Patent Publication Number: US-2022225838-A1

Title: Powered blending container

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/497,261, entitled “POWERED BLENDING CONTAINER,” filed on Apr. 26, 2017, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/213,557, entitled “POWERED BLENDING CONTAINER,” filed on Mar. 14, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,638,886, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/787,594 entitled “SELF-POWERED AND CHARGING BLENDER JAR,” filed on Mar. 15, 2013, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present teachings generally relate to a powered blending container, more specifically a blending container powered by a power source operatively connected to the blending container. The blending container includes features powered by the power source such as illuminated gradient markings, temperature sensors, interlocking features, vibration detection sensors, and sensors to detect air pockets. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Blenders to facilitate the processing of food, drinks, and other blended food preparations, have become ubiquitous in both commercial and residential settings. Such appliances are particularly useful where there are a variety of operations to be performed repeatedly with accuracy and precision. 
     Presently, blending containers are not powered. Having a separate power source for the blending container permits the addition of features that will further facilitate commercial and residential uses of blenders. For example, a powered blending container could include gradient markings that are luminescent. This would be of particular use in areas with low lighting, such as bars or restaurants, and would permit a user to more accurately measure ingredients in such environments. 
     SUMMARY 
     A blending device is shown and described. The blending device may include a blending container and a power source operatively connected to the blending container. The power source may be configured to supply power to the blending container. The blending container may also include a feature that is powered by the power source. 
     A blending device may include a blending container and a wireless power source positioned in the blending container for supplying power to the blending container. The blending container may also include gradient markings that are powered by the power source. 
     A blending device may include a blending container and a wireless power source operatively coupled to the blending container. The wireless power source may be directly connected to the blending container to supply power to the blending container. The blending container may also comprise a wireless sensor that is powered by the wireless power source. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The operation of the invention may be better understood by reference to the detailed description taken in connection with the following illustrations, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a blending device. 
         FIG. 2  is a top perspective view of an external charging stand. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a blending device with a sensor included in the blending container. 
         FIG. 4A  is a first cross-sectional view of a blending container. 
         FIG. 4B  is a second cross-sectional view of a blending container. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the blade base. 
         FIG. 6  is a plan view of a blender base. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the present teachings, 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 present teachings. Moreover, features of the various embodiments may be combined or altered without departing from the scope of the present teachings. 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 present teachings. 
     With reference to  FIG. 1 , an exemplary embodiment of a blending device  10  made in accordance with the present teaching is shown. The blending device  10  may include a blending container  14  and a blending base  18 . 
     Blending container  14  may include a lid  22 , a body  26 , a handle  30 , and a base  34 . The blending container  14  may have a power source  36  positioned in the blending container  14  at any appropriate location. By way of a non-limiting example, the power source  36  may be positioned in the body  26 , in the handle  30  or in the base  34 . The power source  36  is configured to provide power to the blending container  14 . The power source  36  may be of any appropriate type—the present teachings are not limited to the power source  36  shown herein. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the power source  36  is an energy storage device, such as a battery  36 . The battery  36  may be a rechargeable battery or a non-rechargeable battery. For those embodiments in which the battery  36  is a rechargeable battery, the battery  36  may be charged by the blender base  18  or by an external charging stand  40 . The blending container  14  may be stored and charged on the external charging stand  40  when not in use. 
     The blending container  14  may include features that require power such as illuminated gradient markings, sensors, or a microprocessor. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the blending container  14  includes gradient marker elements  44  that are luminescent. The power for illuminating the gradient marker elements  44  comes from the power source (e.g., the battery  36 ). The gradient marker elements  44  may be illuminated in any appropriate manner. The gradient marker elements may be individual elements and may be illuminated together or individually. For example, the illuminated gradient marker elements  44  may provide instructions for users to add ingredients during operation of the blending device  10  or merely as an illumination source for the blending container  14 . 
     The blending container  14  may include gradient markers on a display panel that is attached to or is an integral part of the blending container  14 . It will be appreciated that the display panel could be any appropriate means for displaying information, including, but not limited to an LCD, LED or OLED display. 
     Further still, the blending container  14  may include a light, such as an LED light or the like. The power source (e.g., the battery  36 ) may provide power to illuminate such light. The light may allow users to see the blending container  14  in dark conditions, e.g., in a dark bar. 
