Patent Publication Number: US-2020297165-A1

Title: Shear blade assembly for a blender

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. Utility application Ser. No. 14/803,741 entitled “SHEAR BLADE ASSEMBLY FOR A BLENDER” and filed on Jul. 20, 2015, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/026,304 entitled “Blender” and filed on Jul. 18, 2014, the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is generally related to a blender and, more particularly, to a blender having a shear blending device. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Blenders traditionally include a blade assembly attached with a container. The blade assembly of these blenders often requires complex or specific geometries to assist in mixing the contents in the container appropriately. This may limit the size and/or shape that a container may be able to take. 
     Some closed-rotor rotary mixing heads are mounted to a motor shaft for inducing rotary motion in the head. The head is submerged into a material to be mixed, and through rotary motion, initiates flow and mixing of the material. Opposed internal blades force fluid through slots formed in a cylindrical cage. The size and shape of the slots determines the flow, velocity and shear rates produced by the head. 
     These mixing heads are typically designed for large batch processing. For example, the mixing heads are attached to a rotary arm. A container or vat is positioned beneath the mixing head and then the head is submerged in fluids within the vat. The large batch processing often requires powerful engines that are generally not suitable for average consumers. 
     Blenders and blender systems are often used to blend and process foodstuffs. These blenders and blender systems generally use a winged blade to chop or blend the foodstuff. 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, fruits, etc. Milkshakes typically are available at most fast-food restaurants, such as burger chains, and may be made by special machines, or hand-made using mixers. 
     Smoothies tend to be healthier, and may be formed of ice, frozen yogurt, and/or sorbet. Smoothies may include additives such as fruits, fruit juice, vegetables, vitamins, supplements, etc. Smoothies typically are available from specialty chains or juice bars, and may be made with a commercial or restaurant-grade blender. Such drinks also may be made at home, using a personal blender. 
     Therefore, a need exists for improved systems and methods for blending contents in a blender. Further, there is a need for a blender system that generates less noise and decreases the time needed to prepare foodstuff. 
     SUMMARY 
     The following presents a summary of this disclosure to provide a basic understanding of some aspects. This summary is intended to neither identify key or critical elements nor define any limitations of embodiments or claims. Furthermore, this summary may provide a simplified overview of some aspects that may be described in greater detail in other portions of this disclosure. 
     The present teachings relate to a blender system or more specifically to a shear blending device. The blender system may include a container of any appropriate shape and size. The shear blending device may be disposed within the container. The shear blending device may include a shear blending assembly. The shear blending assembly may include a shear mechanism comprising apertures. A shearing blade may be disposed within the shear mechanism. The shearing blade may force foodstuff through the apertures. The blender system may include a cutting blade. The shear blending assembly may draw foodstuff through a cut path of the cutting blade. 
     In another aspect, a blender system comprising a pump is disclosed herein. The blender system may include a container and a pump having an inlet and an outlet. The pump may draw foodstuff through the inlet and may exhaust foodstuff through the outlet. The flow path of the foodstuff may be configured to pass through a cut path of a cutting blade. 
     The following description and the drawings disclose various illustrative aspects. Some improvements and novel aspects may be expressly identified, while others may be apparent from the description and drawings. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings illustrate various systems, apparatuses, devices and methods, in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of at least a portion of a shearing blade assembly, in accordance with various disclosed aspects. 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of at least a portion of a blender system comprising the shearing blade assembly and a blender container, in accordance with various disclosed aspects. 
         FIG. 3A  is an expanded view of a portion of the shearing blade assembly, in accordance with various disclosed aspects. 
         FIG. 3B  is an expanded view of a shaft and bearings that may be attached to the shearing blade assembly, in accordance with various disclosed aspects. 
         FIG. 4A  is a side view of a shearing blade assembly including a retainer nut, in accordance with various disclosed aspects. 
         FIG. 4B  is a top view of a shearing blade assembly, in accordance with various disclosed aspects. 
         FIG. 4C  is a bottom perspective view of a shearing blade assembly, in accordance with various disclosed aspects. 
         FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of a shearing blade assembly including a shearing blade comprising cutting blades, in accordance with various disclosed aspects. 
         FIG. 5B  is a top view of a shearing blade assembly including a shearing blade comprising cutting blades. 
         FIG. 5C  is a side view of a shearing blade assembly including a shearing blade comprising cutting blades. 
         FIG. 6A  is a perspective view of a shearing blade assembly comprising four shearing wings, in accordance with various disclosed aspects. 
         FIG. 6B  is a top view of a shearing blade assembly comprising two shearing wings, in accordance with various disclosed aspects. 
         FIG. 6C  is a top view of a shearing blade assembly comprising four, curved shearing wings, in accordance with various disclosed aspects. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of at least a portion of a shearing blade assembly including a generally flat cutting blade, in accordance with various disclosed aspects. 
