Patent Publication Number: US-2006007779-A1

Title: Blender

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention relates to kitchen appliances, and more particularly to blenders and other food processing devices.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      The household blender is a useful tool for preparing a variety of mixtures. Blenders known in the prior art provide a single tool for mixing, chopping, mincing, cutting, slicing, etc. . . . various liquids or other materials. Whether preparing a drink or mincing some ingredients for an entrée, the typical blender is a simple to use kitchen device. As such, it is an extremely popular tool for bartenders and cooks of all skill levels and positions.  
      The average blender includes a blender base or body that can be coupled with a blending container. The blender body usually includes a motor and a drive assembly for connection to a blade located in the blending container. The motor and drive assembly, when actuated, rotate the blade, and variations in the speed of the rotation determines the amount of blending of the materials placed in the container. Many higher end blending devices also include automated controls for varying the operation of the blender (i.e.—varying the speed of rotation of the motor and drive assembly).  
      While this typical design provides a worthy and useful kitchen device, it is not without its drawbacks. For example, standard blenders often fail to completely blend/mix materials located within their containers or take a significant period of time to do so. Additionally, standard blenders are dimensioned for blending larger quantities of materials, rather than convenient smaller single serving quantities. As such, standard kitchen blenders also do not typically offer small easily interchangeable containers that can be used as serving cups. Therefore, there exists a need for an improved blender that provides quick blending capabilities for convenient quantities.  
      To meet this need, there have been several attempts at improved blenders. For example, one such blender is shown in U.S. Design Pat. No. D487,668 (“the &#39;668 patent”). Blenders of this type are generally smaller than the average kitchen blender and include a blender body, a blade base, and individual serving containers. Operation of a blender, like that shown in the figures of the &#39;668 patent, requires that the individual serving containers are first loaded with materials. Thereafter, a blade base is attached to the container and the combination is inverted prior to being placed on the blender base. Blending of the materials is done by turning on a motor located in the blender body, which is coupled to a blade in the blade base by a drive shaft. The rotation of the motor and drive shaft, and hence the blade both blends the materials, and forces the same around the curvature of the container. Upon completion of satisfactory blending of the materials, the container and blade base combination is removed and inverted, and the blade base is removed, thereby providing a single serving container housing the blended materials. The container can be used as a drinking cup for consuming the mixture blended therein.  
      One drawback with blenders of the type shown in the &#39;668 patent, is the propensity of the motor to overheat during operation. This problem may be exacerbated from the desire for the smaller size of the blender body and the desire to use more powerful motors for quicker operation. This problem of heat can become a safety concern, as build up of heat due to long running times can become a fire hazard. For this reason, blenders are tested against safety standards set by groups like Underwriters Laboratory Inc., of Northbrook, Ill. (“UL”). The tests for certifying a product to meet these safety standards place the device under rigorous operating conditions to ensure that the product is safe for use by a consumer. For example, on test subjects the blender to extended use, while at the same time monitoring its temperature. Given the trend for smaller, more powerful devices, there exists a need for a blender design that is capable of safely dispersing heat from the blender body.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      According to a first embodiment of the present invention, a blender is provided that comprises a blender body including a motor coupled to a drive shaft; an electronic circuit providing for shut down of the motor after predetermined time to prevent overheating of the motor; a container having an interior and one open end; a blade base including at least one blade, a first end of said blade base adapted to be coupled to the drive shaft, and a second end of said blade base adapted to be attached to the open end of said container, wherein rotation of the drive shaft causes rotation of the at least one blade and wherein attachment of said blade base substantially seals the interior of said container; and a cap adapted to be attached to the open end of said container.  
      According to another embodiment of the present invention, a blender is provided that comprises a blender body including a motor coupled to a drive shaft; a container having an interior and one open end; a blade base including at least one serrated blade, a first end of said blade base adapted to be coupled to the drive shaft, and a second end of said blade base adapted to be attached to the open end of said container, wherein rotation of the drive shaft causes rotation of the at least one blade and attachment of said blade base substantially seals the interior of said container; and a cap adapted to be attached to the open end of said container.  
