Abstract: A blade (10) for a blender includes a center portion (11) which includes the axis of rotation. Blade wings (13, 14) extend outwardly from the center portion (11) and wing tips (15, 16) are positioned at the end of the wings (13, 14). The wings (13, 14) and wing tips (15, 16) having leading edges (21, 22) and trailing edges (23, 24). The portion of the leading edges (21, 22) along the wings (13, 14) have beveled edges (13A, 14A) at the bottom surface thereof, and the portion of the leading edges (21, 22) along the wing tips (15, 16) have beveled edges (15A, 16A) formed at the top surfaces thereof. Each of the wings (13, 14) has an effective width to length ratio of greater than 0.287, the length being measured between the axis of rotation and the distal ends of the wing tips (15, 16).

Abstract: A programmable drink blender (20) includes a blender motor (25), a user interface and display (24) having a plurality of buttons (30) for entry of various user selections, a base memory (70) storing a blend program, a key card (50) having a memory storing a blend program, a socket (68) receiving the key card (50), and a processor (62) for controlling blender motor (25) in accordance with the blend program. The blend program has a plurality of operating segments with variable blend program operating characteristics. The user presses selected buttons (30) to cause processor (62) to modify and save any desired characteristic of the blend program. The user also presses selected buttons (30) to cause processor (62) to copy the blend program from memory in key card (50) to base memory (70), and vice versa.

Abstract: A drink-blending machine (10) includes an ice-shaving unit (11) and a blender assembly (12). The ice-shaving unit (11) is adapted to transfer ice from a bin (15) to the pitcher (18) of the blender assembly (12). A weighing mechanism (31) includes a deflection beam (33), one end of which carries the pitcher (18). The deflection beam (33) includes a strain gauge (34) which provides a signal proportional to weight to a control circuitry box (30). In operation of the machine (10), a quantity of liquid is placed in the pitcher (18) and dependent upon the weight of ice or liquid-to-ice ratio predetermined by depressing a selected button (44), ice from the ice-shaving unit (11) is transferred to the pitcher (18) until the predetermined weight of ice is received by the pitcher (18).

Abstract: A drink-blending machine (10) includes an ice-shaving unit (11) and a blender assembly (12). The ice-shaving unit (11) is adapted to transfer ice from a bin (15) to the pitcher (18) of the blender assembly (12). A weighing mechanism (31) includes a deflection beam (33), one end of which carries the pitcher (18). The deflection beam (33) includes a strain gauge (34) which provides a signal proportional to weight to a control circuitry box (30).

Abstract: A drink-blending machine (10) includes an ice-shaving unit (11) and a blender assembly (12). The ice-shaving unit (11) is adapted to transfer ice from a bin (15) to the pitcher (18) of the blender assembly (12). A weighing mechanism (31) includes a deflection beam (33), one end of which carries the pitcher (18). The deflection beam (33) includes a strain gauge (34) which provides a signal proportional to weight to a control circuitry box (30). In operation of the machine (10), a quantity of liquid is placed in the pitcher (18) and dependent upon the weight of ice or liquid-to-ice ratio predetermined by depressing a selected button (44), ice from the ice-shaving unit (11) is transferred to the pitcher (18) until the predetermined weight of ice is received by the pitcher (18).

Abstract: A motor cooling and sound absorbing system includes a housing (10) forming a chamber (13) around a motor (11). The shaft (12) of the motor (11) carries a fan (40) positioned in a chamber (38) formed by a recess (36) cut in a foam block (35). The fan (40) draws air into the chamber (13) through inlet apertures (33) in the housing (10) and this air is directed past the motor (11) to cool it. The air exits the fan (40) generally radially against an angled surface (37) of the recess (36) of the foam block (35). The air is then received in a diffuser passageway (41) defined by the angled surface (37) and an angled surface (42) of a choke plate (19) positioned above the foam block (35). The diffuser passageway (41) reduces the velocity of the air to assist the foam block (35) in absorbing the noise generated thereby, while at the same time reducing the pressure at the exit of the fan (40) to increase the cooling air flow past the motor (11).

Abstract: An enclosure (20) includes a base component (21) attachable to a cover component (22) by a hinge assembly (23). The hinge assembly (23) includes lugs (36) carried by the base component (21) and apertures (40) formed in the cover component (22). Each lug (36) has opposed linear edges (38) and opposed arcuate edges (39). Each aperture (40) includes an access opening (41) which leads into a generally circular recess (42). The hinge assembly (23) can be connected or disconnected by aligning the linear edges (38) of the lugs (36) with the access openings (41). Upon rotation of the cover component (22) relative to the base component (21), the arcuate edges (39) of the lugs (36) are received within the circular recesses (42) of the apertures (40).

Abstract: An air pocket is often formed in fluid (F) in the pitcher (14) of a blender around the rotating mixing blade assembly (24) thereof. The air pocket is of a cross-sectional size defined by an air channel defining member, shown in the form of a bearing housing (23) of the mixing blade assembly (24). After the pitcher (14) is filled with the fluid (F), the plunger portion (12) of an accessory (10) is positioned adjacent to and above the mixing blade assembly (24) and maintained free of contact with the pitcher (14). The plunger portion (12) is of a cross-sectional size approximately the cross-sectional size of the air channel defining member and prevents the formation of the air pocket in the fluid (F) around the blade assembly (24).

Abstract: A blender (10) includes a pitcher assembly (11), a motor and housing assembly (12) and a cooling fan and noise muffling assembly (13). The pitcher assembly (11) includes a blender pitcher (14) having a mixing blade (15) therein driven by a motor (24) positioned in the housing assembly (12) which includes a base frame (31) and a cover (21). The motor (24) is positioned in a pedestal (37) formed in the base frame (31). The base frame (31) is provided with air intake apertures (53, 55). The fan and noise muffling assembly (13) includes a radial fan (60) driven by the motor (24) and a muffler housing (62) which includes a generally cylindrical side wall (68). Air is drawn in through the apertures (53, 55) by the fan (60) and is caused to pass by the motor (24) within the pedestal (37) to cool the motor (24). It then passes through an aperture (66) in an orifice plate (61) and is directed by the fan (60) against the side wall (68).