Abstract:
A variety of embodiments of blending containers are shown herein. In one embodiment, the blending container includes a mixing blade that rotates on an axis adjacent to the bottom of the blending container. The blending container includes one or more walls that extend upward from the bottom and a handle secured to the one or more walls. The blending container may be configured so that a vortex created when liquid is blended inside the container is not positioned over the axis. The blending containers may also be configured to stack inside one another.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/823,625, filed on 27 Jun. 2007, now pending, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/318,830, filed 26 Dec. 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,281,842, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/947,682, filed 23 Sep. 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,979,117, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/150,919, filed 17 May 2002, U.S. Pat. No. 6,811,303. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to blending devices, and more particularly to blending devices capable of high-volume, rapid-succession production of blended beverages. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Food processors and blending devices have existed for many years. One example of a blending device is shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,655,834, which is incorporated in its entirety by this reference. 
         [0004]    Food processors and blending machines are being used now more than ever, particularly in the high-volume, commercial beverage industry. People are increasingly becoming aware of the benefits, in terms of taste and quality, of well-processed beverages. Blended fruit smoothies and similar fruit drinks, popular with all types of people ranging from the fitness conscious to the less active, require a food processor or blending machine. Cold beverages, in particular, which utilize fruit (frozen or fresh) and ice to prepare present unique challenges in beverage preparation. An appropriate blending machine will break down the ice, fruit, and other ingredients in attempting to achieve an ideal uniform drink consistency. In addition, food processors or blending machines are ideal for mixing nutritional supplements into beverages while similarly attempting to achieve an ideal uniform drink consistency. 
         [0005]    In addition to the recent increase in the popularity of smoothies, food processors and blending machines are being used to produce many new and different beverages. For example, different types of coffees, shakes, dairy drinks, and the like are now commonly served at many different types of retail business locations. Consumers are demanding more diversity and variety in the beverages available at these smoothie and other retail stores. The keys to producing a high quality beverage, irrespective of the specific type of beverage, are quality ingredients and a high quality blending machine that will quickly and efficiently blend the ingredients to produce a drink with uniform consistency. 
         [0006]    One problem associated with businesses that depend on blending machines is the speed with which the beverage or drink is prepared. In the food preparation industry, time equals money. Beverages have traditionally been made by retrieving the appropriate ingredients, placing the ingredients inside a mixing container, and actuating a motor which drives a blade mounted inside the mixing container to blend the contents held within the mixing container. Virtually all traditional blending devices require some type of manual programming by tactile actuation (i.e., actuation by the operator&#39;s fingertips) of at least one switch, and commonly several switches (particularly where variable speeds are desired), through a key pad or the like to initiate operation of the blending device. Such programming requires focused action by the operator and, as a result, takes up time in the blending process. Each second of time wasted, even a fraction of a second of time wasted, adds up over time to significant amounts of money lost for any commercial operation. 
         [0007]    Another problem with respect to prior blending devices relates to safety. While the potential for the beverage ingredients to be hurled all over the place may provide some incentive to place a lid on the mixing container before blending, any additional incentive to maintain a lid on the mixing container during processing will enhance safety. 
         [0008]    Still another traditional problem with respect to blending devices relates to cavitation, which occurs when a pocket of air envelops the area surrounding the blade. Efforts are continually being made to design blending devices to reduce cavitation. 
         [0009]    Yet another problem with respect to traditional blending devices relates to the type of ingredients that need to be mixed to create an optimal drink consistency, and the ability of the blending device to handle such ingredients. For example, individually quick frozen (IQF) fruit is now commonly used in making smoothies. Most blending devices are simply not capable of appropriately handling IQF fruit to achieve an optimal, uniform consistency. 
         [0010]    In view of the foregoing, there is a need to provide a blending station apparatus and method of blending that will allow beverages to be made quickly and efficiently minimizing the overall time required between ordering a beverage and serving the beverage to the customer. There is also a need to provide a blending apparatus and blending method that will minimize the need to program the blending device just prior to actuating the device. There is still further a need to develop a blending device that reduces cavitation. Yet another need exists to provide a blending device with a blade and jar configuration that will produce a beverage with an optimal, uniform consistency with respect to all desired ingredients. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    The present invention relates to a blending apparatus which includes an articulable housing that pivots relative to a surface, which may be a stationary base or the surface supporting the blending apparatus, to actuate at least one switch to initiate a blending cycle. As the switch is actuated, by downward pressure exerted on one side of the blending device, the blade mounted inside the mixing container rotates at a first speed. As the articulable housing is rotated further toward the stationary surface, one or more an additional switches may be actuated to causes the blade mounted within the mixing container to rotate at sequentially higher speeds. After the appropriate mixing, and the operator of the blending device releases the downward pressure on the housing, a bias member, such as a coil spring, urges the housing upward away from engagement with the switches to cut off power supplied to the motor and stop blade rotation. 
