Patent Document

FIELD OF INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to mixing devices, and more particularly to processing tool attachments for a hand-held blender for mixing foodstuffs and to a container for use with a hand-held blender. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Hand-held blenders are popular kitchen appliances for use with various foodstuffs. They provide an easy and convenient way of folding, stirring, mixing, combining, blending, whipping, emulsifying, homogenizing and beating various substances. Relatively small hand-held blenders do not consume valuable counter space and are conveniently employed on crowded kitchen counters. Battery operated hand-held blenders that do not require proximity to electric sockets and do not have interfering electric cords further facilitate the preparation of foods whether it be at home, office, or restaurant. In addition to making cooking more enjoyable, the ability to pull out a hand held blender to mix some protein powder into a beverage, for example, or to foam milk into a fluffy yet firm foam for a perfect cup of cappuccino, makes it possible to enjoy favorites more often. 
     A typical hand-held blender includes an elongated, tubular housing shaped to comfortably fit in a person&#39;s hand. The blender includes a processing tool having a working shaft. The working shaft is connected to and rotatably driven by an electric motor located within the housing that is activated by the push of a actuator on the housing. Some blenders have multiple buttons that correspond with different rotational speeds of the motor. Sometimes the perfect consistency for a particular beverage begs for a particular processing tool. Processing tools that are detachable from the housing allow the user to interchange processing tools for the specialized processing of foodstuffs. A particular processing tool is sometimes more suitable for a particular food processing function and the required consistency. Particular processing tools having unique designs help realize the perfect processing function and the required consistency for a variety of recipes. 
     Also, a removable processing tool is desirably attached to the driving motor in a manner such that the tool does not separate from the motor when the two are coupled either at high rotational speed, or after prolonged rotation. Typically, the shaft of the processing tool is inserted into a chuck that is firmly attached to the motor shaft. It is desirable that such a tool be insertable and removable quickly and easily without undue worry about its proper securement. An attachment mechanism securely attaches a removable and interchangeable processing tool to the housing portion of a hand-held blender. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided a blender comprising a processing tool having a shaft and a body. The body includes a motor and a collet configured to couple the processing tool to the motor. The collet is connected to the motor at a first end. The collet includes a collet body and at least two extensions forming a shaft-receiving portion at a second end. The shaft of the processing tool is received within the shaft-receiving portion forming a friction-fit engagement to secure the processing tool. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a processing tool comprising a shaft configured to couple to a blender at a first end and a body connected to the shaft at a second end. The body includes a working portion. The working portion has a top surface and a bottom surface interconnected by a sidewall. The working portion includes at least a first opening extending between the top surface and the bottom surface. The first opening includes a leading end interconnected to a trailing end. At least a portion of the trailing end forms an angle with the bottom surface that is less than 90 degrees. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a processing tool for a blender comprising a shaft configured to couple to a blender at a first end and a body connected to the shaft at a second end. The body includes a working portion. The working portion includes a wire frame having an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion is closer to the first end than the second portion. The wire frame defines a cross-sectional area at the upper portion that is smaller than the cross-sectional area defined by the wire frame at the lower portion. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a container for use with a hand-held blender that has a processing tool attached thereto. The container includes a sidewall interconnected to a base. The sidewall and base define an interior and an opening. A lid is adapted to be received in the opening. The lid includes a blender opening configured to insert the hand-held blender therethrough and into the container interior. The container is adapted to rest the blender against the lid at the blender opening such that the processing tool of the blender is spaced from the base. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the invention there is provided a blender comprising a processing tool, a housing and a motor located within the housing. The processing tool is coupled to the motor to be rotatably driven by the motor. The motor includes a first motor terminal and a second motor terminal. The blender also includes a battery cartridge located within the housing. The battery cartridge is adapted to receive at least one battery. The battery cartridge has a first end and a second end. The battery cartridge includes a first cartridge terminal and a second cartridge terminal at the second end. An actuator coupled to the first end of the battery cartridge. The blender further includes a circuit board located between the motor and the battery cartridge. The circuit board is adapted to electrically connect to the at least one battery to power the motor. The circuit board includes a resilient first contact, a resilient second contact, a third contact, and at