      According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of blending a mixture is provided that comprises providing a blender including a container, blade base, and blender body; placing ingredients in a container; attaching a blade base to the container; inverting the blade base and container; placing the blade base on a blender body; operating the blender body to mix the ingredients in the container; removing the blade base and container from the blender body; inverting the blade base and container; and removing the blade base from the container, wherein the step of operating the blender body to mix the ingredients in the container includes operating a motor, the motor designed to shut down after a period of time to prevent overheating of the motor. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      A more complete appreciation of the subject matter of the present invention and the various advantages thereof can be realized by reference to the following detailed description in which reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which:  
       FIG. 1  is a side perspective view of the blender according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 2  is a side perspective view of the container and blade base separated from one another according to  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram of the control components of the blender body according to  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 4  is a side perspective view of the blender according to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  with various elements;  
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the drinking rim used in conjunction with the blender of  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 6  is a circuit diagram of the blender;  
       FIG. 7  is a bottom perspective view of the blender showing vents on the side and bottom of the blender body;  
       FIG. 8  is a top plan view of the blade assembly of the blade base according to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 9  is a side perspective view of the blender according to another embodiment of the present invention; and,  
       FIG. 10  is a side perspective view of the blender according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
      In describing the preferred embodiments of the subject matter illustrated and to be described with respect to the drawings, specific terminology will be used for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to any specific terms used herein, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.  
      Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like elements, there is shown in the Figures, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention, a blender designated generally by reference numeral  10 . As best shown in  FIG. 1 , blender  10  includes a blender body  12 , a container  14  adapted to receive and retain the material to be blended, and a blade base  16  which is removably connectable to the container  14 . In the preferred embodiment shown the Figures, blender  10  is designed to be used in blending together liquids or food ingredients. However, it should be noted that blender  10  can be utilized to blend other materials.  
      Blender body  12  is preferably a cylindrical body having a shape similar to that of a bullet. This “bullet-shaped” body provides a suitable housing for the inner components of the blender, while also providing a structure that is easy to grasp and manipulate. Blender body  12  has a lower end  18  and an upper end  20  and further includes a body base  22  located on lower end  18  and an opening  24  located on upper end  20 . Body base  22  supports body  12  and allows for blender  10  to stand upright. Opening  24  provides an interface for coupling with container  14 , which will be discussed further below.  
      As best shown in  FIG. 2 , the preferred container  14  is a curved cylindrical cup having a first end  26  and a second end  28 . The curvature and cylindrical nature of container  14  allows for an enhanced blending of material to take place therein. In operation, the design of container  14  causes any material blended within it to be circulated throughout, thus providing more blending than the average (non-curved) blender. Container  14  further includes a threaded opening  30  located at first end  26  and a stem  32  and a rest  34  located at second end  28 . Threaded opening  30  is the opening through which materials are inserted into container  14 , and its threaded nature provides means for coupling with blade base  16 . Stem  32  is essentially an elongate member connecting the main body of container  14  with rest  34 . This combination allows for container  14  to be rested on a surface. It is contemplated that other means for allowing container  14  to stand upright are contemplated.  
      Blade base  16  is a cylindrical body having a blade end  36  and a coupling end  38 , and further includes a blade assembly  40  located at blade end  36  and a coupling  42  (not shown in  FIG. 2 ) located at coupling end  38 . Blade base  16  is adapted to couple with container  14  through the cooperation of threaded opening  30  and blade end  36 . While both sections in the preferred embodiment are threaded, it is contemplated that other types of connections can be utilized. For example, threaded opening  30  and blade end  36  can be adapted to couple together by snapping blade base  16  onto container  14 . It should be noted that, upon the coupling of container  14  and blade base  16 , threaded opening  30  of container  14  is sealed. Therefore, any material located therein is prevented from escaping therefrom. Coupling  42  is connected to blade assembly  40 , so that rotation of coupling  42  also provides rotation to blade assembly  40 . Coupling  42  is utilized in engaging with a drive shaft, as will be discussed further below.  
