino M. Demopoulos
  • Patent number: 4397427
    Abstract: A two-piece device for use in holding and guiding items of food, particularly small items, into position for slicing or other processing by the cutting blades of a food processor comprises a holder including an elongate food-holding member for pressing pieces of food against an inner surface of the feed chute of the food processor, and an elongate pusher having a food-engaging end, for controlling and pushing pieces of food along the holder toward the rotary blades of the food processor. A guide plate, to which the food holding element of the holder is connected, orients the food holding element and covers a portion of the feed chute. A gauge plate connected with the pusher prevents insertion of the pusher into the feed chute beyond a safe depth, and covers the remainder of the opening of the feed chute when fully inserted therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1983
    Inventor: Ival Howard
  • Patent number: 4393737
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1983
    Assignee: Cuisinarts, Inc.
    Inventor: Koichiro Shibata
  • Patent number: 4390132
    Abstract: A tree is received on a guide and fed toward a rotating disc by a feed roller carried by an arm. The arm pivots to increase the force with which the feed roller engages the tree as the resistance to feeding the tree into the rotating disc increases. Wood chips are cut from the tree by a blade on the rotating disc which slopes upwardly across and generally in the direction of the feed of the tree. The wood chips pass through the disc and into pockets from which the chips are discharged through a duct. The wood chips are also propelled through the duct by an airstream produced by fan blades on the back of the disc. To separate debris from the wood chips as they are cut from the tree, the disc is received in a housing which extends above the disc and a discharge duct communicates with the housing above the upper face of the disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1983
    Assignee: Omark Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Marvin R. Hutson, Louis G. Dutmers
  • Patent number: 4371118
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1980
    Date of Patent: February 1, 1983
    Assignee: Cuisinarts, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl G. Sontheimer, Allen F. Podell
  • Patent number: 4369680
    Abstract: A rotary slicing tool for a food processor has a horizontal disc-like member with an opening therein and a cutting blade positioned at an elevated location above the opening relative to the horizontal top surface of the disc-like member providing a cut having a thickness determined by the vertical elevation between the cutting blade and the horizontal top surface. A removable cover disc having the same general configuration and proportion as the disc-like member is mounted on the cutting member for changing the thickness of the slices as determined by the thickness of the cover disc. The cut of the rotary slicing tool may therefore be varied by using removable and replaceable cover discs of different thicknesses without necessitating the complete removal and replacement of the rotary tool in the food processor. Certain cover discs may include auxiliary blades for converting the slicing tool into a French fry slicer or Julienne slicer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1980
    Date of Patent: January 25, 1983
    Assignee: Cuisinarts Research & Development Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Williams
  • Patent number: 4368657
    Abstract: Whole oriented items, such as onions, are sliced in a slicer by holding the items on a horizontal cutter-bearing plate and by rotating the plate to continuously remove slices from the lower ends of the items until they are fully sliced. The holding device include a box-like trap and cylinder-operated hold-down discs. The slicer knives are curved to effect a progressive, bias-type of cutting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1980
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1983
    Inventor: Roy C. Pellaton
  • Patent number: 4367667
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1983
    Assignee: Cuisinarts, Inc.