least one resistor. The resilient first contact is electrically connected to the first motor terminal through the resistor. The resilient second contact is electrically connected to the second motor terminal. The third contact is electrically connected to the first motor terminal. The resilient first contact is located above the third contact. The blender further includes a first spring attached to the battery cartridge. The first spring extends from the second end of the battery cartridge. The battery cartridge is spaced from the circuit board by the first spring such that the blender is not activated. Depressing the actuator compresses the first spring to a first position in which the first cartridge terminal and the second cartridge terminal are in contact with the resilient first contact and resilient second contact, respectively, to activate the motor to rotate the processing tool at a first speed. Depressing the actuator further compresses the first spring further to a second position in which the first resilient contact is flexed to contact the third contact to activate the motor to rotate the processing tool at a second speed. The second speed is greater than the first speed due to the resistor being shunted out of the circuit when the resilient first contact contacts the third contact. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a cross-section view of an example blender; 
     FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of an example collet; 
     FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view collet of the FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 is a side cross-section view of the collet and shaft; 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an example processing tool; 
     FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the processing tool of FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the processing tool of FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 8 is a cross-section view taken along line  8 — 8  of FIG. 7 of the processing tool of FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 9 is a cross-section view taken along line  9 — 9  of FIG. 7 of the processing tool; 
     FIG. 10A is a top plan view of a second example of a processing tool; 
     FIG. 10B is a bottom plan view of the processing tool of FIG. 10A; 
     FIG. 10C is a partial cross-section view taken along line C—C of FIG. 10A of the processing tool of FIG. 10A; 
     FIG. 11A is a top plan view of a third example of a processing tool; 
     FIG. 11B is a bottom plan view of the processing tool of FIG. 11A; 
     FIG. 11C is a partial cross-section view taken along line C—C of FIG. 11A of the processing tool of FIG. 11A; 
     FIG. 12 is a side elevation view of a fourth example of a processing tool; 
     FIG. 13 is a top plan view of the processing tool of FIG. 12; 
     FIG. 14 is a bottom plan view of the processing tool of FIG. 12; 
     FIG. 15 is a cross-section view of the fourth example processing tool taken along line  15 — 15  of FIG. 12 of the processing tool; 
     FIG. 16 is a cross-section view of the fourth example processing tool taken along line  16 — 16  of FIG. 12 of the processing tool; 
     FIG. 17 is a cross-section view of the fourth example processing tool taken along line  17 — 17  of FIG. 12 of the processing tool; 
     FIG. 18 is a side elevation view of an example blender and processing bowl system; 
     FIG. 19 is a side elevation view of the processing bowl of the FIG. 18 system; 
     FIG. 20 is a top plan view of the lid of the processing bowl of the FIG. 18 system; 
     FIG. 21 is a side elevation view of the lid of the processing bowl of the FIG. 18 system; 
     FIG. 22 is a partial cross-section view of a portion of the blender of the FIG. 18 system; 
     FIG. 23A is an equivalent circuit diagram illustrating an off configuration of an example two-speed activation mechanism; 
     FIG. 23B is an equivalent circuit diagram illustrating a low-speed configuration of the example two-speed activation mechanism; and 
     FIG. 23C is an equivalent circuit diagram illustrating a high-speed configuration of the example two-speed activation mechanism. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a hand-held blender  10 . The blender  10  includes a body  12  coupled to a processing tool  14 . The body  12  includes an elongated, tubular housing  16  shaped to comfortably fit in a person&#39;s hand. A motor  15  is located within the housing  16 . The motor  15  is powered by batteries  17  also located within the housing  16 . Alternatively, the motor is powered by an alternating current via an electric cord. The motor  15  is manually actuated by a button or actuator  18  conveniently located at the top of the housing  16  that sets the motor  15  into operation at one of at least one speed. 
     The blender according to the invention further includes a collet  20 . The collet  20  is adapted to receive one end of the processing tool  14 . The collet  20  couples the processing tool  14  to the motor  15  that rotatably drives the collet  20  and processing tool  14 . The collet  20  is shown in FIGS. 2-4 and will now be described. 
     With particular reference to FIGS. 1-4, the collet  20  includes a body  22  at least two fingers or extensions  24  and a spring  30 . The variation shown here includes three extensions  24 . The body  22  of the collet  20  includes a bore  23  configured to receive a drive shaft  25  of the motor  15 . The fingers or extensions  24  extend from the body  22  to form a shaft-receiving portion  26  that is adapted to grip a shaft  28  of a processing tool  14 . The inner surface of each finger  24  is shaped to substantially conform to the outer surface of the shaft  28  such that the three fingers  24  in conjunction with one another substantially encompass the shaft  28 . Each of the fingers  24  has an end portion  32 . The end portion  32  is tapered and includes a shoulder  34 . 
