Blending assembly

A method for preparing a blended food product, the method comprising:

• receiving food product to be blended in a container, the food product comprising an ice containing fluid, and providing the container with an open end through which the product to be blended is introduced into the container, the open end of the container including a circumferential lip, wherein the providing step comprises providing a beaker-type container which is disposable and made from thin walled, crushable paper or board material;
• receiving the container in a holder by introducing the container through an open end of the holder, an upper end of the holder including an annular surface onto which a portion of the container can rest supportedly when the container is received by said holder via introduction of the container through the open end of the holder;
• carrying an impeller on a closure for the purpose of blending food product within the container, wherein the closure is separate from the holder and the container;
• coupling the closure with the holder for the purpose of a blending operation and then decoupling the closure from the holder in order to remove the container from the holder after blending,
• wherein, when the closure is coupled with the holder, the method comprising extending the closure over the open end of the container and the lip at the open end of the container and positively engaging with the holder, to thereby form a blending assembly with said holder and said container, and sealingly enclosing the food product to be blended within said assembly for said blending operation;
• and
• configuring the holder and the closure to be inter-engaged, whereby to clamp the lip at the open end of the container between the closure and the holder for the purpose of a blending operation.

A method for performing a blending operation comprising:

• receiving food product to be blended in a container, the food product comprising an ice containing fluid, and providing the container with an open end through which product to be blended is introduced into the container, wherein the providing step comprises providing a beaker-type container which is disposable and made from thin walled, crushable paper or board material, and providing the container with an out-turned lip defining an integrated circumferential lip;
• introducing the container through an open end of a holder, the holder defining a collar;
• supporting the container in the holder, providing the holder with an inner diameter that is smaller than an outer diameter of the circumferential lip, and providing the collar with a depth that is less than a depth of the container, so that the circumferential lip is supported on an annular surface of the holder and the circumferential lip prevents the container from passing through the holder, and so that a lower end of the container projects beyond the collar when the container is supported on the collar after introduction of the lower end of the container through said open end of the collar;
• carrying an impeller on a closure for the purpose of blending food product within the container, wherein the closure is separate from the collar and the container and is configured to be coupled to the collar for the purpose of a blending operation and then decoupled from the collar in order to remove the container from the holder after blending;
• and
• extending at least an upper portion of the collar into a concavity defined by an underside of the closure when the closure is coupled with said collar for the purpose of said blending operation, and providing an internal wall of the concavity with a formation for positive engagement with a complimentary formation on an outer wall of the collar, for the purpose of securing the closure relative to the collar for said blending operation.