      Blender body  12  also houses a motor  50 , a drive shaft  52 , and a coupling  54 , as depicted in  FIG. 3 . While the embodiments shown include a motor of overly sufficient power (to quickly blend materials), it is contemplated that any motor can be utilized. Motor  50  is engaged with shaft  52  so that motor  50  causes rotation of shaft  52 . Shaft  52  is connected with coupling  54 , thus causing rotation of coupling  54 . A power supply  56  is also provided for powering motor  50 . In certain embodiments, power supply  56  is a plug and cord for use with a standard wall socket. However, it is contemplated that motor  50  can be powered by several different types of power supplies. For example, power supply  56  can be a lithium or other rechargeable battery. Additionally, standard batteries such as AA or AAA batteries can be utilized. Finally, blender  10  may include a switch  58  for selectively providing power to motor  50 . In the preferred embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the switch is located within threaded opening  20 , and is actuated by forcing container  14  towards blender base  12  (i.e.—pushing down on container  14 ). However, it is contemplated that other switches can be used, for example, standard on-off switch as are known to those of ordinary skill in the art.  
      In operation, blade base  16  is screwed onto container  14 , after materials are placed therein (best shown in  FIG. 1 ). The combination of container  14  and blade base  16  is then inverted and placed onto blender body  12  so that coupling  42  of blade base  16  mates with coupling  54  of blender body  12 . Coupling  54  is adapted to engage with coupling  42  of blade base  16 . Upon power being supplied to motor  50 , drive shaft  52  and coupling  54  rotate, thereby causing rotation of coupling  42  and blade assembly  40 . Thereafter, blade assembly  40  blends the materials located within container  14 . As discussed above, the materials are caused to circulate around container  14 , and more evenly blend. Subsequent to achieving desired blending and shutting down motor  50 , container  14  and blade base  16  are simultaneously removed from blender body  12 . Blade base  16  is then unscrewed from container  14  and the materials located within container  14  can be accessed. It is contemplated that container  14  can be used as an individual serving or drinking cup, or materials blended therein can be removed therefrom.  
      It is contemplated that container  14  can be used in conjunction with other caps/lids. For example, as shown in  FIG. 4 , a shaker top  60 , a storage lid  62 , and a drinking rim  64  (shown in  FIG. 5 ) is provided. Shaker top  60  is a cap with a plurality of holes useful for dispelling grated cheese and the like from container  14 . Storage lid  62  is a cap that substantially seals container  14  useful for storing used materials in a refrigerator. Both of these caps engage threaded opening  20  so as to remain fixed to container  14 . Drinking rim  64  also engages threaded opening  20 , so as to cover the threads. Drinking rim  64  is useful for drinking directly from container  14 . It is also contemplated that blender base  12  can be used with other attachments than the standard containers  14 . For example, as is also shown in  FIG. 4 , it is contemplated to use blender base  12  with a juicer attachment  66  or a standard blender pitcher  68 . However, there exist other possibilities of attachments.  
      As mentioned above, one problem with blenders similar to that of the present invention is the propensity of motor  50  to overheat. The need for quick blending capabilities directly creates the need for a higher than average powered motor  50 . Clearly, placing a high powered motor in a small housing like that of blender body  12 , will cause a heat concern, the main concern being that extended operation of blender  10  could actually create a fire. The aforementioned tests done by groups like UL typically attempt to prevent products that may produce excessive heat from becoming available without certain safety measures. Generally, the safety tests performed on such devices monitor the heat level generated by blender  10  during a specific time period of operation. If the temperature of any of the components of blender  10  exceeds a certain temperature, the product will fail and not be safety certified. The present invention provides several additions aimed at preventing excess heat from building up and becoming a fire hazard, while still allowing for sufficient short term use of blender  10 .  
