US007144150B2
`
`(12)
`
`United States Patent
`Farrell
`
`(10) Patent N0.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7,144,150 B2
`*Dec. 5, 2006
`
`(54) RINSEABLE SPLASH SHIELD AND
`METHOD OF USE
`
`(75) Inventor: James J. Farrell, Orinda, CA (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: f’Real Foods L.L.C., Orinda, CA (US)
`
`1,847,226 A
`1,911,202 A
`1,913,210 A
`2,003,259 A
`
`3/1932 Ringwald ................. .. 366/207
`5/1933 Nielsen .................... .. 366/207
`6/1933 Parker ...................... .. 366/207
`5/1935 Gilbert et al. ............ .. 366/207
`
`( * ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 150 days.
`
`DE
`
`Continued
`(
`)
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`2158002
`5/1973
`
`This patent is subject to a terminal dis
`claimer.
`
`(21) Appl' NO': 10/715’171
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Nov. 17, 2003
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`Us 2005/0174884 A1
`
`Aug‘ 11’ 2005
`
`Related US. Application Data
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/426,622, ?led on Nov.
`15 2002.
`’
`(51) Int. C].
`B0117 15/00
`B08B 3/02
`(52) U 5 Cl
`'
`l
`l """""""""" "
`(58) Field of Classi?cation Search
`
`(200601)
`(2006.01)
`366/197_ 366647 366648
`£66649, 1’3 4 H1 5 R’
`’ 366/207
`
`366/347, 348, 349, 197; 134/26, 29, 34,
`13 4 B 6 42 1041 166 R 169 R 115 R
`See a lication ?le ’for ’com léte Searéh histo’
`pp
`p
`ry'
`References Cited
`
`(56)
`
`US. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`496,674 A
`934,537 A
`1,090,148 A *
`1,313,830 A
`
`5/1893 Urbach
`9/1909 Johnson
`3/1914 Harr ......................... .. 366/207
`8/1919 Minsk
`
`1,496,611 A *
`
`6/1924 Siegel . . . . . . . . .
`
`. . . .. 366/207
`
`1,560,826 A 11/1925 Kirschbraun ........... .. 366/168.1
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Product literature for Hamilton Beach Models 936 P and 908. Apr.
`
`1992'
`
`Continued
`(
`)
`Primary ExamineriTony G. Soohoo
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or FirmiStallman & Pollock LLP
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`The present application describes a method for rinsing a
`s lash shield. Accordin to the disclosed method, a vessel
`P
`g
`containing contents to be mixed is positioned in a mixing
`machine, and a s lash shield is ositioned over the o enin
`P
`P
`P
`g
`of the vessel. After the material Within the vessel is mixed
`by a mixing element, the splash shield is separated from the
`vessel and rinsed by a noZZle on the mixing machine.
`
`.
`.
`.
`In another embodlment, a vessel contaimng contents to be
`mixed is positioned in a holder on a mixing machine, and a
`splash shield (Which may or may not be rinseable) is
`positioned over the opening of the vessel. The contents of
`the vessel are mixed using a mixing element. During and/or
`after mixing, opposed relative movement of the mixing
`element and vessel may occur, creating an upward lifting
`force on the vessel. The Weight of the shield is suf?cient to
`overcome this upward lifting force on the vessel and thereby
`causes the vessel to remain seated in the holder.
`
`26 Claims, 3 Drawing Sheets
`
`Hamilton Beach, Exh. 1001, p. 001
`
`

`
`US 7,144,150 B2
`Page 2
`
`US. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`8/1935 Strauss --------------------- -~ 366/199
`2,012,486 A
`2,026,240 A 12/1935 Luxmore
`~366/207
`2,031,770 A
`2/1936 Gilbert 91 91
`366/199
`2,072,691 A
`3/1937 Stark
`2,115,809 A
`5/1938 Goldman .................. .. 366/289
`2,134,759 A * 11/1938 Howlett
`220/231
`2,667,423 A
`1/1954 Simpson ..
