Abstract:
A blender system including a mixing base is capable of agitating the contents of a plurality of containers. The mixing base includes a rotating shaft, a recessed well, a pressure-actuated switch positioned about the periphery of the recessed well, and a locking groove. One container that may be used with the mixing base has an opening at one end and a base at a second end, where the base is tapered. The container also includes one or more locking members in spaced relation about the periphery of the container body. The container body may be provided with a handle. The container also includes a ring that is selectively attachable and removable from the periphery of the opening such that when the ring is coupled to the container, the user is able to drink from the container without spilling or dripping.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This utility patent application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/649,757, filed on Aug. 26, 2003, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,817,750 B1 on Nov. 16, 2004, which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference. 

   BACKGROUND 
   Various devices for blending various liquids and solids have been developed over the years. These devices have various features and options to suit a wide variety of uses and applications. For example, there are many blenders that are either handheld or freestanding devices. While these devices have been useful, these prior art devices can be difficult to clean, use and store unused products, especially, when preparing smaller batches. More specifically, freestanding devices can be too large and cumbersome to use to make smaller portions and are generally better designed for blending larger quantities of fluids and ingredients. Handheld units may be useful to make individualized portions, but they may lack the power to properly blend ingredients together. Furthermore, these handheld units are generally used with open containers such as bowls or cups that can increase the chances of spilling or splattering during preparation of the ingredients. Moreover, the unused portion would have to be poured out of the open container and into a sealable container to be stored or to be readily carried by a person. Accordingly, there remains a need for an individualized blender system that may be easier to use, clean and store unused products. 
   SUMMARY 
   Exemplary embodiments disclosed here are directed to an individualized blender system. According to one exemplary embodiment, the blender system is composed of a base including a motor means, an individual-sized container and a combination blender and/or juicer canister. The base includes a body, a motor means, an agitating means coupled to the motor, a recessed well for receiving a container and a pressure-sensitive switch that selectively powers the motor means. In use, the container or canister may be placed on the base, pressure is applied to the container or canister thereby activating the motor means and agitating the contents of the container or canister. The base also includes a locking groove that permits the user to lock the container or canister on the base while keeping the motor means in the powered position. 
   According to one exemplary embodiment, the individually sized container may be bullet-shaped. In alternate embodiments, the container may have a cylindrical, polygonal, cubical, or pyramidal shape. Also, the container may be sealed with a simple cap or a cap having an agitating means. The container may also include a plurality of ridges that form a stable platform for standing the container like a typical drinking vessel. That is, the bullet-shape container may be inverted so that the container rests on the ridges, and the cap is readily accessible. Additionally, the container may include locking members that engage the locking grooves provided on the blender base. 
   According to one exemplary embodiment, the blender canister includes, at a minimum, a body, a selectively removable base having an agitating means, locking members that engage the locking grooves provided on the blender base and a selectively removable means for sieving the container contents. In use, with the sieving means provided in the body of the blender canister, fruits and vegetables may be placed and blended within the bore of the sieving means. The pulp remaining from the fruits and vegetables remain within the bore of the sieving means and the resultant juice may be decanted from the blender canister. Alternatively, the blender canister may be used without the removable means for sieving the container contents. 
   According to another embodiment, a container that may be used with a mixing base has an opening at one end and a base at a second end, where the second end is tapered. The container may also include one or more locking members in spaced relation about the periphery of the container body. The container body may also include a staying means that is coupled to the exterior of the container. The container may also include a ring that is selectively attachable and removable from the periphery of the opening such that when the ring is coupled to the container, the user is able to drink from the container without spilling or dripping. 
