Mounted In Mixing Chamber Bottom Wall Patents (Class 366/314)
  • Patent number: 11865504
    Abstract: A blender system includes a blender base that is selectively and operably engaged with a container. The blender base may include a housing that houses a motor operatively driving a mixing blade, and a fan. The fan may operate independent of the motor. The fan may force air through the blender base to cool the motor and other operative components of the blender base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: VITA-MIX MANAGEMENT CORPORATION
    Inventors: David Kolar, Fred H. Mehlman, Bradford J. Paskert
  • Patent number: 11864687
    Abstract: A device for frothing milk preferably includes a rotatable impeller and a screen disposed about the bottom of the impeller downstream of milk being pushed by the impeller. The frothing device may further include a pitcher and a base upon which the pitcher sits wherein the base includes a heater. The pitcher includes a magnetic drive capable of turning the impeller at very high speeds. The impeller is positioned off-center within the pitcher that preferably includes a tapered interior. The structure of the device and programs that adjust the speed of rotation of the impeller permit the user to create bubbles and further break the bubbles down into a silky smooth microfoam without the conventional use of a steam wand or other such device and without the skills of a professional barista.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Inventor: Dominic Symons
  • Patent number: 11825991
    Abstract: A blade assembly and a food processor having the same are provided. The blade assembly includes an inner blade shaft, an outer blade shaft, an inner joint assembly, and an outer joint assembly. The outer blade shaft is fitted over the inner blade shaft. The inner joint assembly includes an inner blade joint, an inner motor joint, and an inner sealing head. The inner sealing head is connected between the inner blade joint and the inner motor joint, the inner blade joint is connected to the inner blade shaft. The outer joint assembly includes an outer blade joint, an outer motor joint, and an outer sealing head, the outer sealing head is connected between the outer blade joint and the outer motor joint, and the outer blade joint is connected to the outer blade shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Inventor: Zhihua Wen
  • Patent number: 11766647
    Abstract: A blender includes a blade assembly including a main blade shaft that is coupled to a first blade and a first main coupler so as to rotate in a forward direction and a reverse-rotation blade shaft that is coupled to a second blade and a first reverse-rotation coupler so as to rotate in a reverse direction, a gearbox assembly including a main gear shaft coupled to a second main coupler, which is engaged with the first main coupler, so as to rotate in the forward direction, a plurality of gears configured to convert the forward rotation of the main gear shaft to reverse rotation, and a second reverse-rotation coupler configured to transmit the reverse rotation transmitted through the plurality of gears to the first reverse-rotation coupler, and a case that has the gearbox assembly provided therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: CUCKOO ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jung Chul Son, Chul Soo Park, Youl Young Ju
  • Patent number: 11564533
    Abstract: An apparatus for preparing a foam from a liquid, particularly a food liquid, such as milk or a milk-based liquid. The apparatus (10) includes a base body (16) provided with electrical connection means (52, 54) and an upper unit (12, 14) arranged to be releasably placed on the base body (16) to be electrically connected to the base body (16) through the electrical connection means (52, 54). The upper unit (12, 14) has an upper body (12) acting as a vessel and an intermediate body (14) separate from each other. The upper body (12) houses a stirring member (24). The intermediate body (14) houses electrically operated driver (42, 44, 46) for driving the stirring member (24) to rotate and a heating element (40) for heating the liquid contained in the upper body (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: LUIGI LAVAZZA S.P.A.