     As described below, the blending container  14  may be in operative communication with the blending base  18 , the blending device  10  and/or other wireless devices. The display panel may display information received from sensors contained within the blending container  14  or information received from the blending base  18  or the blending device  10 . The display panel may further display information received from another wireless device that is in operative communication with the blending container  14 . For example, a wireless device, such as a tablet, may be used to download recipes or blending programs from a remote database or website, such as www.vitamix.com, and download the recipes or programs to the wireless device. The wireless device may then communicate the recipe information to the blending container  14  by way of a wireless controller. A display on the blending container  14  can then display the recipe information to the user in a step by step format so that the user can easily follow the recipe instructions while using the blender. 
     By way of a non-limiting example, the user may be directed to add ingredients to the blending container  14  upon illumination of one or more of the gradient marker elements  44 . Further still, the amount of ingredients may be indicated by illuminating a predetermined one or more of the gradient marker elements  44  so that the user may add such ingredient up to the illuminated gradient marker elements  44 . Similarly, the blending container  14  may direct the user to turn on or off a specific blending process, such as through illumination of the gradient marker elements  44  and/or the light. In these embodiments, the light or gradient marker elements  44  may illuminate when the user is to take a step with regard to a recipe, e.g., turn off the blending system  10 . 
     The blending container  14  may include a sensor that is powered by the power source. The sensor may be a wireless sensor operatively coupled with the power source. It should be understood that the sensors described herein are non-limiting examples of the types of sensors that can be powered by the power source of the blending container  14 . It should be further understood that any appropriate method for displaying, notifying or otherwise interpreting the information from the sensors can be used in the blending device  10  of the present teachings. 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , the blending container  14  includes a sensor  52  for detecting the temperature of the contents of the blending container  14 . A display  48  may be operatively connected to the sensor and may display the temperature of the blending container  14  contents to the user. The sensor may be in operative connection with an alarm that is triggered when a desired temperature is reached. By way of a non-limiting example, the alarm may be illumination of the gradient marker elements  44  or light, may be an audible alarm or a combination of such. 
     The blending container  14  may include a sensor for detecting an air pocket in the content of the blending container  14 . The sensor may be operatively connected to a display system that provides notification to the user that there is an air pocket in the contents of the blending container  14 . The user can then remove the air pocket by, e.g., stirring the contents, utilizing a tamper to tamp the contents, or adjusting the speed of the blending system  10  accordingly. Further, the sensor may be operatively connected to a control panel that adjusts the blending speed to eliminate the air pocket. 
     The blending container  14  may include a sensor for detecting vibrations of the blending device  10 . The sensor may be operatively connected to a control panel, a display panel or to the blade assembly  56 . If, for example, the vibrations from the blending device  10  exceed a predetermined threshold, the display panel may alert the user and/or the blending device  10  may automatically turn off via the control panel. By way of a non-limiting example, the control panel may alert the user by illuminating one of the gradient marker elements  44  or the light, provide an audible alert or a combination of such. 
     As identified above, the blending container  14  may include the lid  22  selectively attached thereto. A sensor for detecting presence of the lid  22  may be included in the blending container  14 . The blending container  14  and the lid  22  may include an interlock feature. The interlock feature may be of any appropriate configuration to generally prevent the blending device  10  from operating when the lid  22  is not on the blending container  14  or is not positioned correctly on the blending container  14 . If the sensor does not detect presence of the lid  22  on the blending container  14 , the blending device  10  may be configured to be disabled, i.e., not operate. 
     In an embodiment, the lid  22  may include a magnet and the blending container  14  may include a magnet and a sensor, such as a reed switch (not shown) in its proximity. The reed switch may be utilized to indicate when both magnets are in sufficient proximity to indicate that the lid  22  is on the blending container  14 . 
     The blending container  14  may include a sensor as part of an interlock feature  60 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the blending container  14  and blade assembly  56  may include the interlock feature  60 . The interlock feature  60  may be of any appropriate configuration to generally prevent access to the blade  124  when it is spinning. As shown in  FIG. 4A , for example, the blending container  14  may include a first tab  192  extending therefrom. As shown in  FIG. 4A , the first tab  192  may include a magnet  196  embedded therein. The at least one magnet  196  may be secured with the blending container  14  in any appropriate manner. By way of a non-limiting example, the magnet  196  may be welded into a pocket  200  formed in the blending container  14  between the inner layer  84  and the outer layer  88 . In a further non-limiting example, the magnet  196  may be adhered, such as through use of an adhesive, between the inner layer  84  and the outer layer  88  of the blending container  14 . 
