Device for blending and frothing

Abstract

Aspects disclosed herein relate to mixing devices which can both blend and froth food and / or beverage ingredients as desired by the user. In some embodiments, the mixing devices may include a blade attachment and / or a frothing component which may be driven simultaneously by a motor. In some embodiments, the blade attachment and the frothing component may be interchangeable with one another such that the motor drives only one of the attachments at a time. Embodiments of mixing devices disclosed herein may be integrated into beverage machines to provide a variety of beverage experiences to an end user, e.g., to brew iced beverages with frothed milk.

Description

Attomey Docket No. K0502.70231WG00DEVICE FOR BLENDING AND FROTHINGCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application 63 / 702,212, filed on October 2, 2024, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.FIELD

[0002] Disclosed embodiments are directed to mixing devices configured for use in blending and / or frothing food and / or beverage ingredients.BACKGROUND

[0003] Blenders have been employed to mix, crush, puree, and / or emulsify food and / or beverage ingredients. Likewise, frothers are utensils that have been employed to agitate and aerate food and / or beverage ingredients (e.g., steamed milk) to allow for such ingredients to become foamed.SUMMARY

[0004] According to one aspect, a mixing device including a vessel, a blade attachment, and a frothing component is provided. The vessel may be configured to receive an amount of one or more food and / or beverage ingredients. The blade attachment may be configured to blend the food and / or beverage ingredients and the frothing component may be configured to froth a liquid. In some embodiments, a motor may be operatively coupled to both the blade attachment and the frothing component simultaneously such that the motor is configured to drive both the blade attachment and the frothing component simultaneously.

[0005] According to another aspect, a mixing device including a vessel, a blade attachment, and a frothing attachment is provided. The vessel may be configured to receive an amount of one or more food and / or beverage ingredients. The blade attachment12083807.1#14413940vlmay be configured to blend the food and / or beverage ingredients and the frothing attachment may be configured to froth a liquid. In some embodiments, a motor may be operatively coupled to only one of the blade attachment and the frothing attachment at a time such that the blade attachment and the frothing attachment are interchangeable within the mixing device.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0006] Non-limiting embodiments that incorporate one or more aspects of the invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying figures, which are not necessarily drawn to scale. For purposes of clarity, not every component may be labeled in every figure, nor is every component of each embodiment of the invention shown where illustration is not necessary to allow those of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention. In the figures:

[0007] FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of a mixing device, according to some embodiments;

[0008] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the components of a mixing device, according to one embodiment;

[0009] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the components of a mixing device, according to another embodiment;

[0010] FIG. 4 is a cross-section view of a portion of a mixing device, according to some embodiments;

[0011] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a mixing attachment configured for use in both blending and frothing, according to one embodiment;

[0012] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a mixing attachment configured for use in both blending and frothing, according to another embodiment;

[0013] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a mixing attachment configured for use in both blending and frothing, according to another embodiment;

[0014] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a mixing attachment configured for use in both blending and frothing, according to another embodiment;

[0015] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a frothing attachment, according to one embodiment;

[0016] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a mixing attachment configured for use in both blending and frothing, according to another embodiment; and12083807.1#14413940vl

[0017] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a mixing attachment configured for use in both blending and frothing, according to another embodiment.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] It should be appreciated that aspects of the invention disclosed herein are not limited in application to the details of the construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. Further, the concepts disclosed herein may be arranged in any suitable combination, as the present disclosure is not limited in this respect. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0019] Blenders have been employed to mix, crush, puree, and / or emulsify food and / or beverage ingredients using blades or like blending attachments. In addition, frothers are utensils that have been employed to agitate and aerate food and / or beverage ingredients using whisks or similar frothing attachments to allow for such ingredients to become foamed. However, conventional devices do not provide the capability to both blend and froth food and / or beverage ingredients as desired by the user. The inventors have found that there are difficulties in providing a mixing accessory which is both rigid enough to blend and break certain ingredients (e.g., ice) but that also is capable of agitating ingredients enough to froth. For example, in a mixing device configured for use in both blending and frothing, the mixing device may need to break up ice while also aerating steamed milk to froth the milk. Traditionally, these functionalities are provided by separate devices: a blender which uses blades to break up the ice and a milk frother which uses a fragile whisking attachment to aerate and froth the milk.

[0020] In view of the above, the inventors have identified a need for a mixing device which can both blend and froth food and / or beverage ingredients as desired by the user. The inventors have also appreciated that such embodiments of a mixing device may be integrated into beverage machines to provide a variety of beverage experiences to an end user, e.g., to form beverages with frothed milk as disclosed herein.