    Inventor: Sergio Di Bari
  • Patent number: 11116362
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: VITA-MIX MANAGEMENT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eugene J. Kozlowski, Mark F. Fleming, David J. Kolar, Stephen Hosey, Fred H. Mehlman, Jonathan Emerson, Brian Harvanec, Richard D. Boozer, Stephen P. Rukavina
  • Patent number: 11019802
    Abstract: An agricultural machine for transportation and distribution of bulk products, including a tank, which is mounted on a rolling chassis, which is provided with at least one sealable opening situated at the level of the bottom of the tank and which is equipped with at least one mobile device performing scraping of the bottom and favoring ejection of the product. An agricultural machine wherein the mobile device or each mobile device is mounted to rotate around a vertical shaft or axis, perpendicular relative to the plane of the bottom and including at least two separate radial arms, distributed around the axis and sweeping over substantially the entire surface of the bottom, wherein the thickness or the height of each arm relative to the bottom is smaller than the height of the lateral opening or of each lateral opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: KUHN-AUDUREAU SA
    Inventors: Florent Mignon, Benoit Sorin
  • Patent number: 10994250
    Abstract: A feed mixer apparatus that includes a mixing chamber for receiving feed, and having a mixing element situated therein for mixing the feed, a transmission having a plurality of gears and connected with a mixing element, a drive system having a plurality of drive system components, including the transmission, a torque sensor interconnected with at least one drive system component, a control unit having a display and a plurality of user inputs, wherein the control unit is in at least indirect communication with the transmission and the torque sensor, and wherein the control unit receives a plurality of outputs from one or more of the transmission and torque sensor, and based at least in part on the plurality of outputs, provides an output command to effectuate a gear change in the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Patz Corporation
    Inventors: Bradley Bedord, David C. Pellman
  • Patent number: 10821408
    Abstract: The invention relates to a high-concentration mixer (1) for producing a suspension (2), comprising a stationary container (3) and an agitator (8) arranged in the container axis (7), which agitator is connected to a motor via a flange (9) provided in the region of the container bottom (4), which motor is designed for rotationally driving the agitator (8) for mixing the suspension (2) provided in the container (3), wherein the agitator (8) has helical coils (11) which bring about a vertical downward flow (12) of the suspension (2) in the centre of the container (3) and a vertical upward flow (13) of the suspension (2) in the region of the container wall, wherein the flange (9) comprises at least one blade (15) provided on its circumference, which is designed for wiping the suspension (2) from the container (3) and for supporting the vertical upward flow (13) of the suspension (2) in the region of the container wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: LENZING AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Johann Pillichshammer, Christoph Schrempf, Michael Maier, Gerhard Malzner
  • Patent number: 10814297
    Abstract: A feed mixer apparatus that includes a mixing chamber for receiving feed material, and having a mixing element situated therein for mixing the feed material; a transmission having a plurality of gears and connected with a mixing element; a control unit having a display and a plurality of control panel inputs, wherein the control unit is in at least indirect communication with the transmission and the sensors, and wherein the control unit receives a plurality of outputs from one or more of the transmission and sensors, and based at least in part on the plurality of outputs, provides an output command to effectuate a gear change in the transmission, and wherein the control unit includes a processor, a memory, and a control program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Patz Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony H. Sailer, Darrell Patz, Bradley Bedord
  • Patent number: 10786117
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a food processor including a cutter head, on which a cutter is arranged; and a cup body arranged on the cutter head. The intersecting line of the side wall of the cutter head and the cross section of the cutter head is a cutter head contour line, the largest inscribed circle or the smallest circumscribed circle of the cutter head contour line is a cutter head base circle, and the central axis of the cutter head penetrates the center of the cutter head base circle. The intersecting line of the cup wall of the cup body and the cross section of the cup wall is a cup body contour line, the largest inscribed circle or the smallest circumscribed circle of the cup body contour line is a cup body base circle, and the central axis of the cup body penetrates the center of the cup body base circle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignees: GUANGDONG MIDEA CONSUMER ELECTRICS MANUFACTURING CO., LTD., MIDEA GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Qian Fan, Xianghe Zeng, Jianfei Xu
