SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR BLENDERS WITH SERVING LID OR CUP

A blending container may comprise a body forming a cavity. The body may comprise a closed end having a blade assembly, wherein the closed end is configured to operatively couple to a motor base. The blending container may also comprise an open end opposite the closed end, that comprises a perimeter edge defining an opening, wherein at least a portion of the perimeter edge is configured to operatively receive a serving lid or serving cup when the closed end is operatively coupled to the motor base.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present teachings relate to a blending system, and more particularly to a dual purpose blender and consumer lid or cup that is utilized during the blending process and that is deliverable to a consumer.

BACKGROUND

Blenders and blending systems are often used to blend and process foodstuffs. Conventional blenders generally include a base with a motor and a mixing container with an operable mixing blade disposed therein. A blender lid is adapted to cover the mixing container. A user inserts contents within the mixing container to be mixed by the rotation of the blade. The container is positioned on the base as a user controls the operation of the motor within the base to rotate the mixing blade within the container to mix the contents therein.

Frozen, frosty, or icy drinks have become increasingly popular. Such drinks include the traditional shakes, and the more recently popular smoothies. Shakes, or milkshakes, are typically formed of ice cream and/or milk, and flavored as desired, with or without additives, such as candies, chocolates, peanut butter, fruits, etc. Milkshakes typically are available at most fast-food restaurants, such as burger chains, and may be made by special machines, or hand-made using mixers. Smoothies tend to be healthier, and may be formed of ice, frozen yogurt, and/or sorbet. Smoothies may include additives such as fruits, fruit juice, vegetables, vitamins, supplements, etc. Smoothies typically are available from specialty chains or juice bars, and may be made with a commercial or restaurant-grade blender. Such drinks also may be made at home, using a personal blender. Soups, salsas, sauces, purees, nut or oat milks, and the like, may also be made using a blender or blending systems.

In commercial kitchens, restaurants, and cafes, for example, and other businesses that make recipe-based food products, speed and accuracy in preparing such products is highly desirable. Time and precision are very important, and the time it takes from an order being placed to an order being complete, and the correctness of that order, can determine a customer's satisfaction and how many customers can be served. This may also affect profits. For frozen or blended products, as an example, workers must take time to add ingredients to the container based on a customer order or recipe, blend the ingredients, and then clean the container and lid. Such orders or recipes may be complex, and every step of the process, including time for cleaning, adds more time to the process. Additionally, these businesses often prepare different orders in succession and prepare individual batches based on a singular customer orders. As a result, cleaning of the blender or blending system, including the container and lid, may need to occur prior to another order being made. These businesses may also use blending systems and blending containers more often than other users, including, for example, nearly every order or a majority of orders.

Therefore, a need exists for improved blender systems. A need exists for blender systems that streamline the process of making and delivering an order to a customer. Moreover, there is a need for blender systems that require less cleaning or that require less downtime between preparing different orders.

SUMMARY

The following presents a summary of this disclosure to provide a basic understanding of some aspects. This summary is intended to neither identify key or critical elements nor define any limitations of embodiments or claims. Furthermore, this summary may provide a simplified overview of some aspects that may be described in greater detail in other portions of this disclosure.

Disclosed herein is a blending system comprising a consumer lid or cup that is utilized during the blending process as a cover to a blender container and that is thereafter deliverable to a consumer. The container may be sized and shaped to accommodate, as a cover of the container, an interior circumference or an edge circumference of a consumer lid, cup, bowl, mug or the like. In an example, a consumer cup may be inverted and placed onto the container to serve as a lid for the container during the blending process. A blender container attachment or adaptor may also be used to facilitate the interaction and fluid seal between the container and the consumer lid or cup. The consumer lid or cup may serve as the cover of the container during the blending of foodstuff and may contain the blended product within the container during the blending process. After blending, the consumer lid or cup, just used on the blender container, may then be used as the lid or cup that is presented or given to the consumer and that houses the blended foodstuff for consumption by the consumer.

Disclosed is a blending container. In an embodiment, the blending container may comprise a body forming a cavity. The body may include a closed end including a blade assembly, wherein the closed end is configured to operatively couple to a motor base. The body may include an open end opposite the closed end, and including a perimeter edge defining an opening. In an embodiment, at least a portion of the perimeter edge may be configured to operatively receive a serving lid or serving cup when the closed end is operatively coupled to the motor base.

In an embodiment, the perimeter edge of the open end may further include a lip configured to operatively mate with the serving lid or serving cup. In an embodiment, the lip may be configured to operatively form a snap-fit or friction fit with the serving lid or serving cup. In an embodiment, the lip may extend annularly from the opening for a predetermined width. In an embodiment, the lip may be configured to operatively receive a rim of the serving lid or serving cup when the serving cup is inverted. In an embodiment, the lip may further include a terminal end extending generally coaxially with the body.

In an embodiment, the open end may include a neck disposed between the open end and the closed end. In an embodiment, the body may taper inwardly towards the neck from the closed end. In an embodiment, an outer surface of the neck may be configured to operatively engage with the serving lid or serving cup.

In an embodiment, the body may further include at least two generally symmetrical sides, and at least one non-symmetrical side. In an embodiment, the sides of the at least two generally symmetrical sides and the at least one non-symmetrical side may be bound by one or more ribs extending from the closed end to the open end. In an embodiment, the blending container may further comprise a handle extending from the at least one non-symmetrical side. In an embodiment, the at least one non-symmetrical side may be generally planar. In an embodiment, the at least one non-symmetrical side may comprise a first arc having a first radius, and the at least two generally symmetrical sides may comprise a second arc having a second radius. In an embodiment, the first radius may be smaller than the second radius.

Disclosed is a blending container. In an embodiment, the blending container may comprise a body forming a cavity, and comprising a bottom wall defining a closed end, an open end defining an opening, and at least one side wall extending from the closed end to the open end. In an embodiment, the bottom wall may be couplable to a blade assembly and configured to operatively couple to a motor base. In an embodiment, a perimeter of the bottom wall may have a perimeter larger than a portion of the body between the open end and the closed end. In an embodiment, the open end may include a surface for receiving at least one of a serving cup lid or an inverted serving cup.

In an embodiment, the blending container may not include a lid. In an embodiment, the blending container may not include a lid or cover other than the serving cup lid or the inverted serving cup. In an embodiment, the open end of the blending container may further include a lip configured to operatively mate at least one of the serving cup lid or the inverted serving cup. In an embodiment, the lip may extend annularly from the opening for a predetermined width.

In an embodiment, the blending container may be configured to insert into an enclosure and carry out a blending operation without the serving cup lid or the inverted serving cup. In an embodiment, the surface of the open end may be configured to operatively receive varying sizes of serving lids or inverted serving cups.

Disclosed is a blending system. In an embodiment, the blending system may comprise a motor base, a container including a body forming a cavity and configured to operatively couple to the motor base at a closed end of the container, the closed end further including a blade assembly, wherein the container includes an open end opposite the closed end and is configured to receive foodstuff into the cavity. In an embodiment, the blending system may further comprise a serving cup or serving lid configured to operatively couple with the open end of the container, wherein the open end of the container is configured to be partially or fully covered by the serving lid or serving cup during blending of foodstuff.

Disclosed is a method for using a blending system and serving blended foodstuff. The method may comprise: inserting foodstuff into a blending container through an open end of the blending container; covering at least a portion of the open end of the blending container with a serving cup or an enclosure; actuating the blending system and blending the foodstuff; and transferring the blended foodstuff from the blending container into the serving cup.