[0021] According to one aspect of the invention, the inventors have recognized that a mixing device may include a mixing attachment configured for use in both blending and frothing ingredients. In some embodiments, the mixing attachment may include both a blade attachment and a frothing component (e.g., a whisk) which are operatively coupled to one another and to a motor such that the motor drives the blade attachment and the 12083807.1 #14413940vlfrothing component simultaneously. In some embodiments, the frothing component may be part of the blade attachment. In other words, the blade attachment may include the frothing component incorporated with the blade attachment. For example, the blade attachment may include one or more holes in the blade, one or more angled portions, one or more protuberances, or any other suitable frothing component as the disclosure is not so limited. In some embodiments, the frothing component may be a frothing attachment that is separate and distinct from the blade attachment. For example, the frothing attachment may be a separate whisk attachment, where the frothing attachment and the blade attachment can be independently removable from the mixing device.

[0022] According to another aspect of the invention, the inventors have recognized that a mixing device configured for use in both blending and frothing may include a blade attachment and a frothing attachment which are interchangeable within the mixing device. That is, in some embodiments, a motor may operatively couple to one of the blade attachment and the frothing attachment at a time to blend and froth the ingredients within the mixing device, respectively. For example, each of the blade attachment and the frothing attachment may be keyed onto an output shaft of the motor such that the attachments can be interchanged by the user when blending or frothing is respectively needed.

[0023] As used herein, the term “ingredients” is intended to encompass food and / or beverage ingredients of any suitable type as the disclosure is not so limited. In some embodiments, suitable ingredients that may be used with the blade attachment and / or the frothing component of the mixing device may include, but is not limited to ice, milk, coffee, tea, sugar, salt, fruits, vegetables, yogurt, oils, or any other suitable ingredient as the disclosure is not so limited. For example, the frothing component may be used to froth any suitable type of milk including, but not limited to dairy milk, plant-based milk, soy milk, oat milk, almond milk, coconut milk, cashew milk, walnut milk, or any other suitable milk type.

[0024] In some embodiments, the mixing device may include one or more integrated heating elements configured to heat the one or more ingredients contained within the mixing device. The inventors have recognized that by providing an integrated heating element, a wider array of hot and cold food and beverage products may be produced by the mixing device. In some embodiments, the heating element may be selectively activated by a user when it is desirable to form a hot beverage or otherwise utilize heat. For example, the user may activate the heating element to steam milk, and the steamed12083807.1#14413940vlmilk may then be frothed by a frothing component according to embodiments disclosed herein to provide frothed milk, which may be used to form a variety of different beverages, such as a latte or a cappuccino. While such an example is disclosed, the heating element may be activated when desired for use in forming any suitable food and / or beverage product as the disclosure is not so limited. In some embodiments, a controller and one or more processors may be used to activate and / or deactivate the heating element as needed, while also controlling the temperature of the heating element to heat the ingredients to a desired temperature. For example, one or more temperature sensors may be disposed in a vessel of the mixing device where one or more ingredients are contained, and the one or more temperature sensors may be in communication with the heating element and controller such that the degree of heating provided to the ingredients by the heating element may be regulated.

[0025] In some embodiments, the heating element according to embodiments disclosed herein may be of any suitable type including, but not limited to, electrical resistance heating elements, induction heating elements, or any other suitable heating element as the disclosure is not so limited. While embodiments disclosed herein primarily discuss embodiments of a mixing device with an integrated heater, in some embodiments the mixing device may not include a heater as the disclosure is not so limited.

[0026] In some embodiments, the rotational speed of the blade attachment may be selectively controlled to achieve a desired degree of blending of the ingredients chosen by a user. Similarly, the rotational speed of the frothing component may be selectively controlled to achieve a desired degree of frothing of the ingredients chosen by the user. In some embodiments, an electronic speed controller (ESC) may be operatively coupled to a motor to in turn control the rotational speed of the blade attachment and / or the frothing component. In some embodiments, the user may select a specific rotational speed of the blade attachment and / or the frothing component using a user interface (UI) (e.g., a graphical user interface), a potentiometer, or the like. In some embodiments, the user may select other operational parameters for blending and / or frothing the ingredients including, but not limited to, time of blending and / or frothing, spin profile of the blade attachment and / or frothing component (e.g., pulse, continuous, etc.).

