Patent Publication Number: US-7213965-B2

Title: Beverage mixer

Description:
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/278,713, filed Oct. 23, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,966,689, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/012,239, filed Nov. 13, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,527,433, which claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/248,254, filed Nov. 13, 2000. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to beverage mixer, smoothie maker, or blender. 
     2. Related Art 
     Frozen, frosty, or icy drinks have become increasingly popular. Such drinks include the traditional shakes, and the more recently popular smoothies. Shakes, or milk shakes, are typically formed of ice-cream and/or milk, and flavored as desired, with or without additives, such as candies, chocolates, peanut butter, etc. Milkshakes typically are available at most fast-food restaurants, such as burger chains, and can be made by special machines, or hand-made using mixers. 
     Smoothies tend to be more healthy, and are formed of ice, frozen yogurt, and/or sorbet, and also can include additives such as fruit, berries, fruit juice, vitamins, etc. Smoothies typically are available from specialty chains or juice bars, and can be made with commercial or restaurant-grade blenders. 
     Such drinks also can be made at home, using a standard kitchen blender. One disadvantage with making such drinks, or utilizing blenders, is the difficulty in operating the blender, or the inadequacy of the blender. Blenders often get clogged or otherwise stalled by the drink ingredients. It is often necessary to supplement the blending by stirring the ingredients with a spoon or spatula. The spoon or spatula can get caught in the blades of the blender. In addition, using the spoon or spatula often requires removing the lid, thus increasing the chances for the ingredients to be expelled through the top of the container. 
     In addition, once the blending is completed, it is often necessary to remove the container from the blender and pour the contents into a drinking cup or glass. It will be appreciated that the container has an open top that is substantially larger than a typical drinking cup or glass. Thus, it is common for the contents to pour out of the wider opening of the container, and outside the narrower cup or glass, creating a mess to clean-up, and wasting the contents. In addition, it will be appreciated that the shakes or the smoothies tend to be thick and/or viscous, and thus can be difficult to pour. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It has been recognized that it would be advantageous to develop a smoothie maker, beverage mixer, or the like, capable of facilitating the making of smoothies, frozen drinks, and the like. In addition, it has been recognized that it would be advantageous to develop such a mixer or the like that facilitates mixing and/or stirring of the contents. In addition, it has been recognized that it would be advantageous to develop such a mixer or the like that facilitates pouring or removing the contents. 
     The invention provides a smoothie maker, beverage mixer, or the like that facilitates dispensing of the contents. The smoothie maker includes a base with a motor turning a drive mechanism extending therefrom. A container can be removably disposable on the base, and can include a mixing assembly rotatably disposed therein and engagable by the drive mechanism of the base when the container is disposed on the base. A spout can be operatively coupled to the container to dispense contents thereof through an outlet opening. A valve can be associated with the spout and operable to allow and restrict contents of the container through the spout. An actuator can be associated with the spout and operatively coupled to the valve to actuate the valve. 
     In accordance with a more detailed aspect of the present invention, the smoothie maker can include a beverage cup accommodation indentation that includes an indentation configuration of the base itself. The indentation is positioned under the outlet opening of the spout, so that when the container is disposed on the base, a beverage cup can be more conveniently placed adjacent the spout in the indentation. In addition the indentation extends into the base to reduce a length of the spout to reduce frictional loses of contents flowing through the spout. The base can include a perimeter base wall extending around and defining a perimeter of the base. The indentation can be formed in a perimeter of the base by the perimeter base wall. The indentation can extend horizontally into the base, and can extend from a top of the indentation proximate the spout, when the container is disposed on the base, to a bottom of the indentation proximate a bottom of the base. 
     In accordance with another more detailed aspect of the present invention, the smoothie maker can include a pressurization system to increase pressure in the container, and expel the contents through the spout. An air pump can be associated with the base and can be driven by the motor. An air line can be operatively coupled to and between the air pump and the container, to deliver air from the pump to the container to assist dispensing contents of the container through the spout. The container can form a substantially air-tight enclosure, along with the lid, the bottom portion, and/or the stir stick. The air line can be coupled to the container, the lid, the bottom portion, or the stir stick. 