    Inventor: Koichiro Shibata
  • Patent number: 4364525
    Abstract: A rotatable cutting blade assembly for a food processor having an annular flange intended to fit closely in a circular container of a food processor, the flange having in it an aperture above which a blade is mounted, a screw-threaded arrangement being provided whereby the axial distance between the blade and flange may be adjusted continuously within the adjustment range so that sliced portions of vegetable material of any desired thickness may be produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1982
    Inventor: John W. McClean
  • Patent number: 4360166
    Abstract: Motor-driven shredding apparatus for garden waste consists of a cutter support plate (13) rotating about a vertical axis in a cutter housing (4) provided with an outlet channel (4"), which plate (13) includes outlet slots (13') and plane-blade-like shredding cutters (14) thereabove. Above the cutter housing (4), two inlets (1,2) are provided for the separate supply of light and heavy material to be shredded, such as thin twigs and leaves and thicker twigs and branches respectively, wherein the inlet (2) for the heavy material to be shredded extends to the shredding cutters (14) and the other inlet (1) lies above shredding blades (17) rotating with the cutter support plate (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1982
    Assignee: Firma Cornes & Co. OHG
    Inventor: Horst Biersack
  • Patent number: 4351487
    Abstract: A knife assembly for use in a chopping apparatus of the type having a rotatable disc and an opening therethrough to permit passage of the chopped material through and away from the disc. The assembly comprises a pair of knife holding means for engaging a reversible knife with two cutting edges. One of the knife holding means has a flat knife engaging surface for cooperatively engaging a complementary flat surface of the knife, and the other knife holding means has an arcuate protrusion for cooperatively engaging an arcuate groove in the knife. An improved elongated and reversible knife having opposed bevel surfaces that define the reversible cutting edges, and the knife also having opposite flat surfaces, one of which has an arcuate recess formed in and along that surface for the reception of a complementary shaped portion of a knife holding means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1982
    Assignee: Murray Machinery, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack R. Haller, William M. Haselton
  • Patent number: 4350191
    Abstract: An arrangement for removing material from a workpiece, includes a support component for an elongated workpiece, and a tool component rotatable about an axis and having a circumferential cutting face and axial end faces. The tool component is supported at both end faces thereof. At least one of the above-mentioned components is movable relative to the other component in a predetermined path at least one of the path and axis of rotation is inclined relative to the elongation of a supported workpiece so that the workpiece contacts only the cutting face but does not contact the end faces of the tool component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1982
    Assignee: Hombak Maschinenfabrik GmbH u. Conkg
    Inventor: Reinhold Riedl
  • Patent number: 4346745
    Abstract: A rotatable carrier has a plurality of cutter knives protruding from a work face thereof. A feed passage is positioned to direct longitudinal sides of wood pieces against the carrier face to enable the knives to slice wafers from the pieces during rotation of the carrier. The feed passage is defined by opposed side walls each having a plurality of superimposed gripper chains with runs forming a moving inner surface of the respective wall. These chains are adapted to grip the ends of wood pieces and move said pieces along the passage. The chain arrangement of at least one side wall is mounted in floating relationship to that of the other side wall and is resiliently biased towards the latter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1982
    Assignee: CAE Machinery Ltd.
    Inventors: Jack Weavell, Horst J. Jatzek
  • Patent number: 4346744
    Abstract: A rotatable carrier element has a plurality of elongate slots opening out from a work surface thereof with cutter knives projecting from the slots for slicing wafers off pieces of wood bearing against the work surface with the sides and the grain of the pieces extending substantially parallel to the work surface and the slots when the latter pass the wood. Each cutter knife forms part of a waferizing arrangement in each slot. Each waferizing arrangement includes a reactor guide in the slot positioned relative to the knife so as to be engaged by wafers cut by the knife to break the wafers longitudinally thereof into predetermined widths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1982
    Assignee: CAE Machinery Ltd.
    Inventors: Douglas C. Beer, Horst J. Jatzek
  • Patent number: 4335650
    Abstract: A peeling machine for peeling fruits and vegetables comprising a cutter disc having in its center a boss for mounting the disc to a driving shaft and having a plurality of apertures arranged substantially radially and open into clearances arranged at the periphery of the plate, each said aperture being bounded on its rear side relative to the rotation of the plate by a cutter blade with a sharp edge. The plate may further comprise at least one, and preferably two radial protruding bosses, the upper portion of each of the bosses comprising at least one aperture also bounded on its rear side with a cutter blade whereby the fruit or vegetables to be peeled are stirred during the peeling operation. A peripheral safety guard and a tapered edge may also be provided for the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1982
    Assignee: DITO
    Inventor: Olivier H. C. Prevot
  • Patent number: 4317544
    Abstract: A chipper having improved means for separating debris from chips is formed by extending the chip slots radially outward beyond the effective cutting length of the knives and is provided with passage means to direct debris from within the chip slots into a front chamber on the infeed side of the disc. The front chamber is provided with a tangential outlet for debris and the chipper is provided with a separate tangential outlet for chips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1982
