Implement attachment holder for a hand mixer

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12329321-B2
Application number	US-202318398710-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 28, 2023
Priority date	Sep 7, 2021
Publication date	Jun 17, 2025
Grant date	Jun 17, 2025

Abstract

An implement attachment holder for a hand mixer includes a body defining opposed first and second surfaces and first and second mounting projections coupled with the body and extending away from the first surface of the body at respective first and second locations spaced apart at a first distance along a first direction. The attachment holder further includes a device retention projection extending away from the second surface of the body and partially along the first surface to at least partially overlie the first and second locations from which the first and second mounting projections extend. The device retention projection further defines a plurality of attachment channels extending in a second direction normal to the first direction at spaced-apart locations along the device retention projection.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An implement attachment holder for a hand mixer, comprising:
a body defining opposed first and second surfaces;
first and second mounting projections coupled with the body and extending away from the first surface of the body at respective first and second locations spaced apart at a first distance along a first direction;
a device retention projection extending away from the second surface of the body and partially along the first surface to at least partially overlie the first and second locations from which the first and second mounting projections extend, the device retention projection further defining a plurality of attachment channels, each extending in a second direction normal to the first direction at respective, spaced-apart locations along the device retention projection, the attachment channels all being open on a face of the device retention projection and on first and second parallel long sides of the device retention projection that extend between the face and the second surface of the body.

2. The implement attachment holder of claim 1 , wherein the first and second mounting projections are configured for engagement with respective first and second attachment hubs of the hand mixer to retain the attachment holder on the hand mixer.

3. The implement attachment holder of claim 2 , wherein the first surface of the body is configured to contact a face of the hand mixer surrounding the first and second attachment hubs when the attachment holder is retained on the hand mixer.

4. The implement attachment holder of claim 2 , wherein the first surface of the body defines a generally circular shape, the body further defining a circular rim extending from an outer perimeter of the first surface of the body, the circular rim extending over an edge of a hub body of the hand mixer when the attachment holder is retained on the hand mixer.

5. The implement attachment holder of claim 2 , wherein the first mounting projection defines a width that is less than a width of the second mounting projection.

6. The implement attachment holder of claim 1 , wherein the device retention projection includes an inner layer integral with the body and of a first material having a first hardness and an outer layer coupled with and extending over the inner layer, the outer layer having a second hardness that is less than the first hardness.

7. The implement attachment holder of claim 6 , wherein:
the inner layer is of a plastic material; and
the outer layer is of an elastomer material injection molded over the inner layer.

8. The implement attachment holder of claim 6 , wherein the inner layer integral with the body further defines inner portions of the mounting projections, the outer layer further extending at least partially over the inner portions of the mounting projections.

9. The implement attachment holder of claim 8 , wherein a first portion of the outer layer that extends over the inner layer of the device retention projection connects with a second portion of the outer layer that extends over the first mounting projection and a third portion of the outer layer that extends over the second mounting projection through respective channels defined through the body.

10. The implement attachment holder of claim 6 , wherein the outer layer lines interior portions of the attachment channels.

11. A kit, comprising:
a hand mixer including first and second attachment hubs exposed at a face of the hand mixer;
a plurality of implement attachments selectively connectable with the first and second attachment hubs;
an implement attachment holder, including:
a body defining opposed first and second surfaces;
first and second mounting projections coupled with the body and extending away from the first surface of the body at respective first and second locations spaced apart at a first distance along a first direction configured for respective engagement with the first and second attachment hubs of the hand mixer to retain the attachment holder on the hand mixer;
a device retention projection extending away from the second surface of the body and partially along the first surface, the device retention projection further defining a plurality of attachment channels, each extending in a second direction normal to the first direction at respective, spaced-apart locations along the device retention projection, the attachment channels each being open on the face of the device retention projection and on first and second parallel long sides of the device retention projection that extend between the face and the second surface of the body, the attachment channels being configured to each receive one of the plurality of implement attachments when not engaged with the first or second attachment hubs for retention with the hand mixer by engagement of the first and second mounting projections with the first and second attachment hubs.

12. The kit of claim 11 , wherein at least two of the plurality of implement attachments are alternately connectable with the first attachment hub.

13. The kit of claim 11 , wherein the plurality of implement attachments comprise a pair of beater attachments and a whisk attachment.

14. The kit of claim 13 , wherein the plurality of implement attachments further comprise a dough hook attachment.

15. The kit of claim 11 , wherein the device retention projection extends partially along the first surface to at least partially overlie the first and second locations from which the first and second mounting projections extend.

16. The kit of claim 11 , wherein the first surface of the body defines a generally circular shape, the body further defining a circular rim extending from an outer perimeter of the first surface of the body, the circular rim extending over an edge of a hub body of the hand mixer when the attachment holder is retained on the hand mixer.

17. The kit of claim 11 , wherein the device retention projection includes an inner layer integral with the body and of a first material having a first hardness and an outer layer coupled with and extending over the inner layer, the outer layer having a second hardness that is less than the first hardness and at least lining interior portions of the attachment channels.

18. The kit of claim 17 , wherein the inner layer integral with the body further defines inner portions of the mounting projections, the outer layer further extending at least partially over the inner portions of the mounting projections.

19. The kit of claim 18 , wherein a first portion of the outer layer that extends over the inner layer of the device retention projection connects with a second portion of the outer layer that extends over the first mounting projection and a third portion of the outer layer that extends over the second mounting projection through respective channels defined through the body.

20. A method for operating a hand mixer, comprising:
removing an implement attachment holder from the hand mixer by removing first and second mounting projections coupled with a body of the attachment holder and extending away from a first surface of the body at respective first and second locations spaced apart at a first distance along a first direction from engagement with respective first and second attachment hubs of the hand mixer, the implement attachment holder defining a plurality of attachment channels, each extending in a second direction normal to the first direction at respective, spaced-apart locations along a mounting projection, being open on a face of the device reten

Assignees

• Whirlpool Co

Inventors

• Eaton Christopher J
• Feltman Patrick David
• Morris Jon Patrick
• Schutte Nicholas Hill

Classifications

• B01F2101/08

  Mixing of dough · CPC title

• B01F2101/06

  Mixing of food ingredients · CPC title

• B01F33/5011

  portable during use, e.g. hand-held · CPC title

• B01F27/13

  Openwork frame or cage stirrers not provided for in other groups of this subclass · CPC title

• A47J2043/04418

  with housing extending perpendicular, e.g. horizontally, from the tool axis · CPC title