Blender jar lid with strainer

In an electric blender having a lid assembly including a strainer, the blender includes a base including a motor; a jar with a top aperture and an impeller; and a lid for removably covering the jar. The lid includes a strainer section and a closer. The strainer section includes holes extending through the lid to allow contents of a predetermined size to flow out of the jar. The closer includes a pivot arm having an end pivotably connected to the first section. The pivot arm has a flat portion near the end. The flat portion is configured to contact the first section of the lid to maintain the closer in an open position relative to the strainer section. The first section has a recessed area above the strainer section.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a blender and, more particularly, to a lid used with a jar of a blender.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Brief Description of Prior Developments

Blenders are typically used as a kitchen appliance to process foodstuff and other materials such as, for example, the mixing of liquids, the blending of solids and liquids, and the liquefying of fruits, vegetables, and other items.

Typically, a power-operated blender includes a base housing which contains an electric motor. Ajar with a lid is positionable on, and usually secured to, ajar mount of the housing and includes a mixing implement which is coupled to a drive shaft of the motor when the jar is positioned on the housing. Various control buttons are located on the exterior of the housing to provide for external control of the motor during the operation of the blender.

In use of the blender, the jar is placed on and typically secured to the jar mount of the base housing and the lid is removed to reveal an opening of the jar. Selected foodstuff is deposited into the jar and the lid is then placed over the opening of the jar. Selected buttons are then manipulated to operate the motor whereby the implement works the contents into a desired blend and consistency. The jar is removed from the housing and the lid is removed to access the blended contents.

Traditionally, once the blending cycle is complete the blended contents are poured or otherwise removed from the jar. Often times, the contents include elements that may be undesirable such as larger particles or materials.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The problems noted above are addressed by the present invention. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an electric blender is provided including a base section including a motor; a jar section removably connected to the base section; and a lid section. The jar section includes a jar and a rotatable impeller at a base of the jar. The jar includes a top aperture. The lid section is removably connected to the jar at the top aperture. The lid section includes a strainer section and a closer. The strainer section includes holes adapted to allow solids of a predetermined size and liquid to flow out of the jar and retain solids of a predetermined size inside the jar. The closer is adapted to close the strainer section to prevent liquid from exiting the strainer section such as during a blender operation when the impeller is rotated by the motor.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, an electric blender is provided including a base section including a motor; a jar section removably connected to the base section, wherein the jar section includes a jar and a rotatable impeller at a base of the jar, wherein the jar includes a top aperture; and a lid connected to the jar at the top aperture. The lid includes a first section and a second section. The first section includes a recessed area having a plurality of holes adapted to allow solids of a predetermined size and liquid to pass through the holes and prevent solids of a predetermined size from passing through the holes. The second section includes a flap pivotably connected to the first section and adapted to be substantially located in the recessed area in one aspect of the invention and entirely located in the recessed area in another aspect of the invention. The second section is movable between a closed position to block the holes in the first section and an open position to allow flow of liquid out of the holes.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a lid for a blender is provided including a first section with a strainer including holes through the first section, wherein the first section is adapted to be attached to a blender jar at a top open aperture of the jar and substantially close the top open aperture, and wherein the first section includes a recessed area above the holes; and a flap connected to the first section. The flap is moveable between a closed position in the recessed area to block the holes in the first section and an open position moved substantially out of the recessed area so as to permit liquids or contents of a predetermined size within the jar to be poured through the holes.

In accordance with one method of the invention, a method of manufacturing an electric blender lid is provided including forming a first section with a strainer including holes through the first section, wherein the first section is adapted to be attached to a blender jar at a top open aperture of the jar and substantially close the top open aperture, and wherein the first section is formed with a recessed area above the holes; and connecting a flap to the first section. The flap is moveable between a closed position in the recessed area to block the holes in the first section and an open position moved substantially out of the recessed area.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring toFIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of an electric blender30incorporating features of an embodiment of the invention. Although the invention will be described with reference to the exemplary embodiment shown in the drawings, it should be understood that the invention can be embodied in many alternate forms of embodiments. In addition, any suitable size, shape or type of elements or materials may be used.

In the depicted embodiment, blender30generally includes a base section31, a jar section36, and a lid section78. Base section31includes a base housing32and a jar mount34. In this embodiment, base section31is a conventional base section. Jar section36generally includes a jar62and a rotatable blending implement or impeller74(not depicted) at the base of jar62.

Base housing32may include a plurality of feet38which are located on a bottom40of base housing32and which may be formed with a housing extension42. Extension42includes a bottom44which extends laterally away from base housing32for a prescribed distance in a plane in which bottom40of base housing32is located. A top46of extension42extends laterally from a side wall48of base housing32near a top thereof. A cover50, formed with a front side wall52, is situated on top46of extension42and supports one or more actuator pads54. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, actuator pads54may extend directly from side wall48or any other part of base housing32.

In the depicted embodiment, jar mount34is formed with a planar top edge56of a prescribed diameter and a planar bottom edge58spaced from the top edge which may have a diameter larger than the prescribed diameter. A curved or conical wall60of jar mount34is formed with a prescribed curvature as the surface extends between top edge56and bottom edge58thereof. A conical wall60of jar mount34blends with an exterior curved shape of base housing32. It will be appreciated that jar mount34may be of any shape configured to connect the base of jar62to base housing32.