     In accordance with another more detailed aspect of the present invention, the smoothie maker can include an impeller to further drive the contents of the container through the spout. The impeller can be associated with the mixing assembly in the container. In addition, the impeller can form an oblique angle oriented to drive contents of the container towards an opening in the container and out of the spout. The impeller can include a horizontally oriented arm, with the arm having an oblique angle oriented to drive contents of the container downwardly to the bottom of the container. The impeller can include a vertically inclined arm, with the arm having an oblique angle oriented to drive contents of the container outwardly towards the opening. 
     In accordance with another more detailed aspect of the present invention, the container can have a circular, conical shape configured to facilitate a vortex action of contents in the container when the mixing assembly is operated. The circular, conical shape of the container having an angular orientation from a vertical axis approximately 10 to 25 degrees. The stir stick can be selectively pivotable to disturb the vortex action of the contents in the container when pivoted. The circular, conical shape of the container and the pivotable stir stick can cooperate to facilitate mixing of the contents. 
     Additional features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the detailed description which follows, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which together illustrate, by way of example, features of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a partial broken away front view of a smoothie maker or beverage mixer in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a cross sectional side view of the smoothie maker or beverage mixer of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of a base of the smoothie maker or beverage mixer of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of a container of the smoothie maker or beverage mixer of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of a stir stick of the smoothie maker or beverage mixer of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross sectional side view of a lid of the smoothie maker or beverage mixer of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic view of the stir stick pivoting with respect to the lid of the smoothie maker or beverage mixer of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a cross sectional side view of another smoothie maker or beverage mixer in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8   b  is a cross sectional side view of another smoothie maker or beverage mixer in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a partial cross sectional side view of the smoothie maker of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a side view of a blade or an impeller of the smoothie maker of  FIG. 8 ; and 
         FIG. 11  is a side view of a filter in an opening in a container leading to a spout in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used herein to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Alterations and further modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, and additional applications of the principles of the inventions as illustrated herein, which would occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 1–3 , a smoothie maker, beverage mixer, or the like, indicated generally at  10 , is shown in accordance with the present invention for making smoothies, frozen drinks, or the like. The smoothie maker or beverage mixer will be described below an illustrated with respect to a smoothie maker. It is of course understood that the present invention is equally applicable to beverage mixers and the like. Smoothies and frozen drinks are examples of a field that may benefit from use of such a smoothie maker  10 . The smoothie maker  10  advantageously includes a spout and cup indentation to facilitate pouring of the smoothie, means for pressurizing a container to expel contents of the container through the spout, an impeller to expel contents of the container through the spout, a stir stick operatively carried by a lid to facilitate stirring, and alignment structures to help align a spout of the container, as discussed in greater detail below. 
     The smoothie maker  10  can include a container or jar  14  removably disposable on a base or housing  18 . Thus, the container  14  can be removed from the base  18  for cleaning, etc., while the base can include electrical components and the like. The base  14  can include a motor  22  capable of turning a drive mechanism  26  that extends from the base  18 . In one aspect, the drive mechanism  26  can be located at a top of the base  18 , and the container  14  can be disposable on the top of the base  18 , and on top of the drive mechanism  26 . Thus, the container  14  can utilize gravity to help maintain the container  14  on the base  18 . 
     A receptacle or socket  30  can be formed with the base  18  and configured to receive the container  22 , or a portion thereof. The receptacle  30  can be formed on the top of the base  18  with the drive mechanism  26  disposed within the receptacle  30 . The receptacle  30  can include a perimeter wall  34  to receive the container  22 , or portion thereof, therein. In one aspect, the receptacle  30  can be circular, and the perimeter wall  34  can be an annular wall. 
     The container  14  can include a mixing assembly  38  that can include a plurality of blades  42  rotatably disposed in the container  14 . The mixing assembly  38  can be engaged by the drive mechanism  26  of the base  18  when the container  14  is disposed on the base  18 , or in the receptacle  30 . For example, the drive mechanism  26  and the mixing assembly  38  can include mating or matching couplings, such as one or more intermeshing protrusions and indentations, so that the rotation and force of the motor  22  in the base can be transferred to the mixing assembly  38  or blades  42  in the container  14 . A lower portion or bottom of the container  14  can be configured to mate or match the receptacle  30  to help maintain the container  14  on the base  18 , and to properly align the mixing assembly  38  of the container  14  with the drive mechanism  26  of the base  18 , or couplings thereof. Thus, the lower portion or bottom of the container  14  can be circular to match the circular shape of the receptacle  30 . 
