US3635270A - Combination can opener and slicing shredding appliance - Google Patents

Abstract

A can opener having combined therewith apparatus for shredding and slicing foods. The slicing and shredding apparatus consists of a detachable attachment which may be mounted in either of two alternative positions on the can opener housing. In one of the alternative positions, the slicing and shredding attachment is drivingly coupled to the can opener mechanism and the chute through which food is supplied is in an exposed position. The attachment is also provided with a storage position in which it is mounted on the can opener housing with the food delivery chute blocked and the slicing/shredding mechanism uncoupled from the can-opening mechanism.

Description

Petroske et al.

s] 3,635,270 [451 Jan. 18,1972

[54] COMBINATION CAN OPENER AND SLICING SHREDDING APPLIANCE [72] inventors: Robert P. Petroske; Robert L. Artin, both of Menomonee Falls; Donald R. Meyer, Thiensville, all of Wis.

John Oster Manufacturing Co., Milwaukee, Wis.

[7.2] Filed July 13, 1970 I21] Appl. Nu. $4,426

[73] Assignee:

[52] US. Cl. ..l46/92, l46/DIG. 8, 30/4, 30/123 R, 241/101 R [51] Int. Cl. ..B02c 18/00 ..146/9l,92, 3 G, DIG. 8;

[58] Field of Search 2,713,307 7/1955 Aberer ..l46/9l 3,515,357 6/1970 Clark ..24l/l0lR Primary Examiner-Willie G. Abercrombie AttorneyGeorge R. Clark [5 7] ABSTRACT A can opener having combined therewith apparatus for shredding and slicing foods. The slicing and shredding apparatus consists of a detachable attachment which may be mounted in either of two alternative positions on the can opener housing. In one of the alternative positions, the slicing and shredding attachment is drivingly coupled to the can opener mechanism and the chute through which food is supplied is in an exposed position. The attachment is also provided with a storage position in which it is mounted on the can opener housing with the food delivery chute blocked and the slicing/shredding mechanism uncoupled from the can-opening mechanism.

15 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures COMBINATION CAN OPENER AND SLICING I SHREDDING APPLIANCE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION With the increase in popularity of the electric can opener in recent years, there have been many attempts to adapt the can opener to perform additional functions other than the mere opening of cans. The resulting combination can opener appliances have been extremely popular since they permit the appliance to be used for purposes other than opening cans and provide these additional functions at little increase in cost. Examples of such combination can opener appliances are can opener/knife sharpeners, can opener/ice crushers, and can opener/citrus juice extractors. One such can opener/ice crusher appliance is disclosedand claimed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,5 15,357 which is assigned to the same assignee as the instant application.

In designing a combination appliance involving a can opener, it is important that the overall size and shape of the can opener be maintained at a minimum because of the obvious limitations in available counter space in most kitchens. Since the electric can opener is used frequently, the housewife normally feels compelled to maintain this appliance exposed on the counter where it is readily available for use. According l', any additions or modifications in the can opener which would make it too bulky or unsightly to leave in this exposed condition on the counter would be very undersirable.

A slicing and shredding appliance is conventionally used in connection with the making of salads as well as for other food preparation chores in which food is to be either sliced or shredded. This type of appliance is inherently hazardous for the housewife to use since the cutting elements must be quite sharp with the result that they are quite capable of injuring the hands or fingers of the user who might accidentally encounter the cutters. Accordingly, safety means must be provided in connection with such an appliance to prevent or minimize the dangers of the user encountering the cutting elements.