     The collet  20  firmly secures the processing tool  14  and transfers to the processing tool  14  the rotational torque generated by the motor shaft  25  which is firmly located in the bore  23  of the collet  20 . The three fingers  24  of the collet  20  are stressed in an inwardly radial direction by the spring  30 . The spring  30  is made of a metal wire wound in a helical fashion. The relaxed diameter of the spring  30  is smaller than the outer diameter of the collet  20  on which the spring  30  is seated. When the spring  30  is forcefully pushed into its place on the collet  20 , the three collet fingers  24  are forced to move inwardly in a radial direction. When the shaft  28  of the processing tool  14  is inserted into the collet  20 , the shaft  28  pushes the fingers  24  outwardly against the force of the spring  30 . The expanded spring  30  applies a radial force on the fingers  24  which in turn transfer that force to the shaft  28  thereby creating a friction fit engagement that maintains the shaft  28  in alignment with the collet  20  and the motor shaft  25 . Additionally, the friction fit generates sufficient frictional force to transfer the motor torque to the processing tool  14 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 5-9, there is depicted a processing tool  40  having a first end  42  and a second end  44 . The processing tool  40  includes a shaft  46  and a body  48 . The body  48  is attached to the shaft  46  at the second end  44 . The first end  42  is adapted for engagement with a collet  20  of the type described above, although the invention is not so limited. The body  48  includes a shaft-receiving portion  50  integrally formed with a working portion  70 . The working portion  70  is approximately 0.080 inches to 0.150 inches in thickness and includes a top surface  76  and a bottom surface  78  interconnected by a sidewall  74 . The top surface  76  is substantially parallel to the bottom surface  78 . The working portion  70  is substantially circular in shape and has a diameter of approximately 0.750 inches to approximately 1.250 inches. The shaft  46  is attached to the body  48  by being received in the shaft-receiving portion  50  and affixed therein with, for example, an adhesive, a friction fit, or by insert molding. The body  48  is preferably made from a plastic material such as Polyamid. 
     As can be seen in FIGS. 5-9, the working portion  70  is a substantially circular disc having a pair of openings—a first opening  82  and a second opening  84 . Both openings  82  and  84  are located substantially opposite from each other. Since the openings  82  and  84  are substantially identical, only one will be described in detail. Although the working portion  70  is depicted with two openings, the invention is not so limited and any number of openings is possible such that at least one opening is employed. 
     The processing tool  40  is adapted to rotate in the direction shown by the arrow in FIGS. 6 and 7 when activated. Still referencing FIGS. 5-9, each opening includes a leading end  85  and a trailing end  87  with respect to the direction of rotation. At least a portion of the leading end  85  is sloped to form an angle with respect to the top surface  76  that is less than 90 degrees. At least a portion of the trailing end  87  is sloped to form an angle with respect to the bottom surface  78  that is less than 90 degrees. The portion of the trailing end  87  that is sloped to be less than 90 degrees with respect to the bottom surface forms a vane portion or impeller that directs foodstuffs and air adjacent to the top surface  76  to the other side and adjacent the bottom surface  78  when the processing tool  40  is activated to rotate. Similarly, the portion of the leading end  85  that is angled less than 90 degrees with respect to the top surface  76  aids in directing foodstuffs and air downwardly from adjacent the top surface  76  to adjacent the bottom surface  78 . This impeller action of the processing tool  40  is accomplished by a various types openings having different shapes and sizes as will be made clear hereinbelow. 
     In the variation shown in FIGS. 5-9, the opening  82  includes a first end  86  and a second end  88  interconnected by an outer side  90  and an inner side  92 . The first end  86  is curved and extends between the top surface  76  and the bottom surface  78  at an angle θ with respect to the top surface  76 . The angle θ is defined between the top surface  76  and the surface  77  that is interior to the opening  82 . As can be seen in FIG. 8, the angle θ that the first end  86  forms with respect to the top surface  76  is less than 90 degrees, and preferably approximately from 30 and 60 degrees. In one variation, the angle θ is not constant along the entire first end  86  but varies from approximately 30 and 90 degrees. The first end  86  serves as the leading end  85  in the rotation. 
