TITLE

A NOVEL MIXER GRINDER CONTAINER AND LID FOR LEAK PROOF SEALING AND SECURE LOCKING

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention belongs to the field of mechanical engineering and generally relates to food processing machines, such as a mixer grinder. The invention relates more specifically to a novel mixer grinder container and lid for leak proof sealing and secure locking.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Food processors, blenders, mixer grinders and wet grinders, are now well known as a multi-purpose kitchen apparatus using multiple interchangeable rotary tools such as blades, knives, cutting and rasping discs, and other tools, placed within container or jars, for performing different operations on food as blending, mixing, grating, grinding, chopping, whipping, and other operations in a short time.

Typically, the lid on the above containers or jars does not have an efficient locking system, the locking mechanism being either loosely held thus causing spillage during use, or tightly held thus causing spillage when opening the container after use. Further the food processing device body becomes heated during the mixing grinding process due to the running of the electric motor. Again the vibrations caused during the running of the electric motor also result in the jerking and movement of the entire food processing device body and jar or container. Also during the grinding operation, pressure gets created in the mixer grinder container/ jar due to which the lid exhibits a tendency to jump away from the container and jar and release the building pressure. Thus the resultants of food processing such as heat, vibration, etc. also directly affect the possibility of leak proof and secure lock on the container.

In order to protect the user of a household food processor of this type from injury due to food spillage due to lid displacement, it is desirable to have a container and lid locking mechanism for holding the food in the container firmly in place during the mixing or food processing operation, designed such that the above drawbacks can be negated such that an efficient grinding process can be carried out while at the same time assuring non spillage of food and secure locking.

DISCLOSURE OF PRIOR ART

The relevant prior art methods, which claim container and lid locking devices for household kitchen appliances, are as follows:

Indian Patent Application No. 173/MUM/2008 describes a juicer jar of the mixer grinder which is fixed with a strainer lid and a squeezer lid and consists of a jar made in polycarbonate or Stainless Steel with inbuilt handle fixed by means of screw threads on jar , jar & base separated by a gasket for sealing; a brass sintered bush with a shaft running through it; one of the shaft-ends being connected to the blade inside the jar body, and other end being connected to coupler: a detachable perforated strainer lid and a squeezer lid placed concentrically and locked with each other such that these can be unlocked as and when required and the dome shaped strainer lid is with a small opening on the top with a provision for holding the smaller lid with a provision to open and close the small lid; being used for straining the juice from the mixture of juice and pulp after which the squeezer is used for squeezing the juice out of the pulp.

Indian Patent Application No. 457/MUM/2008 claims a mixer grinder comprising at least two electromagnetic locks for the utility jar thereof, located in the utility jar locating collar of the mixer grinder diametrically opposite to each other.

Indian Patent Application No. 1397/CHE/2008 claims a novel flexilid to create multivolume in mixer grinder jar comprising of a gasket inserted Into the rim of said flexilid, a central filling opening and a dome characterized in that said lid dome extends downwards from the top of said flexilid and into said mixer grinder jar on sealing said mixer grinder jar with said flexilid.

However the purpose and methodology of all the inventions that are part of prior art do not envisage a container and lid for a household kitchen appliance such as a mixer grinder that is spill proof and has an effective locking mechanism that can withstand movements, vibration and heat.

There thus exists a need for a mixer grinder container and lid locking mechanism that provides for stable and secured locking of the lid onto the container and is capable of overcoming the aforesaid disadvantages and providing benefits. The present invention has been accomplished to minimize these limitations.

Further it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the objects of this invention have been achieved by providing a mixer grinder container and lid locking mechanism that is capable of overcoming the aforesaid disadvantages which is unique in nature unlike existing models that are suited only for limited purposes. Various changes may be made in and without departing from the concept of the invention. Further, features of some stages disclosed in this application may be employed with features of other stages.

OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an objective of the present invention to provide a leak proof and secure locking mechanism for a mixer grinder container and lid onto each other.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a hands-free and secure operation for the mixer grinder.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a mixer grinder container and lid locking mechanism that is easily alignable and removable by the user.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a mixer grinder container and lid locking mechanism that prevents spillage during vibration during the mixing grinding process

Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a cost effective and durable mixer grinder container and lid locking mechanism.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention may be summarized, at least in part, with reference to its objects.

The present invention envisages a novel mixer grinder container and lid locking mechanism that comprises of a mixer grinder base including an electric motor, a container / jar that can be removably secured on said base, said container / jar having an open top of preferably cylindrical or alternatively square or rectangular shape, and a lid able to close said container / jar. When the mixer grinder electric motor is activated to enable to mixing grinding process, the lid is placed and rotatabiy fitted onto the container / jar. Three or more flanges are provided on the container / jar, said flange being able to slide into and enter against a corresponding fastening clasp, said fastening claps being provided on the lid, to lock the lid on the container /jar in the closed operating position.

Additional objects and embodiments of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following, or may be learned by practice of the invention. These and other objects and advantages and features of the present invention will be more readily apparent when considered in reference to the following description, claims and drawings below.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The advantages and features of the present invention will readily be appreciated by persons skilled in the art from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the drawings listed below.

FIGURE 1 is a 2 dimensional perspective views of the container /jar with its flanges of the present invention.