[0027] In some embodiments, the blade attachment may be configured to rotate at a speed suitable to promote blending of a food and / or beverage ingredient. For example, in some embodiments, a range of between 18,000 RPM and 21,000 RPM may be used to blend ingredients such as ice. However, other speed ranges for the blade attachment are12083807.1#14413940vlalso contemplated including, but not limited to, greater than or equal to 100 RPM, 300 RPM, 500 RPM, 1,000 RPM, 2,000 RPM, 3,000 RPM, 4,000 RPM, 5,000 RPM, 6,000 RPM, 7,000 RPM, 8,000 RPM, 9,000 RPM, 10,000 RPM, 11,000 RPM, 12,000 RPM, 13,000 RPM, 14,000 RPM, 15,000 RPM, 16,000 RPM, 17,000 RPM, 18,000 RPM, 19,000 RPM, 20,000 RPM, 21,000 RPM, 22,000 RPM, 23,000 RPM, 24,000 RPM, 25,000 RPM, or greater as the disclosure is not so limited. Likewise, in some embodiments, a suitable speed of the blade attachment may be less than or equal to 35,000 RPM, 34,000 RPM, 33,000 RPM, 32,000 RPM, 31,000 RPM, 30,000 RPM, 29,000 RPM, 28,000 RPM, 27,000 RPM, 26,000 RPM, 25,000 RPM, 24,000 RPM, 23,000 RPM, 22,000 RPM, 21,000 RPM, 20,000 RPM, 19,000 RPM, 18,000 RPM, 17,000 RPM, 16,000 RPM, 15,000 RPM, or lesser as the disclosure is not so limited. Suitable speed ranges made from combinations of the foregoing are also contemplated. For example, suitable speed ranges may include, but are not limited to, between 15,000 RPM and 25,000 RPM (inclusive), between 16,000 RPM and 23,000 RPM (inclusive), between 17,000 RPM and 22,000 RPM (inclusive), between 17,500 RPM and 21,500 RPM (inclusive), between 18,000 RPM and 21,000 RPM (inclusive), between 18,500 RPM and 20,500 RPM (inclusive), between 19,000 RPM and 20,000 RPM (inclusive), or any other suitable speed range.

[0028] In some embodiments, the frothing component may be configured to rotate at a speed suitable to enhance frothing of a beverage ingredient. For example, in some embodiments, a range of between 3,000 RPM and 4,000 RPM may be used for milk frothing. However, other speed ranges of the frothing component are contemplated including, but not limited to greater than or equal to 100 RPM, 300 RPM, 500 RPM, 1,000 RPM, 2,000 RPM, 3,000 RPM, 4,000 RPM, 5,000 RPM, 6,000 RPM, 7,000 RPM, 8,000 RPM, 9,000 RPM, 10,000 RPM, 11,000 RPM, 12,000 RPM, 13,000 RPM, 14,000 RPM, 15,000 RPM, 16,000 RPM, 17,000 RPM, 18,000 RPM, 19,000 RPM, 20,000 RPM, 21,000 RPM, 22,000 RPM, 23,000 RPM, 24,000 RPM, 25,000 RPM, or greater as the disclosure is not so limited. Likewise, in some embodiments, a suitable speed of the frothing component may be less than or equal to 35,000 RPM, 34,000 RPM, 33,000 RPM, 32,000 RPM, 31,000 RPM, 30,000 RPM, 29,000 RPM, 28,000 RPM, 27,000 RPM, 26,000 RPM, 25,000 RPM, 24,000 RPM, 23,000 RPM, 22,000 RPM, 21,000 RPM, 20,000 RPM, 19,000 RPM, 18,000 RPM, 17,000 RPM, 16,000 RPM, 15,000 RPM, or lesser as the disclosure is not so limited. Suitable speed ranges made from combinations of the foregoing are also contemplated. For example, suitable speed ranges may include,12083807.1#14413940vlbut are not limited to, between 1,000 RPM and 10,000 RPM (inclusive), between 2,000 RPM and 8,000 RPM (inclusive), between 2,000 RPM and 5,000 RPM (inclusive), between 2,500 RPM and 4,500 RPM (inclusive), between 3,000 RPM and 4,000 RPM (inclusive), between 3,200 RPM and 3,8000 RPM (inclusive), or any other suitable speed range.

[0029] The inventors have recognized that the rotational speed of the blade attachment and / or the frothing component may be adjusted according to the types of ingredients in the mixing device to optimize the quality of the blended and / or frothed product. In particular, ingredient characteristics such as temperature and ingredient type (e.g., milk content, sugar content, etc.) may affect the quality of the blended and / or frothed product. For example, it may be more difficult to aerate hot, steamed milk than it would be to aerate cold milk, and thus the frothing component may selectively rotate at a higher speed to froth steamed milk.

[0030] In some embodiments, the design of the blade attachment and / or the frothing component may also be selectively chosen according to the characteristics of the ingredients in the mixing device to optimize the quality of the blended and / or frothed product. For example, a whisk attachment may be used for frothing in conjunction with a blade attachment. However, such a whisk attachment may be too fragile to be used when also providing breakage to ingredients such as ice. Accordingly, in some instances, a blade with incorporated frothing holes or like features may be used to decrease risk of damage to the mixing attachment while still blending or frothing the ingredients in the mixing device. Without wishing to be bound by theory, the inventors have developed a variety of blade attachment and frothing component designs which are described in greater detail below and which may be selected depending on the types of ingredients that need to be blended and / or frothed.

