Abstract:
Various embodiments are directed to methods of operating a food processing device. The food processing device may comprise a blade configured to rotate about a vertically oriented axis. The methods may comprise performing a plurality of rotation cycles. Each rotation cycle may comprise a first period during which the blade is rotated at a first rotation speed and a second period during which the blade is rotated at a second rotation speed. The first rotation speed may increase between successive rotation cycles, while the second rotation speed may be constant across the plurality of rotation cycles. Also, all values of the first rotation speed may be greater than the second rotation speed.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    The present disclosure relates to processing machines, such as blenders, food processors, mixers, etc., that have a blade configured to rotate about a vertically oriented axis. For example, the present disclosure relates to systems and methods for operating a processing machine to optimize its performance. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0002]    In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to methods of operating a food processing device. In one embodiment, the food processing device may comprise a blade configured to rotate about a vertically oriented axis. The methods may comprise performing a plurality of rotation cycles. Each rotation cycle may comprise a first period during which the blade is rotated at a first rotation speed and a second period during which the blade is rotated at a second rotation speed. The first rotation speed may increase between successive rotation cycles, while the second rotation speed may be constant across the plurality of rotation cycles. Also, all values of the first rotation speed may be greater than the second rotation speed. 
         [0003]    In another embodiment, the methods may comprise performing a plurality of rotation cycles. Each rotation cycle may comprise a first period during which the blade is rotated at a first rotation speed and a second period during which the blade is rotated at a second rotation speed. The first rotation speed may be higher than the second rotation speed, and the first period may be longer than the second period. After performing the plurality of rotation cycles, the methods may also comprise rotating the blade at a third rotation speed for a third period. The third rotation speed may be less than the first rotation speed and greater than the second rotation speed. Also, the second period may be longer than the first period. 
         [0004]    In yet another embodiment, the methods may comprise rotating the blade at a first rotation speed for a first period. After rotating the blade at the first rotation speed for the first period, the methods may comprise performing a plurality of rotation cycles. Each rotation cycle may comprise a first cycle period during which the blade is rotated at a second rotation speed and a second cycle period during which the blade is rotated at a third rotation speed. The third rotation speed may be higher than the second rotation speed. Also, the first rotation speed may be higher than the third rotation speed. After the plurality of rotation cycles, the methods may comprise rotating the blade at the first rotation speed for the first period. 
     
    
     
