Patents by Inventor Mark Frederick Fleming

Mark Frederick Fleming has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Container/lid/blender interlock
    Patent number: 10357749
    Abstract: An interlocking method and blending apparatus is provided which includes a base, container, and lid. The apparatus comprises light emitters, light sensors, and light reflectors. Light is emitted by the light emitters from the base, through the container, and toward the lid. Light reflectors in the lid reflect the light back through the container and toward the base. The light sensors detect the reflected light and can be used to control operation of the blender and illumination of the container. Light may be in the visible spectrum, or sub-visible spectrum. The light emitters and light sensors may be at the base and/or the bottom of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: VITA-MIX MANAGEMENT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Mark Frederick Fleming
  • Container/Lid/Blender Interlock
    Publication number: 20190001287
    Abstract: An interlocking method and blending apparatus is provided which includes a base, container, and lid. The apparatus comprises light emitters, light sensors, and light reflectors. Light is emitted by the light emitters from the base, through the container, and toward the lid. Light reflectors in the lid reflect the light back through the container and toward the base. The light sensors detect the reflected light and can be used to control operation of the blender and illumination of the container. Light may be in the visible spectrum, or sub-visible spectrum. The light emitters and light sensors may be at the base and/or the bottom of the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2018
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Inventor: Mark Frederick Fleming
  • Container/lid/blender interlock
    Patent number: 9981234
    Abstract: An interlocking method and blending apparatus is provided which includes a base, container, and lid. The apparatus comprises light emitters, light sensors, and light reflectors. Light is emitted by the light emitters from the base, through the container, and toward the lid. Light reflectors in the lid reflect the light back through the container and toward the base. The light sensors detect the reflected light and can be used to control operation of the blender and illumination of the container. Light may be in the visible spectrum, or sub-visible spectrum. The light emitters and light sensors may be at the base and/or the bottom of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: VITA-MIX MANAGEMENT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Mark Frederick Fleming
  • Container/Lid/Blender Interlock
    Publication number: 20150265983
    Abstract: An interlocking method and blending apparatus is provided which includes a base, container, and lid. The apparatus comprises light emitters, light sensors, and light reflectors. Light is emitted by the light emitters from the base, through the container, and toward the lid. Light reflectors in the lid reflect the light back through the container and toward the base. The light sensors detect the reflected light and can be used to control operation of the blender and illumination of the container. Light may be in the visible spectrum, or sub-visible spectrum. The light emitters and light sensors may be at the base and/or the bottom of the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Inventor: Mark Frederick Fleming