WO2008003956A1

WO2008003956A1 - Electric blender arrangements

Info

Publication number: WO2008003956A1
Application number: PCT/GB2007/002487
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christina Goodrick-Meech; Robin Ferraby
Original assignee: Kenwood Limited
Priority date: 2006-07-05
Filing date: 2007-07-04
Publication date: 2008-01-10
Also published as: EP2034873A1

Abstract

An electric blender appliance (10), such as a smoothie maker, of a kind which tends to be attended and observed during its operation, is provided with visual interest and design flair by illuminating part at least of the working volume of a goblet (18) in which drinks, such as smoothies, are mixed or blended. By this means, for example, family members watching the creation of a favourite smoothie drink may enjoy a stimulating visual experience. Preferably, the illumination is provided by one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) (28) disposed to illuminate the working volume of the goblet (18) through a window (34), which may of itself exhibit optical characteristics designed to complement or enhance the visual effects produced by the illumination. Multiple LEDs (28) may be energised in sequences or banks to generate chosen patterns which can vary during an operating cycle of the appliance (10). Some such appliances are also configured to cool in-situ the ingredients being blended or mixed, thus making it possible to dispense cooled or chilled smoothie drinks directly from the goblet in which the drinks have been blended.

Description

ELECTRIC BLENDER ARRANGEMENTS

This invention relates to electric blender arrangements, and it relates especially to such arrangements in which ingredients are blended in a goblet by means of a processing tool driven by an electric motor. Such arrangements include, for example, so-called smoothie makers, as well as more conventional domestic appliances used for blending. The term "goblet" as used herein is intended to apply to any vessel or receptacle in which ingredients can be blended, whisked or otherwise processed by means of cutting, chopping or macerating tools rotated by means of an electric motor, to assist in the preparation of drinks (or comestibles) having a range of desired flavours and consistencies.

Goblets used in the above manner are typically removable from the appliances with which they are employed and some, particularly those used with smoothie makers, are fitted with a tap, or valved spout, near the base so that a drink, once prepared in the goblet, can be easily dispensed therefrom into a cup, carafe or other vessel.

A typical application for blender arrangements of the kind just described is, as described for example in WO 2004/037398, in the preparation of fruit-based drinks, typically of relatively thick consistency, known as "smoothies".

Appliances such as those described above tend to be attended and observed during their operation; for example, the family may enjoy watching the creation of a favourite smoothie drink, and there is thus advantage in making the experience visually interesting. It is an object of the invention to provide such appliances with visual stimulation.

According to the invention there is provided a blender arrangement comprising a goblet and an electric blender appliance equipped with electrically powered means to process ingredients in the goblet; wherein the appliance is further provided with means for illuminating part at least of a working volume of the goblet. By this means, a visually interesting or desired aesthetic design may be created.

Preferably, said means for illuminating is built into that side of the appliance remote from the one that is normally presented to view when the appliance is in use; thereby effectively back-lighting the working volume of the goblet.

It is further preferred that the illumination means comprises means for illuminating one or more light sources by way of an interlock switch that is actuated when the goblet is properly seated on the appliance; the illumination indicating that the appliance is properly assembled and ready for use.

In some preferred embodiments of the invention, the illumination means comprises means for illuminating one or more light sources when said electrically powered means is energised, such that there is physical activity within the goblet. It is preferred further that the illumination means does not generate significant amounts of heat locally to the working volume of the goblet.

In particularly preferred embodiments, the illumination is effected by means of one or more light emitting diodes ("LEDs").

The illumination may conveniently be projected through a window. The window may be of thermally resistive material, and/or it may be lensed, coloured or otherwise optically configured to enhance or complement the illumination in a predetermined way to achieve a desired optical effect.

Preferably, the goblet is provided with a valved spout through which the drinks or other preparations may be dispensed, either directly into a drinking vessel or into an intermediate vessel, such as a carafe, which is used to serve the drink or other preparation into individual vessels.

It is further preferred that the goblet is removable from the appliance to facilitate cleaning and handling.

