Stirring machine

Abstract

An apparatus, such as a blender, has a food container including an inner wall, a food processing tool configured to rotate in the food container, and a scraper disposed in the food container. The scraper is movable within the food container and is configured to wipe the inner wall downward toward the food processing tool.

Description

[0001] Cross - reference to related applications This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 434,326, filed on December 21, 2022, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical field

[0002] The present disclosure relates to an apparatus having a rotatable processing tool. Specifically, the present disclosure relates to a blender. Background art

[0003] As a household device, a blender is typically used to blend or mix beverages or liquids. Blender operation generally requires the user to remove the blender lid and insert ingredients into the blender container. Then, the ingredients are blended or mixed in the container by rotating a blade in the container.

[0004] During the use of a typical blender, some portions of the blended contents splash onto and adhere to the inner wall of the blender. Thus, after initially blending the contents of the container, the lid is typically removed and the contents of the wall are scraped into the blended contents. Then the lid is replaced and the blender is operated again to incorporate the scraped - off contents. Sometimes, for thick or viscous contents, this process may be repeated several times to ensure that the contents of the container are fully blended.

[0005] Typically, when the blender is operating, the lid of the blender cannot or should not be removed, both to avoid the risk posed by the rotating blade of the blender and to avoid the contents splashing out of the container.

[0006] There is a need for a blender that can be scraped during blending so that the contents can be fully blended without repeatedly opening and closing the blender. Summary of the invention

[0007] In some embodiments, there is provided an apparatus, such as a blender, having a food container including an inner wall, a food processing tool configured to rotate within the food container, and a scraper disposed within the food container. The scraper is capable of moving within the food container and is configured to wipe downwardly the inner wall toward the food processing tool.

[0008] In some embodiments, the scraper contacts the inner wall in a circumferential direction along the axis of rotation of the food processing tool.

[0009] In some embodiments, the scraper includes a scraping plate that contacts the inner wall and a scraping - plate support that holds the scraping plate, and the scraping plate is disposed between the scraping - plate support and the inner wall.

[0010] In some such embodiments, the squeegee is formed of a material different from that of the squeegee support or includes a material different from that of the squeegee support. In some embodiments, the squeegee is made of a flexible or elastic material.

[0011] In some embodiments including a squeegee, the squeegee includes an annular shape surrounding the squeegee support.

[0012] In some embodiments including a squeegee, the squeegee support is provided with holes. In some such embodiments, the squeegee support includes an inner ring portion defining such holes.

[0013] In some such embodiments, the squeegee support further includes an outer ring portion that holds the squeegee, wherein the inner ring portion is disposed between the holes and the outer ring portion and provides at least one connecting portion that connects the inner ring portion and the outer ring portion and is disposed between the inner ring portion and the outer ring portion.

[0014] In some embodiments where the squeegee support is provided with holes, the device further includes a lid configured to cover the food container, the lid being provided with holes. The central axis of the holes in the lid then coincides with the central axis of the holes in the squeegee support, and the holes in the lid are larger in area in a plan view than the holes in the squeegee support.

[0015] In some such embodiments, the lid includes a funnel shape terminating at the holes in the lid.

[0016] In some embodiments providing holes, the food processing tool is configured to rotate about a rotation axis extending through the holes in the lid and the holes in the squeegee support.

[0017] In some embodiments providing holes, the device further includes a pressing tool configured to be inserted through the holes in the lid and engage the holes in the squeegee support.

[0018] In some embodiments, the inner wall includes a first portion having a first height and having a substantially uniform cross-section spanning the first height, such that the squeegee has a size and shape compatible with the substantially uniform cross-section and is capable of moving within the first height of the first portion.

[0019] In some such embodiments, the inner wall includes a second portion located below the first portion, the cross-section of the second portion being smaller than the substantially uniform cross-section of the first portion. The size or shape of the squeegee is not compatible with the cross-section of the second portion.

[0020] In some such embodiments, the food processing tool is entirely contained within the second portion such that contact between the scraper and the food processing tool is prevented by the smaller cross-section of the second portion.

[0021] In some embodiments having a first portion and a second portion, the inner wall further includes a transition portion located between the first portion and the second portion, wherein the cross-section of the inner wall tapers towards the second cross-section. The scraper is then blocked within the transition portion and prevented from entering the second portion.

[0022] In some embodiments, the device includes a pressing tool configured to translate the scraper along the vertical axis of the scraper such that the pressing tool is used to translate the scraper while maintaining contact between the scraper and the substantially uniform cross-section of the first portion of the inner wall.

