Abstract: A container comprises a body and a base. The body includes an open end and a closed end. The closed end is attached to the base. The closed end may be welded to the base. Cross-sectional perimeters of the body decreases from the closed end to the open end.

Abstract: A blending system is disclosed herein. The blending system may comprise a blender base, a container and a blending volume reduction device. The blending volume reduction device may be removably inserted into the container of the blender system at various positions. The positions may alter the working volume of the container when the blending volume reduction device is inserted in the container.

Abstract: A blender system includes a base and a steamer basket. The basket is inserted into a container. The container has interior pillars. The basket contacts and rests on the pillars. The pillars keep the basket above blades disposed in the container. The basket receives foodstuff. The base includes a motor and a housing. The container is attached to the housing. The motor drives the blades to interact with contents within the container.

Abstract: A blending system is disclosed herein. The blending system may comprise a blender base, a container and a blending volume reduction device. The blending volume reduction device may be removably inserted into the container of the blender system at various positions. The positions may alter the working volume of the container when the blending volume reduction device is inserted in the container.

Abstract: A container comprises a body and a base. The body includes an open end and a closed end. The closed end is attached to the base. The closed end may be welded to the base. Cross-sectional perimeters of the body decreases from the closed end to the open end.

Abstract: A drive coupling for a blending system is attachable to a drive shaft of a motor. Rotation of the drive shaft rotates the drive coupling. The drive coupling includes a drive socket that receives a shaft of a blade assembly, and an elastomeric insert disposed between the drive socket and the drive shaft of the motor. The elastomeric insert absorbs vibrations.

Abstract: A modular blending system is shown and described. The modular blending system may include a storage device capable of storing a plurality of flavoring products, and an ice shaving mechanism removably attached to the storage device, the ice shaving mechanism including an ice dispenser. The modular blending system may also include a fluid dispensing unit in fluid communication with the flavoring products, where the fluid dispensing unit is separate from the ice dispenser.

Abstract: A blending system is shown and described herein. The blending system may include a base including a motor, a blade assembly selectively and operably engaged with the base, where the motor drives the blade assembly, and a container having an inner and outer layer. The blending system may also include a magnet positioned between inner and outer layers of the container, and a sensor positioned in the base, where the magnet in operative proximity to the sensor permits operation of the motor.

Abstract: A blending system is disclosed herein. The blending system may comprise a blender base, a container and a blending volume reduction device. The blending volume reduction device may be removably inserted into the container of the blender system at various positions. The positions may alter the working volume of the container when the blending volume reduction device is inserted in the container.

Abstract: A blending system is shown and described herein. A blending system may include a base including a motor and a first shell that encases the motor. The blending system may also include a container that is removably coupled to the blender base. The blending system may also have a second shell selectively attached to the first shell. The blending system may also have a wall positioned within the base to direct airflow from the fan along a volute-shaped path.

Abstract: A blending system is disclosed herein. The blending system may comprise a blender base, a container and a blending volume reduction device. The blending volume reduction device may be removably inserted into the container of the blender system at various positions. The positions may alter the working volume of the container when the blending volume reduction device is inserted in the container.

Abstract: A blender system includes a base and a steamer basket. The basket is inserted into a container. The container has interior pillars. The basket contacts and rests on the pillars. The pillars keep the basket above blades disposed in the container. The basket receives foodstuff. The base includes a motor and a housing. The container is attached to the housing. The motor drives the blades to interact with contents within the container.

Abstract: A retaining element is provided for coupling a blade assembly to a container of a blender apparatus that includes a main body portion, an overmolded portion, and a threaded portion for threadably coupling the blade assembly to the retaining element about a rotational axis to couple the blade assembly to the container. The retaining element further includes an optional locking projection configured to inhibit rotation of the retaining element about the rotational axis when the blade assembly is coupled to the container by way of the retaining element. The overmolded portion comprises the locking projection.

Abstract: A modular blending system is shown and described. The modular blending system may include a storage device capable of storing a plurality of flavoring products, and an ice shaving mechanism removably attached to the storage device, the ice shaving mechanism including an ice dispenser. The modular blending system may also include a fluid dispensing unit in fluid communication with the flavoring products, where the fluid dispensing unit is separate from the ice dispenser.

Abstract: A container of a blending system is shown and described. The container may include a carrier formed from a first material, the carrier configured to engage a base of the blending system. The container may also include a liner positioned in the carrier a distance apart from the carrier, wherein the carrier generally circumscribes the liner, where the liner is formed from a second material different from the first material.

Abstract: A blade assembly is provided that includes a base portion that is removably coupleable to a blender base and an aperture extending through the base portion. The blade assembly further includes a drive shaft rotatably coupled to the base portion, the drive shaft extending through the aperture and rotatable about a rotational axis. The blade assembly further includes one or more blades fixedly coupled to the drive shaft and a coupling member for removably coupling a container to the blade assembly. The blade assembly further includes a guard member extending from the base portion such that the guard member circumscribes the one or more blades about the rotational axis. Further, the guard member circumscribes a portion of the container about the rotational axis when the container is removably coupled to the coupling member.

Abstract: A blending container for retaining foodstuff to be blended by a blender, the blending container may include an outer sleeve having an inner surface and at least one interlock tab extending therefrom. An inner liner having a wall that extends from a perimeter of a bottom to define a cavity to retain the foodstuff to be blended, wherein at least a portion of the wall of the inner liner frictionally engages against a portion of the inner surface of the outer sleeve. The inner liner may be made from a disposable material. The inner liner may include a rim that defines an opening such that the rim is configured to abut against a blade base. The inner liner may include a size of at least one of 8, 12, and 16 fluid ounces and the outer sleeve may be configured to receive the inner liner of various sizes.

Abstract: A blending system is shown and described herein. A blending system may include a base including a motor and a first shell that encases the motor. The blending system may also include a container that is removably coupled to the blender base. The blending system may also have a second shell selectively attached to the first shell. The blending system may also have a wall positioned within the base to direct airflow from the fan along a volute-shaped path.

Abstract: A drive coupling for a blending system is attachable to a drive shaft of a motor. Rotation of the drive shaft rotates the drive coupling. The drive coupling includes a drive socket that receives a shaft of a blade assembly, and an elastomeric insert disposed between the drive socket and the drive shaft of the motor. The elastomeric insert absorbs vibrations.