     The outer side  90  of opening  82  is curved. When viewed from the top surface  76  or the bottom surface  78 , the outer side  90  is substantially parallel with respect to the sidewall  74  as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. In one variation, the outer side  90  extends between the top surface  76  and the bottom surface  78  such that the outer side  90  is substantially perpendicular with respect to either the top surface  76  or bottom surface  78 . In another variation, the outer side  90  extends between the top surface  76  and the bottom surface  78  at an angle α with respect to the bottom surface  78  as shown in FIG.  8 . The angle α is defined between the bottom surface  78  and the surface that opens to the interior of the opening. In one variation, angle α is less than 90 degrees, and preferably approximately from 80 degrees and 85 degrees. In one variation, the angle α is not constant along the entire length of the outer side  90  but varies from approximately 80 degrees and 90 degrees along the length of the outer side  90  such that the angle α is approximately 90 degrees at the first end  86  and transitions to approximately 80 degrees at the second end  88 . 
     The inner side  92  of opening  82  is curved. In one variation, the inner side  92  extends between the top surface  76  and the bottom surface  78  such that the inner side  90  is substantially perpendicular with respect to either the top surface  76  or bottom surface  78 . In another variation, the inner side  92  extends between the top surface  76  and the bottom surface  78  at an angle β with respect to the bottom surface  78  as shown in FIG.  9 . In one variation, angle β is less than 90 degrees, and preferably approximately from 60 degrees and 90 degrees. In one variation, the angle β is not constant along the entire length of the inner side  92  but varies from approximately 60 degrees and 90 degrees such that the angle β is approximately 90 degrees at the first end  86  and transitions to approximately 60 degrees at the second end  88 . Generally, the opening  82  is wider at the first end  86  and narrows towards the second end  88 . Together the outer side  90  and inner side  92  include at least a portion that is angled less than 90 degrees with respect to the bottom surface  78 . In this variation both the outer side  90  and the inner side  92  form the trailing end  87  that acts as a V-shaped vane that opens to at the bottom surface  78  as can be seen in FIG.  6 . 
     With respect to FIGS. 5-9, the shape of the openings  82 ,  84  may be generally described as being a curved tear-drop or a paisley shape. Together, the pair of openings  82 ,  84  form a design commonly known as the “yin-yang” symbol to invoke the feeling of harmony. When the processing tool is attached to the motor and the processing tool is immersed into liquid, the motor is engaged and the shaft rotates. The processing tool is adapted for rotation such that the first end of each of the openings leads in the rotation and the first end of the first opening trails the second end of the second opening. This direction of rotation is illustrated by the directional arrow in FIGS. 6 and 7. When the processing tool rotates, the working portion  70  creates a vortex such that when the vortex is completely established, at least a portion of the top surface  76  is contact with air. The first end  86  is shaped so that it acts like a vane, scooping air at the top surface  76  and discharging it on the bottom surface  78 , thereby mixing the air with the liquid. Therefore, the working portion  70  serves as an impeller. This type of design for the working portion  70  is particularly effective for frothing or foaming chilled milk, creating a froth or foam that is firm and fluffy and commonly suitable for various coffee-type beverages. 
