Automated mix in-cup apparatus and the method of operating the same

摘要

The present disclosure describes an automated blend in-cup apparatus and the related method of operation. The disclosure relates generally to the field of mixing consumable material. More specifically, the disclosure relates to a mixer that is automatically operable to lower a mixing blade into a cup or vessel that contains material to be blended/mixed. A shield is automatically lowered to at least partially isolate the cup. After mixing, the shield and blade are automatically retracted, and the cup is removed from the apparatus. The shield and blade may be automatically lowered again for a cleaning operation. Overall, the apparatus contains various structural and safety elements that provide a unique construction and method of operating the apparatus.

主权项

1. A method of operating an automated mix in-cup apparatus in order to mix consumable material, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a mix in-cup apparatus comprising a frame, the frame including a cup-receiving position; mounting a vertically moveable carriage on the frame, the carriage supporting a mixing motor and a splash shield above the cup-receiving position, a rotatable mixing blade extending from the motor, the shield comprising a closed lid and sidewall to define an interior space, the blade extending from the motor via a shaft, the shaft passing through an aperture in the closed lid; placing a cup containing a consumable material at the cup-receiving position; lowering the carriage a first time; closing the cup with the lid; rotating the mixing blade; mixing the contents of the cup via the rotating mixing blade; raising the carriage; following the step of raising the carriage, removing the cup; following the step of removing the cup, lowering the carriage a second time until the shield contacts the frame to create a closed interior space; injecting a fluid into the closed interior space; and draining the fluid via a drain.