Enclosure apparatus for processing devices

• US 5,957,577 A
• Filed: 10/01/1997
• Issued: 09/28/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Blendtec Incorporated
• Original Assignee: K-Tel Corporation
• Inventors: Schwarze, Ralph W., Dickson, Thomas D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Soohoo, Tony G.
• Application Number:
  US08/942,455
• Time in Patent Office: 727 Days
• Field of Search: 366/197, 366/204, 366/208, 366/211, 366/237, 366/238, 366/347, 366/349, 366/605, 312/223.6, 312/223.1, 181/198, 181/200, 181/202
• US Class Current: 366/197
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 2043/0738 Means for storing accessories
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 43/07 Parts or details, e.g. mixing tools, whipping tools
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 43/0772 activated by the proper positioning of the cover

Abstract

An enclosure apparatus for processing devices includes a portion movable between an open position and a closed position. A receptacle in which items to be processed are contained is placed within the enclosure when the movable portion is in the open position. Upon securing the enclosure about the receptacle, the enclosure engages a lid covering the receptacle to maintain the lid in position within the receptacle. Engagement of the lid by the enclosure causes the lid to flex outwardly and seal against the receptacle opening. A switch may be interposed between the enclosure and the processing device to immediately initiate a blending cycle at the moment the enclosure is secured about the processing receptacle.

Claims

1. A combination enclosure and processing apparatus, comprising:

a processing device for processing food stuffs comprising a receptacle having an open end, and a lid insertable within the open end of the receptacle;

an enclosure securable about the receptacle, the enclosure comprising a stationary portion and a movable portion, the movable portion being movable between an open position and a closed position, the enclosure dimensioned to engage the lid of the receptacle when the movable portion is in the closed position to secure the lid within the open end of the receptacle.

2. An enclosure apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the movable portion of the enclosure comprises a top wall, the top wall engaging the lid when the movable portion of the enclosure is secured about the receptacle in the closed position to secure the lid within the open end of the receptacle and stabilize the receptacle during operation of the processing device.

3. A combination enclosure and processing apparatus, according to claim 1 wherein the lid fits loosely inside the open end of the receptacle when the enclosure is in the open position.

4. A combination enclosure and processing apparatus, according to claim 1 wherein:

the stationary portion comprises a stationary lower portion;

the movable portion comprises a movable upper portion pivotally coupled to the stationary lower portion.

5. A combination enclosure and processing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein:

the stationary portion comprises a stationary lower portion;

the movable portion comprises a movable upper portion pivotally coupled to the stationary lower portion;

the stationary lower portion having a top edge oriented at an angle to allow the receptacle to be readily accessible when the enclosure is in the open position.

6. A combination enclosure and processing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein lid has a continuous top surface with no aperture.

7. A combination enclosure and processing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the lid is adapted to be sealed within the open end of the receptacle upon securing the movable portion of the enclosure about the receptacle.

8. A combination enclosure and processing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the lid further comprises a peripheral vertical wall extending downwardly from the lid, the peripheral vertical wall adapted to seal within the open end of the receptacle upon securing the movable portion of the enclosure about the receptacle.

9. A combination enclosure and processing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the lid further comprises a peripheral vertical wall extending downwardly from the lid, the peripheral vertical wall configured to expand peripherally outwardly upon engagement by the movable portion of the enclosure to seal the lid within the open end of the receptacle.

10. A combined processor and enclosure apparatus for processing a foodstuff, comprising:

a processing device;

an enclosure comprising a base and a movable portion, the enclosure being securable about a portion of the processing device;

a switch interposed between the movable portion and the base, the switch actuating the processing device upon securing the enclosure about the portion of the processing device.

11. A combined processor and enclosure apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the portion of the processing device comprises a receptacle for holding items to be processed.

12. A combined processor and enclosure apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the switch comprises a pressure switch coupled to the processing device, the pressure sensor sensing pressure exerted by the movable portion of the enclosure when the movable portion of the enclosure is secured about the portion of the processing device.

13. A combined processor and enclosure apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the switch comprises a transmitter/receiver unit which transmits and receives in return a beam of light when the enclosure is secured about the portion of the processing device.

14. A combined processor and enclosure apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the switch comprises a magnet coupled to the movable portion of the enclosure and a hall effect sensor coupled to the processing device, the hall effect sensor sensing the presence of the magnet when the movable portion of the enclosure is secured about the portion of the processing device.

