TWM570104U - Portable foodstuff mixer - Google Patents

Abstract

A portable foodstuff mixer (100) in which a magnetic coupling (112) provides a magnetic attraction force as a primary link both between a rotatable mixing element and a motor, and between a mixing vessel (104) and base (102). The mixer may be an electric vortex mixer in which the mixing vessel comprises a mixing element (110), e. g. blade or stirrer. The mixing vessel is retained on the base by the magnetic coupling, and the mixing element is drivable by a motor in the base through the magnetic coupling. Providing a magnetic coupling can enable a structurally simpler interface between the mixing vessel and base to be achieved. This may be of benefit in terms of manufacturing costs and the ease with which a user can operate the mixer.

Description

Portable food mixer

The present invention relates to a portable food mixer, in particular to an electric vortex mixer such as a mains-powered or battery powered device suitable for mixing or blending beverages, protein shakes or other viscous foods. The ingredients.

Many types of health supplements require the mixing of two or more ingredients. For example, a protein shake or a dietary replacement supplement is typically provided in the form of a powder or paste to be mixed with a base liquid such as water or milk to form a viscous food for use.

Typically, the mixing is carried out by manually shaking the ingredients in a suitable container, such as a bottle. However, it is difficult to obtain a uniform smooth mixing using this technique.

Conventional food blenders can also be used to mix beverages of this type, but they are not easily carried, and the mechanical stress caused by the mixing in these devices can have an adverse effect on the health care product.

Recently, portable electric mixers have been specially developed to solve the above problems. An example of such a mixer is the PROMiXX vortex mixer, in which the rotating blades are mounted on the base of the container. The container can be mounted on a base containing a motor. The rotating blades are drivably coupled to the motor by a mechanical coupling, thereby mixing the liquid in the container by vortex action and associated fluid shear forces generated by a combination of the shape of the rotating blades and the internal form of the container .

The container may be in the form of a bottle from which the mixed liquid can be consumed or dispensed.

Most generally, the present disclosure provides a portable food blender in which a magnetic coupling is used to operatively connect components. In particular, the present work may relate to a portable food blender in which magnetic attraction is used as the primary connection between the rotatable mixing element and the motor in the portable electric food blender and between the mixing vessel and the base.

According to the present invention, there is provided a portable food mixer comprising: a base housing a motor and a mixing container including a mixing element, wherein the mixing container is held on the base by a magnetic coupling, and wherein the mixing element passes through the motor via the magnetic coupling drive. A magnetic coupling is provided to achieve a simplified structural interface between the mixing vessel and the base. This can be beneficial in terms of manufacturing costs and ease of user-operable mixers.

The mixing container can be detachably mounted on the base. The disassembly interface, ie a point or face or spacing between the mixing container and the base, can be located in the magnetic coupling. In other words, the magnetic coupling can detachably hold the mixing container on the base. The magnetic coupling can hold the mixing container on the base using an attractive magnetic retention force. The magnetic retention force can be selected to be strong enough to secure the mixing container to the base during operation of the motor, but weak enough to allow the mixing container to be manually separated from the base. The magnetic retention can be greater than 15N; it can be less than 20N.

The portable food mixer can be, for example, an eddy current mixer for mixing a health supplement, such as in powder or paste form, into the base liquid. Depending on the construction of the mixing element, the mixer can also be adapted to stir the solid food. The mixing element can be rotatably mounted in the mixing container, and wherein the mixing element can be driven to rotate about the axis of rotation relative to the mixing container. The rotating shaft can be oriented to extend from the base surface of the container in an upright (eg, vertical) manner. The mixing element can therefore be present in the mixing container The vortex motion is generated in the liquid. The mixing elements can be arranged, i.e., of a selected size and geometry, to cause eddy currents in the liquid carried by the mixing vessel.

The magnetic coupling can include a container portion associated with the container and a base portion associated with the base. Herein, "associated with" may mean "mounted on", "connected to", "connected in" or "by" ...retained by". The magnetic coupler can thus include a pair of components that can be detachable to provide the disassembly function discussed above.

The container portion can include a first magnetic element that can rotate with the mixing element relative to the container. The base portion can include a second magnetic element rotatably mounted on the base and driven by the motor for rotation relative to the base. The first magnetic element and the second magnetic element can be configured to be coupled to each other at the joint interface.

