Abstract:
An apparatus and method for containing and mixing a food product for direct distribution to a consumer. The container includes an agitator for mixing the food product, optionally with an added liquid such as water, milk or juice. The agitator may be incorporated into the base of the container. The agitator remains coupled to the container, which container can be made disposable/recyclable, which therefore provides an expedient method for food delivery.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of copending U.S. provisional application serial No. 60,249,964 filed Nov. 20, 2000, the teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a packaging system that delivers pre-measured doses of separate foods so that said food can be more conveniently and easily used in published and/or custom blending or mixing recipes. The invention herein therefore creates the situation wherein a user can prepare food with freshly blended or mixed taste, nutrient, and texture without the effort of measuring and preparing each ingredient.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    Culinary professionals and nutritionists are praising the superior taste and nutritional content of whole foods. At the same time, people have less and less time to shop for and prepare whole foods that they can incorporate into their diets. The strength of these two trends is indicated by the continued success of establishments purveying freshly blended fruit and vegetable drinks or freshly baked foods. Some people who strive to prepare freshly blended and mixed foods at home get the opportunity so infrequently that the fresh foods they are able to purchase and bring home have spoiled by the time they are ready to use them. Another barrier to making blended and mixed foods for time crunched or inexperienced consumers is the time and effort required to plan, measure and prepare the ingredients. Finally, after an individual has gone through the effort of making a blended or mixed food, the time and drudgery associated with cleaning up measuring spoons and cups, cutting boards, and bowls is likely to give them a reason to avoid this pursuit in the immediate future.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0004]    In broad embodiment, the present invention comprises a packaging system for keeping fresh and delivering prepared, minimally processed, pre-measured doses of food. The food can include but is not limited to dairy products such as yogurt, milk, cream, ice cream, fruits such as oranges, apples, bananas, grapes, vegetables such as carrots, celery, beets, flavorings such as sugar, honey, and spices. The food can be whole or processed. Processing can include, but is not limited to cutting, peeling, pickling, sugaring, stewing, mixing, toasting, baking, frying, and preserving. The food can be kept fresh by sealing and/or refrigerating or freezing it. Foods that are packaged together but must not be mixed until immediately before being consumed can be separated using a plastic barrier or an edible barrier. The barrier can be water soluble such as a starch or sugar film.  
           [0005]    It can be appreciated herein that in one embodiment, the present invention provides a system for ingredient delivery that allows the user to incorporate minimally processed foods into mixed and blended recipes, such as fruit smoothies, milkshakes, baked goods, etc.—without measuring and without preparing them. Various modifications of the present invention are of course possible, and are therefore included in the broad scope of the disclosure herein.  
           [0006]    Therefore, it is an object of the invention herein to provide a system for ingredient delivery that allows the user to incorporate minimally processed foods into mixed and blended recipes, such as fruit smoothies, milkshakes, baked goods, etc.—without measuring and without preparing them.  
           [0007]    It is also an object of the invention to deliver all the ingredients required for a recipe in a single container or in a consistent and co-located form at the point of sale so as to eliminate the hassle of procuring ingredients.  
           [0008]    It is also an object of this invention to keep foods separate until they are ready to be blended or mixed and consumed so as afford an individual, as closely as possible, the same taste, texture and nutrients that would be provided by fresh whole foods.  
           [0009]    It is also an object of this invention that the food package includes the container and mixing element required to mix the ingredients so that no other containers are used or must be cleaned. This included container and mixing element could be disposable or collectible.  
           [0010]    It is also an object of the invention to provide a prepackaged food product comprising a container having a connector at an open end for securing the container to a mixing apparatus, an airtight seal covering the open end, a food product enclosed between the container and the seal, and a cover securable to the open end, the cover comprising an agitator for causing mixing of the food product.  
           [0011]    It is also an object of the invention to provide a prepackaged food product comprising a container, a divider for dividing the container into a plurality of smaller compartments, the divider contained within an interior volume of the container wherein a first compartment comprises a first food product and a second compartment comprises a second food product, and so on.  
           [0012]    It is also an object of the invention to provide a prepackaged food product comprising a container having an interior volume and an open end, a food product, an agitator spaced from the open end for causing mixing of the food product, and an airtight seal covering the open end.  
