Abstract: A blender 30 includes a base housing 32, a jar mount 34 which nests on the housing, and a jar 36, which is threadedly attached to the jar mount. A motor 66 is contained within the base housing 32 and drives a blending implement 74 located within the base of the jar 36. The jar mount 34 rests on a plurality of compliant pads 88 to support the jar mount and the jar 36 during operation of the blender 30. An extension 42 of the base housing 32 provides an enclosure for a switch assembly 68 which includes four switches 96 for facilitating external control of the operation of the motor 66 and the blender 30. Each of four compliant actuator pads 54 extend through respective openings 148 in a cover 50 of the extension 42 and engage a respective actuator block 158 which is mounted on a pivotable panel 152.

Abstract: A metal container 30 includes a container portion 34 and a handle 44. The container portion 34 is formed with a base floor 36, a side wall 38 and an opening 40 surrounded by an edge 42. The handle 44 is formed by two shell sections 64 and 66 which are assembled and secured, mechanically and adhesively, to form the handle. Soft, non-slip attachments 130 are secured to an inboard side of the exterior of the handle 44. Brackets 46 and 50 are secured to a side wall 38 of the container portion 34 and provide for threaded attachment of opposite ends of the handle 44 with the container portion of the container 30.