Blending volume reducing device

• US 10,321,785 B2
• Filed: 08/14/2015
• Issued: 06/18/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vita-Mix Management Corporation (Vita-Mix Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Vita-Mix Management Corporation (Vita-Mix Corporation)
• Inventors: Kozlowski, Eugene J., Fleming, Mark F., Kolar, David J., Hosey, Stephen, Mehlman, Fred H., Emerson, Jonathan, Harvanec, Brian, Boozer, Richard D., Rukavina, Stephen P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bhatia, Anshu
• Application Number:
  US14/826,975
• Publication Number:
  US 20160045073A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,404 Days
• Field of Search: 366375, 366205
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 43/046 with tools driven from the bottom side
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 43/0727 Mixing bowls

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.

Claims

1. A blending system comprising:

a container comprising a side wall and a bottom defining a cavity, wherein the side wall comprise at least one protrusion extending from the side wall towards the cavity;

a rotating assembly coupled with the bottom of the bottom of the container and disposed within the cavity; and

a blending volume reduction device operatively insertable within the cavity, wherein blending volume reduction device includes a cover member, the cover member configured to reduce a working volume of the container and generally seal an upper portion of the working volume, wherein the cover member comprises a slot shaped to receive at least one protrusion, and

wherein the blending volume reduction device further comprises a handle operatively protruding from a first side of the cover member wherein the handle is monolithically formed with the cover.

2. The blending system of claim 1, wherein the rotating assembly comprises a blade, and wherein the working volume is defined by a volume of space within the cavity that is exposed to the blade.

3. The blending system of claim 1, wherein the cover member contacts at least a portion of an inner wall of the container.

4. The blending system of claim 3, wherein the cover member comprises at least one aperture.

5. The blending system of claim 4, further comprising a plug member selectively covering the at least one aperture.

6. The blending system of claim 3, wherein the handle is removably attached to the blending volume reduction device.

7. The blending system of claim 3, wherein a length of the handle is adjustable.

8. The blending system of claim 3, wherein the handle comprises an engagement member configured to engage with an engagement member of the container, wherein the blending volume reduction device is held in a position when the engagement member of the handle engages with the engagement member of the container.

9. The blending system of claim 3, further comprising a lever member that is operatively hingedly attached to the container, wherein the lever is configured to transfer force to the handle to alter a position of the blending volume reduction device within the container.

10. The blending system of claim 1, wherein a perimeter of the blending volume reduction device mechanically nests with an intermediate perimeter of the container.

11. The blending system of claim 10, wherein the blending volume reduction device further comprises a seal member disposed about at least a portion of the perimeter of the blending volume reduction device.

12. A blender comprising:

a base, the base comprising a motor;

a container, the container comprising a closed end and a side wall extending upwardly from said closed end and terminating at an open end; and

a blending volume reduction device operatively inserted within the container, the blending volume reduction device comprising;

a cover member having a perimeter; and

a handle protruding from the cover member, wherein a length of the handle is adjustable,

wherein the perimeter of the blending volume reduction device operatively contacts the side wall, and

wherein the blending volume reduction device is positionable between the closed end and the open end forming an enclosed cavity between the blending volume reduction device and the closed end of the container.

13. The blender of claim 12, wherein the side wall is generally perpendicular to the closed end.

14. The blender of claim 12, wherein the perimeter of the blending volume reduction device is similar in shape to an inner perimeter of the side wall of the container.

15. The blender of claim 14, wherein the container comprises at least one rib protruding from the side wall.

16. The blender of claim 12, wherein the container comprises at least one protrusion extending from the side wall, the protrusion configured to prevent the blending volume reduction device from being inserted past a determined length.

17. The blender of claim 12, wherein the blending volume reduction device further comprises at least one shield member extending from the cover member,

wherein when the blending volume reduction device is inserted into the container, the shield member extends from the cover member towards the side wall.

18. The blender of claim 17, wherein the shield member comprises a curved surface that faces an axis of the container when the blending volume reduction device is inserted in the container.

19. A blending volume reduction device for use with a blending container, the blending volume reduction device comprising:

a cover member comprising a main body;

a handle comprising a lever member that is operatively hingedly attached to the blending container, wherein the lever is configured to transfer force to the handle to alter a position of the cover member;

at least one side wall extending generally perpendicular from a perimeter of the main body; and

a seal member extending from the at least one side wall, wherein the seal member operatively forms a seal with the blending container when the blending volume reduction device is positioned in the blending container and whereby the cover member and a bottom of the blending container form an enclosed cavity.

20. The blending volume reduction device of claim 19, wherein the seal member is further configured to form the seal a distance from an open end of the blending container to reduce a working volume of the blending container.

21. The blending volume reduction device of claim 19, wherein the seal member comprises a perimeter configured to engage with an intermediate inner perimeter of the blending container to reduce a time of a blending process.