           [0013]    It is also an object of the invention to provide a drive mechanism, comprising a housing, the housing configured to engageably couple a pair of parallel generally planar surfaces, and a motor substantially enclosed within the housing, the motor having an output shaft, the motor coupleable to a power source for causing actuation of the output shaft to drive the agitator within the food container.  
           [0014]    It is also an object of the invention to provide a prepackaged food product comprising a container having a first end and a second end, the container comprising a connector at the first end for securing the container to a mixing apparatus, a first airtight seal covering the first end, a second airtight seal covering the second end, and a food product disposed within the container.  
           [0015]    It is also an object of the invention to provide a container for holding a liquid, comprising a base portion, the base portion having a first generally planar region proximate a perimeter, an upwardly standing region located within the base portion, an agitator integral with the upwardly standing region, and a side wall extending upwardly from the base portion about the perimeter.  
           [0016]    It is also an object of the invention to provide a prepackaged food product, comprising a base portion, an agitator mechanically coupled to the base portion, a side wall extending upwardly from the base portion, the base portion and the sidewall forming an interior volume, a food product disposed in the interior volume, and an air tight seal contacting the sidewall for preserving the food product.  
           [0017]    It is also an object of the invention to provide a blender base comprising a housing, a motor substantially enclosed within the housing, the motor having a longitudinally rotatable output shaft, a linkage coupled to the output shaft and a coupled member, the linkage configured to cause an end of the coupled member to move about a non circular path, and a power source for causing rotation of the output shaft.  
           [0018]    It is also an object of the invention to provide a blender base comprising a housing, a motor substantially enclosed within the housing, the motor having an output shaft, a linkage coupled to the output shaft configured to cause a coupled member to oscillate, and a power source for causing rotation of the output shaft.  
           [0019]    The above and other objects, feature, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent in the following detailed description thereof when read in conjunction with the appended drawings wherein the same reference numerals denote the same or similar parts throughout the several views. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0020]    [0020]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first exemplary prepackaged food product consistent with the present invention;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a second exemplar prepackaged food product consistent with the present invention;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIGS. 2B and 2C are perspective views of a third exemplary prepackaged food product consistent with the present invention;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a forth exemplary prepackaged food product consistent with the present invention;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 3B is a perspective view of a fifth exemplary prepackaged food product consistent with the present invention;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a first drive mechanism consistent with the present invention;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a container and a second drive mechanism consistent with the present invention;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 6 is a section view of the container of FIG. 5;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIGS. 6A, 6B, and  6 C are cross section views of a seal having an area of mechanical weakness consistent with the present invention;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a sixth exemplary prepackaged food product consistent with the present invention;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 8A is a perspective view of a seventh exemplary prepackaged food product consistent with the present invention;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 8B is a perspective view of a eighth exemplary prepackaged food product consistent with the present invention;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 8C is a perspective view of a ninth exemplary prepackaged food product consistent with the present invention;  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 9A is a perspective view of a first exemplary mechanism for separating a prepackaged food product from its packaging consistent with the present invention;  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 9B is a perspective view of a second exemplary mechanism for separating a prepackaged food product from its packaging consistent with the present invention;  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 9C is a perspective view of a third exemplary mechanism for separating a prepackaged food product from its packaging consistent with the present invention;  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a tenth exemplary prepackaged food product consistent with the present invention;  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 11A is a perspective view of a first exemplary container consistent with the present invention;  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 11B is a perspective view of a second exemplary container consistent with the present invention;  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 11C is a perspective view of a third exemplary container consistent with the present invention;  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 12 is a front view of a container of FIGS. 11A, 11B, or  11 C coupled to a drive mechanism;  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 13 is a partial section view of a third drive mechanism consistent with the present invention;  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 13A is a plan view of a first exemplary linkage useful in the drive mechanism of FIG. 13;  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 13B is a view of the possible paths of an output coupling of the drive mechanism of FIG. 12;  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 14 is a section view of the container of FIG. 11A;  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 15 is a section view of the container of FIG. 11B;  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 15A is an enlarged view of a section of FIG. 15;  