         [0012]    Another aspect of the present invention relates to the internal shape of the mixing container. The mixing container geometry shifts the center of the fluid-flow vortex off-center relative to the rotational axis of the blade. This reduces cavitation which commonly occurs where the fluid-flow vortex is concentric with the axis of rotation of the blending blade. 
         [0013]    Still another aspect of the present invention relates to the relative size of the mixing blade and its orientation relative to the sidewalls of the mixing container. The combined geometry of the mixing container in combination with the blade allows all types of ingredients, including IQF fruit, to be blended in the blending device to produce a drink with a desired, uniform consistency. 
         [0014]    The foregoing and other features, utilities and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a side elevation view of a blending apparatus according to the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the articulable housing utilized in connection with the blending device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the underside of the housing of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the stationary base of the blending device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the underside of the stationary base of the blending device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the top side of the switch plate utilized in connection with the blending device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the underside of the switch plate utilized in connection with the blending device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the switch plate with a motor secured inside the motor receiving area of the switch plate; 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  is a partial perspective view of the blending apparatus of  FIG. 1  showing the stationary base removed and showing the switch plate secured inside the housing of  FIG. 2  and holding the motor in operative position within the housing of the blending device; 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the mixing jar utilized in connection with the blending apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 11  is a top view of the mixing jar of  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 12  is an enlarged, partial sectional side elevation view of the blade assembly mounted within the mixing jar as shown in  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 13  is a side elevation view of the jar showing how an additional jar can be stacked on top; 
           [0028]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the top side of the lid utilized in connection with the mixing jar of  FIG. 10 ; and 
           [0029]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of the bottom side of the lid utilized in connection with the mixing jar shown in  FIG. 10 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0030]    The present invention relates to a blending apparatus  20  which, in one embodiment, the blending apparatus  20  is a stand-alone, portable blending device. 
         [0031]    The blending device  20  comprises a stationary base  22  and a motor housing or cover  24  which articulates relative to stationary base  22  to actuate one or more switches which cause the blender to operate. The description of the manner in which one or more switches are actuated is set forth below. The blending device  20  further comprises a mixing container or jar  26  in which a mixing blade  28  is rotatably mounted. The blending device still further comprises a lid  30  which covers the open end of the jar  26  during operation. 
         [0032]    The housing or cover  24 , as shown in  FIG. 2-3 , comprises a shell-like cover structure  32  which serves to hold and protect the motor which drives the blending device  20 . Any suitable motor know to those skilled in the art may be utilized without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The housing  24  further defines a mounting base  34  for the jar which comprises four upstanding guide extensions  36  which serve to guide and hold the jar  26  in place in operative position on the housing. A central aperture  38  is formed in the articulable housing  24  which receives a splined receptacle coupled to the motor. The splined motor receptacle receives, in turn, the splined shaft coupled to the mixing blade (described below). 
         [0033]    A plurality of archways  40  are formed in the bottom of housing  24 . The archways  40  allow an appropriate amount of air circulation underneath the blending apparatus  20  and about the motor (described below). 
         [0034]    With reference to  FIG. 3 , a plurality of relatively short motor guides or flanges  42  and a pair of relatively long motor guides or flanges  44  extend downwardly and integrally from the shell wall  32  of the housing  24 . The guides  42 ,  44  require that an appropriately sized motor be mounted within the housing in an appropriate orientation so that the splined receptacle for the shaft of the blender blade  28  will be concentrically mounted within aperture  38 . 
         [0035]    A plurality of integral, first locking retainers  46  ( FIG. 3 ) extend inwardly from the shell  32  to retain the switch plate  50  ( FIGS. 6-8 ) within the housing  24 . A plurality of integral, second locking retainers  48  also extend inwardly from the shell wall  32  to retain the stationary base  22  as part of the overall unit which comprises the blending apparatus  20 . A plurality of first shelf members  52  (only two sets shown) extend inwardly and integrally from shell wall  32  to support the switch plate  50 , and a plurality of second shelf members  54  (only set shown) extend inwardly and integrally from shell wall  32  to provide support for the base portion  22  of the blending apparatus  20 . 