  • Patent number: 10611699
    Abstract: A method of determining the volume of organic material in a composting device includes rotating a mixing paddle in a composting bin that stores the organic material; monitoring the torque from a motor that rotates the mixing paddle as the mixing paddle rotates; and determining the height of the organic material in the composting bin based on the motor torque and the angular displacement of the mixing paddle. The resulting height can be used to determine the volume of the organic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Inventors: Alexander Joseph Halbleib, Gregory Samuel Lieto, Matthew MacLean
  • Patent number: 10336534
    Abstract: A tank, such as a fermentation tank, includes a scraper blade assembly slideably coupled to a bottom surface of the tank. The scraper blade assembly includes a blade arranged to displace solids deposited on the bottom surface of the tank out through an aperture arranged flush with the bottom surface of the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Spokane Industries
    Inventors: Nathan Hayes Owen, Nathan Scott Batson, Thomas Raymond Rodgers
  • Patent number: 10321785
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Vita-Mix Management Corporation
    Inventors: Eugene J. Kozlowski, Mark F. Fleming, David J. Kolar, Stephen Hosey, Fred H. Mehlman, Jonathan Emerson, Brian Harvanec, Richard D. Boozer, Stephen P. Rukavina
  • Patent number: 10098615
    Abstract: The application relates to a unit for collecting a stool sample for medical use. The unit may be used both in the clinic and in the home.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Gerdes Consulting ApS
    Inventor: Jens Gerdes
  • Patent number: 9849430
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for a mixing device are presented. The mixing device comprises a shaft and a plurality of blades attached to the shaft. The blades include a variable pitch angle configured to create axial fluid flow and radial fluid flow within a container. The apparatus includes a hub and a cage located at ends of the apparatus. The cage includes an open end configured to mate with a structure attached to the container. In further examples of the apparatus, the upper blade is configured to create axial flow in a substantially downward direction. The lower blade is configured to create axial flow in a substantially upward direction. The lower blade can create an axial flow that encounters the upper blade. A method includes locating a mixing apparatus within the container, inserting fluid within the container, rotating the mixing apparatus, and mixing the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Triad Capital Group, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel John Shramo, James David Galvin
  • Patent number: 9549639
    Abstract: A handheld, hand-operated blender may include a container, a lid threadably connected to an upper portion of the container, a bottom portion including a stationary bottom portion threadably connected to a lower portion of the container and a rotatable bottom portion rotatable with respect to the container. The blender may also include a blade assembly including a plurality of blades and a shaft rotatably connected to the rotatable bottom portion and a gear assembly mechanically connected to the blade assembly and the rotatable bottom portion such that rotation of the rotatable bottom portion rotates the blade assembly at a faster revolution per minute than the rotation of the rotatable bottom portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: HOT BUTTERED ELVES, INC.
    Inventor: Daniel Garr
  • Patent number: 9364806
    Abstract: A bottle mixer including a housing that contains a motor, a battery, a controller, controls, and a thermometer all operatively connected to a controller. Threads are provided on a top side of the housing that are adapted to connect to a standard baby bottle. The motor inside the housing is connected to a blade outside the housing that protrudes into attached baby bottle. Selecting a first control spins the blade inside the bottle for a predetermined time. Selecting the second control spins the blade until a predetermined temperature of the bottle contents is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Inventor: Shenique M King
  • Patent number: 9254603
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for the processing of plastics, with a container with a mixing implement rotatable around an axis of rotation, wherein, in a side wall, an aperture is formed, through which the plastics material can be removed, and a conveyor, with a screw rotating in a housing, wherein the imaginary continuation of the longitudinal axis of the conveyor in a direction opposite to the direction of conveying passes the axis of rotation, and wherein the L/D ratio of the screw is ?7, and wherein the setting angle (?) of the radially outermost mixing implement, closest to the base, complies with the following relationship: ?=k*d+K, where d is the diameter of the screw in mm, K is a factor in the range from 15 to 35, k is a factor in the range from 0.08 to 0.2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: EREMA ENGINEERING RECYCLING MASCHINEN UND ANLAGEN GESELLSCHAFT M.B.H.
