CN110547702A - Agitator tank assembly and associated agitator - Google Patents

Abstract

The blender jar assembly includes a base portion having a container portion for receiving food material to be blended and for dispensing the food material after blending and a base portion selectively coupled to the container portion. The base portion includes a floor and a sidewall connected to and extending from the floor to form a chamber for receiving at least a portion of the food material during a blending operation. When the container portion and the base portion are selectively coupled, the chamber has an open end in fluid communication with the open end of the container portion. The base also includes one or more rotatable blades that are completely contained within the cavity formed by the floor and the sidewall and do not extend beyond the edge of the sidewall.

Description

Agitator tank assembly and associated agitator

cross Reference to Related Applications

This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application serial No.15/654,330 filed 2017, month 7, day 19 and claiming priority thereto, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to small appliances, and more particularly to blenders for blending food materials.

Background

A blender is a household appliance that is capable of mixing a liquid and chopping dry food. Blenders may also be used to liquefy fruits and vegetables, and to blend solids with liquids. A typical blender includes a blender jar assembly including a collar and a container located on top of a blender base that encloses a motor. The collar includes a blending tool rotatably mounted thereto. The blending tool is rotatably engaged with the drive shaft of the motor in the operational configuration. Food material is placed into the container and the blender jar assembly is engaged with the blender base. The foodstuff is blended within a container defined by the blender jar, and the blender jar assembly is removed from the blender base to dispense or pour the blended foodstuff.

Blenders may produce noise during operation, but retail blenders do not employ acoustic closures because most homes lack counter space and require additional cost to provide such closures. More specifically, retail blenders are typically placed under kitchen cabinets, which greatly limits the head space above the blender. A door or closure that pivots upward to provide access to the blender jar assembly would not be operable in the consumer's home. Such upwardly pivoting doors are generally acceptable in commercial kitchens where increasing the height of the open door is not a problem.

The agitator disclosed below overcomes at least one of the above-mentioned disadvantages of conventional agitators.

Disclosure of Invention

Disclosed herein are blender jar assemblies and related blenders for blending food materials. In one embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, the blender jar assembly comprises a container portion having an open end for receiving the food material to be blended and for dispensing the food material after blending and a base portion selectively coupled to the container portion. The base portion includes a floor and a sidewall connected to and extending from the floor to form a chamber for receiving at least a portion of the food material during a blending operation. When the container portion and the base portion are selectively coupled, the chamber has an open end in fluid communication with the open end of the container portion. The base also includes one or more rotatable blades that are completely contained within the cavity formed by the floor and the sidewall and do not extend beyond the edge of the sidewall.

The base portion may include one or more spires extending from the rim of the sidewall. When the container portion and the base portion are selectively coupled, the one or more spikes extend into the container portion. The side wall may comprise one or more protrusions for increasing the agitation of the food material within the chamber. Each of the one or more peaks may be aligned with a corresponding one of the one or more protrusions.

In an alternative embodiment of the present apparatus, an agitator for agitating foodstuff comprises an agitator tank assembly as described above and a housing for selectively receiving the agitator tank assembly.

The housing may include a first portion enclosing the motor and a second portion for selectively receiving the agitator tank assembly. The second portion defines an opening through which the agitator tank assembly is selectively received. The agitator may further comprise a guard. The guard is selectively coupled to the second portion via a generally vertical pivot point. The pivot point is configured to enable the shield to be selectively pivoted between a closed position in which the opening in the second portion is closed and an open position in which the agitator tank assembly may be inserted into or removed from the second portion via the opening. The pivot point includes an eccentric cam that urges the guard toward the closed position when the guard is positioned between the closed position and a point of maximum displacement of the eccentric cam, and urges the guard toward the open position when the guard is positioned between the open position and the point of maximum displacement of the eccentric cam.

the shield may move upward when the shield pivots from the closed position to a point of maximum displacement of the eccentric cam. The guard may move downward when the guard pivots from the point of maximum displacement of the eccentric cam to the open position. The shield may move upward when the shield pivots from the open position to a point of maximum displacement of the eccentric cam. The guard may move downward when the guard pivots from the point of maximum displacement of the eccentric cam to the closed position.

The eccentric cam may include a top cam portion, a mating bottom cam portion, and a spring urging the top and bottom cam portions toward each other. The guard may be selectively coupled to the second portion via the top cam portion such that pivoting the guard causes the top cam portion to correspondingly rotate and such that rotating the top cam portion causes the guard to correspondingly pivot. The guard may include a pivot post that is selectively insertable into a corresponding cavity in the top cam portion. The guard pivot post and the cavity of the top cam portion may each include mating engagement surfaces.