In an embodiment, the method may further include removing the serving cup from the open end of the blending container prior to transferring the blended foodstuff from the blending container into the serving cup. In an embodiment, the method may further include rotating the blending container and the serving cup to transfer the blended foodstuff from the blending container into the serving cup.

These and other features and advantages of the present disclosure are set forth in the following specification, drawings and claims.

The invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The scope of the invention is defined in the appended claims, rather than in the specific description preceding them. All embodiments that fall within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced by the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present teachings, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized, and structural and functional changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present teachings. Moreover, features of the embodiments may be combined, switched, or altered without departing from the scope of the present teachings, e.g., features of each disclosed embodiment may be combined, switched, or replaced with features of the other disclosed embodiments. As such, the following description is presented by way of illustration and does not limit the various alternatives and modifications that may be made to the illustrated embodiments and still be within the spirit and scope of the present teachings.

“Logic” refers to any information and/or data that may be applied to direct the operation of a processor. Logic may be formed from instruction signals stored in a memory (e.g., a non-transitory memory). Software is one example of logic. In another aspect, logic may include hardware, alone or in combination with software. For instance, logic may include digital and/or analog hardware circuits, such as hardware circuits comprising logical gates (e.g., AND, OR, XOR, NAND, NOR, and other logical operations). Furthermore, logic may be programmed and/or include aspects of various devices and is not limited to a single device.

It is noted that references to a blender, blender system, and the like, are understood to include food processor systems, and other mixing systems. Such systems generally include a blender base that may include a motor, a blade assembly, and a controller. Further, such systems may include a container, a display, a memory and/or a processor. A blade assembly, a blending container, and a blender base may removably or irremovably attach. The blending system may be powered in any appropriate manner, such as disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/213,557, entitled Powered Blending Container, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

Furthermore, while blending of “ingredients,” “contents,” or “foodstuffs” is described by various embodiments, it is noted that non-food stuff may be mixed or blended, such as paints, epoxies, construction material (e.g., mortar, cement, etc.), and the like. Moreover, blending of ingredients may result in a blended product. Such blended products may include drinks, frozen drinks, smoothies, shakes, soups, purees, sorbets, butter (nut), dips or the like. Accordingly, such terms may be used interchangeably unless context suggests otherwise or warrants a particular distinction among such terms. Further, such terms are not intended to limit possible blended products and should be viewed as examples of possible blended products.

In embodiments, the blending systems may include any household blender and/or any type of commercial blending system, including those with covers that may encapsulate or partially encapsulate the blender. Commercial blending systems may include an overall blending system, such as a modular blending system that may include the blender along with other components, such as a cleaner, foodstuff storage device (including a refrigerator), an ice maker and/or dispenser, a foodstuff dispenser (a liquid or powder flavoring dispenser) or any other combination of such.

As used herein, the phrases “blending process,” “blending program,” and the like are used interchangeably unless context suggest otherwise or warrants a particular distinction among such terms. A blending process may comprise a series or sequence of blender settings and operations to be carried out by the blending device. In an aspect, a blending process may comprise at least one motor speed and at least one time interval for the given motor speed. For example, a blending process may comprise a series of blender motor speeds to operate the blender blade at the given speed, a series of time intervals corresponding to the given motor speeds, and other blender parameters and timing settings. The blending process may further include a ramp up speed that defines the amount of time the motor takes to reach its predetermined motor speed. The blending process may be stored on a memory and recalled by or communicated to the blending device.

Embodiments described herein may refer to single serving containers. A “single serving” container does not indicate a limited use for the container, but rather refers to a differently configured container that may be attached to a blade base. Such containers may have a closed end that is generally distal from a blender base when the container, blade base, and blender base are interlocked. The container may be any desired shape, such as a cup, bowl, pitcher, or the like. A user, for example, places foodstuff in the container and then attaches a blade base to the container. When operatively attached, the container and attached blade base are inverted and placed on a blender base. The blender base may then drive a blade assembly of the blade base.

In some traditional systems, containers are made of plastic materials. A blade assembly is attached to the container and a blender base drives the blade assembly with a motor. The parameters of the motor (e.g., speed, torque, etc.) may be constrained to limit or reduce the wear or strain on the container. In other examples, the motor may be allowed to operate at different parameters and the life expectancy of the container may be decreased relative to systems that limit the motor parameters.

Moreover, traditional blade assemblies can include blades that are not balanced or are otherwise asymmetric. For instance, a blade assembly may include two blade wings. The cutting path of each blade wing is defined by the leading edge of the blade wing. Each of the blade wings may be angled, twisted, or otherwise shaped so that the leading edges of the two blade wings are not the same. This means that the cutting path is not the same. Some other blades are upturned or angled from a center body relative a drive shaft. Examples of such blades are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,552,885 and 8,690,093, the entireties of which are incorporated by reference herein. The metal blades are designed with specific bends and geometries to create thrust (pull material past the blade) and shear (cutting and aerating action). The location, size and angle of each bend dictates the effect the bent portion will have during blending.

Disclosed herein is a blending system comprising a consumer lid or cup that is utilized during the blending process as a cover to a blender container and that is deliverable to a consumer. The blender system may include a base and a container, wherein the container may be selectively and operatively engagable with the base (and vice versa). The container may be sized and shaped to accommodate, as a cover of the container, an interior circumference or an edge circumference of a consumer lid, cup, bowl, mug or the like. A blender container attachment or adaptor may also be used to facilitate the interaction and fluid seal between the container and the consumer lid or cup. The consumer lid or cup may serve as the cover of the container during the blending of foodstuff and may contain the blended product within the container during the blending process. After blending, the consumer lid or cup, just used on the blender container, may be used as the lid or cup that is presented or given to the consumer and that houses the blended foodstuff for consumption by the consumer.

Referring now toFIG.1, shown is a blending system100that comprises a container20and conventional cover10. A container40and a hinged cover30may be used with system100as shown inFIG.2. System100may utilize various aspects disclosed herein. For instance, system100may be used with the other disclosed containers, consumer lids or cups, and adapters as disclosed herein and described with reference toFIGS.3-36.

System100primarily includes a blender base110, a container, such as containers20,40operatively attachable to the blender base110, a blade assembly130(which may include a shield member), and a cover, such as covers10,30that may be operatively attached to the container20,40. The container20,40may include walls24,44and a handle26,46. Foodstuff may be added to the container20,40for blending. It is noted that the container20,40may comprise various materials such as plastics, glass, metals, or the like, including, without limitation they may be formed from a Tritan copolyester material. In another aspect, container20,40may be powered in any appropriate manner, such as disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/213,557, entitled Powered Blending Container, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

The blender base110may be any appropriate size and configuration. The base110may house and generally protect the operative components of the blending system100, such as a motor and other components (e.g., fan, controllers, circuitry, and human interfaces). The base110may include a power source (e.g., battery) or may be in communication with a power source (e.g., power mains) that may power the motor and other components (e.g., a display, lighting, or the like). The motor may selectively drive the blade assembly130(e.g., cutting blades, chopping blades, whipping blades, spiralizing blades, etc.). The blade assembly130may agitate, impart heat, or otherwise interact with contents within the container20,40. The cover10,30may cover an opening of the container and enclose the contents and blended contents therein during operation of the blended system.

The blade assembly130, container20,40, base110, and cover10,30may removably or irremovably attach together. While shown as a large-format system, system100may comprise a single serving style container as described herein.

In at least one embodiment, the blending system100may identify or detect whether the system100is interlocked through a magnetic detection (e.g., reed switches) as described herein. A shield member may block interference with the reed switch by a magnetic field generated by the motor in accordance with various disclosed aspects.

