(12) United States Patent
`Farrell
`
`(10) Patent N0.:
`
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7,520,662 B2
`*Apr. 21, 2009
`
`US007520662B2
`
`RINSEABLE SPLASH SHIELD AND METHOD
`OF USE
`
`934,537 A
`1,090,148 A
`
`9/ 1909 Johnson
`3/1914 Harr ......................... .. 366/207
`
`Inventor:
`
`James J. Farrell, Orinda, CA (US)
`
`Assignee: PREAL? Foods, LLC, Orinda, CA (US)
`
`Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. l54(b) by 479 days.
`
`This patent is subject to a terminal dis-
`claimer.
`
`11/116,497
`
`Apr. 28, 2005
`
`(Continued)
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`2158 002
`
`5/1973
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Product literature for Hamilton Beach Models 936 P and 908, entitled
`“Hamilton Beach Over 80 Years of Quality, Dependability & Ser-
`vice,” Apr. 1992, 4 pages in length.
`Arbuckle, “Ice Cream,” 3”‘ Edition, (1977), pp. 54-55, 323-331.
`
`Primary Examiner—Tony G Soohoo
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Stallman & Pollock
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`US 2005/0201198 Al
`
`Sep. 15, 2005
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`Continuation-in-part of application No. 10/715,171,
`filed on Nov. 17, 2003, now Pat. No. 7,144,150.
`
`Provisional application No. 60/426,622, filed 011 Nov.
`15, 2002.
`
`Int. Cl.
`
`(2006.01)
`B01F 15/00
`(2006.01)
`B08B 3/02
`U.S. Cl.
`..................... .. 366/347; 366/348; 366/349;
`134/115 R
`
`Field of Classification Search ............... .. 366/347,
`366/348, 349; 134/115 R
`See application file for complete search history.
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`496,674 A
`
`5/1893 Urbach
`
`The present application describes a method for rinsing a
`splash shieldwith water or a sanitizing solution. According to
`the disclosed method, a vessel containing contents to be
`mixed is positioned in a mixing machine, and a splash shield
`is positioned to shield 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 posi-
`tioned 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 sufficient to overcome this
`upward lifting force 011 the vessel and thereby causes the
`vessel to remain seated in the holder.
`
`22 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets
`
`Hamilton Beach, Exh. 1013, p. 001
`
`Hamilton Beach, Exh. 1013, p. 001
`
`

`

`1,313,830
`1,496,611
`1,560,826
`1,847,226
`1,911,202
`1,913,210
`2,003,259
`2,012,486
`2,026,240
`2,031,770
`2,072,691
`2,115,809
`2,134,759
`2,667,423
`2,668,765
`2,701,131
`2,863,776
`2,898,094
`2,941,885
`2,967,433
`3,154,123
`3,171,635
`3,295,997
`3,365,304
`3,503,757
`3,514,080
`3,647,472
`3,665,722
`3,738,619
`
`US 7,520,662 B2
`Page 2
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`_
`8/1919 Minsk
`...................... .. 366/207
`6/1924 Siegel
`1 1/1925 Kirschbraun
`366/168,1
`3/1932 Ringwald ................. .. 366/207
`5/1933 Nielsen .................... .. 366/207
`6/1933 Parker ...... ..
`366/207
`5/1935 Gilbert et al.
`............. .. 366/207
`8/1935 Strauss ..................... .. 366/199
`12/1935 Luxmore
`259/99
`2/1936 Gilbert et al.
`............. .. 366/199
`3/1937 Stark ........................... .. 99/60
`5/1938 Goldman
`259/99
`ll/1938 Howlett
`.................... .. 220/231
`l/1954 Simpson .................... .. 99/171
`2/1954 Stimpson
`.... .. 99/55
`2/1955 Love
`259/126
`12/1958 Lisher
`99/136
`..
`8/1959 O’Neil, Jr.
`259/116
`6/1960 Tomlinson ..
`99/54
`1/1961 Phillips .... ..
`74/16
`10/1964 Tomlinson
`. 146/68
`..
`3/1965 Haentjens etal.
`259/4
`.
`1/1967 Tomlinson et al.
