PD026941IN-SC
FORM2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See section 10, rule 13)
1. Title of the invention: BLADE ASSEMBLY FOR MIXER
2. Applicant(s)
NAME NATIONALITY ADDRESS
BAJAJ ELECTRICALS LTD. Indian 45/47, Veer Nariman Road, Mumbai
400 001 Maharashtra, India
3. Preamble to the description
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it
is to be performed.
1
2
TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The present subject matter relates in general to a mixer and, in particular, to a
blade assembly of the mixer.
BACKGROUND
5 [002] A food processor is an appliance used to facilitate repetitive tasks in the
preparation of food and usually refers to an electric-motor-driven appliance. Food
processors can carry out several repetitive tasks such as cutting, grinding, chopping,
blending, mixing, beating etc. A mixer is a type of food processor that cuts and mixes
food material in a jar. A mixer typically has a blade assembly coupled to a jar
10 assembly, which can be in turn coupled to a motor unit. The motor unit provides
torque through motor coupler to jar coupler to rotate blade assembly.
[003] Different types of jar assemblies and spare-blade assemblies are provided with
the mixer to suit different applications such as grinding, juicing, etc. For example, to
use the mixer for dry grinding, a particular blade assembly may be used. To switch
15 the mixer to a different application, such as wet grinding, the blade assembly may
have to be changed. In another example, for processing different quantities of food,
different jar assemblies may have to be used. Accordingly, the blade assembly may
have to be removed from one jar assembly and fixed to another one or spare blades
may have to be used for different applications.
20 [004] Conventionally, a spatula/spanner is used to remove the previously used blade
assembly and to fix a different blade assembly. However, in cases where the
spatula/spanner is misplaced (which is very common after a period of usage) or
hexagonal socket of the spatula/spanner is damaged, the appropriate blade assembly
may not be used due to reluctance of user to change blades with bare hands, resulting
25 in sub-optimal usage of the mixer. Furthermore, hindrance in the removal of blade
assembly can cause the accumulation of food particles in the blind spots wherein the
user’s hand cannot reach for cleaning, thereby giving an opportunity for microbial
3
growth and infection. Also, in case the user attempts to change the blade assembly
with bare hands accidents may happen since the blades have sharp edges.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
5 [005] The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying
figures. In the figures, the left-most digits of a reference number identify the figure in
which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the
drawings to reference like features and components.
[006] Fig. 1a illustrates a motor unit of a mixer as known in the prior art;
10 [007] Fig. 1b illustrates a jar assembly fitted with a blade assembly as known in the
prior art;
[008] Fig. 2a illustrates a cross sectional view of a jar assembly coupled with the
blade assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[009] Fig. 2b illustrates a cross sectional view of the jar assembly depicting
15 decoupling of the blade assembly from the jar assembly, in accordance with an
embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0010] Fig. 3 illustrates an exploded view of a base assembly of a jar assembly and
the blade assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0011] Fig. 4a illustrates a cross sectional view of a blade assembly, in accordance
20 with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0012] Fig. 4b illustrates a cross sectional view depicting a blade assembly fitted to a
spindle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[0013] Fig. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a snap member of the blade assembly,
in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
25 [0014] Fig. 6 illustrates a perspective view of a cover of the blade assembly, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
4
[0015] Fig. 7 illustrates a perspective view of a push member of the blade assembly,
in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] A mixer typically has a jar assembly, a blade assembly, and a motor unit. Fig.
5 1a illustrates a motor unit of a mixer as known in the prior art. The motor unit 100
includes a motor 102, an adaptor 104, a housing 106 to house the motor, a bottom
cover 108, and a speed control mechanism (Not marked in the Fig. 1a). The adaptor
104 helps in holding the jar assembly over the motor unit 100 during operation. The
bottom cover 108 includes a non-slip stand so that the mixer does not move during
10 operation. The speed of the motor 102 can be controlled by the speed control
mechanism, which includes a switch 110 and a knob 112. The adaptor 104 also
includes a motor coupler 114 fitted to a first end of the motor 102, which can be used
to couple the motor unit 100 to a jar assembly. The motor coupler 114 helps to
transfer the motor torque to a blade assembly of the jar assembly through a jar
15 coupler, as will be described later.
