Abstract: A container adapter (10) includes lower sidewalls (42, 43, 44, 45) and upper sidewalls (56, 57, 58, 59) separated by a rim (40). The lower side walls (42, 43, 44, 45) may be received within a pitcher (12), and the rim (40) is positioned on the upper open end (16) of the pitcher (12). The upper sidewalls (56, 57, 58, 59) increase the height of the pitcher (12) so that it can interface with a splash shield (33) of an ice chute (32) of a drink blending machine (20). Side clamps (50) assist in maintaining the adapter (10) on the pitcher (12), and a pouring spout (62) is provided at the junction of two of the upper sidewalls (58, 59).

Abstract: A container (15) for a blender (10) includes a bottom surface (16) having a non-symmetrically shaped perimeter. A side wall (17) extends upwardly from the perimeter of the bottom surface (16). A mixing blade assembly (20) having a plurality of blades (21) is located above the bottom surface (16) and is rotatable on an axis which is displaced from the center of the bottom surface (10). Nonuniform spaces (25, 26) are thus created between the ends of the blades (21) and the side wall (17). The bottom surface (16) is inclined at an angle relative to the plane normal to the axis of rotation of the blade assembly (20), and it, as well as the side wall (17), may be provided with a plurality of spaced vanes (31, 32).

Abstract: A device (10) for cleaning the inside of a container includes a base (11) carrying a tube (12). A hose (50) is received within the base (11) and is connected at one end to the bottom of the tube (12) and at the other end to a source of water via a quick disconnect assembly (60). A spray head (21) houses a plunger (30) which has a base (31) and a nose (32). A spring (37) urges the nose (32) of the plunger (30) out through an aperture (40) in the spray head (21). A flat washer seal (42) is positioned with a majority of its surface on a shelf (41) formed in the spray head (21). Ribs (43) on the shelf (41) engage the seal (42) on one side, and a rim (44) on the base (31) engages the other side of the seal (42). The quick disconnect assembly (60) includes a valve (66) which is maintained closed by a spring (67) so that when the hose (50) is disconnected from the source of water, or the water supply pressure is lost, backflow is prevented.

Abstract: A container (15) for a blender (10) includes a bottom surface (16) having a non-symmetrically shaped perimeter. A side wall (17) extends upwardly from the perimeter of the bottom surface (16). A mixing blade assembly (20) having a plurality of blades (21) is located above the bottom surface (16) and is rotatable on an axis which is displaced from the center of the bottom surface (10). Nonuniform spaces (25, 26) are thus created between the ends of the blades (21) and the side wall (17). The bottom surface (16) is inclined at an angle relative to the plane normal to the axis of rotation of the blade assembly (20), and it, as well as the side wall (17), may be provided with a plurality of spaced vanes (31, 32).

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 container (15) for a blender (10) includes a bottom surface (16) having a non-symmetrically shaped perimeter. A side wall (17) extends upwardly from the perimeter of the bottom surface (16). A mixing blade assembly (20) having a plurality of blades (21) is located above the bottom surface (16) and is rotatable on an axis which is displaced from the center of the bottom surface (10). Nonuniform spaces (25, 26) are thus created between the ends of the blades (21) and the side wall (17). The bottom surface (16) is inclined at an angle relative to the plane normal to the axis of rotation of the blade assembly (20), and it, as well as the side wall (17), may be provided with a plurality of spaced vanes (31, 32).

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 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).