Agitator for food and beverage mixer

Abstract

A cup for receiving a beverage includes a container body having a side wall and a bottom wall joined at a first radius. A lid may be selectively affixed to the top of the side wall. An agitator is received inside the container body to enhance mixing of the beverage. The agitator has a weighted, central hub and a plurality of elongated projections extending radially from the hub. The projections join the hub at a root and extend to a free end. The free ends are capped by domes having a second radius less than or equal to the first radius. All of the projections have substantially the same length. This affords a shape that allows the agitator to roll freely on the bottom wall or in the corners. Any one of the projections can reach into a corner of the cup and dislodge any solids.

I claim: 
     
         1 . An agitator for placement in a cup along with beverage components and a liquid carrier, the agitator comprising:
 a central hub;   a plurality of elongated projections extending radially from the hub, the projections having substantially the same length.   
     
     
         2 . The agitator of  claim 1  wherein the hub includes a core covered by a sheath. 
     
     
         3 . The agitator of  claim 2  wherein the core is a metal ball. 
     
     
         4 . The agitator of  claim 3  wherein the sheath is made of a polymer material. 
     
     
         5 . The agitator of  claim 1  wherein the projections attach to the hub at a root and extend from the root to a free end. 
     
     
         6 . The agitator of  claim 5  wherein the projections include at least one post having a frusto-conical shape with a maximum diameter at the root and a minimum diameter at the free end. 
     
     
         7 . The agitator of  claim 5  wherein the projections include at least one spoke having a frusto-conical shape with a maximum diameter at the free end and a minimum diameter at the root. 
     
     
         8 . The agitator of  claim 5  wherein the projections include at least one post having a frusto-conical shape with a maximum diameter at the root and a minimum diameter at the free end and the projections further include at least one spoke having a frusto-conical shape with a maximum diameter at the free end and a minimum diameter at the root. 
     
     
         9 . The agitator of  claim 1  having at least two projections which are diametrically aligned with one another. 
     
     
         10 . The agitator of  claim 1  wherein the projections are arranged orthogonally to one another. 
     
     
         11 . The agitator of  claim 10  wherein the projections are arranged in diametrically-aligned pairs. 
     
     
         12 . The agitator of  claim 11  having at least three pairs of projections arranged orthogonally to one another with each pair diametrically aligned. 
     
     
         13 . A cup for receiving beverage components and a liquid carrier, the cup comprising:
 a container body having a bottom wall and side wall, the walls adjoining one another at a first radius; and   an agitator for placement in the container body and having a central hub and a plurality of elongated projections extending radially from the hub, the projections having substantially the same length and each projection terminating at a dome having a second radius that is less than or equal to the first radius.   
     
     
         14 . The cup of  claim 13  further comprising a lid sized for selective engagement with the top of the container body. 
     
     
         15 . The cup of  claim 13  wherein the agitator includes a hub having a core covered by a sheath. 
     
     
         16 . The cup of  claim 15  wherein the core is a metal ball. 
     
     
         17 . The cup of  claim 15  wherein the sheath is made of a polymer material. 
     
     
         18 . The cup of  claim 15  wherein the projections attach to the hub at a root and extend from the root to a free end. 
     
     
         19 . The cup of  claim 15  wherein the projections include at least one post having a frusto-conical shape with a maximum diameter at the root and a minimum diameter at the free end. 
     
     
         20 . The cup of  claim 15  wherein the projections include at least one spoke having a frusto-conical shape with a maximum diameter at the free end and a minimum diameter at the root.