[0031] In some embodiments, the mixing device according to embodiments disclosed herein may be employed for use in combination with a beverage machine rather than functioning as a standalone mixing device. That is, a beverage machine, e.g., a brewing machine for coffee-type beverages, may include an integrated mixing device disclosed herein for both blending and frothing. For example, a user may select options from the beverage machine to brew an iced coffee beverage including frothed milk, and the blade attachment may be used to blend ice while the frothing component may be used to froth milk which may also be steamed via the heating element. While such an example is disclosed, the blade attachment and frothing component of the mixing device may be 12083807.1 #14413940vlincorporated into a beverage machine to provide any suitable blended and / or frothed beverage as the disclosure is not so limited.

[0032] As disclosed herein, in some embodiments, the mixing device may include a singular motor to drive the blade attachment and / or the frothing component. That is, the singular motor may drive both the blade attachment and the frothing component simultaneously, or the singular motor may drive only one of the blade attachment and the frothing component at a time (e.g., the blade attachment and frothing attachments may be interchangeable within the mixing device). In other embodiments, however, more than one motor may be used, e.g., each of the blade attachment and frothing attachments may be coupled to a respective motor to drive each of the attachments within mixing device as the disclosure is not so limited. The blade attachment and frothing attachments may also be coupled to the motor in any suitable fashion including, but not limited to, being keyed onto an output shaft of the motor, being threadingly engaged to an output shaft of the motor, being secured onto the output shaft of the motor via a fastener, or any other suitable means of engagement as the disclosure is not so limited.

[0033] In some embodiments, both the blade attachment and the frothing component may be driven simultaneously by a motor as disclosed herein. In some such embodiments, the frothing attachment may be positioned above or below with respect to the blade attachment as the disclosure is not so limited. In some embodiments, multiple blade attachments and / or multiple frothing components may be included within the mixing device. For example, a first frothing attachment may be positioned above a blade attachment and a second frothing attachment may be positioned below the blade attachment. In another example, a first blade attachment may be positioned above a frothing attachment and a second blade attachment may be positioned below the frothing attachment. While such examples are disclosed, a plurality of blade attachments and / or frothing components may be arranged in any suitable fashion as the disclosure is not so limited. In addition, the blade attachment and frothing components may be constructed in a variety of suitable designs as detailed below which will influence their characteristics such as breakage and blending ability, aeration ability for frothing, structural integrity, etc.

[0034] Turning to the figures, specific non-limiting embodiments are described in further detail. It should be understood that the various systems, components, features, and methods described relative to these embodiments may be used either individually 12083807.1 #14413940vland / or in any desired combination as the disclosure is not limited to only the specific embodiments described herein.

[0035] FIG. 1 shows a schematic front view of a mixing device 100. The mixing device 100 may include a vessel 110 and a housing base 120, where the vessel 110 may be removably coupled to the housing base 120. As disclosed herein, ingredients may be received within the vessel 110, and a blade attachment and / or a frothing component (not shown) may be disposed within the vessel 110. In some embodiments, the mixing device 100 may include safety features that prevent the mixing device from operating when the vessel is not secured to the housing base. In addition or alternatively, the mixing device may include an indicator (e.g., an LED indicator, audible alarm, etc.) to indicate to a user that the vessel is not properly secured to the housing base.

[0036] The housing base 120 may include an adjustment knob 121 that is configured to adjust a degree of blending or frothing of the blade attachment and the frothing component, respectively. The user may turn the adjustment knob between various setting as indicated by markings 122. For example, the markings may read “Off’, “Cold Froth”, and “Hot Froth”, although other markings and settings are contemplated. For example, for blending, the markings may read indicia such as “pulse”, “grate”, “blend”, “liquefy”, “shred”, “grind”, “ice crush” or any other suitable markings as the disclosure is not so limited. Likewise, for frothing, the markings may read indicia such as “low froth”, “medium froth”, “high froth”, or indicia corresponding to a setting for the ingredient type such as “dairy milk”, “almond milk”, “oat milk”, or any other suitable markings as the disclosure is not so limited. Accordingly, such markings may correspond to a setpoint rotational speed of the blade attachment and / or the frothing component which may allow for the user to have a wider discretion in selecting a desired degree of blending and / or frothing of the ingredients. In some embodiments, the rotational speed of the attachments may be directly indicated as the markings 122 (e.g., 18,000 RPM, 19,000 RPM, 20,000 RPM, 21,000 RPM, High, Medium, Low, etc.). In some embodiments, the user may enter on a digital display of the mixing device a desired rotational speed of the attachments (e.g., 18,500 RPM) to optimize the user’s preferred quality of the blended or frothed product.

[0037] While not shown in the embodiment of PIG. 1, a motor may be located within the housing base 120, and the motor may be operatively coupled to the blade attachment and / or the frothing component positioned within the vessel 110 (not shown). A heating element may also be positioned within the vessel 110 or the housing base 120 to heat the 12083807.1 #14413940vlingredients received within the mixing device 100. One or more electrical connections 123, 124, 125 may be received in part within the housing base 120 for functionalities such as powering the motor, powering the heating element, communication with a controller and one or more processors for controlling the operation of the mixing device, or for other suitable functionalities.