Drawings

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the present disclosure, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the disclosure, there are shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the disclosure is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an upper left perspective view of a blender with its guard closed according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an upper right perspective view of the blender of fig. 1.

fig. 3 is a right side view of the blender of fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a front view of the blender of fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a front view of the blender of fig. 1 with its shield open and its blender jar assembly in place.

FIG. 6 is a top front perspective view of the blender of FIG. 1 with its blender jar assembly removed.

Fig. 7 is a top rear perspective view of the blender of fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is a bottom rear perspective view of the guard removed from the blender of fig. 1.

Fig. 9 is a top rear perspective view of a portion of the blender of fig. 1 with its guard removed.

fig. 10 is a close-up perspective view of the pivot point of the beater of fig. 1.

Fig. 11 is a close-up perspective exploded view of the pivot point of the blender of fig. 1.

Fig. 11A and 11B are close-up perspective views of alternative pivot point features.

FIG. 12 is a close-up perspective cross-sectional view of the pivot point of the blender of FIG. 1.

FIG. 13 is a bottom front perspective view of the blender jar assembly of the blender of FIG. 1 removed from the blender.

FIG. 14 is a bottom front perspective view of the base of the blender jar assembly of FIG. 13 separated from the container.

fig. 15 is a top front perspective view of the base of fig. 14.

Fig. 16 is a front cross-sectional view of the base of fig. 14.

FIG. 17 is a rear right side perspective cut-away view of the blender of FIG. 1.

FIG. 18 is a bottom front perspective view of an agitator tank assembly of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a front view of the base of the blender jar assembly of FIG. 18 separated from the container.

FIG. 20 is a top front perspective view of the base of the blender jar assembly of FIG. 18 separated from the container.

Detailed Description

In the following description, specific terminology is used for convenience only and is not limiting. The words "lower", "bottom", "upper" and "top" designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. In accordance with this disclosure, the words "inwardly," "outwardly," "upwardly," and "downwardly" refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the device and designated parts thereof. Unless specifically stated otherwise herein, the terms "a", "an", and "the" are not limited to one element, but instead should be read to mean "at least one". The terminology includes the words noted above, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import.

Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout, there is shown in fig. 1-17 a blender or other similar mixing device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure. The blender 10 of the embodiments of the present disclosure includes a housing 12 and a guard 14. The housing 12 has a blender base 20 located on a surface such as a countertop, a first or bottom portion 18 enclosing a motor 42 (see fig. 17) and various other conventional blender components, and a second or top portion 16 defining a chamber 26 for selectively receiving a blender jar assembly 48 adapted to contain food material to be blended. The control panel 22 may be positioned on the exterior of the housing. The control panel 22 may include one or more input elements (buttons, switches, knobs, etc.) and/or one or more output elements (lights, buzzers, etc.) (two lever-type switches are shown). The control panel 22 may include touch sensitive inputs, digital display interfaces, etc. that allow a user to contact and operate the appliance.

The second portion 16 defines an opening 38, and the agitator tank assembly 48 is selectively received or removed through the opening 38. The shield 14 may be selectively pivotable between a closed position (shown in fig. 1-4) that closes the opening 38 in the second portion 16 and an open position (shown in fig. 5) that enables insertion or removal of the agitator tank assembly 48 from the second portion 16. In the illustrated embodiment, the guard 14 pivots open from left to right and closes from right to left, but alternative embodiments may have the pivot points on opposite sides of the housing such that the guard pivots open from right to left and closes from left to right. Fig. 5 illustrates an embodiment of the blender 10 with the shield 14 open and the blender jar assembly 48 in place for blending. The blender jar assembly includes a base 52 and a container portion 50 selectively securable to the base. Only the container portion 50 of the blender jar assembly is visible in fig. 5. Agitator tank assembly 48 is further described below. FIG. 6 shows blender 10 with the blender jar assembly removed. As shown in FIG. 6, the chamber 26 for receiving the blender jar assembly includes a lower wall portion 28 shaped and dimensioned to nest with the base 52 to minimize movement of the base during operation of the blender. The chamber 26 also includes a floor portion 30 and a drain hole 34, wherein the floor portion 30 and the lower wall portion 28 intersect to drain any liquid that may spill into the chamber 26. The discharge orifice 34 opens into a discharge passage that directs fluid out of the chamber 26 via a discharge orifice 36 (see fig. 7). The chamber also includes a clutch coupling 32 that is operatively engaged with a coupling clutch 54 of the base when the agitator tank assembly 48 is in position in the chamber 26 for agitation. Operation of the motor 42 generally rotates the clutch coupling 32.

