# US 9,750,372 B2 · Tri-blade assembly for blender > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,750,372 B2 - Document ID: US9750372B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/378,968 - Filed: 2013-02-17 - Published: 2015-01-22 - Granted: 2017-09-05 - Earliest claimed: 2012-02-17 - Assignees: Breville Pty Limited - Applicants: Breville Pty Limited - Inventors: Brendan John Foxlee; Khon Thai - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9750372B2 ## CPC - A47J 43/046: with tools driven from the bottom side - A47J 43/0722: {Mixing, whipping or cutting tools} - A47J 43/085: {for machines with tools driven from the lower side (A47J43/087, A47J43/09 take precedence)} - A47J: KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES ## Abstract A jug body having a through opening for receiving a blade assembly, the opening extending through a hub formed on an underside of the jug; the blade assembly having a bearing case within which is mounted bearings for supporting a shaft; the bearing case having a flange at one end and having threads at an opposite end, the threads protruding from a lower surface of the hub; the threads cooperating with a threaded nut that draws the flange into engagement with the jug; the lower surface of the hub and the nut being capped by a cover through which protrudes the shaft; a lower end of the shaft having attached to it, a coupling. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A blender jug and base apparatus, the apparatus including: a blender jug having a jug body with a through opening that retains a hub; wherein the hub has a blade assembly and a drive shaft; a blender base that drives the blade assembly; wherein the blender base has a throat in which is formed a neck; the neck receives the hub; a pair of Hall effect sensors are provided, each behind a side wall of the neck; wherein the Hall effect sensors are located about 90 degrees apart with respect to the shaft; and the hub carries a pair of magnets that are located at about 180 degrees from one another with reference to the shaft, for cooperating with a Hall effect sensors. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the magnets have poles that are oriented in a horizontal plane. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the neck is generally square, having four corners; and the at least one Hall effect sensor is located in each of two adjacent corners. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the magnets are located along a line that intersects opposite corners of the jug. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the magnets have poles that are oriented in a horizontal plane. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: the jug body has a through opening for receiving a blade assembly; the blade assembly having a bearing case within which is mounted bearings for supporting the shaft; the bearing case has a flange at one end and having threads at an opposite end, the threads protruding from a lower surface of the hub; the threads cooperating with a threaded nut that draws the flange into engagement with the jug; the lower surface of the hub and the nut being capped by a cover through which protrudes the shaft; and a lower end of the shaft having attached to it, a coupling. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the pair of magnets are retained beneath the cover. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein: the cover has a first opening that receives an insert with a second opening through which the shaft passes; the insert having a lower surface with a metallic covering; and a seal interposed between the coupling and the covering, the covering acting as a contact surface for the seal. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the covering is at least partially embedded into the insert. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein a circumferential edge of the insert is stepped to cooperate with a second step formed in the first opening in the cover. ### Claim 11 (depends on 6) The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the cover is retained onto the hub by vertically oriented fasteners. ### Claim 12 (depends on 6) The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein a seal is interposed between the flange and an interior of the jug. ### Claim 13 (depends on 6) The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the jug has a collar and an underside of the jug is free from ribs within the collar. ### Claim 14 (depends on 6) The apparatus according to claim 6, the jug having a sweeper blade, wherein: a hub area with a central flat region, from which hub area radiates three upwardly curved and tapered individual blades; each individual blade having a straight leading edge and a swept trailing edge; each individual blade having an upright blade tip; and wherein a transition section between a leading edge and an adjacent trailing edge is smoothly curved. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the blade is carried on a shaft that passes through a bearing case.