    Inventors: Klaus Feichtinger, Manfred Hackl
  • Patent number: 9173524
    Abstract: The present invention provides a pedestal for a food processor, which includes a container, a base arranged under the bottom of the container, a locking assembly configured for locking the container on the base. The locking assembly includes block holes arranged in the base, block grooves arranged in the bottom of the container, and a chuck rotatably arranged on the bottom of the base. The chuck has snap-gauges cooperating with the block grooves passing through the block holes respectively. When uninstalling, it only needs to rotate the chuck to complete the uninstalling operation, and thus the operation is very convenient. When replacing the food processor, it only needs to take down the container and other components of various food processors which cooperate with the container, and does not need to replace the base. Thus the present invention can rapidly replace different food processors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Inventor: Yan Kwong Wong
  • Publication number: 20150078121
    Abstract: The invention relates to a horizontal agitator for producing a flow in a clarifier, a propeller being connected to a submersible motor which is axially offset in relation thereto, wherein the propeller and the submersible motor are designed such that a flow in a direction from the propeller towards the submersible motor is produced when the submersible motor is operated, and wherein plate-shaped flow guide elements are provided downstream of the propeller and extend in at least an axial plane that runs substantially parallel to the propeller axis. In order to improve the efficiency of the horizontal agitator, it is proposed in accordance with the invention to support the submersible motor on a bottom of the clarifier via at least two first flow guide elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: INVENT UMWELT-UND VERF-AHRENSTECHINK AG
    Inventor: Marcus Hoefken
  • Patent number: 8950930
    Abstract: A stirring blade group structure comprises a stirring blade base and at least three groups of stirring blades attached to the stirring blade base. Each stirring blade group includes a stirring shaft, a lower stirring blade, and an upper stirring blade. The upper stirring blade and the lower stirring blade cross and are attached to one end of the stirring shaft. The upper stirring blade is U-shaped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Inventor: Wenxiong Wang
  • Publication number: 20150003190
    Abstract: A tool intended as an attachment or accessory for a food processor and configured to automate the delicate operation of folding ingredients together without expelling air is described. The tool includes first and second curved blades which depend from a casing part that is rotated within a processing bowl by means of a geared arrangement that picks up rotary drive from a drive shaft coupled to a driven outlet on the base of the food processor. The blades are disposed at different distances from the axis about which the casing rotates, so that the outer blade passes closer to the wall of the bowl than does the inner blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Applicant: KENWOOD LIMITED
    Inventors: Oliver Pendleton, David Stephen Faram, Nick Jays
  • Patent number: 8851739
    Abstract: A portable baby bottle blender includes a baby bottle having a top collar with external threads and a bottom collar with external threads. A top cap has a central aperture. The top cap is internally threaded to be removable threaded onto the top collar of the baby bottle and holds a feeding nipple extending through the central aperture of the top cap onto the top collar. A sealing O-ring fits onto the bottom collar of the baby bottle. A bottom cap has a rim internally threaded. An agitating unit is centrally retained within the bottom cap. When the rim of the bottom cap is removably threaded onto the bottom collar of the baby bottle and against the sealing O-ring, the agitating unit extends into the bottom collar of the baby bottle. A base member has a top recess to receive the bottom cap on the baby bottle therein. A spur-crown gear coupling is for operating the agitating unit, so that the mixing blade assembly mixes formula within water placed through the top collar of the baby bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Inventor: Osmay Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 8851740
    Abstract: A self-serve drink blending device includes a blend chamber, at least one product source, a water source, an ice source, a liquid level sensor, a controller and a dispenser. The blend chamber includes a blending blade. The at least one product source is configured to deliver a volume of product to the blend chamber. The water source is configured to deliver a volume of water to the blend chamber. The ice source is configured to deliver a volume of ice to the blend chamber. The liquid level sensor is mounted to the blend chamber and configured to create a liquid level signal when contents in the blend chamber reach a predetermined level. The controller is configured to automatically calibrate the at least one product source, the water source, and the ice source based on the liquid level signal. The dispenser is arranged to dispense contents from the blend chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: K-Tec, Inc.