         [0036]      FIGS. 4 and 5  show the stationary base  22  utilized in connection with the present invention. The base includes four foot locations  56  which define circular wells or pockets into which rubber feet  58  ( FIG. 5 ) are mounted. The rubber feet  58  provide enhanced friction for the surface on which the blending apparatus  20  rests. Still further, the rubber feet  58  are resilient and provide a shock-absorbing and quieting benefit to the blending apparatus  20 . 
         [0037]    The base  22  defines a central well or concave area  60  which provides a space to allow for articulation of the combined switch plate  50 /motor  80  (described below) into the well  60 . The base  22  further includes an aperture  62  for receiving a power cord  61  ( FIG. 9 ) which supplies power to the motor. The base further defines three vent areas  64 ,  66 ,  68  which allow a sufficient amount of air to flow inside of the cover  24  and around the motor for efficient and effective cooling of the motor. A plurality of archways  70  are formed in each side of the base and are intended to be aligned with archways  40  ( FIGS. 1-3 ) formed in the housing  24  to allow an appropriate flow of air underneath the blending apparatus  20  and around the motor  80 . 
         [0038]    A plurality of rigid, integral posts  72 ,  74 ,  76  extend upwardly from base  22 . The posts  72 ,  74 ,  76  are oriented opposite switches secured to the articulable housing  24 . As described below, the relatively tall post  72  engages a first switch upon articulation of the housing  24  and switch plate  50  relative to the base  22 . As the housing  24  and switch plate  50  are further articulated relative to base  22 , relatively shorter posts  74 ,  76  engage other switches to increase the operational speed of the blending apparatus. To ensure that the base  22  fits snugly and appropriately inside of the bottom of housing  24 , a plurality of tabs  78  (only one pair are shown) extend outwardly from the main portion of base  22 . 
         [0039]    While the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-9  shows a plurality of switches utilized in connection with the blending device  20 , it is to be understood that a single switch may be utilized. Any suitable type of switch known to those skilled in the art may be utilized in connection with the blending device without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, an infinitely variable speed switch, which increases the rotational speed of the blending blade in proportion to the distance by which the switch is depressed, may be utilized in connection with the present invention. Still further, a type of variable resistance cushioned foot may be utilized so that the degree of deformation of the deformable foot can be measured and the rotational speed of the blade changed in proportion to the degree of deformation of the foot. These are simply examples of switches that may be utilized. Those skilled in the art will understand the various types of switches that may be utilized in connection with the present invention. 
         [0040]      FIGS. 6-8  show the switch plate  50  which secures the motor  60  ( FIG. 8 ) inside the articulable housing  24 . The switch plate  50  includes generally a motor retaining area  81  which includes a central aperture  82  for concentrically mounting a bearing associated with the shaft of motor  80 . Guide walls  83 ,  84 ,  85 ,  86  provide a relatively tight fit for motor  80  such that the motor can be properly aligned with respect to the switch plate  50 . Grooves  87  allow lead wires for the motor to extend through guide walls  83 ,  85 . Passageways  88 ,  90  provide mounting locations for brushes for the motor. Open areas  89 ,  91 ,  93  ( FIGS. 6-9 ) allow air to circulate about motor  80  ( FIGS. 8 and 9 ). 
         [0041]    After the motor  80  has been positioned in its appropriate location inside motor receiving area  81 , the entire assembly is urged upwardly into the articulable housing  24  ( FIGS. 2 and 3 ) until the transverse wall  88  of the switch plate  50  snaps into place and is held in the appropriate position by retaining tabs  46  ( FIG. 3 ). When appropriately installed, the drive spline  92  ( FIG. 8 ) and associated bearing  94  fit snugly inside of mounting aperture  38  ( FIG. 3 ) in the articulable housing  24 .  FIG. 9  shows the motor  80  and switch plate  50  secured inside of housing  24 . 
         [0042]    The switch plate  50  further defines a plurality of apertures  96 ,  98 ,  100  ( FIGS. 6-8 ) which receive a plurality of switches  102 ,  104 ,  106  ( FIG. 9 ). The appropriate lead wires  108 ,  110 ,  112  are coupled to switches  102 ,  104 ,  106 , respectively, and provide power to the motor  80 . Upon securing the switch plate  50  and appropriately secured switches  102 ,  104 ,  106  inside of housing  24 , the switches  102 ,  104 ,  106  are positioned for appropriate engagement with posts  72 ,  74 ,  76  ( FIG. 4 ) upon articulation of the housing  24  relative to the base  22 . 