System100and processes described herein generally relate to blending or food-processing systems and include a food-processing disc comprising one or more inductive coils. In another aspect, one or more of the disc and/or other component of the blending system may comprise an NFC component that may interact with an NFC component of a blender base. The NFC component of the blender base may receive information regarding the type of the disc and may utilize the blender base and may utilize the information to determine a blending process to be utilized by the system.

It is noted that the base110, blade assembly130, and other components ofFIGS.1-2as described may similarly interact and operate with any of the containers described herein, including containers200,300,400,500,800,900,1000,1100as described with reference to containers20,40. For example, the blade assembly130may agitate, impart heat, or otherwise interact with contents within any of the containers described herein, including containers200,300,400,500,800,900,1000,1100. The blade assembly130, containers200,300,400,500,800,900,1000,1100, base110, and cover10,30may removably or irremovably attach. The containers200,300,400,500,800,900,1000,1100may include walls and may includes embodiments with a handle or without a handle. Foodstuff may be added to the containers200,300,400,500,800,900,1000,1100for blending. It is noted that any of the containers described herein, including containers200,300,400,500,800,900,1000,1100, may comprise various materials such as plastics, glass, metals, or the like.

Turning now toFIGS.3-5,14and16-36, shown are various embodiments of containers200,300,400,500,800,900,1000,1100. It is noted that the term “container” as used herein may refer to any of containers200,300,400,500,800,900,1000,1100, etc., and that aspects of each of the described embodiments of containers may be combined without departing from this disclosure. For example, the open end and mating aspects of container800shown inFIG.16may be combined with the body shape of container900shown inFIG.17, the body shape of container300shown inFIG.4, or any of the other embodiments described.

The containers200,300,400,500,800,900,1000,1100may include and/or be coupled with a blade assembly130. As described herein, the containers200,300,400,500,800,900,1000,1100may comprise appropriate configurations to allow for holding, mixing, and pouring foodstuff therein. It is noted that the containers200,300,400,500,800,900,1000,1100may comprise materials such as metals, plastics, glass, or other food grade materials, including, without limitation being Tritan copolyester material. In an embodiment, the containers200,300,400,500,800,900,1000,1100may be blow-molded or injection-molded. In an embodiment, the containers200,300,400,500,800,900,1000,1100may comprise blow-molded Tritan copolyester. Containers200,300,400,500,800,900,1000,1100may be configured according to a desired embodiment.

It is noted that the various aspects disclosed herein, however, may be applicable to other forms of containers, including, for example, containers20,40shown inFIGS.1-2or containers not shown but that are known in the art, including, for example, single serving containers, food processing containers, etc. The container200,300,400,500,800,900,1000,1100may operatively couple with a blender base, such as the blender base110shown inFIGS.1-2or the blender enclosure shown inFIG.15or may be adapted to couple with any blender base110, blade assembly130, or enclosure as may be known in the art.

FIG.3shows an embodiment of a container200. Container200may comprise an open body220, having one or more (or a plurality of) sidewalls, configured to receive and hold foodstuff. The body may include a blade assembly215(or130, for example) at its base or closed end210. The blade assembly215and base210of the container200may be configured to operatively couple to a blender base, such as blender base110shown inFIG.1or blender enclosure shown inFIG.15. The body220of the container200may taper from the base210, having a first diameter or circumference212, to a widest point222having a second diameter or circumference224. The body210of the container200may taper again from the widest point222,224to a more narrow point at a neck226of the container200, having a third diameter or circumference228. The neck226may include an opening230, configured to receive foodstuff. The opening230may have a diameter or perimeter circumference or edge232that is approximately the same as, wider than, or narrower than the circumference228of the neck226from which the opening230extends. In an embodiment, as shown inFIG.3, the diameter or perimeter circumference232of the opening230may be wider than the narrower diameter or circumference228of the neck226. The opening230may also include a spout234that is configured to enable pouring of the blended contents therein or the opening230may not include a spout and may enable pouring without a spout.

Generally, the container200may be sized and shaped to blend a desired quantity of foodstuff and to receive a consumer cup or lid in lieu of a cover10,30(as described in respect toFIGS.3-36). The opening230of the container200may generally correspond to the consumer cup or lid. For example, the circumference232of the opening230may generally correspond to a circumference of the cup or lid so that the cup or lid may engage with or operatively attach to the opening230of the container200. In another example, the circumference232of the opening230may be smaller or more narrow than a circumference of the cup or lid so that the cup or lid may be placed or fit over to the opening230of the container200. Alternatively, the circumference232of the opening230may be larger or greater than a circumference of the cup or lid so that the cup or lid may be placed snugly within or into to the opening230of the container200.

Notably, the container200, and circumference232of the opening230thereof, may be able to accommodate each of the above described fittings (engagement with corresponding diameter, loose fitting over the container200, snug fitting within the container200, etc.) with difference sized and shaped consumer cups or lids. Other diameters of the container200may also be provided to accommodate different sized cups or lids, or other containers, such as bowls, etc.

FIG.4shows an embodiment of a container300. Container300may comprise an open body320configured to receive and hold foodstuff. The body may include a blade assembly315(or130, for example) at its base310. The blade assembly315and base310of the container300may be configured to operatively couple to a blender base, such as blender base110shown inFIG.1or blender enclosure shown inFIG.15. The body320of the container300may taper from the base310, having a first diameter or circumference312, to a widest point322having a second diameter or circumference324. The body310of the container300may taper again from the widest point322,324to a more narrow point at a neck326or opening330of the container300. The neck326may include opening330, configured to receive foodstuff. The opening330may have a diameter or perimeter circumference332that is approximately the same as, wider than, or narrower than the neck326from which the opening330extends. In an embodiment, as shown inFIG.4, the diameter or perimeter circumference332of the opening330may be narrower than the diameter or circumference of the neck326, since the neck326may taper completely into or continuously until the opening330. The opening330may also include a spout334that is configured to enable pouring of the blended contents therein or the opening330may not include a spout and may enable pouring without a spout.

Generally, the container300may be sized and shaped to blend a desired quantity of foodstuff and to receive a consumer cup or lid in lieu of a cover10,30(as described in respect toFIGS.3-36). The opening330of the container300may generally correspond to the consumer cup or lid. For example, the circumference332of the opening330may generally correspond to a circumference of the cup or lid so that the cup or lid may engage with or operatively attach to the opening330of the container300. In another example, the circumference332of the opening330may be smaller or narrower than a circumference of the cup or lid so that the cup or lid may be placed or fit over to the opening330of the container300. Alternatively, the circumference332of the opening330may be larger or greater than a circumference of the cup or lid so that the cup or lid may be placed snugly within or into to the opening330of the container300.

Notably, the container300, and circumference332of the opening330thereof, may be able to accommodate each of the above described fittings (engagement with corresponding diameter, loose fitting over the container300, snug fitting within the container300, etc.) with difference sized and shaped consumer cups or lids. Other diameters of the container300may also be provided to accommodate different sized cups or lids, or other containers, such as bowls, etc. The diameters described in respect to container300may be similar or different from those described in respect to container200. Notably, asFIGS.3-4show, the widest point224,324may occur at any point along the body210,310of the container200,300, including closer to the base210,310(shown inFIG.4) or close to the opening230,330(shown inFIG.3).

