Food processing machine

Abstract

A food processing assembly ( 20 ) includes a base member ( 21 ), a container ( 22 ) and a cover ( 23 ). The base member ( 21 ) has a platform portion ( 26 ) adapted to carry the container ( 22 ) and a housing portion ( 25 ) for a motor. A wall ( 29 ) of the housing ( 25 ) has a plurality of air inlet slots ( 35 ) and a gutter ( 37 ) protects the slots ( 35 ) from receiving any liquid which might be on the base member ( 21 ). The container ( 22 ) has a sidewall ( 52 ) with an open top that has a peripheral rim ( 57 ). A cover ( 23 ) includes a tab assembly ( 73 ) that has a notch ( 70 ) to receive the rim ( 57 ). The vertical lifting of a handle portion ( 77 ) of the tab assembly ( 73 ) removes the cover ( 23 ) from the container ( 22 ). A spout ( 61 ) and a handle ( 60 ) are formed near the top of the container ( 22 ). A heat shield ( 62 ) includes a body portion ( 63 ) which is attached to the sidewall ( 52 ) at a location under the spout ( 61 ), and it also includes a flap ( 62 ). The body portion ( 63 ) protects the hand of the user when engaging the sidewall ( 52 ) of the container ( 22 ) and the flap ( 64 ) protects the hand of the user from drippings from the spout ( 61 ).

1 . A food processing assembly comprising a container having a base surface, at least one sidewall extending upwardly from said base surface and forming an open top, a spout formed on said sidewall near said open top, a handle formed on said sidewall generally opposed to said spout, and a heat shield attached to a portion of said sidewall generally at the location of said spout. 
   
   
       2 . The food processing assembly of  claim 1  wherein said heat shield includes a body portion attached to said sidewall generally under said spout. 
   
   
       3 . The food processing assembly of  claim 2  wherein said body portion extends approximately one quarter of the periphery of said sidewall. 
   
   
       4 . The food processing assembly of  claim 2  wherein said heat shield includes a portion covering the bottom of said spout. 
   
   
       5 . The food processing assembly of  claim 2  wherein said heat shield includes a flap spaced from said body portion. 
   
   
       6 . The food processing assembly of  claim 5  wherein said heat shield includes a generally horizontal top portion connecting said flap to said body portion. 
   
   
       7 . The food processing assembly of  claim 1  further comprising a peripheral rim formed near said open top, and a cover for closing said upper open surface, said cover having at least one tab assembly, said tab assembly including a body portion having a notch to engage said rim and a handle portion extending upwardly from said body portion such that upon upward movement of said handle portion said rim will come out of said notch to release said cover from said container. 
   
   
       8 . The food processing assembly of  claim 1  further comprising a base member adapted to carry said container, air intake openings formed in said base member, and a gutter to prevent liquid from being received by said openings. 
   
   
       9 . A food processing assembly comprising a container having a peripheral rim near an upper open surface, and a cover for closing said upper open surface, said cover having at least one tab assembly, said tab assembly including a body portion having a notch to engage said rim and a handle portion extending upwardly from said body portion such that upon upward movement of said handle portion said rim will come out of said notch to release said cover from said container. 
   
   
       10 . The food processing assembly of  claim 9  further comprising an aperture in said handle portion adapted to receive a finger of the user. 
   
   
       11 . The food processing assembly of  claim 9  wherein said handle portion extends upwardly from said body at an angle of approximately forty-five degrees. 
   
   
       12 . The food processing assembly of  claim 9 , said cover including a sidewall and said tab assembly including a strip extending from said sidewall to said body portion. 
   
   
       13 . The food processing assembly of  claim 12  wherein said notch is below said strip. 
   
   
       14 . The food processing assembly of  claim 9 , said cover having a sidewall which fits within said open surface of said container, said sidewall having a shoulder adapted to rest on said rim of said container. 
   
   
       15 . The food processing assembly of  claim 9  further comprising a base member adapted to cover said container, air intake openings formed in said base member, and a gutter to prevent liquid from being received by said openings. 
   
   
       16 . A food processing assembly comprising a container, a base member adapted to cover said container, air intake openings formed in said base member, and a gutter to prevent liquid from being received by said openings. 
   
   
       17 . The food processing assembly of  claim 16  wherein said gutter includes a top portion above said openings adapted to collect liquid and protect said openings from contact with the liquid. 
   
   
       18 . The food processing assembly of  claim 17  wherein said gutter includes side portions connected to said top portion and positioned at the sides of said openings, said side portions being adapted to receive liquid from said top portion. 
   
   
       19 . The food processing assembly of  claim 16  wherein said base member includes a motor housing and a platform portion, said air intake openings being formed in said motor housing and said platform portion being adapted to carry said container. 
   
   
       20 . The food processing assembly of  claim 19 , said platform portion including a pedestal for carrying said container, said pedestal having a drainage channel therein. 
   
   
       21 . The food processing assembly of  claim 19 , said platform portion having an open wall to communicate with the inside of said motor housing. 
   
   
       22 . A food processing assembly comprising a container having a base surface, at least one sidewall extending upwardly from said base surface and forming an open top, a peripheral rim formed on said container near said open top, a spout formed on said sidewall near said open top, a handle formed on said sidewall generally opposed to said spout, a heat shield attached to a portion of said sidewall generally at the location of said spout, a cover for closing said upper open top, said cover having at least one tab assembly, said tab assembly including a body portion having a notch to engage said rim and a handle portion extending upwardly from said body portion such that upon upward movement of said handle portion said rim will come out of said notch to release said cover from said container, a base member adapted to carry said container, air intake openings formed in said base member, and a gutter to prevent liquid from being received by said openings.