   Another embodiment is directed to caps that may be coupled to one or more of the containers disclosed herein. The cap may have a generally planar top surface and at least one sidewall. The cap may be secured over the openings of the container via one or more coupling means. The cap may also include openings that are spaced about the top of the container. The openings may have varying sizes, shapes, and density on the cap depending upon the intended or desired use. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the blender system; 
       FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an individualized blender container; 
       FIG. 2B  is an exploded perspective view of  FIG. 2A ; 
       FIG. 2C  is an inverted perspective view of  FIG. 2A ; 
       FIG. 2D  is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of an individualized blender container; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a blender base; 
       FIG. 4  is a top plan view of  FIG. 3 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a blender base taken along line  5 — 5  of  FIG. 4 ; 
       FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a blender base taken along line  6 — 6  of  FIG. 5 ; 
       FIG. 7  is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a blender container; 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a blender container; 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of blender container base; 
       FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of blender container taken along line  10 — 10  of  FIG. 7 ; 
       FIG. 11  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a mug that may be used with the blender; 
       FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 11  with an exemplary embodiment of a ring removed from the mug; 
       FIG. 13  is a bottom perspective view of ring of  FIG. 12 ; 
       FIG. 14  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a mug that is coupled to a blender base; 
       FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a top for a blender container; and 
       FIG. 16  is another embodiment of a top for a blender container. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of exemplary embodiments and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the exemplary embodiments may be constructed and/or utilized. 
   Turning to the drawings,  FIG. 1  is directed to an exemplary embodiment of an individualized blender system. More specifically,  FIG. 1  shows a container  101  engaged to a blender base  100  and a blender container  106 . As shown in the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the container  101  is a bullet-shaped container. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the container  101  may have a plurality of shapes known or developed in the art. Also, the container  101  may include a plurality of ridges  102  provided on the outer surface of the container  101 . The container  101  also includes a means for agitating  108  the contents of the container. The means for agitating  108  the container contents can be a blade element coupled to an impeller in a shaft or other transmission means. The blade element may have one, two, three, four, or more cutting elements. The cutting elements are generally flat members that may have sharpened edges, pointed tips, and one or more bends along the surface of the cutting elements. 
   The blender container  106  includes selectively removable lid  104 ,  105 , and a base member  110  that is coupled to an agitating means  108 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the lid is composed of two components, but it is contemplated that a one-piece or multi-piece cap may also be used. The lid  104  may be locked on to the opening of the container  106  via a cap-locking member  107 . The cap-locking member  107  may be an L-shaped ridge located at the lip of the container  106 . The cap-locking member  107  engages a corresponding member (not shown) on the lid  104  in order to securely fix the lid  104  to the container  106 . 
   According to one exemplary embodiment, the blender container  106  may include a juicer element  111 . The juicer element  111  is composed of a main body  113  and a plurality of sieve elements  114  spaced about the periphery of the main body  113 . According to the exemplary embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1 , the juicer element  111  may also include a funnel  112  at one end of the main body  113 . Additionally, the juicer element  111  may also include an annular stop member  115  positioned at one end of the juicer so as to prevent over-insertion of the juicer element  111  into the blender container  106 . 
     FIGS. 2A through 2C  illustrate various views of the individualized container  101 . That is, an individualized container  101  is sized for smaller servings that would be prepared/consumed by one and/or a few individuals. As shown in  FIG. 2A , the container  101  is resting on external ridges  102 . The external ridges  102  are shaped so as to permit the container  101  to rest on the apex of the container  101  without tipping over. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the number of ridges  102  may be varied from what is depicted so long as the container  101  can stand upright on a substantially flat surface. As shown in  FIG. 2A , the container  101  may be used as a drinking vessel. That is, an individual may blend contents of the container  101 , remove the container  101 , base  100 , access the contents of the container, and secure the cap  200  onto the container  101  to store for later use. 
   In one configuration, the container  101  may be also enclosed with a cap  200 . In an alternate configuration, the container  101  may be enclosed with a base  202  having an agitating means  203  as shown in  FIG. 2D . As shown in  FIG. 2C , the cap  200  may be affixed to the opening of the container  101  by threads  204 . As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the cap  200  may be secured to the container  101  by various known and developed means such as, but not limited to, a friction fit or a snap-fit. As shown in  FIG. 2B , the container  101  is inverted and may rest on the cap  200 . 
     FIG. 2D  illustrates an alternate embodiment of the container  101  having a larger volume as compared to the embodiments depicted in  FIGS. 2A–2C . Also, the base  202  includes another exemplary embodiment of an agitating means  203 . Additionally, as shown in  FIGS. 2A through 2C , the container  101  includes locking members  201  that are spaced about the periphery of the container  101 . The locking members  201  allow the user to operate the blender without requiring the constant application of force to the container (in order to keep the motor means switched on). 
