Enclosure for a food processor

• US 20100014380A1
• Filed: 02/27/2009
• Published: 01/21/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vita-Mix Management Corporation (Vita-Mix Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Vita-Mix Corporation
• Inventors: Ulanski, Robert M., Kolar, David J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,287,180 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 366/347
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 43/0716 for machines with tools driven from the lower side A47J43/0727 - A47J43/08 take precedence

Abstract

An enclosure for a food processor includes a body portion and a cover. The cover is hingedly attached to the body portion. The body portion of the enclosure includes a metallic foot that mates with the base member of the food processor. The base member may include at least one magnet that secures the foot, and therefore body portion, in position by the magnetic force acting upon the foot. A gasket is provided between the foot of the body portion and the base member to completely isolate the enclosure from the base member, and to reduce vibrations in the enclosure during operation of the food processor. The body portion of the enclosure may also include gasket strips to seal the enclosure when the cover is closed.

Claims

1. An enclosure for a food processor having a base, comprising a body portion, a cover pivotally attached to said body portion, a foot carried by said body portion;

and a gasket positioned between the top surface of the base and said foot, wherein said gasket isolates the enclosure from the base to prevent the transfer of vibrations therebetween.

2. The enclosure of claim 1, wherein the base includes a pedestal projecting upwardly from the top surface, said foot including an opening sized to allow the pedestal to extend therethrough.

3. The enclosure of claim 2, wherein said gasket includes an opening therethrough sized and shaped to allow the pedestal to extend upwardly therethrough.

4. The enclosure of claim 3, wherein said gasket includes an upwardly extending flange around said opening, said flange positioned between the pedestal and said foot.

5. The enclosure of claim 1, wherein said gasket is made of a viscoelastic material.

6. The enclosure of claim 1, further comprising gasket strips positioned on said body portion, said gasket strips being adapted to create a seal between said body portion and said cover when said cover is in a closed position.

7. The enclosure of claim 1, further comprising a magnet within the base, wherein said foot of said enclosure is made of metal, said foot being secured to said base by the magnet.

8. In combination, an enclosure and a base of a food processor, the base having a top surface, said enclosure including a body portion, a cover pivotally attached to said body portion, a foot carried by said body portion;

and a gasket positioned between said top surface of said base and said foot, wherein said gasket isolates said enclosure from said base to prevent the transfer of vibrations therebetween, and wherein no mechanical fasteners are provided to secure said enclosure to said base.

9. The combination of claim 8, wherein said base includes a pedestal projecting upwardly from said top surface, and said foot includes an opening sized to allow said pedestal to extend therethrough.

10. The combination of claim 9, wherein said gasket includes an opening therethrough sized and shaped to allow said pedestal to extend upwardly therethrough.

11. The combination of claim 10, wherein said gasket includes an upwardly extending flange around said opening, said flange positioned between said pedestal and said foot.

12. The combination of claim 8, wherein said gasket is made of a viscoelastic material.

13. The combination of claim 8, further comprising gasket strips positioned on said body portion of said enclosure, said gasket strips being adapted to create a seal between said body portion and said cover when said cover is in a closed position.

14. An enclosure for a food processor having a base with a top surface, the enclosure comprising a foot, and a gasket positioned between the top surface of the base and said foot, wherein said gasket isolates the enclosure from said base to prevent the transfer of vibrations therebetween, and wherein no mechanical fasteners are provided to secure said enclosure to said base.

15. The enclosure of claim 14, wherein the base includes a pedestal projecting upwardly from the top surface, and said foot includes an opening sized to allow the pedestal to extend therethrough.

16. The enclosure of claim 15, wherein said gasket includes an opening therethrough sized and shaped to allow the pedestal to extend upwardly therethrough.

17. The enclosure of claim 16, wherein said gasket includes an upwardly extending flange around said opening, said flange positioned between the pedestal and said foot.