     The container  14  can include a base or bottom portion  46  secured to a container portion  50 . The base or bottom portion  46  can be circular to match the circular shape of the receptacle  30  as described above. The base portion  46  of the container  14  can be removably secured to the container portion  50 , such as by screw threads, so that the container  14  can be disassembled for cleaning. In addition, the mixing assembly  38  can be secured to the container  14  by the base portion  46 , or between the base portion  46  and the container portion  50 . Thus, the mixing assembly  38  also can be removably secured to the container. The mixing assembly  38  can cooperate with the base portion  46  to engage the drive mechanism  26  of the base  18 . 
     The container portion  50  can be a hollow shell with an annular wall to receive ingredients therein. In one aspect, the container  14  or container portion  50  can be an inverted, circular, frusto-conical shell. The purpose of the circular shape is described in greater detail below. In addition, the container portion  50  or shell or wall can be transparent, or formed of a transparent material, to enable viewing the contents of the container  14 . A top of the shell or container  14  can be open to receive ingredients therethrough, while the bottom of the shell can be open to receive the mixing assembly  38  so that the mixing assembly  38  or blades  42  can operatively engage the contents of the container  14 . The base portion  46  can be configured as a cup to receive a bottom portion of the container portion  50  or shell therein, and to enclose the bottom of the container  14 . Thus, the base portion  46  and container portion  50  can form the container  14 . 
     A lid  54  can be removably disposed on the container  14  to resist expulsion of the contents or the ingredients in the container during mixing, or while the blades  42  are rotating. The lid  54  can include an opening  58  therethrough. Thus, ingredients can be introduced into the container  14  either by removing the lid  54  and inserting the ingredients into the container  14 , or by inserting the ingredients through the opening  58  in the lid. 
     A stir stick  62  advantageously is configured to be carried by the lid  54 , and to cooperate with the lid  54 , to allow the contents of the container  14  to be stirred with the stir stick  62 , and/or to cover the opening  58  of the lid  54 . The stir stick  62  can be extendable through the opening  58  in the lid  54  and into the container  14 . In addition, the stir stick  62  can be pivotable with respect to the lid  54 . 
     The stir stick  62  advantageously includes a bulbous or ball portion  66  pivotally disposable over the opening  58  of the lid  54 . The lid  54  can include a conical or rounded indentation or socket  68  surrounding the opening  58  to receive the ball portion  66  of the stir stick  62 . The ball portion  66  cooperates with the lid  54  to cover the opening  58  and to allow the ball portion  66  to pivot in the opening  58 . Thus, the ball portion  66  of the stir stick  62  and the opening  58  in the lid  54  form a ball-and-socket type coupling. The ball portion  66  has a bulbous, spherical, semi-spherical, or rounded shape that slides smoothly in the opening  58  of the lid  54  as the stir stick  62  pivots in the container  14 . In addition, the ball portion  66  limits the distance the stir stick  62  can be inserted into the container  14  to resist contact between the stir stick  62  and the mixing assembly  38  or blades  42 . The lid  54  or opening  58  can be configured to match or mate with the ball portion  66 . 
     The stir stick  62  also can include a handle portion  70  and a stir portion  74 . The handle portion  70  is configured to extend above the lid  54 , while the stir portion  74  is configured to extend below the lid  54 , and into the container  14 . The handle portion  70  can be configured to facilitate grasping. In one aspect, the handle portion  70  can have a bulbous, circular, or spherical shape that can be grasped by a user&#39;s hand. 
     The stir portion  74  can have a length that extends to a location above the mixing assembly  38  or blades  42 , but without contacting the blades  42 , to prevent damage. The length of the stir portion  74  and the ball portion  66  captured in the opening  58  of the lid  58  advantageously prevent the stir stick from reaching and interfering with the mixing assembly  38 . 
