HANDHELD APPLIANCE

A handheld appliance and a beater attachment therefor. The handheld appliance may include a housing having a cavity with an opening and an electronic component in the cavity. A power cord may be coupled to the electronic component. The handheld appliance may include a cord storage compartment coupled to the housing to close the opening. The cord storage compartment may include a central support portion. The power cord may be configured to be at least partially wrapped around the central support portion. The cord storage compartment may be movable relative to the housing between: (1) a closed position wherein the central support portion is located within the cavity of the housing; and (2) an open position wherein the central support portion protrudes from the housing to allow adjustments to an amount of the power cord that is wrapped around the central support portion.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Professional and home chefs alike continually struggle with reducing countertop clutter and maintaining an aesthetically pleasing kitchen while striving to preserve the functionality of the kitchen. While previous solutions have addressed problems with storing accessories associated with handheld mixers, consumers are still plagued by issues regarding the power cord. Although cordless handheld appliances have been produced, they lack the power of their corded counterparts. Thus, there is a need in the industry for a handheld appliance that allows for reduced clutter, improved functionality, and better cord storage capabilities. Furthermore, there is a need in the art for an improved beater design to allow for a smoother and more efficient mixing process.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the invention may be a handheld appliance comprising a housing comprising a cavity and an opening that provides a passageway into the cavity, one or more electronic components located within the cavity of the housing, a power cord operably coupled to the one or more electronic components, and a cord storage compartment coupled to the housing. The cord storage compartment comprises a central support portion, wherein the power cord is configured to be at least partially wrapped around the central support portion; and wherein the cord storage compartment is movable relative to the housing between: (1) a closed position wherein the central support portion is located within the cavity of the housing; and (2) an open position wherein the central support portion protrudes from the housing to allow adjustments to an amount of the power cord that is wrapped around the central support portion.

In another aspect, the invention may be a handheld appliance comprising: a housing comprising a cavity and an opening that provides a passageway into the cavity; one or more electronic components located within the cavity of the housing; a power cord operably coupled to the one or more electronic components, the power cord being configured to transmit power from a power source to the one or more electronic components; a cord storage compartment coupled to the housing and closing the opening, wherein the power cord is capable of being wrapped around the cord storage compartment; wherein the cord storage compartment is movable relative to the housing between: (1) a closed position wherein portions of the power cord that are wrapped around the cord storage compartment are inaccessible to a user; and (2) an open position wherein the portions of the power cord that are wrapped around the cord storage compartment are accessible to the user.

In yet another aspect, the invention may be a beater attachment for a mixer apparatus, the beater attachment comprising: a shaft comprising a first end configured for attachment to the mixer apparatus, a second end opposite the first end, and a longitudinal axis; and a mixing element coupled to the second end of the shaft, the mixing element comprising a bottom end, a top end, and a plurality of arms extending between the bottom and top ends and surrounding the longitudinal axis in a circumferentially spaced apart manner, each of the plurality of arms comprising: a first linear portion extending along a first axis; and a second linear portion extending from the first linear portion along a second axis that is angled relative to the first axis, the first and second linear portions being connected at an apex; and wherein the apexes of the plurality of arms face the same circumferential direction.

In another aspect, the invention may be a beater attachment for a mixer apparatus, the beater attachment comprising: a shaft comprising a first end configured for attachment to the mixer apparatus, a second end opposite the first end, and a longitudinal axis; and a mixing element coupled to the second end of the shaft, the mixing element comprising a bottom end, a top end, and a plurality of arms extending between the bottom and top ends and surrounding the longitudinal axis in a circumferentially spaced apart manner, each of the plurality of arms comprising: a first linear portion extending along a first axis; and a second linear portion extending from the first linear portion along a second axis that is angled relative to the first axis, the first and second linear portions being connected at an apex; and wherein each of the plurality of arms has a wedge-shaped transverse cross-sectional area.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As used herein, the term “or” is to be interpreted as a logical operator that results in true whenever one or more of its operands are true. Furthermore, the term “substantially parallel” should be construed to refer to an orientation that is 0 to 5 degrees off from parallel.

