# US 11,297,980 B2 · Powered blending container

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- Number: US 11,297,980 B2
- Document ID: US11297980B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/497,261
- Filed: 2017-04-26
- Published: 2017-08-10
- Granted: 2022-04-12
- Earliest claimed: 2013-03-15
- Assignees: Vita-Mix Management Corporation
- Applicants: Vita-Mix Management Corporation
- Inventors: David Kolar
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11297980B2

## CPC

- A47J 43/0777: {in which the activating element on the cover transmits a signal to a safety device in the base element via the mixing bowl removably seated on this base element, e.g. pin on the cover moves a pushrod in the bowl handle to operate safety switch in the base element}
- A47J 43/046: with tools driven from the bottom side
- A47J 43/0727: {Mixing bowls}
- B01F 35/212: of the driving system data, e.g. torque, speed or power data
- B01F 35/213: of the properties of the mixtures, e.g. temperature, density or colour
- B01F 35/2205: {Controlling the mixing process from a remote server, e.g. by sending commands using radio, telephone, internet, local network, GPS or other means}
- B01F 35/6052: {with locking, blocking or interlocking mechanisms for preventing operation of the actuation mechanism of the mixing device}
- A47J 43/0716: {for machines with tools driven from the lower side (A47J43/0727 - A47J43/08 take precedence)}
- A47J 43/0772: {activated by the proper positioning of the cover}
- B01F 2101/06: Mixing of food ingredients
- B01F 2101/1805: {Kitchen, household equipment for mixing}
- A47J: KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
- B01F: MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING (mixing paints B44D3/06)

## Abstract

A blending device is shown and described. The blending device may include a blending container and a power source operatively connected to the blending container. The power source may be configured to supply power to the blending container. The blending container may also include a feature that is powered by the power source.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A blending device comprising:
a base comprising a motor;
a blending container operatively positionable on the base, the blending container comprising a blade assembly;
a lid selectively attached to the blending container;
an interlock feature contained within the blending container and the lid, the interlock feature preventing operation of either the blade assembly or the motor when the lid is not positioned on the blending container; and
a wireless controller positioned in the blending container, the wireless controller configured to communicate with the base,
wherein the interlock feature comprises a sensor configured to detect presence of the lid on the blending container, and wherein the sensor and wireless controller are sealed within a body of the container; and
wherein the wireless controller is configured to communicate with a wireless device to receive a recipe from the wireless device, and configured to receive a command from the wireless device to start the motor.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The blending device of claim 1, wherein the sensor is a reed switch.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The blending device of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a magnet positioned in the lid and a reed switch positioned in the blending container.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The blending device of claim 3, wherein the reed switch indicates when the magnet in the lid is in proximity to the reed switch to indicate that the lid is positioned on the blending container.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The blending device of claim 1, wherein the wireless controller comprises a near field communication device.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The blending device of claim 1, wherein the wireless controller is configured to communicate utilizing near field communication.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The blending device of claim 1, wherein the wireless controller is configured to communicate with the wireless device using near field communication to receive the recipe.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The blending device of claim 1, wherein the interlock feature prevents operation of the blade assembly and motor when the lid is not positioned on the container.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The blending device of claim 1, wherein the interlock feature comprises:
a second sensor contained within the lid, the sensor and second sensor preventing operation of the motor and blade assembly when the lid is not positioned on the blending container.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The blending container of claim 9, wherein the sensor comprises a magnet and the second sensor comprises a reed switch.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The blending device of claim 10, wherein the reed switch indicates when the magnet in the lid is in proximity to the reed switch to indicate that the lid is positioned on the blending container.

### Claim 12

A blending device comprising:
a base comprising a motor;
a blending container operatively positionable on the base, the blending container comprising a blade assembly, wherein the motor drives the blade assembly;
a lid selectively attached to the blending container;
a wireless controller positioned in the blending container, the wireless controller configured to communicate with a wireless device via near field communication to receive a recipe from the wireless device, and configured to:
communicate with the base via near field communications to facilitate execution of the recipe,
receive a command from the wireless device to start the motor, and
start the motor in response to receiving the command;
an interlock feature contained within the blending container and the lid, the interlock feature preventing operation of the blade assembly when the lid is not positioned on the blending container.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The blending device of claim 12, wherein the interlock feature comprises:
a first sensor contained within the blending container;
a second sensor contained within the lid, the first and second sensors preventing operation of the motor and blade assembly when the lid is not positioned on the blending container.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The blending container of claim 13, wherein the first sensor comprises a magnet and the second sensor comprises a reed switch, the reed switch indicates when the magnet in the lid is in proximity to the reed switch to indicate that the lid is positioned on the blending container.

### Claim 15

A blending device comprising:
a base comprising a motor;
a blending container operatively positionable on the base, the blending container comprising a blade assembly, wherein the motor drives the blade assembly;
a lid selectively attached to the blending container;
a wireless controller positioned in the blending container, the wireless controller configured to communicate with a wireless device via near field communication, wherein the wireless controller is configured to communicate with the wireless device to receive a recipe from the wireless device, and configured to receive a command from the wireless device to start the motor;
an interlock feature contained within the blending container and the lid, the interlocking feature preventing operation of the wireless controller when the lid is not positioned on the blending container.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The blending device of claim 15, wherein the interlock feature prevents operation of the blade assembly when the lid is not positioned on the blending container.

### Claim 17 (depends on 15)

The blending device of claim 15, wherein the interlock feature prevents operation of the motor when the lid is not positioned on the blending container.