In some instances, the goblet may be provided with cooling means for cooling part at least of its working volume, so as to permit cooled or chilled drinks or other preparations to be dispensed directly from the goblet in which the ingredients therefor have been processed.

For example, such cooling means may comprise a gel or liquid medium, and means containing the medium within or adjacent said working volume of the goblet; the medium being capable of being frozen and having a high latent heat of fusion. By this means, the medium can be pre-frozen, either on its own or in association with the goblet, and can be retained adjacent the working volume of the goblet during or after the conclusion of the preparation process. Alternatively, the cooling means may comprise a hollow member containing a cooling material having a high latent heat of fusion; the hollow member being insertable into the goblet and used to stir or agitate the ingredients therein.

In order that the invention may be clearly understood and readily carried into effect, certain embodiments thereof will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, the single Figure of which shows, in side elevation, a blender arrangement in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention and comprising a blender with a goblet.

Referring now to the drawing, there is shown a blender which in many ways is well known, and thus only the more basic components and those of relevance to the present invention will be described in detail.

Accordingly, the blender 10 comprises a base 12 housing an electric motor 14; the base and the motor being shown in part only since they have no specific bearing on the invention and may take any number of different forms which will be known to those skilled in the art. In any event, the motor 14 can be used to drive in rotation a tool 16 within a goblet 18. As is known, the tool 16 can be rotated by the motor 14 in order to blend, chop or otherwise process ingredients (not shown) placed within the goblet 18. In the case of a smoothie maker, the ingredients typically comprise fruits and, optionally, liquid stock such as fruit juice, yoghurt, ice-cream, milk, flavoured syrups, alcohol etc.

The goblet 18 is, in this example, provided near its base with a tubular exit 20 to a valved spout (not shown) through which the blended contents can be dispensed; the valve being opened or closed manually by means of a suitable handle or tap member. In such circumstances, the goblet is preferably designed to encourage the blended drink to flow out of the spout, and expedients for achieving this are well known. Alternatively, the goblet 18 may have no exit, such as 20, and the blended contents may be dispensed by pouring from the goblet.

The goblet 18 is also provided with a lid 22 having a central aperture 22a which may be closed by means of a suitable insert (not shown) when the tool 16 is driven by the motor 14.

The goblet 18 is typically made of glass or a suitable plastics material, and is preferably transparent, or at least translucent.

The base 12 supports a housing 24 which contains illuminating means, generally indicated at 26, and arranged to illuminate the goblet 18, or at least the working volume thereof, from the rear. The illumination means 26 in this example comprises a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs), schematically shown at 28, and a facetted or plain reflector 30 mounted in a cavity 32 defined within the housing 24. A window 34 is provided in the housing 24 through which the LEDs 28 can illuminate part at least of the working volume of the goblet 18 and its contents. The window 34 preferably comprises lensing and/or diffusing optical elements to create a desired lighting ambience, and the LEDs 28 may be coloured or otherwise, or of mixed colours, depending on the effect it is desired to produce. The window 34 may, additionally or alternatively, be made of thermally resistive material.

The LEDs 28 may be operated together or in a desired sequence, synchronised with chosen sequential operational conditions of the blender 10.

For example, one or more LEDs 28 can be illuminated once an interlock switch (not shown) has been activated by the correct seating of the goblet 18 on the base 12. Typically, and in well known fashion, such correct seating may be confirmed by the entry of a pip or other protrusion outstanding from the rear of the goblet into a slot formed in the base 12, such that the pip or other protrusion directly engages an electrical interlock switch disposed adjacent the slot.

Alternative or additional arrangements for the lighting can include activation when the motor 14 is energised to drive the tool 16, and in some embodiments differently coloured LEDs are activated at differing stages of the blending process. In other embodiments, differently coloured LEDs are illuminated in sequence and/or in various combinations during a single phase of the processing operation, e.g. during the active blending stage when the tool 16 is driven within the goblet 18. In one configuration, the working volume of the goblet 18 is illuminated, through the window 34, by an array of LEDs 28; the array comprising several banks of LEDs, with the LEDs of different banks emitting light of different colours, so that waves of coloured illumination are created by energising the banks of LEDs in sequence. The sequences and the duration of the illumination of each bank can be changed in response to the operational condition of the appliance 10, so as to create different wave effects at different stages of the blending process. Alternatively, more conservative effects can be achieved by merely changing the overall colour and/or intensity of illumination at different stages of the process.

