Blending volume reducing device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11412893-B2
Application number	US-201716343430-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 1, 2017
Priority date	Nov 1, 2016
Publication date	Aug 16, 2022
Grant date	Aug 16, 2022

Abstract

A blending system is disclosed herein. The blending system may comprise a blender base, a container and a blending volume reducing device. The blending volume reducing 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 reducing device is inserted in the container.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A blending system comprising:
a container comprising side walls defining a cavity;
a blade assembly disposed within the cavity; and
a blending volume reduction device operatively insertable within the cavity,

wherein the blending volume reduction device comprises:
a cover member operatively contacting the side walls when inserted within the cavity to generally seal a working volume of the container, wherein the cover member comprises a first side operatively disposed towards a closed end of the container; a second side disposed opposite the first side; and an aperture formed through the first and the second side, wherein the first side is generally convex;
a handle extending from the cover member; and
a pressure valve operatively sealing the working volume of the container from an external environment.

2. The blending system of claim 1 , wherein the pressure valve comprises a plug movable between at least a first position and a second position.

3. The blending system of claim 2 , wherein the handle comprises an actuator operatively connected to the plug and operatively translating the plug from the first position to the second position.

4. The blending system of claim 3 , further comprising at least one magnet disposed in the actuator.

5. The blending system of claim 4 , wherein the at least one magnet repels the actuator from the handle.

6. The blending system of claim 2 , wherein the plug comprises an elastomeric material.

7. The blending system of claim 1 , wherein the second side slopes towards the aperture.

8. The blending system of claim 1 , wherein the second side is generally concave.

9. A blending volume reduction device operatively insertable within a cavity, wherein the blending volume reduction device comprises:
a cover member comprising a first side, a second side, and an aperture formed through the first side and the second side;
a handle extending from the second side; and
a pressure valve operatively sealing the aperture, wherein the pressure valve comprises a plug movable between at least a first position and a second position;
wherein the handle comprises an actuator operatively connected to the plug and operatively translating the plug from the first position to the second position; and
at least one magnet disposed in the actuator.

10. The blending volume reduction device of claim 9 , wherein the cover member comprises an annular gasket disposed about the cover member.

11. The blending volume reduction device of claim 9 , wherein the aperture is formed through a general center of the first side and the second side.

12. The blending volume reduction device of claim 9 , wherein the pressure valve allows air to pass through the aperture while preventing solids or fluids from passing through the aperture.

13. The blending volume reduction device of claim 9 , wherein a plug member includes an elastomeric gasket.

14. A blending system comprising: a blending volume reducing device operatively insertable within a cavity of a container to alter a working volume of the container, and comprising: a seal that operatively seals the working volume;
a motor operatively controlling the seal; and
one or more sensors operatively instructing the motor to alter a state of the seal.

15. The blending system of claim 14 , wherein the one or more sensors comprise a motion sensor.

16. The blending system of claim 14 , wherein the one or more sensors comprise a thermal sensor.

17. The blending system of claim 14 , wherein the blending volume reducing device further comprises a wireless transmitter disposed within the blending volume reducing device.

Assignees

• Vita Mix Man Corp

Inventors

• Paskert Brad
• Kolar David
• Zale Casey
• Hammond Rebecca

Classifications

• A47J2203/00

  Devices having filling level indicating means · CPC title

• A47J43/0716 Primary

  for machines with tools driven from the lower side (A47J43/0727 - A47J43/08 take precedence) · CPC title

• B01F35/53

  characterised by the configuration of the interior, e.g. baffles for facilitating the mixing of components · CPC title

• F16K31/60

  Handles {(form, features or function of taps or faucet handles for domestic plumbing installations E03C1/04)} · CPC title

• B01F27/808

  with stirrers driven from the bottom of the receptacle · CPC title