         FIG. 8A  is a side view of a shearing blade assembly comprising circular apertures, in accordance with various disclosed aspects. 
         FIG. 8B  is a side view of a shearing blade assembly comprising rectangular apertures, in accordance with various disclosed aspects. 
         FIG. 8C  is a side view of a shearing blade assembly comprising differently shaped apertures, in accordance with various disclosed aspects. 
         FIG. 8D  is a side view of a shearing blade assembly comprising apertures formed at angles other than orthogonally with the side wall, in accordance with various disclosed aspects. 
         FIG. 9  is a side view of a blender system comprising a pump assembly, in accordance with various disclosed aspects. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural and functional changes may be made without departing from the respective scope of the invention. Moreover, features of the various embodiments may be combined or altered without departing from the scope of the invention. As such, the following description is presented by way of illustration only and should not limit in any way the various alternatives and modifications that may be made to the illustrated embodiments and still be within the spirit and scope of the invention. 
     As used herein, the words “example” and “exemplary” mean an instance, or illustration. The words “example” or “exemplary” do not indicate a key or preferred aspect or embodiment. The word “or” is intended to be inclusive rather an exclusive, unless context suggests otherwise. As an example, the phrase “A employs B or C,” includes any inclusive permutation (e.g., A employs B; A employs C; or A employs both B and C). As another matter, the articles “a” and “an” are generally intended to mean “one or more” unless context suggest otherwise. 
     It is noted that the various embodiments described herein may include other components and/or functionality. It is further noted that while various embodiments refer to a blender or a blender system, various other systems may be utilized in view of embodiments described herein. For example, embodiments may be utilized in food processor systems, mixing systems, hand-held blender systems, various other food preparation systems, and the likes. As such, references to a blender, blender system, and the like, are understood to include food processor systems, and other mixing systems. Such systems generally include a blender base that may include a motor, a controller, a display, a memory and a processor. Further, such systems may include a blending container and a blade assembly. The blade assembly, the blending container, and the blender base may removably or irremovably attach. The blending container may be powered in any appropriate manner, such as disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/213,557, entitled Powered Blending Container, which is hereby incorporated by reference. Foodstuff may be added to the blender container. Furthermore, while blending of “ingredients,” “contents” or “foodstuffs” is described by various embodiments, it is noted that non-food stuff may be mixed or blended, such as paints, epoxies, construction material (e.g., mortar, cement, etc.), and the likes. Further, the blender systems may include any household blender and/or any type of commercial blender system, including those with covers that may encapsulate or partially encapsulate the blender. Further, commercial blender systems may include an overall blender system, such as a modular blender system that may include the blender along with other components, such as a cleaner, foodstuff storage device (including a refrigerator), an ice maker and/or dispenser, a foodstuff dispenser (a liquid or powder flavoring dispenser) or any other combination of such. 
     Moreover, blending of foodstuff or ingredients may result in a blended product. Such blended products may include drinks, frozen drinks, smoothies, shakes, soups, purees, sorbets, butter (nut), dips or the likes. It is noted that various other blended products may result from blending ingredients. Accordingly, terms such as “blended product” or “drink” may be used interchangeably unless context suggests otherwise or warrants a particular distinction among such terms. Moreover, such terms are not intended to limit possible blended products and should be viewed as examples of possible blended products. 
     Aspects of systems, apparatuses or processes described herein generally relate to blending or mixing systems. In an embodiment, a shear blending device may mix, blend, chop, shear, or otherwise process foodstuff. The shear blending device may include a container of any appropriate shape and size. The shear blending device may include a shear blending assembly attached with the container. Exemplary embodiments of the shear blending assembly are shown in the attached drawings. The shear blending assembly, however, is not limited to that shown and described herein. It may be of any appropriate configuration. 
     In operation, the shear blending assembly may act as a pump in the container. As the shear blade rotates in the shear mechanism, the contents in the container may be drawn into and passed the choke plate—such as into the intake area. The contents may then be pushed past and/or through the apertures (which may be any appropriate shape, including, without limitation, circular, oval, square, rectangular, hexagonal, etc.), which may shear the contents. In other words, it may blend the contents. 
     The shear blending assembly may also include a blade of any appropriate configuration. The blade may take the form of any traditional blender blade. For example, the blade may be bent at compound angles, simple or non-compound angles, or the like. In an aspect, bent blades may increase suction. In at least one embodiment, the blade may comprise wings that are generally flat or coplanar with each other. In an aspect, flat wings may vibrate less than bent wings. Reduced vibration may alter (e.g., reduce) noise produced during operation, increase efficiency, or the like. In an aspect, the shear blending assembly may alter (e.g., decrease) the amount of time needed to blend foodstuff in comparison with other blender systems. 