[0017] Fig. 1b illustrates a jar assembly fitted with a blade assembly as known in the
prior art. The jar assembly 116 includes a jar 118 and a base assembly 120. The base
assembly 120 includes a bush 122, a spindle 124, a jar base 126, and a jar coupler
128. A first end of the spindle 124 is to couple with a blade assembly 130. The jar
20 coupler 128 is coupled to a second end of the spindle 124. The spindle 124 is
assembled in the bush 122, which is fitted in the jar base 126.
[0018] Further, as illustrated in Fig. 1b, the blade assembly 130 includes a blade 132
and a nut 134. The blade 132 is coupled to a first end of the spindle 124 by tightening
the nut 134 on top of it.
25 [0019] Thus, in the prior art, a spatula/spanner has to be used to loosen the nut 134
and remove the blade assembly 130 from the spindle 124, for separating the blade
assembly 130 from the jar assembly 116. The spatula/spanner can have, for example,
a spanner end to unscrew the nut fitted on the blade and a cleaning end to clean the
5
jar. The blade assembly disclosed in prior art is difficult to assemble and disassemble
since it requires an external implement like a spatula. Also, in cases where the spatula
is either lost or misplaced, the user may be reluctant to remove the blade and replace
it with an alternate blade required for a different application. Therefore, the users tend
5 to not use alternative blades provided with the mixer, which results in sub-optimal
performance of the mixer. Also, in the absence of the spatula, the user may injure
their hands while trying to assemble/disassemble the blade assembly, since the blades
have sharp edges. Further, hindrance in the removal of blade assembly also results in
accumulation of food particles in the blind spots where user’s hand cannot reach for
10 clean, thereby giving an opportunity for microbial growth and infection.
[0020] The present subject matter provides a blade assembly that is easy to couple to
and decouple from a spindle of a jar assembly and does not need any external
implement like a spatula. In one embodiment, the blade assembly includes a snap
member, a push member, a blade and a cover. The blade assembly is snap-fitted to
15 the jar assembly and therefore, the blade assembly may be easily removed and
replaced with a different blade assembly. This makes it easy for the user to use
various alternative blades and also helps in effective cleaning of the jar and blades.
[0021] Although the subject matter has been explained in the context of figures that
depict a household mixer, it will be understood that the subject matter may be
20 extended to any mixer that includes a replaceable blade assembly, a motor, and a
receptacle such as jar, for example, an industrial food mixer.
[0022] Aspects of the present subject matter related to the blade assembly of a mixer
will now be described in detail in conjunction with the following figures. It should be
noted that the description and figures merely illustrate the principles of the present
25 subject matter along with examples described herein and should not be construed as a
limitation to the present subject matter. It is thus understood that various
arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein,
embody the principles of the present subject matter. Moreover, all statements herein
6
reciting principles, aspects, and specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass
equivalents thereof.
[0023] Fig. 2a illustrates a cross sectional view of a jar assembly coupled with a
blade assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The jar
5 assembly 200 includes a jar 118 coupled to a base assembly 220. The base assembly
220 includes the jar base 126, the jar coupler 128, the bush 122, and a spindle 202.
The bush 122 can be, for example, a sintered bronze bush. The spindle 202 is
assembled in the bush 122 and coupled to the jar base 126, such that, during use, the
spindle 202 is capable of rotation movement about its longitudinal axis but is not
10 capable of linear movement in any direction.
[0024] The blade assembly 204 includes a snap member 206, a push member 208, a
cover 210, and a blade 218. The snap member 206 forms a snap fit with the spindle
202. The push member 208 can be used to decouple the snap member 206 from the
spindle 202 to remove the blade assembly 204.
15 [0025] In one embodiment, the push member 208 is substantially cylindrical with one
end covered and the other end open. A cross-section of the cylinder may be circular
in one example. Further, the push member 208 is hollow in the middle, thereby
forming a substantially cup-like structure. However, it will be understood that other
shapes and cross-sections of the push member 208 may be used, albeit with a few
20 modifications, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The open
end of the push member 208 is tapered and narrows down towards the open end.