     Although, the openings  82 ,  84  of the working portion  70  are illustrated to have tear-drop or paisley shapes, other examples have other shapes. The impeller action of the working portion  70  can be accomplished by openings having a variety of shapes as mentioned above. For example, referring now to FIGS. 10A,  10 B and  10 C, there is depicted one variation of a working portion  91  having openings  93  that are substantially circular in shape. Each opening  93  includes a leading end  94  and a trailing end  54 . At least a portion of the leading end  94  is at an angle λ that is less than 90 degrees with respect to the top surface  95  and preferably approximately between 30 and 60 degrees as shown in FIG.  10 C. In one variation, the angle is not constant along the entire length of the leading end  94  but varies to create a smooth transition. The working portion  91  rotates in the direction shown by the arrow in FIG. 10A such that the leading end  94  is the leading edge in the rotation. Referring to FIG. 10B, there is shown a bottom plan view of the working portion  91 . At least a portion of the trailing end  54  is at an angle δ that is less than 90 degrees with respect to the bottom surface  55  as shown in FIG.  10 C. When rotating, the working portion  91  acts as an impeller that directs foodstuffs and air adjacent to the top surface  95  downwardly through the openings  93  to thoroughly mix the foodstuffs and to thrust air into the mixture. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 11A,  11 B, and  11 C, there is shown another example of a working portion  96  having openings  97  that are substantially triangular in shape. Each opening  97  includes a leading end  98  and a trailing end  58 . At least a portion of the leading end  98  is at an angle λ that is less than 90 degrees with respect to the top surface  99  and preferably approximately between 30 and 60 degrees. In one variation, the angle is not constant along the entire length of the leading end  98  but varies to create a smooth transition. The working portion  91  rotates in the direction shown by the arrow in FIG. 11A such that the leading end  98  leads in the rotation. Referring to FIG. 11B, there is shown a bottom plan view of the working portion  96 . As shown in FIGS. 11B and 11C, at least a portion of the trailing end  58  is at an angle δ that is less than 90 degrees with respect to the bottom surface  59 . When rotating, the working portion  96  acts as an impeller that directs foodstuffs and air adjacent to the top surface  99  downwardly through the openings  97  to thoroughly mix the foodstuffs and to thrust air into the mixture. Therefore, as illustrated, the openings having a variety of shapes are within the scope of the invention such that at least a portion of the leading end is angled less than 90 degrees with respect to the top surface and at least a portion of the trailing end is angled less than 90 degrees with respect to the bottom surface. In yet another variation, the opening includes only an angled trailing end. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 12-17, there is depicted a processing tool  100  having a first end  102  and a second end  104 . The processing tool  100  includes a shaft  106  and a body  108 . The body  108  is attached to the shaft  106  at the second end  104 . The first end  102  of the processing tool  100  is adapted to engage with a collet of the type described above, although the invention is not so limited. The body  108  includes a shaft-receiving portion  110  integral with a wire-receiving portion  111 . The shaft  106  is attached to the body  108  by being received in the shaft-receiving portion  110  and affixed therein with, for example, an adhesive, friction fit, or by insert molding. The body  108  is preferably made from a plastic material such as Polyamid. The working portion  112  is preferably made from a stainless steel wire and is secured in the wire-receiving portion  111 . The wire-receiving portion  111  includes, for example, four elongated cylindrical openings (not shown) configured to receive four wires of the working portion  112 . 
     The working portion  112  is a wire-frame wisk that is approximately 0.900inches to 1.250 inches in length. The working portion  112  includes a first wire  114  and a second wire  116 . The first wire  114  includes a first end  118  and a second end  120  that are connected to the shaft-receiving portion  110 . Similarly, the second wire  116  includes a first end  122  and a second end (not shown) that are connected to the wire-receiving portion  111  of the body  108 . Together, the first wire  114  and the second wire  116  are shaped such that the working portion  112  includes an upper portion  124 , a waist portion  126 , and a lower portion  128 . In one variation, the working portion  112  includes only a waist portion and a lower portion. The length of the upper portion  124  is approximately 0.150 inches, the length of the waist portion  126  is approximately 0.600 inches, and the length of the lower portion  128  is approximately 0.450 inches. 
     A cross-section of the upper portion  124  is depicted in FIG.  15 . It can be seen that the spacing between the wires is kept relatively small. As mentioned above, the portion of the wisk is designed to be connected to the wire-receiving portion  111 . Since it is desirable to keep the wire-receiving portion  111  as slim as possible in order to not interfere with the operation of the wisk, the distance between the wires in the upper portion  124  is minimized as much as possible. 
     A cross-section of the waist portion  126  is depicted in FIG.  16 . This cross-section of FIG. 16 illustrates an area B that is encompassed and defined by the virtual circle formed by the first and second wires  114 ,  116  at the waist portion  126  as they rotate. Area B is substantially constant along the length of the waist portion  126 . Area B is approximately 0.057 inches 2  to approximately 0.060 inches 2 . 
     A cross-section of the lower portion  128  is depicted in FIG.  17 . The cross-section of FIG. 17 illustrates an area C that is encompassed and defined by the virtual circle formed by first and second wires  114 ,  116  at the lower portion  128  as they rotate. As can be seen in FIG. 12, the lower portion  128  does not have a constant area C. Instead, area C increases with distance towards the second end  104 . The lower portion  128  of first and second wires  114 ,  116  are formed in a trapeze shape with lateral angles  107   such that the wire frame of the lower portion  128  is similar to a truncated pyramid in shape. The area C at the widest point of the pyramid is approximately 0.48 inches 2  to approximately 0.50 inches 2 . As can be seen in FIGS. 16-17, the area B of the waist portion  126  is smaller relative to the area C of the lower portion  128 . In one variation of the working portion  112 , there is only a waist portion  126  and a lower portion  128  such that the waist portion  126  directly fits into the wire-receiving portion  111  of the body  108 . 