     Turning now to the figures,  FIG. 1  is a pump or shearing blade assembly  100  that may be suitable for use in a blender system. For example, shearing blade assembly  100  may be attached to or incorporated with a blender container. Foodstuff may be placed within the blender container, and the shearing blade assembly  100  may be rotated or driven by a motor. Rotation of the shearing blade assembly  100  may blend the foodstuff to a desired consistency. 
     Shearing blade assembly  100  may primarily comprise a shearing mechanism  110 , a shearing blade  120 , a cutting blade  130 , a choke plate  140 , and a nut  150  (which may be configured for attaching the shearing blade assembly  100  to a blending container). While referred to as separate components, it is noted that various components of shearing blade assembly  100  may comprise a single component. In another aspect, the various components may comprise monolithic constructions or may be attachable (e.g., removably or irremovably) to each other. For example, shearing blade  120  and cutting blade  130  may be monolithically formed, such as through molding, etching, three-dimensional printing, or other processes. In another example, the shearing blade  120  and the cutting blade  130  may be separately formed and may be attachable to a rotary axle. It is noted that the components may comprise various materials, such as plastics, metals, or the like. For instance, shearing blade  120  and the cutting blade  130  may comprise a metal, such as stainless steel, or the like. 
     In embodiments, shearing mechanism  110  may comprise a closed end  116  and side wall  114 . Side wall  114  may comprise one or more apertures  112  formed or bored therethrough. The apertures  112  may comprise various shapes, sizes, patterns, or the like. The shapes may represent circles, ellipses, rectangles, n-sided polygons (where n is a number), non-regular shapes, or the like. While depicted as comprising generally similar shapes, it is noted that the shearing mechanism  110  may comprise apertures  112  or different shapes. For instance, apertures  112  may comprise a number of square apertures and a number of circular apertures. 
     The apertures  112  may be orthogonally formed through the shearing mechanism  110 . According to at least one embodiment, the apertures  112  may be formed at different angles with respect to the shearing mechanism  110 . It is noted that the inner perimeters of the apertures  112  may be conical in shape, a common size throughout, or the like. It is further noted that the apertures  112  may be disposed in a regular or semi-regular repeating pattern, may be randomly placed, or otherwise disposed about side wall  114  of the shearing mechanism  110 . In embodiments, portions of the shearing mechanism  110  may comprise apertures while other portions do not comprise apertures. It is noted that edges of the apertures  112  may be sharp, squared, and/or rounded. 
     In an aspect, the properties of the at least one aperture  112  (e.g., shapes, sizes, angle, placement, etc.) may be selected for a desired flow rate, flow pattern (e.g., direction at which foodstuff is dispersed from aperture  112 ), and/or shearing rate. In another aspect, the properties may be selected based on a desired consistency or viscosity of a blended product. Moreover, shearing mechanism  110  may comprise any combination of apertures  112  having various properties. 
     Shearing blade  120  may be disposed within an intake area  102  of the shearing mechanism  110 . Shearing blade  120  may comprise a number of wings that may protrude from proximal to axis  104  towards side wall  114 . While shearing blade  120  is depicted as comprising four wings, it is noted that the shearing blade  120  may comprise a different number of wings. In another aspect, the wings may be generally perpendicular with each other. The wings may be generally rectangular prism-like in shape and/or may comprise other shapes. For instance, the wings may comprise fan blade shapes, concave/convex shapes, or the like. The wings may be generally perpendicular with a horizontal, such as axis  106 . It is noted, however, that the wings may be at angles with respect to the horizontal. 
     In at least one embodiment, as described in  FIG. 3A , wings  122  of the shearing blade  120  are designed to push or otherwise force foodstuff from inlet area  102 . The wings  122  force the foodstuff through the apertures  112  of the shearing mechanism  110 . As foodstuff is forced through the apertures  112 , it may contact edges of the apertures  112  and may be sheared or blended. In another aspect, as the foodstuff is forced through the apertures  112 , more foodstuff may be drawn into the inlet area  102 . To this and various other ends, the shearing blade assembly  100  may act as a pump that draws in of the foodstuff to the inlet area  102 . 
     Cutting blade  130  may be disposed above shearing blade  120  and/or intake area  102 . Cutting blade  130  may comprise one or more wings  132  extending at a proximal end  136  from a central body member  134  to a distal end  138 . The wings may be configured to chop or blend foodstuff during operation. In an aspect, the wings  132  may be oriented at compound angles with respect to the body member  134  to provide the cutting blade  130  with a compound angle of attack through a cutting path. Flow generated by the wings due to rotation of the cutting blade  130  may draw foodstuff through the cutting path to mix the foodstuff and grind any solids entrained therein. 