Typically the base of jar62is formed with threads which mount into corresponding threads formed in an interior wall of a circular rim formed in the interior of jar mount34. An electric motor66(not depicted) is mounted within base housing32and is connectable to an external electrical power source through a switch assembly located within extension42. A drive shaft is coupled to, and driven by, motor66. A mechanical coupling couples the drive shaft to impeller74(not depicted) that is located within the base of jar62. Upon selective operation of motor66, impeller74is rotated at selected speeds to mix and blend any foodstuff located within jar62. In alternate embodiments, any suitable base section could be provided.

In the preferred embodiment, jar62is preferably a conventional blender jar made of glass or plastic. However, in alternate embodiments, jar62may include multiple members, including ones made of metal. Jar62includes a handle76and a generally open top aperture. A lid section78is preferably removably mounted to the top of jar62at the top aperture, such as with a friction fit, snap connectors, or other means well known in the art for example. In alternate embodiments any, suitable jar and any suitable jar section may be provided, including a lid section78that is pivotally mounted to jar62.

Referring now toFIGS. 2 and 3, the top of jar62includes a pour spout64. In an alternative embodiment, pour spout64may not be provided or may not be provided as a part of jar62. For example, in one embodiment, a pour spout may be provided in lid section78. As noted above, lid section78is removably mounted to the top of jar62at the top aperture. In the depicted environment, lid section78generally includes a first section68and a second section (or closer)70. Second section70may include a flap72. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, flap72is pivotably connected to first section68.FIG. 2shows flap72in a closed position in relation to first section68.FIG. 3shows flap72in an open position in relation to first section68.

First section68is generally sized and shaped to be friction fitted inside the top aperture of jar62. In the depicted embodiment, first section68includes a center aperture80, a strainer section82and a recessed area84. Lid section78further includes a plug86which is removably mounted in center aperture80. However, in an alternate embodiment, center aperture80and removable plug86might not be included. Removable plug86can be removed by a user to allow the user to insert foodstuff into jar62without removing entire lid section78from jar62.

Strainer section82may include a plurality of holes88. In the depicted embodiment, holes88extend from the bottom of first section68to the bottom of recessed area84so as to permit the contents of jar62of a predetermined size to be poured through holes88when lid section78is mounted to the top of jar62and to retain solids of a predetermined size in jar62. In this embodiment, holes88are substantially parallel, generally radially extending elongated holes. However, in alternate embodiments any suitable holes could be provided. In another embodiment, screen or mesh89may be used to cover holes88so as to further strain the contents of jar62.

Flap72is sized and shaped to be received in recessed area84when flap72is in its closed position (seeFIG. 2). In addition to flap72, in the depicted embodiment, second section70includes pivot arms90and projections or teeth92. In a preferred embodiment, second section70is a one-piece molded plastic member. In an alternative embodiment, second section70may include multiple members connected to each other. In the depicted embodiment, pivot arms90pivotably connect flap72to first section68. Projections92extend from the bottom side of flap72. In the depicted embodiment, projections92are sized and shaped to extend into holes88in first section68when flap72is in its closed position. Therefore, when flap72is in its closed position inside recessed area84, projections92extend into holes88to substantially plug or block holes88. When flap72is pivoted to its open position, projections92are removed from holes88. It will be appreciated that when flap72is pivoted to its open position, foodstuff contained within jar62that is smaller than the size of holes88may be poured out of jar62through holes88. In another embodiment of the present invention, screen or mesh may cover the bottom of holes88so as to permit projections92to enter the top of holes88but at the same time further strain foodstuff contained within jar62when flap72is pivoted to its open position and the contents of jar62are poured out.

In an alternate embodiment, rather than projections92projecting directly into holes88, first section68could include a deeper recessed area having the holes therein. Second section70may have a single projection which projects into the deeper recessed area to block off the deeper recessed area and, thus, block off holes88with a single projection. In the depicted embodiment, projections92can, when moved to the closed position, unclog any foodstuff which gets caught in holes88by pushing the foodstuff out of holes88and back into jar62.

Referring now toFIG. 4, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, lid section78includes a detent system94for positively positioning and maintaining flap72in at least one position relative to first section68. In an alternate embodiment, detent system94may not be provided. For example, flap72could be removable from first section68to open a path through holes88. In the depicted embodiment, detent system94includes at least one of pivot arms90and a portion96of first section68. Pivot arm90is pivotably attached to first section68by a pivot pin98. An end100of pivot arm90is pivotably attached to pivot pin98and includes two flat areas102and104.

Portion96of first section68includes a cantilevered deflectable arm such that portion96contacts first flat area102so as to maintain flap72in its closed position (shown inFIG. 4). Flap72may be pivoted upward to its open position by a user with detent system94then positively locating flap72in the open position. As seen inFIG. 5, when flap72is rotated, portion96can resiliently deflect with second flat section104coming to rest on portion96. Portion96can, thus, retain flap72at its open position until positively moved by the user again. In alternate embodiments, any suitable type of detent system or system to hold flap72could be provided.

It will be appreciated that flap72can remain closed during a blender cycle. Flap72prevents foodstuff from coming out of jar62at holes88such as during the blender cycle. Projections92may function as gravity feed assist devices to help liquid, which has sprayed upward during a blender cycle onto the bottom side of lid section78, to drip back downward into the rest of the foodstuff. The size and shape of holes88is preferably a predetermined size and shape to allow foodstuff of a predetermined size and liquid to flow out of holes88(when flap72is moved to its open position) and prevent other foodstuff of a predetermined size from flowing out of jar62through holes88. Thus, it will be appreciated that in the depicted embodiment, lid section78has an integral strainer or filter with projections92automatically unclogging holes88when flap72is moved to its closed position.