Moreover, the features and benefits of the invention are illustrated by reference to the exemplified embodiments. Accordingly, the invention expressly should not be limited to such exemplary embodiments illustrating some possible non-limiting combination of features that may exist alone or in other combinations of features; the scope of the invention being defined by the claims appended hereto.

Referring toFIGS.1and2, a handheld appliance kit1000will be described in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The handheld appliance kit1000may comprise a handheld appliance100, a base component1010, an attachment base component1021, an attachment cover1022, a splashguard1030, and at least one attachment1020.

In the exemplified embodiment, the handheld appliance100is a hand mixer. However, the invention is not to be so limited and certain inventive features described herein may be applied to alternative types of handheld appliances which include a plug for attachment to a wall outlet, such as for example without limitation irons, handheld vacuum devices, and the like. Moreover, some of the inventive concepts described herein may be applicable to devices other than handheld devices, including any device which includes a power cord. Examples of such devices include, without limitation, lamps and other lighting devices, vacuum cleaners, chargers, small appliance cooking devices, and the like.

In the exemplified embodiment, the at least one attachment1020comprises four attachments1020a,1020b,1020c,1020d. In the exemplified embodiment, the first attachment1020ais a whisk, the second attachment1020bis a milkshake rod, and the third and fourth attachments1020c,1020dare beaters. Additional attachments may be included as part of the handheld appliance kit1000in other embodiments. The handheld appliance kit1000may be sold with more or fewer than four attachments in various embodiments. Each of the attachments1020a-dis configured to be operably coupled to the handheld appliance100to facilitate the performance of a desired function therewith. In the exemplary embodiment, the handheld appliance100is a hand mixer, and thus each of the attachments1020a-dis configured to be detachably coupled to the hand mixer, which in turn causes the attachments1020a-dto rotate to perform a desired function (mixing ingredients, for example).

As noted above, the handheld appliance kit1000may comprise the attachment base component1021. The attachment base component1021may comprise an upper surface1023having one or more holes1024formed therein. Each of the attachments1020a-dmay comprise a shaft that is configured to be inserted into one of the holes1024of the base component1021for storage of the attachments1020a-din an upright orientation. The attachments1020a-dmay be detachably coupled to the attachment base component1021so that each of the attachments1020a-dmay be independently removed from the attachment base component1021for use with the handheld appliance100. In the exemplified embodiment, the attachment base component1021comprises four of the holes1024, one corresponding with each of the attachments1020a-d. The attachment cover1022may be coupled to the attachment base component1021(or directly to the base component1010). The attachment cover1022may define an internal cavity within which any of the attachments1020a-dthat are being supported by the attachment base component1021may nest when the attachment cover1022is coupled to the attachment base component1021. The attachment cover1022may be transparent so that the attachments1020a-dare visible therethrough, although the invention is not limited to this in all embodiments and various degrees of transparency, translucency, opaqueness, and color selections may be used for the attachment cover1022in different embodiments.

In some embodiments, the handheld appliance kit1000may comprise the splashguard1030. The splashguard1030may be transparent or colored. The splashguard1030may be configured for attachment to the handheld appliance100. The splashguard1030may comprise a post1032that is configured to mate with a hole on the handheld appliance100to facilitate the connection between the splashguard1030and the handheld appliance100. Other connection techniques may be used in other embodiments, including having a post on the handheld appliance100that mates with an opening on the splashguard1030, hook and loop fasteners, mechanical attachments, friction fit components, snap fit components, latches, or the like. The splashguard1030may comprise a pair of openings1031that enable shafts of the attachments1020a-dto extend therethrough so that the attachments1020a-dmay be coupled to the handheld appliance100with the splashguard1030positioned between the attachments1020a-dand the handheld appliance100. In this way, the splashguard1030may prevent fluids and other materials that are being mixed with the handheld appliance100from entering into an interior of the handheld appliance100where the electronics thereof are located.

