Blender base with food processor capabilities

Abstract

A blender base that may be used with a food processor container, a blender container, and a single use beverage container. The blender container includes a novel blade unit having a food processor-style blade and blender type blades. Programs with preprogrammed motor commands for desired operations are stored in memory and may be selected by a user on a user interface. The user interface may include a liquid crystal display, or function switches and light emitting diodes. Upon selection of a particular pre-defined function, the microcontroller retrieves the appropriate program from the read only memory and specifies the preprogrammed motor commands to accomplish the selected function.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A blender base, comprising: 
 an attachment configured to receive at least two different types of containers; and    a sensor system on the blender base, the sensor system for detecting the type of container on the attachment.    
     
     
         2 . The blender base of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor system comprises a plurality of sensors, each sensor capable of separate actuation, and wherein the sensor system detects a particular type of container by the combination of actuated and non-actuated sensors.  
     
     
         3 . The blender base of  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 a motor associated with the blender base for operating the blender; and    a microcontroller associated with the sensor system and the motor.    
     
     
         4 . The blender base of  claim 3 , wherein the microcontroller is configured such that the motor is not capable of operation if at least one of the sensors is not actuated.  
     
     
         5 . The blender base of  claim 3 , wherein the microcontroller comprises a plurality of preprogrammed routines and is operative to retrieve and implement one of the plurality of preprogrammed routines based on the sensor system detecting a first container is present on the blender base.  
     
     
         6 . The blender base of  claim 5 , wherein the microcontroller is operative so that at least one of the plurality of preprogrammed routines is not operative based on the sensor system detecting the first container is present on the blender base.  
     
     
         7 . The blender base of  claim 6 , wherein the wherein the microcontroller is operative to retrieve and implement the at least one of the plurality of preprogrammed routines based on the sensor system detecting a second container is present on the blender base.  
     
     
         8 . The blender base of  claim 2 , wherein containers that fit onto the blender base include at least one actuator for actuating at least one of the sensors.  
     
     
         9 . The blender of  claim 8 , further comprising a first container that comprises a first actuator for actuating a first sensor of the sensor system.  
     
     
         10 . The blender of  claim 9 , further comprising a second container that comprises a second actuator for actuating a second sensor of the sensor system.  
     
     
         11 . The blender of  claim 9 , wherein the first container is capable of fitting on the blender base in a plurality of orientations, and wherein the first container comprises a plurality of actuators arranged so that at least one actuator may actuate the first sensor when the container is in the variety of orientations.  
     
     
         12 . An attachment for placing on a blender base, comprising: 
 a base for fitting onto a blender base that is configured to receive at least two different types of containers, the blender base comprising a sensor system, the sensor system for detecting the type of container on the blender base; and    an actuator for actuating the sensor system.    
     
     
         13 . The attachment of  claim 12 , wherein the attachment comprises a container.  
     
     
         14 . The attachment of  claim 13 , wherein the container comprises a food processor.  
     
     
         15 . The attachment of  claim 13 , wherein the container comprises: a jar for a blender, and a blender blade unit.  
     
     
         16 . The attachment of  claim 12 , further comprising a blender blade unit.  
     
     
         17 . The attachment of  claim 12 , wherein the sensor system of the blender base comprises a plurality of sensors, each sensor capable of separate actuation, and wherein the actuator actuates at least one of the plurality of sensors when the attachment is on the blender base.  
     
     
         18 . The attachment of  claim 12 , wherein the attachment is capable of fitting on the blender base in a plurality of orientations, and wherein the attachment further comprises a plurality of actuators arranged so that at least one actuator may actuate the first sensor when the container is in the variety of orientations  
     
     
         19 . A blade unit for use with a blender, comprising: 
 a first blade assembly having a generally U-shaped configuration with first and second blades on distal ends of U-shaped configuration, and wherein the first and second blades on the first blade assembly extend at an angle to a radial axis of the blade unit; and    a second blade assembly having a first and second blades that extend substantially radially to the radial axis.    
     
     
         20 . The blade unit of  claim 19 , wherein the blades of the first blade assembly extend upward when the blade unit is placed on a blender base for the blender.  
     