It should also be noted that a slicing and shredding appliance is used rather infrequently as compared to a can opener. As a consequence, although a housewife might appreciate having a slicing and shredding appliance available, it need not be as readily usable as a can opener as long as it meets the requirements of safety. In addition, it is important that a slicing and shredding appliance be easily immersed in water for washing purposes since the corrosive juices associated with the foods and vegetables sliced and shredded therein would cause severe sanitary problems if not removed promptly from the appliance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a combination appliance which is adapted to perform the functions of opening cans and slicing and shredding food such as vegetables and cheeses. The can opening mechanism is generally conventional including a motor and reduction gearing which drives the means for rotating the can during the can-opening operation. The slicing and shredding, portion of the appliance is enclosed in a secondary housing which is supported on the main housing in a manner so that it may be detached and connected in either of two alternative positions. The secondary housing includes a food delivery chute and a recessed portion within which is mounted a truncated conical cutter which is conventionally employed in slicing and shredding appliances. In one of the alternative positions of the secondary housing, the conical cutter is connected to be driven by an extension on the shaft which supports the can rotating wheel. In addition, in this position the secondary housing has the food delivery chute positioned so that food may be fed into cutting engagement with the conical cutter. In the other alternative position of the secondary housing. the cutter is disengaged from its driving relationship with the feed wheel shaft and thefood delivery chute ispositioned so that no food may be deposited therein. In this latter position, the secondary housing occupies a minimum space and is nested in a compact manner against the main housing. Pushbutton latch means are provided to permit easy detachment of the secondary housing from the main housing so that the secondary housing may be readily switch from either of its two alternative positions.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved appliance which is adapted to open cans and to slice and shred food.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a combined can opener and slicer/shredder having the slicing and shredding portion of the appliance contained in a detachable housing which may be mounted in either of two alternative positions.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved electrical appliance having a slicing and shredding portion thereof which is adapted to be supported in a use position in which the slicing and shredding mechanism is in driven relation to the appliance motor and the food delivery chute is positioned to receive food to be sliced or shredded, said portion also being adapted to be supported in a storage position in which the slicing and shredding mechanism is out of driven engagement with the appliance motor and the food delivery chute is blocked or obstructed.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a combined can opener and slicer/shredder in which the slicer/shredder is enclosed within a secondary housing which may be mounted on the main can opener housing with the food delivery chute either extending vertically upwardly to receive food to be sliced or shredded or extending vertically downwardly where the chute is blocked from the insertion of food and where it is nested compactly against the can opener housing.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds and the features of novelty which characterize the invention will be pointed out in the claims annexed to and forming a part of the specification.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a better understanding of the present invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a combined can opener and slicing! shredding appliance embodying our invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially on line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken online 4--4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the manner in which the slicer/shredder portion of the appliance detaches therefrom;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the slicer/shredder portion of the appliance in its storage position;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on line 7-7 of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on line 8-8 of FIG. 7.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Referring to the drawings there is shown a combined can opener and slicing and shredding appliance which has been designated generally by reference numeral 11. The appliance 11 includes a main housing l2 .which is somewhat L-shaped and encloses a motor 13 and agear reduction train 14. Thehousing 12 is formed by a from frame member RE which supports the motor 13 and thegear train 14 on its inner surface and at the upper end thereof supports a canopening mechanism 16 which is driven by the motor 13 through thegear reduction 14. Thecan opener mechanism 16 is disclosed and claimed in copending Arel et al. application Ser. No. 49,258, filed June 24, 1970, entitled AUTOMATIC ELEC- TRIC CAN OPENER, and assigned to the same assignee as the instant application. Since the specific form of thecan opener mechanism 16 is of little consequence as regards the invention disclosed and claimed herein, it is sufficient to indicate that it includes afeed wheel 18 carried by ashaft 19 which is driven at a slow speed to rotate a can being opened through the engagement of thefeed wheel 18 with the lip of the can. While the can is being rotated by thewheel 18, asuitable cutter 20 is engaged with the can to sever the cover therefrom.

In order to form acompartment 21 within which thegear train 14 and motor 13 are enclosed, thehousing 12 is further provided with aplastic cover member 22 which is secured to the front frame by means ofassembly screws 23 and 24 engaging the upper and lower portions, respectively, of theframe 15. Thelowennost assembly screws 24 extend upwardly through a bottom plate 25, through thecover member 22, and into threaded engagement with portions of thefront frame 15, as shown in FIG. 2. The plate 25 thus forms a closure for the bottom of thecompartment 21.

Thecover member 22 is formed with somewhat L-shapedsidewalls 26 which are connected together by a transversely extendingrear wall 27 as is best shown in FIG. 5. Extending inwardly from the rearwardly projecting portions ofsidewalls 26 arewall portions 28 which define a pair of spaced buttresses 29. Thebuttresses 29 are spaced apart and interconnected at their lower edges by a web orfloor 30 forming a cavity orrecess 31. Thebuttresses 29 serve as stabilizers or supports for thehousing 12 and also serve as supporting means for asecondary housing 33 which forms a part of the slicing and shredding portion of the appliance 11. Thehousing 33 may be assembled or affixed to themain housing 12 in two alternative positions which are shown in FIGS. 1 and 6. In both of these positions, however, thesecondary housing 33 is supported by the spaced buttresses 29.