The bonding interface can be defined as the junction or contiguous region between the first magnetic element and the second magnetic. The first magnetic element and the second magnetic element may be shaped in such a manner that they cooperate at the joint interface. This ensures that the magnetic retention has a smooth or uniform profile across the joint interface. In one example, the first and second magnetic elements have individual exposed surfaces at the joint interface. The exposed surface can be flat and can protrude slightly from its surroundings.

Either or both of the first magnetic element and the second magnetic element may be permanent magnets, such as made of a suitable niobium alloy or the like. The first magnetic element and the second magnetic element are preferably configured (ie, mounted in their respective coupling portions) to exhibit opposite magnetic polarities at the joint interface. The first magnetic element and the second magnetic element can be configured to abut each other at the joint interface. For example, when the mixing container is mounted on the base, the exposed surfaces can contact each other.

The container portion can further include a shaft configurable to connect the first magnetic element to the mixing element via the shaft. The shaft can pass through a hole in the bottom surface of the mixing vessel, for example, into the mixing vessel to receive the internal volume of the components to be mixed.

The shaft can pass through a container seal that can be retained in the bore. The container seal can be a molded part that is elastically deformable to sealingly engage around the shaft. The container seal can engage the shaft at an upper seal point and a lower seal point, defining the inner seal between the upper seal point and the lower seal point. In use, the shaft rotates relative to the container seal. The inner chamber can be filled with a hydrophobic grease to prevent leakage from the internal volume. The container seal can be held in place by a container base plug that is secured to the underside of the container. The container seal can include a radial flange that is clamped to the underside of the container by a pedestal plug.

The mixing element can be mounted on the shaft by a shaft cover. The mixing element and the shaft cover can be integrally formed, for example, as a single molding unit. The shaft cover member can be secured to the shaft by any suitable means, such as friction fit, overmolding, bonding, and the like. For example, a shaft cover member can be mounted on the first end of the shaft, wherein the first end portion is threaded to inhibit relative rotation between the shaft cover member and the shaft. As used herein, the term "threaded" is used to mean the presence of a helical ridge (similar to a screw) that is intended to be received on a male component in a female component. If the mixing element is forced to rotate relative to the direction of drive rotation, for example by mixing the liquid resistance, the first end can be used to thread the shaft cover member further down into the direction of rotation of the shaft. In one example, the drive rotation direction is clockwise, so the thread direction is counterclockwise. The first end can be configured in other ways to achieve a similar effect. For example, it can have an axially extending pin groove formed therein.

As mentioned above, the shaft cover member can be simply overmolded onto the first end of the shaft. Alternatively, the shaft cover member can have a mounting aperture formed therein that can be threaded to mate with a thread on the first end of the shaft. When the mixing container is detached from the base, the connection between the shaft cover and the shaft may require transfer of magnetism Connect the separation force. Thus the connection can be configured such that the force required to separate the shaft cover from the shaft is greater than the force required to separate the first and second magnetic elements.

The first magnetic element can be mounted on the second end of the shaft via a first retaining cup. The first retaining cap can be a molded component that is configured to ensure that the first magnetic element is configured to resist relative movement between the retaining cap and the first magnetic element in the rotational and axial directions. As explained below, the second magnetic element can be mounted in the second retaining cap in a similar manner. The shapes and configurations of the first and second magnetic elements can be substantially the same as they can be mirror images of each other across the joint interface. Thus the preferred or optional features of the following first magnetic element are equally applicable to the second magnetic element.

In order to maintain the first magnetic element in the axial direction, it may comprise a body that tapers to the joint interface (eg, narrows its cross section). The first retention cap can include an edge that extends around the perimeter of the body to axially secure it.

In order to hold the first magnetic element in a rotational manner, one or more recesses or keyways around the circumference of the body may be formed in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation. The first retention cap can include fingers or other protrusions received in the recess or keyway to resist relative rotational movement between the first magnetic element and the first retention cap.

The body of the first and/or second magnetic element may have a disk shape. The exposed surface can be a flat, rounded surface of the disk. The taper of the body may correspond to a decrease in the diameter of the disc.

The body of each magnetic element can be secured in its respective retaining cap in any suitable manner. For example, it can be overmolded onto the magnetic element by a press fit or by a retaining cap. In other examples, a combination can be used. However, it is important that the connections are configured such that the force required to separate each of the retention caps from their respective magnetic elements is greater than the force required to separate the first and second magnetic elements.