     Embodiments described herein may comprise various configurations of cutting blade  130 . For instance, cutting blade  130  may comprise bends including non-compound angles or compound angles. In another aspect, the wings of cutting blade  130  may be generally flat, coplanar with each other, and/or parallel with axis  106 . For instance, shearing mechanism  110  and shearing blade  120  may be configured to draw in foodstuff in a pump-like fashion. Drawing in of the foodstuff may force the foodstuff through a cutting path of the cutting blade  130 . It is noted that the cutting blade  130  may not need to generate a large amount of lift or may not need to generate any lift. As such, the reduced need to generate lift may allow the cutting blade  130  to be generally flat. Flattening of the cutting blade  130  may reduce vibrations in the cutting blade  130  and/or in a blender system overall. The reduced vibration may decrease the noise generated by the blender system and may increase overall user satisfaction. 
     Choke plate  140  may comprise a flange or ledge disposed at an open end of side wall  114 . The choke plate  140  may be monolithically formed with the side wall  114  and/or may be attached to the side wall  114 . An inner perimeter  142  of the choke plate  140  may contribute to control of a flow rate or suction of shearing blade assembly  100 . For instance, as the inner perimeter  142  decreases in size, the flow rate of foodstuff (e.g., amount of foodstuff that may flow to inlet area  102  over an amount of time) may decrease. An increase of the size of inner perimeter  142  may increase the flow rate of foodstuff. It is noted that the suction of shearing blade assembly  100  may also be altered based on the size and/or shape of inner perimeter  142 . 
       FIG. 2  depicts a blender system  200  that may primarily comprise a blender container  202  and the shearing blade assembly  100 . The container  202  and shearing blade assembly  100  may be attachable (e.g., removably or irremovably). It is noted that blender system  200  may include a blender base that may comprise a motor. The motor may drive the shearing blade assembly  100  for mixing foodstuff. For example, a user may place foodstuff in the container  202 . Power may be supplied to the motor and the motor may drive the shearing blade assembly  100  to rotate at least a portion of the shearing blade assembly  100 . 
     In an embodiment, the motor may drive the shearing blade  120  and the cutting blade  130 . The shearing mechanism  110  and choke plate  140  may remain stationary with respect to the container  202 . As the shearing blade  120  rotates, foodstuff may be forced through apertures  112 . Apertures  112  may shear the foodstuff and serve as an exhaust that may allow foodstuff to flow from the inlet area  102 . The dotted lines of  FIG. 2  may depict the flow of foodstuff as it is forced out of apertures  112  and then sucked or pumped in the inlet area  102 . In an aspect, the shearing mechanism  110  may act as a pump that may force foodstuff through the cutting path of cutting blade  120 . According to at least one embodiment, apertures  112  may be configured to function as exhaust ports that may not shear foodstuff. In an example, the apertures  112  may comprise relatively large apertures that allow foodstuff to pass through them without substantially shearing the foodstuff. As such, the shearing blade assembly  100  may act as a pump. 
     It is noted that the shearing blade assembly  100  may be configured to pump foodstuff while a disparate cutting blade assembly may be configured to cut, chop, or otherwise process foodstuff. For instance, a pump may comprise wings that may create lift when they rotate about an axis. The lift may draw in foodstuff and move the foodstuff to another area. In an aspect, the pump may be positioned to generate a flow of foodstuff that passes through a cut path of the cutting blade assembly. This may allow the cutting blade to be generally flat, having reduced vibrations. According to one example, the pump may draw foodstuff through a handle of the blender container, through a first container to a second container, or the like. 
     While  FIG. 2  depicts the shearing blade assembly  100  generally parallel with a horizontal when connected with or attached to the blender container  202 , it is noted that the shearing blade assembly  100  may be disposed at an angle with reference to the horizontal. In at least one embodiment, the shearing blade assembly  100  may be offset or not centered in the blender container  202 . For example, the shearing blade assembly may be at an angle from the horizontal and may be disposed at or near a corner of the blender container  202 . 
     Turning to  FIGS. 3A and 3B  with reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , there are expanded views  300  and  350  of shearing blade assembly  100  in accordance with various disclosed aspects. As shown in  FIG. 3A , cutting blade  130 , shearing blade  120 , choke plate  140  and shearing mechanism  110  may be assembled from one or more monolithically formed components. In at least one embodiment, shearing blade  120  may be disposed within an inlet area  102  of shearing mechanism  110 . Shearing blade  120  may comprise a plurality of shearing walls or wings  122 . The shearing wings  122  may be monolithically formed or may be attached, such as at or near axis  104 . The shearing wings  122  may protrude from proximal the axis  104  towards the side walls  114  of the shearing mechanism  110 . It is noted that the shearing wings  122  may touch the interior of side walls  114  or may be within a threshold distance. In at least one example, the shearing wings  122  may be between about 0.05 millimeters (mm) and 1 mm from the interior of side walls  114 . In another aspect, the shearing wings  122  may be generally rectangular prism-shaped. In an example, the shearing wings  122  may be normal or orthogonal with respect to a closed end  116  of the shearing mechanism  110 . 
