Stirrer Mounted Through Mixing Chamber Bottom Wall Patents (Class 366/205)
  • Publication number: 20030213373
    Abstract: A blending apparatus includes an articulable housing operatively coupled to one or more switches to actuate a blending motor. Upon mounting a mixing jar and associated lid on top of the housing, downward pressure is placed on the lid/jar assembly which places, in turn, downward pressure on the housing. Such downward pressure on the housing causes the housing to articulate and actuate the switch, which in turn provides power to the motor to rotate the blade mounted within the mixing container at a first rotational speed. In one embodiment, the switch is interposed between the housing and a stationary base. A second switch may also be utilized to rotate the blade at a second, increased rotational speed upon additional articulation of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2003
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Applicant: K-TEC, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas D. Dickson
  • Publication number: 20030214875
    Abstract: A blending apparatus includes an articulable housing operatively coupled to one or more switches to actuate a blending motor. Upon mounting a mixing jar and associated lid on top of the housing, downward pressure is placed on the lid/jar assembly which places, in turn, downward pressure on the housing. Such downward pressure on the housing causes the housing to articulate and actuate the switch, which in turn provides power to the motor to rotate the blade mounted within the mixing container at a first rotational speed. In one embodiment, the switch is interposed between the housing and a stationary base. A second switch may also be utilized to rotate the blade at a second, increased rotational speed upon additional articulation of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2002
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Applicant: K-TEC, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas D. Dickson
  • Patent number: 6640694
    Abstract: An electrical household appliance, in particular, a food processor, includes a drive motor installed in a housing having at least one bottom and one top housing part. The housing parts are held together by a screw connection. A largely vibration-isolated connection of the two housing parts is achieved by introducing, at the connecting locations, elastic buffer elements that prevent direct contact of the housing parts at the connecting locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Brezovnik, Henrik Pavlovic, Jurij Pesec, Igor Zibret
  • Publication number: 20030193833
    Abstract: A blender base that may be used with a food processor container, a blender container, and a single use beverage container. The blender container includes a novel blade unit having a food processor-style blade and blender type blades. Programs with preprogrammed motor commands for desired operations are stored in memory and may be selected by a user on a user interface. The user interface may include a liquid crystal display, or function switches and light emitting diodes. Upon selection of a particular pre-defined function, the microcontroller retrieves the appropriate program from the read only memory and specifies the preprogrammed motor commands to accomplish the selected function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2003
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Inventors: John Douglas Wulf, Gerald J. Lozinski, Matthew Craig Denton, Jerry Lee McColgin, Michael Morton, Daniel S. Soultanian
  • Patent number: 6632013
    Abstract: A blender having a base, a container, and a blade base includes a motor, a microcontroller, memory, a sensor and a user interface. The blade base connects the container to the base and includes a blade unit having at least a first blade and a second blade of a different design from the first blade. The microcontroller is in communication with the memory, sensor, motor, and user interface. Programs with preprogrammed motor commands for desired operations are stored in the memory. The user interface includes a liquid crystal display, or function switches and light emitting diodes. Upon selection of a particular pre-defined function, the microcontroller retrieves the appropriate program from the read only memory and specifies the preprogrammed motor commands to accomplish the selected function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Sunbeam Products, Inc.