Thesecondary housing 33 includes abody portion 35 from which a food ormaterial delivery chute 36 extends. Thebody portion 35 is formed with aconical recess 37 which faces rearwardly having arearwardly opening mouth 38. Thefood delivery chute 36 extends vertically connecting with or entering into therecess 37 as is shown in FIG. 2.

For the purpose of slicing and shredding material moving down through thechute 36, there is mounted within the recess 37 atruncated metal cone 39 which is formed withslots 40, the edges of which are defined by sharpened knife edges 41. Thus, as thecone 39 is rotated, the outwardly protruding knife edges 41 slice into thematerial entering recess 37 through thechute 36. The slices of food are then received within thecone 39 and, as the food builds up within the cone, the sliced material is forced outwardly through themouth 38 of therecess 37. A suitable container may be positioned against the outer ends of thebuttresses 29 permitting the container to be positioned beneath the edge of thesecondary housing 33 and thecone 39. Received within the upper end of thechute 36 is a moldedplastic pusher 42 which may be used to apply pressure to force food downwardly through thechute 36 into engagement with theslicer cone 39.

In order to drive thecone 39, there is provided adrive hub 44 which is mounted for rotation in anopening 47 formed in thebody portion 35 of thesecondary housing 33, as best shown in FIGS. 2 and 7. Thehub 44 includes adrive sprocket 45 positioned within therecess 38 and a C-shapedretaining ring 46 which is received in a groove in thehub 44 immediately adjacent the outer wall of thebody portion 35. Thehub 44 is thus loosely retained in theopening 47 by the spaced C-ring 46 and thesprocket 45.

The power takeofi" from thegear train 14 to the splicing and shredding portion of the appliance 11 consists of the extended end of theshaft 19 which protrudes through anopening 48 formed in the rear wall of themain housing 12, the outer end of theshaft 19 being formed with a squared offportion 49 which is received within a correspondingly formedhole 50 in thehub 44. Thus, .when thefeed wheel shaft 19 is driven by the motor 13, thehub 44 and thedrive sprocket 45 are rotated by virtue of the interengagement betweenportion 49 andsquare hole 50.

Thesprocket 45 includes a plurality of formedtabs 51 which are displaced from the main plane of the sprocket and extend peripherally for a short distance. The end wall of thecone 39 is formed with a plurality of openings 52 which are positioned to receive the L-shapedtabs 51 for the purpose of retaining thecone 39 assembled to thedrive sprocket 45. To accomplish the assembly of thecone 39 to thesprocket 45, the cone is moved axially against thesprocket 45 with thetabs 51 in registry with the holes 52. After the cone has moved into abutting engagement with thesprocket 45, it is rotated clockwise, as shown in FIG. 4, thus causing the L-shapedtabs 51 to overlap the portions of thecone 39 between the holes 52 thereby retaining thecone 39 against axial displacement with respect to thesprocket 45.

In order to restrict rotary movement of thecone 39 with respect to thesprocket 45 after the above-described assembly operation has been performed, the vertical or inner wall of thecone 39, as it is positioned inrecess 37, is formed with small, projectingdimples 53 which engage the inside faces of thetabs 51 providing an easily controlled interference between thesprocket 45 and thecone 39. This interference prevents accidental removal of thecone 39. Prior art slicers and shredders have relied on the angled disposition of thetabs 51 to create a wedging or jamming action which would lock the slicing and shredding cone with respect to its mounting hub. Such an arrangement was unsatisfactory in that the parts tended to become locked or jammed together tightly during use of the appliance and, therefore, were difficult to remove. In the above-described arrangement, thedimples 53 provide all the retaining function necessary and this retaining force tends to remain constant and unaffected of any jamming of the parts during use. The L-shapedtabs 51 are formed with outwardly extendinglegs 54 and peripherally extending portions 55. By having the legs 55 extending substantially parallel to the axis of thecone 39, there is no tendency to achieve the undesirable wedging effect or jamming which characterizes the prior art.