The guard 14 may be selectively removable from the blender 10 to facilitate cleaning. As best seen in fig. 8, wherein the guard is shown separated from the agitator, the guard 14 includes a top portion 68 and an outwardly curved face portion 70. The channel 24 formed in the face portion 70 serves as an integrated handle to allow a user to easily open and close the shield 14 (such a handle-like mechanism may be implemented in any other suitable manner and in any other suitable location). Ridges 72 are formed in the top portion 68 (by recesses on opposite sides) to allow a user to grasp the guard and pull upward to selectively remove the guard from the mixer. A generally vertical post 74 extends downwardly from the top portion 68. Two generally vertical keyways 76 (only one visible in fig. 8) are defined on opposite sides of the post 74. As described further below, the post 74 and keyway 76 allow the guard 14 to be selectively coupled to the top of the housing 12. Although not shown, the agitator may include a gasket to provide a seal between the shield 14 and the opening 38. Such a gasket may be secured to the edge of the guard or around the perimeter of the opening 38.

the guard 14 is selectively coupled to the second portion 16 via a generally vertical pivot point 44 (best seen in fig. 9-12). The pivot point 44 allows the guard 14 to be selectively pivotable between a closed position and an open position. Pivot point 44 comprises an eccentric cam. The two part construction of the eccentric cam (described below) causes the guard to move slightly upwards as it pivots from the closed position towards the open position until the point of maximum displacement of the eccentric cam is reached. As the shield continues to pivot toward the open position, the shield moves slightly downward until the fully open position is reached. The two part construction of the eccentric cam causes the guard to move slightly upwardly as the guard pivots from the open position towards the closed position until the point of maximum displacement of the eccentric cam is reached. As the guard continues to pivot toward the closed position, the guard moves slightly downward until the fully closed position is reached. The eccentric cam urges the guard 14 toward the closed position when the guard is positioned between the closed position and a point of maximum displacement of the eccentric cam, and urges the guard toward the open position when the guard is positioned between the open position and the point of maximum displacement of the eccentric cam.

Details of the construction of the pivot point eccentric cam are visible in fig. 9-12. In fig. 10-12, the housing 12 has been removed for clarity. Figure 12 further illustrates the pivot point in the cross section along line a-a of figure 9. The pivot point 44 includes a top cam portion 80, a bottom cam portion 96 that cooperates with the top cam portion, a spring 106 that biases the top and bottom cam portions together, and a washer 108, nut, or other similar retaining element.

As best seen in fig. 11, the top cam portion 80 includes an upper portion defining a generally vertical cavity 82, two opposed elongated keys 84 that project into the cavity 82, a cam surface 86, and a post 88 that projects downwardly from the upper portion. The post 88 has a smaller diameter than the upper portion to allow for the camming surface 86. The lower portion of post 88 has threads 90. The cam surface 86 is a multi-step curved surface that protrudes downward, in which the cam surface has two opposite thick points (thick spots) and two opposite thin points (thin spots), each of which has a sloped surface therebetween. When the guard 14 is mounted to the mixer 10, the guard post 74 is inserted into the top cam portion cavity 82 with the guard post keyway 76 aligned with and engaging a corresponding one of the keys 84 of the top cam portion 80. The engagement between the keyway 76 and the key 84 ensures that the guard 14 is properly aligned and that pivoting of the guard 14 causes corresponding rotation of the top cam portion 80.

The bottom cam portion 96 defines a generally vertical cavity 94 for receiving an upper portion of the top cam portion 80. The bottom cam portion 96 further defines a smaller diameter, generally vertical lower cavity 100 for receiving the post 88 of the top cam portion 80. The bottom cam portion 96 includes a cam surface 98. The cam surface 98 is an upwardly projecting multi-step curved surface in which the cam surface has two opposing thick points and two opposing thin points with an inclined surface between each thick and thin point.

When the top cam portion 80 is in place in the bottom cam portion 96, the post 88 and at least a portion of the threaded portion 90 protrude from the bottom of the bottom cam portion 96, as shown in fig. 10 and 12. A spring 106 is positioned on the post 88 and is captured between the bottom of the bottom cam portion 96 and a washer 108 or other similar retaining element. In this regard, when the top cam portion moves upward (as described below), the spring 106 is compressed between the bottom of the bottom cam portion 96 and the washer 108. The compressed spring 106 exerts a downward biasing force on the washer 108 and thus on the top cam portion 80 to bias the top cam portion 80 toward the bottom cam portion 96.