FIGURES 2a and 2b are 2 dimensional perspective views of the lid with its inbuilt fastening clasps of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following description is presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and is provided in the context of particular applications of the invention and their requirements. The present invention can be configured as follows:

The mixer grinder according to the present invention comprises a mixer grinder base including an electric motor, a container or jar (1) having an open top that is preferably cylindrical, and also a lid to close the container /jar (1), said container / jar (1) being removably mounted on the motor base. The container/jar (1) is preferably made of stainless Steel, and can alternatively be made of other materials including but not limited to transparent or non transparent plastic, glass, etc.

A food processing tool such as a blades, knives, cutting or rasping discs is secured to the upper end of a rotary axle mounted through the bottom of the container I jar (1), the lower end of said axle bearing a coupling able to be driven by the electric motor when the container / jar (1) is mounted on the mixer grinder base.

As illustrated in Figure 1, the rim of top of the container / jar (1) contains three or more outwardly positioned flanges (2), made of the same material as the container/jar (1).

As shown in Figures 2a and 2b, a lid (3) is provided to be able to close said container / jar (1). Said lid (3) contains three or more inbuilt fastening clasps (4). The lid (3) is preferably made of polycarbonate material and can alternatively be made of any other plastic or stainless steel. A gasket (5) is fixed onto the lid (3). Said gasket (5) is preferably made of TPE and can alternatively be made of any
flexible plastic and all types of rubbers. It can be externally or integral moulded with the lid (3).

During the mixing grinding operation, the container / jar (1) is operatively placed on the mixer grinder base 4. The lid (3) is placed on top of the container / jar (1) and rotatable pressure is exerted on the lid (3), such that the three or more inbuilt fasting clasps (4) connect with the flanges (2) on the container / jar (1). Each flange (2) slides inside the respective fastening clasp (4) to offer a secure and tight locking of the lid (3) onto the container / jar (1). The rubber gasket (5) closes the space between the lid (3) and the container / jar (1) to offer an air-tight fastening of the two.

After the mixing grinder operation, the lid (3) can be withdrawn by exerting rotatable pressure on the lid (3) in the opposite direction to that previously exerted to close the lid (3). On doing so the flanges (2) on the container / jar (1) slide out of the corresponding fastening clasp (4) on the lid (3) such that the lid (3) disengages with the container / jar (1) and can be removed by the user.

Preferably, the flanges (2) on the container / jar (1) are arc-shaped, and the fastening clasps (4) on the lid (3) are arc shaped to mate with the shape of the flanges (2). in this application, the terminology 'embodiment' can be used to describe any aspect, feature, process or step, any combination thereof, and/or any portion thereof, etc. While the invention has been described in connection with specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that it is capable of further modifications and this application is intended to cover any variations, uses or adaptations of the invention following, in general, the principles of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure come within known or customary practice within the art to which the invention pertains and may be applied to the essential features herein before set forth.

Thus various modifications to the disclosed embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

CLAIMS

I claim:

1. A novel mixer grinder container and lid locking mechanism comprising of a container or jar (1) with a cylindrical, square or rectangular open top that is removably mountable on a mixer grinder base and a lid (3) to close the container /jar (1) characterized in that the rim of the top of the container / jar (1) contains three or more outwardly positioned flanges (2).

2. A novel mixer grinder container and lid locking mechanism as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the lid (3) contains three or more inbuilt fastening clasps (4).

3. A novel mixer grinder container and lid locking mechanism as claimed in Claim 1 wherein a gasket (5) is externally or integral moulded with the lid (3).

4. A novel mixer grinder container and lid locking mechanism as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the flanges (2) on the container / jar (1) and the fastening clasps (4) on the lid (3) are arc-shaped.

5. A novel mixer grinder container and lid locking mechanism as claimed in Claim 1 wherein during the mixing grinding operation, the container / jar (1) is operatively placed on the mixer grinder base 4, the lid (3) being placed on top of the container / jar (1) and rotatable pressure being exerted on the lid (3), such that the three or more inbuilt fasting clasps (4) connect with the flanges (2) on the container / jar (1), each flange (2) sliding inside the respective fastening clasp (4).

6. A novel mixer grinder container and lid locking mechanism as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the rubber gasket (5) closes the space between the lid (3) and the container /jar (1).

7. A novel mixer grinder container and lid locking mechanism as claimed in Claim 1 wherein after the mixing grinder operation, the lid (3) can be withdrawn by exerting rotatable pressure on the lid (3) in the opposite direction to that previously exerted to close the lid (3), the flanges (2) on the container / jar (1) sliding out of the corresponding fastening clasp (4) on the lid (3), the lid (3) disengaging with the container / jar (1) and removable by the user.

8. A novel mixer grinder container and lid locking mechanism as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the container/jar (1) is preferably made of stainless steel, and can alternatively be made of other materials including but not limited to transparent or non transparent plastic or glass.

9. A novel mixer grinder container and lid locking mechanism as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the lid (3) is preferably made of polycarbonate material and can alternatively be made of any other plastic or stainless steel.

10. A novel mixer grinder container and lid locking mechanism as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the gasket (5) is preferably made of TPE and can alternatively be made of any flexible plastic and all types of rubbers.