`99/171
`2,668,765 A
`2/1954 Stimpson
`- 99/55
`27011131 A
`2/1955 Love ----- --
`366/289
`2,863,776 A 12/1958 Lisher
`99/136
`2,898,094 A
`8/1959 o’Neill, JR -
`366/242
`2,941,885 A
`6/1960 Tomlinson -~
`99/54
`2,967,433 A
`l/196l Phllllps ---- -~
`74/16
`3,154,123 A 10/1964 Tomlinson
`146/68
`3,171,635 A
`3/1965 Haentjens er a1-
`- 259/4
`3,295,997 A
`1/1967 Tomlinson et a1. ..
`99/275
`3,365,304 A
`1/1968 Guterman et a1.
`426/565
`3,503,757 A
`3/1970 Rubenstein ..... ..
`.. 99/136
`3,514,080 A
`5/1970 Price et a1~
`- 366/206
`3,647,472 A
`3/1972 Speecn et a1.
`99/34
`31665722 A
`5/1972 Cornehus
`62/68
`3,738,619 A
`6/1973 $111166
`.. 366/98
`3,865,353 A
`2/1975 FiSChGI ..... ..
`.. 366/98
`3,889,002 A
`6/1975 (31611616161.
`. 426/576
`
`426/599
`3,922,361 A 11/1975 Vann ........... ..
`106/136
`3,939,001 A
`2/1976 (31611616161. ..
`3,949,098 A
`4/1976 Bangeit .................... .. 426/324
`
`6/1978 H61v6y, Jr. 6161. ......... .. 141/90
`4,096,893 A
`4,169,681 A 10/1979
`. 366/244
`4,358,298 A 11/1982 R61611f1 ...................... .. 55/185
`4,434,186 A
`2/1984 D6616 6161. .............. .. 426/565
`4,544,277 A 10/1985 s6111161111161111
`.. 366/78
`4,547,076 A 10/1985
`366/244
`4,637,221 A >1
`V1987
`62/342
`4,708,487 A l1/1987
`_ 366/206
`4,708,489 A >1 11/19g7
`366/149
`4,828,866 A
`5/1989 Wade 6161 .............. .. 426/599
`4,842,884 A
`6/1989 B661<w611616161
`426/585
`5,114,045 A
`5/1992 H61p6 ...................... .. 222/105
`5,145,250 A
`9/1992 P161161< 61 61. ................ .. 366/8
`5,150,967 A
`9/1992 Neilsonet 61. .
`366/206
`5,328,263 A
`7/1994 NeilSOIl .................... .. 366/254
`5,439,289 A *
`8/1995 NeilSOIl .................... .. 366/207
`5,580,007 A 12/1996 c6v16Z616161.
`241/199.12
`5,599,103 A
`2/1997 Linscott
`366/343
`5,803,377 A
`9/199g Farrell __
`__ 241/36
`5,962,060 A 10/1999 Farrell u
`_ 426/565
`6,326,047 B1
`12/2001 P611611 ..
`.426/524
`6,453,803 131*
`9/2002 sodeyama et
`__ 99648
`6,474,862 B1
`11/2002 P611611 ...................... .. 366/147
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Arbuckle, “Ice Cream,” 3rd Edition pp, 54.55, 323.331, 1977,
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Hamilton Beach, Exh. 1001, p. 002
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 5, 2006
`
`Sheet 1 of3
`
`US 7,144,150 B2
`
`FIG. 1
`
`Hamilton Beach, Exh. 1001, p. 003
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 5, 2006
`
`Sheet 2 0f 3
`
`US 7,144,150 B2
`
`Hamilton Beach, Exh. 1001, p. 004
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 5, 2006
`
`Sheet 3 0f 3
`
`US 7,144,150 B2
`
`36~
`
`12
`
`22
`
`34
`
`\\>?
