AGITATOR FOR FOOD AND BEVERAGE MIXER
A cup for receiving a beverage includes a container body having a side wall and a bottom wall joined at a first radius. A lid may be selectively affixed to the top of the side wall. An agitator is received inside the container body to enhance mixing of the beverage. The agitator has a weighted, central hub and a plurality of elongated projections extending radially from the hub. The projections join the hub at a root and extend to a free end. The free ends are capped by domes having a second radius less than or equal to the first radius. All of the projections have substantially the same length. This affords a shape that allows the agitator to roll freely on the bottom wall or in the corners. Any one of the projections can reach into a corner of the cup and dislodge any solids.
1 . An agitator for placement in a cup along with beverage components and a liquid carrier, the agitator comprising:
a central hub;
a plurality of elongated projections extending radially from the hub, the projections having substantially the same length.
2 . The agitator of claim 1 wherein the hub includes a core covered by a sheath.
3 . The agitator of claim 2 wherein the core is a metal ball.
4 . The agitator of claim 3 wherein the sheath is made of a polymer material.
5 . The agitator of claim 1 wherein the projections attach to the hub at a root and extend from the root to a free end.
6 . The agitator of claim 5 wherein the projections include at least one post having a frusto-conical shape with a maximum diameter at the root and a minimum diameter at the free end.
7 . The agitator of claim 5 wherein the projections include at least one spoke having a frusto-conical shape with a maximum diameter at the free end and a minimum diameter at the root.
8 . The agitator of claim 5 wherein the projections include at least one post having a frusto-conical shape with a maximum diameter at the root and a minimum diameter at the free end and the projections further include at least one spoke having a frusto-conical shape with a maximum diameter at the free end and a minimum diameter at the root.
9 . The agitator of claim 1 having at least two projections which are diametrically aligned with one another.
10 . The agitator of claim 1 wherein the projections are arranged orthogonally to one another.
11 . The agitator of claim 10 wherein the projections are arranged in diametrically-aligned pairs.
12 . The agitator of claim 11 having at least three pairs of projections arranged orthogonally to one another with each pair diametrically aligned.
13 . A cup for receiving beverage components and a liquid carrier, the cup comprising:
a container body having a bottom wall and side wall, the walls adjoining one another at a first radius; and
an agitator for placement in the container body and having a central hub and a plurality of elongated projections extending radially from the hub, the projections having substantially the same length and each projection terminating at a dome having a second radius that is less than or equal to the first radius.
14 . The cup of claim 13 further comprising a lid sized for selective engagement with the top of the container body.
15 . The cup of claim 13 wherein the agitator includes a hub having a core covered by a sheath.
16 . The cup of claim 15 wherein the core is a metal ball.
17 . The cup of claim 15 wherein the sheath is made of a polymer material.
18 . The cup of claim 15 wherein the projections attach to the hub at a root and extend from the root to a free end.
19 . The cup of claim 15 wherein the projections include at least one post having a frusto-conical shape with a maximum diameter at the root and a minimum diameter at the free end.
20 . The cup of claim 15 wherein the projections include at least one spoke having a frusto-conical shape with a maximum diameter at the free end and a minimum diameter at the root.