FIG.5shows an embodiment of a container400. Container400may comprise an open body420configured to receive and hold foodstuff. The body420may include a blade assembly415(or130, for example) at its base410. The blade assembly415and base410of the container400may be configured to operatively couple to a blender base, such as blender base110shown inFIG.1or blender enclosure shown inFIG.15. The body410of the container400may taper from the base410, having a first diameter or circumference412, to a widest point422having a second diameter or circumference424. The body420of the container400may taper again from the widest point422,424to a more narrow point at a neck426or opening430of the container400. The neck426may include opening430, configured to receive foodstuff. The opening430may have a diameter or perimeter circumference432that is approximately the same as, wider than, or narrower than the neck426from which the opening430extends. In an embodiment, as shown inFIG.5, the diameter or perimeter circumference432of the opening430may be approximately the same as the diameter or circumference of the neck426, since the neck426may taper initially from the widest point422,424and then level out or be more straight for a certain length until the opening430. The opening430may also include a spout that is configured to enable pouring of the blended contents therein or the opening430may not include a spout and may enable pouring without a spout. In an embodiment, the neck426and opening430may be able to extend well into or almost entirely into a cup so that the container400may remain in the cup as it is inverted to facilitate pouring of the food contents therein.

Generally, the container400may be sized and shaped to blend a desired quantity of foodstuff and to receive a consumer cup or lid in lieu of a cover10,30(as described in respect toFIGS.3-36). The opening430of the container400may generally correspond to the consumer cup or lid. For example, the circumference432of the opening430may generally correspond to a circumference of the cup or lid so that the cup or lid may engage with or operatively attach to the opening430of the container400. In another example, the circumference432of the opening430may be smaller or narrower than a circumference of the cup or lid so that the cup or lid may be placed or fit over to the opening430of the container400. Alternatively, the circumference432of the opening430may be larger or greater than a circumference of the cup or lid so that the cup or lid may be placed snugly within or into to the opening430of the container400.

Notably, the container400, and circumference432of the opening430thereof, may be able to accommodate each of the above described fittings (engagement with corresponding diameter, loose fitting over the container400, snug fitting within the container400, etc.) with difference sized and shaped consumer cups or lids. Other diameters of the container400may also be provided to accommodate different sized cups or lids, or other containers, such as bowls, etc. The diameters described in respect to container400may be similar or different from those described in respect to containers200,300. Notably, asFIGS.3-5show, the widest point224,324,424may occur at any point along the body210,310,410, of the container200,300,400including closer to the base210,310,410(shown inFIG.4) or close to the opening230,330,430(shown inFIG.3), or generally or near the middle of the body (shown inFIG.5).FIGS.3-5also show variations in tapering (more angled inFIG.4, less angled inFIG.5).

It is noted that the particular shape of the container400, including the described tapering and elongated, but relatively straight neck, may allow for easy grasping or grabbing of the container400by a user.

Turning toFIGS.6-7, shown are a consumer or serving cup610and a consumer or serving lid640.FIG.14also shows another variation of container500and lid670described herein. Consumer cup610may generally include an elongated body portion612and an opening or lip615. Consumer lid640may generally include a short body portion642and an opening or lip645. The diameter or circumference of each the consumer cup610and consumer lid640may be approximately the same. In an embodiment, the diameter or circumference of each the consumer cup610may be slightly smaller than the consumer lid640. In an embodiment, opening or lip615of the consumer cup610may selectively engage with the opening or lip645of the consumer lid640, where the opening or lip645of the consumer lid640may snap fit or friction fit over the opening or lip615of the consumer cup610. The opening or lip615of the consumer cup610and the opening or lip645of the consumer lid640, and each diameter or circumference thereof, may generally correspond with the diameter or circumference232,332,432of each opening230,330,430of the containers200,300,400(and corresponding aspects of containers500,800,900,1000,1100). In an embodiment, the diameter or circumference of the consumer cup610and consumer lid640may be slightly larger than the diameter or circumference232,332,432of each opening230,330,430of the containers200,300,400so that the consumer cup610and consumer lid640may fit over the openings230,330,430of the containers200,300,400(and corresponding aspects of containers500,800,900,1000,1100).

The coupling of the consumer cup610and consumer lid640over the openings230,330,430of the containers200,300,400may be loose fitting, snap fitting, friction fitting, air tight or liquid tight, or the like. The container200,300,400or the consumer cup610and consumer lid640may include latches, threads, different sized indents around the lip or opening of the container200,300,400sized for different sized consumer cups610and consumer lids640(similar to stadium seating or steps). The container200,300400can be latched, clipped, threaded, vacuum sealed, friction fit or otherwise held onto the consumer cups610and consumer lids640or vice versa. The foregoing is similarly applicable for containers500,800,900,1000,1100.

Consumable syrups can be used to hold consumer cup610and consumer lid640in place.FIG.8, for example, shows coupling of the container400with consumer cup610.FIG.9, for example, shows coupling of the container400with consumer lid640. As shown, the consumer cup610may be positioned and extend over the neck426of the container400which the consumer lid640may be positioned and extend over the opening430and a smaller portion of the neck426of the container400. In an embodiment, the opening or lip612of the consumer cup610may rest on a wider portion422or426of the container or the interior of the base of the consumer cup610may rest on the opening430of the container400. The container400may also include arms that extend from the container400and that couple with the consumer cup610or lid640. The opening or lip642of the consumer lid640may engage with or rest on the opening430or neck426of the container400.

The consumer cup610and consumer lid640or the openings230,330,430of the containers200,300,400(and corresponding aspects of containers500,800,900,1000,1100) may also include engagement features such as small intentions or protrusions, threading, mating recesses and projections, or the like. An enclosure, such as the blending enclosure shown inFIG.15may be used to facilitate blending of the foodstuff within the containers. In an embodiment, the blending container is configured to insert into the enclosure and carry out a blending operation without the serving cup lid or the inverted serving cup. A sound enclosure may also be used. The sound enclosure may include soft foam material or other material that presses the consumer cup610and consumer lid640without damaging the consumer cup610and consumer lid640. The sound enclosure may be positioned on either the container200,300,400or the consumer cup610and consumer lid640itself (and corresponding aspects of containers500,800,900,1000,1100). The sound enclosure can automatically feed the consumer cup610and consumer lid640onto the blending container200,300,400(and containers500,800,900,1000,1100) through a shoot, similar to how cups may be stacked and pulled out at fast food restaurants Notably, as described herein, these consumer cup610and consumer lid640may both serve as the cover of the blending container200,300,400(and containers500,800,900,1000,1100) during blending and may be coupled to another corresponding consumer cup610and consumer lid640to be served to the customer.

The consumer cup610and consumer lid640may be disposable or single use. In an embodiment, the consumer cup610and consumer lid64may be reusable. The consumer cup610and consumer lid640may also not be served to a customer and can be single use within the commercial setting or the like. The consumer cup610and consumer lid640, and corresponding containers200,300,400may be used in commercial settings. The consumer cup610and consumer lid640may take the form of customer lids or cups that will contain the blended product during blending and when served to the customer. For example, the consumer cup610and consumer lid640for a frozen smoothie or coffee drink can be placed on a blender container (such as container200,300,400) after ingredients are added. The consumer cup610and consumer lid640may stay on the container (such as container200,300,400) during blending. When blending is finished the consumer cup610and consumer lid640may be used on the customer's cup and served to the customer. In reference to the consumer lid640, the lid640may be placed or positioned on the container (such as container200,300,400) as if the container where a serving cup or as if lid640was a blender cover. In reference to the consumer cup610, the cup may be inverted and placed or positioned over the opening of the container (such as container200,300,400). Once blended, the contents can be placed in the consumer cup610that was just used as a cover during blending. The container200,300,400and cup610may be inverted, and the cup610may remain over and coupled to the opening or neck of the container, and the contents may flow directly into the cup610. In this embodiment, a new and unused customer's lid can then be attached to the cup610. In this version, the customer's lid does not get splashed so an end product may have improved appearance. The foregoing is similarly applicable for containers500,800,900,1000,1100.

