Field of the Invention

The invention pertains to food processors and more particularly to a blade assembly having multiple blades in multiple cutting planes.

Background of the Invention

The performance of a food processor is determined, in part, by the configuration or geometry of the rotating blades. In most cases, the cutting blades of a food processor are interchangeable with other blades or other accessories.

Objects and Summary of the Invention

It is an object of the invention to provide a food processor blade assembly having multiple blades, in multiple planes.

It is another object of the invention to provide a food processor blade assembly having four distinct cutting planes.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a food processor blade assembly having cutting blades in two or more planes where two or more blades are formed from the same metallic blank.

It is an additional object of the invention to provide a food processor blade assembly that utilises elongated fasteners to hold together a stack of components, the stack including the cutting blades.

Accordingly, there is provided a blade assembly for a food processor comprising a cylindrical hub. A double ended blade is sandwiched between the upper hub portion and the lower hub portion. In preferred embodiments, a junction between the upper portion and lower portion is at least partially inclined with respect to a vertical axis. The central double ended blade may be formed from a single blank and is retained between the upper portion and the lower portion.

Brief Description of the Drawing Figures

Figure l illustrates a perspective view of a blade assembly for a food processor;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the assembly depicted in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a top plan view of the assembly depicted in Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 4 is an exploded perspective illustrating the arrangement of the cutting blades;

Figure 5 is an exploded perspective of the assembly depicted in Figures 1-3.

Best Mode and Other Embodiments of the Invention

As shown in Figure 1, a blade assembly for a food processor 10 comprises at least one central double ended blade comprising a pair of opposed blade portions 11, 12 that are integral or formed from a single blank and which in this example occupy two distinct planes. In this example, the central blade portions 11, 12 are accompanied by an upper single ended blade 13 and a lower single ended blade 14. The upper and lower blades 13, 14 are diametrically opposed to one another. The upper blade 13 is in vertical alignment with the lower of the two central blade portions 12 and thus forms a vertically aligned set. The lower blade 14 is in alignment with the upper of the two central blade portions 11 and thus forms a second vertically aligned set. Thus, four curved cutting edges are presented in four distinct cutting planes, in two vertically aligned sets using only three blanks. The two sets are diametrically opposed from one another. In this example, the top blade 13 and the bottom blade 14 are inverted versions of the same chamfered blade structure, both chamfers facing inwardly, e.g. toward each other.

As shown in Figure 2, the central blade portions 11, 12 are generally parallel with one another and formed from a single, bent blank. The central blade portions 11, 12 extend from diametrically opposite sides of a central rim.

The finished blade structure incorporating the two blade portions 11, 12 thus takes on a "Z" shaped appearance. It is also seen that the top and bottom blades 13, 14 are both parallel to one another and generally parallel with the central blade portions 11, 12. Figure 3 demonstrates the vertical alignment between the upper blade

13 and the lower of the two central blade portions 12 (not shown) as well as the vertical alignment of the other two blades.

Figure 4 illustrates that the top blade 13 and the bottom blade 14 may be provided optionally, as identical blades, inverted with respect to one another. Each has a central opening 49. Note that the upper blade comprises a downward facing chamfer. In preferred embodiments the lower blade incorporates an upward facing chamfer. Figure 4 also illustrates the generally "Z" shaped configuration of the central blank 40. It can be seen that the finished double ended blade blank 40 comprises an inclined rim or central portion 41 in which are formed a pair of fastener openings 42, 43. The rim is inclined with respect to the rotational axis of the assembly 10. There is a central opening 49a in the rim that is oval shaped. The blank includes parallel bend lines 44, 45 where the rim joins the flat cutting blade portions 11, 12. The blade portions thus extend from the rim parallel to one another but in different planes and in opposite directions. The flat portions include optional fastener openings 46, 47. Note that in order to assemble the device, the fastener openings (42, 43, 45, 46) in the blank 40 must be in alignment with corresponding fastener openings in the top and bottom blades 48.

As shown in Figure 5, elongated fasteners or rivets 50 are used to join the blade assembly 10 together. The fasteners 50 extend parallel to the rotational axis of the assembly 10. In this particular example, the hub comprises the aforementioned upper portion 51 and lower portion 52 as well as end caps, being a top end cap 53 and a lower end cap 54. The top and bottom portions of the hub may be identical. Each of the end caps has a flange 55, 56 that fits into the open ends of the top and bottom portions 51, 52. Note that in this example, each of the upper and lower portions 51, 52 comprise an outer wall 57 as well as an inner wall 58. Each of the top and bottom portions

51, 52 of the hub have an optional peripheral rim 70 in the area where they join together to sandwich the central blank 40.

The top and bottom end caps 53, 54 also incorporate inner and outer rims or flanges 56, 59 that preferably fit between the inner and outer walls 57, 58 of the hub top and hub bottom portions. Note that in this example, the upper end cap 53 includes a central spindle 60 and an upward facing pilot flange 61 which is used to position the inside diameter 62 of the upper blade 13. Similar structures may be found on the lower end cap 54.

The fasteners 50 thus pass through fastener openings in the lower blade, the lower end cap 54, the lower hub portion 52, the blank forming the central double ended blade 40, the upper hub portion 51, the upper end cap 53 and the upper blade 13.

In an alternate embodiment of the invention the upper and lower hub portions 51, 52 together comprise a single moulded unit with the central blade 40 moulded in place at the time of manufacture.

While the present invention has been described with reference to particular details of construction, these should be understood as having been provided by way of example and not as limitations to the scope of spirit or the invention. In particular, the invention has been disclosed with reference to a device in which pairs of blades are located in vertical alignment as shown in Figures 1 and 3. It will be understood that other arrangements may be provided in which blades are not in vertical alignment thus producing structures in which each blade occupies a unique radial orientation with respect to the vertical axis.