1. Field of the Invention
The present disclosure generally is related to kitchen tools, and more particularly, to tools for mixing and frothing liquids.
2. Description of the Related Art
A wide variety of tools exist for mixing liquids and for frothing liquids, including but not limited to beverages such as chocolate milk or hot cocoa. A device that combines these functions has advantages.
In one embodiment, a device for simultaneously mixing and frothing a liquid incorporates a container and an insert. The container is adapated to hold a volume of the liquid. The container has a bottom, a sidewall, and at least one opening. The insert is removably received by the container during use. The insert has an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion of the insert projects outwards from the container during operation. The lower portion of the insert has a shaft with a distal end located near the bottom of the container during operation. A motor is operable to rotate the shaft during operation. A mixing blade is fixedly coupled with respect to the distal end of the shaft. A frothing assembly is movably coupled to the shaft. The frothing assembly incorporates a float and a frother. The float is adapted to maintain the float and the frother near an upper surface of the liquid during use such that, regardless of the liquid level in the container, the frother is position near the top surface to selectively froth the liquid therein.
The following detailed description is directed toward devices for mixing and frothing liquids, such as hot cocoa and other beverages and liquids. The following detailed description and corresponding figures are intended to provide an individual of ordinary skill in the art with enough information to enable that individual to make and use embodiments of the invention. Such an individual, however, having read this entire detailed description and reviewed the figures, will appreciate that modifications can be made to the illustrated and described embodiments, and/or elements removed therefrom, without deviating from the spirit of the invention. It is intended that all such modifications and deviations fall within the scope of the invention, to the extent they are within the scope of the associated claims.
Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the disclosed methods and structures. Thus, the appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.
The operating end 116 of the illustrated insert 104 incorporates a housing 120 and a cap 122. The housing 120 can be designed to prevent liquid in the container 102 from contacting components inside the operating end 116 of the insert 104. The cap 122 mates with the housing 120 and covers and can protect the housing's internal components from elements outside the device 100. A seal 124 between the housing 120 and the cap 122 can contact the opening 108 in the pitcher 106 and prevent liquid from escaping from the device during use. A button 126 or other actuator at the top of the cap 122 can be depressed or otherwise manipulated to operate the device 100. The illustrated button 126 is covered with a layer of flexible and resilient material to allow the user to actuate the button without allowing liquid or other elements to enter the working end 116 of the device 100.
The working end 118 of the illustrated insert 104 incorporates a shaft 128, a mixer 130, a float 132, and a frother 134. The shaft 128 projects from the housing 120, extending a distance selected to reach close to a bottom of the pitcher 106 or other container. As discussed below, the shaft 128 rotates with respect to the operating end 116 of the insert 104 to mix and froth a liquid in the container 120.
The mixer 130 is fixedly mounted to an end of the shaft 128 and rotates as a unit therewith to mix, stir or otherwise agitate the liquid in the container 102. The illustrated mixer 130 has several angled blades 136 spaced radially around a perimeter of the mixer, angled to cause the liquid to move vertically (when the illustrated device 100 is resting on a horizontal counter) when the shaft 128 and mixer 130 rotates in the liquid. The mixer 130 can be permanently affixed to the shaft 128 or removably coupled thereto to be removed for cleaning, replacement, or otherwise.
The illustrated button 126 is incorporates an outer layer 144 of flexible material that allows users to depress the button 126 and can prevent liquid or other impurities from entering into the cap 122. The flexible material of the outer layer 144 deforms when the button 126 is pushed, and return to its original shape when the button is released.
In
A projection 150 on a bottom surface of the inner layer 146, located at a point of intersection of the lengths 148, is oriented downward. When the button 126 is depressed, the outer layer 144 and inner layer 146 deflect downward, causing the projection 150 to move downward. As the projection 150 moves downward, it causes a contact 152 to close a circuit including the power source 140 (batteries not shown) and the motor 138, driving the shaft 128. The contact 152 can best be seen in
All of the above U.S. patents, U.S. patent application publications, U.S. patent applications, foreign patents, foreign patent applications and non-patent publications referred to in this specification and/or listed in the Application Data Sheet, are incorporated herein by reference, in their entirety.
From the foregoing it will be appreciated that, although specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by the appended claims.
This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/524,213 filed Aug. 16, 2011, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61524213 | Aug 2011 | US |