       FIGURES 
         [0005]    Embodiments of the present invention are described herein, by way of example, in conjunction with the following figures, wherein: 
           [0006]      FIG. 1  illustrates one embodiment of a blender processing machine; 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  illustrates a block diagram showing one embodiment of a processing machine; 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  illustrates a diagram showing one embodiment of a rotation speed sequence for the processing machine of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  illustrates a diagram showing one embodiment of a rotation speed sequence for the processing machine of  FIG. 2  comprising a ramp period; 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  illustrates a diagram showing one embodiment of a rotation speed sequence for the processing machine of  FIG. 2 ; and 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  illustrates a diagram showing one embodiment of a rotation speed sequence for the processing machine of  FIG. 2   
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
       [0012]      FIG. 1  illustrates one embodiment of a blender processing machine  100 . The blender  100  may comprise a base unit  102  and a jar  104 . The base unit  102  may comprise a motor (not shown) and a user interface  108 . The jar  104  may comprise a lid  110  and a blade  106  coupled to the motor. The shape of the blade  106  may be optimized based on the desired use of the blender  100 . For example, a blade  106  configured for shredding may comprise one or more tines having sharp edges designed to cut through food or other material. A blade  106  configured for mixing may comprise one or more paddles having dull or flat edges configured to mix or agitate material. Any suitable blade configuration may be used. According to various embodiments, the blender  100  may be compatible with multiple blades, which may be interchanged for different processing applications. 
         [0013]    In use, food or other material, may be introduced into the jar  104 . The blade  106  may then be rotated, causing mixing, shredding, or other agitation of the material in the jar  104 . Generally, the blade  106  may create a vortex or other flow pattern directing liquid and/or fine solid material present in the jar  104  to the blade  106 , where it is shredded, mixed or otherwise agitated. Often, however, there are dead spots in the flow pattern. Material in these dead spots may not be directed to the blade, resulting in incomplete processing. Similar effects are experienced with food processors and other processing machines. Various embodiments are directed to systems and methods for manipulating the rotation speed of a processing machine blade to periodically break and/or weaken the vortex or other flow pattern and allow solid materials to settle out of flow pattern dead spots and reach the blade  106 . 
         [0014]      FIG. 2  illustrates a block diagram showing one embodiment of a processing machine  200 . A motor  202  may be coupled to and configured to rotate a blade  201 . The motor  202  may be any suitable type of motor including, for example, a direct current (DC) motor, an alternating current (AC) motor, an internal combustion engine, etc. The motor  202  may be coupled to the blade  201  according to any suitable configuration. For example, the motor  202  may be directly coupled to the blade  201 , or may be coupled to the blade  201  via one or more belts, gears, etc. (not shown). The machine  200  may also comprise a controller  204 . The controller  204  may be configured to control the rotation of the blade  201 . For example, the controller  204  may manipulate the rotational speed of the motor  202 . According to various embodiments, the controller  204  may also control the rotation of the blade  201  by manipulating a coupling between the motor  202  and the blade  201  (e.g., a transmission). 
         [0015]    The controller  204  may include any suitable component type. For example, the controller  204  may comprise an analog control circuit (not shown). According to various embodiments, the controller  204  may comprise a digital control circuit such as, for example, a programmable logic controller (PLC), any other type of microprocessor, a state machine, or any other suitable type of digital control circuit. According to various embodiments, the controller  204  may be configured to rotate the blade  201  according to a predetermined program or sequence, for example, as described herein below. A user interface  206  may allow a user to operate and/or observe a status of the processing machine  200 . For example, the user may utilize the interface  206  to turn the machine  200  on or off; select a rotation speed of the blade  201 ; and/or select a predetermined blade program. The user interface  206  may have any suitable input components including, for example, button-type switches, one or more touch-screens, etc. Various embodiments of the interface  206  may also include output components including, for one or more light emitting diodes (LED&#39;s), backlit switches, LED displays, screens, etc. 
         [0016]      FIG. 3  illustrates a diagram showing one embodiment of a rotation speed sequence  300  for the processing machine  200 . The Y-axis  302  illustrates a rotation speed of the blade  201 , while the X-axis  304  illustrates time. The sequence  300  may comprise a plurality of rotation cycles  306 . Each of the rotation cycles  306  may comprise a high rotation speed period  308  and a low rotation speed period  310 . The rotation speed of the blade  201  may be the same across all of the low rotation speed periods  310 . During the high rotation speed periods  308 , however, the blade&#39;s rotation speed may increase with each successive cycle  306 , as shown. According to various embodiments, the lowest rotation speed during the high rotation speed periods  308  may be higher than the constant rotation speed of the blade  201  during the low rotation speed periods  310 . According to various embodiments, the constant rotation speed of the blade  201  during the low rotation speed periods  310  may be zero or any non-zero value. 
         [0017]    The number of cycles  306  in the sequence  300  may vary, and may be determined according in any suitable manner. For example, the controller  204  may be configured and/or programmed to perform a predetermined number of cycles  306  such as, for example, twelve cycles. Also, for example, the controller  204  may be configured and/or programmed to continue the sequence  300  until a predetermined amount of time (e.g., three minutes) has passed. The predetermined number of cycles and/or amount of time may be pre-programmed into the controller  204 , or may be received from a user via the user interface  206 . According to various embodiments, the user may truncate the sequence  300  by selecting an appropriate input from the user interface  206 . 
         [0018]    The duration of each rotation cycle  306 , as well as the selected rotation speeds and the increase in rotation speed between successive high rotation speed periods  308  may be varied. For example, cycle duration and rotation speeds may be tuned to the component configuration of a particular processing machine  200 . For example, the processing machines  200  with different motors  202 , blades  201 , jars  104 , and combinations thereof, may behave differently, and therefore, may be tuned differently. According to various embodiments, tuning for a processing machine  200  having a given component combination may be performed once. The cycle durations and rotation speeds resulting from the tuning may then be applied to other processing machines  200  having the same or a similar component configuration. 
         [0019]    The cycle duration and rotation speeds for processing machines  200  having a given component combination may be performed in any suitable way. For example, in various embodiments, a high rotation speed period  308  may be implemented and maintained until the occurrence of a threshold event. The threshold event may be an event indicating that the effectiveness of the blade  201  has been reduced. When the threshold event occurs, the high rotation speed period  308  may end. A low rotation speed period  310  may then be maintained until the threshold event abates. Any suitable occurrence may serve as a threshold event. For example, a threshold event may occur when solid material is suspended on a vortex and is not reaching the blade. In addition, or instead, a threshold event may occur when an air bubble forms above the blade  201  that, at least partially, blocks the access of materials to the blade  201 . According to some embodiments, the threshold event may occur when the materials reach a predetermined consistency level. To affect the cycle duration, the rotation speeds of the high rotation speed period  308  and the low rotation speed period  310  may be modified. 
         [0020]    Table 1 below illustrates an example of the sequence  300 . Period  1  may refer to the high rotation speed periods  308 , while Period  2  may refer to the low rotation speed periods  310 . Although the cycle  306  is described above with the high rotation speed period  308  occurring before the low rotation speed period  310 , it will be appreciated that the order of the various periods within each cycle may be reversed without affecting the results. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 Period 1 
                   