     The working portion  112  provides a wire frame that is useful for frothing warm milk. When at least partially immersed into a liquid product, the processing tool  100 , when rotatingly engaged induces air into the liquid. Air is induced into the liquid by the working portion  112 . In particular, air and foodstuffs is channeled from the waist portion  126  downwardly into the lower portion  128 . The virtual cylinder of cross-section B along the length of the waist portion  126  acts as an airshaft communicating with the virtual truncated cone of varying cross-section C of the lower portion  128 . This working portion  112  is particularly advantageous because the induction of air into the liquid is accomplished with minimal spinning of the liquid because of the wire frame construction. Furthermore, frothing or foaming of the liquid takes place at the lowest possible point of immersion without dragging the entire body of milk along with the rotating processing tool  100 . It should be noted that the diameter of the wires is approximately 0.03 inches. These small diameter wires slice through the liquid with relatively minimal drag force, thereby, leaving the body of milk relatively stationary. This action permits the warm milk to foam. If the warm milk were to rotate along with the wisk, then the foam would have been reabsorbed in to the liquid milk due to it being warm. The result would not have been satisfactory, namely very little foam, if any, would have remained. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 18-21, there is depicted a blender and processing bowl system  150 . The blender and processing bowl system  150  includes a hand-held blender  152  and a processing bowl or container  154 . The blender  152  includes a body  156  coupled to a processing tool  158 . The body  156  includes an elongated, tubular housing shaped to comfortably fit in a person&#39;s hand. A motor (not shown) is located inside the body  156 . The motor is manually actuated by a actuator  160  conveniently located at the top of the body  156 . The processing tool  158  includes a shaft  162  and is removably attached to the body  156 . The processing tool  158  includes a working portion  164 . 
     The container  154  includes a sidewall  170  interconnected to a base  174 , and a lid  168 . The sidewall  170  and base  174  define an interior  172  and an opening  176  of the container  154 . The container  154  further includes a stand  153  spout  178  having a spout opening  180 . The base  174  of the container  154  is concave with respect to the interior  172  of the container  154 . The container  154  further includes markings  179  denoting graduations of fluid volume. For example, markings  179  denoting the number of cups, tablespoons, ounces, pints, teaspoons and milliliters can all be included on the container  154 . 
     The lid  168  is adapted to mate with the container  154  at the opening  176  to substantially cover the opening  176 . The lid  168  includes a blender opening  182  and a lip  184  as shown in FIGS. 20-21. The blender opening  182  is adapted to receive a blender  152  as shown in FIG.  18 . The lip  184  is adapted to cover the spout opening  180 . 
     The blender and processing bowl system  150  is employed such that foodstuffs are entered into the container  154  via opening  176 . Also, the processing bowl  154  is adapted such that foodstuffs can be entered via the blender opening  182  when with the lid  168  is in place on the container  154 . Additionally, foodstuffs can be entered via the spout opening  180 . In one variation, to enter food via the spout opening  180 , the lid  168  is rotated so that the lip  184  does not cover the spout opening  180 . The quantity of foodstuffs placed inside the container is measured via the markings  179  on the sidewall  170 . The lid  168  is movable with respect to the container  154  such that the user navigates the lip  184  of the lid  168  into a position in which the lip  184  covers the spout opening  180  if so desired. In the variation in which the lid  168  is substantially circular, the lid  168  rotates with respect to the container  154 . Thereby, the lip  184  serves to close the spout opening  180  to prevent foodstuffs from escaping the container  154  via the spout  178  especially when the blender  152  is engaged and the processing tool  158  is rotating and mixing the contents of the processing bowl  154 . A blender  152  is inserted into the processing bowl  154  through the blender opening  182 . The blender opening  182  is adapted to receive the blender  152  such that the body  156  of the blender  152  rests against the lid  168  at the blender opening  182 . With the blender  152  resting against the lid  168  at the blender opening  182 , the user is free let go of the blender  152 . The blender and processing bowl system  150  is adapted such that the blender and processing bowl system  150  will not tip-over when the user leaves the blender  152  unattended. Also, the user does not have to worry about the blender  152  falling or slipping deeper into the processing bowl  154 . The lid  168  keeps the blender  152  in place. In fact, the blender and processing bowl system  150  is adapted such that, with the blender  152  resting against the lid  168  at the blender opening  182 , the blender  152  is ideally positioned within the processing bowl  154  such that the working portion  164  of the processing tool  158  is spaced from the base  174  by an operable distance of approximately 0.100 inches to approximately 0.200 inches. The user does not have to worry about keeping the blender  152  a particular distance from the base  174  to keep the processing tool  158  in an operable location. 
