Blending system

• US 10,399,047 B2
• Filed: 12/29/2017
• Issued: 09/03/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vita-Mix Management Corporation (Vita-Mix Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Vita-Mix Management Corporation (Vita-Mix Corporation)
• Inventors: Arnett, Michael, Bascom, James Philip, Bly, Scott Christopher, Boozer, Richard D., Juhasz, Kolman, Kolar, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Bhatia, Anshu
• Application Number:
  US15/858,095
• Publication Number:
  US 20180117548A1
• Time in Patent Office: 613 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 43/046 with tools driven from the bottom side
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 43/0716 for machines with tools driven from the lower side A47J43/0727 - A47J43/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 43/0766 activated by the proper positioning of the mixing bowl
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 27/808 with stirrers driven from the bottom of the receptacle

Abstract

A blending system is shown and described herein. A blending system may include a base including a motor and a first shell that encases the motor. The blending system may also include a container that is removably coupled to the blender base. The blending system may also have a second shell selectively attached to the first shell. The blending system may also have a wall positioned within the base to direct airflow from the fan along a volute-shaped path.

Claims

1. A blending system comprising:

a base including a motor;

a blade assembly selectively and operably engaged with the base, wherein the motor drives the blade assembly;

a container comprising at least two magnets, a tab extending from a periphery of the container, and a second tab extending from the periphery of the container, wherein the tab is a different shape or size than said second tab; and

at least two sensors positioned in the base, wherein the at least two magnets in operative proximity to the at least two sensors permits operation of the motor.

2. The blending system of claim 1, wherein the base includes a recessed portion adapted to receive the tab of the container.

3. The blending system of claim 2, wherein the recessed portion includes a first sensor of the at least two sensors.

4. The blending system of claim 3, wherein the first sensor includes a switch.

5. The blending system of claim 4, wherein the switch includes a Reed Switch.

6. The blending system of claim 1, wherein the second tab is at an angle from the tab along the periphery.

7. The blending system of claim 6, wherein the angle is approximately 165 degrees.

8. The blending system of claim 1, wherein the first tab includes a first magnet of the at least two magnets and the second tab includes a second magnet of the at least two magnets.

9. The blending system of claim 8, wherein the base includes a second recessed portion adapted to receive the second tab of the container.

10. The blending system of claim 1, wherein the second recessed portion includes a second sensor of the at least two sensors, whereby the second magnet in operative proximity to the second sensor permits operation of the motor.

11. The blending system of claim 10, wherein the second sensor is a Reed Switch.

12. The blending system of claim 11, wherein either of the first magnet and second magnet being a distance from the first sensor and second sensor, respectively prevents operation of the motor.

13. A blending system comprising:

a base encasing a motor and comprising at least one sensor;

a blade base in operative communication with the motor and selectively engaged with the base, the blade base comprising

a blade operatively engaged with the motor; and

an engagement member;

a container comprising a first tab extending from a periphery of the container and a second tab extending from the periphery of the container wherein the second tab are offset from each other along the periphery of the blending container at an angle that is not 180 degrees, and wherein the first tab and the second tab selectively attach with the engagement member of the blade base, and comprising at least two magnets that operatively interact with the at least one sensor.

14. The blending system of claim 13, wherein a first magnet and second magnet of the at least two magnets are offset around a periphery of the container.

15. The blending system of claim 14, wherein the first magnet and the second magnet of the at least two magnets are less than 180 degrees from each other about the periphery of the container.

16. The blending system of claim 13, wherein the container comprises an inner layer and an outer layer.

17. The blending system of claim 13, wherein the angle is approximately 165 degrees.

18. A method for a blending system comprising:

providing a blender base encasing a motor;

providing a container that operatively attaches to the blender base, and comprising a tab extending from a periphery of the container, and a second tab extending from the periphery of the container, wherein the tab is a different shape or size than said second tab;

sensing alignment of at least two sensors and at least two magnets between the blender base and the container,

wherein the at least two sensors are offset from each other.