    Inventors: John Douglas Wulf, Gerald J. Lozinski, Matthew Craig Denton, Jerry Lee McColgin, Michael Morton
  • Patent number: 6629492
    Abstract: A juicer having a safe power connection function includes a motor seat, a fixing ring, a container, an electric wire, a conductive switch, and a top cover. Thus, when the top cover is not mounted on the top of the container rigidly and stably and when the press member of the conductive switch is not in contact with the conductive member of the conductive switch, the motor will not be driven to operate, so as to prevent the cutter blades from being rotated due to unintentional touch of the control switches, thereby preventing the user from being injured, and thereby protecting the user's safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Inventor: Wen-Jing Li
  • Publication number: 20030179645
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electric mixer for performing the functions of pulverizing and mixing various kinds of cereals, grains, vegetables and fruits. Especially, this mixer has plural luminous lamps, which are able to emit the light, on the upper part of the lower body of the electric mixer. Therefore, when the users use the mixer, because of lights permeated into the inside of the upper body, the lamps could indicate visually that the mixer is working normally, and the lamps could also indicate aurally that the mixer is working normally because all kinds of sounds to be memorized by the audio synthesizer device are transmitted to outside.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2003
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Inventor: Yong-Suek Seul
  • Patent number: 6616324
    Abstract: A food processing appliance such as a blender comprises a container (22) and a base (20) housing an electric motor for driving the tool support assembly (2) which comprises a generally conical support (15) which is open inside and flares out to a enlarge periphral edge part which is removably securable in said opening, the narrow end of the conical support bearing a food processing tool (24). The motor being housed in a compartment (60) in the base space up from the bottom, a storage compartment (70) for storing a tool support assembly (2) of the defined type when the assembly is nit in use, the storage compartment (70) having a recess for receiving therein a tool support assembly placed with its enlarge part down and with its narrow end up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Arno S.A.
    Inventors: Rinaldo Planca, José Carlos Veneziano
  • Patent number: 6599006
    Abstract: An improved structure of a control switch for a food processor having a fully automatic control key and a disc-type rotating switch mounted with a stop button, speed I button, speed II button, and an instantaneous speed button is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Inventor: Chun-Liang Lin
  • Patent number: 6595113
    Abstract: A radiating structure of a food processor includes an outer shell and an inner shell disposed in the outer shell with a passage formed in between. The inner shell has vent holes on the top, and has a revolving member disposed above it; the revolving member has blades on a bottom, and is turnable together with the shaft of a motor of the food processor. The motor is disposed in the inner shell, and is connected to a fan disposed right above inlets of a base joined to the inner shell. When the motor is working, air is forced to travel into the inner shell via the inlets by the fan to absorb heat produced by the motor, and is forced to travel through the vent holes and the passage to the atmosphere by the blades of the revolving member, thus dissipating the heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Inventor: Wen-Hsien Chang
  • Patent number: 6595121
    Abstract: A fruit and vegetable processor is disclosed. The bottom plate of the cup body is provided with a plurality of spaced apart through holes and the lower section of the through holes is formed into a hollow passage for the insertion of a plugging element into the passage. One end of the passage is protruded out of the lateral side of the cup body for the insertion of a blocking tube to the passage such that the through hole is sealed, preventing the downward dripping of juice from the cup body, or a delivery tube having a filter is inserted to the passage so that the juice from the cup body after filtering and is then discharged via the delivery tube such that a single cup is provided with two usages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Ken Ying Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sung-Shan Chang Chien
  • Publication number: 20030099154
    Abstract: A beverage mixer includes a container with a mixing assembly removably disposable on a base with a motor turning a drive mechanism engagable with the mixing assembly. A spout is operatively coupled to the container, and can include a valve operable to allow and restrict contents of the container and actuatable by an actuator. A cup indentation is positioned under the outlet opening of the spout when the container is disposed on the base. The cup indentation extends horizontally into the base and is formed by a perimeter of the base. An air pump can be associated with the base, and an air line operatively coupled between the air pump and the container to assist dispensing contents of the container through the spout. An impeller associated with the mixing assembly in the container. The impeller forms an oblique angle oriented to drive contents of the container towards an opening in the container and out of the spout.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2002
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Inventor: Thomas E. Daniels