     Furthermore, in one variation, at least a portion of the processing tool  158  is positioned within the concavity of the base  174  when the blender  152  rests against the lid  168  at the blender opening  182 . In this position, the rotating processing tool  158  in conjunction with the concavity of the base  174  direct foodstuffs upwardly and away from the base  174  to enhance mixing. 
     In one variation, the processing bowl  154  is adapted such that the lip  184  partially covers the spout opening  180  allowing small amounts of foodstuffs to be entered into the processing bowl  154  via the spout opening  180 . In yet another use of the blender and processing bowl system  150 , the lid  186  may be rotated away from the spout  178  such that the lip  184  does not cover the spout opening  180 , thereby, permitting foodstuffs to be entered into the processing bowl  154 . Whether or not the lip  184  is adapted to completely or partially cover the spout opening  180 , the blender and processing bowl system  150  permits entry of foodstuff via the spout opening  180  during the blending process with the blender  152  engaged without necessitating the halting or removal of the blender  152 . For example, oil or other foodstuffs can be slowly drizzled into the processing bowl  154  via the spout  178  and spout opening  180  while continuing to mix the ingredients in the container  154 . The spout  178  serves as a catchment large enough for the entry of foodstuffs. Also, with the blender  152  resting against at least a portion of the lid  168 , one can engage the blender  152  with one hand without manually adjusting the height of the blender  152  with respect to the base  174 . Hence, the user&#39;s other hand is freed to enter ingredients or perform other kitchen tasks. 
     With reference to FIGS. 1,  22 ,  23 A,  23 B and  23 C, a mechanism  200  for two-speed operation in a battery-operated hand-held blender will now be discussed. The mechanism  200  includes a battery cartridge  202  configured to receive batteries  204 . The battery cartridge includes a first end  201  and a second end  203 . The battery cartridge  202 , for example, is designed to receive four AA-sized batteries  204  having 1.5 volts each; however, the invention is not so limited. The batteries  204  are internally wired to produce a direct current having a total voltage of approximately six volts. The battery cartridge  202  further includes terminals  206  and  208  at the second end  203 . The terminals  206 ,  208  extend outwardly from the second end  203  of the battery cartridge  202 . The battery cartridge  202  is removably received inside the housing  16 . The battery cartridge  202  further includes a protrusion  210  that is encompassed by a collar  212 . The protrusion  210  and collar  212  are integrally molded with the battery cartridge  202 . The cylindrically shaped protrusions  210  and collar  212  define a spring-receiving portion  214  that is also cylindrical in shape. The spring-receiving portion  214  is adapted to receive a helical first spring  216 . The first spring  216  is sized such that when the first spring  216  is inserted into the spring-receiving portion  214 , the first spring  216  is retained therein in a friction fit engagement. Other means such as adhesives or a catch may be employed to affix the first spring  216  to the battery cartridge  202 . The mechanism  200  includes a second spring  218 . The second spring  218  is mounted on the exterior surface of the collar  212 . The second spring  218  is sized to be slightly smaller than the outer surface of the collar  212  such that when the second spring  218  is mounted on the collar  212 , the second spring  218  is slightly expanded to create a biasing force against the collar  212  to engage the exterior surface of the collar  212  and to be retained thereto in a friction-fit engagement. 
     As described above, the housing  16  includes a motor  15  that rotatably drives the collet  20  and the processing tool  14  attached thereto. The blender  10  includes motor locating ribs  219  that hold the motor  15  in place. A circuit board  221  that is electrically connected to the motor  15  is located between the motor  15  and the battery cartridge  202  and is centered about the motor bearing cap  220 . The circuit board  221  includes a resilient first contact  222 , a resilient second contact  223 , a third contact  224  and at least one resistor  225 . First resilient contact  222  is located above third contact  224  as shown in FIGS. 22 and 23. 