[0038] FIGs. 2-3 show schematic diagrams of two different embodiments of a mixing device 200, 300. Specifically, FIG. 2 shows an arrangement where the blade attachment and frothing component are combined into a singular mixing attachment 230 while FIG. 3 shows an arrangement where the blade attachment 330 and the frothing attachment 331 are interchangeable within the mixing device 300.

[0039] In FIG. 2, the mixing device 200 may include a vessel 210 and a housing base 220 which are coupled to one another. The vessel 210 may be removable from the housing base 220 such that ingredients may be received within the vessel 210. As shown in FIG. 2, a combination blade and frothing mixing attachment 230 may be received within the vessel 210, and the mixing attachment 230 may be actuated to blend and / or froth the ingredients within the vessel 210.

[0040] As disclosed herein, the combination blade and frothing attachment 230 may have a variety of suitable designs. For example, the blade attachment may include one or more angled portions to facilitate frothing. In another example, the frothing component may comprise one or more holes formed in the blade attachment, one or more protuberances formed in the blade attachment, or any other suitable frothing features.That is, in some embodiments, the mixing attachment may not include a separate frothing attachment. In other embodiments, the combination blade and frothing attachment 230 may include both a blade attachment and a separate frothing attachment which are operatively coupled to one another. For example, a frothing attachment (e.g., a frothing wheel) may be positioned above or below the blade attachment, and both the blade and the frothing attachment may be operatively coupled to a motor to be simultaneously driven by the motor.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 2, in some embodiments, the housing base 220 may include a heater base 240, a motor 250, and one or more electrical connections 260. The heater base 240 may include a heating element that is configured to heat one or more ingredients received within the vessel 210. For example, the heating element may be an electric resistive heating element configured to, e.g. steam milk within the vessel 210. The motor 250 may be operatively coupled to the combination blade and frothing attachment 23012083807.1#14413940vldetailed above such that the motor may drive both the blade attachment and the frothing component of the attachment 230 simultaneously. The one or more electrical connections 260 may be used for functionalities such as powering the motor, powering the heating element, communication with a controller and one or more processors for controlling the operation of the mixing device 200, etc. In some embodiments, the heating element, the motor, a controller and / or one or more processors, and / or other components of the mixing device may be powered using mains electricity. In other embodiments, however, such components may be powered using a portable power source (e.g., batteries, etc.).

[0042] In FIG. 3, the mixing device 300 may include a vessel 310 and a housing base 320 which are coupled to one another. Similar to FIG. 2, the vessel 310 may be removable from the housing base 320 such that ingredients may be received within the vessel 310. As shown in FIG. 3, the vessel may include a blade attachment or a frothing attachment, which may be interchanged with one another as necessary for a blending or frothing application, respectively. In some embodiments, the blade attachment and the frothing attachment may be configured to removably couple with a motor 350 to allow for the attachments to be interchanged. For example, the blade attachment 330 and frothing attachment 331 may be keyed onto an output shaft of the motor, be threadingly engaged to an output shaft of the motor, be secured onto the output shaft of the motor via a fastener, or any other suitable means of engagement. In some embodiments, one of the blade attachment 330 or the frothing attachment 331 may be received within the vessel 310, and the attachment may be actuated to blend or froth the ingredients within the vessel 310.

[0043] As disclosed herein, the interchangeable blade attachment 330 and the interchangeable frothing attachment 331 may have a variety of suitable designs. The interchangeable blade attachment may be of any suitable shape. For example, the blade may have a flat shape, a curved shape, a flat base with curved ends, a flat base with one or more angled portions, or any other suitable shape as the disclosure is not so limited. In some embodiments, the blade attachment may include a plurality of blades. That is, each blade attachment may include 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or more blades extending outwardly from a central portion of the blade attachment. In some embodiments, the mixing device may include a mixing attachment having a plurality of blade attachments. For example, the mixing attachment may include a first blade attachment, a second blade attachment, and a frothing component. In such an example, the first blade attachment may have a first number of blades and be positioned above the frothing component while the second blade 12083807.1 #14413940vlattachment may have a second number of blades and be positioned below the frothing component.