[0023] In some embodiments, the food processing tool includes at least one blade configured to rotate within the food container.

[0024] In some embodiments, the device is a food or beverage blender. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Figure 1 A perspective view of a device according to one embodiment is shown.

[0026] Figure 2 Shows along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the device taken along line 2-2 in

[0027] Figure 3A A top view of a device according to one embodiment is shown.

[0028] Figure 3B A top view of a device according to one embodiment is shown, wherein the lid is omitted.

[0029] Figure 4A A top view of a scraper according to one embodiment is shown.

[0030] Figure 4B A perspective view of a scraper according to one embodiment is shown.

[0031] Figure 4C A perspective view of a squeegee according to one embodiment is shown.

[0032] Figure 4D A perspective view of a squeegee bracket according to one embodiment is shown.

[0033] Figure 4EA perspective view of a cap according to an embodiment is shown.

[0034] Figure 5 A perspective view of the use of a device according to an embodiment is shown.

[0035] Figure 6 Another perspective view of the use of a device according to an embodiment is shown. Detailed Description

[0036] The description of illustrative embodiments in accordance with the principles of the present invention is intended to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are considered to be a part of the entire written description. In the description of the embodiments of the present invention disclosed herein, any reference to direction or orientation is for convenience of description only and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention in any way. Relative terms, such as "lower", "upper", "horizontal", "vertical", "above", "below", "on", "under", "top" and "bottom" and their derivatives (e.g., "horizontally", "downwardly", "upwardly", etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as described at that time or as shown in the drawings being discussed. These relative terms are for descriptive convenience only and do not require the device to be constructed or operated in a particular orientation unless explicitly stated so. Unless otherwise explicitly described, terms such as "attached", "adhered", "connected", "coupled", "interconnected", etc. refer to the relationship in which structures are directly or indirectly fixed or attached to each other through intermediate structures and to movable or rigid attachments or relationships. Additionally, the features and advantages of the present invention are illustrated by reference to exemplary embodiments. Accordingly, the present invention is expressly not limited to the exemplary embodiments showing some possible non-limiting combinations of features that may exist alone or in other combinations of features; the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended patent application scope.

[0037] This disclosure describes one or more best modes of implementing the present invention as currently contemplated. This description is not to be understood as limiting, but rather provides an example of the present invention that is for illustrative purposes only to inform those of ordinary skill in the art of the advantages and construction of the present invention with reference to the drawings. In the various views of the drawings, like reference numerals represent the same or similar components.

[0038] Figure 1 A perspective view of a device 100 according to an embodiment is shown. Figure 2 A sectional view of the device 100 taken along Figure 1 line 2-2 in

[0039] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2, Device 100 can be used for food processing. In some embodiments, device 100 can be a food or beverage blender. In other embodiments, device 100 can be a grinder, chopper, food processor, food mill, shredder, mixer, grater, crusher, or slicer. In the illustrated example, device 100 is a blender and can include a base 110, a sidewall of a food container 120, a motor 131, a shaft 133, a bottom member 135, a food processing tool 150, a scraper 160, and a lid 170. The base 110 can house the motor 131 and other components. In some embodiments, the base 110 can include a control panel that can include one or more buttons configured to start the motor 131.

[0040] The food container 120 can be a pitcher or a portion of a pitcher that mates with the food processing tool 150 and can be attached to the base 110 or detachably attached to the base 110. In the illustrated example, the food container 120 can include a shape that extends upward from the base 110. The food container 120 can form at least a portion of a space in which food is stored and positioned for processing. In the illustrated example, the food container 120 is a sidewall that encloses and defines an interior space. In such an embodiment, the sidewall of the food container 120 combines with the bottom member 135 to define the entire food container or pitcher.

[0041] In other examples, the food container 120 can include a sidewall and a bottom of the space, thereby completely defining the container. It should be understood that the term food container as used herein can refer to food containers in a variety of forms. As Figure 2 shown, the food container 120 can include an inner wall 122. In the illustrated example, the inner wall 122 extends upward from the base or bottom member 135 of the food container 120.

[0042] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the scraper 160 can be disposed in the food container 120. The scraper 160 can be configured to wipe downwardly against the inner wall 122 toward the food processing tool 150. Then, the scraper 160 can contact the inner wall 122 along the circumferential direction 901 of the rotational axis 902 of the food processing tool 150 (see Figure 2 , Figure 3A and Figure 3B ). The scraper 160 can include a scraping blade 161 and a scraper bracket 163. Then, the size and shape of the scraper bracket 163 can be designed to maintain the pressure between the scraping blade 161 and the inner wall 122 of the container 120.