FIGS.10-13show an adapter700. It is noted that the adaptor700may be provided separate but attachable to a container or the adaptor700may be provided as a part of or integral to the container (such as those containers described herein). The adapter700may include a base710and an opening730. In an embodiment, the adaptor700may further include a neck720as shown inFIGS.10-12, for example. The neck720and opening730may be substantially similar to the neck426and opening430of container400shown inFIG.5or the other necks and openings of any of the containers disclosed and described herein. The neck720and opening730may have substantially the same diameter. In an embodiment, the adaptor700may not include a neck and the opening730may be in line with the base710as shown inFIG.13, for example. The adaptor700may facilitate coupling with a consumer cup610or lid640such that the consumer cup610or lid640may operatively cover the opening730of the adaptor700. The base710of the adapter may have a larger diameter or circumference than the diameter or circumference of the opening730. The base710of the adaptor700may be sized and shaped to couple to a container, such as containers20,40or to any of the containers disclosed and described herein.

FIGS.11-13shows coupling of the adapter700to containers20,40, for example. The adapter700may matingly engage with the container such that it creates a liquid tight seal with the container. The adaptor700may attach to or couple with an outer diameter of the container or the adaptor may attach to or couple with an inner diameter of the container. The adaptor700may attach to or couple with a perimeter edge of the container. For example, the attachment may be loose fitting, snap fitting, friction fitting, air tight or liquid tight, or the like. The adapter700may include latches, threads, different sized indents around the base710of the adapter700to engage with a container, it may friction fit with a container or it may operatively attach with a container in any appropriate manner. It is noted that the engagement features, and other aspects, as described for the bodies, necks, and openings of containers200,300,400(and containers500,800,900,1000,1100) may also be applied to the neck720and opening730of the adapter but are not repeated for the sake of brevity.

The adapter700may attach to the container by a hinge fitting so that the unhinged portion of the adapter700may be lifted and the contents of the container may be poured out from the container, through a spout, for example, without having to remove the adapter700. It is noted that the contents of the container may also be poured through the opening730of the adapter, similar to container200,300,400(and containers500,800,900,1000,1100). In an embodiment, food contents may be inserted through the opening730to be blended and the blended contents may also be poured through the same opening730after blending. In an embodiment, the adapter730may not need to be moved or removed before or after using the blending system.

As described, adapter700may enable the retrofitting of a container (such as container20,40) having a larger opening that is configured to receive a larger blender cover (such as cover10,30). The adapter700may be designed to stay on for periods of time, allowing for rinsing while the adapter700stays on during rinsing with a Rinse-O-Matic. U.S. Pat. Nos. U.S. Pat. No. 7,104,474B2, U.S. Pat. No. 9,505,013B2 are hereby incorporated by reference. Every few hours (e.g., 4-5 hours), the adapter700can be removed for sanitation. The adapter700may also be useful in folding material (raw and blended material) back into blend. The adapter700can include a neck or beaker on the adapter700on which a consumer cup610or lid640may sit, similar to container200,300,400(and containers500,800,900,1000,1100).

Turning toFIG.14, shown is an additional embodiment of a container500and lid670. Container500and lid670may include any of the features as described herein for containers200,300,400(and containers500,800,900,1000,1100) and consumer cups610and lids640. Container500may comprise an open body520configured to receive and hold foodstuff. The body may include a blade assembly515(or130, for example) at its base510. The blade assembly515and base510of the container500may be configured to operatively couple to a blender base, such as blender base110shown inFIG.1or blender enclosure shown inFIG.15. The body520of the container500may be relatively straight or slightly taper from the base510, having a first diameter or circumference512, to a point522having a second diameter or circumference524, that may be the same or just wider than the diameter or circumference512of the base. The body510of the container500may taper from point522,524to a more narrow point at a neck526or opening530of the container500. The neck526may include opening530, configured to receive foodstuff. The opening530may have a diameter or perimeter circumference532that is approximately the same as, wider than, or narrower than the neck526from which the opening530extends. In an embodiment, as shown inFIG.15, the diameter or perimeter circumference532of the opening530may be approximately the same as the diameter or circumference of the neck526, but may be smaller than the diameters or circumferences512524of the base510and point522. In this embodiment, there may be two relatively straight portions of the container body520having different diameters or circumferences. The opening530may also include a spout that is configured to enable pouring of the blended contents therein or the opening530may not include a spout and may enable pouring without a spout. In an embodiment, the neck526and opening530may be able to extend well into or almost entirely into a cup so that the container500may remain in the cup as it is inverted to facilitate pouring of the food contents therein.

Generally, the container500may be sized and shaped to blend a desired quantity of foodstuff and to receive a consumer cup or lid in lieu of a cover10,30(as described in respect toFIGS.3-36). The opening530of the container500may generally correspond to the consumer cup or lid. For example, the circumference532of the opening530may generally correspond to a circumference of the cup or lid so that the cup or lid may engage with or operatively attach to the opening530of the container500. In another example, the circumference532of the opening530may be smaller or narrower than a circumference of the cup or lid so that the cup or lid may be placed or fit over to the opening530of the container500. Alternatively, the circumference532of the opening530may be larger or greater than a circumference of the cup or lid so that the cup or lid may be placed snugly within or into to the opening530of the container500.

Notably, the container500, and circumference532of the opening530thereof, may be able to accommodate each of the above described fittings (engagement with corresponding diameter, loose fitting over the container500, snug fitting within the container500, etc.) with difference sized and shaped consumer cups or lids. Other diameters of the container500may also be provided to accommodate different sized cups or lids, or other containers, such as bowls, etc. The diameters described in respect to container500may be similar or different from those described in respect to containers200,300,400(and containers500,800,900,1000,1100).

FIG.14further shows a consumer lid670. Consumer lid670may generally include a domed body portion672and an opening or lip675. The diameter or circumference of each the consumer lid670may be approximately the same as consumer lid640and may include any of the features described herein for consumer cup610and consumer lid640.

Regarding the consumer cup610and consumer lids640,670, in an embodiment, the cups and lids610,640,670may generally have a continuous surface. For example, when served to a consumer, and consumer may remove the lid640,670to drink the contents therein. In another embodiment, the lids640,670may include a drinking aperture or opening. In an embodiment, this drinking aperture or opening may be perforated or have a cross or x-shape so that it is relatively closed during the blending process are sufficiently closed to keep blended contents within the container and may be opened by the consumer so that the consumer can drink through the lid640,670.

Turning toFIGS.16-36, shown are additional embodiments of containers800,900,1000,1100. The containers800,900,1000,1100may include different shaped bodies and different mating aspects configured to operatively mate with or couple to a serving cup or serving lid610,640. The containers800,900,1000,1100may include or incorporate any of the previously described aspects in relation to the blending system100, containers200,300,400,500, adaptor700, serving cups610and serving lids640, etc., and in any combination, without departing from this disclosure. Similarly, any of the aspects hereafter described in relation to the containers800,900,1000,1100may be included or incorporated into the previously described blending system100, containers200,300,400,500, adaptor700, serving cups610and serving lids640, etc., and in any combination, without departing from this disclosure. It is further noted that any of the aspects hereafter described in relation to the containers800,900,1000,1100may be combined with between each other and that any of the previously described aspects in relation to the blending system100, containers200,300,400,500, adaptor700, serving cups610and serving lids640, etc. may be combined between each other, in an combination, without departing from this disclosure.

FIGS.16-19show embodiments of a container800. Container800may comprise an open body820configured to receive and hold foodstuff. The body820may include a blade assembly (or130, for example) at its base810. The blade assembly and base810of the container800may be configured to operatively couple to a blender base, such as blender base110shown inFIG.1or blender enclosure shown inFIG.15.