To better understand the manner in which thesecondary housing 33 is assembled to themain housing 12, reference should be made to FIG. 5 wherein it can be seen that the transverserear wall 27 of the main housing is formed with ashallow recess 56 which is adapted to receive acylindrical wall portion 57 formed on the mating face of thesecondary housing 33. In order to lock thesecondary housing 33 in assembled position against thehousing 12, there is provided alatch member 60 which is slidably receive in anelongated slot 61 formed in the bottom of therecess 56 on themain housing 12. Thelatch member 60 is a vertically extending member having an exposedpushbutton 62 on its outer end, a pair of vertically extendingguide rails 63, and transversely extendingbar portions 64 and 65 located near the midpoint and bottom, respectively, of thelatch member 60. Thelatch member 60 is retained in position for vertical sliding movement within theslot 61 by means of aretainer 66 which is secured in position overlying the top of thelatch member 60 by theassembly screw 23 which, as mentioned above, retains thecover 22 against theframe 15, as is best shown in FIG. 2. The bottom end oflatch member 60 is received behind thewall 27 to retain it and guide it through its limited vertical sliding movement. Thecover 22 is formed with apocket 67 positioned immediately below thebutton 62 and adapted to receive a biasingspring 69 which urges thelatch member 60 upwardly as shown in FIGS. 2, 7, and 8.

Adapted for cooperative engagement with thelatch member 60 are upper andlower latch projections 70 and 71 formed on thecylindrical portion 57 of thesecondary housing 33 as are best shown in FIG. 5. Theprojections 70 and 71 are formed with wedge-shaped downwardly extendingcatches 72 and 73, respectively, which lock behind the transversely extendingcrossbars 64 and 65 formed on thelatch member 60 when thehousing 33 is assembled in the use position as shown in FIG. ll. Thus, as thesecondary housing 33 is applied to the rear face of themain housing 12 with thecylindrical portion 57 extending into therecess 56, thelatch projections 62 extend into engagement with thelatch member 60 with the sloping faces of thecatches 72 and 73 causing thelatch member 60 to be biased downwardly until thecatches 72 and 73 have been inserted beyond thecrossbars 64 and 65. At this point, the biasingspring 69 urges thelatch member 60 upwardly behind the verticai rear surfaces of thecatches 72 and 73 thereby locking thesecondary housing 33 in assembled relationship to themain housing 12.

In this assembled use position, the outwardly extending portion of thesecondary housing 33 is supported on a pair of spacedbumpers 74 which are mounted on the upper faces of thebuttresses 29, as clearly shown in FIGS. 2 and 5. When it is desired to detach thesecondary housing 33 from themain housing 12, it is merely necessary to depress thelatch member 60 by pressing downwardly on the exposedpushbutton 62 thereby disengaging thecrossbars 64 and 65 from thelatch projections 70 and 71, thus permitting removal of thesecondary housing 33. In the use position as shown in FIG. 2, thefood delivery chute 36 extends upwardly, and theshaft 19 is in driving engagement with thehub 44 so that when the motor 13 is actuated, thecone 39 will be rotated in order to slice and shred food.

Since the slicing and shredding portion of the appliance 11 is used only infrequently, it is desirable to provide means for storing thesecondary housing 33 in a compact position and in a manner to minimize the hazards which are normally associated with devices of this type. According to the instant invention, thesecondary housing 33 may be detached from the mounted position shown in FIG. 2 and reassembled to themain housing 12 in the position shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. In this position, thefood delivery chute 36 extends vertically downwardly and is received between thebuttresses 29 with the bottom web orfloor 30 lying immediately below the mouth of thechute 36. Thefood pusher 42 is received within thechute 36 and may be stored as shown in FIG. 6.

To facilitate the retention of thepusher 42 within thechute 36, thepusher 42 is formed with angled walls so that in the solid line position shown in FIG. 3, there is a clearance between the walls of thepusher 42 and thechute 36. When the pusher is reversed to the dotted line position shown in FIG. 3, there is a wedging action resulting which retains thepusher 42 within thechute 36. Thus, when one is removing thesecondary housing 33 with the intent of remounting it on themain housing 12 in the storage position shown in FIG. 6, thefood pusher 42 is mounted in the dotted line position shown in FIG. 3 so that as thesecondary housing 33 is inverted, thepusher 42 will be retained within thechute 36 as the secondary housing is moved to the storage position shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.