The base component1010may form a storage base that holds the other components of the handheld appliance kit1000. The base component1010may comprise a first well1011, a second well1012, and a third well1012. The first well1011may be configured to receive at least a portion of the handheld mixer100to support the handheld mixer100for storage. The second well1012may be configured to receive the attachment base component1021(or a portion thereof) to support the attachment base component1021(and the attachments1020a-d) for storage. The third well1013may be configured to receive the splashguard1030to support the splashguard1030for storage.FIG.1illustrates the handheld appliance kit1000with all components in their storage state. This allows the handheld appliance kit1000to take up little space in cabinets and/or on countertops when not in use while keeping all components thereof together so that they can be easily found when needed for use.

The handheld appliance kit1000may include any of the components described herein, and need not include all components in all embodiments. Thus, for example, the splashguard1030may be omitted in some embodiments. Various ones of the attachments1020a-dmay be omitted in some embodiments or replaced with other types of attachments, such as dough hooks or the like. Furthermore, depending on the type of handheld appliance included as part of the kit, the attachments may be changed (for example, if the handheld appliance were a vacuum, then vacuum attachments would be used instead of mixer attachments). Moreover, the attachment cover1022may be an optional component. In one embodiment, a single cover may be included, which surrounds all components of the kit1000, including the attachments1020a-d, the splashguard1030, and the handheld appliance100.

Referring toFIGS.3A,3B, and4, the handheld appliance100will be described in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The handheld appliance100may generally comprise a housing101and a cord storage compartment200that is operably coupled to the housing101. As described in detail below, the cord storage component200may be movable (slidable, translatable, pivotable, rotatable, or the like in different embodiments) relative to the housing101. The handheld appliance140may include a power cord or electric cord140. The power cord140may be partially or fully wrapped around the cord storage compartment200to maintain organization and prevent the power cord140from impeding use of the handheld appliance100. The cord storage compartment200may be moved relative to the housing100to provide a user with access to the power cord140so that the user can control or modify the amount of the power cord140which protrudes from the housing100(with the remainder of the power cord140being wrapped around the cord storage compartment200). The function and operation of the cord storage compartment200will be described in greater detail below.

The housing101may comprise an outer surface105and an inner surface106. The inner surface106may define a cavity134within which electronic components121(seeFIG.7B, for example) of the handheld appliance100may be located. The electronic components121may include one or more of a processor, a controller, a motor, a memory, illumination elements, sensors, and other electronic devices and circuitry necessary for the proper operation of the handheld appliance100. Thus, depending on the specific type of device used as the handheld appliance100, the specific electronic components located within the cavity134may be modified. In accordance with the exemplified embodiment whereby the handheld appliance100is a hand mixer, the electronic components121may generally comprise the components listed above. The power cord140may be operably coupled to the one or more electronic components and configured to transmit power from an external power source to the one or more electronic component to facilitate operation of the handheld appliance1000.

The handheld appliance100may comprise a user interface120located on its outer surface105. The user interface105may comprise a power button (or ON/OFF button), a dial, various actuators to control different parameters of the handheld appliance100in accordance with its function, a display screen, and the like. A user may actuate the power button to power the handheld appliance100on and off. The power cord140may be required to be plugged into a power outlet prior to actuation of the power button to facilitate the powering on of the device. That is, the handheld appliance100may not include an internal power source such as a battery, but may instead rely on external power from a power outlet.

The handheld appliance100may further comprise a handle110. The handle110may comprise an aperture formed through the housing101, which is sufficiently large so that several of the user's fingers may extend through the aperture as the user grips the handle110. Of course, other handles may be used, including having a lever style handle protruding from the housing101rather than having an aperture.