`.. 99/275
`1/1968 Guterman etal. ~
`426/565
`3/1970 Rubenstein
`99/136
`5/1970 Pri°eeta1~
`~ 259/19
`3/1972 Speech et al.
`................ .. 99/34
`5/1972 Cornelius .................... .. 62/68
`
`D>J>D>>I>D>J>D>D>D>D>J>J>D>i>D>D>D>D>D>D>D>D>D>D>D>D>D>D>
`
`>3>D>>D>D>>D>>>D>D>>3>D>>D>D>>3>D>D>D>>3>
`
`2/1975
`6/1975
`11/1975
`2/1976
`4/1976
`6/1978
`10/1979
`11/1982
`2/1984
`10/1985
`10/1985 Maurer ..................... ..
`1/1987 Levine ...................... ..
`11/1987 Marshall ..
`..
`11/1987 Carlson .................... ..
`5/1989 Wadeetal.
`............... ..
`6/1989 Bookwalter et al.
`.
`..
`5/1992 Herpe ...................... ..
`9/1992 Plancketal.
`................ .. 366/8
`9/1992 Neilson etal.
`.. 366/206
`7/1994 Neilson
`.. 366/254
`8/1995 Neilson
`366/207
`12/1996 Caviezeletal.
`241/199.12
`2/1997 Linscott
`366/343
`
`3,865,353
`3,889,002
`319225361
`3.939001
`3.9495098
`4096393
`4.1695631
`41,358,298
`4;434,1g6
`41,544,277
`41,547,076
`4537921
`41708 487
`4;70g:4g9
`41323365
`41842384
`5.114,045
`511455250
`5150967
`5323263
`514395239
`515805007
`515997103
`9/1993 1:arre11 N
`513035377
`10//1999 1:a_rre11 ._
`51,962,060
`12/2001 Farrell
`....... ..
`6.326,047 B1
`9/2002 godeyama 6131
`514535303 131
`11/2002 Farrell
`....... ..
`6.474,862 B2
`711445150 132* 12/2006
`
`6/1973 Shirae ...................... .. 259/ 108
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Hamilton Beach, Exh. 1013, p. 002
`
`Hamilton Beach, Exh. 1013, p. 002
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`pA
`
`90021.,2..I._
`
`Sheet 1 of 5
`
`US 7,520,662 B2
`
`Hamilton Beach, Exh. 1013, p. 003
`
`Hamilton Beach, Exh. 1013, p. 003
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 21, 2009
`
`Sheet 2 of5
`
`US 7,520,662 B2
`
`Hamilton Beach, Exh. 1013, p. 004
`
`Hamilton Beach, Exh. 1013, p. 004
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 21, 2009
`
`Sheet 3 of5
`
`US 7,520,662 B2
`
`Hamilton Beach, Exh. 1013, p. 005
`
`Hamilton Beach, Exh. 1013, p. 005
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 21, 2009
`
`Sheet 4 of5
`
`US 7,520,662 B2
`
`Hamilton Beach, Exh. 1013, p. 006
`
`Hamilton Beach, Exh. 1013, p. 006
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 21, 2009
`
`Sheet 5 of5
`
`US 7,520,662 B2
`
`FIG. 7
`
`Hamilton Beach, Exh. 1013, p. 007
`
`Hamilton Beach, Exh. 1013, p. 007
`
`

`

`1
`RINSEABLE SPLASH SHIELD AND METHOD
`OF USE
`
`2
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`US 7,520,662 B2
`
`PRIORITY
`
`This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. applica-
`tion Ser. No. 10/715,171, filed Nov. 17, 2003 now U.S. Pat.
`No. 7,144,150, which claims the benefit ofProvisional Appli-
`cation No. 60/426,622, filed Nov. 15, 2002.
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates generally to the field of
`machines for mixing liquids, and specifically to devices for
`preventing splashing of liquids during mixing.
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`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 U.S. 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 frozen
`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 rotat-
`ing blade. Altematively, the rotating blade may be held at a
`fixed 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. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,328,
`263 and 5,439,289 (Neilson) each describe a separate, dedi-
`cated lid placement mechanism that positions a lid onto a cup
`so as to minimize such splashing when the contents ofthe cup
`are being mixed. U.S. Pat. No. 5,145,250 (Planck) describes
`a mixing device wherein a 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 filrther 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 ofthe lid is described. In Neilson U.S. 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 be automati-
`cally rinsed following mixing of each batch or beverage,
`preferably without disassembly or removal of any compo-
`nents or disposable covers.