The cam surface 86 of the top cam portion 80 and the cam surface 98 of the bottom cam portion 96 have mating profiles. In this regard, when the guard 14 is in place on the blender and in either the fully closed position or the fully open position, the relatively thick points of the cam surface 86 cooperate with corresponding ones of the relatively thin points of the cam surface 98, and the relatively thin points of the cam surface 86 cooperate with corresponding ones of the relatively thick points of the cam surface 98. In other words, cam surfaces 86 and 98 are evenly nested or positioned together when shield 14 is in place on the mixer and in either the fully closed position or the fully open position.

As the guard 14 pivots from the closed position to the open position, the top cam portion 80 correspondingly rotates. As top cam portion 80 rotates, the opposite thick point of cam surface 86 moves away from the opposite thin point of cam surface 98 and toward the opposite thick point of cam surface 98, causing top cam portion 80, and thus shield 14, to rise vertically a small amount (the amount of rise is based on the profile of cam surfaces 86, 98). As mentioned above, when the top cam portion 80 is raised, the spring 106 is compressed between the bottom of the bottom cam portion 96 and the washer 108 and exerts a downward biasing force on the washer 108 and thus on the top cam portion 80 to bias the top cam portion 80 toward the bottom cam portion 96. This has the effect of biasing the guard 14 towards the closed position at this point in the pivoting of the guard 14.

As the guard 14 continues to pivot from the closed position to the open position, the relatively thick points of the camming surfaces 86 will align with the relatively thick points of the camming surfaces 98 at about a mid-point (but not necessarily at a mid-point) between the closed position and the open position. This point may be referred to as the point of maximum displacement, and at this point the top cam portion 80 and guard 14 are at their highest positions.

As the guard 14 continues to pivot from the closed position to the open position past the point of maximum displacement, the relatively thick point of the camming surface 86 moves away from the relatively thick point of the camming surface 98 and toward the relatively thin point of the camming surface 98 (but relatively thin point compared to when the guard is in the closed position), causing the top cam portion 80, and thus the guard 14, to begin to descend. Now, due to the slope of the cam surfaces 86, 98, the compressed spring 106 biases the guard 14 toward the open position. When the guard 14 is in the fully open position, the relatively thick point of the cam surface 86 mates with a corresponding one of the relatively thin points of the cam surface 98, and the relatively thin point of the cam surface 86 mates with a corresponding one of the relatively thick points of the cam surface 98 (but relatively thin points compared to when the guard is in the closed position). In other words, the cam surfaces 86 and 98 are evenly nested or positioned together when the guard 14 is in place on the mixer and in either the fully closed position or the fully open position (but opposite when the guard is in the closed position).

Thus, when the guard 14 is in the fully closed or fully open position, the eccentric cam provides a biasing force to hold the guard in its fully closed or fully open position. When the guard pivots from closed to open or from open to closed, the eccentric cam provides a biasing force toward the closed position or toward the open position depending on whether the top cam portion 80 is on the closed or open side of the point of maximum displacement.

Fig. 11A and 11B illustrate pivot point components of an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 11A shows a top cam portion 180 including an upper portion defining a generally vertical cavity 182 (not shown) with two opposing elongated keys (not shown) projecting into the cavity, a cam surface 186, and a post 188 projecting downwardly from the upper portion. The lower portion of the post 188 has threads 190. Although the cam surface 186 is only visible on one side of the top cam portion 180 in fig. 11A, the invisible portion of the cam surface on the opposite side of the top cam portion 180 is identical to the visible portion. The cam surface 186 of the top cam portion 180 differs from the cam surface 86 of the top cam portion 80 in that the cam surface 186 is not symmetrical, has a greater height, is steeper, and has a wave portion or bump 192. The greater height of the cam surface 186 causes the cam surface 186, and thus the shield, to rise higher during opening and closing to provide greater clearance. The steeper angle of the cam surface 186 (possibly accompanied by the use of a stronger spring) provides a greater closing force on the guard. The nubs 192 on the cam surface 186 slow the rotation of the top cam portion 180 and thus slow the opening speed of the guard.

Fig. 11B shows a bottom cam portion 196 defining a generally vertical cavity 194 for receiving an upper portion of top cam portion 180. The bottom cam portion 196 further defines a smaller diameter, generally vertical lower cavity 200 for receiving the post 188 of the top cam portion 180. In addition to having a cam surface that generally conforms to the cam surface 186 of the top cam portion 180, the bottom cam portion 196 includes two opposing upstanding dome ribs 198 (only one of which is visible in fig. 11B), the dome ribs 198 projecting inwardly from the wall of the vertical cavity 194 and upwardly from a generally flat, generally horizontal floor 202. As in the embodiments described above, the ribs 198 engage opposite sides of the cam surface 186 of the top cam portion 180 to cause the top cam portion 180 (and corresponding guard) to rise and fall as the guard rotates. The ribs 198 of fig. 11B reduce the amount of surface contact, and therefore friction, between the cam surfaces of the top cam portion 180 and the bottom cam portion 196.