    Inventors: Christian D. Mills, Gregory D. Jackson
  • Patent number: 8845182
    Abstract: A vessel includes: a pocket capable of assuming a folded state and an expanded state, processing element including an active inner portion; protection element including a side wall, a lower portion and an upper portion defining an inner space, the lower portion being attached to the upper portion of the pocket, the active inner portion being provided in the inner space when the pocket is in the folded state, the peripheral portion of the inner space about the processing element defining a protection chamber; at least one insertion and/or draining opening. The active inner portion is provided inside the pocket adjacent to the lower end portion thereof, the processing element and the protection element are independent in terms of their movements, and the height of the protection chamber is variable and automatically adapts itself based on respectively, the flat-folded, unfolded and expanded states or any intermediate state of the pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Sartorius Stedim FMT SAS
    Inventors: Frederic Bernard, Eric Chevalier
  • Patent number: 8834015
    Abstract: A blender comprises a jug and a cutting assembly having an upwardly inclined main blade portion. The jug has an interior portion, and the lower portion has a profile that includes an upwardly reaching portion conforms to the blade shape of the cutting assembly to reduce food accumulation below the main blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Breville Pty Limited
    Inventors: Gerard Andrew White, David Davenport
  • Patent number: 8814011
    Abstract: A container (11) for a blender includes a base surface (13) and a blade (20) which is rotatable on an axis above the base surface (13). An arcuate wall (14) and two generally straight walls (15, 16) extend upwardly from the base surface (13) and terminate at the upper end of container (11). The axis of rotation of the blade (20) is closer to the arcuate wall (14) than it is to the generally straight walls (15, 16). A skirt (25) extends downwardly from the base surface (13) and has an opening. Sound baffling fingers (32) extend from the skirt (25) and into the opening. A spout (40) is formed at the intersection of two of the walls (14, 15, 16), the spout (40) having an entry point located approximately twenty to thirty percent of the height of the walls (14, 15, 16) from the upper end of the container (11). A handle (34) is positioned opposite to the spout (40) and a cover (12) includes a plug (55) to close the spout (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Vita-Mix Corporation
    Inventor: Robert M. Ulanski
  • Publication number: 20140211586
    Abstract: A blender includes a container having a plurality of ribs projecting into a processing zone of the container. The plurality of spaced ribs each include a width and a depth that taper from a top end section adjacent a teardrop shaped opening of the container to a more narrow bottom end section adjacent a bottom wall of the container. A side wall of the container continuously tapers from the teardrop shaped opening to a substantially square shaped bottom end portion including first, second, third and fourth side wall sections connected to one another at respective rounded corners. A blade assembly is coupled to the container and includes a plurality of blades angled at different planes with respect to a horizontal plane. The blender container further includes a handle adapted to receive a handle of a similar blender container, such that like blender containers can be nested for storage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventor: MICHAEL P. CONTI
  • Patent number: 8770826
    Abstract: A gearbox is provided having an integrated breather system. The output shaft of the gearbox has integrated therein a breather bore with a top port in the top end of the output shaft and a bottom end in the side of the output shaft. The top end is in communication with the atmosphere while the bottom end is in communication with the inner oil reservoir of the gearbox. By incorporating the breather directly into the output shaft, air locking is reduced or even prevented. Further, the distance between the maximum and minimum oil fill levels is increased thereby allowing for a reduction in accidental over or under filling of the gearbox. In addition, accidental spillage of oil into the environment is reduced as the top breather port exists on top of the gearbox and may optionally include a breather line extending further upward. The reduction in air locking allows for increased accuracy in oil filling as well as reduced maintenance on the gearbox.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Jay-Lor International Inc.