`
`'
`
`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 to shield the open-
`ing of the ves sel duri11g mixing. After the material within the
`vessel is mixed by a mixing element, the splash shield is
`separated from the vessel by the mixing machine and rinsed
`by a nozzle(s) 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 posi-
`tioned to shield 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 that may cause it to lift out oftlie holder. The weight of
`the shield is sufficient to overcome this upward lifting force
`on the ves sel and thereby causes the vessel to remain seated iii
`the holder.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1A is a top perspective view of a drink machine
`having a rinseable splash shield.
`FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing the enclosure ofthe
`drink machine of FIG. 1A with the access door removed and
`
`with the hinged doors in the closed position. A portion of the
`structure supporting the hinged doors is cut away for clarity.
`FIG. 2A is a bottom perspective view showing a splash
`shield, shaft and mixing blade of FIG. 1A, with the splash
`shield displaced from the mixing blade. For clarity, the por-
`tion of the shaft passing through the splash shield is not
`shown.
`
`FIG. 2B is a top perspective View ofthe components shown
`in FIG. 1A.
`
`FIG. 2C is a top perspective view ofthe shaft engaged with
`the splash shield.
`FIG. 3 is a top perspective view similar to FIG. 2B showing
`an alternative splash shield.
`FIGS. 4 through 7 are a sequence of front elevation views
`ofthe drink machine of FIG. 1 illustrating use ofthe 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 mix-
`ing/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 mix-
`ing/blending drinks such as frozen milkshakes, coffee drinks,
`or smoothies. However,
`it should be appreciated that the
`ri11seable 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 inAppli-
`cants U.S. 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. A cup holder 16 supports the cup and is preferably
`
`Hamilton Beach, Exh. 1013, p. 008
`
`Hamilton Beach, Exh. 1013, p. 008
`
`

`

`US 7,520,662 B2
`
`3
`
`4
`
`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 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 substance 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 fluid outlet 19 (FIG. 1B) 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. 1A, to cause the rotating blade 10 to pass through the
`contents ofthe cup one or more times. Obviously, theblade 10
`may include a second motor for moving the shaft 12 longitu-
`dinally, in which case the need for the motor associated with
`cup holder 16 would be eliminated.
`Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, splash shield 22 is prefer-
`ably proportioned to seat along the upper edge of cup 14. The
`shield includes an upper opening 24 and a larger lower open-
`ing 26. Shaft 12 extends through the openings 24, 26 such that
`the mixing blade 10 is positioned beneath the shield 22.
`Opening 24 is preferably proportioned such that ingredients
`(e.g. milk, water, heated water, or other liquid) can be directed
`from fluid outlet 19 (FIG. 1B) into the cup 14 via opening 24,
`but also to minimize splashing of material through this open-
`ing in the shield. If desired, a separate opening for receiving
`ingredients may be used instead of or in addition to, opening
`24.
`
`Shaft 12 includes an outwardly tapered portion 32, such
`that the tapered portion 32 engages the circumference of the
`opening 24 (see FIG. 2C) when the shield 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 FIGS. 2A and
`2B. Alternatively, spaced apart ribs 30 (FIG. 3) may be
`optionally positioned along the wall 28 to contact the tapered
`portion 32 ofthe machine’s mixing shaft (as shown in FIG. 1)
`when the shield 22 is lowered relative to the shaft.
`
`Shield 22 may have a dome-shaped configuration as
`shown, although other configurations would be equally suit-
`able. As shown in FIG. 2B, a wall 28 tapers inwardly from the
`uppermost surface ofthe shield 22 down to the upper opening
`24. Wall 28 helps to funnel added water or other ingredients
`down towards opening 24 and can help to prevent spillage of
`the ingredients when the stream of ingredients to be added is 50
`offset from the opening 24. The wall 28 is preferably smooth
`and free of surface features which might encourage accumu-
`lation of splattered milkshake material or which might inter-
`fere with cleaning of the wall. A similar wall 28:; is shown in
`the alternative embodiment of FIG. 3.