  • Patent number: 6540394
    Abstract: A kitchen appliance (1) having a housing (2), a motor (6) and a protection device (9) by which the motor (6) can be turned off compulsively in certain operating conditions, and having a container (15) which can be closed with a cover (30) and which can be placed onto the housing (2) and which has a control slide (35) coupled to the cover (30) via a first coupling device (36) and also coupled to the protection device (9) via a second coupling device (37). Both the first coupling device (36) and the second coupling device (37) are constructed in such a manner that an automatic activation of the safety device (9) can be achieved by these two coupling devices (36, 37).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Jan Juriga
  • Patent number: 6532863
    Abstract: A food processor in the present invention includes a spindle, a blade holder, a positioning member, an elastic retaining member, a flexible member and a push member. Only to press down the push member, engagement hooks and guide blocks of the push member will slide downwards along slide grooves of the positioning member to compress the flexible member and lower an inclined plane of the push member to press against an inner wall surface of a clamp part of the elastic retaining member to force the clamp part to be stretched outwardly so as to release a projection of the spindle, thereby the blade holder can be easily disassembled and assembled for the convenience of completely cleaning residuary foodstuff out of the blade holder to keep the blade holder in a good sanitary condition ready for the next use so as to prolong the working life of the food processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Inventor: Ming-Tsung Lee
  • Patent number: 6527433
    Abstract: A beverage mixer, smoothie maker or the like includes a container with a mixing assembly disposable on a base with a motor. A lid is disposable on the container and pivotally carries a stir stick that extends through an opening in the lid. The stir stick includes a ball portion to be pivotally disposable over the opening of the lid and to cooperate with the lid to cover the opening and to allow the ball portion to pivot in the opening. A spout can be coupled to the container to dispense contents, and can align with an alignment indentation in the base. A wall with an angled upper surface can be disposed adjacent the alignment indentation to abut and guide the spout to the alignment indentation. A cup indentation can be formed in the base under the alignment indentation to receive a cup under the spout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Inventor: Thomas E. Daniels, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6523993
    Abstract: A coupling for a blender comprises first and second clutches. The first clutch is connected to a blender motor and is adapted to be rotatably driven by operation of the motor. The second clutch is connected to a rotatable cutter assembly inside a blender jar. The first and second clutches each comprise a plurality of teeth, and each tooth comprises a drive face. Each drive face has a negative draft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Hamilton Beach/Proctor-Silex, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Williams, Brian Sullivan
  • Patent number: 6513966
    Abstract: An electric blender comprises a base unit including an electric motor, a connecting line for connecting the motor to a power supply, a separate glass container incorporating rotatable blades and engageable with the base unit so that the motor, when connected to the power supply will drive the blades, a lid for closing the container but separable therefrom, and interlock switch in said connecting line operable between closed and open conditions, the switch being normally biased to its open condition and an enabling member integral with the lid and arranged to operate the switch to the closed condition only when the container and its lid are correctly engaged with one another and the container is engaged with the base unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Dualit Limited
    Inventors: Leslie Alexander Gort-Barten, Dale Bevington
  • Patent number: 6513967
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a safety device for a jug blender that has a blender jug (10) adapted for seating engagement with a base (7) equipped with a drive motor. The safety device includes two vertically movable actuating pins (1) arranged in spaced relation to each other and projecting upwardly through the wall of the base (7), and the blender jug (10) has actuating points (11) cooperating therewith which, with the blender jug (10) properly assembled, urge the two actuating pins (1) simultaneously and evenly horizontally in downward direction in order to thus close the circuit supplying the drive motor. Any improper handling or activation of the motor with the blender jug (10) not properly positioned is avoided by connecting actuating members with the actuating pins (1) in the base (7) in such manner that a safety switch does not close unless the pins (1) are urged down evenly and at the same time horizontally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Josep-Maria Masip, Jose Luis Roman, Robert Rafols, Mariano Peñaranda
  • Patent number: 6499873
    Abstract: A blender includes a base on which a motor is connected and a plurality of ventilation holes are defined through a bottom of the base. An engaging collar is connected to the motor for rotating a blade device of a container mounted to the base. The heat generated from the motor is removed from the ventilation holes in the bottom of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Quality & Strength Inc.
