MULTI-POSITION FOOD PROCESSOR SYSTEM
A system for processing food items includes a rotatable cutting component capable of performing a plurality of food processing operations and a container for receiving a food item processed by said rotatable cutting component. The plurality of food processing operations are selected by a position of said food item as said food item engages said cutting component.
1 . A system for processing food items, comprising:
a rotatable cutting component capable of performing a plurality of food processing operations; and
a container for receiving a food item processed by said rotatable cutting component, wherein said plurality of food processing operations are selected by a position of said food item as said food item engages said cutting component.
2 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein said rotatable cutting component includes a first portion and a second portion, wherein a first food processing operation is selected when said food item is aligned with said first portion, and wherein a second food processing operation is selected when said food item is aligned with said second portion.
3 . The system according to claim 2 , wherein said first portion of said rotatable cutting component is substantially aligned with an axis of rotation of said rotatable cutting component.
4 . The system according to claim 2 , wherein said second portion of said rotatable cutting component is offset from an axis of rotation of said rotatable cutting component.
5 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein one of said plurality of food processing operations includes forming one or more semi-continuous lengths of said food item.
6 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein one of said plurality of food processing operations includes slicing, grinding or shredding said food item.
7 . The system according to claim 1 , further comprising a lid including an opening arranged in communication with said rotatable cutting component, said opening being movable to provide a food item to said rotatable cutting component at a plurality of positions
8 . The system according to claim 7 , wherein said opening is configured to slide between said plurality of positions.
9 . The system according to claim 7 , wherein said opening is configured to rotate between said plurality of positions.
10 . The food processing system according to claim 2 , wherein said rotatable cutting component includes a blade disc driven about an axis of rotation.
11 . The food processing system according to claim 10 , wherein said blade disc is driven about said axis of rotation by a motor.
12 . The food processing system according to claim 10 , wherein said blade disc is driven about said axis of rotation manually.
13 . The food processing system according to claim 10 , wherein said first portion includes a receiver having at least one cutting edge.
14 . The food processing system according to claim 10 , wherein said second portion includes a slicing slot and a slicing blade is arranged adjacent said slicing slot.
15 . The food processing system according to claim 14 , wherein said slicing slot extends across a radius of said blade disc such that said slicing blade enables creation of a semi-continuous cut when said food item is aligned with said first portion.
16 . A method of operating a food processing system, comprising:
installing a rotatable cutting component into a chamber of a food processor, said rotatable cutting component being capable of performing a plurality of food processing operations; and
positioning a food item adjacent said food processor, wherein a position of said food item as said food item engages said rotatable cutting component selects one of said plurality of food processing operations to be performed.
17 . The method according to claim 16 , wherein said food item may be provided to said food processor at one of a first, central position associated with said first region and a second position adjacent a periphery of said food processor associated with said second region.