     
         21 . The blade unit of  claim 19 , wherein blades of the first blade assembly are sharpened on leading edges, and are blunt on trailing edges.  
     
     
         22 . The blade unit of  claim 19 , wherein blades of the first blade assembly are sharpened on leading edges, and are sharpened on trailing edges.  
     
     
         23 . The blade unit of  claim 19 , further comprising a third blade assembly having a generally U-shaped configuration with first and second blades on distal ends of U-shaped configuration, and wherein the first and second blades on the third blade assembly extend at an angle to a radial axis of the blade unit.  
     
     
         24 . The blade unit of  claim 23 , wherein the second blade assembly is mounted between the first and third blade assemblies.  
     
     
         25 . The blade unit of  claim 24 , wherein the second blade assembly is mounted adjacent to the first and third blade assemblies.  
     
     
         26 . The blade unit of  claim 23 , wherein the wherein the blades of the first blade assembly extend upward and the blades of the third blade assembly extend downward when the blade unit is placed on a blender base for the blender.  
     
     
         27 . The blade unit of  claim 26 , wherein the second blade assembly is mounted adjacent to and between the first and third blade assemblies.  
     
     
         28 . The blade unit of  claim 23 , further comprising an extraction mechanism for releasing the blade unit from a blade base.  
     
     
         29 . The blade unit of  claim 28 , wherein the extraction mechanism permits the release of the blade unit without the use of tools.  
     
     
         30 . The blade unit of  claim 29 , wherein the blade unit is mounted on a shaft, and wherein the extraction mechanism comprises a cap mounted on the shaft, wherein squeezing of the cap permits removal of the cap and the blade unit.  
     
     
         31 . The blade unit of  claim 19 , further comprising an extraction mechanism for releasing the blade unit from a blade base.  
     
     
         32 . The blade unit of  claim 31 , wherein the extraction mechanism permits the release of the blade unit without the use of tools.  
     
     
         33 . The blade unit of  claim 32 , wherein the blade unit is mounted on a shaft, and wherein the extraction mechanism comprises a cap mounted on the shaft, wherein squeezing of the cap permits removal of the cap and the blade unit.  
     
     
         34 . A blade base and unit for a blender comprising: 
 a blade unit;    a blade base; and    an extraction mechanism for releasing the blade unit from the blade base.    
     
     
         35 . The blade base and unit of  claim 34 , wherein the extraction mechanism permits the release of the blade unit without the use of tools.  
     
     
         36 . The blade base and unit of  claim 35 , wherein the blade unit is mounted on a shaft that is attached to the blade base, and wherein the extraction mechanism comprises a cap mounted on the shaft, wherein squeezing of the cap permits removal of the cap and the blade unit.  
     
     
         37 . A blender base comprising: 
 a reversible motor;    a user interface; and    a microcontroller in communication with the motor and the user interface, and comprising memory, the memory including preprogrammed motor routines associated with a plurality of predetermined functions, at least one of the motor routines including both forward and reverse functions of the motor;    wherein the microcontroller is operative to retrieve the at least one preprogrammed motor routine from the memory in response to user selection of an input associated with the at least one of the preprogrammed motor routines, and operates the motor in both the reverse and forward directions based on the preprogrammed motor routines.    
     
     
         38 . The blender base of  claim 37 , wherein the user interface comprises a plurality of function switches associated with the preprogrammed motor routines and a light emitting diode for each of the plurality of function switches, the light emitting diode illuminating when a respective one of the plurality of function switches is activated.  
     
     
         39 . The blender base of  claim 37 , wherein the user interface includes a progress indicator.  
     
     
         40 . The blender base of  claim 37 , wherein the user interface includes a first manual speed switch, a second manual speed switch, and a manual speed indicator.  
     
     
         41 . The blender base of  claim 40 , wherein the manual speed indicator comprises at least one light emitting diode which is responsive to actuation by the first manual speed switch or the second manual speed switch.  
     
     
         42 . The blender base of  claim 37 , wherein the user interface includes a display.  
     
     
         43 . The blender base of  claim 42 , wherein the microcontroller is operative to display a menu of functions on the display.  
     
     
         44 . The blender base of  claim 43 , wherein the microcontroller is operative to display a menu of most commonly chosen functions on the display.  
     