As best seen inFIG.3A, in accordance with the exemplified embodiment the outer surface105of the handheld appliance100may comprise a working surface portion107. The working surface portion107may be the portion of the handheld appliance100that either directly, or through attachments coupled thereto, performs its intended function. In the exemplified embodiment, the handheld appliance100is a hand mixer. Thus, in the exemplified embodiment the working surface portion107comprises at least one opening102. More specifically, in the exemplified embodiment the working surface portion107comprises a pair of the openings102, although the exact number of the openings102may be less than or more than two in different embodiments. Each of the openings102may be configured to receive at least one of the attachments1020described above. Specifically, a stem or shaft of the attachments1020may be configured to be inserted into the openings102, which may facilitate a detachable connection between the attachment1020and the housing101. The attachments1020may be coupled to the housing101through a friction fit and may be locked thereto simply by press-fitting the shafts of the attachments1020into the openings102. In other embodiments, additional steps may be required to lock the attachments1020to the housing101, such as actuating a lock mechanism or the like. The attachments1020may be capable of being detached from the housing101by a user applying a pulling force onto the attachments1020relative to the housing101. Other techniques may be used as well.

In some embodiments, the housing101comprises a third opening configured to allow the housing101to be coupled to the splashguard1030. As noted above, the splashguard may comprise a post1032that is configured to mate with the third opening. In the exemplified embodiment, the handheld appliance100comprises a closure member103coupled to the housing101and configured to close the third opening when the splashguard1030is not coupled to the housing101. Thus the third opening is not visible inFIG.3Abecause it is closed and covered by the closure member103. The closure member103may be a resilient flap formed from an elastomeric material with a nub that engages the third opening to hold the closure member103into position. A user may easily remove the nub from the third opening and pivot the closure member103relative to the housing101to expose the third opening and allow for connection of the splashguard1030thereto. As noted above, other features may be used instead of the third opening for coupling the splashguard1030to the housing101and thus certain of these features may be omitted.

The housing101may include a notch141to allow the power cord140to protrude from the housing101even when the cord storage compartment200is in a closed state such as shown inFIG.3B. While the term notch is used herein, the notch141could also be an opening, aperture, slit, or some other structure that would allow the power cord140to pass therethrough so that the power cord140may extend or protrude from the housing101for engagement with an electrical outlet. In some embodiments, the notch141may be formed partially by a portion of the housing101and partially by a portion of the cord storage compartment200. In other embodiments, the notch141may be formed solely by the cord storage compartment200rather than the housing101.

Referring toFIGS.4and5, the handheld appliance1000will be further described.FIG.4is an exploded view illustrating the cord storage component200separated entirely from the housing101andFIG.5is a close-up view of a portion of the housing101. As seen, the housing101comprises an opening130that provides a passageway into the cavity134. The opening130may be formed through a bottom surface portion of the housing101. The housing101may comprise an exterior rim133that defines and surrounds the opening130. The housing101may further comprise an inset interior rim131that is recessed relative to the exterior rim133and located within the cavity134of the housing101. In some embodiments, there may be one or more support structures132such as ribs or fins or the like located between the exterior rim133and the interior rim131. Such support structures132may provide structural integrity to the interior rim131, which may be desirable because the interior rim131may support portions of the cord storage compartment200, as described further below.

The cord storage compartment200may generally comprise a cover plate205and a fixed component230. The cover plate205may comprise a front cover210and a central support portion220. When the cord storage compartment200is coupled to the housing101, the fixed component230may be fixed to the housing101and positioned entirely within the cavity134of the housing101. The fixed component230may comprise a lower edge231that rests atop of the interior rim131to hold the fixed component230in place within the housing101. The fixed component240may be further attached to the housing101using fasteners such as screws or using other structural features of the housing101and the fixed component140. The front cover210and the central support portion220may be coupled together to form the cover plate205. The front cover210and the central support portion220may be collectively movable relative to the housing101and to the fixed component230, which is fixed to the housing101as described herein.

Referring toFIGS.6A-6C, the cord storage compartment200will be further described. The central support portion220comprises a first end221, a second end222, and an outer surface223upon which the power cord is configured to be wrapped. The central support portion220further comprises an inner surface224opposite the outer surface223. The inner surface224may define an interior space225. The central support portion220may have an oval shape, although the invention is not to be so limited in all embodiments. The front cover210may be coupled to the central support portion220at or adjacent to the first end221of the central support portion220. The fixed component230may be coupled to the central support portion220at or adjacent to the second end222of the central support portion. Each of the front cover210and the fixed component230may protrude radially beyond the outer surface223of the central support portion220.

