Universal coupling power base
AssigneeSharkNinja Operating LLC
InventorNick James Lerwill
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A food processing device is disclosed that includes a motorized base and a vessel arranged to releasably couple to the motorized base. The motorized base has a base coupling configured to rotate about a rotational axis. The base coupling is shaped to engage a vessel coupling on the vessel such that rotation of the base coupling drives rotation of the vessel coupling about the rotational axis. The vessel coupling includes a drive shaft that extends into a cavity defined by the vessel. The food processing device also includes an accessory arranged to detachably couple to the vessel's drive shaft and rotate within the vessel about the rotational axis and rotation of the accessory is driven by the vessel coupling via the drive shaft.
Claims20
A food processing device comprising:
- a motorized base comprising a base coupling configured to rotate about a rotational axis;
- a vessel arranged to releasably couple to the motorized base, the vessel comprising a vessel coupling shaped to engage the base coupling such that rotation of the base coupling drives rotation of the vessel coupling about the rotational axis, the vessel coupling including a drive shaft extending into a cavity defined by the vessel;
- and
- an accessory arranged to detachably couple to the drive shaft and rotate within the vessel about the rotational axis, wherein rotation of the accessory is driven by the vessel coupling via the drive shaft.
A method of using a food processing device having a motorized base and one or more detachable vessels, each of the detachable vessels including a vessel coupling shaped to engage the base coupling of the motorized base such that rotation of the base coupling drives rotation of the vessel coupling about a rotational axis, each vessel coupling including a drive shaft extending into a cavity defined by each of the one or more detachable vessels, the method comprising:
- attaching a first detachable vessel containing a first accessory to the motorized base;
- engaging a first detachable vessel coupling to the motorized base coupling, the first accessory being mechanically coupled to the first vessel coupling via a first drive shaft;
- operating the food processing device to permit the first accessory to perform a first food processing function within the first detachable vessel;
- removing the first accessory from the first drive shaft in the first detachable vessel;
- attaching a second accessory to the first drive shaft in the first detachable vessel;
- and
- operating the food processing device to permit the second accessory to perform a second food processing function within the first detachable vessel.
A food processing system comprising:
- a motorized base having a base coupling configured to rotate about a rotational axis;
- a first vessel arranged to releasably couple to the motorized base, the first vessel comprising a first accessory configured to rotate within the first vessel;
- a second vessel arranged to releasably couple to the motorized base, the second vessel comprising a second accessory configured to rotate within the second vessel, wherein the first vessel and the second vessel each comprise a vessel coupling shaped to engage the base coupling such that rotation of the base coupling drives rotation of the vessel coupling about the rotational axis, and rotation of the first accessory and the second accessory is driven by the vessel coupling;
- a detection interface arranged to detect when one of the first vessel and the second vessel is coupled to the motorized base and output a detection signal;
- and
- a controller in electrical communication with the detection interface, the controller arranged to:
- i) receive the detection signal from the detection interface and, based on the detection signal, identify the type of vessel associated with one of the first and second vessels;
- and
- ii) adjust, based on the detection signal, at least one of a rotational speed of the base coupling and a time period of rotation for the base coupling.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.