The motor can include a spindle that passes through a hole in the top surface of the base, and wherein the second magnetic element is drivably coupled to the motor via the spindle. As described above, the second magnetic element can Mounted in the second retaining cap, the second retaining cap itself can be mounted on the tip end of the spindle. The second retaining cap can include a radially extending edge (eg, in the form of an annular skirt) that covers the joint between the main shaft and the top surface of the base to prevent undesired entry of liquid toward the motor. The second retaining cap can be slightly spaced from the top surface to not limit the rotation of the spindle.

The end portion can be threaded to inhibit relative rotation between the main shaft and the second retaining cap. As discussed above, the threads can be in a relative rotational direction relative to the direction of drive rotation. The second retaining cap may be a molded component configured to secure the second magnetic element to prevent relative movement between the retaining cap and the second magnetic element in the rotational and axial directions. Features disclosed above with reference to the first magnetic element may be used herein.

The mixing container can have a peripheral skirt that extends around the bottom edge to define a recess for receiving the base. The first magnetic element can thus be retracted from the bottommost edge of the container. This prevents damage to the magnetic components when the container is disassembled. The recess can be shaped to mate with the top surface of the base. This can help to mount the two components together.

The skirt can include one or more engagement features that are configured to cooperate with corresponding engagement features on the base to inhibit relative orientation between the base and the mixing container in a direction in which the mixing element is driven Rotate. The engagement feature can be similar to a simple twist-lock attachment in which a finger or protrusion on one component, such as a skirt, is received in a corresponding slot on another component, such as a base. In the presently described embodiment, these engagement features may be secondary to the magnetic coupler. For example, the engagement feature need not provide any axial retention capability as it is primarily provided by a magnetic coupling.

The device can be powered by an external or internal power source. For example, it can be powered by a power source or a battery. The base may include a power source for the motor. The power source can be a battery or the like. The power source can be rechargeable, and the base can include a suitable recharging port for connection to an external power source. For example, the battery can be recharged via a USB port (such as a micro or macro USB port).

The pedestal can include a status indicator such as an LED or the like. This can be used to display battery charge status, operating status, fault status, and more. A start switch (such as a button) for operating the mixer can also be mounted on the base.

100‧‧‧mixer

102‧‧‧Base

104‧‧‧Mixed container

106‧‧‧Cleaning pieces

108‧‧‧Close feature

110‧‧‧Mixed components

112‧‧‧Connector

114‧‧‧ button

116‧‧‧ joint features

118‧‧‧Axis cover parts

120‧‧‧Axis

122‧‧‧ Tap section

124‧‧‧First magnet

126, 130, 136‧‧‧ shell

128, 156, 162‧‧ ‧ protruding parts

132‧‧‧ Spindle

134‧‧‧ bearing

138‧‧‧second magnet

140‧‧‧Threaded part

142‧‧‧ axial groove

144‧‧‧ holes

146, 148‧‧‧ bending part

150‧‧‧Top cover

152‧‧‧ recess

154‧‧‧ skirt

158‧‧‧Base surface

160‧‧‧ internal volume

164‧‧‧Container seals

166‧‧‧ lumen

168‧‧‧Container base plug

170‧‧‧Flange

Embodiments of the present work are discussed hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portable food blender suitable for implementing the present creation; and Figure 2 is a portable food blender for use in the present creative embodiment. a cross-sectional perspective view of a magnetic coupling; FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a magnet used in the magnetic coupler of FIG. 2; and FIG. 3B shows a magnet of FIG. 3A in a overmolded outer casing; Figure 3C shows the overmolded housing of Figure 3B mounted on the motor spindle; Figure 3D shows the base of the portable food mixer incorporating the base portion of the magnetic coupling of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a schematic cross section of a bottle of a portable food mixer incorporating the bottle portion of the magnetic coupling of Figure 2.

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a portable food mixer 100 in which a magnetic coupling according to the present invention can be implemented. The mixer 100 is an eddy current mixer. It comprises a susceptor 102 on which a mixing container (hereinafter referred to as a bottle) 104 can be detachably mounted. In this example, the bottle 104 is, for example, A cylindrical container formed of molded plastic or the like that defines an internal volume in which liquid food can be mixed. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the bottle 104 tapers toward the base 102.

