This application relates generally to mixing machines and, more particularly to a bowl for use with a mixing machine.
Mixers are used to mix and blend a variety of materials, such as food product. Typically, the materials are placed in a bowl and the bowl is located below a mixer head that includes a rotatable output member with a mixer tool. Various arrangements have been used to support the bowl beneath the mixer head, and various bowl configurations have been provided. It would be desirable to provide a mixer bowl with one or more features that facilitate user handling of the mixer bowl.
In one aspect, a mixer bowl includes a bowl body defining an interior space for receiving food product. A first mount bracket is located on an exterior surface of the bowl body. A second mount bracket is located on the exterior surface of the bowl body and is circumferentially spaced from the first mount bracket. A handle is located on the exterior surface of the bowl body. The handle is disposed between the first mount bracket and the second mount bracket and includes an upper portion defining laterally extending thumb rests for receiving a users thumb.
In another aspect, a mixer bowl includes a bowl body defining an interior space for receiving food product and at least one mount bracket located on an exterior surface of the bowl body and having a mount opening therein. A handle is located on the exterior surface of the bowl body and is circumferentially offset from the mount bracket. The handle includes a primarily upright grip part and an upper portion defining laterally extending thumb rests. The laterally extending thumb rests define a width that is at least 50% greater than a largest width of the grip part.
The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.
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The handle includes a top portion 46 defining laterally extending thumb rests 48 and 50 for receiving a users thumb during handling of the bowl. The thumb rests provide the user with an ergonomic configuration for stabilizing the bowl during use (e.g., if a use is holding the bowl and manually mixing food product within the bowl). In the illustrated embodiment, each thumb rest 48 and 50 is spaced apart from the exterior surface of the bowl.
The handle includes a primarily upright grip portion 52 and the laterally extending thumb rests 48 and 50 are located proximate to the top of the grip portion. The grip portion has a lengthwise axis 54 that, in side elevation (e.g., per
The illustrated handle includes a metal bracket portion 60 and a overmolded, plastic portion 62 along the bracket portion. The metal bracket portion includes an extending and exposed upper part 64 that is welded, or otherwsie fastened, to the exterior surface of the bowl body and an extending an exposed lower part 66 that is welded, or otherwise fastened, to the exterior surface of the bowl body. The upper part 64 includes an upward bend 68 having one side that rests against the exterior surface of the bowl body and the lower part 66 includes a downwardly angled bend 70 that has one side that rests against the bowl body. The overmolded portion 62 defines both the primarily upright grip portion or part 52 and the laterally extending thumb rests 48 and 50. In one implementation the laterally extending thumb rests define a width WTR that is at least 30% greater than a largest width WHG of the handle grip part, or more preferably at least 50% greater than the largest width of the handle grip part, or more preferably at least 75% greater than the largest width of handle grip part. By way of example, WTR may be between about 1.90 and 2.10 inches, and WHG may be between about 0.95 and 1.15 inches. Such width facilitates a user's use of his/her thumb for lateral stability of the bowl when holding the bowl by the handle.
In use, the thumb rests define areas for receiving an end portion of a user's thumb and are located near the top of the handle grip part. The top of the handle grip part includes a thumb base support part 72 positioned above and angling downward toward the thumb rests 48 and 50, again providing for increased stability during user handling of the bowl via the handle.
It is to be clearly understood that the above description is intended by way of illustration and example only and is not intended to be taken by way of limitation, and that changes and modifications are possible. Accordingly, other embodiments are contemplated and modifications and changes could be made without departing from the scope of this application.