     The battery cartridge  202  is fitted with the first spring  216  by tightly wedging it into the spring-receiving portion  214 . The second spring  218  is then mounted to the exterior surface of the collar  212 . Batteries  204  are then inserted into the cartridge  202 . With the top of the blender housing  16  removed, the battery cartridge  202  is inserted into the housing  16 . The first spring  216  contacts the motor housing  220  spacing the battery cartridge  202  such that the cartridge terminals  206 ,  208  do not contact the first contact  222  and the second contact  223  as shown in FIG.  23 A. The actuator  18  is captured within a retainer ring  19  to close the housing  16  in a snap-fit engagement. The battery cartridge  202  is thereby secured inside the housing  16 . 
     To activate the blender  10 , the actuator  18  is depressed. Depressing the actuator  18  pushes the battery cartridge  202  downwardly to a first position in which the first spring  216  is compressed and the terminals  206 ,  208  contact the first and second resilient contacts  222  and  223 , respectively, as shown in FIG.  23 C. Power is thereby delivered to the motor  15  when such contact is made and the motor  15  is actuated. Resilient first contact  222  is electrically connected to a first motor terminal  227  through a resistor  225 . Resilient second contact  223  is electrically connected to a second motor terminal  229 . When the battery terminals  206 ,  208  make contact with first contacts  222 ,  223 , a voltage equal to the battery voltage less the voltage drop across the resistor  225  is delivered to the motor  15  as illustrated by the equation V motor =V battery −(R resistor ×I motor ). Therefore, less than the full battery voltage is delivered to the motor and the motor operates at a lower speed setting while the battery cartridge  202  is in the first position. 
     To operate the blender  10  at higher speeds, the actuator  18  is further depressed. Depressing the actuator  18  further downwardly, pushes the battery cartridge  202  further downwardly. Because the resilient contact  222  is resilient, it will flex back and forth like a spring. When flexed downwardly, resilient contact  222  contacts the third contact  224  to define a second position. When the first resilient contact  222  contacts the third contact  224 , the resistor  225  is shunted out of the circuit and the full battery voltage is delivered to the motor  15  resulting in the motor  15  running at a higher speed than when a lower voltage was delivered to the motor  15  when the resistor  225  was in the circuit with the battery cartridge  202  in the first position. The second contact  223  being resilient also flexes downwardly and springs back upwardly as shown in FIG.  23 . In a variation in which the second contact  223  does not flex, the second cartridge terminal  208  would have to be sufficiently flexible such that terminal  208  would contact second contact  223  throughout the first and second positions. 
     In order to make it more obvious to the user that the operation shifts from low speed to high speed, the second spring  218  is engaged when the battery cartridge  202  is pushed beyond the first position. The first spring  216  is longer than the second spring  218  as shown in FIG.  22 . However, the invention is not so limited and the first spring  216  need only extend a greater distance from the second end  203  of the battery cartridge  202  relative to the second spring  218 . The user will notice that additional force is required to press actuator  18  past the first position. This additional force due to the resistance provided by the second spring  218  indicates shifting of the rotational speed of the motor. 
     A light emitting diode  226  is also connected, physically and electrically to the printed circuit board  221 . The light emitting diode  226  is activated when the battery terminals  206 ,  208  make electrical contact with the printed circuit contacts  222 ,  223 . Alternatively, the light emitting diode  226  is activated when the high speed is chosen. 
     Releasing pressure on the actuator  18  allows the spring forces generated by first and second springs  216 ,  218  to push the battery cartridge  202  upwardly away from the motor  15  and circuit board  221 . Since contact  222  is resilient, it will flex back towards a relaxed position away from the third contact  224  and current will flow through the resistor  225  in this first position wherein the resulting rotational speed of the motor is slower due less voltage being delivered to the motor  15 . In this way, the user can conveniently operate the blender  10  between the two speeds, pressing and releasing the actuator  18  between the first and second positions to achieve the variation in speed. Further relaxation of actuator  18 , will drive the battery cartridge  202  further upwardly via the spring force from the first spring  216  until the terminals  206  and  208  no longer contact the contacts  222 ,  223 , thereby, cutting-off current from the motor. 
     While the present invention has been described with reference to one or more particular variations, those skilled in the art will recognize that many changes may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Each of these embodiments and obvious variations thereof are contemplated as falling within the spirit and scope of the claimed invention, which is set forth in the following claims.

Technology Category: 4