In an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure, the eccentric cam may be over-indexed such that the guard reaches its fully closed position before the eccentric cam reaches its fully closed position. In this regard, when the guard is fully closed, the eccentric cam continues to apply a closing force to the guard, thereby helping to maintain the guard in its closed position.

Referring now to fig. 13-16, an agitator tank assembly such as may be used with the agitator of embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. The agitator tank assembly of embodiments of the present disclosure may also be used in conjunction with agitators other than the embodiments shown and described herein. Furthermore, one or more features of the blender jar assembly of embodiments of the present disclosure may be incorporated into other blender jar assemblies in addition to the embodiments shown and described herein. Blender jar assembly 48 includes a base 52 and a container portion 50 that may be selectively coupleable to base 52. Blender 10 and blender jar assembly 48 may be referred to collectively as a private (or single-action) blender because container portion 50 (along with base 52) functions as a blending chamber when container portion 50 is selectively coupled to base 52 and functions as a drinking vessel when decoupled from base 52. This is in contrast to a multi-purpose or full-size blender, in which the container has an open top end (with a removable/replaceable lid) for receiving the food material to be blended and for dispensing the blended food material into a separate drinking vessel.

Because the container portion 50 doubles as a drinking vessel, the container portion 50 is generally shaped like a drinking vessel, generally cylindrical or frustoconical with one closed, flat end and one open end, although any other suitable shape may be used. The open end of container portion 50 is selectively coupled to base 52 via internal threads 64 on container portion 50 (adjacent the open end) and external threads 58 on base 52. This is in contrast to conventional personal blenders in which the container portion has external threads that engage internal threads on the base. Such external threads on the container portion may be undesirable because they may be uncomfortable to the user when drinking from the container or may cause the blended food material to leak around the user's mouth if drinking from the container without the lid in place. In contrast, the internal threads on the container portion of embodiments of the present disclosure are generally not perceptible to the user and are therefore more comfortable when drinking from the container and less likely to cause leakage when the user is drinking.

The container portion 50 is preferably constructed of a transparent, generally rigid material capable of withstanding the normal operating conditions of the container portion 50. For example, the container portion 50 may be constructed of a substantially rigid, injection molded polymeric material that is at least partially transparent such that the food material within the container portion 50 may be viewed by a user. However, the container portion 50 is not limited to a particular embodiment or being constructed of a transparent material or being constructed of an injection molded polymeric material. Rather, the container portion 50 may be constructed of nearly any substantially rigid material (e.g., glass, stainless steel, or aluminum) capable of assuming the general shape of the container portion 50 and withstanding the normal operating conditions of the container portion 50.

The base 52 comprises a floor 55 and side walls 53, the side walls 53 being connected to and extending from the floor to form a chamber for receiving at least a portion of the food material to be blended. Generally vertical ribs 56 project from the exterior of the side walls 53 to engage the vertical edges of the octagonal lower wall portion 28 of the cavity 26 to provide the desired comfort fit. Four ribs 56 are shown, but any suitable number of ribs may be used.

The base 52 further comprises one or more rotatable blades 60 for stirring/mixing the food material. The vanes 60 are attached to a shaft 114, the shaft 114 extending through the shaft support 112 and attached to the coupling clutch 54 on the underside of the base 52. As described above, the clutch coupling 32 is operatively engaged with the coupling clutch 54 of the base when the agitator tank assembly 48 is in position in the chamber 26 for agitation. Operation of the motor 42 rotates the clutch coupling 32, which rotates the coupling clutch 54, which rotates the shaft 114, which in turn rotates the blades 60 to blend the food material in the blender jar assembly.

In conventional blender jar assemblies, the blades extend into the container portion. When the food material to be blended is placed into the container portion of the personal blender, the container portion is separated from the base and inverted so that the open end faces upward. If a user fills the container portion completely to its top rim and attaches a conventional base, when the base is attached, the vanes (which typically extend beyond the base and into the container portion) will displace a portion of the food material and may cause a portion of the food material to spill out of the container portion. Furthermore, when the coupled container portion and base are inverted again such that the base is on the bottom (for insertion into the blender), such a complete container portion does not provide the desired head space (i.e. the space between the top layer of the food material and the top end or lid of the container portion). The head space is important for generating eddy currents during the stirring operation, which helps to prevent overloading of the motor.