     Further, as shown, the blending container  14  may include a second tab  204  extending therefrom. The second tab  204  may be of a similar configuration as the first tab  192 , but may be of a different size. Further, the second tab  204  may be offset from the first tab  192  along the circumference of the blending container  14  at an angle that is other than 180 degrees. In other words, the first tab  192  and second tab  204  are not aligned with one another, as described in more detail below. The second tab  204  may include a second magnet  208  embedded therein. The second magnet  208  may be welded into a second pocket  212  formed in the blending container  14  between the inner layer  84  and the outer layer  88 . In a further non-limiting example, the second magnet  208  may be adhered, such as through use of an adhesive, between the inner layer  84  and the outer layer  88  of the blending container  32 . While the first tab  192  and second tab  204  with the magnet  196  and second magnet  208  are shown and described, any number of tabs and magnets may be used without departing from the present teachings. Further still, the number of tabs and magnets utilized are not limited to that shown. Any appropriate number of tabs and magnets may be utilized, e.g., three, four, etc. 
     In these embodiments, the first magnet  196  and second magnet  208  may be positioned in the tabs  192  and  204 , respectively. Once inserted therein, the inner and outer layers  84 ,  88  may be sonic welded together. Once sonic welded, the magnets  196  and  208  are melted into the tabs  192  and  204  capturing the magnets  196  and  208  between the inner and outer layers  84 ,  88 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the blender base  24  may include a lip  216  in the opening  116  in the pedestal  76 ; the lip  216  may generally encompass a majority portion or all of the opening  116 . The lip  216  may include first and second recessed portions  220 ,  224 . The first and second recessed portions  220 ,  224  may be configured such that the tab  192  and second tab  204  are selectively and operatively engageable with such first and second recessed portions  220 ,  224 . The first recessed portion  220  may be shaped and sized such that only the first tab  192  may be capable of operatively engaging it. Similarly, the second recessed portion  224  may be shaped and sized such that only the second tab  204  is operatively engageable therewith. 
     Further each of the first and second recessed portions  220 ,  224  may include a sensor, such as a reed switch (not shown) in its proximity. The reed switch may be utilized to indicate when both of the tab  192  and second tab  204  are operatively positioned within the first and second recesses  220 ,  224 . Contacts of the reed switch may be in normally open position when the magnets  196  and  208  are not in proximity thereto, i.e., when the tabs  192  and  204  are not positioned in the first and second recessed portions  220 ,  224 . When the magnets  196  and  208  within the tabs  192 ,  204 , respectively, are moved in operative proximity to the reed switch, the reed switch will close, i.e., the reed switch will close when a magnetic field is present. Once the magnets  196  and  208  are moved away from the switch, the reed switch will go back to its original open position. 
     When the reed switch is in the open position, the motor (not shown) is configured to be disabled, i.e., not operate. When the motor is disabled, the blade assembly  56  and more particularly, the blade  124  is not capable of operation. Therefore, in order to operate the blending system  10 , the blending container  14  and blade assembly  56  must be operatively coupled with the blender base  18 . Specifically, the tabs  192  and  208  must be operatively positioned within the first and second recessed portions  220 ,  224 , respectively in order for the blending system  10  to operate. This generally prevents the user from being able to access or otherwise contact the blade  124 . 
     The blending container  14  may be connected to a microprocessor. The microprocessor may be configured to receive inputs from the user (e.g., push-button controls) or from the sensors. The microprocessor may further be configured to receive power from the power source and to perform the tasks described herein. For example, the microprocessor may receive input from the sensors and may be programmed to carry out given tasks based on sensor inputs. The display on the blending container  14  may display any appropriate message received from the microprocessor. 
     The blending container  14  may include a wireless controller for communicating with the blending base  18  or the blending device  10 . The blending container  14  may be configured to communicate wirelessly with other wireless devices (not shown), such as a smartphone, computer, tablet, personal computer, NFC point, or other wireless device. The wireless device may be capable of sending or receiving data, such as a blender program, recipe data or system settings, to the blending container  14  by way of a wireless controller. 