In any event, at least in embodiments of the invention in which in-situ cooling is provided (as will be described hereinafter), it is preferred to avoid arrangements leading to the local generation of significant amounts of heat. Thus "cold" light sources such as LEDs are preferred and it is further preferred to illuminate the goblet 18 by way of a window 34, as shown, rather than directly. If necessary, ventilation (forced and/or natural) can be provided to remove from sensitive areas of the appliance any unwanted heat associated with the illumination.

The illumination means 26 can be controlled in any convenient manner, as will be well understood by those skilled in the art. In one example, a switching arrangement is incorporated into the base 12 of the appliance 10; the switching arrangement being activated either automatically when the appliance is connected to the mains electricity or manually by user- actuation of an illumination press-button presented externally on the base 12 of the appliance. In either event, the switching arrangement may be a simple on/off device. Alternatively, it may be pre-programmed to selectively energise the LEDs 28 into a plurality of different lighting configurations and may be conditioned to cause the LEDs 28 to cycle through these configurations in synchronism with the operational cycle of the appliance 10, or to remain in one configuration until user actuation of an externally accessible control urges the LEDs to adopt another configuration. The switching arrangement and the externally presented controls may be linked to each other and to the illumination means by way of a micro-processor, which may also receive inputs indicative of the operating cycle of the appliance 10 in order to enable the illumination to be synchronised with the operating cycle if desired.

Further, if desired, the base 12 may be provided with a receiver responsive to infra-red energy, or to some other form of energy usable for signalling, so that the lighting performance of the appliance 10 may be adjusted or varied by remote control, using a handset capable of modulating the relevant energy with signals indicative of desired lighting patterns or performance.

As previously mentioned, the invention is generally applicable to blenders, including smoothie makers and the like.

In terms of providing the in-situ cooling facility referred to above, various implementations are feasible. One such implementation involves providing the goblet 18 with a double skin, defining a cavity between the skins; the cavity containing a gel or liquid medium exhibiting a high latent heat of fusion. The intention is that, in order to prepare a chilled or cooled drink, the goblet can be placed in a refrigerator or freezer for sufficient time to chill or freeze the medium in the cavity created by the double skin of the goblet. The goblet is then placed on the base 12, charged with ingredients as required for the drink and the appliance operated as normal to create the desired drink. The chilled or frozen gel or liquid medium in the cavity defined within the double skin, however, is effective to withdraw heat from the goblet's contents to thaw it, thereby cooling the drink as intended.

The gel or liquid medium used within the cavity may be transparent or translucent, and/or one or more of the skins defining the cavity may be clear, coloured or patterned so as to achieve a desired overall visual effect when illuminated as described above.

Alternative arrangements for in-situ cooling may contain the gel or liquid medium within a pre-formed rigid or flexible pack, formed separately from the goblet, which pack can take any convenient shape and can be attached to the goblet, for example by means of a strap or lace, when required.

Where such packs of gel or liquid are used, the overall shape and configuration of the pack can conform to any desired design compatible with the goblet and base.

A further alternative method of in-situ cooling alternative cooling involves the use of an elongated, tubular stirring member which is hollow and thus contains a cavity which is charged with the gel or liquid medium, or with ice. The chilled or frozen gel or liquid medium, or ice, in the hollow stirring member is effective to withdraw heat from the goblet's contents when the member is inserted into the goblet (possibly via the aperture 22a in its lid 22 and used to stir or agitate the ingredients in the goblet.

Claims

Claims:

1. A blender arrangement comprising a goblet (18) and an electric blender appliance (10) equipped with electrically powered means (16) to process ingredients in the goblet; characterised in that the appliance is provided with means (26) for illuminating part at least of a working volume of the goblet (18).

2. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said means (26) for illuminating is built into that side of the appliance (10) remote from the one that is normally presented to view when the appliance is in use.

3. An arrangement according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the illumination means (26) comprises means for illuminating one or more light sources (28) by way of an interlock switch that is actuated when the goblet (18) is properly seated on the appliance (10); the illumination indicating that the appliance (10) is properly assembled and ready for use.

4. An arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein the illumination means (26) comprises means for illuminating one or more light sources (28) when said electrically powered means (16) is energised, such that there is physical activity within the goblet (18).

5. An arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein the illumination means (26) does not generate significant amounts of heat locally to the working volume of the goblet (18).

6. An arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein the illumination is effected by means of one or more light emitting diodes ("LEDs") (28).

7. An arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein the illumination is projected through a window (34).

8. An arrangement according to claim 7, wherein said window (34) is of thermally resistive material.

9. An arrangement according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the window (34) is lensed, coloured or otherwise optically configured to enhance or complement the illumination in a predetermined way to achieve a desired optical effect.

10. An arrangement according to any preceding claim, further comprising a switching arrangement, incorporated into a base (12) of the appliance (10) for controlling the illumination means (26).

11. An arrangement according to claim 10, wherein the switching arrangement is capable of being activated either automatically, when the appliance is connected to the mains electricity, or manually by user- actuation of an illumination press-button presented externally on the base (12) of the appliance.

12. An arrangement according to claim 10 or claim 11, wherein the switching arrangement comprises a simple on/off device.

13. An arrangement according to claim 10 or claim 11 , wherein the switching arrangement is pre-programmable to selectively energise the LEDs (28) into a plurality of different lighting configurations.

14. An arrangement according to claim 13, wherein the switching arrangement is conditioned to cause the LEDs (28) to cycle through said different lighting configurations in synchronism with an operational cycle of the appliance (10).

15. An arrangement according to claim 13, wherein the switching arrangement is conditioned to cause the LEDs (28) to remain in one configuration until user actuation of an externally accessible control urges the LEDs to adopt another configuration.

16. An arrangement according to any of claims 10 to 15, wherein the switching arrangement and externally presented controls are linked to each other and to the illumination means (26) by way of a microprocessor.

17. An arrangement according to claim 16, wherein the microprocessor is conditioned to receive inputs indicative of the operating cycle of the appliance (10) in order to enable the illumination to be synchronised with the operating cycle of the appliance (10).

18. An arrangement according to any of claims 10 to 17, further including a receiver responsive to infra-red energy, or to some other form of energy usable for signalling, so that the lighting performance of the illumination means (26) may be adjusted or varied by remote control, using a handset capable of modulating the relevant energy with signals indicative of desired lighting patterns or performance.

19. An arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein the goblet (18) is further provided with a valved spout through which drinks or other preparations may be dispensed, either directly into a drinking vessel or into an intermediate vessel, such as a carafe.

20. An arrangement according to any preceding claim, further comprising cooling means for cooling at least part of the working volume of the goblet (18).

21. An arrangement according to claim 20, wherein the cooling means comprises a gel or liquid medium and wherein retention means are provided to contain the medium in or adjacent said working volume of the goblet (18); the gel or liquid medium being capable of being frozen and having a high latent heat of fusion.

22. An arrangement according to claim 21, wherein the retention means containing the medium comprises a dual-skinned cavity formed around part at least of the external surface area of the goblet (18).

23. An arrangement according to claim 21, wherein said retention means for said gel or liquid medium comprises a pre-formed rigid or flexible pack capable of removal from and attachment to the goblet (18) when required.

24. An arrangement according to any of claims 21 to 23, wherein the gel or liquid medium and/or its retention means is transparent.

25. An arrangement according to any of claims 21 to 23, wherein the gel or liquid medium and/or its retention means is translucent.

26. An arrangement according to claim 21, wherein said retention means comprises a hollow elongate and generally tubular member insertable into the goblet (18) and usable for stirring the contents of the working volume of said goblet (18).

27. An arrangement according to claim 26, wherein the cooling medium comprises ice.