`
`The shield may be weighted as described in greater detail in
`the “Operation” section below. Additionally, the shield is
`preferably shaped such that when it is suspended from the
`shaft 12, its center of gravity is below the area of contact
`between the shaft and the shield. This helps to avoidtipping of 60
`the shield to one side relative to the shaft, keeping it aligned
`with the shaft and upper edge of cup 14.
`Referring again to FIGS. 1A and 1B, one or more nozzles
`34a, 3417 (only one is shown in FIG. 1A) are provided for
`directing rinsing fluid into the interior of shield 22. For 65
`example, nozzle 3419 may be oriented to direct rinse fluid
`downwardly towards wall 28 and opening 24, and a second
`
`nozzle 34:; may be oriented to direct rinse fluid upwardly into
`contact with the underside ofthe shield. Nozzles 34a, 34b are
`coupled to one or more sources of rinse fluid, such as water
`(preferably hot or warm water) and/or sanitizing solution
`such as a quaternary ammonium sanitizer solution. Providing
`rinse fluid that is warm or hot (e.g. having a temperature in the
`range of 100 F to 180 F) ca11 significantly accelerate the
`killing of bacteria by the sanitizing solution or other rinse
`fluid.
`
`'
`
`Machine 100 includes a pair of automatic hinged doors 36
`along the path of travel of holder 16. A fluid trough 38 for
`receiving rinse water shed from the shield surrounds the
`hinged doors. A drain line (not shown) is fluidly coupled to
`the trough, and the trough includes gradients arranged to
`direct water towards the drain line. As can be seen in FIGS.
`
`1A and 1B, when the doors 36 are closed they are positioned
`at a sloped angle, thus allowing rinse water flowing from the
`shield to flow onto one of the doors and then flow down the
`
`slope of the door and into the trough. The trough 38, rinse
`nozzle 34, shaft 12, shield 22 and mixing element are prefer-
`ably 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. 4-7 are a sequence of drawings that illustrate opera-
`tion ofthe rinseable splash shield, which in its preferred form
`may be rinsed without disassembly or removal of any com-
`ponents or disposable covers. First, a cup 14 containing fro-
`zen 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 ofcup 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, a11d the
`tapered section 32 ofthe shaft 12 to separate from the opening
`24 (or ribs 30) ofthe 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 fluid may be directed into the cup as described
`in Applicant’s earlier patents listed above, causing the frozen
`beverage to be made. The fluid may be introduced through the
`opening 24 in the shield. During mixing/blending the 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 U.S. Pat. No. 5,145,250, or
`some other mechanism such as those described in Neilson
`U.S. 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 sufficient downward
`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 ble11ding/mixing. Making the
`weight ofthe shield suflicient to overcome this upward lifting
`
`Hamilton Beach, Exh. 1013, p. 009
`
`Hamilton Beach, Exh. 1013, p. 009
`
`

`

`US 7,520,662 B2
`
`5
`
`6
`
`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 mechanisms or
`the springs or lid placement and retention mechanisms pre-
`viously described. In one embodiment, the shield may be cast
`stainless steel having a weight of approximately 5 lbs. It
`should be noted that a weighted splash shield may be pro-
`vided 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. Tl1e descending cup carries the shield 22 downwardly
`until the opening 24 (or ribs 30) of the shield engages 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 fluid is
`directed onto the shield22 using nozzles 34a, 34b as shown in
`FIG. 7. In the FIG. 1B embodiment, nozzle 34b directs rinse
`fluid onto the upper portion of the shield 22, and nozzle 34a
`directs fluid onto the underside oftl1e shield 22, the blade 10,
`and the shaft 12. If desired, the shaft 12 may be rotated during
`and after rinsing. Given the weight ofthe 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. Rotation
`may be of particular advantage since rotation allows the full
`surface of the shield 22 to be exposed to the fluid spray from
`the nozzles even if the nozzles are located to one side of the
`
`shield. Rotation also allows rinse water to be spu11 off the
`shield by centrifugal force, which can be a particular advan-
`tage if the rinse water contains sanitizing solution as this
`rotation minimizes clinging of the rinse water to the shield
`and associated transfer of sanitizing solution into subsequent
`drinks mixed by the drink machine. The shield, blade and
`closed doors 3 6 shed the rinse fluid 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 material 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 material, a splash shield position-
`able to shield the opening of the vessel, and a nozzle
`oriented towards the splash shield;
`after mixing the material in the vessel using the mixing
`element and with the splash shield shielding the vessel
`opening, unshielding the vessel opening and directing
`hot rinsing fluid onto the splash shield using the nozzle
`while isolating the access location from the rinsing fluid.