A cover member 106 is mounted on top of the bottle 104 to close the interior volume. The cover member 106 has a closure feature 108 that is configured to open and close a hole through the cover member 106 to enable access to the interior volume, for example, to consume a mixed liquid or to introduce a component. Covers and closures are well known.

The mixing element 110 is rotatably mounted on the bottom surface of the bottle 104 such that when the bottle 104 is mounted on the base 102, its axis of rotation extends vertically through the interior volume. The mixing element can have any structure adapted to create a swirling effect within the liquid in the internal volume as the mixing element 110 rotates about the axis of rotation. The mixing element can be a blade configured to urge the liquid toward and around the surrounding surface of the bottle or other substantially planar element having a geometric shape.

In use, the rotatable mixing element 110 is driven by a motor (not shown) mounted in the base 102. The motor can be any suitable rotary drive mechanism. The motor can be a high torque brushed DC motor, for example, capable of providing about 4 W of mechanical power. The speed of operation depends on the nature of the content, but can be rotated at approximately 5000 rpm under load.

The motor can be powered by one or more batteries (not shown) that are also mounted in the base 102. The motor can be activated by pressing a button 114 on the base.

Activation of the motor causes a vertically extending spindle rotational motion that is coupled to the rotatable mixing element 110 via a coupling mechanism 112 that utilizes magnetic engagement.

In the presently-created embodiment, the bottle 104 is held in an axial manner on the base 122, primarily by magnetic engagement, i.e., to prevent movement along the axis of rotation. To prevent relative rotation between the base 102 and the bottle 104 during operation of the motor, the bottle 104 and the base 102 can be provided with a cooperating mechanical engagement that operates to resist relative rotation between the bottle 104 and the base 102 (cooperating mechanical engagement) Features) 116. In one example, the synergistic feature can be a week that can be accommodated in the corresponding slot Extend the fingers. The extent to which the fingers can move circumferentially within the slot can be limited by the geometry of the joint to prevent relative rotation. The fingers can be provided on the base and the grooves are attached to the bottle, or they can be reversed. This creation is not limited to the existence or nature of these joint features. It can be implemented in a variety of ways, for example, by threaded engagement between the bottle and the base, and the like.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the coupler 112 between the motor spindle 132 and the rotatable mixing element 110. The view in Fig. 2 is cut along the axis of rotation to enable the components to be more clearly shown.

The coupler 112 includes a bottle portion that is mounted in the bottle 104 and that includes a rotatable mixing element 110 and a base portion that is mounted in the base 102 and that includes a spindle 132 that is driven by a motor (not shown). The bottle portion and the base portion are connected to each other by a magnetic engagement between the first magnet 124 and the second magnet 138.

The first magnet 124 is located in the bottle portion. The first magnet is in the shape of a disk and is retained in the overmold housing 126. The overmold housing is coupled to one end of the shaft 120 and the other end of the shaft 120 is mounted with a rotatable mixing element 110. The shaft 120 is rotatably mounted to the base of the bottle 104 (see Figure 4).

The overmold housing 126 forms a cap to hold the first magnet 124. The first magnet 124 has tapered side surfaces that help retain the first magnet within the outer casing 126.

The shaft 120 is retained in the overmolded outer casing 126 by a pair of inwardly directed projections 128. The shaft 120, the overmolded outer casing 126 and the first magnet 124 are thus configured to move integrally.

The mixing element 110 is a molded component, for example, formed of plastic or the like. The mixing element includes an overmolded shaft cover member 118 mounted on the top end of the shaft 120. To prevent relative rotation between the mixing element and the shaft, for example, relative rotation caused by the resistance of the fluid during mixing, the top end of the shaft 120 is threaded to, for example, a thread size M2. This has the effect of increasing the separation force between the molded mixing element member and the main shaft. Threading the end of the shaft in a direction opposite the direction in which the mixing element will rotate by the resistance of the fluid means between the shaft 120 and the overmolded shaft cover 118 during use. The engagement can be positively enhanced. In another embodiment, the top end of the shaft 120 can have radially projecting axial splines to achieve a similar function. Axial pin grooves may be more suitable for threading.

