Patent ID: 7938574

Claim:
Blending apparatus for a high speed blending operation comprising a container base and a container lid, the container lid having mounted thereon blending means arranged for a high speed rotation, the blending means extending through the lid and having, at one end, means for connection to a drive motor external to the container and, at the other end, a blending element for blending contents of the container when the drive means is operated, the blending means comprising a shaft portion locatable through an opening in the lid and incorporating the connection means, and a blending element portion associated with the shaft portion for rotation therewith, the container lid comprising a rim portion defining a circumferential slot into which the top edge of the container is located when the lid and container are assembled together, wherein the rim portion is formed with successive, oppositely directed circumferential portions, a first of said portions lying in contact with or closely adjacent an inner side wall of the container when the lid and container are assembled together, and defining one side of the slot, and wherein the slot is defined by an outer portion arranged to extend around a top outer edge of the container and an inner portion arranged to extend into the container, and wherein the lid has a part-spherical central portion in the middle of which is the opening for the blending means, the outer edge of the part-spherical central portion being turned through approximately 180° to form said first circumferential portion, and wherein the upper end of the central portion lies substantially level with the upper end of the container in use, and wherein the region in which the blending element operates has curved surfaces.