     A spigot or spout  80  advantageously is operatively coupled to the container  14  at or near the bottom of the container  14 . The spout  80  advantageously allows the contents of the container  14  to be dispensed through the spout  80 , as opposed to being poured through the top of the container. The container  14  or base portion  46  can have an opening  81 , with a proximal end  82  of the spout coupled to the container or base portion at the opening. The spout  80  can form a fluid channel through with the contents of the container flow to be dispensed. The spout  80  can include any type of valve and/or actuation system. For example, the spout  80  can include a handle  84  for displacing a plunger type valve  88  within the spout  80 . Thus, by lifting/depressing/turning the handle  84 , the valve  88  is displaced allowing the contents of the container  14  to flow through the spout  80 . The valve  88  and/or actuator or handle  84  can be positioned at a distal end  83  of the spout. The spout  80  can include an outlet opening  90  positioned at the distal end  83 . As seen in  FIG. 9 , the outlet opening  90  extends horizontally and faces downward. The spout  80  extends outwardly and away from the container  14 , to a position beyond a perimeter of the base so that the contents can be dispensed while the container remains on the base. 
     The container  14  and base  18  advantageously are configured to facilitate dispensing the contents of the container  14  through the spout  80 . As described above, the contents of the container, such as a smoothie or milk shake, can be thick or viscous, and thus difficult to dispense by pouring out of the top of the container. While the spout can facilitate dispensing the contents, it will be appreciated that it can be difficult for the thick or viscous contents to flow through the spout. The longer the spout, the more friction is developed between the contents and the spout. Thus, the spout  80  can have a length L that is minimized. While the spout  80  should have a length that extends beyond the base in order to pour, it has been recognized that the base  18  itself can be configured to reduce the length of the spout, and thus reduce the frictional losses associated with the flow of the contents through the spout. The base  18  itself can include an indentation configuration with a beverage cup accommodation indentation  100 . The indentation  100  is positioned under the outlet opening  90  of the spout  80  so that when the container  14  is disposed on the base  18 , a beverage cup can be more conveniently placed in the indentation  100  and under the spout  80 . The indentation  100  advantageously extends into the base  18  to reduce the length L of the spout  80 , and thus reduces frictional loses of contents flowing through the spout. 
     The base  18  can include a perimeter base wall  102  extending around and defining a perimeter of the base  18 . The indentation  100  can be formed in a perimeter of the base  18  by the perimeter base wall  102 . The indentation  100  can extend horizontally into the base  80 , and can be formed by a vertically oriented portion  103  of the perimeter base wall  102 . The vertically oriented portion  103  of the perimeter base wall  102  extends from a top of the indentation  100  proximate the spout  80  when the container  14  is disposed on the base, to a bottom of the indentation  100  proximate a bottom of the base. 
     One or more protrusions  104  can extend horizontally outward from the base  18  adjacent the indentation  100 . Thus, the indentation  100  can be disposed between, and defined by, protrusions  104  on either side. The protrusions  104  can be formed in the base  14  to properly position a cup or glass under the spout  80  to resist spills. 
     In addition, an alignment indentation  108  can be formed in the base  18  or the receptacle  30  to receive the spout  80  therein. The alignment indentation  108  can be located above the cup indentation  104  so that the spout  80  is positioned over the cup indentation  104  of the base  18  when the container  14  is disposed in the receptacle  30  on the base  18 . The location of the spout  80  at the bottom of the container  14 , and the wall  34  of the receptacle  30 , prevent the container  14  from being properly disposed in the receptacle  30  and on the base  18 , unless the spout  80  is aligned with the alignment indentation  108 . Thus, as the container  14  is received in the receptacle  30  of the base  18 , the spout  80  is received in the alignment indentation  108 . In addition, the alignment indentation  108  and spout  80  can act to prevent the container  14  from rotating on the base  18  when the motor is operated. The alignment indentation  108  is an example of one means associated with the base and container for aligning the spout with the cup indentation. Other means for aligning the spout  80  with the indentation  100  include, for example, mating protrusions and indentations formed between the base  18  and the container  14 , such as between the receptacle or socket  30  and the bottom portion  46 . 