The base portion of the coupler 112 includes a second magnet 138 mounted in a separate overmold housing 136 that is in turn coupled to a spindle 132 that is driven by a motor (not shown). The motor is typically enclosed in a housing 130. The main shaft 132 extends from the outer casing, for example, through a suitable bearing 134.

The top end of the main shaft 132 can have a threaded portion 140 in a manner similar to the tap portion 122 of the shaft 120 to inhibit relative rotation between the overmolded outer casing 136 and the main shaft 132 in use.

Figure 2 shows the coupler 112 in the engaged position, wherein the first magnet 124 and the second magnet 138 have an exposed surface against which the bottle portion is secured to the base by magnetic attraction. The magnet can be selected to provide an attractive force of at least 17.5N. In one example, the magnet is made of N42 grade NdFeB alloy. The attractive force between the magnets (also referred to as the separation force) is preferably selected to be higher than the maximum torque generated by the motor. This means that when the motor rotates and is coupled to the mixing element by magnetic force, any force applied to the mixing element that is sufficient to prevent its rotation will cause the motor to stall before the magnetic coupling slides.

The magnetic engagement discussed above is advantageous in providing a simpler assembly procedure and in increasing joint strength (e.g., preventing unnecessary separation) as compared to conventional mechanical linkages. Magnetic engagement can also increase the durability of the device as it does not require "teeth" associated with conventional male to female couplings. Magnetic engagement also avoids mechanical connection failures that can occur with conventional mechanical connections.

Figures 3A through 3D illustrate various stages in the assembly of the susceptor 102. Figure 3A shows the second magnet 138. The second magnet 138 is in the form of a disk having a tapered side surface. The side surface tapers toward the interface with the first magnet 124 (i.e., causes the diameter to gradually decrease toward the interface of the joint). The tapered direction helps retain the second magnet 138 within the overmold housing 136. Axial groove 142 is formed The second magnet 138 is rotatably assisted in the outer surface of the second magnet 138 in the overmold housing 136.

FIG. 3B shows the second magnet 138 mounted in the overmold housing 136. The overmold housing 136 forms a cap to hold the second magnet 138. The underside of the cap includes a bore 144 for receiving a spindle of the motor. Additionally, the underside of the cap is contoured against the upper surface of the base to prevent material from leaking to the motor.

FIG. 3C shows the overmold housing 136 mounted on the main shaft 132 by the threaded portion 140.

Figure 3D shows an example of a fully assembled base 102. Features having the same functions as those in the first figure are given the same reference numerals. As shown in FIG. 3D, the base 102 has a top cover 150 mounted on the motor housing 130. The overmold housing 136 and the second magnet 138 protrude from the top cover 150. The bottom surface of the overmold housing 136 is shaped (e.g., as curved portions 146, 148) to conform to the shape of the top cover. Preferably, there is a small spacing between the overmold housing 136 and the top cover 150. The top cover may also include an engagement groove 116 around its perimeter to receive a corresponding projection on the bottle 104.

Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view through the base of the bottle 104 to show the bottle portion of the coupler 112 in this context. Features that have been described above are given the same reference numerals and will not be described again. The bottle 104 defines an interior volume 160 having a bottom surface 158. The bottle portion of the coupler 112 is centrally mounted in the base surface 158 of the interior volume. In this example, there is an upward projection 162 through which the shaft 120 extends in the base surface 158. A top cover 118 and an overmold housing 126 are mounted on opposite ends of the shaft 120 to retain it in a position in the projection 162.

The shaft 120 passes through a container seal 164 that is retained in a hole formed in the projection 162. The container seal 164 is resiliently deformable to sealingly engage a molded component (eg, formed of silicone) around the shaft 120. The container seal 164 can be a top-hat section moulding that engages the shaft 120 at an upper sealing point and a lower sealing point, the upper sealing point and The lower sealing point is defined as a lumen 166. In use, the shaft 120 rotates relative to the container seal 164. The inner cavity 166 is preferably filled with a hydrophobic grease to prevent leakage from the inner volume 160. The container seal 164 is held in place by a container base plug 168 that fits and remains below the projection 162 (e.g., using a suitable bayonet connector or the like). For example, the container seal 164 can include a radial flange 170 that is clamped to the underside of the container by a base plug.

The bottle includes a skirt 154 that extends below the base surface 158 to define a recess 152 that fits over the top cover 150 of the base (see Figure 3D). The lower volume can be shaped to help position the bottle onto the base. The first magnet 124 protrudes into the lower volume 152 such that it can engage a second magnet on the top of the base.