                 Period 2 
                   
               
               
                 Cycle 
                 (RPM) 
                 (Sec) 
                 (RPM) 
                 (Sec) 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 1 
                 11,000 
                 10 
                 7000 
                 5 
               
               
                 2 
                 11,800 
                 10 
                 7000 
                 5 
               
               
                 3 
                 12,600 
                 10 
                 7000 
                 5 
               
               
                 4 
                 13,400 
                 10 
                 7000 
                 5 
               
               
                 5 
                 14,200 
                 10 
                 7000 
                 5 
               
               
                 6 
                 15,000 
                 10 
                 7000 
                 5 
               
               
                 7 
                 15,900 
                 10 
                 7000 
                 5 
               
               
                 8 
                 16,700 
                 10 
                 7000 
                 5 
               
               
                 9 
                 17,600 
                 10 
                 7000 
                 5 
               
               
                 10 
                 18,400 
                 10 
                 7000 
                 5 
               
               
                 11 
                 19,200 
                 10 
                 7000 
                 5 
               
               
                 12 
                 20,000 
                 10 
                 7000 
                 5 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0021]      FIG. 4  illustrates a diagram showing one embodiment of a rotation speed sequence  400  for the processing machine  200  comprising a ramp period. Ramping the blade  201  rotation speed up to a higher rotation speed (e.g., during a ramp-up period  412 ) or down to a lower rotation speed (e.g., during a ramp-down period  413 ) may prevent excessive wear on the motor  202 . The sequence  400  has a configuration similar to that of the sequence  300  above, however, it will be appreciated that any sequence where the blade  201  transitions between different rotation speeds may utilize a ramp-up  412  or ramp down  413  period. 
         [0022]    The sequence  400  may comprise a plurality of cycles  406 , with each cycle comprising a high rotation speed period  408  and a low rotation speed period  410 . A ramp-up period  412  is also included and may represent a period over which the blade  201  is ramped up to a higher speed. For the purpose of determining cycle and period length, the ramp-up period  412  may be considered a portion of: (1) the high rotation speed period  408 , (2) the preceding low rotation speed period  410 , and/or (3) it may be considered as a period independent of periods  408 ,  410 . During a ramp-down period  413  (shown in with phantom lines), the rotation speed of the blade  201  may be reduced from a relatively high speed to a lower speed gradually. Again, this may prevent excessive wear on the motor  202 . The duration and rotation speeds for the periods  408 ,  410  may be tuned to particular component configurations, for example, as described herein. Also, it will be appreciated that the order of the various periods within each cycle  406  may be re-arranged and/or reversed. 
         [0023]    The duration of a ramp-up  412  or ramp-down period  413  may be determined, for example, based on the requirements of the motor. According to various embodiments, a ramp-up  412  or ramp-down  413  period may comprise twenty percent of the overall period. For example, if a high rotation speed  408  period has a duration of ten seconds, the ramp-up period  412  may take up the first two seconds. Motor related concerns may also affect the lowest rotation speed of the motor  202  during a sequence. For example, some motors may tend to overheat if they are maintained at zero rotation speed. Accordingly, when motors such as these are used, it may be desirable to pick a non-zero value for the lowest rotation speed of the motor  202 . 
         [0024]      FIG. 5  illustrates a diagram showing one embodiment of a rotation speed sequence  500  for the processing machine  200 . The sequence  500  may be adapted for mixing liquid or predominantly liquid material. Like the sequences  300  and  400 , the sequence  500  may comprise a plurality of cycles  505 . Each cycle may include a high rotation speed period  509  and a low rotation speed period  511 . The rotation speed of the blade  201  may be constant across all high rotation speed periods  509  and across all low rotation speed periods  511 , as shown. At the conclusion of the cycles  505 , the sequence  500  may include an additional period  507 , where the blade  201  is rotated at a speed that is less than the rotation speed of the high rotation speed periods  509 , but higher than the rotation speed of the low rotation speed periods  511 . According to various embodiments, one or more additional periods (e.g., high rotation speed periods  509  and/or low rotation speed periods  511 ) may be inserted between the last full cycle  505  and the additional period  507 . Also, according to various embodiments, one or more cycles  505  may include an intermediate speed cycle (not shown) positioned between the high rotation speed periods  509  and the low rotations peed periods  511 . 
         [0025]    According to various embodiments, the duration of the cycles  505  and periods  507 ,  509 ,  511  as well as their respective rotation speeds may be determined according to any suitable method. For example, the duration of the high rotation speed period  509  may be twice the duration of the low rotation speed period  511 , while the duration of the additional period  507  may be twice the duration of the high rotation speed period  509 . Specific period durations may be tuned to a given component configuration, for example, as described herein. Also, it will be appreciated that the order of periods  509 ,  511  may be reversed. Table 2 below illustrates an example implementation of the sequence  500 : 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE 2 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Speed 
                 Time 
               