         [0047]    [0047]FIG. 16 is a section view of the container of FIG. 11C, and  
         [0048]    [0048]FIG. 17 is a cut away view of another exemplary container consistent with the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0049]    [0049]FIG. 1 shows a prepackaged food product  100  including a container  114 . The container  114  has a base portion  104  and an open end  102 . A connector  106  is disposed about the open end  102  for securing the container  114  to a mixing apparatus. In one embodiment, the connector  106  may include a screw thread. In a second embodiment, the connector  106  may include any means for securing the container to the mixing apparatus including but not limited to a press fit connection, a lip, and a latch mechanism. A removable seal  112  may be secured to the open end  102  to maintain an airtight seal. The seal may be made from a foil, plastic, or another suitable material. A food product  116  may be enclosed within an interior volume formed by the container  114  and the open end  102 . The interior volume may be 6 oz to 32 oz, preferably 10 oz to 24 oz, more preferably 10 oz to 20 oz. The food product  116  may include but is not limited to dairy products such as yogurt, milk, cream, ice cream, fruits such as oranges, apples, bananas, grapes, vegetables such as carrots, celery, beets, flavorings such as sugar, honey, and spices. The food can be whole or processed. Processing can include, but is not limited to cutting, peeling, pickling, sugaring, stewing, mixing, toasting, baking, frying, and preserving. The prepackaged food product  100  may further include a cover  108  securable to the connector  106  at the open end  102  of the container  114 . The cover  108  may include an agitator  118 . The agitator  118  may include a single blade or a plurality of blades including metal, plastic or other suitable material. The agitator  118  may be coupled to a drive coupling  110  for causing mixing of the food product  116 . The container  114  may include indicia  130  indicative of a predetermined quantity of an ingredient or liquid  124  to be added to the container, for example water, juice, coffee, syrup, or a dairy product, more particularly milk. The indicia  130  may include text or symbols. Other prepackaged foods for example a filler  120  and nuts or chips  122  may be added to the container. These liquids and other food products may be added to the container after the seal  112  has been removed.  
         [0050]    After the food product and liquids have been added to the container  114 , the cover  108  may be secured to the connector  106  at the open end  102  of the container  114 . The drive coupling  110  of the cover  108  may then be coupled to an output shaft of a drive mechanism (not shown).  
         [0051]    [0051]FIG. 2A shows a prepackaged food product  200  including a container  214 . The container  214  has a base portion  204  and an open end  202 . A connector  206  is disposed about the open end  202  for securing the container  214  to a mixing apparatus. In one embodiment, the connector  206  may include a screw thread. In a second embodiment, the connector  206  may include any means for securing the container to the mixing apparatus including but not limited to a press fit connection, a lip, and a latch mechanism. A removable seal (not shown for clarity) may be secured to the open end  202  to maintain an airtight seal. A first food product  216 A, a second food product  216 B, and a third food product  216 C may be enclosed within an interior volume formed by the container  114  and the removable seal. The interior volume may be 6 oz to 32 oz, preferably 10 oz to 24 oz, more preferably 16 oz to 24 oz. A divider  208  may separate the first food product  216 A, the second food product  216 B, and the third food product  216 C. The divider  208  may be enclosed within an interior volume formed by the container  114  and the open end  202 . The divider may include a plastic or a liquid soluble material for example made of a starch or a sugar-based ingredient. The liquid soluble material may be water soluble. The divider  208  may include a plurality of fins  208 A,  208 B,  208 C, and  208 D for dividing the interior volume into a plurality of smaller compartments. Each smaller compartment may include a different food product or ingredient. The divider  208  may divide the container into a plurality of generally vertical or generally horizontal compartments. The divider may provide an airtight seal between the different ingredients. The divider  208  may be manually removed to allow the ingredients to come into contact with each other prior to mixing. The container  214  may be coupled to the cover  108  shown in FIG. 1 for mixing of the food products.  
         [0052]    [0052]FIG. 2B shows a container  214 ′ including a plurality of generally horizontal dividers  208 A′ and  208 B′. FIG. 2C show the container  214 ′ of FIG. 2B with a plurality of food products  220 ′,  222 ′, and  224 ′ separated by a generally horizontal divider  208 A′ and  208 B′.  
