Foodstuff crafting apparatus, components, assembly, and method for utilizing the same

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11311024-B2
Application number	US-201615261600-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 9, 2016
Priority date	Dec 23, 2009
Publication date	Apr 26, 2022
Grant date	Apr 26, 2022

Abstract

A crafting apparatus that performs work on a workpiece is disclosed. The workpiece includes, for example, an edible foodstuff material. In an embodiment, the edible foodstuff material includes nutritional value and is consumable by, for example, human beings, animals or the like.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A device for a crafting apparatus that performs work on a workpiece, comprising:
a crafting apparatus sub-assembly attached to the crafting apparatus, wherein the sub-assembly includes
a blade carrier housing having a body portion formed by an outer surface, wherein the outer surface forms a recessed portion, wherein the body portion includes an end surface that forms a blade portion opening, wherein the body portion includes a central bore formed by an inner surface of the body portion;
an inner housing disposed within the central bore of the body portion of the blade carrier housing, wherein the inner housing includes an outer bearing that contacts the inner surface of the body portion that forms the central bore, wherein the inner housing includes an inner bearing disposed within a bore formed by the inner housing;
a blade disposed within the central bore of the body portion of the blade carrier housing and within the bore of the inner housing, wherein a stem portion of the blade contacts the inner bearing of the inner housing;
a cap portion rotatably-connected to the body portion that prevents ejection of the blade from the central bore of the body portion, wherein the blade is movably-arranged within the central bore of the blade carrier housing to permit a distal end of the blade to selectively project out of the blade portion opening formed in the end surface of the body portion.

2. The device for a crafting apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the crafting apparatus sub-assembly further includes a plunger that extends at least partially into each of the central bore of the body portion and the bore of the inner housing, wherein an actuator end of the plunger extends beyond the body portion and into a passage formed by the cap portion, wherein the actuator end of the plunger further extends out of the passage and through an opening formed in an outer end surface of the cap for permitting at least a portion of the actuator end of the plunger to be in communication with an actuator.

3. The device for a crafting apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein a conical bearing portion of the blade is arranged within a conically-shaped receiving end of the plunger, wherein the conical bearing portion is magnetically connected to the receiving end of the plunger.

4. The device for a crafting apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the crafting apparatus sub-assembly further includes a spring disposed within the central bore and may at least partially circumscribe a portion of an outer surface of the inner housing, wherein a first end of the spring engages a flange of the plunger, wherein a second end of the spring engages an upper surface of the outer bearing.

5. The device for a crafting apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein, upon moving the distal end of the blade from expanded orientation that extended beyond the end surface of the body portion to a retracted orientation within the bore of the inner housing, the inner bearing provides
means for wiping foodstuff particles off of one of more of the stem portion and the blade portion of the blade.

6. The device for a crafting apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the crafting apparatus sub-assembly further includes an outer seal arranged upon one or more of the outer surface and the end surface of the body portion that provides
means for mitigating foodstuff particles from being drawn into one or more of the bore formed by the inner housing and the central bore of the body portion.

7. The device for a crafting apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the outer seal includes a soft, silicon membrane material.

8. The device for a crafting apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the outer seal includes a substantially flat, disk-shape that substantially covers the end surface.

9. The device for a crafting apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein the outer seal includes a passage aligned with the blade portion opening of the body portion, wherein the passage of the outer seal is substantially the same as, but slightly less than a dimension of the blade portion opening to provide
means for permitting the passage of the outer seal to tightly contact one of more of the stem portion and blade portion of the blade for the purpose of wiping the foodstuff particles off of the blade as the blade is moved from the expanded orientation to the retracted orientation.

10. The device for a crafting apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the outer seal includes a cap that substantially covers all of the end surface and extends axially toward the cap in order to at least partially cover a portion of the outer surface proximate and just beyond the end surface.

11. The device for a crafting apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein the outer seal includes a flange side portion connected to a base portion, wherein the flange side portion is arranged substantially adjacent at least a portion of the outer surface proximate the end surface of the body portion whereas the base portion substantially covers all of the end surface of the body portion, wherein the outer seal includes a passage aligned with the blade portion opening of the body portion, wherein the passage of the outer seal is substantially the same as, but slightly less than a dimension of the blade portion opening to provide
means for permitting the passage of the outer seal to tightly contact one of more of the stem portion and blade portion of the blade for the purpose of wiping the foodstuff particles off of the blade as the blade is moved from the expanded orientation to the retracted orientation.

12. The device for a crafting apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the outer surface forms an attachment rib, wherein the outer seal includes a recess formed on an inner surface of the flange portion of the outer seal, wherein the recess receives the attachment rib to structurally attach the outer seal to the body portion.

13. The device for a crafting apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein the outer seal includes a flexibly material that provides
means for permitting selective removal and attachment of the outer seal to the outer surface by permitting the flange portion to flex over the attachment rib upon selective attachment or removal to/from the outer surface.

14. The device for a crafting apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the crafting apparatus sub-assembly further includes a removable safety covering attached to the outer surface of the blade carrier housing, wherein the removable safety covering obscures the end surface of the body portion of the blade carrier housing to provide
means for obscuring the distal end of the blade upon moving the blade from a retracted orientation to an expanded orientation.

15. The device for a crafting apparatus according to claim 14 , wherein the removable safety covering includes a substantially cylindrical body having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is enclosed by an end portion, wherein the substantially cylindrical body includes an uninterrupted circumferential portion connected to the end portion, wherein the uninterrupted circumferential portion extends toward the second end, wherein the substantially cylindrical body further includes an interrupted circumferential portion connected to the uninterrupted circumferential portion, wherein the interrupted circumferential portion is located proximate the second end.

16. The device for a crafting apparatus according to claim 15 , wherein the interrupted circumferential portion includes a plurality of slots, wherein the plurality of slots define the interrupte

Assignees

• Cricut Inc

Inventors

• Crystal Jeremy Burton
• Sego Rebecca
• Gubler Jeffery V
• Davis Ii James T

Classifications

• B26D7/26

  Means for mounting or adjusting the cutting member; Means for adjusting the stroke of the cutting member · CPC title

• B26D7/088

  by cleaning or lubricating (sterilizing B26D1/00) · CPC title

• A23P30/10

  Moulding · CPC title

• B26D7/10

  by heating (with Laser B23K26/00; severing by heating B26F) · CPC title

• A23G3/28 Primary

  Apparatus for decorating sweetmeats or confectionery · CPC title