[0043] Accordingly, in some embodiments, the squeegee 161 may be held in contact with the inner wall 122 by the squeegee support 163. Thus, the squeegee 161 may be disposed between the squeegee support 163 and the inner wall 122. In some embodiments, the squeegee 161 includes an annular shape surrounding the squeegee support 163. In some embodiments, the squeegee 161 may include a material different from that of the squeegee support 163. Thus, the squeegee 161 may be made of an elastic or flexible material, such as silicone resin, but elastic materials other than silicone resin are also possible. Then the squeegee support 163 may be formed of a more rigid material in order to maintain the pressure between the squeegee 161 and the inner wall 122.

[0044] Then the squeegee support 163 may hold the squeegee 161. In some embodiments, the squeegee support 163 is provided with a hole 1631. In the illustrated example, the squeegee support 163 may include an inner ring portion 1632, an outer ring portion 1633, and at least one connecting portion 1636. The inner ring portion 1632 may form the hole 1631. The inner ring portion 1632 is disposed between the hole 1631 and the outer ring portion 1633. The outer ring portion 1633 may hold the squeegee 161. In some embodiments, the outer ring portion 1633 may be provided with a groove 1634, in which the squeegee 161 may be disposed to be held by the groove 1634. The connecting portion 1636 may connect the inner ring portion 1632 and the outer ring portion 1633. The connecting portion 1636 may be disposed between the inner ring portion 1632 and the outer ring portion 1633.

[0045] In some embodiments, the inner wall 122 may include a first portion 128 and a second portion 129. The first portion 128 may be located above the second portion 129 in the vertical direction. The first portion 128 may have a substantially uniform cross-section in terms of the dimension in the vertical direction, such that the squeegee 160 passes through the first portion 128. In some examples, the dimension may be, but is not limited to, 3 cm to 10 cm, 4 cm to 9 cm, or 5 cm to 8 cm. Then, the second portion 129 may be located between the first portion 128 and the base 110 in the vertical direction. The second portion 129 may have a cross-section smaller in area than that of the first portion 128, such that the squeegee 160 does not pass through the second portion 129, and it may itself have a non-uniform internal cross-section, such as a tapered shape. In some embodiments, the bottom member 135 may be disposed between the base 110 and the food container 120 or may be integrated into the food container as the base. The bottom member 135 and the food container 120 may form the bottom of the space for storing food. A seal may be disposed between the bottom member 135 and the food container 120.

[0046] The size of the scraper 160 is generally designed to fit a cross-section that is substantially the same as that of the first part 128. Thus, the scraper holder 163 generally has an outer circumference that is smaller than the substantially consistent cross-section, while the flexible scraper 161 has an outer circumference that is similar to or slightly larger than the substantially consistent cross-section. Thus, during use, the scraper 161 fills the radial gap between the scraper holder 163 and the inner wall 122 of the first part 128. The cross-section of the first part 128 does not need to be completely consistent and may taper slightly towards the second part 129. However, the difference between the maximum cross-section circumference and the minimum cross-section circumference of the first part 128 is small enough that the scraper 160 can pass through the entire space. Thus, the minimum cross-section circumference of the first part 128 is larger than the outer circumference of the scraper holder 163, while the maximum cross-section circumference of the first part 128 is smaller than the outer circumference of the scraper 161.

[0047] It should also be noted that the cross-section of the container 120 does not have to be circular. As shown, the cross-section can be a rounded square or rectangle that tapers towards the food processing tool 150. In some such embodiments, the second part 129 of the container 120 can taper towards a circular shape in order to concentrate the contents towards the food processing tool 150.

[0048] Thus, the scraper 160 can be shaped to conform to the container 120. Then, the scraper 161 itself can have a rounded square shape, as Figure 4C shown, to correspond to the cross-sectional profile of the first part 128 of the container 120. Then, the scraper holder 163 can be adapted to maintain the shape of the scraper 161 by means of a core 1638 having an equivalent shape or, as in the embodiment shown, a shape with a groove 1634 that defines the shape of the scraper 161 and the cross-sectional profile of the first part 128.

[0049] In some embodiments, the second part 129 is configured such that the scraper 160 is prevented from entering. Thus, the size or shape of the scraper 160 may be incompatible with the cross-section of the second part. Then, the food processing tool 150 can be completely contained within the second part 129 such that the smaller cross-section of the second part prevents the scraper 160 from contacting the food processing tool.

[0050] In some such embodiments, the food processing tool 150 can be completely contained within the second part 129. Thus, the smaller or differently shaped cross-section of the second part 129 of the container 120 prevents the scraper 160 from contacting the food processing tool.