`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
`in a first direction towards the splash shield and a second
`direction away from the splash shield and wherein the
`unshielding step includes the step ofmoving the holder in the
`seco11d direction.
`
`4. The method of claim 3, wherein:
`the mixing element is o11 a shaft;
`the splash shield is engageable with a portion of the shaft,
`the splash shield disengageable from that portion of the
`shaft in response to upward force against the shield, and
`mixing is carried out with the splash shield disengaged
`from that portion of the shaft;
`
`the step of moving the holder iii the second direction sepa-
`rates the vessel and splash shield and causes the splash
`shield to engage with the portion of 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 rinse fluid.
`
`7. The method of claim 1, further including the step of
`directing rinsing fluid onto the mixing element.
`8. The method of claim 1, wherein the method includes the
`steps of:
`with the mixing element in the material in the vessel, caus-
`ing 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.
`1 1. "he method ofclaim 1 0, wherein the sanitizing solution
`includes a quaternary ammonium sanitizer solution.
`12. "he method ofclaim 1 0, wherein the sanitizing solution
`is a heated sanitizing solution.
`13. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing step
`provides an upwardly directed first nozzle and a downwardly
`directed second nozzle, and wherein the directing step directs
`fluid from the first and second nozzles.
`
`14. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing step
`provides the splash shield to be positionable in contact with
`the vessel and covering the opening, and wherein the
`unshielding step includes separating the splash shield and the
`vessel.
`
`15. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing step
`provides the mixing machine to include a chamber, and
`wherein the directing step includes isolating the splash shield
`withi11 the chamber.
`
`16. The method according to claim 1, wherein the provid-
`ing step provides a barrier moveable into a position between
`the chamber and the access area, and wherein the isolating
`step includes moving the barrier to the position.
`17. The method of claim 16, wherein the barrier includes a
`door moveable into a closed position covering the chamber,
`and wherein the isolating step includes moving the door to the
`closed position.
`18. The method of claim 17, wherein the door is positioned
`at a sloped angle, and wherein the directing step includes
`allowing rinse fluid flowing off of the splash shield to contact
`the door and then flow down the slope and off the door into a
`receiving channel and into a drain.
`19. The method of claim 18 wherein the holder is moveable
`
`between a first position in which the opening of vessel is
`external to the chamber and a second position i11 which the
`opening of the ves sel is within the chamber, and wherein the
`isolating step includes moving the holder from the second
`position to the first position and positioning the barrier
`between the holder in the first position and the chamber.
`20. The method of claim 17, wherein the isolating step
`further includes moving the holder in a direction away from
`the chamber.
`
`21. A method for rinsing a splash shield on a mixing
`machine, the method comprising the steps of:
`providing a vessel containing material to be mixed, the
`vessel including an opening;
`
`Hamilton Beach, Exh. 1013, p. 010
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`Hamilton Beach, Exh. 1013, p. 010
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`US 7,520,662 B2
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`further providing a mixing machine having a holder for
`receiving the vessel, arotatable mixing element extend-
`able into the vessel for mixing the material, a splash
`shield positionable to shield the opening of the vessel,
`and a nozzle oriented towards the splash shield;
`after mixing the material in the vessel using the mixing
`element and with the splash shield shielding the vessel
`
`opening, unshielding the vessel opening and directing
`rinsing fluid onto the splash shield using the nozzle
`While isolating the vessel from the rinsing fluid.
`22. The method of claim 21, wherein the isolating step
`isolates the holder from the rinsing fluid.
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`Hamilton Beach, Exh. 1013, p. 011
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`Hamilton Beach, Exh. 1013, p. 011
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