    Assignee: Domtar Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph A. Lapointe
  • Patent number: 4298044
    Abstract: A wood chipper embodying a pair of adjacent discs mounted in face-to-fact relation on a drive shaft for rotation therewith. The discs are secured to each other and have angularly spaced aligned passageways therethrough. A recess is provided in one disc at the trailing side of each angularly spaced passageway, as viewed in the direction of rotation. A knife holder mounted within each recess carries a knife which is retained by a knife clamp. Interlocking means between the clamp and the knife holder limits relative movement therebetween both axially and radially to maintain accurate location of the knives. The end of the knife holder removed from the aligned passageways is spaced from its disc to define a cavity which receives babbit. Also, the edge of the knife opposite its cutting edge is spaced from the knife holder and may have slots which extend at an angle relative to the cutting edge to define cavities which receive babbit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1981
    Assignee: The Filer and Stowell Company
    Inventors: Sydney Hansel, Thomas N. Baker
  • Patent number: 4283979
    Abstract: An adjustable slicing blade assembly comprises basically a slicing or spacer disk having a centrally disposed circular opening, a cylindrical flange extending from the under side of the spacer disk and surrounding the circular opening, and a rotatable shaft axially movable within the cylindrical flange and through the circular opening and having a slicing blade extending radially from its upper end. Appropriate mechanism is provided to locate the spacer disk and the shaft in a given position with respect to each other. Associated with the shaft and cooperating with such locating mechanism is an arrangement for maintaining such given position and also varying the same and thereby the separation between the slicing blade and the spacer disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1981
    Assignee: North American Philips Corporation
    Inventors: William J. Rakocy, Silvio Bellotti
  • Patent number: 4277995
    Abstract: A rotary slicing tool is provided for a food processor having a hub with a horizontal disc-like member carrying an elevated slicing blade. The disc-like member has a horizontal area with an arcuate slot extending from the hub out to the periphery. The slicing blade is mounted on an elevated arcuate rim behind the slot with the cutting edge projecting forward and elevated above the horizontal area facing forward above the slot for slicing food items, with the slices passing down through the slot. For avoiding smashing or shredding of slices, a gradually sloping shoulder joins the horizontal area with the elevated platform having the rim where the slicing blade is mounted. Both ends of the blade are contoured to conform with the rotational direction of travel; the outer end conforming with the periphery of the disc-like member, and the inner end conforming with the hub, and the cutting edge is spaced well forward of the shoulder near both ends of the slicing blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1979
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1981
    Inventor: Carl G. Sontheimer
  • Patent number: 4271882
    Abstract: A blade for a cutter for a wood reducing machine, said blade being of a star like three-horn cross-sectional shape, whereby the tips of the horns form cutting edges each comprising two plane blade surfaces. Each two blade surfaces and the plane connecting surface positioned between said two blade surfaces form a Z-shaped broken line in the cross section of the blade. This shape of the blade provides for an easy fastening of the blade in a fastening socket by means of one of the horns of said blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1981
    Inventor: Antti T. Valo
  • Patent number: 4256265
    Abstract: In a food processor cutter blade on a disc rotated by a central shaft with the disc having a single rectangular locking-edged opening therethrough on one side only of the disc center with the opening terminating short of the disc center, a narrow slot is provided centrally of the opening and extends across the disc center. The disc has a depending central hub crossing the slot to receive the shaft therethrough. A removable locking-edged insert has a tab radially and frictionally slideable into the opening over the hub to totally support the disc. The insert has a first surface coplanar with the disc surface and another or resting surface contiguous with and depressed below the first surface. The insert also has a second surface above and spaced from both the first and resting surfaces by an arc-shaped elongated stepped opening facing in the direction of disc rotation and curved or scooped toward the disc surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1981
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Bhim S. Madan
  • Patent number: 4247053
    Abstract: A debris separating chipper having a rotor with a cutting face and at least one knife mounted on the cutting face, a housing enclosing said rotor, a debris chamber in said housing having one wall thereof formed by said cutting face, a slot through said cutting face into a space, means for feeding logs to said cutting face, means for directing chips cut by said knife into said space, means for ejecting air out from said slot into said debris chamber, a debris outlet from said chipper for ejecting debris from said debris chamber and a separate chip outlet from said chipper adapted to communicate with said space for ejection of chips from said chipper. The air flow may be in some curves directed as a curtain across the slot to effect a further separation by deflecting lighter materials out of their normal trajectory into a dust chamber that empties into the debris chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1981
    Assignee: Domtar Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph A. Lapointe
  • Patent number: 4244252
    Abstract: Whole oriented onions are sliced in a slicer by holding the onions on a horizontal cutter-bearing plate and by rotating the plate to continuously remove slices from the lower ends of the onions until the onions are fully sliced. Non-oriented onions are recirculated between a feed hopper and the conveyor leading to the slicer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1981
    Assignee: Guntert & Pellaton, Inc.