Further, the push member 208 has a rim at the open end that projects radially outward
from the taper (not shown in this Fig.).
[0026] In one embodiment, the push member 208 is disposed in the blade assembly
25 204 with its closed end vertically above the open end. Thus, the cross-section of the
push member 208, as shown in Fig. 2a, is substantially inverted-U shape with a
closed end 214 and a wedge shaped outer rim 216 at the other end. The push member
208 is disposed over the snap member 206 and accommodates a first end 212 of the
spindle 202.
7
[0027] Further, the snap member 206 has a projection in a central portion (not shown
in this Fig.) that can fit into a groove provided in the spindle 202 to couple the snap
member 206 with the spindle 202. The blade 218, the snap member 206, and the push
member 208 are held together by the cover 210, forming the blade assembly 204.
5 [0028] In one example, to couple the blade assembly 204 to the spindle 202, the
blade assembly 204 can be pushed downwards over the first end 212 of the spindle
202 as shown by the arrow A. The snap member 206 snap-fits to the first end 212 of
the spindle 202 when its projection fits into the groove of the spindle 202. This causes
the blade assembly 204 to couple to the first end 212 of the spindle 202. As the snap
10 member 206 is snap fitted with the spindle 202, relative movement between the
spindle 202 and the blade assembly 204 is avoided during operation.
[0029] In operation, the jar coupler 128 is fitted to a second end of the spindle 202
and is used to couple the jar assembly 200 to the motor coupler 114 of the motor unit
100. The jar coupler 128 receives the motor torque through the motor coupler 114 and
15 causes the spindle 202 to rotate, thereby also causing rotation of the blade assembly
204 that is snap fitted to the spindle 202.
[0030] Fig. 2b illustrates a cross sectional view of the jar assembly depicting
decoupling of the blade assembly 204 from the jar assembly 200, in accordance with
an embodiment of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, to decouple the blade
20 assembly 204, the closed end 214 of the push member 208 can be pushed downwards
from the top as depicted by the arrow B. This causes the snap member 206 to expand
laterally as depicted by the arrows C and C' and the projection of the snap member
206 to move out of the groove of the spindle 202. As a result, the blade assembly 204
gets decoupled from the spindle 202. The blade assembly 204 can be then removed
25 from the first end 212 of the spindle 202 by being pulled upwards, while keeping the
push member 208 pushed downwards. In one example, to make it easy for a user to
press the push member 208 downwards, the upper surface of the closed end 214 may
have a concave contour for placement of a thumb or finger.
8
[0031] The blade assembly 204 can therefore be easily coupled to and decoupled
from the spindle 202, thereby making it easy for users to change blades and clean the
blades and jars. Various parts of the blade assembly 204 that allow the snap fitting
and decoupling of the blade assembly 204 will now be described in more detail.
5 [0032] Fig. 3 illustrates an exploded view of a base assembly of jar assembly and the
blade assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As
shown, the push member 208 is substantially cylindrical and is capable of
accommodating a first end 212 of the spindle 202. The cover 210 includes a fastening
platform 300 at one end. The fastening platform 300 is capable of being fastened to
10 the blade 218, for example, using rivets 302. In other implementations, other means
of fastening, such as screws and the like, may be used and are understood to be
covered in the subject matter disclosed.
[0033] In one embodiment, the cover 210 also includes a disc 304 located at an end
opposite to the fastening platform 300. The disc 304 of the cover 210 can be used to
15 grip the blade assembly 204 while coupling or decoupling the blade assembly 204
from or to the spindle 202.
[0034] In one embodiment, the snap member 206 has a segmented body divided into
two or more flanges 308 forming a substantially circular cross-section. The snap
member 206 is hollow in the middle so as to fit over the spindle 202. Further, the
20 snap member 206 has internal projections in a central portion of each of the flanges to
snap fit with the groove in the spindle 202. The structure of the snap member 206 will
be described in detail later with reference to Fig. 5.