    Inventors: Jakob Tamminga, Gavin Mills
  • Patent number: 8753005
    Abstract: An apparatus for mixing materials is disclosed. The apparatus includes a support. A mixing container is disposed in the support, where the mixing container is configured to retain materials. A driver assembly is configured to protrude through the support and into the mixing container. The mixing container includes a paddle, the driver assembly is configured to be attached to the paddle, where the driver assembly is configured to oscillate the paddle in a back and forth direction at a set angle in order to mix the materials in the mixing container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: GE Healthcare Bio-Sciences Corp.
    Inventors: Vijay Singh, Willy Papke
  • Patent number: 8726790
    Abstract: A milk frothing device comprises a housing (2) including a container (10) for receiving the milk to be frothed, and a frothing means (20), wherein the container comprises a side wall (11), a bottom portion (13) and an inclined wall portion (12), wherein the inclined wall portion is inclined with respect to the side wall and is confined by the side wall and the bottom portion, wherein the container and the frothing means together form an asymmetrical arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Green Lane Designs Limited
    Inventors: Gary Lane, Alan Green
  • Patent number: 8690093
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Vita-Mix Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen P. Rukavina
  • Patent number: 8657485
    Abstract: An agricultural mixer includes a hydraulic drive system. The mixer includes an automatic jam-resolving feature, whereby if an auger becomes jammed, the drive system will cause the auger to rotate in a reverse direction for a period of time to resolve the jam. The hydraulic drive system will maintain a speed of rotation of the auger at a relatively constant rate during mixing while choosing an efficient displacement setting for the hydraulic motor. The auger is maintained at a constant speed during a discharge mode by maintaining the motor in a maximum displacement setting. A clean-out mode is provided wherein the auger is rotated at a maximum speed to aid in cleaning out the last remaining feed mixture in the mixer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Roto-Mix, LLC
    Inventors: Rodney R. Neier, Allin L. Butcher, James E. Shafer, Ross M. Groening
  • Patent number: 8646715
    Abstract: A material processing machine with a rotating element positioned within a hopper for receiving materials to be processed, the rotating element including an outer edge to which one or more attachments may be mounted. The attachments include a forward edge extending generally forward with respect to the direction of rotation of the rotating element and extending outward from the outer edge of the rotating element. A rotating element for use in a material processing machine has either attachments mounted to an outer edge or integrally formed extensions along an outer edge. The extensions or attachments including a forward edge that extends generally forward with respect to the direction of rotation of the rotating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Patz Corporation
    Inventor: David C. Pellman
  • Publication number: 20130264405
    Abstract: Food processing assemblies for rotating processing tools inside a container are disclosed. A portion of the processing assembly is rotationally fixed relative to the container in at least one rotational direction while the processing assembly is driven. In some embodiments, one end of the food processing assembly may be rotationally fixed to a container lid in at least one rotational direction. The processing tool may include a transmission system, where a portion of the transmission is rotationally fixed to the container in at least one rotational direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Inventor: David M. Audette
  • Patent number: 8529118
    Abstract: A beverage container assembly for use with a blender is provided comprising a beverage container having an open top portion and a closed bottom portion. A first removable cover is for selectively covering the top portion of the beverage container. The first cover is adapted to be removably mountable on and off a blender and comprises an adapter portion for mounting the beverage container on a blender. A second removable cover is for selectively covering the open top portion of the beverage container. The second cover includes a drinking hole. The first and second covers are interchangeable on the beverage container and the second cover is mountable on the closed bottom portion for storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Sunbeam Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Monte Davis, Michael Greene, Eric O'Neill, John Douglas Wulf
  • Patent number: 8529120