    Inventor: Roy C. Pellaton
  • Patent number: 4240338
    Abstract: An improved food processor including a citrus fruit juice extraction unit, and an attachment for a food processor for the extraction of juice from citrus fruit, are disclosed. The attachment consists of an annular trough-like member fitting within the cylindrical food processing container amounted on the base of the food processor. The annular trough-like member has a circumferential flange which rests on the upper edge of the container and supports the trough-like member therein. The trough-like member has apertures in the bottom thereof to permit the passage of citrus fruit juice while restraining passage of pulp and pips associated with the juice. The trough-like member includes means such as a cam which are arranged to cooperate with an electric switch for the food processor motor so that the food processor motor cannot be actuated without the trough-like member being in predetermined rotational relationship with the food processor base and food processing container located thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1980
    Assignee: Breville Holdings Pty. Limited
    Inventor: John W. McClean
  • Patent number: 4228963
    Abstract: For use in a food processor comprising a power unit having a drive shaft, a removable receptacle including a container and a lid having a feed chute communicable to the interior of the receptacle when mounted on the container, and a rotary treating element rotatable within the receptacle together with the drive shaft, a tilt preventing element for preventing a food material inserted into the feed chute from being tilted sideways which comprises an elastic retainer member including a plurality of long elastic tines and a corresponding number of short elastic tines. The long and short tines are curved so that, when the elastic retainer member is removably mounted on the open end of the feed chute opposite to the container, they extend downwardly in the feed chute and diverge outwardly from the surrounding wall defining the feed chute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1980
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Terukazu Yamauchi, Katsufumi Nishio, Fusao Niino, Toyoaki Murasawa
  • Patent number: 4228962
    Abstract: A liquid swirler arranged to comminute relatively large solids so as to permit the comminuted solids to pass through openings in the swirler with a liquid flow induced therethrough. In the illustrated embodiment, the apparatus is utilized in a dishwasher having a pump for flowing dishwashing liquid through a flow passage of a centrifuge-type separator. The swirler effects a swirling movement of the liquid in the separator to permit the separator to remove the solids from the liquid before passing the liquid on to the pump. The swirler is arranged to provide the further function of breaking solids down to a small enough size to permit them to pass satisfactorily through the pump and dishwashing liquid circulation system. A resilient member is disposed adjacent the swirler to assist in breaking up relatively large solids by holding them suitably for comminuting action by the rotating swirler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1980
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Geoffrey L. Dingler, Philip P. Johnson
  • Patent number: 4227655
    Abstract: A rotary food processing tool is provided for use in a food processor of the type including a housing containing an electric motor drive, a bowl mountable on the housing for enclosing the tool, said tool being rotated by said motor drive, and a removable cover on the bowl with a feed tube for feeding food items onto the rotating tool and into the bowl. The rotary tool has an elongated hub with a head on one end and coupling means adapted to be coupled to the electric motor drive. The head of the hub is offset from the coupling means such that it revolves around the axis of rotation of the coupling means. The tool includes a horizontal disc-like member mounted on the hub head at a location radially offset from the center axis of the disc-like member. Cutting means on the disc member extends from near the axis to the periphery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1980
    Assignee: Wilson Research & Development Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Williams
  • Patent number: 4226374
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1980
    Assignee: Cuisinarts, Inc.
    Inventor: Barbara Kafka
  • Patent number: 4216919
    Abstract: A machine for comminuting clay stock. The machine includes a rotating body and a plurality of cutter blades attached to the body for rotation therewith. Clay stock is directed onto the body by a feed hopper. A non-rotating crowder mechanism is associated with the cutting blades to crowd portions of the clay stock against the rotating cutter blades whereby particles of clay are cut from the clay stock. A plurality of upwardly extending lugs are attached to the body for rotation therewith. A plurality of teeth members are attached to the crowder mechanism for coacting with the lugs to prevent rocks and the like from being crowded against the cutter blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1980
    Inventor: Ellis F. Trevathan
  • Patent number: 4216917
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1980
    Assignee: Cuisinarts, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard D. Clare, Carl G. Sontheimer
  • Patent number: 4201347
    Abstract: A mechanism is provided for crushing and grinding cremated remains and includes a vertical cylindrical housing, a stationary bearing plate positioned transversely across the shaft defined within the housing, and a rotatable perforated grinding disk. The weight of the bearing plate crushes the crematory ashes as the grinding disk rotates, and the ground cremation remains fall through apertures in the grinding disk into a funnel for collection in an urn positioned below.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1980
    Assignee: James D. McCampbell
    Inventor: B. Jack Elkin
  • Patent number: 4200240
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for mincing and/or beating, comminuting, chopping, pulverizing, emulsifying, mixing, kneading, whisking and the like of materials, particularly edible materials, such as meat, starchy foods, fruit and vegetables which comprises a near-spherical container, at least one knife mounted for rotation within the container, coupled with safety features to prevent injuries to the operators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1978
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1980
    Inventor: Robert M. Machuron
  • Patent number: 4199112
    Abstract: In a food processor with a power base and lid-covered bowl, a cutting disc is rotated by a shaft extending into and terminating in the bowl, and structure is provided to reverse the shaft rotation on selection. In this general arrangement, an improvement is provided in the cutting disc comprising a first cutting member on the disc surface facing in the direction of the selected shaft rotation and a second cutting member is provided on the same disc surface facing opposite the first cutting member with the cutting members being substantially diametrically opposite for dynamic balance. The cutting members are preferably on different levels on the disc surface with slanted ramps connecting the levels. The arrangement is such that one of the cutting members performs a cutting operation when the disc is rotated in one direction while the other member is rendered inoperative and, on shaft reversal, the other member performs the cutting operation while the one member becomes inoperative.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1978
