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  Mixing device configured to blend foodUSPTO Application #: 20080089171Title: Mixing device configured to blend food Abstract: A mixing device configured to blend food. The mixing device includes a base enclosing a motor. The base includes a recessed area and a projection extends from the recessed area. A jar is removably mounted to the base for containing food. A collar is removably mounted between the base and the jar. The collar has a blending tool that is operatively engaged with the motor when the collar is positioned on the base. Further, a splash guard is removably mounted to the base. The splash guard covers said recessed area. A space defined by the recessed area of the base and the splash guard provides storage for a cap. The cap is releasably mounted to the projection. (end of abstract) Agent: Panitch Schwarze Belisario & Nadel LLP - Philadelphia, PA, US Inventors: Atle Larsen, Ernest B. Pryor, Mark C. Steiner USPTO Applicaton #: 20080089171 - Class: 366206 (USPTO) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080089171. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001]This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/581,725, filed Oct. 16, 2006. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002]The present application is directed to a mixing device configured to blend food and, more particularly, to a mixing device or blender that includes a removably mounted dispensing spout and a removably mounted splash guard that encloses a storage space. [0003]Mixing devices or blenders are a relatively common household or kitchen appliance that are used to blend foodstuff, typically drinks or other foodstuff that is blended into a semi-fluid state. A typical blender includes a base that encloses a motor housing and a container comprised of a jar and a mixing assembly. The base includes a blending tool rotatably mounted thereto. The blending tool is rotatably engageable with a drive shaft of the motor in an operating configuration. More recently it has become popular to provide the blending jar or collar with a spout having a valve. The spout is used to dispense "smoothie" type products. That is, foodstuff is placed into the container and the container is engaged with the base. The foodstuff is blended and a handle of the spout is positioned to raise the valve to dispense or pour the blended foodstuff from base of the container. [0004]When dispensing blended foodstuff through a spout, the foodstuff inside the spout can leave quit a mess. It would be desirable to remove the spout from the blender after blending the foodstuff. This would allow a user to more easily clean the spout before either using the blender for other foodstuff or storing the blender. In the same sense, it would be desirable to remove the valve housed inside the spout so that the valve can be properly cleaned before either storage or its next use. [0005]When using a conventional mixing device or blender, blended foodstuff often escapes from inside the container either through the top of the jar or through the spout and splashes on the exterior of the mixing device. It would be desirable to include a removably mounted splash guard on the front of the base of the blender to prevent the front of the blender from accumulating splashed or spilled foodstuff. The splash guard may be positioned on the front of the base of the blender under the spout such that spilled or splashed blended foodstuff does not collect on the base of the blender. It would be desirable if the splash guard was removably mounted to the base so that the splash guard could be cleaned separately from the dispensing blender. [0006]Further, blenders often come with various small parts, components or accessories that enhance a user's experience of the blender. Typically, such small parts are stored loosely with the blender and are often lost as a result. It would be desirable to further provide a self-storage space inside the blender, separate from the areas used to blend the foodstuff. This storage space would allow a user to keep small, ancillary components of the blender in a place that is easily assessable but not obstructive to the normal use of the blender. For example, it would be desirable to provide a space and a structure inside the blender to secure a cap which is used to prevent foodstuff from escaping from the blender. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007]Briefly stated, the present invention is directed to a mixing device configured to blend food. The device includes a base housing a motor. A jar is removably mounted to the base for containing food. A collar is removably mounted between the base and the jar. The collar includes a blending tool operatively engaged with the motor when positioned on the base. A dispensing spout is removably mounted to one of the collar and the jar. The dispensing spout includes a plunger valve positioned therein. The plunger valve is movable between a first position wherein food flows through the dispensing spout and a second position where food is prevented from flowing through the dispensing spout. The plunger valve is removably mounted to the dispensing spout. [0008]In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a mixing device configured to blend food. The mixing device includes a base enclosing a motor. The base includes a recessed area and a projection extends from the recessed area. A jar is removably mounted to the base for containing food. A collar is removably mounted between the base and the jar. The collar has a blending tool that is operatively engaged with the motor when the collar is positioned on the base. Further, a splash guard is removably mounted to the base. The splash guard covers the recessed area. A space defined by the recessed area of the base and the splash guard provides storage for a cap. The cap is releasably mounted to the projection. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS [0009]The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention described in the present application, there is shown in the drawings, an embodiment which is presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings: [0010]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of a mixing device in accordance with the present invention; [0011]FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the mixing device shown in FIG. 1; [0012]FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of the mixing device shown in FIG. 2, taken along line 2A-2A of FIG. 2; [0013]FIG. 3 is a rear elevation view of the mixing device shown in FIG. 1; [0014]FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a base of the mixing device shown in FIG. 1; [0015]FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the base of the mixing device shown in FIG. 1; [0016]FIG. 6 is a right side perspective view of a collar of the mixing device shown in FIG. 1; [0017]FIG. 7 is a front right perspective view of a splash guard of the mixing device shown in FIG. 1; [0018]FIG. 8 is a front right perspective view of the base and splash guard assembled; [0019]FIG. 9 is a rear perspective view of the base and splash guard assembled; [0020]FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the splash guard and base; Continue reading... Full patent description for Mixing device configured to blend food Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Mixing device configured to blend food patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Mixing device configured to blend food or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Mixing device configured to blend food Next Patent Application: Container holder platform Industry Class: Agitating ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Mixing device configured to blend food patent info. 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