A protrusion 156 may be formed on an inner surface of the bottom peripheral edge of the recess 152. The protrusion 156 forms an engagement feature that is configured to fit snugly in the engagement groove 116 formed in the top cover 150 of the base.

In use, the bottle 104 is positioned over the base 102 such that the recess 152 is aligned with the top cover 150. The bottle is then lowered onto the base such that the first magnet 124 and the second magnet 138 attract each other to hold the bottle at the base. The bottle and base can then be rotated relative to each other in the same direction as the motor driven mixing element to engage the tab 156 into its individual recess 116. This engagement prevents the bottle from rotating when the motor is activated.

The material to be mixed can be introduced into the interior volume 160 at the top of the container and the device can be activated by pressing a button on the base.

Claims (22)

A portable food mixer comprising: a base, a motor, and a mixing container comprising a mixing element, wherein the mixing container is held on the base by a magnetic coupling, wherein the mixing element passes the The magnetic coupling is driven by the motor. The portable food mixer of claim 1, wherein the mixing container is detachably mounted on the base. The portable food mixer of claim 1 or 2, wherein the mixing element is rotatably mounted in the mixing container, and wherein the mixing element is drivable to surround the axis of rotation relative to The mixing container rotates. The portable food blender of claim 3, wherein the magnetic coupling comprises a container portion associated with the mixing container and a base portion associated with the base, wherein the container portion includes a relative The mixing container, together with the mixing element, is a first magnetic element that is rotatable, wherein the base portion includes a first portion rotatably mounted to the base and driven by the motor to rotate relative to the base Two magnetic elements, and wherein the first magnetic element and the second magnetic element are configured to couple to each other at a bonding interface. The portable food mixer of claim 4, wherein the first magnetic element and/or the second magnetic element are permanent magnets. The portable food blender of claim 4, wherein the first magnetic element and the second magnetic element are configured to exhibit opposite magnetic polarities at the joint interface. The portable food blender of claim 6, wherein the first magnetic element and the second magnetic element are configured to abut each other at a joint interface. The portable food blender of claim 4, wherein the first magnetic element is connected to the mixing element by a shaft passing through a hole in a bottom surface of the mixing container. The portable food mixer of claim 8, wherein the mixing element is mounted to the shaft by a shaft cover member, and wherein the mixing element and the shaft cover member are integrally formed. A portable food blender according to claim 8 wherein the shaft passes through a container seal retained in the aperture, wherein the container seal is resiliently deformable to sealingly engage the shaft. The portable food mixer of claim 9, wherein the shaft cover member is mounted on a first end of the shaft, and wherein the first end portion is threaded to inhibit the shaft cover member and the shaft cover member Relative rotation between the shafts. The portable food mixer of claim 8, wherein the first magnetic element is mounted on a second end of the shaft via a retaining cap. The portable food blender of claim 12, wherein the retaining cap is configured to secure the first magnetic element to inhibit relative movement between the retaining cap and the first magnetic element in a rotational and axial direction. Molded parts. The portable food mixer of claim 4, wherein the motor comprises a spindle passing through a hole in a top surface of the base, and wherein the second magnetic element is drivable via the spindle Ground is connected to the motor. The portable food mixer of claim 14, wherein the second magnetic element is mounted on a tip end portion of the main shaft via a retaining cap. The portable food blender of claim 15, wherein the tip end portion is threaded to inhibit relative rotation between the main shaft and the retaining cap. The portable food blender of claim 15 wherein the retaining cap is configured to secure the second magnetic element to inhibit relative movement between the retaining cap and the second magnetic element in a rotational and axial direction. Molded parts. The portable food blender of claim 1, wherein the mixing container has a peripheral skirt extending around a bottom edge to define a recess for receiving the base. The portable food blender of claim 18, wherein the recess is shaped to mate with a top surface of the base. The portable food blender of claim 18, wherein the peripheral skirt includes one or more engagement features disposed to mate with corresponding engagement features on the base for inhibiting the base and the The relative rotation between the mixing containers in the direction in which the mixing elements are driven. The portable food blender of claim 1, wherein the mixing element is configured to cause eddy currents in the liquid carried by the mixing container. The portable food blender of claim 1, wherein the base includes a power source for the motor.