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1980
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: James O. McLean
  • Patent number: 4198887
    Abstract: A julienne cutter tool and method of making are described, the cutter being intended for use in rotary food processing apparatus of the type having an upright working bowl with a vertical motor-driven tool shaft extending up into the bowl. The julienne cutter has a hub engageable with said tool shaft for rotating a horizontal disc-like member carrying a primary blade horizontally positioned at an elevated location above the upper surface of said disc member and extending from a smaller radius region to a larger radius region. An opening defined by said disc member permits the food material which has been cut by said primary blade to move downwardly through the disc member, and a plurality of individual radially-spaced secondary blades located in said opening in respective planes perpendicular to said primary blade neatly slice the food material into julienne strips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1978
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1980
    Assignee: Wilson Research & Development, Inc.
    Inventor: William A. Williams, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4194697
    Abstract: An inner auxiliary mixing bowl having an upwardly extending tubular post is removably nested within the outer mixing bowl of a food processor. The tubular post of the inner bowl is tapered with the upper, smaller end thereof being positioned closely about the uppermost end of the shaft and adjacent to the underside of the cutting tool that is driven by the motor of the food processor. Thus, the likelihood of the processed food passing between the inner surface of the tubular post and the outer surface of the driven shaft is minimized. This thereby reduces the likelihood of contamination of the interior of the motor by the processed food. The inner mixing bowl is made of a plastic material that permits it to be heated and frozen thereby vastly increasing its utility. In addition, a removable cover is provided for the inner mixing bowl so that the content thereof may be readily transported.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1980
    Inventor: William Lembeck
  • Patent number: 4190208
    Abstract: In a food processor with a power base and a lid-covered bowl, a feed chute through the lid empties onto a cutting disc rotated by a shaft extending into and terminating in the bowl. To this general combination an improvement in the disc structure is provided comprising a peripheral flange around the disc edge extending upwardly adjacent the bowl inner surface, with a single substantially rectangular locking bevel-edged opening through the disc and flange on one side only of the disc's center, the opening terminating short of and adjacent the disc center. A narrow slot is provided centrally of the opening to extend across the disc center and a depending hub on the disc at its center crosses the slot to receive the shaft. A removable beveled-edged cutter blade insert has a tab matching the slot and the insert is radially slidable into the opening and the slot to contact the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1978
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1980
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert L. Schaeffer, Bhim S. Madan
  • Patent number: 4187770
    Abstract: An apparatus for slicing and cooking potatoes in a chip form is disclosed herein having a cylindrical base with electrical heating elements in the sidewall thereof for holding a quantity of cooking oil. A removable basket is immersed in the cooking oil and is disposed directly beneath a potato slicing mechanism. The mechanism is operably carried in a pivoting lid and includes a rotating slicing blade driven by a motor. A potato hopper carried on the lid includes a plunger for feeding a raw potato to a slicing table or ledge in registry with an opening for passing potato slices into the cooking oil beneath after cutting by the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1978
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1980
    Inventor: Harold M. Coffield
  • Patent number: 4159083
    Abstract: The present invention is related to a chipper wherein the housing is divided by a chipper disc into a front chamber and a chip chamber and wherein separate outlets are provided from the front chamber and from the chip chamber respectively for twigs and the like (debris) and for chips whereby separation of debris from the chips is obtained in the chipper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1977
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1979
    Assignee: Domtar Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph A. Lapointe
  • Patent number: 4155384
    Abstract: A disk type wood chipper having cutter knives disposed non-radially on a chipper disk to cut a slab of wood from a log and having guide means with ridges over which such slab is caused to slide so that the slab disintegrates into wood chips of substantially uniform size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1979
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget Iggesunds Bruk
    Inventor: Nils D. Svensson
  • Patent number: 4113190
    Abstract: This invention relates to a device for shaving ice for use in the confections industry. The device comprises a series of components in concentric vertical alignment, at the top of which is an insulated hopper for charging the operating mechanism with a supply of chunks or pieces of ice in regular or random form or configuration, a revolving mechanism for shaving the ice and expelling the snow-like particles of ice through a chute, and a motor to cause the aforementioned mechanism to revolve. The parts of the revolving mechanism are removable through the hopper for cleaning without the use of tools. The actuator for the switching device for operating the motor is also removable without tools for cleaning and servicing. This improved device for shaving ice features a variation in textures of ice particles, a novel agitator to improve ice contact with shaving blades, total sanitary design, and improved disassembly construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1978
    Inventor: Israel Fudman
  • Patent number: 4113188
    Abstract: The food processor includes a housing having a motor chamber disposed alongside of a food processing bowl thereby materially decreasing the overall height of the apparatus. A lid is removably attached to the bowl and when properly in position, actuates a motor control switch on the housing whereby the motor may rotate a tool disposed within the bowl. The bowl is removable for purposes of washing the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1978
    Assignee: Kidde Consumer Durables Corp.