The body820of the container800may extend from the base810, having a base diameter812, to a shoulder822having a shoulder diameter824. The shoulder822may taper inwardly and form a neck826having a neck diameter828. The neck826may include an opening830, wherein the opening830configured to receive foodstuff. The opening830may have a diameter832that is approximately the same as, wider than, or narrower than the diameter828of the neck826. In an embodiment, the neck826or opening830may further include a lip829. The lip829may be configured to operatively mate with the serving cup610or serving lid640. The opening830may also include a spout834that is configured to enable pouring of the blended contents therein or the opening830may not include a spout and may enable pouring without a spout. The body820may further include one or more ribs835to facilitate, for example, mixing of foodstuff during a blending operation. The body820may further include a handle836to facilitate, for example, positioning of the container800and pouring of the blended contents, e.g., through tilting or inversion of the container800.

As shown inFIG.16, the base810and base diameter812may be smaller than the shoulder822and shoulder diameter824. The circumference of the body820may gradually widen from the base810to the shoulder822. The shoulder822may taper inwardly towards the neck826, wherein the neck826and neck diameter828may be smaller than the shoulder822and shoulder diameter824. The neck826and neck diameter828may be larger, smaller, or approximately the same as the base810and base diameter812. In an embodiment, the neck826may form the opening830and there may be no separate lip, edge, or provision for a lid. The neck826may extend generally coaxially with the body820. The spout834may extend from the perimeter edge832of the neck826. The handle836may attach at two points to the body820of the container800. In an example, the container800may comprise a standard draft body (e.g. 3 degree) and mixing ribs835.

As shown inFIG.17, the base810and base diameter812may be larger than the shoulder822and shoulder diameter824. The circumference of the body820may gradually narrow from the base810to the shoulder822. The shoulder822may taper inwardly towards the neck826, wherein the neck826and neck diameter828may be smaller than the shoulder822and shoulder diameter824. The neck826and neck diameter828may be smaller than the base810and base diameter812. In an embodiment, the neck826may form the opening830and there may be no separate lip, edge, or provision for a lid. The neck826may extend generally coaxially with the body820. The spout834may extend from the perimeter edge832of the neck826. The handle836may attach at a single point to the body820of the container800and may be an ascent-type handle. In an example, the container800may comprise a reverse draft body (e.g. 5 degree) and reverse draft mixing ribs835(e.g. 6 degree). As shown inFIG.18, the mixing ribs835may be stepped-in mixing ribs at the bottom of the body820towards the base810.

As shown inFIG.19, the base810and base diameter812may be smaller than the shoulder822and shoulder diameter824. The body820may include a first stepped-in portion having a smaller circumference than a second stepped-out portion having a larger circumference. In an embodiment, the stepped-in portion may be located at a lower portion of the body820towards the base810and the stepped-out portion may be located at an upper portion of the body820towards the opening830. In an embodiment, the stepped-in portion may have a generally constant circumference and the stepped-out portion may gradually taper inwardly towards the shoulder822. It is noted that the stepped-in portion may taper inward, outward, or remain generally constant and the stepped-out portion may taper inward, outward, or remain generally constant. In an example, the stepped-in portion may comprise approximately ¼ to ⅓ of the body820and the stepped-out portion may comprise approximately ½ to ⅔ of the body820.

The shoulder822may taper inwardly towards the neck826, wherein the neck826and neck diameter828may be smaller than the shoulder822and shoulder diameter824. The neck826and neck diameter828may be larger, smaller, or approximately the same as the base810and base diameter812. In an embodiment, the neck826may form the opening830and there may be no separate lip, edge, or provision for a lid. In an embodiment, the neck826may be elongated and may comprise approximately ¼ to ⅓ the container800. The neck826may extend generally coaxially with the body820. The spout834may extend from the perimeter edge832of the neck826. The handle836may attach at a single point to the body820of the container800and may be an ascent-type handle. In an example, the container800may comprise a reverse draft body (e.g. 5 degree) and reverse draft mixing ribs835(e.g. 6 degree).

Although container800is described as having no separate lip, edge, or provision for a lid, it is noted that the container800in some embodiments may be used for blending without a consumer cup or lid610,640and that the container800in some embodiments may be used for blending with a consumer cup or lid610,640. As described herein, the consumer cup or lid610,640may couple with an interior surface of the neck826or perimeter edge832, with an exterior surface of the neck826or perimeter edge832, or directly with the perimeter edge832. It is further noted that container800may be used with an enclosure, such as the enclosure shown inFIG.15or with an adaptor, such as adaptor700.

Generally, the container800may be sized and shaped to blend a desired quantity of foodstuff and to receive a consumer cup or lid610,640in lieu of a cover10,30(as described in respect toFIGS.3-36). The opening830of the container800may generally correspond to the consumer cup or lid. For example, the circumference832of the opening830may generally correspond to a circumference of the cup or lid so that the cup or lid may engage with or operatively attach to the opening830of the container800. In another example, the circumference832of the opening830may be smaller or narrower than a circumference of the cup or lid so that the cup or lid may be placed or fit over to the opening830of the container800. Alternatively, the circumference832of the opening830may be larger or greater than a circumference of the cup or lid so that the cup or lid may be placed snugly within or into to the opening830of the container800.

Notably, the container800, and circumference832of the opening830thereof, may be able to accommodate each of the above described fittings (engagement with corresponding diameter, loose fitting over the container800, snug fitting within the container800, etc.) with difference sized and shaped consumer cups or lids. Other diameters of the container800may also be provided to accommodate different sized cups or lids, or other containers, such as bowls, etc.

FIGS.20-21show embodiments of a container900. Container900may comprise an open body920configured to receive and hold foodstuff. The body920may include a blade assembly (or130, for example) at its base910. The blade assembly and base910of the container900may be configured to operatively couple to a blender base, such as blender base110shown inFIG.1or blender enclosure shown inFIG.15.

The body920of the container900may extend from the base910, having a base diameter912, to a shoulder922having a shoulder diameter924. The shoulder922may taper inwardly and form a neck926having a neck diameter928. The neck926may include an opening930, wherein the opening930is configured to receive foodstuff. The opening930may have a diameter932that is approximately the same as, wider than, or narrower than the diameter928of the neck926. In an embodiment, the neck926or opening930may further include a lip929. The lip929may be configured to operatively mate with the serving cup610or serving lid640. The opening930may also include a spout934that is configured to enable pouring of the blended contents therein or the opening930may not include a spout and may enable pouring without a spout. The body920may further include one or more ribs935to facilitate, for example, mixing of foodstuff during a blending operation. The body920may further include a handle936to facilitate, for example, positioning of the container900and pouring of the blended contents, e.g., through tilting or inversion of the container900.

As shown inFIG.20, the base910and base diameter912may be smaller than the shoulder922and shoulder diameter924. The circumference of the body920may gradually widen from the base910to the shoulder922. The shoulder922may taper inwardly towards the neck926, wherein the neck926and neck diameter928may be smaller than the shoulder922and shoulder diameter924. The neck926and neck diameter928may be larger, smaller, or approximately the same as the base910and base diameter912. The neck926may extend generally coaxially with the body920. In an embodiment, the neck926may form the opening930. In an embodiment, the neck926or opening930may further include a lip929. The spout934may extend from the neck926. The handle936may attach at two points to the body920of the container900. In an example, the container900may comprise a standard draft body (e.g. 1.5 degree) and reverse draft mixing ribs935(e.g. 0.5 degree).