    Inventor: Farmer Chen
  • Publication number: 20020176320
    Abstract: A blender base that may be used with a food processor container, a blender container, and a single use beverage container. The blender container includes a novel blade unit having a food processor-style blade and blender type blades. Programs with preprogrammed motor commands for desired operations are stored in memory and may be selected by a user on a user interface. The user interface may include a liquid crystal display, or function switches and light emitting diodes. Upon selection of a particular pre-defined function, the microcontroller retrieves the appropriate program from the read only memory and specifies the preprogrammed motor commands to accomplish the selected function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2001
    Publication date: November 28, 2002
    Applicant: Sunbeam Products, Inc. a corporation of the State of Delaware
    Inventors: John Douglas Wulf, Gerald J. Lozinski, Matthew Craig Denton, Jerry Lee McColgin, Michael Morton, Daniel S. Soultanian
  • Publication number: 20020141286
    Abstract: A blender having a base, a container, and a blade base includes a motor, a microcontroller, memory, a sensor and a user interface. The blade base connects the container to the base and includes a blade unit having at least a first blade and a second blade of a different design from the first blade. The microcontroller is in communication with the memory, sensor, motor, and user interface. Programs with preprogrammed motor commands for desired operations are stored in the memory. The user interface includes a liquid crystal display, or function switches and light emitting diodes. Upon selection of a particular pre-defined function, the microcontroller retrieves the appropriate program from the read only memory and specifies the preprogrammed motor commands to accomplish the selected function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Inventors: John Douglas Wulf, Gerald J. Lozinski, Matthew Craig Denton, Jerry Lee McColgin, Michael Morton
  • Publication number: 20020141285
    Abstract: A coupling for a blender comprises first and second clutches. The first clutch is connected to a blender motor and is adapted to be rotatably driven by operation of the motor. The second clutch is connected to a rotatable cutter assembly inside a blender jar. The first and second clutches each comprise a plurality of teeth, and each tooth comprises a drive face. Each drive face has a negative draft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2001
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Inventors: Brian Williams, Brian Sullivan
  • Patent number: 6431744
    Abstract: A blender hopper has a contiguous annular side wall with a larger upper portion, and a smaller lower portion. The upper portion is in the form of a square and the lower portion is in the form of an octagon and a bottom wall adjoins the lower portion. Four narrower triangular side walls extend upwardly and outwardly from the diagonal sides of the bottom wall and adjoin the four corners of the upper portion, respectively, and four wider truncated wedge-shaped walls extend upwardly and outwardly from the four orthogonal sides of the bottom wall with their wider ends adjoining the four sides of the upper portion, respectively, and inwardly protruding longitudinal rib is formed in each of the wider truncated wedge-shaped walls. A tubular dispensing conduit is secured in an aperture in one of the wider walls and a dispensing valve is connected to its outer end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Inventors: Fred L. Ash, William O. Ash, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20020080678
    Abstract: A beverage mixer, smoothie maker or the like includes a container with a mixing assembly disposable on a base with a motor. A lid is disposable on the container and pivotally carries a stir stick that extends through an opening in the lid. The stir stick includes a ball portion to be pivotally disposable over the opening of the lid and to cooperate with the lid to cover the opening and to allow the ball portion to pivot in the opening. A spout can be coupled to the container to dispense contents, and can align with an alignment indentation in the base. A wall with an angled upper surface can be disposed adjacent the alignment indentation to abut and guide the spout to the alignment indentation. A cup indentation can be formed in the base under the alignment indentation to receive a cup under the spout.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Inventor: Thomas E. Daniels, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20020071340
    Abstract: In a kitchen appliance (1) having a housing (2) and having a motor (6) and having a protection device (9), by means of which the motor (6) can be turned off compulsively in certain operating conditions, and having a container (15) which can be closed with a cover (30) and which can be placed onto the housing (2) and which has a control slide (35) coupled to the cover (30) via a first coupling means (36) and also coupled to the protection device (9) via a second coupling means (37), both the first coupling means (36) and the second coupling means (37) are constructed in such a manner that an automatic activation of the safety device (9) can be achieved by these two coupling means (36, 37).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2001
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Inventor: Jan Juriga
  • Patent number: 6350053
    Abstract: A household mixer-blender includes a housing 1 with a reception seat 3. The housing contains an electric motor unit 4 whose output shaft projects into the seat 3. A removable bowl 7 includes a base 9 with a sidewall 10 and is urged to interlock in operating condition on the seat. A central part 12 of the base 9 carries a rotating tool 13 integral with shaft 14 passing through the electric motor unit 4 and base 9. A first safety device includes at least one retractably mounted blocking member 17 is mounted in the reception seat 3. The blocking member is designed to have a first inoperative position in which it is retracted by an actuating member 22 integral with bowl base 23 when the bowl 7 is properly fixed to the base 9, as well as an operative position in which the blocking member is no longer controlled by the actuating member 22 when the bowl 7 is not on the base 9 or is not properly fixed to such base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: Moulinex S.A.