     While depicted as comprising four rectangular prism-shaped shearing wings  122  configured in a plus-shape, it is noted that shearing blade  120  may comprise wings having various other configurations. As described here as well as elsewhere in this disclosure, the shearing blade  120  may comprise a different number of wings (e.g., 1, 2, 3, etc.), differently shaped wings (e.g., cylindrical in shape, obliquely angled with respect to closed end  116 , etc.), or the like. For instance, the shearing blade  120  may comprise fan blade-shaped wings. In another aspect, the shearing wings  122  may be bent or formed with compound angles, non-compound angles, or the like. 
     The shearing mechanism  110  may comprise side wall  114  that is generally perpendicular with the closed end  116 . The side wall  114  may generally represent a circular or cylindrical shape. It is noted that the side wall  114  may represent other shapes such as regular and/or irregular prism shapes. It is also noted that the side wall  114  may be other than perpendicular with the closed end  116 , for instance, the side wall  114  may generally represent a perimeter of a cross-section of a cone or the like. In another aspect, the side wall  114  may be monolithically formed or may comprise a plurality of portions that are attached to form side wall  114 . The side wall  114  may be attached with closed end  116 . Closed end  116  may comprise an aperture  118  configured to receive a drive shaft that drives at least one of cutting blade  130 , shearing blade  120 , and/or side wall  114 . While examples refer to a side wall, it is noted that shearing mechanism  110  may comprise any number of side walls. 
     Choke plate  140  may be disposed above the shearing mechanism  110  to control flow of foodstuff in an inlet area  102 . It is noted that choke plate  140  may comprise various shapes based on a desired implementation, flow rate, suction, or the like. As described herein, choke plate  140  may be monolithically formed with one or more other components. In at least one example, the choke plate  140  may comprise a ledge or flange of the side wall  114 . 
     Expanded view  350  shows shearing blade assembly  100  and an attachment assembly  310 . The attachment assembly  310  may comprise a shaft  312  and one or more bearings  314 . In an aspect, the shaft  312  may extend through apertures of at least one of shearing mechanism  110 , shearing blade  120 , choke plate  140  and/or cutting blade  130 . For instance, shearing mechanism  110 , shearing blade  120 , choke plate  140  and cutting blade  130  may be coaxially aligned to receive shaft  312 . In another aspect, shearing blade assembly  100  may be removably or irremovably secured to shaft  312 . Rotation of shaft  312  may cause rotation of at least a portion of shearing blade assembly  100 . 
     In embodiments, shearing blade assembly  100  may be configured such that shaft  312  rotates at least one of shearing blade  120  and/or shearing mechanism  110 . For example, shaft  312  may rotate shearing blade  120  about axis  104  while shearing mechanism  110  remains stationary. In another example, shearing mechanism  110  and shearing blade  120  may rotate at different speeds. In yet another example, shearing mechanism  110  may rotate while shearing blade  120  remains stationary. 
     It is noted that shearing blade  120  may comprise or may be attached to closed end  116 . For instance, closed end  116  may be detached from side wall  114 . Side wall  114  may be configured to connect to shaft  312  and/or a blender container (e.g., blender container  202 ). Shaft  312  may be configured to couple with shearing blade  120  and closed end  116 . Rotation of shaft  312  may cause the shearing blade  120  to rotate about axis  104  with respect to side wall  114 . 
     Cutting blade  130  may be coupled to shaft  312  such that shaft  312  drives the cutting blade  130 . It is noted that cutting blade  130  and other components, such as shearing blade  120 , may be coupled to the shaft  312  and may rotate at a common speed or rate. In another aspect, the cutting blade  130  may be coupled to shaft  312  such that it rotates at a different rate than shearing blade  120 . In an example, attachment assembly  310  may comprise two shafts where a first shaft is connected to cutting blade  130 , and a second shaft is connected to shearing blade  120 . The first and second shaft may rotate at different rates or speeds such that the cutting blade  130  and shearing blade  120  rotate at different rates. In another example, the torque of the first shaft and the second shaft may be similar or different from each other. In this aspect, the cutting blade  130  and the shearing blade  120  may rotate independent of each other (e.g., at different speeds, rates, powers, etc.). Independent rotation may allow for different blending patterns or properties. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C , depicted are various views of a shearing blade assembly  400  in accordance with one or more described embodiments. It is noted that shearing blade assembly  400  may comprise various aspects and/or components described with reference to shearing blade assembly  100 . 