Advantageously, in the embodiment shown in fig. 13-16, the rotatable vanes 60 are housed entirely within the cavity formed by the floor 55 and the side walls 53. That is, rotatable vanes 60 do not extend beyond edges 66 of sidewalls 53, as shown in fig. 16. Thus, the rotatable blades 60 do not extend into the container portion. The illustrated arrangement, in which the blade is fully contained within the base and does not extend into the container portion above the base, has advantages over conventional blender jar assemblies in which the blade extends into the container portion. Regardless of how much food material the user places into the container portion 50, the paddle 60 does not eject any food material or cause any food material to spill out of the container portion 50 when the base 52 is attached. Furthermore, when the coupled container portion 50 and base 52 are again inverted such that the base is on the bottom (for insertion into a blender), a portion of the food material in the container portion 50 will fall from the container portion 50 into the cavity of the base 52, thereby creating the desired head space in the container portion 50. The illustrated arrangement, in which the blades are fully contained within the base and do not extend above the base into the container portion, can be used in conjunction with a multi-purpose, full-sized container portion, not just the private blender-type container portion illustrated.

In conventional blender jar assemblies, it is known to alter the geometry of the container portion during the blending operation to disrupt laminar flow of the food material (i.e., introduce turbulent flow). This disruption improves the stirring process and results in a more uniform stirring of the food material. Such changes to the geometry of the container portion include inward projections such as bumps, ribs, ridges, and the like. Manufacturing container portions having such inward projections is more complicated and expensive than manufacturing container portions without such inward projections.

Advantageously, in the embodiment shown in fig. 13-16, the desired inward projections 62 are formed on the side walls 53 of the base 52 (rather than on the container portion 50). In the embodiment shown, there are four such tabs 62 spaced around the side wall 53, but any suitable number of tabs may be used. As shown in fig. 15, each of the tabs 62 is bent inward and terminates in a vertical platform, although any suitable type of tab may be used. Because the blades 60 are located within the cavity of the base 52, the protrusion 62 provides the desired increased agitation of the food material within the cavity. Having a protrusion in the base 52 enables the use of a more powerful motor and larger blades without risk of damaging the container parts. The illustrated arrangement, in which the desired inward projections are formed in the base (rather than in the container portion), can be used in conjunction with a multi-purpose, full-size container portion, not just the private mixer-type container portion illustrated.

In conventional blenders, it is known to use a fan (typically driven by a motor shaft) to draw air (typically through a suction vent in the base of the housing) into the blender housing and through the motor to provide the required cooling of the motor, and to exhaust the heated air through one or more exhaust vents. While such air cooling is desirable, the exhaust air can carry noise from the motor out of the housing, resulting in undesirable noisy operation of the blender. Referring now to fig. 17, the agitator of the embodiments of the present disclosure provides a muffler within the housing of the agitator. The muffler provides an internal chamber 124 that directs the exhaust air in such a way as to reduce the emitted noise and change its frequency. As indicated by the bold arrows in fig. 17, air is drawn into the base 20 of the blender by a fan (not shown) via one or more air intake vents (not shown). The air is directed through the heat sink 120 and then drawn into a motor shroud 132 that surrounds the motor 42, thereby directing the air through the motor 42 and cooling the motor 42. The directed air continues downwardly into the interior of the base 20 and then upwardly through the central restricted opening 122 into the muffling chamber 124. Air rising through the restricted opening 122 strikes an obstacle 126 protruding from one side of the anechoic chamber 124, causing the air to be directed around the distal end of the obstacle 126. The air then passes through another central restrictive opening 129 formed by two obstacles 128 protruding from opposite sides of the muffling chamber 124. The air then strikes the partition 130 that bisects the airflow (the bisecting partition 130 also provides a path for the discharge passage from the discharge orifice 34 to the discharge orifice 36) and directs the airflow out of the agitator housing via two output vents (best seen in fig. 7).