15. A combined processor and enclosure apparatus for processing a foodstuff, comprising:

a motor for a processing apparatus, the motor comprising a top plate and a drive shaft rotatably coupled to the top plate;

a receptacle removably positionable on the on the top plate to engage the drive shaft, the receptacle adapted to hold items to be processed;

a processor mounted within the receptacle and operatively coupled to the motor via the drive shaft;

a support structure including an aperture sized to supportably receive the motor, the support structure separating and isolating the motor from the receptacle;

an enclosure coupled to the support structure, the enclosure having a movable portion and a stationary portion, the enclosure securable about the receptacle to reduce noise generated when operating the processing apparatus and to maintain items being processed within the enclosure.

16. A combined processor and enclosure apparatus according to claim 15, further comprising a lid securable to the receptacle, the enclosure engaging the lid of the receptacle to stabilize the receptacle and maintain the lid secured within the receptacle.

17. A combined processor and enclosure apparatus according to claim 15, further comprising a lid securable to the receptacle, the enclosure engaging the lid of the receptacle to cause the lid to expand outwardly to seal against the receptacle thereby stabilizing the receptacle and maintaining the lid secured within the receptacle.

18. A combined processor and enclosure apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the support structure comprises a counter top.

19. A combined processor and enclosure apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the support structure comprises a movable, portable base.

20. A method of enclosing a device for processing a foodstuff to reduce noise, comprising the steps of:

providing a processing device for processing a foodstuff, the processing device comprising a processing receptacle, a processor mounted within the receptacle, and a lid sized to cover the receptacle;

providing an enclosure for securing about the processing receptacle, the enclosure comprising a stationary portion and a movable portion, the movable portion of the enclosure being movable between an open position and a closed position;

positioning the receptacle and lid within the enclosure when the enclosure is in an open position;

securing the enclosure about the receptacle when the movable portion is in the closed position so that the movable portion of the enclosure engages the lid to hold the lid in a covering position relative to the receptacle.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein the lid expands outwardly to seal against the receptacle when the movable portion of the enclosure engages the lid.

22. The method of claim 20 wherein the processing device generates noise when in operation;

further comprising the steps of reducing noise and reducing vibrations of the processing device when the movable portion of the enclosure engages the lid upon being secured about the receptacle.

23. The method of claim 20 wherein the stationary portion of the enclosure comprises a lower stationary portion and the movable portion comprises a movable upper portion pivotally coupled to the lower stationary portion, and wherein the step of securing the enclosure about the receptacle comprises pivoting the movable upper portion relative to the stationary lower portion.

24. A method of actuating a processing device for a foodstuff secured within an enclosure, comprising the steps of:

providing a processing device;

providing an enclosure securable about the processing device, the enclosure comprising a movable portion and a stationary portion;

interposing a switch between the movable portion of the processing device and the processing device;

securing the movable portion of the enclosure about the processing device;

actuating the switch upon securing the movable portion of the enclosure about the processing device so that the processing device immediately begins a processing cycle.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein the switch comprises a pressure switch, and further comprising the step of sensing pressure exerted by the movable portion of the enclosure upon being secured about the processing device to actuate the switch.

26. The method of claim 24 wherein the switch comprises a transmitter/receiver unit, and further comprising the steps of transmitting a signal toward the movable portion of the enclosure to detect presence of the movable portion of the enclosure and to receive a return signal from the movable portion of the enclosure when the movable portion of the enclosure is secured about the processing device.

27. The method of claim 24 wherein the switch is a combined magnet and hall effect sensor, the magnet being coupled to the movable portion of the enclosure and the hall effect sensor being operatively coupled to the processing device, and further comprising the step of the hall effect sensor sensing the magnet when the movable portion of the enclosure is secure the about the processing device.

28. An enclosure apparatus for encasing a device for processing foodstuffs, wherein the processing device comprises a drive motor, a receptacle for receiving a foodstuff, the receptacle having an open end, a lid insertable within the open end of the receptacle, and a processor for processing the foodstuff, the processor disposed inside the receptacle and operatively coupled to the drive motor, the enclosure comprising:

a stationary portion;

a movable portion, the movable portion being movable between an open position and a closed position relative to the stationary portion, the enclosure dimensioned such that the movable portion engages the lid of the receptacle when the movable portion is in the closed position to secure the lid within the open end of the receptacle;

a switch actuated by the movable portion when the movable portion is in the closed position to power the processor.