`
`36
`
`/)
`
`’\ 20
`
`14
`
`16
`
`l
`
`I
`
`/100
`
`16
`
`‘\20
`
`FIG. 5
`/‘l’*\
`
`12
`
`100
`
`22
`
`>391’?
`
`C":-
`
`100
`3.6 /
`K
`
`FIG. 6
`
`FIG. 7
`
`Hamilton Beach, Exh. 1001, p. 005
`
`

`
`US 7,144,150 B2
`
`1
`RINSEABLE SPLASH SHIELD AND
`METHOD OF USE
`
`2
`avoid splashing during mixing, but that may also be auto
`matically rinsed in place folloWing mixing.
`
`PRIORITY
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`This application claims the bene?t of US. Provisional
`Application No. 60/426,622, ?led Nov. 15, 2002, and
`entitled RINSEABLE SPLASH SHIELD.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates generally to the ?eld of
`machines for mixing liquids, and speci?cally to devices for
`preventing splashing of liquids during mixing.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present application describes a method for rinsing a
`splash shield. According to the disclosed method, a vessel
`containing contents to be mixed is positioned in a mixing
`machine, and a splash shield is positioned over the opening
`of the vessel. After the material Within the vessel is mixed
`by a mixing element, the splash shield is separated from the
`vessel and rinsed by a noZZle on the mixing machine.
`In another embodiment, a vessel containing contents to be
`mixed is positioned in a holder on a mixing machine, and a
`splash shield (Which may or may not be rinseable) is
`positioned over the opening of the vessel. The contents of
`the vessel are mixed using a mixing element. During and/or
`after mixing, opposed relative movement of the mixing
`element and vessel may occur, creating an upWard lifting
`force on the vessel. The Weight of the shield is suf?cient to
`overcome this upWard lifting force on the vessel and thereby
`causes the vessel to remain seated in the holder.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a top perspective vieW of a drink machine having
`a rinseable splash shield.
`FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective vieW shoWing a splash
`shield, shaft and mixing blade of FIG. 1, With the splash
`shield displaced from the mixing blade. For clarity, the
`portion of the shaft passing through the splash shield is not
`shoWn.
`FIG. 3 is top perspective vieW of the components shoWn
`in FIG. 2.
`FIGS. 4 through 7 are a sequence of front elevation vieWs
`of the drink machine of FIG. 1 illustrating use of the
`rinseable splash shield.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`Referring to FIG. 1, the splash shield disclosed in this
`application is preferably provided as a component of a
`mixing/blending machine 100 that uses a rotating blade to
`mix/blend the contents Within a cup or other vessel. Machine
`100 may be a machine such as the f‘REAL! Self-Serve
`Milkshake Blender available from F REAL! Foods LLC, 37
`Avenida de Orinda, Orinda, Calif., Which is particularly
`useful for mixing/blending drinks such as froZen milk
`shakes, coffee drinks, or smoothies. HoWever, it should be
`appreciated that the rinseable shield may be suitable for use
`on other types of machines for mixing and/or blending
`various materials, including poWders, slurries and other
`types of liquids.
`Machine 100 includes a mixing blade 10 carried on an
`elongate shaft 12. Mixing blade 10 is rotatable by means of
`a motor (not shoWn) and is designed to bore through the
`froZen substance in a cup 14. As described in greater detail
`in Applicants US. Pat. Nos. 6,474,862, 6,326,047 and
`5,803,377, cup 14 is preferably a serving cup Within Which
`milkshake or other froZen drink ingredients have been
`pre-froZen into a block. Acup holder 16 supports the cup and
`is preferably moveable as indicated by arroW A1 in FIG. 1,
`to cause the mixing blade to blend the froZen drink in the
`cup. Although movement of the holder 16 can be achieved
`in various Ways, in the FIG. 1 embodiment the cup holder 16
`is mounted to a carriage 18 that is moveable along a vertical
`rail 20 by means of a motor and lead screW assembly (not
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`Preparation of certain foods and beverages can involve
`blending, Whipping, stirring, etc. the food or beverage. This
`may be done using a rotary blade or mixer Which is loWered
`into a container holding the food or beverage, or Which is
`held in place as the container is advanced toWards the rotary
`blade/mixer to move the container’s contents into contact
`With the blade/mixer.