     The wall  34  of the receptacle  30  advantageously can include an angled upper surface  112  angled towards the alignment indentation  108 . Thus, the wall  34  can have a smaller height proximate the alignment indentation  108 , and a larger height distal from the alignment indention. In addition, the wall  34  can be arcuate or circular to surround the receptacle  30 . Thus, if the container  14  is places on the base  18  or in the receptacle  30  without being properly aligned, the spout  80  abuts the upper surface  112  of the wall  34 , and is guided to the alignment indentation  108  by the angle of the wall  34 . In one aspect, the wall  34  can extend entirely around the receptacle  30  in a continuous arc, with the most distal portion of the wall  34  having the greatest height, and decreasing in height towards the alignment indentation  108 . The circular or arcuate shape of the wall  34  facilitates rotation of the container  14  in the receptacle  30  until the spout  80  is aligned with the alignment indentation  108 . 
     As stated above, the container  14  can be circular to facilitate fitting within, and turning within, the circular wall  34  of the receptacle  30 . The container wall or shell can have an inverted, circular, frusto-conical shape. In addition, it has been found that the circular, conical shape of the container  14  can impart a fast, vortex action to the contents or ingredients in the container  14  when the mixing assembly or blades are operated. It is believed that the circular conical shape of the container  14  contributes to the vortex action of the contents by having a natural shape of a whirlpool or vortex. In one aspect, the circular, conical shape of the container has an angular orientation from a vertical axis approximately 10 to 25 degrees. In another aspect, the angular orientation can be substantially 15 degrees. 
     It has been found that the vortex action of the circular conical shape of the container, in conjunction with selective pivoting of the stir stick  62 , can assist in mixing the contents. Rotating, or pivoting the stir stick  62 , tends to disrupt the vortex and direct or drive ingredients downwardly. Thus, the circular conical shape of the container  14  facilitates a circular vortex flow, while the stir stick  62  facilitates directing ingredients vertically, and driving ingredients towards the blades. 
     In addition, protrusions  116  can extend inwardly from the wall of the container  14  to facilitate mixing or blending. The protrusions  116  cause a more turbulent flow as the contents or ingredients flow past the protrusions  116 . 
     In addition, the stirring portion  74  of the stir stick  62  can be configured to facilitate stirring or mixing. The stirring portion  74  itself can be selectively manipulated or pivoted by the user to stir or mix the ingredients. In one aspect, the stirring portion  74  can include broad or wide fins  120 , similar to a spatula, to push or move the ingredients as the stirring portion  74  is pivoted. In another aspect, the stirring portion  74  can include at least two fins  120  and  122  extending therefrom in transverse directions to a longitudinal axis of the stirring portion  74 , and in transverse directions to one another, to facilitate stirring and mixing. Thus, the stirring portion  74  can have a cross section in the shape of a cross (“×”) or plus (“+”) shape. Therefore, as the stirring portion  74  is pivoted in a circular direction, a broad surface of at least one of the fins  120  or  122  will push against the ingredients. 
     In addition, the stir stick  62  or stirring portion  74  can merely extend into the container  14 . The fins  120  and  122  can extend into the flow of the ingredients and cause more turbulent mixing, much like the protrusions  116  on the inner surface of the container  14 . 
     A bumper  126  advantageously can be located on a lower end of the stir stick  62  to contact the inner surface or wall of the container  14  as the stir stick is pivoted. The bumper  126  can be formed of a flexible material to resist marring the container. It will be appreciated that repeated contact between two objects, such as the stir stick and container, can result in marring, and that can be unsightly, especially with a transparent or translucent container. Thus, as the user stirs the ingredients in the container  14  with the stir stick  62 , the lower end may often strike the wall of the container  14 , but the bumper  126  will resist marring. 
     In one aspect, the bumper  126  can be an o-ring. An annular indentation or groove can be formed in the lower end of the stir stick  62  or stirring portion  74  to receive the o-ring or bumper  126 . The o-ring or bumper  126  can surround the lower end of the stirring portion  74 . 
     As is known in the art, the base  18  can be configured to be disposed on a support surface, such as a counter or work surface. Feet or tabs  130  can be located on the bottom of the base  18  so that base  18  rests on the feet or tabs  130 . The feet or tabs  130  can be formed of a high friction material, such as rubber or the like, to resist sliding or movement of the base during operation. In one aspect, the feet or tabs  130  can be located inwardly from a perimeter of the base  18 , or with the alignment protrusions  108  extending outwardly past the feet or tabs  130 . Thus, the base  18  can be positioned on the edge of the counter or work surface, so that the spout  80  and alignment protrusions  104  extend past the edge, so that a larger glass can be positioned under the spout  80  without interference from the counter or work surface. 
