Abstract: A vacuum blender having a vessel, a motor base containing a motor having a motor drive shaft, a blade holder having a blade with a blade shaft for engaging the motor drive shaft, and a fan connected to the motor drive shaft. The blender includes a conduit system for the passage of air from the vessel to an area in proximity to the fan before passing to the outside of the motor base. The conduit system is connected to a valve system, preferably including a three way valve or Venturi valve. The fan and blade are capable of being selectively actuated using a gear or clutch system, preferably operated by firmware. The invention is capable of evacuating air from the vessel before blending of the food contents occurs.

Abstract: A vacuum blender having a vessel, a motor base containing a motor having a motor drive shaft, a blade holder having a blade with a blade shaft for engaging the motor drive shaft, and a fan connected to the motor drive shaft. The blender includes a conduit system for the passage of air from the vessel to an area in proximity to the fan before passing to the outside of the motor base. The conduit system is connected to a valve system, preferably including a three way valve or Venturi valve. The fan and blade are capable of being selectively actuated using a gear or clutch system, preferably operated by firmware. The invention is capable of evacuating air from the vessel before blending of the food contents occurs.

Abstract: A vacuum blender having a vessel, a motor base containing a motor having a motor drive shaft, the motor base containing a vacuum pump, the motor drive shaft adapted to drive the vacuum pump, a blade holder having a blade with a blade shaft for engaging the motor drive shaft, and a fan connected to the motor drive shaft. The blender includes a conduit system for the passage of air from the vessel to the ambient environment. The fan and blade are capable of being selectively actuated using a gear or clutch system, preferably operated by firmware. The vacuum pump may also be selectively actuated using a solenoid to disengage the motor drive shaft from the vacuum pump or by closing the conduit system from the vessel to the vacuum pump. The invention is capable of evacuating air from the vessel before blending of the food contents occurs.

Abstract: A vacuum blender having a vessel, a motor base containing a motor having a motor drive shaft, a blade holder having a blade with a blade shaft for engaging the motor drive shaft, and a fan connected to the motor drive shaft. The blender includes a conduit system for the passage of air from the vessel to an area in proximity to the fan before passing to the outside of the motor base. The conduit system is connected to a valve system, preferably including a three way valve or Venturi valve. The fan and blade are capable of being selectively actuated using a gear or clutch system, preferably operated by firmware. The invention is capable of evacuating air from the vessel before blending of the food contents occurs.

Abstract: A blanket having one pocket permanently attached to the top planar surface along one elongated edge thereof and a plurality of additional pockets permanently attached to either the top or bottom planar surface, each along one an elongated edge thereof such that only one pocket is present along any elongated edge, the inside surfaces of the pockets consisting of different fabric patterns from each other, and which pockets are shaped and dimensioned such that when one of the pockets is turned inside out the remainder of the blanket can be folded, rolled and tucked into the pocket to convert the blanket into a pillow.

Abstract: The present invention provides a shoulder strap assembly that includes a padded strap member secured to a functional sub-assembly having a plurality of straps comprised of elastic material and at least one strap of inelastic material wherein the elastic straps may be of variable length thereby providing graduated resistance to reduce the bouncing action over a range of loads and wherein the inelastic strap is the load bearing strap included to provide primary support for the load when the elastic straps have reached their maximum length.