    Inventor: Gilles Gerard Albert Victor Morin
  • Publication number: 20020012288
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a safety device for a jug blender that has a blender jug (10) adapted for seating engagement with a base (7) equipped with a drive motor. The safety device includes two vertically movable actuating pins (1) arranged in spaced relation to each other and projecting upwardly through the wall of the base (7), and the blender jug (10) has actuating points (11) cooperating therewith which, with the blender jug (10) properly assembled, urge the two actuating pins (1) simultaneously and evenly horizontally in downward direction in order to thus close the circuit supplying the drive motor. Any improper handling or activation of the motor with the blender jug (10) not properly positioned is avoided by connecting actuating members with the actuating pins (1) in the base (7) in such manner that a safety switch does not close unless the pins (1) are urged down evenly and at the same time horizontally.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Publication date: January 31, 2002
    Inventors: Josep-Maria Masip, Jose Luis Roman, Robert Rafols, Mariano Penaranda
  • Publication number: 20020009016
    Abstract: A method of displaying recipes on a kitchen appliance such as a blender. The appliance comprises a computing device, a display screen, and navigational keys. A server connected to the Internet may receive various recipes from a plurality of computing devices also connected to the Internet. The received recipes are converted into records having a consistent record format and stored in a database, and the records are then communicated to the appliance. Optionally the recipe data may be inserted into the appliance in the form of a chip or other computing device. A selection of various criteria is presented on the display screen of the appliance and the user uses navigational keys to select criteria for sorting of the records. The records are then sorted according to the selected criteria, and the sorted records are listed on the display screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2001
    Publication date: January 24, 2002
    Inventors: Bruce Ancona, Robert A. Varakian
  • Patent number: 6338569
    Abstract: A food blending apparatus and a method of blending food within a container (30) with the object of providing a hygienic system whereby disposable containers are charged with product at a location remote from consumption. After filling with ingredients the container is sealed and then cooled. Containers include an integral blender (35) which when connected to a drive enable the product to be blended at the point of consumption after location in driving connection with the drive means. Product is accessed through a sealed opening (31) of the container after opening the seal. After consumption the container is disposed of and is constructed to make disposal economical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Inventor: Shane R. McGill
  • Patent number: 6331070
    Abstract: The invention apparatus comprises a mixing vessel closure having rotating mixing blades secured thereto. The mixing blades are driven through an axially engaged and disengaged direct coupling. The closure is mounted on a power base structure for rotation about an axis that is substantially transverse of the mixing blade axis. Additionally, the closure mounting includes a translational drive for linearly raising and lowering the closure at each of two positions about the transverse axis. A portable mixing vessel including a material charge is placed under the vessel closure. The closure is translated down to a sealed cover position over a vessel opening and secured to the vessel. The unitized assembly of the closure and vessel is translated away from a vessel supporting transport base and rotated to a inverted position. The unitized assembly is then translated down to engage a rotatory power transmission coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: Reliance Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Devendra Dahyabhai Desai
  • Publication number: 20010036124
    Abstract: A drinking container cup, such as for coffee, tea soup or the like, having an interior and an exterior surface, said container having an integrated powered stirring device extending from the interior surface of the bottom section of the housing and driven by a small battery powered motor located in the bottom section of the housing. The bottom section and integrated stirring device are fitted with inside thread for screwing to the container and may be removed for separate cleaning or simply left in place, adding soap and turning on the stirring device. A removable lid which mechanically engages the top of the container is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2001
    Publication date: November 1, 2001
    Inventor: Scott Rubenstein
  • Patent number: 6283625