[0035] As shown in Fig. 3, the first end 212 of the spindle 202 is substantially
cylindrical. Below the first end 212, various coupling features can be provided, such
25 as threads, washers, nuts, etc., to prevent relative movement between the blade 218
and the spindle 202 when the blade assembly 204 is coupled to the spindle 202. In
one embodiment, the coupling features include a square locator 306 on the spindle
202. The square locator 306 on the spindle 202 is capable of aligning with a square
slot 310 provided at a center of the blade 218 to ensure that the blade 218 rotates
9
along with the spindle 202. It is to be noted that the coupling features help in holding
the blade 218 in position relative to the spindle 202, but do not lock the blade 218 to
the spindle 202. As a result, when the blade assembly 204 is decoupled from the
spindle 202, the blade assembly 204 can be removed easily by pulling it upwards as is
5 further explained below.
[0036] Fig. 4a illustrates a cross sectional view of a blade assembly 204, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The substantially invertedU
shaped cross-section of the push member 208 corresponds to a cylindrical body
with a closed end 214. The push member 208 is disposed over the snap member 206
10 with the wedge shaped outer rim 216 abutting a complimentarily shaped tapered edge
406 of the flanges 308 of the snap member 206. As a result, the push member 208 can
slide down the inner side of the flanges 308 of the snap member 206 when the push
member 208 is pushed downwards. Further, the inner side of each of the flanges 308
includes at least one projection 408 that can fit into a groove in the spindle 202.
15 [0037] The snap member 206 and the outer rim 216 of the push member 208 are
housed in a first portion 402 of the cover 210, while the cylindrical body of the push
member 208 is housed in a second portion 404 of the cover 210. In one embodiment,
the internal diameter of the first portion 402 is greater than the internal diameter of
the second portion 404 and an internal edge 410 is formed in the cover 210 which
20 connects the first portion 402 and the second portion 404.
[0038] The cylindrical body of the push member 208 can snugly fit into the second
portion 404 of the cover 210 with the closed end 214 protruding out of the cover 210.
The outer rim 216 abuts against the internal edge 410 of the cover 210 in a normal
condition (i.e., when the push member is not pressed downwards). Hence, the internal
25 edge 410 acts as a stopper to prevent the push member 208 from moving upwards and
out of the cover 210 in the normal condition. Further, as the first portion 402 has a
greater diameter than the second portion 404, it has space for the snap member 206 to
expand while being coupled to or decoupled from the spindle 202. The details of the
10
snap member 206 that cooperate with the first end 212 of the spindle 202 to couple /
decouple the blade assembly will now be described.
[0039] Fig. 4b illustrates a cross sectional view depicting a blade assembly fitted to a
spindle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
5 [0040] As shown, the spindle 202 has a first end 212 and a lower body 414 below the
first end 212. The diameter of the lower body 414 is greater than the diameter of the
first end 212. This ensures that the push member does not move farther down than
required when the push member 208 is pushed downwards to decouple the blade
assembly 204 from the spindle 202. The lower body 414 includes at least one
10 circumferential groove 412. The projection 408 on the flanges 308 fits in the
circumferential groove 412 to couple the blade assembly 204 to the first end of the
spindle 202.
[0041] To couple the blade assembly 204 to the spindle 202, the blade assembly 204
can be pushed downwards on to the spindle 202 without pressing the push member
15 208. The first end 212 of the spindle 202 passes through the snap member 206 into
the push member 208, while the lower body 414 moves into the snap member 206. In
one embodiment, the first end 212 of the spindle 202 may be tapered to facilitate easy
entry of the spindle 202 into the snap member 206 and push member 208. As the
lower body 414 has a greater diameter than the first end 212, it causes flanges 308 of
20 the snap member 206 to expand, i.e., deflect radially outwards, until the projection
408 aligns and fits into the groove 412 of the spindle 202. Since the projection 408
gets locked into the groove 412, further movement of the spindle 202 through the
blade assembly 204 is restricted. Thus, the blade assembly 204 gets coupled to the
spindle 202.
25 [0042] To decouple the blade assembly, the push member 208 can be pushed
downwards from the top closed end 214, which causes the wedge shaped outer rim
216 to slide down the tapered edge 406 of the snap member 206, in turn causing the
snap member 206 to expand due to the flanges 308 deflecting outwards. As a result,
11
the projection 408 gets released from the groove 412 of the spindle 202 and the blade
assembly 204 gets decoupled from the first end 212 of the spindle 202.
