Agitating – Stirrer within stationary mixing chamber – Mounted in removable mixing chamber closure
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-29
2001-05-15
Cooley, Charles E. (Department: 1723)
Agitating
Stirrer within stationary mixing chamber
Mounted in removable mixing chamber closure
C366S332000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06231226
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a pitcher equipped with a cooperating manually operated mixing subassembly.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Pitchers adapted for dispensing beverages and the like that are associated with mixing subassemblies, particularly a cooperating mixing subassembly having a mixing head that is manually reciprocated vertically while the pitcher is an upright orientation, are well known. Commonly, such a pitcher has a cross-sectionally circular configuration. Moreover, the associated mixing subassembly has a mixing head mounted on the lower end of a shaft which projects upwards, which slidably and centrally extends through a pitcher mouth cover member, and which terminates in a hand-graspable handle portion. When the shaft is manually reciprocated, the mixing head produces agitation and mixing of fluid in the pitcher.
Because of the volumetric space occupied by an upright pitcher, a storage problem arises particularly when the liquid-holding capacity of a cross-sectionally circular pitcher is increased from, for example, a one quart, or one liter, size to a four quart (gallon), or four or five liter, size. The problem is particularly troublesome when the large-sized pitcher is stored, even temporarily, in a refrigerator before the resulting chilled liquid contents of the pitcher, after a final mixing, are dispensed. A cross-sectionally round pitcher of a gallon size capacity can occupy so much space that it is not suitable for practical storage on the top shelf or in the door of a domestic refrigerator.
To alleviate the pitcher size and space-consuming problem, it is proposed to reconfigure a pitcher from a cross-sectionally circular configuration to a cross-sectionally elliptical configuration, or, generically, to a so-called race-track configuration. The term “cross-sectional race-track configuration” (or equivalent word form) is used herein as a convenience to designate a pitcher configuration characterized by having (a) spaced, opposed, symmetrical, curved, or, alternatively, flattened side walls (the latter now preferred), with (b) interconnecting symmetrical, opposed, semi-circular end walls. However, such a configuration causes a new problem to arise—the mixing head of common prior art mixing subassembly is configured for use in a cross-sectionally circular pitcher, and is not suitable, or sufficiently effective, for use in the reconfigured pitcher. Even assuming that suitable means for mounting the prior art mixing subassembly through the lid of the reconfigured pitcher is found, the mixing capacity or mixing efficiency of the prior art mixing subassembly is generally insufficient or inadequate for acceptable marketing purposes even for domestic utilization.
Thus, a need arises for an improved combination of pitcher and cooperating mixing subassembly, particularly a combination wherein the pitcher has a space-saving non-circular cross-sectional configuration, and wherein the mixing head of the mixing assembly is adapted for producing mixing of the liquid contents of the pitcher in a highly efficient and effective manner. The present invention satisfies this need.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention provides a new and improved combination of beverage pitcher and coacting, manually-operated, reciprocatable mixing subassembly. The combination is particularly well adapted for use with pitchers that are characterized by having a non-circular cross-sectional configuration, particularly pitchers having in cross-section a race-track configuration.
The inventive combination enables one to accomplish a mixing of the liquid contents of a pitcher in a minimum of time and with a minimum of effort but with maximum effectiveness.
In a preferred embodiment, the combination is used with no spillage either during use of the mixing subassembly, or during beverage dispensing after completion of a mixing operation.
In a preferred embodiment, the pitcher preferably gradually and systematically increases in cross-sectional area proceeding upwardly from the closed bottom to the top or mouth, and the mixing subassembly has a mixing head whose sides and bottom are nestably received in adjacent relationship to the interior lowermost sides and bottom of the pitcher.
Although the inventive pitcher and mixing subassembly combination may be fabricated with the pitcher having a cross-sectionally circular configuration, it is preferred that the pitcher have in cross-section a race-track configuration.
The combination is easily assembled, used, and dissembled for cleaning or storage. The components of the combination can be easily fabricated from various materials, as the fabricator or user may desire. Preferably, the components are fabricated of molded plastic that is refrigerator storable, and that is cleanable at elevated water temperatures with detergents.
The mixing subassembly has a mixing head which is configured so that, upon reciprocal movement in the pitcher, the mixing head angularly deflects the liquid to produce the desired mixing action.
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Rubbermaid Measuring Pitcher (top), Restaurant and Institutions Feb. 1981, p. 197 (D10/46.2).
Pitcher (bottom right) # 3062-87, Rubbermaid 1991.
Pitcher #3326, Rubbermaid 1992, p. 16.
Cooley Charles E.
Olson & Hierl Ltd.
The Pampered Chef, Ltd.
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