Referring now to fig. 18-20, an agitator tank assembly of an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Just as with the agitator tank assembly of fig. 13-16, the agitator tank assembly of fig. 18-20 may also be used in conjunction with the agitator embodiments shown and described herein, and with agitators other than the embodiments shown and described herein. Furthermore, one or more features of the blender jar assembly of fig. 18-20 may be incorporated into other blender jar assemblies in addition to the embodiments shown and described herein. The agitator tank assembly 148 of fig. 18-20 includes a base 152 and a container portion 150 that may be selectively coupleable to the base 152. Blender 10 and blender jar assembly 148 may be collectively referred to as a private (or single-use) blender because container portion 150 (along with base 152) functions as a blending chamber when container portion 150 is selectively coupled to base 52 and functions as a drinking vessel when decoupled from base 52. This is in contrast to a multi-purpose or full-size blender, where the container has an open top end (typically with a removable/replaceable lid) for receiving the food material to be blended and for dispensing the blended food material into a separate drinking vessel.

Because container portion 150 doubles as a drinking vessel, container portion 150 generally resembles a drinking vessel, generally being cylindrical or frustoconical with one closed, flat end and one open end, although any other suitable shape may be used. The open end of container portion 150 is selectively coupled to base 152 via internal threads (not shown) on container portion 150 (adjacent the open end) and external threads 158 on base 152. Unlike the partial threads 58 on the base 52 of fig. 13-16, the threads 158 on the base 152 of fig. 18-20 are continuous. Such a continuous thread may provide a better seal than a partial thread.

The container portion 150 is preferably constructed of a transparent, generally rigid material capable of withstanding the normal operating conditions of the container portion 150. For example, the container portion 150 may be constructed of a substantially rigid, injection molded polymeric material that is at least partially transparent such that the food material within the container portion 150 may be viewed by a user. However, the container portion 150 is not limited to a particular embodiment or being constructed of a transparent material or being constructed of an injection molded polymeric material. Rather, the container portion 150 may be constructed of nearly any substantially rigid material (e.g., glass, stainless steel, or aluminum) capable of assuming the general shape of the container portion 150 and withstanding the normal operating conditions of the container portion 150.

The base 152 comprises a bottom plate 155 and side walls 153 connected to and extending from the bottom plate to form a chamber for receiving at least a portion of the food material to be blended. Just like the base 52 of fig. 13-16, the base 152 of fig. 18-20 also includes one or more rotatable blades (not shown in fig. 18-20 for simplicity) for blending/mixing the food material. The vanes are attached to a shaft that extends through a hole 161 in the shaft support and to a coupling clutch (not shown) on the underside of the base 152.

In conventional blender jar assemblies, the blades extend into the container portion. When the food material to be blended is placed into the container portion of the personal blender, the container portion is separated from the base and inverted so that the open end is up. If the user fills the container portion completely to its top rim and the conventional base is attached, when the base is attached, the vanes (which conventionally extend beyond the base and into the container portion) will displace a portion of the food material and may cause a portion of the food material to spill out of the container portion. Furthermore, when the coupled container portion and base are inverted again such that the base is on the bottom (for insertion into the blender), such a complete container portion does not provide the desired head space (i.e. the space between the top layer of the food material and the top end or lid of the container portion). The head space is important for generating eddy currents during the stirring operation, which helps to prevent overloading of the motor.

Just like the base 52 of fig. 13-16, the rotatable blades of the base 152 of fig. 18-20 are completely contained within the cavity formed by the floor 155 and the side walls 153. That is, the rotatable blades do not extend beyond the rim 166 of the side wall 153. Thus, the rotatable blades do not extend into the container portion 150, thereby providing the same benefits described above with respect to the agitator tank assembly of fig. 13-16.

Just like the base 52 of fig. 13-16, the inward protrusion 162 is formed on the sidewall 153 of the base 152 (rather than on the container portion 150) to disrupt the laminar flow of the food material in the chamber. The protrusion 162 may have a shape similar to the protrusion 62 of the base 52 of fig. 13-16, although any suitable type or shape of protrusion may be used. Because the blades are entirely within the cavity of the base 152, the protrusion 162 provides the desired increased agitation of the food material. One or more flow disruptors 159 (two shown) may also be formed on the floor 155 to further disrupt the laminar flow of the food material. Such disruptors on the floor may be ridges, ledges, bumps, or any other suitable shape.

because the vanes are entirely within the cavity of the base 152, the food material in the container portion 150 tends to circulate around the container portion 150 without moving downwardly towards the vanes. It is generally desirable to move food material down and up in the blender jar assembly during the blending process because such movement provides more uniform blending. To improve the downward and upward circulation of the food material, the base portion 152 may comprise one or more peaks 157 (two shown) projecting upward from the rim 166 of the side wall 153. As shown in fig. 18, when container portion 150 and base portion 152 are selectively coupled, apex 157 extends upwardly into container portion 150. When container portion 150 and base portion 152 are selectively coupled, apex 157 approaches or (partially or fully) contacts the inner surface of container portion 150. The cusps 157 create a vortex that promotes the downward flow of the food material and eliminates a circular path in (at least a portion of) the container portion 150 (such a circular path tends to prevent the food material from moving downward to the vanes). As shown, the tip 157 may be rounded in the direction of travel and a more planar edge on the back side, although any suitable shape may be used. The peak 157 may be aligned with a corresponding one of the sidewall projections 162. In the embodiment shown, there are four sidewall projections 162, and the cusps 157 align with two of the projections.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this disclosure is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