When thesecondary housing 33 is moved to this storage position, thelatch projections 70, 71 each have asecond catch 75, 76, respectively, which correspond to thecatches 72, 73 but extend outwardly from the opposite sides of thelatch projections 70, 71. The result of the two oppositely extending catches is a somewhat arrowhead configuration as is shown in FIGS. 2 and 7. When thesecondary housing 33 is moved to the storage position, thecatches 75, 76 engage thecrossbars 65 and 64, respectively, thereby deflecting thelatch member 60 downwardly and permitting thelatch projections 70, 71 to move into latched engagement with thelatch member 60, as shown in FIG. 7.

It should be noted that in the storage position as shown in FIG. 7, thedrive hub 44 is positioned above and out of engagement with the outwardlyextending end of theshaft 19. Accordingly, in the storage position the slicer/shredder portion of the appliance is completely inoperative. Thesprocket 45 is not rotated, so even that if there were acone 39 assembled thereto, it would present no hazards as far as actual engagement with the knife edges 41 is concerned. In addition, thefood delivery chute 36 is positioned between thebuttresses 29 and with the bottom web orfloor 30 blocking the entrance to thechute 36. Therefore, in the storage position, the slicing and shredding portion of the appliance 11 occupies a minimum amount of space and presents no hazards whatsoever.

While there has been shown and described a particular embodiment of the present invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects, and it is, therefore, contemplated in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A combined can opener and shredding appliance comprising a main housing including a motor and gear reduction which is drivingly connected to-a can-opening mechanism, said can-opening mechanism being supported on said main housing, a secondary housing adapted for selective mounting on said main housing in either of two alternative positions, a power takeoff driven by said gear reduction, a shredder assembly mounted for rotation in said secondary housing, said shredder assembly being driven by said power takeoff when said secondary housing is in a first position in which said shredder assembly is positioned to receive material to be shredded, said secondary housing being adapted to mount on said main housing in a second position in which said shredder assembly is blocked from receiving material.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said secondary housing includes a laterally opening recess within which said shredder assembly is mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis, a material delivery chute extending vertically from said recess, said chute extending upwardly when said secondary housing is in said first position and downwardly when in said second position.

3. The combined can opener and shredding appliance of claim 1 wherein said secondary housing is selectively mounted on said main housing by latching means including a springbiased latch member mounted on one of said housings, said latch member being manually actuable to slide vertically in opposition to a biasing spring, vertically spaced latch projections on the other of said housings positioned to engage said latch member and lock said housings together, manual actuation of said latch member releasing said projections for separation of said housings.

4. The combined can opener and shredding appliance ofclaim 3 wherein said projections include camming portions to move said latch member in opposition to said spring as said housings are moved into engagement with each other, said projections engaging said latch member and locking said secondary housing to said main housing in either of said alternative positions.

5. A slicing and shredding appliance comprising an upstanding main housing enclosing a motor and reduction gearing drivingly connected to said motor, a power output coupling driven by said gearing and positioned to drive a detachable slicing and shredding mechanism, a secondary housing enclosing said mechanism, means for detachably supporting said secondary housing on said main housing in either of two alternative positions, said secondary housing having a food delivery chute extending upwardly in one of said alternative positions, said mechanism including a rotating cutting element accessible through said chute and in driven engagement with said coupling when said secondary housing is in said one position, said cutting element being disengaged from said coupling when said secondary housing is in the other of said alternative positions.

6. The slicing and shredding appliance of claim 5 wherein said chute in said one position extends upwardly beyond the top of said main housing, said chute extending downwardly when said secondary housing is mounted in said other alternative position, said secondary housing extends vertically substantially coextensive with said main housing in said other position. purposes.