     
         45 . The blender base of  claim 43 , wherein the user interface includes a plurality of function switches, each associated with one of the functions shown on the display.  
     
     
         46 . The blender base of  claim 37 , further comprising a sensor assembly disposed in the blender base operative to detect a container on the base, and wherein the microcontroller is operative to retrieve and implement a respective one of the preprogrammed motor routines upon detection of the container.  
     
     
         47 . The blender base of  claim 37 , wherein the user interface includes a pause switch and the microcontroller is operative to pause the program and resume the program in response to activation of the pause switch.  
     
     
         48 . The blender base of  claim 37 , wherein the user interface includes a pulse switch and the microcontroller is operative to operate the motor in a continuation function for a routine in response to activation of the pulse switch after the routine has been run.  
     
     
         49 . The blender base of  claim 48 , wherein the continuation function comprises the last motor speed and direction of the motor in the routine.  
     
     
         50 . The blender base of  claim 48 , wherein the continuation function comprises an operation stored in the memory and associated with the routine.  
     
     
         51 . The blender base of  claim 48 , wherein the continuation function comprises both forward and reverse rotation of the motor.  
     
     
         52 . The blender base of  claim 37 , wherein the nonvolatile memory is an E 2  PROM.  
     
     
         53 . A blender base, comprising: 
 a drive for rotating a blade unit; and    a dual-wound motor configured to rotate the blade unit in reverse and forward directions.    
     
     
         54 . The blender base of  claim 53 , further comprising speed controls for setting the speed of the motor in both the reverse and forward directions.  
     
     
         55 . The blender base of  claim 54 , wherein the speed controls comprise at least one triac.  
     
     
         56 . A blender base comprising: 
 a motor;    a user interface;    a display; and    a microcontroller in communication with the motor and the user interface, and comprising memory, the memory including preprogrammed motor routines associated with a plurality of predetermined functions, the microcontroller being operative to retrieve the at least one preprogrammed motor routine from the memory in response to user selection of an input associated with the at least one of the preprogrammed motor routines.    
     
     
         57 . The blender base of  claim 56 , wherein the microcontroller is operative to display a progress indicator on the display.  
     
     
         58 . The blender base of  claim 56 , wherein the microcontroller is operative to display a menu of at least some of the preprogrammed routines on the display.  
     
     
         59 . The blender base of  claim 58 , wherein the microcontroller is operative to display a menu of most commonly chosen routines on the display.  
     
     
         60 . The blender base of  claim 58 , wherein the user interface includes a plurality of function switches, each associated with one of the routines shown on the display.  
     
     
         61 . The blender base of  claim 56 , further comprising a sensor assembly disposed in the blender base operative to detect one of a plurality of different containers on the base, and wherein the microcontroller is operative to retrieve and implement a respective one of the preprogrammed motor routines upon detection of the one container.  
     
     
         62 . The blender base of  claim 56 , wherein the display comprises a liquid crystal display.  
     
     
         63 . A blender base comprising: 
 a motor;    a user interface;    a microcontroller in communication with the motor and the user interface, and comprising memory, the memory including preprogrammed motor routines associated with a plurality of predetermined functions, the microcontroller being operative to retrieve the at least one preprogrammed motor routine from the memory in response to user selection of an input on the user interface associated with the at least one of the preprogrammed motor routines; and    a pause switch on the user interface, the microcontroller being operative to pause the program and resume the program in response to activation of the pause switch.    
     
     
         64 . A blender base comprising: 
 a motor;    a user interface;    a microcontroller in communication with the motor and the user interface, and comprising memory, the memory including preprogrammed motor routines associated with a plurality of predetermined functions, the microcontroller being operative to retrieve the at least one preprogrammed motor routine from the memory in response to user selection of an input on the user interface associated with the at least one of the preprogrammed motor routines; and    a pulse switch on the user interface, wherein the microcontroller is operative to operate the motor in a continuation function for a routine in response to activation of the pulse switch after the routine has been completed.    
     
     
         65 . The blender base of  claim 64 , wherein the continuation function comprises the last motor speed and direction of the motor in the routine.  
     
     
         66 . The blender base of  claim 64 , wherein the continuation function comprises an operation stored in the memory and associated with the routine.  
     