      In certain embodiments of the present invention, depicted in  FIG. 3 , blender  10  further includes a timer or other shut off mechanism  70  for preventing overheating of motor  50 . Essentially, shut off  70  prevents blender  10  from operating after a certain period of time elapses. This, in turn, prevents heat from building up due to excessive operation (the most common reason for heat build up). A preferred time period, after which motor  50  is shut off, is about thirty (30) seconds. However, it is clear that other appropriate times can be set as the shut off time period to balance a need for short term use and heat build up. For example, it is envisioned that the time period can be any amount within the range of one (1) second to one hundred eighty (180) seconds. An embodiment of a circuit design is shown in  FIG. 6 , however, others are envisioned. As is shown in the Figure, after operating for thirty (30) seconds, blender  10  will shut off and cease to operate. It is contemplated that blender  10  may also include a reset  72  for allowing the operation of blender  10  after the shut off time period is met. Reset  72  in essence resets shut off  70 , to allow for another thirty (30) seconds of operation time. Reset  72  is a mechanical element that operates in a fashion substantially similar to the switch for selectively providing power to the motor. However, it is also contemplated that reset  72  can be any device suitable for resetting the shut off  70 , for example, a mechanical switch. Rather than causing blender  10  to shut off after a time period, shut off  70  can cause shut down after a certain motor temperature is reached. In embodiments such as this, shut off  70  would further include a thermostat suitable for causing motor  50  to shut off upon ascertaining a certain temperature.  
      Other embodiments, best shown in  FIG. 7 , of the present invention include a blender base  12  having a large vent opening  80  on its side for providing better airflow into and out of base  12 . Preferably, vent opening  80  is a series of holes extending through the walls of blender base  12 . This design allows heat created therein to transfer through the apertures in blender base  12 . It is contemplated that blender base  12  may also include more than one vent opening  80 , located at any position on base  12 , including at lower end  18  on the bottom of body base  22  (best shown in  FIG. 7 ). Furthermore, it is also contemplated that in certain embodiments blender  10  of the present invention may include at least one fan  82  (shown in  FIG. 3 ) within blender base  12 . Fan  82  may work in conjunction and may be located adjacent vent opening  80  for providing better airflow and heat transfer out of blender base  12 . In preferred embodiments, fan  82  is also located adjacent motor  50  for providing optimum heat transfer out of base  12 . Finally, it is contemplated that more than one fan  82  can be situated within blender base  12 .  
      Certain embodiments of blender  10  may also include a blade assembly  40  including at least one blade, having a serrated or scalloped edge. As shown in  FIG. 8 , an embodiment of the present invention includes a blade  40  having four blades  40   a ,  40   b ,  40   c , and  40   d . Blades  40   a ,  40   b ,  40   c , and  40   d  include serrated edges  41   a ,  41   b ,  41   c , and  41   d  respectively. Each of the serrated edges is located on a corresponding side of the blades, so that rotation of blade assembly  40  causes the serrated edges to rotate in the same direction (i.e.—as the leading edge). In operation, serrated edges  41   a ,  41   b ,  41   c , and  41   d  allow for each blade  40   a ,  40   b ,  40   c , and  40   d  of blade assembly  40  to more easily cut through materials located in container  14 . In turn, this causes less of a strain on motor  50 , and axiomatically less creation of heat.  
      Other embodiments of the present invention are shown in  FIGS. 9-10 . It is contemplated that the present invention can be shaped in similar fashions to those shown in these Figures. Most notably, container  14  may or may not include stem  32  or rest  34 . In other embodiments, as shown best in  FIG. 10 , ribs  100  can be provided in container  14  that allow the container to rest upright. Similarly, it is contemplated that blender  10  may include a plurality of different sized containers  14  and blender bases  16  having different amounts and shaped blades.  
      Although the invention herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present invention. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.