     In another aspect, the alignment protrusions  104  can extend outwardly from the base  14  to a location substantially at or near a vertical location of the spout  80 , and the feet  130  can be located at the outer perimeter of the protrusions  104 . Thus, the feet  130  and protrusions  104  can resist tipping of the smoothie maker  10  due to force, such as a downward force, exerted on the handle or the spout  80 . 
     Controls or a control panel with buttons  134  for controlling the operation of the motor  18  or smoothie maker  10  also can be disposed on the base  18 . As is known in the art, the controls or buttons  134  can be electrically coupled to the motor to control its operation. The buttons  134  can include an on/off button, speed control, etc. 
     In operation the lid  54  can be removed from the container  14  and ingredients for a smoothie or other frozen drink placed within the container  14 . Alternatively, the lid  54  can remain on the container  14 , and the ingredients can be inserted through the opening  58  of the lid  54 , with the stir stick  90  removed therefrom. The container  14  may be disposed on the base  18  before the ingredients are placed in the container  14 , or after. The mixing assembly  42  may be actuated, by operating the motor  22 , in order to blend the ingredients within the container  14 . In addition, a user may grasp the handle portion  78  of the stir stick  62 , and pivot or rotate the stir stick, such that the stirring portion  74  of the stir stick facilitates moving and mixing the ingredients in the container  14 . After the ingredients or contents are blended, a glass or cup may be placed under the spout  80 , and in the cup or glass indentation  100 . The handle of the spout  80  can be operated to dispense the contents from the container  14 , through the spout  80 , and into the cup or glass. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the spout  80  can be a removable spout, or can be removably attached to the container  14  or bottom portion  46 . For example, the spout  80  can threadably engage the container  14 . A seal can be positioned between the spout  80  and the container  14  to resist leaking. A cap  140  can be removably attached to the container  14  or bottom portion  46  thereof to cover the opening  81  in the container  14  when the spout  80  is removed. Similarly, the cap  140  can threadably engage the container  14 , and a seal can be positioned between the cap  140  and container  14  to resist leaking. Thus, the smoothie maker or beverage mixer  10  can be used in more of a food processing manner, or with more solid ingredients, such as nuts, with the spout  80  removed and the opening  81  covered by the cap  140 . It will be appreciated that removing the spout  80  prevents the more solid ingredients from clogging the spout  80 . 
     As the contents of the container  14  are dispensed, the fluid pressure decreases. Thus, it can be difficult to dispense the remaining contents of the container  14 . A protrusion or wall  92  can be located adjacent an opening  81  in the container  14  for the spout  80 . The protrusion or wall  92  can extend into the interior from the wall of the container  14 . The protrusion or wall  92  can be located on the downstream side of the opening  81 , or opposite the rotational direction of the blades  42 , for directing the flow of the contents towards the opening  81 , and thus out of the spout  80 . Thus, the mixing assembly  38  or blades  42  can be actuated to create a centrifugal (centripetal) flow which forces the contents outwardly against the inner surface of the container  14 , while the protrusion or wall  92  interrupts or blocks the flow, and directs the contents out of the opening  81  to the spout  80 . Thus, a glass or cup may be disposed adjacent the base  18  and under the spout  80  to receive the contents of the container  14  when the spout  80  is operated. 
     As described above, although the length of the spout  80  can be minimized to facilitate flow, the contents of the container can be thick or viscous, and thus difficult to dispense through the spout. Referring to  FIG. 8 , another smoothie maker  210  is shown that is similar in many respects to the one described above. The smoothie maker  210  includes a pressure system for creating an increased pressure in the container  214  to assist in expelling the contents through the spout  80 . The pressure system can include an air pump  222  to pump air into the container  214 , creating an increased pressure in the container to exert a force on the contents and force the contents out through the spout. An air line  224  can be operatively coupled to and between the air pump  222  and the container  214  to deliver air from the pump to the container. The air pump  222  can be disposed in the base  18  and can be operatively coupled to, and driven by, the motor  22 . The air pump  222  can be a compressor, a blower, a pump, or the like. 