         [0053]    [0053]FIGS. 3A shows a prepackaged food product  300 . The prepackaged food product  300  may include a container  314  having a base  302  and an opening spaced from the base. The opening may have an airtight seal covering the opening. A removable cap  308  may be disposed over the airtight seal. The cap  308  can be removed and returned more than one time. The airtight seal may allow the pressure within the interior volume to be different from the pressure outside the interior volume. The interior volume may be 6 oz to 32 oz, preferably 10 oz to 24 oz, more preferably 16 oz to 24 oz. For example, the pressure inside the interior of the container may be less than the pressure outside the interior. Air inside the interior of the container may be evacuated prior to placement of the airtight seal. The container defining an interior volume for holding a food product. The airtight seal helping prevent contaminants from contacting the food product. The base  302  may include an agitator spaced from the open end for causing mixing of the food product. The agitator may be coupled to a drive mechanism for causing movement of the agitator. The agitator may rotate or oscillate.  
         [0054]    The airtight seal may include an area of mechanical weakness. The area of mechanical weakness may be an area where the seal material has a lower tear strength than the surrounding area (see FIG. 6A), an area where the thickness of the seal is less than that of a surrounding area (see FIG. 6B), or an area including a preformed fracture (see FIG. 6C). The area of mechanical weakness may allow a straw or other utensil to be more easily inserted through the seal  
         [0055]    The food product may include but is not limited to dairy products such as yogurt, milk, cream, ice cream, fruits such as oranges, apples, bananas, grapes, vegetables such as carrots, celery, beets, flavorings such as sugar, honey, and spices. The food can be whole or processed. Processing can include, but is not limited to cutting, peeling, pickling, sugaring, stewing, mixing, toasting, baking, frying, and preserving.  
         [0056]    [0056]FIG. 3B shows a prepackaged food product  400 . The prepackaged food product  400  may include a container  414  having a base  402  and an open end spaced from the base  402 . The open end may have an airtight seal covering the open end. The container  314  may comprise a handle  410 . The interior volume of the container  414  may be 6 oz to 32 oz, preferably 10 oz to 24 oz, more preferably 16 oz to 24 oz.  
         [0057]    [0057]FIG. 4 shows a drive mechanism  500 . The drive mechanism  500  may include a housing  502 . The housing may be configured to be coupled to a work surface  504 . The work surface  504  including a first generally planar upper surface  506  and a second generally planar lower surfaces  508 . The first planar surface  506  generally parallel with the second planar surface  508 . The housing may include an adjustable screw  516  to allow the housing to be secured to work surfaces of varying thickness The housing  502  may house a motor (not shown), the motor having an output shaft driven by the motor. The motor is powered by a power source; the power source may be an AC source or a DC source. The motor may be coupled to the source through a line cord  512 . The drive mechanism  500  may further include a coupling  510  coupled to the output shaft. The coupling  510  may be driven directly from the output shaft or through a linkage coupled to the output shaft. The directly driven coupling rotating about a longitudinal axis of the output shaft. The linkage driven coupling as shown in FIG. 13A urging the coupling  510  to oscillate. The coupling  510  may be configured to drive an agitator disposed in a base of a mixing container. The housing  502  may include a receiving portion  514  for receiving a portion of a mixing container. The housing  502  may further include an actuator electrically coupled to the motor. The motor configured to operate when the actuator is actuated. The actuator may be disposed within the receiving portion  514  of the housing such that contact with the mixing container causes the motor to operate.  
         [0058]    [0058]FIG. 5 shows a container  300 ′ coupleable to a drive mechanism  500 ′. The drive mechanism  500 ′ may include a motor having a coupling  510 ′. The motor may be substantially housed in a housing  502 ′. The top surface of the housing  502 ′ may include a receiving portion  514 ′ preferably shaped to accept a cooperating container  300 ′.  
         [0059]    [0059]FIG. 6 shows a cross section view of a container  300 ′. An indicia  330  may be included on a surface of the container  300 ′. The indicia may indicate a predetermined quantity of an ingredient or volume of a liquid to be added to the container. The indicia may include text or symbol.  