As shown inFIG.21, the base910and base diameter912may be approximately the same as the shoulder922and shoulder diameter924. The circumference of the body920may remain generally straight from the base910to the shoulder922. The shoulder922may taper inwardly towards the neck926, wherein the neck926and neck diameter928may be smaller than the shoulder922and shoulder diameter924. The neck926and neck diameter928may be smaller than the base910and base diameter912. The neck926may extend generally coaxially with the body920. In an embodiment, the neck926may form the opening930. In an embodiment, the neck926or opening930may further include a lip929. The spout934may extend from the neck926. The handle936may attach at a single point to the body920of the container900and may be an ascent-type handle. In an example, the container900may comprise a no-draft body and reverse draft mixing ribs935(e.g. 1 degree).

In an embodiment, lip929may be configured to operatively mate with the serving lid or serving cup610,640and may be configured to operatively receive a rim615,645(e.g. an inner surface or an outer surface of rims615,645) of the serving lid640or serving cup610when the serving cup610is inverted. In an embodiment, lip939may be configured to operatively form a snap-fit or friction fit with the serving lid or serving cup610,640. In an embodiment, lip939may extend annularly from the opening930for a predetermined width. In an embodiment, lip929may further include a terminal end (e.g. perimeter edge932of the lip929of the opening930) extending generally coaxially with the body920.

In an embodiment, the lip929may extend from the neck926and the spout934may extend from the neck926so that the lip929and spout934occupy adjacent areas of the same vertical space above the neck926. In an embodiment, the lip929may not extend around an entire circumference of the neck926. In an embodiment, the lip929may extend around only a portion of the neck926(e.g. the portion of the neck926that does not include the spout934). In an embodiment, the lip929may comprise a vertical terminal edge which may be generally perpendicular to the perimeter edge932of the lip929. The vertical terminal edge may be near or adjacent to one or both sides of the spout934.

Generally, the container900may be sized and shaped to blend a desired quantity of foodstuff and to receive a consumer cup or lid610,640in lieu of a cover10,30(as described in respect toFIGS.3-36). The opening930of the container900may generally correspond to the consumer cup or lid. For example, the circumference932of the opening930may generally correspond to a circumference of the cup or lid so that the cup or lid may engage with or operatively attach to the opening930of the container900. In another example, the circumference932of the opening930may be smaller or narrower than a circumference of the cup or lid so that the cup or lid may be placed or fit over to the opening930of the container900. Alternatively, the circumference932of the opening930may be larger or greater than a circumference of the cup or lid so that the cup or lid may be placed snugly within or into to the opening930of the container900.

Notably, the container900, and circumference932of the opening930thereof, may be able to accommodate each of the above described fittings (engagement with corresponding diameter, loose fitting over the container900, snug fitting within the container900, etc.) with difference sized and shaped consumer cups or lids. Other diameters of the container900may also be provided to accommodate different sized cups or lids, or other containers, such as bowls, etc.

FIGS.22-32show embodiments of a container1000. Container1000may comprise an open body1020configured to receive and hold foodstuff. The body1020may include a blade assembly1015(or130, for example) at its base1010. The blade assembly1015and base1010of the container1000may be configured to operatively couple to a blender base, such as blender base110shown inFIG.1or blender enclosure shown inFIG.15.

The body1020of the container1000may extend from the base1010, having a base diameter1012, to a shoulder1022having a shoulder diameter1024. The shoulder1022may taper inwardly and form a neck1026having a neck diameter1028. The neck1026may include an opening1030, wherein the opening1030configured to receive foodstuff. The opening1030may have a diameter1032that is approximately the same as, wider than, or narrower than the diameter1028of the neck1026. In an embodiment, the neck1026or opening1030may further include a lip1029. The lip1029may be configured to operatively mate with the serving cup610or serving lid640. The opening1030may also include a spout1034that is configured to enable pouring of the blended contents therein or the opening1030may not include a spout and may enable pouring without a spout. The body1020may further include one or more ribs1035to facilitate, for example, mixing of foodstuff during a blending operation. The body may further include a handle1036to facilitate, for example, positioning of the container1000and pouring of the blended contents, e.g., through tilting or inversion of the container1000.

As shown inFIG.22, the base1010and base diameter1012may be larger than the shoulder1022and shoulder diameter1024. The circumference of the body1020may gradually narrow from the base1010to the shoulder1022. The shoulder1022may taper inwardly towards the neck1026, wherein the neck1026and neck diameter1028may be smaller than the shoulder1022and shoulder diameter1024. The neck1026and neck diameter1028may be smaller than the base1010and base diameter1012. The neck1026may extend generally coaxially with the body1020. In an embodiment, the neck1026may further include a lip1029. In an embodiment, the lip1029may form the opening1030. The lip1029and opening1030may have a diameter larger, smaller, or approximately the same as any of the base1010, shoulder1022, or neck1026. The lip1029may taper or flare outwards from the neck1026. Between the neck1026and the lip1029may be a second shoulder having an inverse or mirrored shape compared to the first shoulder1022. The spout1034may extend from the perimeter edge1032of the lip1029. The handle1036may attach at a single point to the body1020of the container1000and may be an ascent-type handle. In an example, the container1000may comprise a reverse draft body (e.g. 5 degree) and reverse draft mixing ribs1035(e.g. 6 degree). As shown inFIG.23, the reverse draft mixing ribs1035may transition to different sizes or shapes along the body1020. For example, a 5 degree reverse draft mixing ribs may transition to a 1 degree reverse draft (e.g., for moldability). As also shown inFIG.23, the opening1030may be concentric with the blade assembly.

In an embodiment, lip1029may be configured to operatively mate with the serving lid or serving cup610,640and may be configured to operatively receive a rim615,645(e.g. an inner surface or an outer surface of rims615,645) of the serving lid640or serving cup610when the serving cup610is inverted. In an embodiment, lip1039may be configured to operatively form a snap-fit or friction fit with the serving lid or serving cup610,640forming a generally liquid tight seal. In an embodiment, lip1039may extend annularly from the opening1030for a predetermined width. In an embodiment, lip1029may further include a terminal end (e.g. perimeter edge1032of the lip1029of the opening1030) extending generally coaxially with the body1020.

In an embodiment, the lip1029may extend from the neck1026and the spout034may extend from the lip1029so that the spout1034occupies the vertical space above the neck1026and lip1029. In an embodiment, the lip1029may extend around an entire circumference of the neck1026. In an embodiment, the lip1029may extend around an entire circumference of the neck1026with the spout1034extending from a portion of the lip1029and the lip having a perimeter or exposed edge1032around the remaining portion of the opening1030not having the spout1034. In an embodiment, the perimeter or exposed edge1032of the lip1029extend into or be flush with the sides of the spout1034.

As shown inFIG.22, the body1020, shoulder1022, neck1026, and lip1029(not including the spout1034) may be generally symmetrical with the spout1034positioned on top of the lip1029and the lip1029positioned under or below the spout1034. As shown inFIG.23, the body1020, shoulder1022, any neck1026may be generally symmetrical and the lip1029may be asymmetrical as the lip1029may extend into the spout1034on one side and extend coaxially with the body on the other side above or with the spout1034.

As shown inFIG.25, the opening1030may include one or more concentric ribs1027on an interior surface of any of the lip1029, neck1026, shoulder1022, or the like. The ribs1027, in an embodiment, may not be continuous or may be a patterned surface. The ribs1027may interact with or engage either or both the consumer cup610or lid640, or adaptor700, when operatively couple with the container1000.