`In Applicant’s US. Pat. Nos. 6,474,862, 6,326,047 and
`5,803,377 entitled APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR
`MAKING FROZEN DRINKS, the disclosures of Which are
`incorporated herein by reference, methods for making fro
`Zen drinks are described. These patents describe a machine
`that alloWs a milkshake or other froZen drink to be quickly
`made from a block of ingredients pre-froZen into a serving
`cup. The froZen contents Within the serving cup are broken
`into small froZen particles using a rotating blade, and
`blended With an added liquid also using the rotating blade.
`According to the patents, When a milkshake or other
`froZen drink is to be made, a serving cup containing the
`froZen block is positioned in a cup holder Which forms a part
`of the froZen drink machine. A rotating blade is loWered into
`the cup and bores through the froZen substance in the cup,
`grinding it into small froZen particles. As the blade moves
`toWards the bottom interior of the cup, milk, Water, or
`another liquid is added to the cup and is blended into the
`froZen substance by the rotating blade. Alternatively, the
`rotating blade may be held at a ?xed elevation, and the cup
`may be advanced toWards the blade to move the cup’s
`contents into contact With the blade. In either case, the cup
`and/or blade may be reciprocated to alloW the full contents
`of the cup to be mixed.
`During mixing, material can splash from the cup onto the
`drink machine and surrounding area. US. Pat. Nos 5,328,
`263 and 5,439,289 (Neilson) each describe a separate,
`dedicated lid placement mechanism that positions a lid onto
`a cup so as to minimiZe such splashing When the contents of
`the cup are being mixed. US. Pat. No. 5,145,250 (Planck)
`describes a mixing device Wherein the lid and mixing device
`move axially together until the lid makes contact With the
`receptacle, at Which time springs keep the lid in contact With
`the receptacle as the mixing head travels further into the
`receptacle. In each case, there is potential for carryover of
`mixed ingredients from one batch to the next. In Planck, a
`disposable cover over the pressure plate of the lid is
`described. In Neilson US. Pat. No. 5,439,289 a provision for
`a releasable lid connector means is claimed to enable
`cleaning of the lid remotely from the mixing device. It is
`further desirable, hoWever, to provide a drink mixer having
`a splash shield that may not only be located on the cup to
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`Hamilton Beach, Exh. 1001, p. 006
`
`

`
`US 7,144,150 B2
`
`3
`shown) disposed Within the machine 100. Mixing blade 10
`is rotatable by means of a motor (not shoWn) and is designed
`to bore through the frozen sub stance in the cup. As described
`in Applicant’s prior patents, Water, milk or another liquid is
`added to the cup for blending With the froZen substance,
`Which is broken up into small froZen particles by the boring
`blade 10. The added liquid may be directed into the cup from
`above, such as through a ?uid outlet oriented adjacent to the
`shaft.
`As discussed, during mixing, the cup 14 is preferably
`reciprocated by cup holder 16 as indicated by arroW A1 in
`FIG. 1, to cause the rotating blade 10 to pass through the
`contents of the cup one or more times. Obviously, the blade
`10 may include a second motor for moving the shaft 12
`longitudinally, in Which case the need for the motor asso
`ciated With cup holder 16 Would be eliminated.
`Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, splash shield 22 is preferably
`comprised of a lid proportioned to seat along the upper edge
`of cup 14. The shield includes an upper opening 24 and a
`larger loWer opening 26. Shaft 12 extends through the
`openings 24, 26 such that the mixing blade 10 is positioned
`beneath the shield 22.
