Food processor lid

Abstract

A lid of a food processing system selectively receivable by a container of the food processing system includes a lid body defining a cavity within the lid body, a locking assembly at least partially disposed within the cavity and an actuator associated the said lid body and the locking assembly. The locking assembly is movable from an unlocked position to a locked position in response to application of a first force applied to the actuator. The locking assembly is movable from the locked position to the unlocked position in response to application of a second force applied to said actuator, the first force and said second force being applied in a same direction.

1 . A lid of a food processing system, the lid being selectively receivable by a container of the food processing system, the lid comprising:
 a lid body defining a cavity within said lid body;   a locking assembly at least partially disposed within said cavity;   an actuator associated with said lid body and said locking assembly;   wherein said locking assembly is movable from an unlocked position to a locked position in response to application of a first force applied to said actuator, and   wherein said locking assembly is movable from said locked position to said unlocked position in response to application of a second force applied to said actuator, said first force and said second force being applied in a same direction.   
     
     
         2 . The lid of  claim 1 , wherein said locking assembly is spring biased towards said unlocked position. 
     
     
         3 . The lid of  claim 1 , wherein said locking assembly further comprises at least one lock operably coupled to said actuator. 
     
     
         4 . The lid of  claim 3 , wherein application of said first force and said second force causes said actuator to move about a first axis and said at least one lock to move about a second axis, said second axis being different than said first axis. 
     
     
         5 . The lid of  claim 4 , wherein said first axis and said second axis are substantially perpendicular. 
     
     
         6 . The lid of  claim 4 , wherein said at least one lock is configured to rotate about said second axis. 
     
     
         7 . The lid of  claim 3 , wherein when said lid is mounted to the container, said at least one lock is engagable with an interlock of the food processing system. 
     
     
         8 . The lid of  claim 3 , wherein when said locking assembly is in said unlocked position, said actuator is offset from an upper surface of said housing by a first distance and when said locking assembly is in said locked position said actuator is offset from said upper surface of said housing by a second distance, said first distance being greater than said second distance 
     
     
         9 . The lid of  claim 1 , lid further comprising a mechanism for selectively retaining said actuator when said locking mechanism is in said locked position. 
     
     
         10 . The lid of  claim 1 , wherein said lid is receivable by the container when said locking assembly is in both a locked position and an unlocked position. 
     
     
         11 . A method of mounting a lid to a container of a food processing assembly comprising:
 applying a force to an actuator of the lid such that said actuator moves along a first axis; and   moving a lock operably coupled to said actuator along a second axis, different from said first axis such that an elongated engagement member of said lock is receivable by the container; and   coupling the lid to the container.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising selectively retaining said actuator in an actuated position in response to movement of said actuator along said first axis. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein coupling the lid to the container further comprises receiving said engagement member within an opening of the container. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein receiving said engagement member within said opening further comprises applying a force to an interlock to provide power to a motorized unit of the food processing system. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein coupling the lid to the container occurs prior to applying said force to said actuator of said locking assembly. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein coupling the lid to the container occurs simultaneously or after applying said force to said actuator of said locking assembly. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein coupling the lid to the container occurs after said lock is moved such that said elongated engagement member is receivable by said container. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising applying another force to said actuator to unlock the lid from the container, said another force and said force being oriented in a same direction. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein moving said actuator along said first axis exposes or hides a visible indicator. 
     
     
         20 . A food processing system comprising:
 a base;   a container for selective coupling to said base, said container being sized to receive food to be processed; and   a lid for selective coupling to said container, said lid including an actuator and a locking assembly,   wherein said locking assembly is movable from an unlocked position to a locked position in response to application of a first force to said actuator, and   wherein said locking assembly is movable from said locked position to said unlocked position in response to application of a second force to said actuator, said first force and said second force being applied in a same direction.