     
         67 . The blender base of  claim 66 , wherein the continuation function comprises both forward and reverse rotation of the motor.  
     
     
         68 . A blender base comprising: 
 a motor;    a user interface;    a display; and    a microcontroller in communication with the motor and the user interface, and comprising memory, the memory including information regarding a number of recipes, the microcontroller being operative to retrieve a recipe from the memory in response to user selection of an input associated with the recipe and to display the recipe on the display.    
     
     
         69 . The blender base of  claim 68 , wherein the memory comprises preprogrammed motor routines associated with the recipes, the microcontroller being operative to retrieve a respective preprogrammed motor routine from the memory in response to user selection of an input on the user interface associated with the associated recipe.  
     
     
         70 . The blender base of  claim 69 , wherein the microcontroller is configured to generate an audible tone upon completion of the routine.  
     
     
         71 . The blender base of  claim 69 , wherein the preprogrammed routine includes a pause in which ingredients should be added, and wherein the microcontroller is configured to generate an audible tone at the pause.  
     
     
         72 . The blender base of  claim 68 , wherein the blender base is configured to receive at least two different containers, and further comprising a sensor assembly disposed in the blender base operative to detect a particular container on the base, and wherein the microcontroller is operative to retrieve and implement a respective one of the recipes upon detection of the container.  
     
     
         73 . A blender base comprising: 
 a reversible motor;    a sensor associated with the motor; and    a microcontroller in communication with the sensor and the motor, the microcontroller being operative to reverse the direction of the motor in response to the sensor sensing a predetermined strain in the motor.    
     
     
         74 . The blender base of  claim 73 , wherein the microcontroller is operative to reverse the direction of the motor for a first period of time, and then reverse the motor back to an original operating direction.  
     
     
         75 . The blender base of  claim 73 , wherein the microprocessor comprises memory, and wherein the memory comprises preprogrammed motor routines, the microcontroller being operative to retrieve a respective preprogrammed motor routine from the memory in response to user selection of the respective preprogrammed motor routine.  
     
     
         76 . The blender base of  claim 75 , wherein the microcontroller is operative to reverse the direction of the motor in response to the sensor sensing a predetermined strain in the motor during operation of one of the preprogrammed motor routines.  
     
     
         77 . A container for use with a blender, comprising: 
 a jar;    a blade base removably attachable to the jar;    a lid with an opening therethrough, the lid adapted to fit over the jar; and    a cap configured to fit into the opening, the cap being capable of forming a connection with the blade unit to disengage the blade unit from the jar.    
     
     
         78 . The container of  claim 77 , wherein the cap includes a top and a projection extending from the top, the projection comprising a plurality of notches for engaging the blade unit.  
     
     
         79 . The container of  claim 78 , wherein the blade base includes ribs that are engaged by the notches.  
     
     
         80 . A container for use with a blender comprising ingredient markings that represent fill lines for particular ingredients that are to added for a recipe that is to be mixed in the blender.  
     
     
         81 . The container of  claim 80 , wherein the ingredients comprises ice and a fluid.  
     
     
         82 . The container of  claim 81 , wherein the recipe comprises ingredients for a frozen drink.  
     
     
         83 . The container of  claim 80 , wherein the ingredient markings are removable from the container.  
     
     
         84 . A container for use with a blender, comprising a jar having a interior non-stick surface.  
     
     
         85 . The container of  claim 84 , wherein the non-stick surface comprises Teflon.  
     
     
         86 . A blender comprising: 
 a blender base have a drive unit and a male drive member that is driven by the drive unit, the male drive member comprising metal; and    a blade base comprising a blade unit and a female driven member, the female driven member configured to rotate with the blade unit and to fit over the male drive member, the female drive member comprising metal.    
     
     
         87 . The blender of  claim 86 , wherein the drive unit comprises a shaft, and further comprising an insulating bushing for attaching the drive shaft to the male drive member.  
     
     
         88 . The blender of  claim 87 , wherein the male drive element comprises upper and lower surfaces, and wherein the bushing extends at least partially between the upper and lower surfaces.  
     
     
         89 . The blender of  claim 88 , wherein the shaft extends into the bushing, and at least partially between the upper and lower surfaces.  
     