7. The slicing and shredding appliance of claim 6 including an elongated member shaped to be slidably received in said chute for pushing food therein against said cutting element, wall portions on said main housing positioned below the mouth of said chute when said secondary housing is in said other position to retain said member within said chute forstorage purposes 8. The slicing and shredding appliance of claim wherein said mechanism includes a rotatable hub having a flat body portion with a plurality of peripherally spaced and peripherally extending fingers which are displaced from the plane of said body portion, said cutting element comprising a truncated cone having an open base and mounting plate at the top thereof, said plate having spaced slots to receive said fingers and upon rotation of said cone with respect to said hub causing said fingers to lock into engagement with the inner face of said plate.

9. The slicing and shredding appliance ofclaim 8 wherein said fingers extend parallel to the plane of said body portion, and dimpled projections on said plate positioned to engage said fingers in the locked position of said cone relative to said hub.

10. A combination appliance including a can opener and an attachment, the improvement comprising an upstanding main housing enclosing a motor and reduction gearing and having spaced supporting buttresses extending outwardly therefrom, means mounting said attachment in either of two alternative positions on said main housing, one of said positions being an operative position in which said attachment is drivingly coupled to said reduction gearing and is supported resting on top of said buttresses, the other of said alternative positions being a storage position in which said attachment is uncoupled from said reduction gearing and secured to said main housing inverted from said operative position with a portion of said attachment nested between said buttresses.

11. The combination appliance of claim 10 wherein said attachment comprises a slicer and shredder including a conical cutter mounted for rotation in a recess in a secondary housing, a food delivery chute on said secondary housing extending outwardly from said recess, said chute in said storage position extending downwardly between said buttresses and in said operational position extending upwardly to receive food.

12. The combination appliance of claim 11 including a separate food advancing member which is slidably received in said chute to force food therethrough, a web positioned between said buttresses and sewing to retain said member stored within said chute when said attachment is mounted in said storage position.

13. In a slicing and shredding appliance the improvement comprising a housing having a sidewardly opening recess formed to detachably receive alternatively driven cutting elements for slicing and shredding, each of said cutting elements having a truncated conical shape with an open base and a top mounting plate, the sloping sides of said elements being formed with spaced cutting edges, a drive hub mounted in the bottom of said recess horizontally spaced inwardly from the opening to said recess and rotatable about a horizontal axis, said hub having a plurality of peripherally spaced integrally formed fingers, said fingers extending peripherally in a plane parallel to and spaced from a flat vertically extending body portion of said hub, said fingers having axially extending mounting portions and being positioned to register and extend through spaced openings in said plate, rotation of said plate with respect to said hub locking said element in a mounted position coaxial with said horizontal axis, said plate having spaced rounded projections positioned between said spaced openings to engage said fingers, the engagement between said projections and said fingers restraining said element and hub against relative rotation.

14. The combination of claim 13 wherein the extent of relative rotation between said hub and said plate with said fingers extending through said spaced openings is limited by engagement of said mounting portions with the plate portions defining the ends of said spaced 0 enings.

15. The combination of c aim 4 wherein said pro ections are formed as a section of a sphere so that said fingers are deflected as said element is rotated into locked engagement with said hub and said projections make contact over a very small area with said fingers.

Claims (15)

1. A combined can opener and shredding appliance comprising a main housing including a motor and gear reduction which is drivingly connected to a can-opening mechanism, said can-opening mechanism being supported on said main housing, a secondary housing adapted for selective mounting on said main housing in either of two alternative positions, a power takeoff driven by said gear reduction, a shredder assembly mounted for rotation in said secondary housing, said shredder assembly being driven by said power takeoff when said secondary housing is in a first position in which said shredder assembly is positioned to receive material to be shredded, said secondary housing being adapted to mount on said main housing in a second position in which said shredder assembly is blocked from receiving material.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said secondary housing includes a laterally opening recess within which said shredder assembly is mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis, a material delivery chute extending vertically from said recess, said chute extending upwardly when said secondary housing is in said first position and downwardly when in said second position.

3. The combined can opener and shredding appliance of claim 1 wherein said secondary housing is selectively mounted on said main housing by latching means including a spring-biased latch member mounted on one of said housings, said latch Member being manually actuable to slide vertically in opposition to a biasing spring, vertically spaced latch projections on the other of said housings positioned to engage said latch member and lock said housings together, manual actuation of said latch member releasing said projections for separation of said housings.