[0043] The disc 304 (shown in Fig.3) helps a user to grip the cover 210 while
pushing the push member 208 downwards to decouple and remove the blade
5 assembly 204. The cover 210 further has a neck below the disc in the second portion
404 to allow for gripping during coupling or decoupling of the blade assembly 204 to
or from the spindle 202.
[0044] It will be understood that the snap member 206 can be made of appropriate
resilient elastic material that allows the snap member 206 to deform when force is
10 applied during the coupling and decoupling actions and to regain its original form
when the force is released. Further, as will be understood by a person skilled in the
art, the diameters, cross-sections, and sizes of the push member 208, the snap member
206, and the cover 210 can be appropriately selected, based on the teachings of the
present disclosure, to allow them to function as desired and taught by the present
15 disclosure.
[0045] Fig. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a snap member of the blade assembly,
in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the snap
member 206 has a segmented body with two or more flanges 308 forming a
substantially circular cross-section when arranged together. In one example, the snap
20 member 206 includes four flanges 308. The segmented structure allows the snap
member 206 to expand easily on application of a force, such as when the snap
member 206 is to be coupled to or decoupled from the spindle 202. The snap member
206 also includes a support 502 for each flange 308. The support 502 provides
strength to the lateral flange and also helps in alignment of the snap member 206 with
25 the cover 210 during assembly. Further, the flanges 308 are arranged on a base plate
504. The base plate 504 helps in alignment and locking of the snap member 206 with
the cover 210.
[0046] Fig. 6 illustrates a perspective view of a cover of the blade assembly, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the first portion
12
402 of the cover 210 includes a cover body 600. In one example, the cover body 600
is substantially cylindrical and hollow in the middle. The fastening platform 300 of
the cover body 600 includes at least one means for fastening, for example, rivet hole
602. The rivet hole 602 can receive the rivet 302 for the purpose of fastening the
5 cover 210 to the blade 218.
[0047] The second portion 404 of the cover 210 includes a neck portion 604 which is
located between the cover body 600 and the disc 304. In one example, the neck
portion 604 is substantially cylindrical and has a diameter smaller than that of the disc
304 and of the second portion 404. The smaller diameter of neck portion 604 allows
10 for easy gripping of the cover 210 to couple or decouple the blade assembly 204 to or
from the jar assembly. In one example, the disc 304 is substantially annular shaped
and can accommodate the push member 208. Further, the cover 210 has an opening
606 in a central area of the disc 304. The opening 606 which is substantially circular
and through which a portion of the push member 208 can protrude.
15 [0048] FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of a push member of the blade assembly,
in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the push
member 208 includes a push member body 702 which is closed at one end and open
at the opposite end. In an example, the push member body 702 is substantially
cylindrical and is hollow in the middle. The push member body 702 can snugly fit
20 into the second portion 404 of the cover 210 such that a portion near the top end of
the push member body 702 protrudes from the opening 606 of the cover 210 to
facilitate pushing of the push member 208 downwards to decouple the blade
assembly 204. The closed end 214 closes the push member body 702 at one end. In
one embodiment, the closed end 214 of the push member 208 is substantially convex
25 shaped. However, it will be understood that other shapes such as concave or flat may
be used, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
[0049] The outer rim 216 of the push member 208 is located at an end opposite to
that of the closed end 214. In one example, the outer surface of the outer rim 216 can
be formed as substantially truncated-cone to provide the wedge shape. The tapered
13
side of the truncated-cone of the outer rim 216 allows the push member 208 to abut
the tapered edge of flanges 406 of the snap member 206. Also, the truncated cone
shape allows the outer rim 216 to expand the tapered edge 406 of the flanges 308 and
release the snap member 206 from the spindle 202. Also, the outer rim 216 has a
5 wedge-shaped rim 704 which has a diameter greater than that of the push member
body 702. This allows the wedge-shaped rim 704 to abut with the internal edge 410 in
the cover 210, which prevents the upward movement of the push member body 702
and prevents it from moving outside the cover 210 in normal operation. An inner
surface 706 of the outer rim 216 is tapered inwards, which allows the push member
10 208 to accommodate the first end 212 of the spindle 202.