     
         90 . The blender of  claim 89 , wherein the bushing is mounted substantially between the upper and lower surfaces.  
     
     
         91 . A container for use with a blade base, comprising: 
 a drinking container having a first interface at its top;    a blade base having a blade unit thereon and a second interface thereon, the second interface configured to mate with the first interface, the blade base and the drinking container forming a sealed container; and    a drinking cap having a drinking hole and a third interface, the third interface configured to mate with the first interface.    
     
     
         92 . The container of  claim 91 , wherein the drinking container comprises a closed bottom that is opposite the top.  
     
     
         93 . A method of mixing ingredients in a drinking container, comprising: 
 placing ingredients in a drinking container;    attaching a blade base to the drinking container;    inverting the blade base and drinking cup;    placing the blade base on a blender base and operating the blender base to mix the ingredients in the drinking cup;    removing the blade base and drinking cup from the blender base;    inverting the blade base and drinking cup; and    removing the blade base from the drinking cup.    
     
     
         94 . The method of  claim 93 , further comprising attaching a drinking cap to the top of the drinking cup.  
     
     
         95 . A blender and food processor system, comprising: 
 a blender base comprising a drive unit;    a blender container comprising a blade base for attaching to the blender base and having a blender blade unit, wherein operation of the blender base when the blade base is on the blender base causes operation of the blender blade unit;    a food processor container having a food processor base for attaching to the blender base, and including a food processor blade unit, wherein operation of the blender base when the food processor base is on the blender base causes operation of the food processor blade unit.    
     
     
         96 . The blender and food processor system of  claim 95 , further comprising a sensor on the blender base for determining whether the food processor container or the blender container is mounted on the blender base.  
     
     
         97 . A blender base, comprising: 
 a blender base configured to receive at least two different types of containers;    a sensor system on the blender base, the sensor system for detecting the type of container on the blender base;    a motor associated with the blender base for operating the blender;    a microcontroller associated with the sensor system and the motor, wherein the microcontroller is configured such that the motor is capable of operation within a first specified range if a first container is detected by the sensor system to be on the blender base, and is capable of operation within a second specified range is a second container is detected by the sensor system to be on the blender base.    
     
     
         98 . The blender base of  claim 97 , wherein the microcontroller comprises a plurality of preprogrammed routines and is operative to retrieve and implement one of the plurality of preprogrammed routines based on the sensor system detecting the first container is present on the blender base.  
     
     
         99 . The blender of  claim 98 , wherein the microcontroller is operative so that at least one of the plurality of preprogrammed routines is not operative based on the sensor system detecting the first container is present on the blender base.  
     
     
         100 . The blender of  claim 99 , wherein the wherein the microcontroller is operative to retrieve and implement the at least one of the plurality of preprogrammed routines based on the sensor system detecting the second container is present on the blender base.  
     
     
         101 . The blender of  claim 97 , wherein the first container is a blender container.  
     
     
         102 . The blender of  claim 101 , wherein the second container is a food processor container, and wherein the second range having a fastest motor speed that is less than a fastest motor speed of the first range.  
     
     
         103 . A blender base comprising: 
 a reversible motor;    a user interface having a manual speed selector;    a microcontroller in communication with the motor and the user interface, and comprising memory, the memory including preprogrammed motor routines associated with a plurality of predetermined functions;    wherein the microcontroller is operative to retrieve the at least one preprogrammed motor routine from the memory in response to user selection of an input associated with the at least one of the preprogrammed motor routines, and operates the motor based on the preprogrammed motor routines; and    wherein the microcontroller is operative to increment each of the functions in a routine responsive to a user actuating the manual speed selector during operation of the routine.    
     
     
         104 . A blender base comprising: 
 a reversible motor;    a user interface; and    a microcontroller in communication with the motor and the user interface, and comprising memory, the memory including preprogrammed motor routines associated with a plurality of predetermined functions;    wherein the microcontroller is operative to retrieve the at least one preprogrammed motor routine from the memory in response to user selection of an input associated with the at least one of the preprogrammed motor routines, and operates the motor based on the preprogrammed motor routines; and    wherein the microcontroller is configured to generate an audible tone upon completion of the at least one preprogrammed motor routine.