         [0060]    [0060]FIG. 7 shows a prepackaged food product  600  including a container  614 . The container may be used to cook the ingredients. The container may be made of high temperature plastics, aluminum or other metals. A first food product  616 A and a second food product  616 B may be enclosed within an interior volume formed by the container  614  and an open end  602 . A removable seal  606  may be secured to the open end  602  to maintain an airtight seal. A divider  608  may separate the first food product  616 A and the second food product  616 B. The divider  608  may be enclosed within the interior volume formed by the container  614  and the open end  602 . The divider  608  may include a plastic or a liquid soluble material. The liquid soluble material may be water-soluble. The divider  608  may include a plurality of fins  608 A,  608 B,  608 C, and  608 D for dividing the interior volume into a plurality of smaller compartments for each of the food products  616 A and  616 B. The divider  608  may divide the container  614  into a plurality of generally vertical compartments. The divider  608  may provide an airtight seal between the different food products. The divider  608  may be manually removed to allow the ingredients to come into contact with each other. The container may include a centrally disposed protrusion  634  extending upwardly from the base of the container. The divider  608  may rest on the protrusion and the fins may extend radially outward towards the inside wall of the container. The divider may be coupled to an apparatus that rotates the divider about its center thus mixing the ingredients contained within the container.  
         [0061]    [0061]FIG. 10 shows a prepackaged food product  700 . The prepackaged food product  700  may include a container  714 . The container may have a first end  702  and a second end  704 . End  702  may have a first removable airtight seal  706  and end  704  may have a second removable airtight seal  708 . End  702  may include a connector, for example a screw thread. The airtight seal  708  may include an area of mechanical weakness  710 . Contained in an interior volume formed by the container and the first and second seal may be a food product  712 . The interior volume may be 6 oz to 32 oz, preferably 10 oz to 24 oz, more preferably 16 oz to 24 oz. The airtight seals help preserve the food product. To begin the mixing process, an individual removes the first airtight seal  706 , adds a liquid  720 , for example water, milk or a juice, and then secures an agitator end cap  718  to the end  702  with the connector. The individual then couples the container  714  and the agitator end cap  718  to a drive mechanism that causes the agitator to rotate and mix the food product  712  and the liquid  720 . The airtight seal  708  may then be removed and the container, with the agitator end cap secured, may be given to a customer. Alternatively, a straw may be inserted through the area of weakness  710  in the airtight seal  708 .  
         [0062]    [0062]FIGS. 11A, 11B, and  11 C show containers  1000 ,  1100 , and  1200  respectively. The containers  1000 ,  1100 , and  1200  may include an integral agitator disposed about a base portion. The container  1000 ,  1100 , and  1200  are configured for holding a liquid. The interior volume of the container  1000 ,  1100 , and  1200  may be 6 oz to 32 oz, preferably 10 oz to 24 oz, more preferably 16 oz to 24 oz. The containers  1000 ,  1100 , and  1200  include a base portion  1004 ,  1104 ,  1204 , the base portion having a first generally planar region proximate a perimeter of the container, and an upwardly extending region  1006 ,  1106 ,  1206  extending from the planar region. As shown in FIG. 11A and 11C, the upwardly extending region may include a generally serpentine surface. The containers  1000 ,  1100 ,  1200  may include a sidewall  10008 ,  1108 ,  1208  extending upwardly from the base portion about the perimeter. An agitator  1018  and  1218  may be integral formed with the generally serpentine surface. The generally serpentine surface may be configured to allow a distal end  1018 A,  1218 A of the agitator  1018 ,  1218  to move relative to the base portion  1004 ,  1204 . The distal end  1018 A,  1218 A of the agitator  1018 ,  1218  may be caused to oscillate, rotate, or move about a non-circular path when driven by a driver mechanism (see FIG. 13B). Oscillate means that the end  1018 A,  1218 A of the agitator  1018 ,  1218  moves from a first position to a second position along a first path and then returns to the first position along the same path (see FIG. 13B). By rotate it is meant the end  1018 A,  1218 A of the agitator  1018 ,  1218  moves about a path defined by a circular path (see FIG. 13B). The serpentine surface may be formed by a plurality of concentric ribs formed about a longitudinal axis of the container.  
