Patents by Inventor Stephen P. Rukavina
Stephen P. Rukavina 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).
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Publication number: 20220192426Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2021Publication date: June 23, 2022Inventors: Eugene J. Kozlowski, Mark F. Fleming, David J> Kolar, Stephen Hosey, Fred H. Mehlman, Jonathan Emerson, Brian Harvanec, Richard D. Boozer, Stephen P. Rukavina
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Patent number: 11160411Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2018Date of Patent: November 2, 2021Assignee: Vita-Mix Management CorporationInventors: Phonesacksith Guy Kettavong, Jack W. Gee, II, Stephen P. Rukavina, Stephen Hosey, Richard D. Boozer, Corey Walker
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Patent number: 11116362Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2019Date of Patent: September 14, 2021Assignee: VITA-MIX MANAGEMENT CORPORATIONInventors: Eugene J. Kozlowski, Mark F. Fleming, David J. Kolar, Stephen Hosey, Fred H. Mehlman, Jonathan Emerson, Brian Harvanec, Richard D. Boozer, Stephen P. Rukavina
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Publication number: 20190298109Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2019Publication date: October 3, 2019Inventors: Eugene J. Kozlowski, Mark F. Fleming, David J. Kolar, Stephen Hosey, Fred H. Mehlman, Jonathan Emerson, Brian Harvanec, Richard D. Boozer, Stephen P. Rukavina
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Patent number: 10321785Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2015Date of Patent: June 18, 2019Assignee: Vita-Mix Management CorporationInventors: Eugene J. Kozlowski, Mark F. Fleming, David J. Kolar, Stephen Hosey, Fred H. Mehlman, Jonathan Emerson, Brian Harvanec, Richard D. Boozer, Stephen P. Rukavina
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Publication number: 20190117005Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2018Publication date: April 25, 2019Inventors: Phonesacksith Guy Kettavong, Jack W. Gee, II, Stephen P. Rukavina, Stephen Hosey, Richard D. Boozer, Corey Walker
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Publication number: 20170021315Abstract: An agitator assembly for mixing a product in a container is provided; the assembly may include a shaft having a distal end and an opposite proximal end. An agitator head may be attached to the distal end of the shaft. The agitator head may include a plurality of paddles extending from a base, wherein at least one of the paddles is made from a flexible material. The agitator head may include four paddles, wherein a first paddle and a second paddle may be generally aligned along a first plane, and a third paddle and a fourth paddle may be generally aligned along a second plane. The first plane may be generally perpendicular to the second plane. The first paddle and the second paddle may include a shape that is generally smaller relative to a shape of the third paddle and the fourth paddle.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2016Publication date: January 26, 2017Inventors: Stephen P. Rukavina, Joseph M. Hobbs
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Publication number: 20160045073Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2015Publication date: February 18, 2016Inventors: Eugene J. Kozlowski, Mark F. Fleming, David J. Kolar, Stephen Hosey, Fred H. Mehlman, Jonathan Emerson, Brian Harvanec, Richard D. Boozer, Stephen P. Rukavina
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Patent number: 8690093Abstract: A blender blade or blade for being mounted to an interior base of a blender container for rotation about a vertical axis is described. The blade includes at least two blade wings, such that it may include four blade wings. The blade includes a body, first transition section, second transition section, first blade wing and second blade wing. Body includes an aperture, wherein the body is located on a first horizontal plane. First and second transition sections extend at downward angles from opposite sides of the body. First blade wing extends outwardly from the first transition section, wherein the first blade wing is located on a second horizontal plane. Second blade wing extends outwardly from the second transition section, wherein the second blade wing is located on a third horizontal plane. The blade is a one-piece blade and can process approximately 6-48 ounces of working medium.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2013Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Vita-Mix CorporationInventor: Stephen P. Rukavina
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Patent number: 8087603Abstract: An enclosure for a blender including a body portion adapted to be secured to a base, and a cover pivotally attached to the body portion. The body portion includes sidewalls, a back wall, and an abbreviated top wall. The cover includes sidewalls, a front wall, a top wall, and an abbreviated back wall. A flange extends outwardly from the sidewalls and the top wall of the body portion and a gasket is provided thereon to create a seal between the cover and the body portion of the enclosure.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2009Date of Patent: January 3, 2012Assignee: Vita-Mix CorporationInventors: David J. Kolar, Stephen P. Rukavina
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Publication number: 20100038462Abstract: An enclosure for a food processor including a body portion adapted to be secured to a base, and a cover pivotally attached to the body portion. The body portion includes sidewalls, a back wall, and an abbreviated top wall. The cover includes sidewalls, a front wall, a top wall, and an abbreviated back wall. A flange extends outwardly from the sidewalls and the top wall of the body portion and a gasket is provided thereon to create a seal between the cover and the body portion of the enclosure.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2009Publication date: February 18, 2010Inventors: David J. Kolar, Stephen P. Rukavina