               
                   
                 (RPM) 
                 (Sec) 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Cycle 1 
                 20,000 
                 10 
               
               
                   
                   
                 7,000 
                 5 
               
               
                   
                 Cycle 2 
                 20,000 
                 10 
               
               
                   
                   
                 7,000 
                 5 
               
               
                   
                 Additional 
                 14,200 
                 20 
               
               
                   
                 Period 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0026]    The number of cycles  505  performed before the additional period  507  may vary, and may be determined according to any suitable method. For example, the controller  204  may be programmed to perform a predetermined number of cycles  505 , or to perform cycles  505  for a predetermined amount of time. The number of cycles and/or the amount of time may be pre-programmed into the controller  204 , or may be received from a user via the user interface  206 . According to various embodiments, the user may also be able to truncate the sequence  500  during one of the cycles  505 , for example, via the user interface  206 . This may cause the controller  206  to begin the additional period  507  at the conclusion of the current cycle  505 . 
         [0027]      FIG. 6  illustrates a diagram showing one embodiment of a rotation speed sequence  600  for the processing machine  200 . The sequence  600  may be optimized for mixing and/or shredding solid or predominantly solid material. The sequence  600  may comprise a plurality of cycles  604  between a start period  602  and a stop period  606 . Each cycle may comprise a high rotation speed period  608  and a low rotation speed period  610 . One or more partial cycle periods  603  may be inserted between the start period  602 , the stop period  606  and the plurality of cycles  604 . The rotation speed of the blade  201  during the start period  602  and the stop period  606  may be higher than the rotation speed of the blade during the high rotation speed periods  608 . According to various embodiments, the duration of the periods  602 ,  603 ,  608 , and  610  may be equal. Also, according to various embodiments one or more of the cycles  604  may include an intermediate speed period (not shown) between a high rotation speed period  608  a low rotation speed period  610 . 
         [0028]    The number of the various cycles  604  and periods  602 ,  603 ,  606  in the sequence  600 , as well as the rotation speeds thereof, may vary and may be determined according to any suitable method. For example, the lengths of periods  608 ,  610  may be tuned to a given component configuration, as described herein. Also, it will be appreciated that the timing of periods  608 ,  610  may be reversed. For example, Tables 3 and 4 below illustrate example embodiments of the sequence  600 : 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 3 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Period 
                 (RPM) 
                 (Sec) 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 1 
                 14,200 
                 5 
               
               
                 2 
                 7,000 
                 5 
               
               
                 3 
                 11,000 
                 5 
               
               
                 4 
                 7,000 
                 5 
               
               
                 5 
                 11,000 
                 5 
               
               
                 6 
                 7,000 
                 5 
               
               
                 7 
                 11,000 
                 5 
               
               
                 8 
                 7,000 
                 5 
               
               
                 9 
                 11,000 
                 5 
               
               
                 10 
                 7,000 
                 5 
               
               
                 11 
                 11,000 
                 5 
               
               
                 12 
                 7,000 
                 5 
               
               
                 13 
                 14,200 
                 5 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 4 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Period 
                 (RPM) 
                 (Sec) 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 1 
                 14,200 
                 5 
               
               
                 2 
                 7,000 
                 5 
               
               
                 3 
                 13,400 
                 5 
               
               
                 4 
                 7,000 
                 5 
               
               
                 5 
                 13,400 
                 5 
               
               
                 6 
                 7,000 
                 5 
               
               
                 7 
                 13,400 
                 5 
               
               
                 8 
                 7,000 
                 5 
               
               
                 9 
                 13,400 
                 5 
               
               
                 10 
                 7,000 
                 5 
               
               
                 11 
                 13,400 
                 5 
               
               
                 12 
                 7,000 
                 5 
               
               
                 13 
                 14,200 
                 5 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0029]    While several embodiments of the invention have been described, it should be apparent that various modifications, alterations and adaptations to those embodiments may occur to persons skilled in the art with the attainment of some or all of the advantages of the present invention. It is therefore intended to cover all such modifications, alterations and adaptations without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.