[0044] The interchangeable frothing attachment may also be of any suitable shape. For example, the frothing attachment may be a whisk, a disc with one or more protruding ribs extending therefrom, or any other suitable shape as the disclosure is not so limited. In some embodiments, the mixing device may include a mixing attachment having a plurality of frothing attachments. For example, the mixing attachment may include a first frothing attachment, a second frothing attachment, and a blade attachment. In such an example, the first frothing attachment may be positioned above the blade attachment while the second frothing attachment may be positioned below the blade attachment. While such examples are disclosed, any suitable number of blade attachments and / or frothing components may be included within the mixing device as the disclosure is not so limited.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 3, the housing base 320 may include a heater base 340, a motor 350, and one or more electrical connections 360. The heater base 340 may include a heating element that is configured to heat one or more ingredients received within the vessel 310. For example, the heating element may be an electric resistive heating element configured to, e.g. steam milk within the vessel 310. In some embodiments, the heater base may be removably positioned within the mixing device 310. In some such embodiments, the heater base may be positioned within the mixing device when at least one of the blade attachment 330 and the frothing attachment 331 are positioned in the mixing vessel 310. In some embodiments, the heater base may be positioned in the mixing device only when the frothing component is interchanged into the mixing device such that the one or more ingredients in the vessel 310 may not be heated when the frothing component is not present. The motor 350 may be operatively coupled to one of the blade attachment 330 and the frothing attachment 331 such that only one of the blade attachment 330 and frothing attachment 331 may be driven at a time by the motor 350. The one or more electrical connections 360 may be used for functionalities such as powering the motor, powering the heating element, communication with a controller and one or more processors for controlling the operation of the mixing device 300, etc. As disclosed herein, in some embodiments, the heating element, the motor, a controller and / or one or more processors, and / or other components of the mixing device may be powered using mains electricity or portable power sources such as batteries as the disclosure is not so limited.12083807.1#14413940vl

[0046] FIG. 4 shows a cross-section view of a portion of a mixing device 400, according to some embodiments. In FIG. 4, the mixing device 400 may include a vessel 410 removably coupled with a housing base 420 such that the vessel 410 may be disengaged from the housing base 420 to receive one or more ingredients (not shown). A blade attachment 430 is shown to be received within an internal volume 411 of the vessel 410. The blade attachment 430 may include a first angled end 431 and a second angled end 432 which extend outwardly and upwardly from a base of the blade attachment 430. In some embodiments, at least one of the angled ends 431, 432 of the blade attachment 430 may instead extend outwardly and downwards from the base of the blade attachment 430. As shown in FIG. 4, the blade attachment 430 is operatively coupled to an output shaft 441 of a motor 440 via a threaded connection 442. That is, the motor 440 is configured to actuate the blade attachment 430 to blend the ingredients which are received within the internal volume 411 of the vessel 410. While a threaded connection 442 is shown in FIG. 4, other types of connections are possible as disclosed herein (e.g., fastener connections, a keyed fit, etc.). While only a blade attachment 430 is shown in FIG. 4, a frothing component (not shown) may be additionally or alternatively coupled to the motor 440 via the output shaft 441. In some embodiments, the blade attachment 430 may have frothing features itself (e.g., one or more holes in the blade attachment 430) as disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the blade attachment 430 may include frothing features and a separate frothing attachment may be included within the mixing device to promote frothing.

[0047] FIGs. 5-12 show various embodiments of a blade attachment and / or a frothing component configured for use within a mixing device according to the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0048] In FIG. 5, a mixing attachment 500 may include a first blade attachment 510 and a second blade attachment 520. The first blade attachment 510 may include a first blade 511 and a second blade 512, where each of the blades 511, 512 are oriented upwards. The second blade attachment 520 may include a first blade 521 and a second blade 522, where each of the blades 521, 522 are oriented downwards. In some embodiments, a frothing component may be incorporated into one or more of the blade attachments 510, 520. Each of the first and second blade attachments 510, 520 may include a frothing component in the form of holes 513, 523 incorporated into the blades of the blade attachments. The holes 513, 523 may be configured to promote frothing upon actuation of the blade attachments. The positions of each of the first and second 12083807.1 #14413940vlblade attachments 510, 520 may be secured via a knob 530. For example, the knob 530 may engage a threaded connection (not shown) on an output shaft of the motor to secure the positioning of the first and second blade attachments 510, 520.

[0049] In FIG. 6, a mixing attachment 600 may include a first blade attachment 610, a second blade attachment 620, and a frothing component in the form of a frothing attachment 630 positioned above the blade attachments 610, 620. The first blade attachment 610 may include a first blade 611 and a second blade 612, where each of the blades 611, 612 are oriented upwards. The second blade attachment 620 may include a first blade 621 and a second blade 622, where each of the blades 621, 622 are oriented downwards. Each of the first and second blade attachments 610, 620 may include a serrated edge 613, 623, respectively, to promote blending upon actuation of the blade attachments. In addition or alternatively, the first and second blade attachments may include a tapered edge or any other suitable edge type to promote blending. The frothing component 630 may include a plurality of protruding ribs 631 extending outwardly therefrom. In some embodiments, the entire circumference of the frothing component 630 may include protruding ribs 631. In other embodiments, however, only a portion of the circumference of the frothing component 630 may include protruding ribs 631 as shown in FIG. 6. The protruding ribs 631 may be of any suitable shape, height, dimensional parameters, or other characteristic as the disclosure is not so limited. For example, each of the protruding ribs 631 may be connected with a supporting band 632 to promote structural integrity of the ribs 631 during actuation of the frothing component. The positions of each of the first and second blade attachments 610, 620 and the frothing component 630 may be secured via a knob 640.