     Shearing blade assembly  400  may primarily comprise a shearing mechanism  410 , shearing blade  420  and a cutting blade assembly  430 . In another aspect, shearing blade assembly  400  may comprise a choke plate  440  (which may control flow of foodstuff). As an example, shearing blade assembly  400  may be attached to a blender container, such as via attachment nut  450 . A portion of a shaft  452  may extend towards a motor when the shearing blade assembly  400  is coupled with the blender container. Rotation of the shaft  452  may drive various components of the shearing blade assembly  400  as described herein. 
     In an embodiment, cutting blade assembly  430  may comprise similar aspects as those of cutting blade  130 . For instance, the cutting blade assembly  430  may comprise wings  432  that may be bent at compound angles, simple angles, or the like. Each wing  432  may extend from a proximal end  436  to a distal end  438 . The wings  432  may generally converge near a body or body portion  434 . The body portion  434  may comprise an aperture  439  formed therethrough. The aperture  439  may be configured to receive the shaft  452 . 
     A wingspan  433  of a pair of the wings  432  may be less than or equal to a length or diameter  444  of choke plate  440 . It is noted, however, that the wingspan  433  may be greater in length than the diameter  444 . In another aspect, a blade assembly may not comprise a pair of wings that have a wingspan (e.g., where distal ends of wings are not disposed opposite each other) and/or may not have a circular choke plate  440 . As such the relationship between the wings  432  and choke plate  440  may be defined in terms other than wingspan and/or diameter. For instance, a distal end  438  of one or more wings  432  may extend past or to an outer perimeter  448  of choke plate  440 , may extend between outer perimeter  448  and inner perimeter  442 , or may extend to or may not reach the inner perimeter  442 . 
     Wings  432  of cutting blade  430  may be at least partially disposed above or below a surface level  454  of the choke plate  440 . For instance, body portion  434  may be disposed below the surface level  454  while portions of the wings  432 , such as distal end  438 , may extend to a first level  456  and/or a second level  458 . In at least one embodiment, the first level  456  and second level  458  may be disparate or substantially similar. In another aspect, a first wing may extend at or below surface level  454  while a second wing may extend above surface level  454 . It is noted that various configurations may be utilized. For instance, one or more wings of cutting blade  430  may extend within inlet area  402 , such as between wings of shearing blade  120 . While the wings  432  have been described as extending above and/or below the surface level  454 , it is noted that “above” and “below” are used for purposes of referring to the drawings. As such, the relative positions may be described by other terms. The terms used herein are utilized for exemplary purposes and sake of clarity with reference to the drawings. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4B , wings  432  of cutting blade  430  may be generally aligned with wings of shearing blade  420  (e.g., wings  122  of  FIG. 3A ). For instance, wings  432  and wings of the shearing blade  420  may be generally stacked and/or arranged about a common axis. In an aspect, the positions of the cutting blade  430  and the shearing blade  420  may be generally fixed with respect to each other. For example, the cutting blade  430  and the shearing blade  420  may be attached to shaft  452  such that the cutting blade  430  and the shearing blade  420  rotate at a same rate or speed, resulting in the relative positions of each of the blades to remain generally similar. In at least one embodiment, the cutting blade  430  and the shearing blade  420  may be attached (e.g., removably or irremovably) to each other. It is noted that cutting blade  430  and the shearing blade  420  may not be aligned and/or may rotatably move with respect to each other. 
     Shearing mechanism  410  may comprise a side wall  414  and a bottom surface  416 . The side wall  414  and closed end  416  may define the inlet area  402 . The side wall  414  may comprise one or more apertures  412 . The apertures  412  may be of various shapes and sizes. For instance, aperture  418  may be larger in area than at least one other of the apertures  412 . 
     In another aspect, shearing mechanism  410  may comprise a coupling component  460  that may couple or hold side wall  414  in place. In an example, the coupling component  460  may comprise a chamber that may receive a threaded member (e.g., screw, bolt, etc.) for securing at least one of the side wall  414  or choke plate  440  with an attachment nut  450 . 
     With reference now to  FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C , illustrated is shearing blade assembly  500  in accordance with various described embodiments. Shearing blade assembly  500  may comprise cutting blades integrated with shearing blades. The integrated blades may allow for cutting/chopping and shearing. It is noted that the shearing blade assembly  500  may comprise similar aspects to those described with reference to other embodiments. For instance, shearing blade assembly  500  may comprise a shearing mechanism  510  and a choke plate  540 . The shearing mechanism  510  may comprise similar aspects as shearing mechanism  110 ,  410 , etc. In another aspect, the choke plate  540  may comprise similar aspects as choke plate  140 ,  440 , etc. It is further noted that, while components of shearing blade assembly  500  may be described or depicted as separate components, the various components may comprise one or more components. For instance, shearing mechanism  510  and choke plate  540  may be monolithically formed and/or may comprise disparately formed components that are attached (e.g., removably or irremovably). 