    Inventor: Irving R. Belinkoff
  • Patent number: 4095751
    Abstract: An appliance for slicing and shredding vegetables, fruits, cheeses and other food products having an improved safety interlock wherein the cover for the receptacle in which the slicing and shredding is performed includes means for completing the mechanical coupling between the motor and the slicing and shredding implement. The receptacle within which the slicing and shredding is performed is provided with a novel slicing and shredding implement which cooperates with the shape of the receptacle to minimize clogging and facilitate the discharge of the sliced and shredded food from the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1977
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1978
    Assignee: Oster Corporation
    Inventor: Robert Lee Artin
  • Patent number: 4082230
    Abstract: A base member which may be cylindrical in form has a central post extending therefrom. Surrounding the central post is a tray having a ring running around its edge which forms a perimeter for the tray. Extending up from the tray are a plurality of spikes on which cheese is impaled and thus held in position on the tray. A cylindrical cover member is preferably made of clear plastic. The cover member has a central post having an aperture therein, the central post of the base member fitting into the aperture of the central post of the cover member. The cover member has a cylindrical side wall and a top wall, the free edges of the side wall resting on the tray, thus forming a cover over the tray for the cheese. Supported on the top wall of the cover is a disc-shaped grater member having scoop-shaped cutter blades which are arranged in a plurality of interleaved spirals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1977
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1978
    Inventor: William E. Bounds
  • Patent number: 4078590
    Abstract: An apparatus for reducing whole trees having attached limbs and branches to chips wherein a power driven disc chipper is mounted on a frame and a tree or brush feeding and conditioning mechanism is driven at a coordinated feeding speed for feeding trees and tree parts into the chipper while folding projecting limbs and branches inwardly toward the trunk. A pair of power driven feed rolls, mounted for rotation about generally horizontal axes above and below a feed path, are supported for both coordinated generally vertical movement relative to the frame and for relative vertical movement, and power actuated means are provided for selectively varying the vertical spacing between the pair of feed rolls. The power actuated means are so arranged that when a squeezing action is applied, as to crush vertically projecting limbs, the upward force exerted by the lower roll exceeds the downward force exerted by the upper roll to reduce the frictional force exerted by any obstructing tree parts on the support platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1977
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1978
    Assignee: Morbark Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Leward N. Smith
  • Patent number: 4057192
    Abstract: Machinery for reducing forest products to wood chips wherein a bed conveyor, a powered roll mounted for vertical movement above the bed conveyor, and powered, generally vertical side roll means downstream of the generally horizontal roll, feed a tree or log to a chipper disc. The chipper disc has at least one opening, and a knife positioned at the opening to cut products conveyed to the disc into chips and propel them through the opening with rotation of the disc assembly. The machine includes improvements which are more specifically set forth in the following material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1975
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1977
    Assignee: Morbark Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Leward N. Smith
  • Patent number: 4047670
    Abstract: A rotary cutting apparatus having cutters or knife devices which are provided with angularly disposed contact surfaces and which devices are mounted with the contact surfaces in cooperative engagement with angularly disposed supporting or clamping surfaces of opposed knife support members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1976
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1977
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget Iggesunds Bruk
    Inventor: Nils David Svensson