         [0063]    The upwardly extending region  1006 ,  1106 ,  1206  and the base region  1004 ,  1104 ,  1204  are preferably formed of a common material and may be formed at the same time. The sidewall  1008 ,  1108 ,  1208 , the base region  1004 ,  1104 ,  1204  the upwardly extending region  1006 ,  1106 ,  1206 , and the agitator  1018 ,  1118 ,  1218  may be formed from a polymeric material including but not limited to polystyrene, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, polycarbonate, and ABS, formed by a forming process including, but not limited to injection molding, thermoforming, slush molding, blow molding, and compression molding. The container may also be formed by a blend or alloy of polymeric material. In another embodiment, the container may be of composite construction. The sidewall may be formed from a different material from the upwardly extending region, the agitator, and the base portion. For example, the sidewall may be formed of a paper-based material. The container may further include an airtight seal disposed across an opening of the container. The airtight seal may be used to help preserve a food product stored in the container. The components, upwardly extending portion, base region, sidewall, and agitator, may be formed by a composite forming operation i.e. different operations are used to form the sidewall and the base.  
         [0064]    In FIG. 11A and FIG. 14, the agitator  1018  includes a hollow portion. One end  1018 A of the agitator  1018  is sealed and an opposing end  1018 B is open to the outside of the container. In a preferred alternative embodiment, the agitator is integrally formed with the base portion, i.e., it is of unitary construction and is not separately formed and joined to the base portion.  
         [0065]    The hollow portion of the agitator may be configured to allow a shaft to be at least partially inserted therein. The agitator may be moved by an inserted shaft. The outside shape of the agitator  1018  may be any shape including, but not limited to a circle and an oval. The length of the agitator  1018  above the upwardly extending region  1006  may be 5% to 50%, preferably 5% to 30% of the overall height of the container  1000 . Alternatively, although not shown in FIG. 14, it is clear that the base can extend completely across the bottom of the container, and the agitator  1018  can extend upwardly from such base.  
         [0066]    In FIG. 11C and FIG. 16, an agitator  1218  includes an elongated shaft that extends upwardly and downwardly from the serpentine surface. The portion of the shaft that extends upwardly may be straight or bent. The portion of the shaft that extends downward can be moved by a driver mechanism having a properly configured drive coupling. The outside shape of the shaft  1118  may be any shape including, but not limited to a circle and an oval. The length of the agitator  1118  above the upwardly extending region  1106  may be 5% to 50%, preferably 55 to 30% of the overall height of the container  1100 . The portion  1218 B,  1418 B of the shaft that extends downward preferably does not extend beyond the base portion  1204 ,  1404 . The distance from the bottom of the shaft to the base is shown as “D”, which is preferably greater than or equal to zero. This allows the base portion  1204 ,  1404  of the container  1200 ,  1400  to sit on a flat surface without tipping to one side.  
         [0067]    In one embodiment, the upwardly extending region  1006 ,  1206  or the agitator  1018 ,  1218  may be first formed and then insert molded with the base region  1004 ,  1204  and/or the upwardly extending region  1003 ,  1206 .  
         [0068]    [0068]FIG. 13 shows details of a drive mechanism  1300  for use with the container  1000 ,  1200  of FIG. 11A and 11B. The drive mechanism includes a housing  1302 , a motor  1304  substantially enclosed within the housing, the motor having a longitudinally rotatable output shaft, a power source for movement of the output shaft, and a linkage  1306  (see FIG. 13A) coupled to the output shaft, the linkage  1306  configured to cause an end of the linkage to oscillate through an angle θ. The angle θ may be from 5° to 50°. Other linkage may be used to achieve an oscillating output. An end  1306 ′, of the linkage  1306 , may be at least partially inserted in the end  1018 E of agitator  1018  disposed in the base portion of the container  1000 . Alternatively, the linkage  1306 ′ may include a coupling for coupling the linkage to the lower portion of agitator  1218  of container  1200 . The housing  1302  may be configured to receive the containers  1000  and  1200 . In an alternatively drive mechanism, the linkage may cause an end of the linkage to move in a non-circular path. In another alternative embodiment, the drive mechanism may cause an agitator to rotate.  