     FIG. 3  is directed to the base  100  and the various components that are associated with the base&#39;s recessed well  300 . The base  100  includes a motor means (not shown) that is coupled to an impeller  301 . The impeller  301  includes a plurality of blades  303  that radiate from the center of the impeller  301 . Along the periphery of the recessed well  300 , a plurality of bushings  305  may be placed about the periphery of the recessed well  300 . In another exemplary embodiment of the base  100 , the base does not include the bushings  305 . The bushings  305  may be made from a generally resilient material such as, but not limited to, rubber or silicone that may serve to reduce the vibrations during the agitation of the container contents. Also, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the recessed well  300  includes a plurality of pressure-activated switches  302 . In use, the weight of the container  101  or the blender container  106  causes the downward movement of the switch  302  thereby activating the motor means. As shown in  FIG. 3 , a locking groove  304  may be provided adjacent to the switch  302 . Accordingly, in use, when the locking members  201  contact and depress the switch  302 , the container  101 ,  106  may be rotated such that the locking member  201  engages the locking groove  304 . That is, as shown in  FIG. 6 , when a force F 1  is applied to the switch  302 , the switch  302  moves downward. This downward motion causes the cam  600  on the switch  302  to contact a switching means  501  that is connected to the motor  500  thereby powering the motor. Accordingly, depending on the intended use or application, the container  101 ,  106  may be depressed to activate the motor  500  for short periods of time. Alternatively, the container  101 ,  106  may be depressed and rotated slightly so as to allow the locking members  201  to engage the locking groove  304  to permit the continued operation of the motor  500  without requiring the user to exert constant pressure to keep the motor powered. 
     FIG. 7  is directed to an exemplary embodiment of the blender container  106 . The blender container  106  comprises a main body that defines a volume and a lid  104 ,  105  that is affixed thereto. The lid includes a plurality of openings  700  that may be used to decant the contents of the container  106  while the lid  104  remains affixed to the container  106 . The blender container  106  also includes a base  110 , and a plurality of generally elongated ridges  123  integrally formed on the interior of blender container  106 , as generally depicted in  FIGS. 7 ,  10 . The base  110  is sized to fit within the recessed well  300 . Also, the base  110  is coupled to the container  106  by a screw-fit relation. The base  110  also includes an agitating means  108 , as shown in  FIG. 9 . Turning back to  FIG. 7 , the blender container  106  also includes a plurality of locking members  109  spaced about the periphery of the blender container  106  near the base  110  of the container  106 . As shown in the exemplary blender container  106  depicted in  FIG. 7 , a juicer  111  may be provided within the body of the blender container  106 . As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the blender container  106  may be used without the juicer  111 . The blender container  106  may include a handle  800  and a spout  801  that facilitates the decanting of the contents of the container. 
     FIG. 10  illustrates the cross-sectional view of the blender container  106 . The cross-sectional view shows the juicer element  111  placed within the body of the blender container  106 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , the juicer element  111  is secured to the bottom of the blender container  106 . Additionally, the bore of the juicer  111  may be accessed by removing cap element  105 . In use, fruits and/or vegetables may be placed into the bore  1003  of the juicer  111 . Rotation of the motor means is transmitted through shaft  1000  and mating impeller  1001  thereby transmitting a rotational force to the agitating means  108 . The contents of the juicer  1003  are then blended thereby causing the resulting juice to move from the bore  1003  into the container body  1002  through the sieve elements  114 . The remaining pulp is separated and trapped within the bore  1003  of the juicer  111 . By providing a two-part cap  104 ,  105 , an individual user can access the bore  1003  of the juicer  111  without removing the entire cap or stopping the machine for fear of spillage or splattering. For example, the individual user may remove cap  105  to access the bore  1003  of the juicer  111  to add more products for juice extraction. The resulting juice that is located within the space  1002  may be decanted from the container without removing the lid through the openings. 
     FIG. 11  illustrates one embodiment of a mug-type container  1100 . The container  1100  includes at least one wall  1101  that defines a fluid containing area. As shown in the figure, the wall  1101  may be slightly tapered when moving from the mouth of the container  1100  to the base of the container  1100 . The container  1100  also includes means for grasping or holding the container  1102 . In another embodiment, the means may be a handle  1102 , which is fixed to the outer wall  1101 . In one embodiment, the handle  1102  is a generally U-shaped. 