`Shield 22 may have a dome-shaped con?guration as
`shoWn, although other con?gurations Would be equally
`suitable. As shoWn in FIG. 3, a Wall 28 tapers inWardly from
`the uppermost surface of the shield 22 doWn to the upper
`opening 24. Spaced apart ribs 30 are positioned along the
`Wall 28 and function to contact a tapered portion 32 of the
`machine’s mixing shaft (as shoWn in FIG. 1) When the shield
`22 is loWered relative to the shaft. When the shield is raised
`relative to the shaft, the shield 22 and tapered portion 32
`separate as in FIG. 2.
`Referring again to FIG. 1, one or more noZZles 34 (only
`one is shoWn) are provided for directing rinsing ?uid into the
`interior of shield 22. NoZZles 34 are coupled to one or more
`sources of rinse ?uid, such as Water (preferably hot or Warm
`Water) and/or sanitiZing solution such as a quaternary
`ammonium sanitiZer solution.
`Machine 100 includes a pair of automatic hinged doors 36
`along the path of travel of holder 16. A ?uid trough 38 for
`receiving rinse Water shed from the shield surrounds the
`hinged doors. A drain line (not shoWn) is ?uidly coupled to
`the trough, and the trough includes gradients arranged to
`direct Water toWards the drain line. The trough 38, rinse
`noZZle 34, shaft 12, shield 22 and mixing element are
`preferably positioned Within an enclosure 40 having an
`access door 42 (as shoWn in FIG. 1).
`A controller (not shoWn) Within the machine controls
`operation of the motors for the cup holder, blade and hinged
`doors, as Well as the liquid dispense and rinsing functions.
`Operation
`FIGS. 447 are a sequence of draWings that illustrate
`operation of the rinseable splash shield. First, a cup 14
`containing froZen ingredients is positioned in cup holder 16
`as shoWn in FIG. 4 and the user depresses a “start” button
`(not shoWn) on the exterior of the machine 100. Next (FIG.
`5), hinged doors 36 are opened and holder 16 is moved
`upWardly along rail 20, thereby moving the upper edge of
`cup 14 into contact With the shield 22. Continued upWard
`movement of the holder 16 causes the shield 22 to be raised
`upWardly on the shaft, and the tapered section 32 of the shaft
`12 to separate from ribs 30 of the shield 22, as the cup 14
`moves up around the blade 10, as shoWn in FIG. 6. Rotation
`of the blade is activated (or may be activated at an earlier
`stage), and Water, milk or other ?uid may be directed into the
`cup as described in Applicant’s earlier patents, causing the
`froZen beverage to be made. During mixing/blending the
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`4
`holder 16 (or the blade) may be reciprocated to alloW the
`blade to pass through the full contents of the cup more than
`one time.
`It should be noted that the shield 22 may be Weighted to
`ensure a good seal With the cup. This eliminates the need for
`springs, as disclosed in Plank US. Pat. No. 5,145,250, or
`some other mechanism such as those described in Neilson
`US. Pat. Nos. 5,328,263 and 5,439,289, to hold the shield
`in position during mixing. Weighting the shield is of further
`advantage if it is heavy enough to create su?icient doWn
`Ward force on the cup to overcome any upWard force created
`by the mixing blade being moved upWardly in the cup. The
`mixing blade can create such upWard force as the mixing
`blade moves upWardly in the cup, imparting an upWard force
`on the cup as a result of suction force or the viscous nature
`of the product being mixed in the cup. This can occur When
`the cup is loWered by the holder during mixing (i.e. When the
`cup is reciprocated to cause the mixing blade to pass through
`the cup’s contents several times) and/or When the cup is
`loWered aWay from the blade after blending/mixing. Making
`the Weight of the shield su?icient to overcome this upWard
`lifting force on the cup causes the cup to remain seated in the
`cup holder Without any other mechanical means of retaining
`it in the cup holder, such as clamping or gripping mecha
`nisms or the springs or lid placement and retention mecha
`nisms previously described. In one embodiment, the shield
`may be a cast stainless steel lid having a Weight of approxi
`mately 5 lbs. It should be noted that a Weighted splash shield
`may be provided even if the rinsing feature is not present.