[0050] In FIG. 7, a mixing attachment 700 may include a first blade attachment 710, a second blade attachment 720, and a frothing attachment in the form of a frothing attachment 730 positioned above the first and second blade attachments 710, 720. Each of the first and second blade attachments 710, 720 may include a serrated edge 713, 723, respectively, to promote blending upon actuation of the blade attachments. The frothing component 730 may include a plurality of protruding ribs 731 extending outwardly therefrom. Unlike the embodiment of FIG. 6, in the embodiment of FIG. 7, the plurality of protruding ribs 731 may extend entirely around the circumference of the frothing component 730. In addition, the plurality of protruding ribs 731 may be connected with a supporting band 732 to promote structural integrity of the ribs 731 during actuation of the 12083807.1 #14413940vlfrothing component. The positions of each of the first and second blade attachments 710, 720 and the frothing component 730 may be secured via a knob 740.

[0051] In FIG. 8, a mixing attachment 800 may include a first blade attachment 810, a second blade attachment 820, and a frothing component in the form of a frothing attachment 830 positioned below the first and second blade attachments 810, 820. The first blade attachment 810 may include a first blade 811 and a second blade 812, where each of the blades 811, 812 are oriented upwards. The second blade attachment 820 may include a first blade 821 and a second blade 822, where the first and second blades are oriented downwards. As shown in FIG. 8, the first blade attachment 810 may include straight blades while the second blade attachment 820 may include curved blades. For example, the blades may exhibit an “S-shape” or any other suitable curvature to promote blending and / or frothing as the disclosure is not so limited. The frothing component 830 may be formed as a curved grate including one or more holes 831 to promote frothing.The positions of each of the first and second blade attachments 810, 820 and the frothing component 830 may be secured via a knob 840.

[0052] In FIG. 9, an embodiment of a frothing component in the form of a frothing attachment 900 is shown. The frothing component 900 may include a body 910 and a plurality of protruding ribs 920 extending outwardly from the body 910. The ribs 920 may be arranged in any suitable fashion to promote frothing as the disclosure is not so limited. For example, the ribs may be staggered with one another (as shown in FIG. 9) or the ribs may be aligned vertically and / or horizontally with one another. In some embodiments, the ribs 920 may extend along an entire circumference of the body 910. In other embodiments, however, the ribs may extend only along a portion of the body 910 as shown in FIG. 9. The frothing component 900 may include a keyed hole 930 arranged to be keyed onto a corresponding output shaft of a motor.

[0053] According to one aspect, a mixing device may include a mixing attachment configured for use in both blending and frothing ingredients. In some embodiments, the mixing attachment may include both a blade attachment and a frothing component. In some embodiments, the frothing component may be part of the blade attachment. In other words, the blade attachment may include the frothing component incorporated with the blade attachment.

[0054] In FIG. 10, an embodiment of a mixing attachment 1000 configured for use in both blending and frothing ingredients is shown. The mixing attachment 1000 may include a first blade attachment 1010 and a second blade attachment 1020. In some 12083807.1 #14413940vlembodiments, a frothing component may be incorporated into one or more of the blade attachments 1010, 1020. The first and second blade attachments 1010, 1020 may each include frothing components in the form of one or more protuberances 1011, 1021, respectively, incorporated into the blades of the blade attachments. The protuberances 1011, 1021 may promote frothing of ingredients in a mixing device as disclosed herein. As shown in FIG. 10, the protuberances 1011, 1021 may be constructed by raising one or more portions (e.g., a middle portion) of the one or more blade attachments 1010, 1020 such that a corresponding cutout adjacent the protuberances is formed. While the protuberances are shown in FIG. 10 as being raised relative to an adjacent portion of the blade attachments, in some embodiments, the protuberances may be lowered relative to an adjacent portion of the blade attachments. In some embodiments, some of the protuberances may be raised while other protuberances may be lowered as the disclosure is not so limited. The first and second blade attachments 1010, 1020 may be secured onto a shaft 1030 via a knob 1040. The shaft 1030 may be operatively coupled to a motor via a threaded end 1031 of the shaft such that the motor can drive the blade attachments.