         [0069]    The housing  1302  may further include a manual actuator  1308  electrically coupled to the motor  1304  allowing a user to turn the motor on and off. Alternatively, the housing may include an actuator  1310  coupled to the motor  1304 , actuation of the actuator  1310  by a mixing container causing the motor  1304  to rotate. Alternatively, a sensor may be included in the housing that is configured to sense coupling of a mixing container to the drive mechanism. The sensor generating a signal when a mixing container is coupled to the drive mechanism, thereby causing the motor to rotate.  
         [0070]    In FIG. 11B and FIG. 15, a container  1100  is shown. The container includes a base portion  1104 , an upstanding portion  1106 , an agitator  1118  mechanically coupled to the upstanding portion  1106 , and a sidewall  1108  extending upwardly from the base portion  1104 . A prepackaged food product may include the container  1100  and a food product  1140  disposed in an interior volume formed by the base portion  1104 , the sidewall  1108 , and an airtight seal  1142  contacting the sidewall for preserving the food product. The interior volume of the container  1000 ,  1100 , and  1200  may be 6 oz to 32 oz, preferably 10 oz to 24 oz, more preferably 16 oz to 24 oz. The agitator  1118  may be rotatable about the base portion  1104 . The agitator  1118  may include a first surface  1150  disposed within the interior volume; the first surface  1150  comprises an upwardly extending fin  1152  or a plurality of upwardly extending fins. The agitator  1118  may further include a drive coupling  1156  that extends downwardly from the upstanding portion towards the base  1104 , but does not extend beyond the base portion  1104 . The coupling coupleable to an output shaft of a drive motor. The fins  1152  rotating in a circular path when the drive coupling is rotated. The distance from the bottom of the drive coupling  1156  to the base  1104  is shown as “D”, which is preferably greater than or equal to zero. This allows the base portion  1104  of the container  1100  to sit on a flat surface without tipping to one side. FIG. 12 shows a container  1000 ,  1100  or  1200  coupled to a drive mechanism.  
         [0071]    [0071]FIG. 15 is a section view of the container  1100  of FIG. 11B. The agitator  1118  may be formed in a separate forming step from the base portion  1104 , the upstanding region  1106 , and the sidewall  1108 . The agitator  1118  may be inserted through an opening formed in the upwardly extending region  1106 . The agitator  1118  may be moveable between a first position in which the agitator can be freely rotated and a second position in which the agitator is sealed to the upwardly extending portion to prevent leakage of liquid from the container  1100 . The upwardly extending portion and the agitator may have cooperating protrusions  1160  and indentations  1162  to provide a seal  1158 . The seal  1158  may be located between surfaces of the agitator and the upwardly extending portion or horizontal surface  1106 . To mix the ingredients inside the container  1100 , the agitator may be pulled downward into the first position and to seal the liquid in the container when the mixing is complete, the agitator may be moved upward to the second position. In an alternative embodiment, a seal may be added on the outside of the container after mixing to prevent leaks. In another embodiment, agitator may be sealed to the upwardly extending portion through the use of heat or force.  
         [0072]    [0072]FIG. 17 shows an alternative container construction. A container  1400  has an upwardly extending portion  1406  that is coupled to a base portion  1404  located along a bottom edge of sidewall  1408 . The upwardly extending portion  1406  and the base portion may be joined so as to prevent the egress of liquids. As noted above, the upwardly extending portion  1406  may be made separately from the other components of a similar or dissimilar material from a similar or dissimilar forming process. An agitator  1418  may be integrally formed with the upwardly extending portion  1406 . Other agitators, for example the agitator shown in FIGS. 11A and 14, may be substituted for the agitator  1418  and should be considered part of the applicant&#39;s invention.  
         [0073]    A feature or features shown in one embodiment may be combined with another embodiments and shall be considered part of the applicant&#39;s invention.  
         [0074]    It should be understood that, while the present invention has been described in detail herein, the invention can be embodied otherwise without departing from the principles thereof, and such other embodiments are meant to come within the scope of the present invention as defined in the following claim(s):