`Once the beverage is made, the cup holder 16 is loWered
`and thereby moves the cup 14 doWnWardly aWay from the
`blade. The descending cup carries the shield 22 doWnWardly
`until the ribs 30 of the shield engage tapered portion 32 of
`the shaft 12. At this point, the cup 14 separates from the
`shield 22 and is moved by the holder 16 to the position
`shoWn in FIG. 4. The cup may then be removed from the
`drink machine 100.
`Next, the hinged doors 36 are closed and rinse ?uid is
`directed onto the shield 22 using noZZle 34 as shoWn in FIG.
`7. If desired, the shaft 12 may be rotated during and after
`rinsing. Given the Weight of the splash shield and the contact
`betWeen ribs 30 and tapered section 32 on the shaft, rotating
`the shaft 12 rotates the splash shield as Well, thus alloWing
`the rinse Water to be spun off of the shield. Rotation may be
`of particular advantage if a single noZZle 34 is used for
`rinsing, since it alloWs the full interior of the shield 22 to be
`exposed to the ?uid spray from the noZZle. The shield, blade
`and closed doors 36 shed the rinse ?uid into trough 38,
`Which then directs the Water out of the machine via the drain
`line.
`I claim:
`1. A method for rinsing a splash shield on a mixing
`machine, the method comprising the steps of:
`providing a vessel containing contents to be mixed, the
`vessel including an opening;
`further providing a mixing machine having a holder for
`receiving the vessel at an access location in the mixing
`machine, a rotatable mixing element extendable into
`the vessel for mixing the contents of the vessel, a splash
`shield positionable over the opening of the vessel, and
`a noZZle oriented toWards the splash shield;
`after mixing the contents of the vessel using the mixing
`element and With the splash shield covering the open
`ing, separating the splash shield and the vessel; and
`directing rinsing ?uid onto the splash shield using the
`noZZle While shielding the access location from the
`rinsing ?uid.
`
`Hamilton Beach, Exh. 1001, p. 007
`
`

`
`US 7,144,150 B2
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`5
`2. The method of claim 1, wherein the directing step is
`performed automatically after the separating step.
`3. The method of claim 1, Wherein the holder is moveable
`from the access location in a ?rst direction toWards the
`splash shield and a second direction aWay from the splash
`shield to the access location and Wherein the separating step
`includes the step of moving the holder in the second direc
`tion.
`4. The method of claim 3, Wherein:
`the mixing element is on a shaft;
`the splash shield is engageable With a member on the
`shaft, the splash shield disengageable from the member
`in response to upWard force against the shield, and
`mixing is carried out With the splash shield disengaged
`from the member;
`the step of moving the holder in the second direction
`separates the vessel and splash shield and causes the
`splash shield to engage With the member on the shaft;
`and
`the method further includes the step of rotating the shaft
`to rotate the splash shield during the directing step.
`5. The method of claim 1, further including the step of
`rotating the splash shield during the directing step.
`6. The method of claim 1, Wherein the directing step
`directs Warm Water.
`7. The method of claim 1, further including the step of
`directing rinsing ?uid onto the mixing element.
`8. The method of claim 1, Wherein the method includes
`the steps of:
`With the mixing element in the contents of the vessel,
`causing relative movement of the mixing element and
`vessel in opposite directions, and
`causing the splash shield to retain the vessel Within the
`holder during relative movement of the mixing element
`and vessel in opposite directions.
`9. The method of claim 8, Wherein in the causing step the
`mass of the splash shield retains the vessel Within the holder.
`10. The method of claim 1, Wherein the directing step
`directs a rinse solution comprising sanitiZing solution.
`11. The method of claim 10, Wherein the sanitiZing
`solution includes a quaternary ammonium sanitiZer solution.