[0055] In FIG. 11, another embodiment of a mixing attachment 1100 is shown. The mixing attachment 1100 may include a first blade attachment 1110 and a second blade attachment 1120. In some embodiments, a frothing component may be incorporated into one or more of the blade attachments 1110, 1120. The first and second blade attachments may each include frothing components in the form of one or more protuberances 1111, 1121, respectively, incorporated into the blades of the blade attachments. The protuberances 1111, 1121 may promote frothing of ingredients in a mixing device as disclosed herein. As shown in FIG. 11, the protuberances may be formed on an edge of the blade attachments 1110, 1120. In some embodiments, at least some of protuberances may be formed with adjacent cutout portions (e.g., protuberances 1121) while some of the protuberances may be formed without adjacent cutout portions (e.g., protuberances 1111). The protuberances may be of any suitable shape, size, number, or any other suitable characteristic, and the protuberances may be positioned along any portion of the one or more blade attachments to promote frothing as the disclosure is not so limited. The first and second blade attachments 1110, 1120 may be secured onto a shaft 1130 via a knob 1140. The shaft 1130 may be operatively coupled to a motor via a threaded end 1131 of the shaft such that the motor can drive the blade attachment.

[0056] The embodiments disclosed herein may be combined in any suitable arrangement as the disclosure is not limited in this regard. While the present teachings 12083807.1 #14413940vlhave been described in conjunction with various embodiments and examples, it is not intended that the present teachings be limited to such embodiments or examples. On the contrary, the present teachings encompass various alternatives, modifications, or equivalents, as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art. Accordingly, the foregoing description is by way of example only.12083807.1 #14413940vl

Claims

What is claimed is:CLAIMS1. A mixing device comprising: a vessel configured to receive an amount of one or more food and / or beverage ingredients; a blade attachment configured to blend the food and / or beverage ingredients; a frothing component configured to froth a liquid; and a motor configured to operatively couple to both the blade attachment and the frothing component simultaneously, wherein the motor is configured to drive both the blade attachment and the frothing component simultaneously.

2. The mixing device of claim 1, wherein the motor is configured to drive both the blade attachment and the frothing component at a rate of between 3,000 and 4,000 rotations per minute.

3. The mixing device of claim 1, wherein the motor is configured to drive both the blade attachment and the frothing component at a rate of between 18,000 and 21,000 rotations per minute.

4. The mixing device of claim 1, wherein the blade attachment includes at least one blade which projects upwards.

5. The mixing device of claim 1, wherein the blade attachment includes at least one blade which projects downwards.

6. The mixing device of claim 1, wherein the frothing component includes one or more protruding ribs extending outwardly from a portion of the frothing component.

7. The mixing device of claim 1, wherein the frothing component comprises one or more holes formed on at least one blade of the blade attachment, wherein the one or more holes are configured to froth the one or more food and / or beverage ingredients.

8. The mixing device of claim 1, wherein the blade attachment includes a plurality of blades.12083807.1#14413940vl9. The mixing device of claim 1, wherein the frothing component is positioned above the blade attachment.

10. The mixing device of claim 1, wherein the frothing component is positioned below the blade attachment.

11. The mixing device of claim 1, further comprising a housing base and a heater, wherein the motor and the heater and disposed within the housing base, and wherein the heater is configured to heat the one or more food and / or beverage ingredients.

12. The mixing device of claim 1, in combination with a beverage machine, wherein the beverage machine is configured to brew a beverage from the one or more food and / or beverage ingredients.

13. A mixing device comprising: a vessel configured to receive an amount of one or more food and / or beverage ingredients; a blade attachment configured to blend the food and / or beverage ingredients; a frothing attachment configured to froth a liquid; and a motor configured to operatively couple to the blade attachment and the frothing attachment one at a time, wherein the blade attachment and the frothing attachment are interchangeable within the mixing device.

14. The mixing device of claim 13, wherein the motor is configured to drive both the blade attachment and the frothing attachment at a rate of between 3,000 and 4,000 rotations per minute.

15. The mixing device of claim 13, wherein the motor is configured to drive both the blade attachment and the frothing attachment at a rate of between 18,000 and 21,000 rotations per minute.

16. The mixing device of claim 13, wherein the blade attachment includes at least one blade which projects upwards.12083807.1#14413940vl17. The mixing device of claim 13, wherein the blade attachment includes at least one blade which projects downwards.

18. The mixing device of claim 13, wherein the frothing attachment includes one or more protruding ribs extending outwardly from a portion of the frothing attachment.

19. The mixing device of claim 13, wherein the blade attachment includes one or more holes configured to froth the one or more food and / or beverage ingredients.

20. The mixing device of claim 13, wherein the blade attachment includes a plurality of blades.

21. The mixing device of claim 13, further comprising a housing base and a heater, wherein the motor and the heater are disposed within the housing base, and wherein the heater is configured to heat the one or more food and / or beverage ingredients.

22. The mixing device of claim 13, in combination with a beverage machine, wherein the beverage machine is configured to brew a beverage from the one or more food and / or beverage ingredients.

23. The mixing device of claim 21, wherein the heater is removably positionable within the mixing device such that the heater is positioned within the mixing device only when the frothing attachment is operatively coupled to the motor.12083807.1#14413940vl

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