4. The combined can opener and shredding appliance of claim 3 wherein said projections include camming portions to move said latch member in opposition to said spring as said housings are moved into engagement with each other, said projections engaging said latch member and locking said secondary housing to said main housing in either of said alternative positions.

5. A slicing and shredding appliance comprising an upstanding main housing enclosing a motor and reduction gearing drivingly connected to said motor, a power output coupling driven by said gearing and positioned to drive a detachable slicing and shredding mechanism, a secondary housing enclosing said mechanism, means for detachably supporting said secondary housing on said main housing in either of two alternative positions, said secondary housing having a food delivery chute extending upwardly in one of said alternative positions, said mechanism including a rotating cutting element accessible through said chute and in driven engagement with said coupling when said secondary housing is in said one position, said cutting element being disengaged from said coupling when said secondary housing is in the other of said alternative positions.

6. The slicing and shredding appliance of claim 5 wherein said chute in said one position extends upwardly beyond the top of said main housing, said chute extending downwardly when said secondary housing is mounted in said other alternative position, said secondary housing extends vertically substantially coextensive with said main housing in said other position. purposes.

7. The slicing and shredding appliance of claim 6 including an elongated member shaped to be slidably received in said chute for pushing food therein against said cutting element, wall portions on said main housing positioned below the mouth of said chute when said secondary housing is in said other position to retain said member within said chute for storage purposes

8. The slicing and shredding appliance of claim 5 wherein said mechanism includes a rotatable hub having a flat body portion with a plurality of peripherally spaced and peripherally extending fingers which are displaced from the plane of said body portion, said cutting element comprising a truncated cone having an open base and mounting plate at the top thereof, said plate having spaced slots to receive said fingers and upon rotation of said cone with respect to said hub causing said fingers to lock into engagement with the inner face of said plate.

9. The slicing and shredding appliance of claim 8 wherein said fingers extend parallel to the plane of said body portion, and dimpled projections on said plate positioned to engage said fingers in the locked position of said cone relative to said hub.

10. A combination appliance including a can opener and an attachment, the improvement comprising an upstanding main housing enclosing a motor and reduction gearing and having spaced supporting buttresses extending outwardly therefrom, means mounting said attachment in either of two alternative positions on said main housing, one of said positions being an operative position in which said attachment is drivingly coupled to said reduction gearing and is supported resting on top of said buttresses, the other of said alternative positions being a storage position in which said attachment is uncoupled from said reduction gearing and secured to said main housing inverted from said operative position with a portion of said attachment nested between said buttresses.

11. The combination appliance of claim 10 wherein said attachment comprises a slicer and shredder including a conical cutter mounted for rotation in a recess in A secondary housing, a food delivery chute on said secondary housing extending outwardly from said recess, said chute in said storage position extending downwardly between said buttresses and in said operational position extending upwardly to receive food.

12. The combination appliance of claim 11 including a separate food advancing member which is slidably received in said chute to force food therethrough, a web positioned between said buttresses and serving to retain said member stored within said chute when said attachment is mounted in said storage position.

13. In a slicing and shredding appliance the improvement comprising a housing having a sidewardly opening recess formed to detachably receive alternatively driven cutting elements for slicing and shredding, each of said cutting elements having a truncated conical shape with an open base and a top mounting plate, the sloping sides of said elements being formed with spaced cutting edges, a drive hub mounted in the bottom of said recess horizontally spaced inwardly from the opening to said recess and rotatable about a horizontal axis, said hub having a plurality of peripherally spaced integrally formed fingers, said fingers extending peripherally in a plane parallel to and spaced from a flat vertically extending body portion of said hub, said fingers having axially extending mounting portions and being positioned to register and extend through spaced openings in said plate, rotation of said plate with respect to said hub locking said element in a mounted position coaxial with said horizontal axis, said plate having spaced rounded projections positioned between said spaced openings to engage said fingers, the engagement between said projections and said fingers restraining said element and hub against relative rotation.

14. The combination of claim 13 wherein the extent of relative rotation between said hub and said plate with said fingers extending through said spaced openings is limited by engagement of said mounting portions with the plate portions defining the ends of said spaced openings.

15. The combination of claim 14 wherein said projections are formed as a section of a sphere so that said fingers are deflected as said element is rotated into locked engagement with said hub and said projections make contact over a very small area with said fingers.

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