In the exemplified embodiment, the front cover210is coupled to the central support portion220using one or more fasteners208, such as screws or the like. In other embodiments, the front cover210and the central support portion220may be coupled together by mechanical means, such as interlocking features of the front cover210and the central support portion220. In still other embodiments, the front cover210and the central support portion220may be formed as an integral, monolithic component. Thus, the front cover210and central support portion220need not be two distinct components in all embodiments.

The front cover210may comprise a floor portion211and a sidewall212that extends from the floor portion211to a distal end213. The distal end213of the sidewall212of the front cover210may engage the exterior rim133of the housing101to form an interface when the cord storage compartment200is in a closed state as described below. The front cover210may further comprises at least one post206protruding from the floor portion211at a position that is radially inward of the sidewall212. In the exemplified embodiment, the front cover210comprises two of the posts206, although the invention is not to be limited by the specific number of posts206shown in the drawings. When the cover plate205is assembled, the post206may be located within the interior space225of the central support portion220. The post206may terminate in a post flange207. In the exemplified embodiment, the post flange207is formed by a head of a screw, which is coupled to the post206. In other embodiments, the post206may comprise an integral flange.

The fixed component230may comprise a plate portion231having a lower surface232, a sidewall portion233extending from the lower surface232of the plate portion231to a distal end234, and a flange portion235protruding inwardly from the distal end234of the sidewall portion233. The flange portion235may comprise one or more openings236formed therethrough. As best seen inFIG.6C, the posts206of the front cover210may extend through the openings236in the flange portion235of the fixed component230. In some embodiments, this is why the post flanges207are formed from screws that are coupled to the distal ends of the posts206. Specifically, the posts206, due in part to not having integral flanges, are able to be inserted through the openings236in the flange portion235of the fixed component230during assembly of the cord storage compartment200. The screws are then attached to the distal ends of the posts206to form the post flanges207. The post flanges207formed by the screws then prevents the front cover210(and more specifically the cover plate205) from becoming completely detached from the fixed component230.

That is, with the cord storage compartment200is assembled as shown inFIG.6C, the cover plate205comprising the front cover210and the central support portion220is capable of moving vertically downwardly relative to the fixed component210until the post flanges207abut against the flange portion235of the fixed component230. Thus, the post flanges207of the cover plate205, and the flange235and its structural features of the fixed component230, form stopper features that engage each other to prevent the cover plate205from becoming detached from the fixed component230. Thus, with the fixed component230fixed to the housing101, the cover plate205is able to move vertically downwardly until the stopper features engage each other (open state or open position of the cord storage compartment200) and then move vertically upwardly into the position shown inFIG.6C(closed state or closed position of the cord storage compartment200).

In the exemplified embodiment, the plate portion231of the fixed component230further comprises an opening241extending from a top surface of the plate portion231to a bottom surface of the plate portion231. The opening241is configured to allow portions of the power cord140to extend from the cavity234of the housing101and into a space of the cord storage compartment200located between the front cover210and the fixed component230. The portions of the power cord240that extend through the opening241may be wrapped around the outer surface223of the central support portion220of the cord storage compartment. A user may determine how much of the power cord140to wrap around the central support portion220, which may be dictated by how far away the handheld appliance100is being used relative to an electrical outlet.

As noted above, the cord storage compartment200is configured to be movable from a closed position to an open position. When in the closed position, a distal end204of the central support portion230is in contact with the lower surface232of the plate portion231of the fixed component230. In the closed position, the cord storage compartment200may form an interface with the housing101. More specifically, the distal end213of the sidewall212of the front cover210of the cover plate205may form an interface with the exterior rim133of the housing101. When in an open position, the post flange207may contact the flange portion235of the fixed component230to form a stopper feature to prevent detachment of the cover plate205from the fixed component230. In some embodiments, the distal end204of the central support portion230may form an interface with the housing101to prevent access to the cavity134of the housing101. Furthermore, the central support portion220may protrude from the housing101when the cord storage compartment200is in the open position to allow adjustments to an amount of the power cord140that is wrapped around the central support portion220.