   Container  1100  also includes a plurality of locking members  1104  that are positioned about the periphery of container  1100 . In one embodiment, locking members  1104  are protuberances that extend substantially perpendicular from wall  1101  of container  1100 . Also as shown in  FIG. 11 , locking members  1104  may have a generally rectangular shape. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, locking members  1104  may have a plurality of different shapes. Container  1100  further includes a plurality of substantially elongated ridges  1107  ( FIGS. 11–12 ,  14 ) integrally formed on the interior wall of the container body. Ridges  1107  facilitate the blending of the contents of container  1100 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 12 , the container  1100  is provided with a plurality of threads  1200  on the outer wall  1101  that allow the ring  1103  to be coupled to the container  1100 . As shown in the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 11 , the members  1104  may be coupled to a ring-shaped ridge  1105 . The ridge  1105  may also serve as a stop so that the ring  1103  is not over threaded beyond the opening of the container  1100 . 
   The container  1100  may also include a ring  1103  that is positioned atop the mouth of the container  1100 . The ring  1103  may be fixed to the container  1100  via threads or other coupling means known or developed in the art.  FIG. 13  shows one embodiment of the ring  1103  that may be coupled to the mouth of the container  1100 . In one embodiment, the ring  1103  is a generally cylindrical wall having an outer surface and inner surface. The ring  1103  may include a plurality of threads  1300  that are found on the inner surface of the ring  1103 . In another embodiment, the ring  1103  includes a top surface or lip that is coupled to the wall of the ring  1300 . The ring  1103  may be coupled over the threads  1200  of the container  1100  so that it is easier for an individual to drink from the container  1100 . 
   may be coupled over the threads  1200  of the container  1100  so that it is easier for an individual to drink from the container  1100 . 
     FIG. 14  illustrates one exemplary embodiment of container  1100  being fixed to base member  110 . Specifically, container  1100  is inverted and threadedly coupled to base member  110 . The coupled container  1100  may then be inserted into the recess well  300  of blender base  100 . As shown in  FIG. 14 , the base of container  1100  is slightly tapered at  1400 . The taper of container  1100  creates a dome-like structure that facilitates the blending of the contents of container  1100 . 
     FIGS. 15 and 16  illustrate exemplary embodiments of a container cap  1500 ,  1600 , respectively, that may be coupled to a container  101 ,  1100 . The cap  1500 ,  1600  contains a generally planar top surface  1502 ,  1103  and at least one sidewall  1503 ,  1604 . According to various embodiments, the tops  1002 ,  1603  of the container cap  1500 ,  1600  and the sidewalls  1503 ,  1604  are generally perpendicular to one another. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the caps  1500 ,  1600  may secure to the containers  101 ,  1100  by a coupling means. In another embodiment, the coupling means may be ridges for a snap fit. In one embodiment, a plurality of threads (not shown) may be provided on the inner surface of the wall  1503 ,  1604 . The threads are sized to engage the threads that are on the plurality of the containers  101 ,  1100  that are described herein. 
   As shown in  FIG. 15 , the container may include a plurality of openings  1501  that are spaced about the top of the container cap  1500 . The openings  1501  may have varying sizes, shapes, and density on the cap  1500 . As shown in  FIGS. 15 and 16 , these openings  1501 ,  1601 ,  1602  are generally circular in shape. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, these openings  1501 ,  1601 ,  1602  may have a plurality of different shapes know or developed in the art. Furthermore, the clustering or density of the openings on the cap  1500 ,  1600  may be varied depending upon intended use of the container cap  1500 ,  1600 . For instance, the cap  1500 , as shown in  FIG. 15 , may be used for shaking out large or coarse items that are contained within the container  1500 . In  FIG. 16 , the openings  1601 ,  1602  being in closer proximity to each other may be useful for those blended items that have a smaller diameter or that may be poured or strained out of the container  1100 . 
   In closing, it is understood that the embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the principles of these varying embodiments. Other modifications that may be made are within the scope of these embodiments described herein. Thus, by way of example, but not of limitation, alternative configurations may be utilized in accordance with the teachings herein. Accordingly, the drawings and description are illustrative and not meant to be a limitation thereof.