Generally, the container1000may be sized and shaped to blend a desired quantity of foodstuff and to receive a consumer cup or lid610,640in lieu of a cover10,30(as described in respect toFIGS.3-36). The opening1030of the container1000may generally correspond to the consumer cup or lid so as to form a generally liquid tight seal such that when the container1000is rotated to dispense the foodstuff into a cup610the liquid portion of the foodstuff does not leak. For example, the circumference1032of the opening1030may generally correspond to a circumference of the cup or lid so that the cup or lid may engage with or operatively attach to the opening1030of the container1000. In another example, the circumference1032of the opening1030may be smaller or more narrow than a circumference of the cup or lid so that the cup or lid may be placed or fit over to the opening1030of the container1000. Alternatively, the circumference1032of the opening1030may be larger or greater than a circumference of the cup or lid so that the cup or lid may be placed snugly within or into to the opening1030of the container1000.

Notably, the container1000, and circumference1032of the opening1030thereof, may be able to accommodate each of the above described fittings (engagement with corresponding diameter, loose fitting over the container1000, snug fitting within the container1000, etc.) with difference sized and shaped consumer cups or lids. Other diameters of the container1000may also be provided to accommodate different sized cups or lids, or other containers, such as bowls, etc.

FIGS.24-32show various embodiments of container1000having a body1020with symmetrical and asymmetrical sides. As shown inFIGS.22-23, container1000may have a body1020with four (or all) symmetrical side walls. In an example, the side walls may generally extend from the base1010up to shoulder1022or neck1026or including the shoulder1022or neck1026(e.g. not including the handle1036, lip1029, or spout1034).

As shown inFIGS.24-32, container1000may have a body1020that includes at least two generally symmetrical sides1013, and at least one non-symmetrical side1017. In an embodiment, the body1020may include at least two symmetrical sides1013. In an embodiment, the body1020may include two or more symmetrical sides. In an embodiment, the body1020may include at least one non-symmetrical side1017. In an embodiment, the sides of the at least two generally symmetrical sides1013and the at least one non-symmetrical side1017may be bound by one or more ribs1035extending from the closed end1010to the open end1030.

As shown inFIGS.24-29, the at least one non-symmetrical side1017may be generally planar or flat. As shown inFIGS.30-32, the at least one non-symmetrical side1017may be curved. In an embodiment, the non-symmetrical side1017may comprise a first arc having a first radius. As shown inFIGS.24-32, the at least two generally symmetrical sides1013may be curved. In an embodiment, the at least two generally symmetrical sides1013may comprise a second arc having a second radius. In an embodiment, the first radius of the at least one non-symmetrical side1017may be smaller than the second radius of the at least two generally symmetrical sides1013. It is noted that the first radius of the at least one non-symmetrical side1017may be larger than the second radius of the at least two generally symmetrical sides1013.

In an embodiment, the container1000may further comprise a handle1036extending from the at least one non-symmetrical side1017. In an embodiment, the at least one non-symmetrical side1017may be indented relative the handle1036, providing a straight, indented side1071and a rounded shape or undercut1019extending from the side1017of the container1000into the underside of the handle1036shown inFIGS.24-26. In an embodiment, the at least one non-symmetrical side1017may be generally straight relative the handle1036, providing a flat, straight side1071and a flat profile1019relative the handle1036shown inFIGS.27-29. In an embodiment, the at least one non-symmetrical side1017may progressively indent towards the container1000as the side1017extends to and reaches the handle1036, providing a tapered, indented side1071and a rounded shape or undercut1019extending from the side1017of the container1000into the underside of the handle1036shown inFIGS.30-32.

FIGS.33-36show embodiments of a container1100. Container1100may comprise an open body1120configured to receive and hold foodstuff. The body may include a blade assembly (130, for example) at its base1110. The blade assembly and base1110of the container1100may be configured to operatively couple to a blender base, such as blender base110shown inFIG.1or blender enclosure shown inFIG.15.

The body1120of the container1100may further comprise a shoulder1122, a neck1126, and a lip1129. The lip1129may have a perimeter edge1132and define an opening1130. The opening1130may further include a spout1134. The lip1129and spout1134may be similar to lip929and spout934shown inFIGS.20-21. The lip1129may be configured to operatively mate with the serving cup610or serving lid640. The body1120may further include one or more ribs to facilitate, for example, mixing of foodstuff during a blending operation. It is noted that container1100may include no mixing ribs in some embodiments. The body may further include a handle1136to facilitate, for example, positioning of the container1100and pouring of the blended contents, e.g., through tilting or inversion of the container1100.

As shown inFIGS.33-36, opening1130may be offset from the base1110or blade assembly (see blade axis1111). The shoulder1122may be elongated or extended on one side of the neck1126or opening1130, such as on the side that is directly above or over the base1130or blade axis1111. The extension of the opening1130to be offset from the base1130or blade axis1111may further result in a step-out portion1123extending from the base1110and to the body1120of the container. In an embodiment, the opening1130may be upright as shown inFIGS.35-36or angled as shown inFIGS.33-34. In an embodiment, the opening1130may be angled approximately 45 degrees from the body1120. The handle1136may attach at a single point to the body1120of the container1100and may be an ascent-type handle. In an example, the container1100may comprise a reverse draft body (e.g. 5 degree) and no mixing ribs.

Generally, the container1100may be sized and shaped to blend a desired quantity of foodstuff and to receive a consumer cup or lid610,640in lieu of a cover10,30(as described in respect toFIGS.3-36). The opening1130of the container1100may generally correspond to the consumer cup or lid. For example, the circumference1132of the opening1130may generally correspond to a circumference of the cup or lid so that the cup or lid may engage with or operatively attach to the opening1130of the container1100. In another example, the circumference1132of the opening1130may be smaller or more narrow than a circumference of the cup or lid so that the cup or lid may be placed or fit over to the opening1130of the container1100. Alternatively, the circumference1132of the opening1130may be larger or greater than a circumference of the cup or lid so that the cup or lid may be placed snugly within or into to the opening1130of the container1100.

Notably, the container1100, and circumference1132of the opening1130thereof, may be able to accommodate each of the above described fittings (engagement with corresponding diameter, loose fitting over the container1100, snug fitting within the container1100, etc.) with difference sized and shaped consumer cups or lids. Other diameters of the container1100may also be provided to accommodate different sized cups or lids, or other containers, such as bowls, etc.

Disclosed is a method for using a blending system and serving blended foodstuff. The method may include inserting foodstuff into a blending container through an open end of the blending container. The method may include covering at least a portion of the open end of the blending container with a serving cup or serving lid, or by positioning the container into an enclosure. The method may include actuating the blending system and blending the foodstuff. The method may include transferring the blended foodstuff from the blending container into the serving cup. The method may include removing the serving cup from the open end of the blending container prior to transferring the blended foodstuff from the blending container into the serving cup. The method may include rotating the blending container and the serving cup to transfer the blended foodstuff from the blending container into the serving cup. The rotation of the blending container and the serving cup may occur simultaneously and without separating the blending container and the serving cup.

It is noted that any of the described containers herein may include mating aspects, such as a neck, perimeter edge, and/or lip which are configured to engage with a rim or lip of a consumer lid or cup. The opening of the container may generally correspond to the consumer lid or cup so as to form a generally liquid tight seal such that when the container1000is rotated to dispense the foodstuff into a cup610the liquid portion of the foodstuff does not leak. An interior surface and/or exterior surface of the opening, neck, perimeter edge, and/or lip of the container may interact with an interior surface and/or exterior surface of the opening or rim of the consumer lid or cup. The consumer cup may generally be inverted and the consumer lid may be kept upright to serve as a cover to the containers during a blending process. In an embodiment, the open end of the container may be configured to be partially or fully covered by the consumer lid or consumer cup during blending of foodstuff. The consumer lid or cup may be used during a blending process as a cover for the container and may be used to receive or serve blended foodstuff from the container to the consumer.