     According to at least one embodiment, the shearing blade assembly  500  may comprise blade  520 . Blade  520  may comprise wings  522  that may include a pump portion  524  and a cutting portion  530 . The pump portion  524  (e.g., shearing blade) may be configured to move foodstuff in inlet area  502 . In an aspect, the pump portion  524  may force the foodstuff through apertures  512  of the shearing mechanism  510 . Cutting portion  530  (e.g., cutting blade) may be integrally formed with the pump portion  524  and/or attached (e.g., removably or irremovably) with the pump portion  524 . For example, the cutting portion  530  and pump portion  524  may be molded, printed, etched, or the like from or with a common material. In another example, the cutting portion  530  may be formed then attached (e.g., mechanically, chemically, magnetically, etc.) to pump portion  524 . In at least one embodiment, the cutting portion  530  may be a sharpened and/or beveled edge of pump portion  524 . 
     The blade  520  may be housed within the shearing mechanism  510 . In an example, the blade  520  may be disposed between a bottom surface or closed end  516  and the choke plate  540 . In an embodiment, the cutting portion  530  may extend above, about equal to, or below an upper surface  542  of the choke plate  540 , above, about equal to, or below a lower surface  546  of the choke plate  540 , between the upper surface  542  and the lower surface  546 , or the like. It is noted that the cutting portion  530  may be disposed on different portions of pump portion  524 . It is also noted that the blade  520  may comprise a different number of cutting portions and/or pump portions. For instance, a first wing may comprise a pump portion and cutting portion, while a second wing may comprise a pump portion without a cutting portion. 
       FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C  are various shearing blade assemblies that may not comprise a cutting blade.  FIG. 6A  is a shearing blade assembly  600 . The shearing blade assembly  600  may comprise components and/or aspects similar to those of various other described embodiments. In an example, the shearing blade assembly  600  may primarily comprise shearing mechanism  610 , shearing blade  620 , and choke plate  640 . In an aspect, the shearing blade  620  may comprise a general cross-like or plus-like formation comprising a number of wings or walls. While the shearing blade  620  is depicted as comprising four generally rectangular prism wings, it is noted that shearing blade  620  may comprise a different number of wings and/or different arrangements thereof. For instance,  FIG. 6B  is a top view of a shearing blade assembly  650  comprising a shearing blade  652 . The shearing blade  652  may comprise two wings that are arranged in a straight line.  FIG. 6C  is a top view of shearing blade assembly  660  comprising a shearing blade  662 . The shearing blade  662  may comprise four curved wings arranged in a fan-like configuration. 
     In an aspect, shearing blade assemblies  600 ,  650 , and/or  660  may be utilized with or without a cutting blade assembly. For instance, shearing blade assembly  600  may be attached to a blender container for shearing foodstuff without a cutting blade. In another example, the shearing blade assembly  600  may be utilized in a blender container with a separate cutting blade assembly. 
     Turning to  FIG. 7 , illustrated is a shearing blade assembly  700  comprising a straight or flat cutting blade. For instance, cutting blade  730  may comprise one or more wings  732  that are generally flat and/or coplanar with each other. In an aspect, the pumping action of shearing blade  720 , shearing mechanism  710 , and/or choke plate  740  may draw foodstuff into inlet area  702  and may force foodstuff through an exhaust or apertures  712 . As foodstuff is pumped through the inlet area  702 , the foodstuff may pass through a cut path of the cutting blade  730 . The cutting blade  730  may cut, chop, or otherwise blend the foodstuff as it rotates. 
     In an aspect, the cutting blade  730  may not need to draw foodstuff through its cutting path. For instance, some cutting blades are designed to create lift when they are rotated. This is typically accomplished through compound bends in wings and/or by angling wings. The lift draws foodstuff through a cutting path but also makes the wings more susceptible to bending or vibrating. In another aspect, the lift may cause the blade or other component (e.g., drive shaft) to wobble. The wobbling, bending, and vibrating may result in inefficiencies with respect to a flat blade. For instance, a bent blade may produce a large amount of noise due to vibration, and a wobbling blade (or other component) may damage a motor, induce heat, or otherwise may degrade the integrity of a system. According to the present disclosure, shearing blade apparatus  700  may act as a pump that draws the foodstuff through the cutting path of the blade  730 . This may allow the wings  732  to be generally flat and/or at reduced angles with respect to other blades, as the wings  732  may not need to create lift during blending. The flatness and/or limited bending of the wings  732  may reduce vibrations, noise, and/or wobble in the shearing blade assembly  700  and/or in a blender system. 