    Abstract: A container (11) for a blender includes a base surface (13) and a blade (20) which is rotatable on an axis above the base surface (13). An arcuate wall (14) and two generally straight walls (15, 16) extend upwardly from the base surface (13) and terminate at the upper end of container (11). The axis of rotation of the blade (20) is closer to the arcuate wall (14) than it is to the generally straight walls (15, 16). A skirt (25) extends downwardly from the base surface (13) and has an opening. Sound baffling fingers (32) extend from the skirt (25) and into the opening. A spout (40) is formed at the intersection of two of the walls (14, 15, 16), the spout (40) having an entry point located approximately twenty to thirty percent of the height of the walls (14, 15, 16) from the upper end of the container (11). A handle (34) is positioned opposite to the spout (40) and a cover (12) includes a plug (55) to close the spout (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Vita-Mix Corporation
    Inventor: Robert M. Ulanski
  • Patent number: 8480292
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems, apparatus and methods for the reconstitution of dehydrated drinking products for use in a domestic setting. A captive magnetic mixing impeller is described. Furthermore, a dehydrated drinking product preparation system is described comprising a magnetic stir plate, a multipurpose mixing, storing, serving and drinking vessel with a captive magnetic mixing impeller and cap. Furthermore, methods for preparing dehydrated drinking products for human consumption are described using the apparatus and system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Inventors: Boris Dushine, Joseph Kosmoski
  • Patent number: 8425107
    Abstract: A blender has a base, an axle assembly mounted on the base, a container securely attached to an axle housing of the axle assembly, and a stirring disk securely mounted on an axle of the axle assembly. A user puts foodstuffs, such as powder material, syrup, liquid material, ice cubes and so on, or tea leaves and water, into the container, and then drives the axle assembly and the stirring disk to rotate. Thus, stirring ribs of the stirring disk stir and mix the foodstuffs without crushing the foodstuffs, or the tealeaves and the water are brewed into tea. The blender is simple, easy and safe, especially for a person or a household to use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Inventor: Wen-Hung Tsai
  • Patent number: 8414181
    Abstract: An apparatus for processing material, such as a biomass or fodder for cattle, comprises a container having a bottom and an upright wall, and at least one mixing element comprising an upright column and a mixing blade attached to the column. A front edge of the mixing element at least is proximate to the bottom of the container. The mixing element with its column is rotatably mounted in the container and can be coupled to a drive unit. The mixing blade comprises an element which is rotatably supported on a carrier that is fixed to the column. A part of the circumferential edge of the rotatable element may form the front edge and the part of the outer edge of the mixing blade that joins said front edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Trioliet Holding B.V.
    Inventor: Cornelis Hendricus Liet
  • Publication number: 20130077433
    Abstract: A blender includes a container having a plurality of substantially triangular shaped ribs projecting into a processing zone of the container. The plurality of spaced ribs each include a width and a depth that taper from a top end section adjacent a teardrop shaped opening of the container to a more narrow bottom end section adjacent a bottom wall of the container. A side wall of the container continuously tapers from the teardrop shaped opening to a substantially square shaped bottom end portion including first, second, third and fourth side wall sections connected to one another at respective rounded corners. A blade assembly is coupled to the container and includes a plurality of blades angled at different planes with respect to a horizontal plane. Each of the blades includes a beveled leading edge, resulting in a downward suction force that draws ingredients down into the blade for processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventor: MICHAEL P. CONTI
  • Publication number: 20130074701
    Abstract: A food processor has a container, a working piece for processing food material in the container, and a motor assembly for driving the working piece. The motor assembly includes an electric motor and a speed reduction gear unit connected between the motor and the working piece. The speed reduction gear unit includes a damper for isolating the motor from vibrations from the working piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: Johnson Electric S.A.
    Inventor: Johnson Electric S.A.