[0051] In some embodiments, the inner wall 122 may further include a transition portion between a first portion 128 and a second portion 129. Such a transition portion may allow the cross-section of the inner wall 122 to taper towards the cross-section of the second portion 129. Then the scraper 160 may be blocked within the transition portion and prevented from entering the second portion 129. By providing a knuckle in the shape of the inner wall 122 between the two portions, the transition portion may also allow the second portion 129 to have a substantially uniform cross-section that is different from the cross-section of the first portion 128. In some embodiments, the transition may be considered part of the second portion 129, since the second portion does not necessarily have a substantially uniform cross-section, rather than having a discrete transition portion.

[0052] Reference Figure 2 , the motor 131 may be disposed in the base 110, and the shaft 133 and the food processing tool 150 may be disposed in the food container 120. The motor 131 may be connected to the food processing tool 150 via the shaft 133 and may be configured to rotate the food processing tool 150 via the shaft 133. Thus, the food processing tool 150 may be configured to rotate about a rotation axis 902 within the food container 120. Accordingly, the bottom member 135 or the bottom of the food container 120 may be configured to receive the shaft 133 while maintaining a seal sufficient to retain liquid within the container 120.

[0053] In some embodiments, the food processing tool 150 may include at least one blade configured to rotate within the food container 120. In some examples, the blade(s) may be designed for food processing, such as mixing food, cutting food, chopping food, grinding food, crushing food, mixing food, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the food processing tool 150 may be permanently attached to the shaft 133, and the shaft may be removably mated to the motor 131 such that the food container 120 may be removed along with the shaft 133. However, in other embodiments, the food processing tool 150 may be removably attached to the shaft 133 such that the shaft remains connected to the motor 131 when the food container 120 is removed.

[0054] In the illustrated embodiment, the device 100 is a blender, and the food processing tool 150 may be a blade or set of blades incorporated into the bottom member 135 such that the shaft is fixed to the food processing tool 150. Alternatively, the described components may be a food processor or other appliance and may alternatively be equipped with removable or interchangeable blades.

[0055] Figure 3A A plan view of the device 100 according to one embodiment is shown. Figure 3BA plan view of a device 100 according to an embodiment is shown, where the cover 170 is omitted. Figure 4A A plan view of a squeegee 160 according to an embodiment is shown. Figure 4B A perspective view of a squeegee 160 according to an embodiment is shown. Figure 4C A perspective view of a scraper 161 according to an embodiment is shown. Figure 4D A perspective view of a scraper support 163 according to an embodiment is shown.

[0056] Figure 4E A perspective view of a cover 170 according to an embodiment is shown.

[0057] Reference Figure 2 、 Figure 3A 、 Figure 4E The cover 170 may be configured to cover the food container 120. In some embodiments, the cover 170 may be provided with holes 171. As Figure 3A shown, in a plan view, the holes 171 of the cover 170 may overlap with the holes 1631 of the scraper support 163. In other words, the central axis of the holes 171 of the cover 170 may coincide with the central axis of the holes 1631 of the scraper support 163. In Figure 3A the example shown, in a plan view, the holes 171 of the cover 170 may overlap with the entire holes 1631 of the scraper support 163. In one example, the holes 171 of the cover 170 may be larger in area or radius than the holes 1631 of the scraper support 163.

[0058] As Figure 2 shown, the rotation axis 902 of the food processing tool 150 may extend through the holes 171 of the cover 170 and the holes 1631 of the scraper support 163. In some embodiments, the cover 170 may include a funnel shape 173 that forms and terminates at the holes 171 of the cover 170. The device 100 may further include a pressing tool 167 that is configured to be inserted through the holes 171 of the cover 170 and engage with the holes 1631 of the scraper support 163. In some embodiments, the pressing tool 167 may be detachably or permanently attached to the squeegee 160. By moving the pressing tool 167 downward and upward, the squeegee 160 may move downward and upward while the squeegee 160 remains in contact with the inner wall 122 of the food container 120.

[0059] Figure 5 A perspective view of the use of a device according to an embodiment is shown. Figure 6 Another perspective view of the use of a device according to an embodiment is shown.