     The container  214  can form a substantially air-tight enclosure to maintain the increased air pressure. A base portion  246  can be attached to a bottom of the container  214 , and a lid  254  can be couplable to a top of the container. The base portion  246  and the lid  254  further form the substantially air-tight enclosure. In addition, a stir stick  262  can be carried by an aperture in the lid  254 , and can further seal the aperture in the lid to maintain the substantially air-tight enclosure. 
     As described above, the air line  224  can be coupled the container  214 . A connector  270  can connect the air line  224  to the container. An aperture can be formed through the container  214 , or through the connector  270 . The connector  270  or aperture can be positioned at a top of the container  214  to resist the contents from entering the air line. In another aspect, the air line  224   b  can be coupled to the lid, or at an aperture in the lid. Again, a connector can connect the air line to the lid. Connecting the air line to the lid positions the air line at the top of the container to resist contents of the container from entering the air line. In another aspect, the air line  224   c  can be coupled to the stir stick  262 . An aperture can extend through the stir stick, from an upper portion above the lid, to a lower portion below the lid. In another aspect, the air line  224   d  can be coupled to the base portion  246 . An aperture can extend through the base portion. A check valve  280  can be coupled to the air line  224   d  to allow air into the container while resisting exit of contents of the container into the air line. The check valve  280  can include any type of valve, such as a flap valve, a ball valve, etc. It is understood that the check valve can be disposed in any of the air lines. In addition, a check valve  282  can be coupled to a top of the airline  224  to resist contents of the container from entering into the air line. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8   b , a smoothie maker  310  can be configured with an air connector  312  between a container  314  and a base  318  so that a connection is formed when the container  314  is placed onto the base  318 . An air line  224   e  can extend from the pump  222  to the connector  312 . In addition, a portion  224   f  of the air line can be formed in or carried by the container  314 , and can extend from the connector  312  to a position at a top of the container. Again, positioning an outlet of the air line at the top of the container resists the contents of the container from entering the air line. The portion  224   f  of the air line can be formed in a wall of the container. A bottom of the portion  224   f  of the air line of the container can engage the connector  312  when the container is placed onto the base. A check valve  320  can be coupled to the portion  224   f  of the airline at a top thereof to resist the contents of the container from entering the air line. The check valve  320  can be of any type, such as including a flap. 
     In addition, the mixing assembly  238  can be configured to assist expelling the contents of the container  214  through the spout  80 . Referring to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , one or more of the blades  242  of the mixing assembly  238  can be configured as an impeller  243 . Thus, the impeller  243  can be rotatably disposed in the container, such as with the blades. The impeller  243  can form an oblique angle oriented to drive contents of the container towards the opening  81  in the container and out of the spout  80 . The impeller  243  can have a horizontally oriented arm  245 , and a vertically inclined arm  247 . The horizontal oriented arm  245  extends radially outwardly, and the vertically inclined arm  247  extends outwardly and downwardly at an inclined angle. The horizontal oriented arm  245  can form an oblique angle between a leading and a trailing edge. Thus, as the horizontal oriented arm  245  rotates, the contents are forced downwardly, as indicated by arrow  249 , creating a pressure to drive the contents out of the opening  81 . Similarly, the vertically inclined arm  247  can form an oblique angle between leading and trailing edges. Thus, as the vertically included arm  247  rotates, the contents are forced outwardly, as indicated by arrow  251 , towards the opening  81 . It will be appreciated that the impeller  243  can form one or more of the blades  242 , or the blades can form the impeller. 
     Referring to  FIG. 11 , a filter can be formed at the opening  81  to resist larger objects, such as ice chunks, from clogging the spout  80 . The filter can include one or more cross members  253  extending into or across the opening  81  of the container that leads to the spout. 
     It is to be understood that the above-referenced arrangements are only illustrative of the application for the principles of the present invention. Numerous modifications and alternative arrangements can be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention while the present invention has been shown in the drawings and fully described above with particularity and detail in connection with what is presently deemed to be the most practical and preferred embodiments(s) of the invention, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications can be made without departing from the principles and concepts of the invention as set forth in the claims.