         [0043]    To bias the base  22  away from switch plate  50 , bias members in the form of a pair of coil springs  114 ,  116  are disposed inside of appropriately sized pockets  118 ,  120  ( FIGS. 7 and 9 ). Springs  114 ,  116  are held in a compressed, biasing condition upon installation of base  22  within housing  24 . Springs  114 ,  116  engage the top surface  63  of base  22  ( FIG. 4 ). 
         [0044]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the initial, undisturbed orientation and inclination of housing  24  relative to base  22  creates as differential space  25  toward the back side of the blending device. Space  25  allows for articulation of the cover or housing  24  relative to stationary base  22 . In one embodiment, articulation of the housing  24  approximately 1/16 of an inch relative to the base  22 , the tall post  72  ( FIG. 4 ) engages switch  102  ( FIG. 9 ) to actuate the motor and rotate the blade  28  at a first rotational speed. At this first or low speed, the blade  28  will rotate between a range of approximately 8,000 rpm to 14,000 rpm (in a no-load condition). Upon further articulation of the housing  24  relative to base  22  an additional 1/16 of an inch, the short posts  74 ,  76  will engage switches  104 ,  106  to increase the rotational speed of the blade  28  to between a range of approximately 16,000 rpm to 32,000 rpm (in a no-load condition). Therefore, in one embodiment, the total movement of the articulable housing  24  relative to the stationary base  22  will be approximately ⅛ of an inch. It is to be understood, however, that any reasonable range of articulation of the housing relative to the base (or relative to any stationary surface on which the blending device rests) may be utilized in connection with the present invention. 
         [0045]    A benefit relative to the present invention is that the switches  102 ,  104 ,  106  serve as the actuation switches for the blending device  20 . That is, the articulable housing which actuates switches  102 ,  104 ,  106  eliminates the need for a power switch. Switches  102 ,  104 ,  106  are, in fact, the power switches. Upon return of the housing  24  to its normal position relative to stationary base  22  (which occurs absent any external force on the lid  30 /jar  26  combination), power supplied to the motor  80  ( FIGS. 8 and 9 ) is cut off. 
         [0046]    Another benefit of the blending apparatus with an articulable actuation mode include the speed with which beverages can be made. There are no manual buttons or switches that need to be actuated by the fingers of the operator. Rather, as soon as the appropriate ingredients are introduced into the jar  26  (as understood by those skilled in the art), the jar, in combination with the affixed lid  30 , is positioned over the upstanding guide extensions on base  24  ( FIG. 2 ). Thereafter, a relatively small amount of downward pressure applied to the top of lid  30  will cause housing  24  to articulate relative to base  22  and actuate one or more of the switches to blend the beverage at the desired speed. This method of making a beverage is faster and more efficient as compared to traditional blending devices that require programming by tactile manipulation. Over the course of days, weeks, and months, the present invention allows many more beverages to be produced to satisfy the demands of customers. 
         [0047]    Another unique aspect of the present invention relates to the jar  26 . The jar  26  is sized to hold approximately 3 quarts. As shown in  FIGS. 10-13 , the jar  26  includes an open end  130  into which ingredients for the beverage may be inserted. The opening  130  is defined by four walls  132  (first wall),  134  (second wall),  136  (third wall),  138  (fourth wall) and has a generally rectangular shape. Walls  132 , 136  face each other and walls  134 , 138  face each other. A handle  140  is secured to walls  132  and  138  as well as the corner defined by walls  132 ,  138 . Handle  140  includes a central aperture  142  which allows multiple jars  26  to be stacked one on top of another with the handles  140  to be aligned with and positioned inside one another. Central aperture  142  may be vertically oriented and extend all the way through the handle  140 . In contrast, prior art jars have required that the handles be alternated when stacking the jars to avoid the handles impeding one another. Alternating handle positions requires, of course, more space for storage purposes. In the present invention, the nesting of jars  26  will now accommodate all of the handles  140  aligned vertically relative to one another. 