`12. The method of claim 1 Wherein:
`the mixing machine further includes a rinse chamber
`having an entrance and a door,
`during the rinsing step the splash shield is positioned
`Within the rinse chamber; and
`Wherein the shielding step includes moving the door to a
`closed position to enclose the splash shield Within the
`rinse chamber.
`13. The method of claim 12 Wherein the door de?nes a
`?oW path and Wherein the method includes causing rinse
`Water falling from the splash shield to ?oW along the ?oW
`path to a drain.
`14. The method of claim 12 Wherein the separating step
`includes the step of moving the holder in a ?rst direction to
`move the opening of the vessel from a ?rst position Within
`the rinse chamber to a second position at the access location.
`15. On a mixing machine for mixing a liquid contained in
`a vessel having an opening, the mixing machine of a type
`including a rotatable mixing element extendable into the 60
`vessel for mixing the contents of the vessel, the improve
`ment comprising:
`a rinse chamber in the mixing machine, the rinse chamber
`having an entrance and a door moveable to a closed
`position covering the entrance;
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`45
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`6
`a splash shield carried by the mixing machine, the splash
`shield positionable covering the opening of the vessel,
`and
`at least one noZZle coupled to a source of rinse ?uid and
`oriented to direct rinse ?uid onto the splash shield
`Within the rinse chamber.
`16. The improvement of claim 15, Wherein the mixing
`machine is further of the type Wherein the mixing element is
`carried by a shaft, and Wherein in the improvement the
`splash shield is carried by the shaft.
`17. The improvement of claim 16, Wherein the improve
`ment further includes means for moving the holder in a ?rst
`direction toWards the splash shield to move the vessel into
`contact With the splash shield and in a second direction aWay
`from the splash shield to separate the vessel from the splash
`shield.
`18. The improvement of claim 17, Wherein the splash
`shield is engageable With a member on the shaft and is
`disengageable from the member in response to upWard force
`by the vessel against the splash shield.
`19. The improvement of claim 18, Wherein the shaft is
`rotatable to rotate the splash shield as rinse ?uid is directed
`onto the splash shield by the noZZle.
`20. The improvement of claim 15, Wherein the at least one
`noZZle is oriented to direct rinse ?uid onto the mixing
`element.
`21. The improvement of claim 17, Wherein the splash
`shield is of su?icient mass to remain in position covering the
`opening of the vessel during movement of the holder in the
`second direction until it engages With the member.
`22. The improvement of claim 15, Wherein the splash
`shield is of su?icient mass to retain the vessel Within the
`holder during relative movement of the mixing element and
`vessel in opposite directions.
`23. The improvement of claim 15, Wherein:
`the improvement further includes a holder proportioned to
`receive the vessel and moveable in a ?rst direction to
`carry at least the opening of the vessel through the
`entrance into the rinse chamber and into contact With
`the splash shield, and moveable in a second direction to
`separate the opening of the vessel from the splash
`shield.
`24. On a mixing machine of a type having a rotatable
`mixing element extendable into a vessel for mixing the
`contents of the vessel, the improvement comprising:
`a splash shield carried by the mixing machine, the splash
`shield positionable to shield the opening of the vessel,
`a source of rinse ?uid;
`at least one noZZle coupled to the source of rinse ?uid and
`oriented to direct rinse ?uid onto the splash shield; and
`an access location in the mixing machine, the vessel
`positionable at the access location in preparation for
`mixing of the vessel contents and retrievable from the
`access location folloWing mixing; and
`a barrier moveably positioned to shield the access location
`from rinse ?uid.
`25. The improvement of claim 24, Wherein the source of
`rinse ?uid comprises sanitiZing solution.
`26. The improvement of claim 25, Wherein the sanitiZing
`solution includes a quaternary ammonium sanitiZer solution.
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`50
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`55
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`Hamilton Beach, Exh. 1001, p. 008