ENCLOSURE FOR A BLENDING TOOL OF A MIXING DEVICE
A mixing device configured for shipment and/or storage includes a base housing at least one motor, a jar removably mountable to the base in an operating configuration for containing foodstuff, and a blade assembly loosely positioned in the jar. The blade assembly has a first surface and an opposing second surface. The second surface of the blade assembly operatively engages that at least one motor in the operating configuration. The device further includes a blending tool operatively connected to the first surface of the blade assembly and an enclosure removably mountable to the first surface of the blade assembly to enclose the blending tool.
1 . A mixing device configured for shipment and/or storage, said device comprising:
a base housing at least one motor;
a jar removably mountable to said base in an operating configuration for containing foodstuff;
a blade assembly loosely positioned in said jar, said blade assembly having a first surface and an opposing second surface, said second surface of said blade assembly for operatively engaging said at least one motor in said operating configuration;
a blending tool operatively connected to said first surface of said blade assembly; and
an enclosure removably mountable to said first surface of said blade assembly to enclose said blending tool.
2 . A device in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said enclosure has a first closed end, a second open end and an outer sidewall therebetween.
3 . A device in accordance with claim 2 , wherein said enclosure further includes a threaded surface on said second open end for removably engaging a threaded surface of said blade assembly.
4 . A device in accordance with claim 2 , wherein said outer sidewall of said enclosure includes at least one rib to assist in gasping the enclosure.
5 . A device in accordance with claim 4 , wherein said outer sidewall of said enclosure includes a plurality of spaced-apart ribs.
6 . A device in accordance with claim 2 , wherein said outer sidewall of said enclosure includes at least one grip indentation to assist in grasping the enclosure.
7 . A device in accordance with claim 6 , wherein said outer sidewall of said enclosure includes two spaced-apart grip indentations.
7 . A device in accordance with claim 2 , wherein said outer sidewall of said enclosure includes as least one locking ridge to removably engage a portion of said blade assembly.
8 . A device in accordance with claim 7 , wherein said outer sidewall of said enclosure includes two-spaced apart locking ridges.
9 . A device in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said enclosure has a frusto-conical shape.
10 . A device in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said enclosure is formed of a polymeric material.
11 . A device in accordance with claim 10 , wherein said enclosure is transparent.
12 . A device in accordance with claim 10 , wherein said enclosure is opaque.
13 . A method of shipping and/or storing a mixing device configured to blend foodstuff, said method comprising the steps of:
a) providing a partially disassembled mixing device, said mixing device comprising a base, a jar, a blending tool operatively engaged to a blade assembly and an enclosure,
b) removably securing said enclosure to said blade assembly to enclose said blending tool;
c) inserting said enclosure and blade assembly loosely into an interior of said jar;
d) inverting said jar; and
e) placing said inverted jar over said base such that said mixing device is in a partially assembled state to reduce the overall size of the mixing device for shipping or storage purposes.
14 . A method in accordance with claim 13 , further comprising the step of:
f) placing the partially assembled mixing device into a packaging to be shipped and/or stored.