[0060] When using the device 100, food may be placed in the food container 120. As Figure 5As shown, the user can press the pressing tool 167 to move the scraper 160 downward. Then, the pressing tool 167 is configured to translate the scraper 160 along the vertical axis of the scraper such that the scraper is translated using the pressing tool while maintaining contact between the scraper and the substantially uniform cross-section of the first portion 128 of the inner wall 120. Thus, the scraper 160 can wipe downward against the inner wall 122 towards the food processing tool 150. Accordingly, food adhering to the inner wall 122 of the food container 120 can be loosened and pushed towards the food processing tool 150 (e.g., the blade) to facilitate food processing. In some embodiments, the inner wall 122 can include a first portion 128 having a uniform cross-section, and in such a case, the scraper 160 can pass through the first portion 128. In some embodiments, the inner wall 122 can include a second portion 129, the cross-section of which is smaller in area than the cross-section of the first portion 128, and in such a case, the scraper 160 can not pass through the second portion 129, as described above. Then, as Figure 6 shown, the user can pull up the pressing tool 167 to move the scraper 160 upward. Then, the user can repeat Figure 5 and Figure 6 the process shown.

[0061] Accordingly, the device 100 can include a scraper 160 disposed in the food container 120. The scraper 160 can be configured to wipe downward against the inner wall 122 towards the food processing tool 150. Accordingly, the device 100 can remove food adhering to the inner wall 122 to reduce under-processed food.

[0062] Although the invention has been described in some length and in some particularity with respect to several embodiments, the invention is not intended to be limited to any such details or embodiments or any particular embodiment, but is to be construed in reference to the appended claims so as to provide the broadest possible interpretation of such claims in view of the prior art and thus effectively to cover the intended scope of the invention. Moreover, the invention has been described above in terms of embodiments foreseen by the inventors for which a practicable description was available, although non-substantive modifications of the invention which are not presently foreseen may still represent equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising: a food container including an inner wall; a food processing tool configured to rotate within the food container; and a scraper disposed within the food container, the scraper being movable within the food container and configured to wipe downwardly the inner wall toward the food processing tool.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein, The scraper contacts the inner wall in a circumferential direction along the axis of rotation of the food processing tool.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the scraper comprises: a scraping plate that contacts the inner wall; and a scraping plate holder that holds the scraping plate, the scraping plate being disposed between the scraping plate holder and the inner wall.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein, The scraping plate comprises a material different from that of the scraping plate holder.

5. The device according to claim 3, wherein The scraping plate is made of a flexible or elastic material.

6. The device according to claim 3, wherein, The scraping plate comprises an annular shape surrounding the scraping plate holder.

7. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein, The scraping plate holder is provided with holes.

8. The device according to claim 7, wherein, The scraping plate holder comprises an inner ring portion defining the holes.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein, The scraping plate holder comprises: an outer ring portion that holds the scraping plate, wherein the inner ring portion is disposed between the holes and the outer ring portion; and at least one connecting portion connecting the inner ring portion and the outer ring portion and disposed between the inner ring portion and the outer ring portion.

10. The apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a cover configured to cover the food container, the cover being provided with a hole, Among them, a central axis of the hole of the cover coincides with a central axis of the hole of the scraping plate holder, and wherein the hole of the cover is larger in area in a plan view than the hole of the scraping plate holder.

11. The device according to claim 10, wherein, The cover comprises a funnel shape terminating at the hole of the cover.

12. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein The food processing tool is configured to rotate about an axis of rotation extending through the hole of the cover and the hole of the scraping plate holder.

13. The apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising a pressing tool configured to be inserted through the hole of the cover and engage with the hole of the scraping plate holder.

14. The device according to claim 1, wherein The inner wall comprises a first portion having a first height and having a substantially uniform cross-section spanning the first height, such that the scraper has a size and shape compatible with the substantially uniform cross-section and is capable of moving within the first height of the first portion.

15. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein, The inner wall comprises a second portion located below the first portion, the cross-section of the second portion being smaller than the substantially uniform cross-section of the first portion, such that the size or shape of the scraper is not compatible with the cross-section of the second portion.

16. The device according to claim 15, wherein, The food processing tool is completely contained within the second portion, such that the smaller cross-section of the second portion prevents the scraper from contacting the food processing tool.

17. The device according to claim 15, wherein, The inner wall comprises a transition portion located between the first portion and the second portion, wherein the cross-section of the inner wall tapers toward the second cross-section, such that the scraper is blocked within the transition portion and prevented from entering the second portion.

18. The apparatus according to claim 14, further comprising a pressing tool configured to translate the scraper along a vertical axis of the scraper such that the scraper is translated using the pressing tool while maintaining contact between the scraper and the substantially uniform cross-section of the first portion of the inner wall.

19. The device according to claim 1, wherein, The food processing tool includes at least one blade configured to rotate within the food container.

20. The device according to claim 1, wherein The apparatus is a food or beverage blender.

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