  • Publication number: 20130058190
    Abstract: A play dough mixer comprising a mixing vessel having a lower wall and a side wall extending upwardly from the periphery of the circular lower wall. A blade his mounted adjacent the lower wall of the mixing vessel for rotation about a rotation axis. The blade comprises a planar member oriented radially with respect to the rotation axis. A drive motor is provided for rotating the blade and one or more longitudinal projections extend inwardly from an inner surface of the side wall. Each projection includes a lower face located above and parallel to the lower wall of the mixing vessel such that a gap his defined therebetween. The blade passes through the gaps during rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Inventors: Melissa Jane McDonald, Edward Joseph Khoury
  • Publication number: 20130033959
    Abstract: A blender includes a container having a plurality of substantially triangular shaped ribs projecting into a processing zone of the container. The plurality of spaced ribs each include a width and a depth that taper from a top end section adjacent a teardrop shaped opening of the container to a more narrow bottom end section adjacent a bottom wall of the container. A side wall of the container continuously tapers from the teardrop shaped opening to a substantially square shaped bottom end portion including first, second, third and fourth side wall sections connected to one another at respective rounded corners. A blade assembly is coupled to the container and includes a plurality of blades angled at different planes with respect to a horizontal plane. Each of the blades includes a beveled leading edge, resulting in a downward suction force that draws ingredients down into the blade for processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2012
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Whirlpool Corporation
  • Patent number: 8360480
    Abstract: A collar assembly for coupling a blade assembly and a removable jar to the base of a motorized blender includes an interlock assembly that prevents coupling of the blade assembly to the blender motor unless the jar is secured to the collar assembly, and prevents removal of the jar from the collar assembly when the collar and blade assembly is coupled to the blender base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Stuart Walter Athey, Keeley Kabala, Timothy Allen Mayberry, Anthony Scott Roberts, Christopher M. Welch
  • Patent number: 8342738
    Abstract: A mixer includes a housing having one or more augers therein. The augers are turned so that they lift the material being mixed upwardly. Fixed on the side walls, which include baffles, are one or more deflectors which impart a downward motion on the mixture being mixed so that the mixture is tumbled upwardly by the augers and downwardly by the deflectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Roto-Mix, LLC
    Inventors: Rodney R. Neier, Allin L. Butcher, Ross M. Groening, Conway B. Price
  • Publication number: 20120275260
    Abstract: A mixing device has a frame, a cylindrical mixing container that is open toward the top, and a single-shaft agitator. A vertical agitator shaft extends into the mixing container from beneath. The agitator is an agitator without a stator and includes a rotor body arranged just above the container bottom in the mixing container. The rotor body is surrounded by a ring-shaped clearance between the rotor body and the container wall. Above the base plate fastened to the agitator shaft, the rotor body is provided with an inner clearance above the agitator shaft, mixing blades vertically arranged about the clearance, and flow channels arranged between the blades. The channels are delimited toward the top by a cover plate that is connected to the upper edges of the mixing blades. The cover plate is formed with a void arranged in the center and above the inner clearance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: HAAS FOOD EQUIPMENT GMBH
    Inventors: Johannes Haas, Johann Haas, Josef Haas, Stefan Jiraschek, Norbert Drapela, Markus Breyer, Karl Tiefenbacher
  • Patent number: 8282269
    Abstract: A vessel in which a fluid is received and agitated by using an internal fluid-agitating element driven by a non-contact coupling with a motive device external to the vessel. In one aspect, the vessel is a bag including a first receiver for receiving and holding a fluid-agitating element at a home location. The first receiver may be in the form of an inwardly-projecting post having an oversized portion for capturing the fluid-agitating element, but various other forms are disclosed. In another aspect, the vessel or bag further includes a second receiver for receiving a portion of an external structure, such as a motive device, and aligning the vessel relative thereto. Related methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: ATMI Packaging, Inc.
    Inventor: Alexandre N. Terentiev
  • Patent number: 8282268
    Abstract: Food processing apparati including magnetic drives are described herein. According to one exemplary embodiment, a food processing apparatus may include a motor having a motor shaft, a rotor rotatably mounted on the motor shaft, and a stator producing an electromagnetic field for interacting with the rotor. The rotor may magnetically drive a drive plate coupled to an impeller inside a food-contact chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Island Oasis Frozen Cocktail Co., Inc.
    Inventors: John F. Karkos, Jr., Ron Flanary