FIG.7Ais a front view of the handheld appliance100with the cord storage compartment200in the closed position.FIG.7Bis a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII ofFIG.7A. As noted above, the fixed component230of the cord storage component200is engaged with the interior rim131of the housing101to fix the fixed component230in place relative to the housing101. Additional fasteners may be used to secure the fixed component230to the housing101, such as screws, bolts, or the like which may extend through the fixed component230and into a wall or feature of the housing101. The power cord140comprises a first portion141located within the cavity134of the housing101, a second portion142that is at least partially wrapped around the central support portion220of the cord storage compartment200, and a third portion143that protrudes from the housing100to the exterior environment. The third portion143of the power cord140comprises the plug, which is configured to engage an electrical outlet to supply power to the electronic components121of the handheld appliance100.

The cord storage component200may be maintained in the closed position until an external force pulls the cord storage component200relative to the housing101. The cord storage component200may be maintained in the closed position due to friction, tight fit, or the like between the components of the cord storage component200as described above. The cord storage compartment200may be altered into the open state and then the power cord140may be partially or fully unwound from the central support portion220depending on the length of the power cord140needed to reach the electrical outlet

When the cord storage compartment200is in the closed position, the central support portion220thereof is at least partially located within the cavity134of the housing101. The central support portion220of the cord storage compartment200and any portion of the power cord140wrapped there-around is hidden from view when the cord storage compartment200is in the closed position.

Turning toFIGS.8A and8B, the handheld appliance100is illustrated with the cord storage compartment200in the open position. To alter the cord storage compartment200from the closed position shown inFIGS.7A and7Bto the open position shown inFIGS.8A and8B, a user pulls the cover plate205(or the front cover210) of the cord storage compartment200relative to the housing100, which causes the cover plate205to move or slide axially (in a direction of a longitudinal axis A-A of the handheld appliance100) relative to the housing100. As the cord storage compartment200moves or slides relative to the housing100, the central support portion220of the cord storage compartment200extends or protrudes from the opening130. The central support portion220and the front cover210of the cord storage compartment200are capable of moving axially relative to the housing101until the stopper feature of the cover portion205(i.e., the post flange207) engages the stopper feature of the fixed component230(i.e., the flange portion235).FIGS.8A and8Billustrate the cord storage compartment200in its fully open position. The cord storage compartment200may be in any axial position between the fully open position ofFIGS.8A and8Band the fully closed position ofFIGS.7A and7B.

FIG.9illustrates the handheld appliance100with the cord storage compartment200in the open position and with the power cord140unwrapped from the cord storage compartment200. The power cord140may be wrapped any number of rotations or loops around the central support portion220of the cord storage compartment200. Regardless of whether the power cord140is fully, partially, or not at all wrapped around the central support portion220of the cord storage compartment200, the cord storage compartment200can be altered from the open position back to the closed position. Once so altered, the central support portion220nests back inside of the cavity134of the housing101and any portion of the power cord140that is not wrapped around the central support portion220passes through the notch141described above. Thus, a user can easily adjust the length of the portion of the power cord140which protrudes from the housing101when the cord storage compartment200is in the closed state. When the handheld apparatus100is in use, perhaps a greater length of the power cord140protrudes from the housing101so that it can reach an electrical outlet. When the handheld apparatus100is not in use, perhaps only the plug of the power cord140protrudes from the housing101for clean and organized storage. Any portion of the power cord140, which is wrapped around the central support portion220of the cord storage compartment200, is not visible when the cord storage compartment200is in the closed position.