         [0048]    Another novel aspect of the present jar  26  according to the present invention relates to an additional fifth or truncated wall  135  which is positioned opposite handle  140 . Walls  132 ,  134 ,  136 ,  138  may be arranged in a generally rectangular, tapered shape. Wall  135  truncates, in essence, the typical corner that would otherwise be formed between wall  132  and  138 . As shown in  FIG. 11 , walls  132 ,  134 ,  146 ,  138  define a perimeter around the blade  28  where wall  135  is much closer to the central axis  144  of blade  28  as compared to the corners formed by walls  132 ,  134 ,  136 ,  138 . In one embodiment, wall  135  is approximately 2.4 inches from the central pivot axis  144  of blade  28  (at the height of the blade). In contrast, corners formed by walls  132 ,  134 ,  136 ,  138  are approximately 3.5 inches from the central axis  144 . Accordingly, the vortex created when blending liquid inside of container or jar  26  moves away or shifts from the central axis  144  of blade  28 . The approximate center of the vortex created by the configuration of jar  26  will be somewhere between pivot axis  144  and wall  135 . When blending a liquid inside of jar  26 , liquid will climb up on the corner of the jar formed by walls  134  and  136 , and will be lower toward wall  135 . This type of flow reduces cavitation and increases the speed and efficiency with which beverages, such as smoothies, can be made. 
         [0049]      FIGS. 11 and 12  show the construction and mounting of blade  28  inside of jar  26 . A splined shaft  150  is received by the splined shaft receptacle  92  extending from motor  80  ( FIG. 8 ). This removable connection will allow the blade  28  to rotate upon actuation of the motor  80 . A bearing assembly  152  allows free rotation of the splined shaft  150  and attached blade  28 . Blade  28  includes blade tips or winglets  154  which extend upwardly substantially parallel to the walls  132 - 136  of the jar  26 . The overall length of the blade  28  is approximately between the range of 4.5 and 4.75 inches. The blade extends outwardly from its attached pivot location  144  in a perpendicular manner. The blade is twisted, however, toward the blade tips  154 . Still further, the leading edges  155  of blade tips  154  as well as inclined leading edges  157  of blade  28  are tapered to improve blending efficiency. The entire blade assembly is mounted within a central aperture formed in a bottom wall  156  which forms the floor of the jar  26  for holding contents inside of the jar  26 . 
         [0050]    The unique blade  28  is relatively large, compared to prior art blades. The single blade construction, as compared to traditional cross-blade construction, allows all types of ingredients, such as IQF fruit, to fall between the ends of blade  28  as it rotates to produce a desired, smooth, and consistent texture of beverage. 
         [0051]    The jar further includes lower cavities  158  which correspond in size to upstanding guide walls  36  ( FIG. 2 ) formed on housing  24  for rapid and efficient mounting of the jar  26  on top of housing  24 . 
         [0052]      FIGS. 14-15  show the lid  30  utilized as a cover for the jar  26  of the blending apparatus  20 . The lid  30  is made of a moldable formable rubber material. The lid snaps into the top of jar  26  ( FIG. 10 ) to seal the jar and prevent the user&#39;s hands from being inserted into the opening  130  of jar  26  during processing. 
         [0053]    The lid  30  more specifically comprises a top surface  160  and a channel  162  which surrounds top surface  160 . The channel  162  defines, on the opposite side, a four-wall extension  164  which seats inside of opening  130  upon installation of the lid  30  onto jar  26 . A plurality of tabs  166  extend outwardly from each corner of the lid  30  to provide an easy location for grasping the lid and removing the lid after completion of a blending cycle. A plurality of downwardly extending jar retaining walls  170  extend between tabs  166  so that the lid  30 , when installed over jar  26 , is retained in its desired location. 
         [0054]    Another novel aspect of the present invention is that because articulation of the cover  24  relative to stationary base  22  is required to actuate the blending device  20 , downward pressure on top surface  160  of lid  30  is generally required. Such downward pressure will urge the downwardly extending walls  164  of the lid  30  toward the inside surfaces of jar opening  130  to seal the lid  30  tightly against jar  26  and prevent liquids from escaping during the blending process. In addition, because downward pressure on lid  30  is required, as a general matter, to articulate the housing  24  relative to stationary base  22 , the likelihood of the operator of the blending apparatus  20  inserting his or her hand into opening  130  during the blending process is greatly reduced. 
         [0055]    While this invention has been described with reference to certain specific embodiments and examples, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that many variations are possible without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention. The invention, as described by the claims, is intended to cover all changes and modifications of the invention which do not depart from the spirit of the invention. The words “including” and “having,” as used in the specification, including the claims, shall have the same meaning as the word “comprising.”