Durability monitoring and improvement of a blender

• US 7,950,842 B2
• Filed: 03/05/2007
• Issued: 05/31/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hamilton Beach Brands Incorporated (Hamilton Beach Brands Holding Co.)
• Original Assignee: Hamilton Beach Brands Incorporated (Hamilton Beach Brands Holding Co.)
• Inventors: Pryor, Ernest B. Jr., Ashworth, Steven W.
• Primary Examiner(s): SOOHOO, TONY GLEN
• Application Number:
  US11/682,022
• Publication Number:
  US 20080221739A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,548 Days
• Field of Search: 366197-207, 366/601, 366/142, 388/936, 388/903, 318/641
• US Class Current: 366/142
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 43/0766 activated by the proper positioning of the mixing bowl
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 366/601 Motor control
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 388/936 Food preparation equipment

Abstract

A blender for blending foodstuff includes a base enclosing a motor and having an upper mounting surface. A jar sensor is secured to the base proximate the upper mounting surface and a jar is removably mountable to the base on the mounting surface. The jar includes a closed end and an actuator is mounted proximate the closed end. The jar sensor detects the presence of the actuator when the jar is mounted to the base in an operating position. The motor is powered when the jar sensor detects the presence of the actuator in the operating position. A motor temperature indicator is positioned on a control panel on the base and a temperature sensor is in communication with the motor temperature indicator. First and second cordsets are adaptable for removable mounting to the base for powering the motor.

Claims

1. A blender for blending foodstuff, the blender comprising:

a base enclosing a motor;

a control panel located on the base;

a jar removably mountable to the base and housing a blender blade rotatably coupled to the motor;

a motor temperature indicator positioned on the control panel;

a controller; and

a temperature sensor positioned proximate the motor, the temperature sensor in communication with the motor temperature indicator, the motor temperature sensor sensing a temperature of the motor, providing a temperature signal to the temperature indicator and the temperature indicator providing an indication to a user of the temperature of the motor, the motor being operable in a cool-down cycle, wherein the controller operates the motor at a rotating speed for a period of time with no mechanical load or a reduced mechanical load, upon the temperature of the motor reaching a predetermined value.

2. The blender of claim 1 wherein the motor temperature indicator is comprised of a first indicator, a second indicator and a third indicator.

3. The blender of claim 2 wherein the first, second and third indicators are comprised of light emitting diodes (LED).

4. The blender of claim 3 wherein the first indicator is illuminated when the temperature signal is within a predetermined low range, the second indicator is illuminated when the temperature signal is within a predetermined medium range and the third indicator is illuminated when the temperature signal is within a predetermined high range.

5. The blender of claim 1 wherein the motor temperature indicator is comprised of an array of light emitting diodes (LED).

6. The blender of claim 1 further comprising:

an operation indicator in communication with the controller, the operation indicator providing an indication to a user of the number of times the blender has been utilized during a lifetime.

7. The blender of claim 1, wherein the motor rotating speed and the period of time for the cool-down cycle are selectable by the user via the control panel.

8. The blender of claim 1, wherein the motor rotating speed for the cool-down cycle is selectable by the user via the control panel.

9. The blender of claim 1, wherein the period of time for the cool-down cycle is selectable by the user via the control panel.

10. The blender of claim 1, wherein the controller operates the motor at low speed with no mechanical load or reduced mechanical load upon the temperature of the motor reaching a predetermined value.

11. The blender of claim 1 wherein the motor temperature indicator comprises a digital display.

12. The blender of claim 1 wherein the controller disengages the motor when the sensed temperature reaches a predetermined level.