    Abstract: The invention includes an apparatus to automatically heat and froth milk for beverages. The apparatus includes a container, a lower paddle group and upper paddle group located above the container bottom. Each paddle group includes at least two paddles. The lower paddle group is adapted to rotate in a direction that is counter to the rotation of the upper paddle group. The apparatus further includes a heater disposed firmly against and below the container bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Inventors: Stephen W. Frankel, Robert M. Fey
  • Publication number: 20010006486
    Abstract: A safety device for a mixer comprising a container with a bottom and at least one side wall, an inlet opening arranged at the upper part of the container, and a shaft extending through the bottom to drive at least one tool, such as one or several knifes, arranged near the bottom. The shaft has a connecting element extending into the container and being arranged to drive a removable follower which supports the tool, the follower being supported by a cover part arranged at a distance from said bottom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2001
    Publication date: July 5, 2001
    Applicant: Aktiebolaget Electrolux
    Inventor: Donald Ofverberg
  • Publication number: 20010002891
    Abstract: The invention relates to an automatic beverage frother. The beverage frother includes a lower housing assembly having a motor coupled to a gear train. The gear train may be removeably coupled to an upper paddle group and a lower paddle group disposed within a container. Each paddle group rotates about the longitudinal axis of the container in opposite directions. Within each paddle group is at least one paddle where each paddle is formed of a frame having mesh disposed within the frame. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 1999
    Publication date: June 7, 2001
    Applicant: STEPHEN W. FRANKEL
    Inventors: STEPHEN W. FRANKEL, ROBERT M. FEY
  • Patent number: 6223652
    Abstract: The invention relates to a kitchen appliance comprising a container and a housing accommodating an electric motor. The container comprises a bottom, a removable lid, and a bearing for supporting a tool which is drivable in the container by the motor. A filter can be placed in the container around the tool and can be filled with ingredients such as fruits or vegetables. After activation of the tool, liquids and juices are obtained from these ingredients which pass through strainer openings of the filter. According to the invention, the filter is held in a fixed position in the container during operation in that the filter is locked in between the bottom and the lid of the container. In a first embodiment of the kitchen appliance, the filter is locked in between the bottom and the lid of the container in that the filter has a length which substantially corresponds to a distance between the bottom and the lid of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Edgard G. Calia, Henk S. De Jong
  • Patent number: 6210033
    Abstract: A magnetic induction drive for a rotatable driven member in a sealed housing, in particular, a shaft-mounted blade in a blender cup, uses a comparatively thin circular plate of a magnetizable material with circumferentially arrayed poles secured within the housing to the shaft. A brushless d.c. motor in a base separate from the housing has a rotor formed as an array of pie-shaped permanent magnet regions that interact with an electronically controlled, rotating electromagnetic field produced by a ring of stator coils. A second such permanent magnet is coupled to rotate coaxially and in unison with the rotor, with poles of opposite polarity aligned and adjacent one another. A steel disc is sandwiched between and bonded to the rotor and the second permanent magnet. The magnetic field (lines of flux) of the second magnet extends axially away from the rotor to induce magnetic poles of opposite polarity in the drive plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Island Oasis Frozen Cocktail Co., Inc.
    Inventors: John F. Karkos, Jr., John Micheli
  • Patent number: 6193407
    Abstract: A liquifier includes a liquifier jar mounted on a base. The base has an open bottom end to which a rigid frame member is secured. An elastomer cover is secured to a bottom surface of the rigid frame member. The cover has a pivotal door formed therewith. The door has a hinge formed integral with said cover. A rocker switch is pivotably mounted within the base. The rigid frame member includes a follower extending into the path of movement of the rocker switch. When the rocker switch is pivoted into engagement with the follower, the switch is turned into an on state for actuating the liquifier. A first portion of the cover is in spaced relation to the frame member to form a battery compartment therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: HP Intellectual Corp.