Claims (15)

1. A blender jar assembly for blending foodstuff, the blender jar assembly comprising:

A container portion having an open end for receiving a food material to be blended and for dispensing the food material after blending; and

A base portion selectively coupled to the container portion, the base portion comprising a floor and a sidewall connected to and extending from the floor to form a chamber for receiving at least a portion of the food material during a blending operation, the chamber having an open end in fluid communication with the open end of the container portion when the container portion and the base portion are selectively coupled, the base further comprising one or more rotatable blades;

Wherein the one or more rotatable blades are completely contained within a cavity formed by the floor and sidewall and do not extend beyond the edge of the sidewall.

2. The blender jar assembly of claim 1, wherein the base portion comprises one or more spires extending from a rim of the sidewall, the one or more spires extending into the container portion when the container portion and the base portion are selectively coupled.

3. the blender jar assembly of claim 2, wherein the sidewall comprises one or more protrusions for increasing agitation of food material within the chamber.

4. The blender jar assembly of claim 3, wherein each of the one or more spires is aligned with a corresponding one of the one or more protrusions.

5. A blender for blending foodstuff, the blender comprising:

A blender jar assembly; and

A housing for selectively receiving the agitator tank assembly;

Wherein the agitator tank assembly comprises:

A container portion having an open end for receiving a food material to be blended and for dispensing the food material after blending; and

A base portion selectively coupled to the container portion, the base portion comprising a floor and a sidewall connected to and extending from the floor to form a chamber for receiving at least a portion of the food material during a blending operation, the chamber having an open end in fluid communication with the open end of the container portion when the container portion and the base portion are selectively coupled, the base further comprising one or more rotatable blades; and

Wherein the one or more rotatable blades are completely contained within a cavity formed by the floor and the sidewall and do not extend beyond the edge of the sidewall.

6. The blender jar assembly of claim 5, wherein the base portion comprises one or more spires extending from a rim of the sidewall, the one or more spires extending into the container portion when the container portion and the base portion are selectively coupled.

7. the blender jar assembly of claim 6, wherein the sidewall comprises one or more protrusions for increasing agitation of food material within the chamber.

8. The blender jar assembly of claim 7, wherein each of the one or more spires is aligned with a corresponding one of the one or more protrusions.

9. The blender of claim 5, wherein the housing includes a first portion enclosing a motor and a second portion for selectively receiving the blender jar assembly, the second portion defining an opening through which the blender jar assembly is selectively received; and

Wherein the blender further comprises a shield selectively coupled to the second portion via a generally vertical pivot point that enables the shield to selectively pivot between a closed position that closes an opening in the second portion and an open position that enables the blender jar assembly to be inserted into or removed from the second portion.

10. the blender of claim 5, wherein the pivot point further comprises an eccentric cam mechanism that urges the guard toward the closed position when the guard is positioned between the closed position and a point of maximum displacement of the eccentric cam, and urges the guard toward the open position when the guard is positioned between the open position and the point of maximum displacement of the eccentric cam.

11. The blender of claim 10, wherein said guard moves upward when said guard pivots from said closed position to a point of maximum displacement of said eccentric cam;

Wherein the guard moves downward when the guard pivots from a point of maximum displacement of the eccentric cam to the open position;

Wherein the guard moves upward when the guard pivots from the open position to a point of maximum displacement of the eccentric cam; and is

Wherein the guard moves downward when the guard pivots from a point of maximum displacement of the eccentric cam to the closed position.

12. The blender of claim 10, wherein the eccentric cam comprises a top cam portion, a mating bottom cam portion, and a spring urging the top and bottom cam portions toward each other.

13. The blender of claim 12, wherein the guard is selectively coupled to the second portion via the top cam portion such that pivoting the guard causes the top cam portion to correspondingly rotate and such that rotating the top cam portion causes the guard to correspondingly pivot.

14. the blender of claim 13, wherein the guard comprises a pivot post selectively insertable into a corresponding cavity in the top cam portion.

15. The blender of claim 14, wherein the guard pivot post and the cavity of the top cam portion each comprise mating engagement surfaces.