CAPACITIVE TOUCH FACEPLATE FOR A BLENDER
Touch sensors form various controls for a touch controller of a blender. The controls are arranged on the touch controller such that a user holding the blender can operate the blender by articulating their thumbs. In one example, button controls for preset programs are arranged in an arcuate manner on one side of the touch controller, the curvature of the arcuate shape being open to the side of the blender. A button for a pulsating function may be located inside the curvature opening. Start and stop buttons may be located near the bottom in the middle of the touch controller. A vertical sliding speed control may be located on the side of the touch controller opposite the button controls. The touch controller may also have an LED or LCD screen.
1 . A blending apparatus comprising:
an input apparatus;
a controller;
a motor; and
a container,
wherein the input apparatus comprises a plurality of touch sensors arranged to form a plurality of touch controls, the plurality of touch controls arranged to be operated by articulation of a user's thumb about an axis of rotation while holding the blending apparatus.
2 . The blending apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the input apparatus comprises first side, second side, and middle portions,
wherein the plurality of touch controls comprise buttons corresponding to a plurality of blending programs on the first side portion, a speed control on the second side portion, and start and stop buttons in the middle portion, and
wherein, the plurality of blending programs are arranged, in part, in an arcuate manner.
3 . The blending apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein a touch control for a pulsating function is arranged in the curvature defined by the arcuate arrangement of the buttons corresponding to the plurality of blending programs.
4 . The blending apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the curvature defined by the arcuate arrangement opens to the first side of the blending apparatus.
5 . The blending apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the speed control is a slider control.
6 . The blending apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the plurality of blending programs comprise programs for operating the blending apparatus to create smoothies, frozen desserts, and hot soups.
7 . The blending apparatus according to claim 5 , further comprising programs for operating the blending apparatus to create purees and to clean the blending apparatus.
8 . The blending apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of touch sensors comprise at least one capacitive touch sensor.
9 . The blending apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the input apparatus further comprises a light emitting diode (LED) or liquid crystal display (LCD) screen on which the touch controls are displayed.
10 . The blending apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the controller is capable of dynamically altering an arrangement or appearance of the touch controls on the screen.
11 . The blending apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the input apparatus further comprises at least one of a series of sounds or vibrations for each of the plurality of touch controls.
12 . An input apparatus for a kitchen appliance comprising:
first side, second side, and middle portions; and
a plurality of touch sensors arranged to form a plurality of touch controls,
wherein the plurality of touch controls comprise buttons corresponding to a plurality of programs relating to the operation of the kitchen appliance on a first side portion and start and stop buttons in one of the middle portion and the second side portion,
wherein the plurality of touch controls are arranged to be operated by articulation of a user's thumb about an axis of rotation while holding the kitchen appliance.
13 . The input apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein the buttons are arranged in an arcuate shape, the curve of the arcuate shape opening toward the first side of the kitchen appliance.
14 . The input apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein the kitchen appliance is a blender.
15 . The input apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein the plurality of touch sensors comprise at least one capacitive touch sensor.
16 . The input apparatus according to claim 12 , further comprising a light emitting diode (LED) or liquid crystal display (LCD) screen.
17 . The input apparatus according to claim 16 , wherein an arrangement or appearance of the touch controls can be dynamically altered on the screen.
18 . The input apparatus according to claim 16 , wherein the screen is divided into multiple sections corresponding to the plurality of touch controls and illuminates in one or more different colors according to an activated touch control and relative speed.
19 . The input apparatus according to claim 12 further comprising at least one of a series of sounds or vibrations for each of the plurality of touch controls.
20 . The input apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein the plurality of touch controls are arranged to be operated by articulation of the user's thumb on one hand while activating a speed control with the user's thumb on the other hand.