    Inventor: Edward M. Kubicz
  • Patent number: 6135019
    Abstract: A filter assembly for a blender including a hollow cylindrical filter member, a main cap member, and a plunger assembly. The main cap member encloses a top opening of the blender such that the filter member is positioned within the container of the blender and surrounds the blade member located at the base of the container. A pusher plate of the plunger assembly forces the fruit pieces toward the bland member to be processed, where the fruit juice from the fruit pieces is allowed to flow through perforations on the filter member from a pulp compartment to a juice compartment while pulps are retained within the pulp compartment and the fruit juice can be poured out from an off-centered spout of the main cap member to be consumed without pulps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Inventor: Shang-Wei Chou
  • Patent number: 6092922
    Abstract: A blade is provided for use in a blender wherein the blade is to rotate about a vertical axis of rotation. The blade is formed with a central hub portion defining a horizontal plane, and in a preferred arrangement, has four tines extending outwardly from said hub portion with each tine angularly spaced at 90.degree. to two adjacent tines to form two opposed pairs of tines, however, with the tines being arranged asymmetrical to one another. In order to reduce vibration and torque occasioned by the asymmetrical arrangement of the tines, each tine in an opposed pair is formed to be balanced to the other tine with respect to a first product of its mass times a distance of its center of mass from the center of rotation and with respect to a further product of its mass times a distance of its center of mass from the axis of rotation and times a distance of its center of mass from the horizontal plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Kett, Barry Chaffin, deceased, by Donald L. Bleich, legal representative
  • Patent number: 6065861
    Abstract: A blender includes a motor base having a heating seat, a blender seat, a strainer and a container having a cutter blade on the bottom and a cap on the top. In operation, the container is placed on the blender seat of the motor base. The soup or juice is put into the container through the cap and is blended using the blade. Then, the soup or juice is transferred into a heating container through a second filter. After boiling the soup or juice in the heating container, a delicious soup will be made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: Quality & Strength Inc.
    Inventor: Farmer Chen
  • Patent number: 6059445
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: HP Intellectual Corp.
    Inventors: Robert A. St John, John D. McNair, Wong Man Bun, Siu Kwai Keung
  • Patent number: 6045253
    Abstract: A member within a container is reciprocated to vibrate the container contents. A drive unit is releasably connectable to the reciprocating member so that the drive unit can be used for other purposes, such as for driving the reciprocal members of other containers when not required for the container in question. The drive unit comprises a reciprocal output member with a releasable mechanism for drivably connecting the output member with the reciprocal member of the container and a device for removably mounting the container on the drive unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: BHR Group Limited
    Inventor: Barry Sullivan
  • Patent number: 6027242
    Abstract: A mixing apparatus that employs mixing blades that are capable of producing rotational mixing action and a vertically oscillating mixing action so that the blades are moveable within the apparatus from an area of a relatively larger volume to an area of a relatively smaller volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: 24th & Dean
    Inventor: Michael C. Thuma
  • Patent number: 6026735
    Abstract: A self stirring cooking assembly includes a U-shaped housing having a motor driven sleeve protruding from a horizontal cooking surface. A plurality of utensils are also provided each having a stirring arm therein mounted to a tubular plug protruding through the bottom of the utensil dimensioned to be received within the motor driven sleeve. Accordingly, any one of a plurality of interchangeable utensils may be placed on the housing to automatically heat and stir food items placed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Inventor: Ann Waterworth
  • Patent number: 5855431
