Blending apparatus
This invention is concerned with providing apparatus for blending product within a container ( 10 ) by charging the container with product, applying a lid (l 2 ) with an integral blending element ( 14 ) thereon. The product is blended by driving the blending element with an external drive ( 34 ) whilst the container is in an inverted position. The assembled and filled container is located in a holder ( 22 ) whilst in a generally upright position and the holder is moved to invert the container so that the lid is lowermost and the product is in contact with the blending element in which position the product is blended. Inversion may take place in a housing ( 23 ) in which the product may be heated to a blending temperature.
1. Blending apparatus comprising a container having an opening through which product to be blended is introduced into the container, a lid to close the opening, a blending element mounted on the lid and directed downwards into the container when the lid is located thereon, a drive driveably engageable with the blending element to rotate the element and obtain a blending action on product in the container, and a mount on which an assembly of the container, lid and blending element is arranged to be located during blending,
the container being movable between an upright receiving position and an operative position in which the assembly is inverted with the lid lowermost and the drive is connectable to the blending element, wherein:
the mount includes a container holder into which the container is inserted and the container holder is rotatable between the receiving position and the operative position,
the container holder is located within a housing with access into the housing through an opening,
the drive is located in the base of the housing for connection to the blending element when in the inverted operative position, and
the drive is moveable vertically into driving engagement with the blending element after the container reaches an operative blending position.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a clamp to hold the container in the holder during movement between the receiving and operative positions.
3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the mount includes a tapered seating which holds the container in place during inversion and operation.
4. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the drive is arranged to rotate the blending element at different speeds including a blending speed and a lower mixing speed.
5. Blending apparatus comprising a container having an opening through which product to be blended is introduced into the container, a lid to close the opening, a blending element mounted on the lid and directed downwards into the container when the lid is located thereon, a drive driveably engageable with the blending element to rotate the element and obtain a blending action on product in the container, and a mount on which an assembly or the container, lid and blending element is arranged to be located during blending,
the container being movable between an upright receiving position and an operative position in which the assembly is inverted with the lid lowermost and the drive is connectable to the blending element, wherein:
the mount includes a container holder into which the container is inserted and the holder is rotatable between the receiving position and the operative position,
the container holder is located within a housing with access into the housing through an opening, and
the housing provides a microwave housing whereby product within the container may be heated by microwave radiation prior to, during and/or after a blending operation.
6. Blending apparatus comprising a container having an opening through which product to be blended is introduced into the container, a lid to close the opening, a blending element mounted on the lid and directed downwards into the container when the lid is located thereon, a drive driveably engageable with the blending element to rotate the element and obtain a blending action on product in the container, and a mount on which an assembly of container, the lid and blending element is arranged to be located during blending,
the container being movable between an upright receiving position and an operative position in which the assembly is inverted with the lid lowermost and the drive is connectable to the blending element, wherein:
the mount is carried on a reciprocal support and during reciprocal movement of the support the mount is rotated between the receiving and operating positions, and
the mount is movable relative to a fixed member, and a cam and a cam track are arranged to cause the rotational movement of the mount during said reciprocal movement.
7. Blending apparatus comprising a container having an opening through which product to be blended is introduced into the container, a lid to close the opening, a blending element mounted on the lid and directed downwards into the container when the lid is located thereon, a drive driveably engageable with the blending element to rotate the element and obtain a blending action on product in the container, a mount on which an assembly of the container, lid and blending element is arranged to be located during blending,
the container being moveable between an upright receiving position and an operative position in which the assembly is inverted with the lid lowermost and the drive is connectable to the blending element, wherein:
the mount includes a container holder into which the container is inserted and the holder is rotatable between the receiving position and the operative position,
the holder is located within a housing with access into the housing through an opening,
the drive is located in the base of the housing for connection to the blending element when in the inverted operative position, and
the housing includes a drive arrangement to rotate the holder to bring the container into said operative position.