When the cord storage compartment200is in the open state, a user has easy access to the cord storage compartment200, allowing the user to customize the length of the power cord140. When the cord storage compartment200is in the closed state, the power cord140is safely out of the way, allowing the user to have a tailored experience when using the handheld appliance100and preventing the power cord140from getting in the way.

Referring toFIG.10, an embodiment is illustrated showing the attachments1020c,1020d(seeFIG.2) attached to the handheld appliance100. In this embodiment, each of the attachments1020c.1020dis a beater attachment and the handheld appliance100is a hand mixer. The attachments1020c,1020dcan be readily and repeatedly attached to and detached from the handheld appliance100using techniques that are well known in the art. Each of the beater attachments1020c,1020dcomprises a shaft301and a mixing element310,320. The shafts301may be formed from metal and the mixing elements310,320may be formed from a hard plastic material such as nylon. The mixing elements310,320may each be formed as a monolithic and integral structure.

Referring toFIGS.11-14, the beater attachment1020dwill be further described. It should be appreciated that the beater attachment1020cis identical to the beater attachment1020d, except mirrored. Thus, the description of the beater attachment1020dis entirely applicable to the beater attachment1020c. The beater attachment1020cwill not be separately described in the interest of brevity, it being understood that the description of the beater attachment1020dis applicable.

The shaft301of the beater attachment1020dcomprises a first end302that is configured to attach to a handheld appliance (such as the housing101of the handheld appliance100described above) and a second end303that is opposite the first end302. The second end303may be coupled to the mixing element320. The shaft301may extend from the first end302to the second end303along a longitudinal axis B-B. The shaft301may comprise one or more locking mechanisms304,305,306that are configured to engage with features of the handheld appliance to facilitate the mechanical engagement between the first end302of the shaft301and the handheld appliance.

The mixing element320is coupled to the second end303of the shaft301. The mixing element320is the portion of the beater attachment1020dthat is configured to contact and mix substances, such as food, during use. The mixing element320may comprise a bottom end325, a top end326, and a plurality of arms321extending between the bottom and top ends325,326. The plurality of arms321surround the longitudinal axis B-B in a circumferentially spaced apart manner. In the exemplified embodiment, the mixing element320comprises four of the arms321. However, more or fewer than four arms could be used in other embodiments, such as three arms, five arms, or the like. In the exemplified embodiment, there is a cylindrical post309protruding from the bottom end325of the mixing element320. The cylindrical post309may comprise an opening or hole for receiving the second end303of the shaft301to facilitate the coupling of the mixing element320to the shaft301.

Each of the plurality of arms321comprise a first linear portion322that extends from the top end326of the mixing element320downwardly towards the bottom end325and a second linear portion323that extends upwardly from the bottom end325towards the top end326. The arms321further comprise a top portion327that extends radially from the first linear portion322to the top end325. The arms321further comprise a bottom portion328extending radially from the second linear portion323to the bottom end325. The first linear portion322extends along a first axis C-C and the second linear portion323extends along a second axis D-D. The second axis D-D is angled relative to the first axis C-C. The first and second axes C-C, D-D may intersect to form an “X” shape. The first and second axes C-C, D-D may intersect at an angle Θ1between 120° and 160°, or more specifically between 130° and 150°. The angle Θ1may be an obtuse angle. Each of the first and second axes C-C. D-D may be angled relative the longitudinal axis B-B. In an embodiment, the first and second axes C-C, D-D are neither parallel to nor perpendicular to the longitudinal axis B-B. In an embodiment, for each of the arms321, the first and second linear portions322,323line in a common plane that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis B-B.

The first linear portion322extends downwardly from the top end326in a first circumferential direction D1. The second linear portion323extends upwardly from the bottom end325in the first circumferential direction D1. The first and second linear portions322,323may be connected together at an apex or vertex324. In some embodiments, the first and second linear portions322,323connect to form a v-shaped arm. That is, some embodiments each of the arms321has a V shape. In certain embodiments, the first and second linear portions322,323of each of the arms321are connected to form apexes324that face the same circumferential direction. That is, each of the plurality of arms321is angled in the same way such that the first linear portion322of each arm321extends downwardly from the top end326in the first circumferential direction D1and the second linear portions323of each arm321extends upwardly from the top end325in the first circumferential direction D1. The beater attachment1020cdiffers from the beater attachment1020din that the first and second linear portions of each of the arms extend in a second circumferential direction, which is opposite the first circumferential direction.