    Abstract: A rotating mixer for mixing drinks utilizes a tumbler-type container attached to a base and a rotatable whisk. The whisk is turned by rotatable gears, one of which is attached to a motor and one of which is attached to the base of the container. The motor is housed in a motor housing unit and is powered by batteries, or, alternatively, by an AC adapter. The motor housing unit includes a collar that is inserted into a sleeve in the bottom of the container base to provide a stable guide for aligning the motor gear and whisk gear. The detachable base also provides a stable platform for the container when it is not engaged with the motor housing unit. The detachable base may be a lightweight, yet sturdy, two-piece unit comprising a sleeve section and a coupling section. The motor housing unit fits into a tray which is adapted for use as a serving tray and which also functions as a battery recharger when plugged into an electrical outlet. The tray comprises holders for holding one or more containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: Coastal Sales Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank T. Costanzo
  • Patent number: 5823672
    Abstract: A blender comprising a jar or jug having a wall, an inner surface of which extends substantially vertically except towards the lower end and which has on the inner surface a plurality of longitudinally extending circumferentially spaced ribs projecting from the wall towards the central axis of the jar or jug there being on a central vertical spindle near the bottom of the jar or jug a first rotating blade assembly having at its lower end a drive connection for an electric motor, the blade assembly consisting of a pair of blades projecting radially from the central axis, a second assembly of blades being mounted on the central spindle at a level higher than that of the first assembly, the second assembly consisting of a plurality of blades extending radially outwards from the central axis at about the same level but in different directions and at different angles to the central axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Breville Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Mario John Barker
  • Patent number: 5809872
    Abstract: A food processor that includes a machine stand, a basin, or jug, for receiving the foodstuff or foodstuffs to be processed, a basin lid, and one or more knives located at the bottom of the basin and driven by a drive shaft that projects up vertically through the bottom of the basin. The machine stand (1) includes a low front part (6) which is adapted to support the basin (2) when the processor is in operation, and a rear upstanding part (7) that extends up to approximately the same level as the upper level of the basin (2) when the basin is placed on the machine stands. A motor (8) is housed in the lower portion of the rear part (7); and a lid holder (9) is mounted at the upper portion of the rear part (7) and can be swung about a horizontal pivot shaft (10) between a raised first pivot position and a lowered second pivot position (FIG. 2 d).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: AB Hallde Maskiner AB
    Inventor: Jarl Sundquist
  • Patent number: 5797313
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electrical appliance for automatically preparing a baby-feeding formulation at a prescribed hour, and for maintaining the prepared formulation at a preferred temperature for a limited period of time prior to consumption by an infant. The device may be powered by any power source for providing either alternating current or direct current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Inventor: Tamara Rothley
  • Patent number: 5694832
    Abstract: An automatic bread producing machine includes, in a baking chamber, a vessel unit having a bread vessel where a mixing vane for mixing bread ingredients is rotatably provided and a cylindrical bread vessel support fixed to an underside of the bread vessel. The bread vessel support has stoppers formed on the lower circumference thereof. The machine further includes a vessel mounting support mounted at the bottom of the baking chamber for receiving therein the bread vessel support. The vessel mounting support has cutouts formed at its circumferential wall for receiving and firmly holding the stoppers, respectively. Recessed portions are further formed at the circumferential wall of the vessel mounting support for guiding the stoppers to positions adjacent to the corresponding cutouts, respectively. Each cutout is provided adjacent to a lower end of the recessed portion and at one side of the recessed portion located in a rotation direction of the mixing vane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Kakimoto, Takahiro Ohshita, Noriyuki Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 5690021
    Abstract: The strainer insert is a cylindrical chamber having strainer openings about a portion of its circumference. The strainer chamber is open at both ends. The bottom end is attached to a mounting base which is attached to a blender base. When the strainer chamber is attached in a blender it is completely contained in the blender mixing chamber and it encloses the blender blades. Items such as fruits or vegetables may then be placed in the strainer chamber and the open end closed with a lid. When the blender is activated the blender chops or cuts up the items into solid pieces and produces a liquid. The liquid passes through the strainer openings to be poured out of the blender mixing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Inventor: Ronald Grey