     The wireless controller may include a memory, a processor, and a wireless control module. The wireless signal may be any wireless signal, such as a Wi-Fi signal, Bluetooth signal, ZigBee signal, or cellular network signal. The wireless controller may be integrally formed with the blending container  14  or may be removably connectable to the blending container  14  through a communication port. 
     In an embodiment, the wireless device may be capable of downloading and running a software application. The software application may be capable of connecting to a network, such as the Internet. The software application may be capable of accessing step by step recipes or blending programs from a remote database or website, such as www.vitamix.com, and downloading the recipes or programs to the wireless device. One example of communicating the recipe, or other information, from the wireless device to the blending container  14  is through near field communication. For instance, data can be exchanged (e.g., recipes) between the wireless device and the blending container  14  when they are brought into a predefined close proximity of each other. The wireless device may then communicate the recipe information to the blending container  14  by way of the wireless controller. A display on the blending device  10  can then display the recipe information to a user in a step by step format so that the user can easily follow the recipe instructions while using the blender. 
     In an embodiment, the blender container  14  may communicate with a wireless device such as a tablet. The wireless device may transmit a recipe to the blending container  14 . Using the wireless device, a user indicates when each step of the recipe has been completed (e.g., the ingredients have been added to the blending container). Once the steps of the recipe have been confirmed, the wireless device may transmit the blend profile (e.g., the motor speed, duration, etc.) to the blending container  14 . Instructions to start the blending device  10  may be received from the tablet or the user may start the blending device by, for example, hitting the start button on the blending device  10 . 
     In an embodiment, the blending container  14  includes one or more sensors configured to sense parameters of the blending device  10 . The blending container  14  further includes a wireless controller configured to send a wireless signal related to one or more of the sensed parameters. The sensed parameters may include temperature, cycle time, cycle count, or other parameters. The blending container  14  may communicate the sensed parameters to the blending device  10 . 
     In an embodiment, the wireless controller is configured to receive a blending program. The blender container  14  may communicate the blending program to the blending device  10 . The blending program may comprise at least one motor speed and at least one time interval for the given motor speed. The program may be stored on a memory and recalled by the blending container  14  or the blending device  10 . 
     The power source for the blending device  10  may be positioned in the blending container  14 , e.g., in the lid  22 , the body  26 , the handle  30 , the base  34  or any combination thereof. The power source may also be located in the blending base  18  such that when the blending container  14  is attached to the blending base  18 , the power source positioned in the blending base could be used to power the blending container  18 . The power source may be wireless. Non-limiting examples of power supplies include energy storage devices and rechargeable and regenerative power supplies. 
     In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1 , the power source is an energy storage device, specifically a battery  36  located in the handle  30  of the blending container  14 . The battery  36  can be a rechargeable battery. The battery  36  can be recharged using the base of the blending device  10 . For example, when the base  18  of the blending device  10  is plugged in, the power from the base may be used to charge the rechargeable battery  36 . The battery  36  may also be charged on an external charging stand  40  when the blending device  10  is not being used. In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 2 , the charging stand  40  is generally shaped like the blender base  18 . However, it should be appreciated that the charging stand  40  may be of any appropriate configuration and is not limited to that shown and described. For example, the charging stand  40  can accommodate the blending container  14  such that the base of the blending container  14  is in contact with the charging stand  40 . Alternatively, the lid portion of the blending container  14  could be in contact with the charging stand (i.e., the blending container  14  can be stored upside down on the charging stand). 
     The blending container  14  can also be powered using regenerative energy. For example, a coil may be embedded or encapsulated in the blending container  14 . A magnet in operative proximity to the coil induces an electrical current and provides power to the blending container  14 . The magnet moves with the movement of the blending device  10 . When the magnet passes by the coil in the blending container  14 , an electric current is induced and is available to provide power to the blending container  14 . The magnet may be positioned in the blender base  18 . The regenerative energy may be used to charge the rechargeable battery  36 . 
     Other types of energy may be used to power the blender container  14 . For example, solar energy could be the power source or could be used to recharge the power source. 
     Any of the described power sources could be used to charge or recharge an energy storage device such as a battery or capacitor. 
     Although the embodiments of the present teachings have been illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the foregoing detailed description, it is to be understood that the present teachings are not to be limited to just the embodiments disclosed, but that the present teachings described herein are capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions without departing from the scope of the claims hereafter. 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.