To reiterate, there are two exemplary embodiments of the mixing element. The beater attachment1020ccomprises a first and second linear portion that connect to form an apex such that the apexes all face a clockwise direction when viewed from a top plan view. The beater attachment1020dcomprises the first and second linear portions322,323that connect to form the apex234such that the apexes324all face a counterclockwise direction when viewed from a top plan view (seeFIG.13). Stated another way, the first and second linear portions322,323of each of the arms321extend towards one another (i.e., the first linear portion extends towards the second linear portion322and vice versa) in the same circumferential direction (counterclockwise for the beater attachment1020cand counterclockwise for the beater attachment1020d).

In the exemplified embodiment, for each of the plurality of arms321, the apex324is located closer to the top end326of the mixing element320than to the bottom end325of the mixing element320. Thus, in accordance therewith, in the exemplified embodiment the first linear portion322of each of the arms321has a greater length (measured along its own axis C-C) than the second linear portions323of each of the arms321(measured along its own axis D-D). The invention is not to be so limited in all embodiments, and in alternative embodiments, the first linear portion322may have a greater length than the second linear portion323, or the first and second linear portions322,323may have the same or similar length. In one embodiment, the mixing element320is shown to scale such that the relative sizes of the first and second linear portions322,323are to scale relative to one another.

Referring now toFIGS.15A and15B, each of the arms321comprises a wedge-shaped transverse cross-sectional area. Thus, each of the plurality of arms321comprises an outer surface330that faces away from the longitudinal axis B-B, an inner surface331opposite the outer surface330so that the inner surface331generally faces the longitudinal axis B-B, a first edge332, and a second edge333opposite the first edge332. The first and second edges332,333each extend between the outer and inner surfaces330,331. The first edge332may comprise a first thickness T1measured between the outer and inner surfaces330,331and the second edge333may comprise a second thickness T2measured between the outer and inner surfaces330,331. In the exemplified embodiment, the second thickness T2is greater than the first thickness T1. The second thickness T2may be at least twice the first thickness, or at least three times the first thickness, or at least four times the first thickness in various embodiments. In an embodiment, the first thickness T1may be between 0.5 mm and 1.5 mm. In an embodiment, the second thickness T2may be between 2 mm and 6 mm, more specifically between 2.5 mm and 5 mm, more specifically between 3.5 mm and 5 mm. When in use, the beater attachment1020dmay be configured to rotate so that the first edge332is the leading edge.

In an embodiment, the outer and inner surfaces330,331each have a greater surface area than each of the first and second edges332,333.

In some embodiments, the first edge332of each of the plurality of arms321is concave in a direction of the longitudinal axis B-B and the second edge333of each of the plurality of arms321is convex in the direction of the longitudinal axis B-B. In certain embodiments, the first edge332of each of the plurality of arms321faces the second edge333of an adjacent one of the plurality of arms321, and vice versa. That is, the first edge332may form the inside of the V-shape formed by the arms321and the second edge333may form the outside of the V-shape formed by the arms321.

The beater attachments1020c,1020ddescribed herein have a unique shape, which may be splash resistant. The unique shape of the beater attachments1020c,1020dmay create a vortex that pushes the ingredients down as it turns/rotates. This may reduce the splash that may be generated as the beater attachments1020c,1020dmix the ingredients. Due to the large interior space and straight angles of the features of the beater attachments1020c,1020d, the ingredients may spin off easily and readily while mixing. For thicker ingredients, it may be easier to remove ingredients with fingers and/or silicone spatulas as compared with conventional beater attachments. The beater attachments1020c,1020dmay mix ingredients faster and more consistently than conventional beater attachments.