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Patent number: 7587972Abstract: A drink making machine (10) includes an ice shaving and dispensing unit (11) which provides a predetermined amount of ice, by weight, through a chute (21) to the pitcher (17) of a blending unit (12). A nozzle (30) is carried by the chute (12) and provides water through a nozzle opening (41) until a predetermined amount of water, by weight, is received by the pitcher (14). The water from the opening (41) is not allowed to directly impinge against the bottom of the pitcher (17). The water from the opening (41) is not allowed to directly impinge against the bottom of the pitcher (17) so that it does not adversely affect the weight measurements being taken.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2004Date of Patent: September 15, 2009Assignee: Vita-Mix CorporationInventors: Jonathan M. Katz, Stephen P. Rukavina, Kenneth W. Bair
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Patent number: 7404527Abstract: A safety shield (10) is adapted to be used in a machine having a blade assembly such as an ice shaving and dispensing machine (11). The machine (11) has an ice bin (13) carried by a pedestal (12). An ice shelf (31) has an opening (32) and is positioned in the bin (13). The opening (32) provides access to the blade assembly which includes a shaver wheel (35) which directs ice to a blade (40). The shield (10) has a ring-shaped sidewall (50) which is carried by the bin (13) and which can extend upwardly out of the bin (13) to increase the capacity thereof. The shield (10) also includes a disk-shaped hub (51) which is connected to the side wall (50) by a plurality of arms (52). The hub (51) is larger than the opening (32) and is positioned over the opening (32) to prevent direct human access thereto. But ice may still pass through openings (53) between the arms (52) and through the opening (32) in the shelf (31) to be received by the blade assembly.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2004Date of Patent: July 29, 2008Assignee: Vita-Mix CorporationInventors: Jonathan M. Katz, Richard D. Boozer, Stephen P. Rukavina, Jim Lachendro, Robert M. Ulanski
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Patent number: 7275666Abstract: 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).Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2004Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Vita-Mix CorporationInventors: Stephen P. Rukavina, Richard D. Boozer, Robert M. Ulanski, Jonathan M. Katz
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Patent number: 7152272Abstract: A vacuum cleaning system for a vehicle includes a console (12), which may be centrally positioned between the front seats (16) of the vehicle. A canister (10), in the form of a drawer to the console, is selectively removed, when vacuuming is to be commenced, and a flexible hose (96) unclamped from a side compartment (112) of the canister. The canister, with the hose attached, is carried by a handle strap (58) to a part of the car to be cleaned. A motor fan assembly (70) within the canister is powered from the vehicle's battery by means of a power cord (84) to draw dirt into a dirt cup (90) in the canister. Entrained air passes from the dirt cup through a filter (94) and is directed by the fan to an exhaust outlet (82) in the canister.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2003Date of Patent: December 26, 2006Assignee: Royal Appliance Mfg. Co.Inventors: Stephen P. Rukavina, Craig M. Saunders, Lindsey Tufts, Jr., David L O'Neal, Dennis Jenkins, Robert J. Herzog, John Schiffer
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Patent number: 7104474Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2004Date of Patent: September 12, 2006Assignee: Vita-Mix CorporationInventors: Jonathan M. Katz, Stephen P. Rukavina, Richard D. Boozer
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Patent number: D529336Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2004Date of Patent: October 3, 2006Assignee: Vita-Mix CorporationInventors: Jonathan M. Katz, Richard D. Boozer, Stephen P. Rukavina, Jim Lachendro, Robert M. Ulanski
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Patent number: D595084Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2008Date of Patent: June 30, 2009Assignee: Vita-Mix CorporationInventors: Paul K. Metaxatos, Steffen F. Koury, Kurtis R. MacLaurin, Robert M. Ulanski, David J. Kolar, Stephen P. Rukavina, Mark F. Fleming, Anthony M. Ciepiel
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Patent number: D595087Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2008Date of Patent: June 30, 2009Assignee: Vita-Mix CorporationInventors: Paul K. Metaxatos, Steffen F. Koury, Kurtis R. MacLaurin, David J. Kolar, Eugene J. Kozlowski, Robert M. Ulanski, Mark F. Fleming, Stephen P. Rukavina, Anthony M. Ciepiel
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Patent number: RE45655Abstract: An enclosure for a blender including a body portion adapted to be secured to a base, and a cover pivotally attached to the body portion. The body portion includes sidewalls, a back wall, and an abbreviated top wall. The cover includes sidewalls, a front wall, a top wall, and an abbreviated back wall. A flange extends outwardly from the sidewalls and the top wall of the body portion and a gasket is provided thereon to create a seal between the cover and the body portion of the enclosure.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2013Date of Patent: August 18, 2015Assignee: Vita-Mix CorporationInventors: David J Kolar, Stephen P. Rukavina