     One or more of wings  732  may extend to between an inner perimeter  742  of the choke plate  740  and an outer perimeter  744  of the choke plate  740 . In another aspect, at least one of wings  732  may extend to or past the outer perimeter  744  and/or to or a position before inner perimeter  742 . In an aspect, a thickness of the cutting blade  730  may depend on the length of the wings  732  and/or a maximum speed of rotation. In an example, a wing thickness may be proportional to a wing length, such that longer wings are generally thicker than shorter wings. This thickness to length ratio may allow increase stability of wings  732  which may reduce vibrations or the like. 
       FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C, and 8D  are various shearing blade assemblies which may comprise shearing mechanisms having differently configured apertures. It is noted that the various depicted shearing blade assemblies describe exemplary embodiments that demonstrate the availability of different types or configurations of apertures. The exact configuration may be selected as a combination of these and/or other described apertures. In another aspect, the apertures may be formed or drilled based on a desired flow rate, thickness of a blended product, or the like. As such, the shape, size, location, number of, or other parameters associated with the apertures may be selected based on a desired application. 
       FIG. 8A  depicts shearing blade assembly  800  that may comprise a shearing mechanism  802 . Shearing mechanism  802  may comprise a first set of apertures  806  and a second set of apertures  808 . In an aspect, the first set of apertures  806  and the second set of apertures  808  may comprise a plurality of circular or cylindrical apertures. The apertures may be orthogonally drilled or formed through the shearing mechanism  802 . In at least one embodiment, the shearing mechanism  802  may comprise an area devoid of apertures, such as flat area  810 . 
       FIG. 8B  depicts shearing blade assembly  820  that may comprise a shearing mechanism  822 . Shearing mechanism  822  may include one or more set of orthogonally formed, rectangular apertures  826 . In another aspect, the shearing mechanism  820  may include a flat area  830 . 
       FIG. 8C  depicts shearing blade assembly  840  that may comprise a shearing mechanism  842  that may include variously shaped apertures. For instance, a first set of rectangular apertures  844  may be disposed or formed through shearing mechanism  842 . In another aspect, round aperture  846  may also be formed therethrough. 
       FIG. 8D  depicts shearing blade assembly  860  that may comprise a shearing mechanism  862  comprising angled apertures. In at least one embodiment, shearing mechanism  862  may comprise angled aperture  864  and/or angled aperture  866 . It is noted that the angled aperture  864  and angled aperture  866  may be formed at or drilled at different angles. 
     With reference to  FIG. 9 , there is a blender system  900  in accordance with various disclosed aspects. As described herein, blender system  900  may include a blender container  904 , a cutting blade  930 , and a pump  910 . In an aspect, pump  910  may comprise an inlet area  902  for receiving foodstuff, an outlet area  912  for exhausting foodstuff, and a pump component  918  which may force foodstuff from one position to another. The foodstuff may be drawn into inlet area  902 , passed through a pump path or chamber  916 , and pushed from outlet area  912 . In an aspect, the pump component  918  may be positioned in the chamber  916 , which may comprise a tube or other formation. It is noted that the pump component  918  may comprise various forms and may include fan blades that create lift, or other forms of pumps. In an aspect, the pump component  918  may cause foodstuff to flow and pass through a cut path of the cutting blade  930 . 
     It is noted that the pump  910  may include one or more shearing apertures that may be formed on a surface of the chamber  916 . In another aspect, one or more of the inlet area  902  or the outlet area  912  may comprise a grate that may comprise apertures formed for shearing foodstuff. 
     Chamber  916  may comprise a passage or pathway through blender container  904 . For instance, the chamber  916  may be integrally formed with walls of the blender container  904 . In another aspect, the chamber  916  may be formed of a separate construction that is attached to the blender container and/or positioned within the blender container. As described here as well as elsewhere in this disclosure, the chamber  916  may be configured as a handle that may extend from the blender container  904  and may be configured to direct foodstuff, as well as support movement of the blender container  904 . It is noted that the chamber  916  may be configured to pass foodstuff to other containers or components. For instance, outlet area  912  may be comprised in a second container. As such, it is further noted that the pump  910  may comprise various configurations according to desired embodiments. Such configurations may be apparent through this description and the disclosed exemplary embodiments. 
     Although the embodiments of this disclosure have been illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the foregoing detailed description, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is not to be limited to just the described embodiments, but that the embodiments described herein are capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions without departing from the scope of the claims hereafter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the present specification, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the present specification are possible. Each of the components described above may be combined or added together in any permutation to define a blender system. Accordingly, the present specification is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim. The claims as follows are intended to include all modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the claims or the equivalent thereof