[0050] Thus, as discussed, the various aspects of the present subject matter provide
for easy attachment and removal of blades, thus facilitating usage of different blades
for different applications. Further the easy removal of the blade assembly also
provides for complete cleaning of mixer jar.
15 [0051] Although implementations for the blade assembly have been described in
language specific to structural features, it is to be understood that the present subject
matter is not necessarily limited to the specific features described. Rather, the specific
features are disclosed and explained in the context of a few example implementations
of the above-mentioned aspects of the present subject matter.
20 List of Reference Numerals:
The list of reference numerals with respect to each feature disclosed along with the
drawing, is given below:
Part no. Description of part
100 Motor unit
102 Motor
104 Adaptor
106 Housing of motor
108 Bottom cover
14
110 Switch
112 Knob
114 Motor coupler
116 Jar assembly of prior art
118 Jar
120 Base assembly of prior art
122 Bush
124 Spindle of prior art
126 Jar base
128 Jar coupler
130 Blade Assembly of prior art
132 Blade
134 Nut
200 Jar assembly
202 Spindle
204 Blade assembly
206 Snap member
208 Push member
210 Cover
212 First end of spindle
214 Closed end of push member
216 Outer rim of push member
218 Blade
220 Base Assembly
300 Fastening platform
302 Rivets
304 Disc
306 Square locator on the spindle
308 Flanges of snap member
310 Square slot of blade
402 First portion of cover
404 Second portion of cover
406 Tapered edge of flanges of snap member
15
408 Projection of snap member
410 Internal edge in cover
412 Groove on spindle
414 Lower body of spindle
502 Support for flange
504 Base plate of snap member
600 Cover body
602 Rivet hole
604 Neck portion of cover
606 Opening on cover
702 Push member body
704 Wedge shaped rim
706 Inner surface of outer rim

16
I/We Claim:
1. A blade assembly (204) for a mixer, the blade assembly (204) comprising:
a blade (218),
5 a snap member (206) disposed on the blade (218), the snap
member (206) having a plurality of flanges (308), wherein each of the
plurality of flanges (308) has a projection (408) to snap fit with a spindle
(202) of a jar assembly (200) of the mixer;
a push member (208) disposed on the snap member (206), the
10 push member (208) having a substantially cylindrical body with a closed end
(214) and a tapered outer rim (216) on an end opposite to the closed end
(214), wherein the tapered outer rim (216) is disposed over a complimentarily
tapered edge (406) of the flanges (308) of the snap member (206); and
a cover (210) housing the snap member (206) and the push
15 member (208), wherein the cover (210) is coupled to the blade (218).
2. The blade assembly (204) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the snap member
(206) comprises a base plate (504), wherein the flanges (308) are disposed on
the base plate (504) and a support (502) is provided on the base plate (504) for
20 each flange (308).
3. The blade assembly (204) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the push member
(208) is adapted to slide down along an inner side of the flanges (308) of the
snap member (206) on application of a downward force on the closed end
25 (214) of the push member (208) to cause the flanges (308) of the snap
member (206) to deflect radially outwards.
17
4. The blade assembly (204) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cover (210)
comprises a fastening platform (300) to couple the cover (210) to the blade
(218) using fasteners.
5 5. The blade assembly (204) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cover (210)
comprises:
a first portion (402) to house the snap member (206) and the tapered
outer rim (216) of the push member (208); and
a second portion (404) to house the substantially cylindrical body of
10 the push member (208),
wherein an internal diameter of the first portion (402) of the cover
(210) is greater than an internal diameter of the second portion (404) of the
cover (210) to allow the flanges (308) of the snap member (206) to deflect
outwards on application of a force.
15
6. The blade assembly (204) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the cover (210) has a
disc (304) at one end of the first portion (402) and a neck formed in the first
portion (402) below the disc (304).
20 7. The blade assembly (204) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the outer rim (216)
of the push member (208) abuts an internal edge (410) of the cover (210)
between the first portion (402) and the second portion (404).
8. The blade assembly (204) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the closed end (214)
25 of the push member (208) protrudes out of the first portion (402) of the cover
(210).
18
9. A mixer comprising:
a jar assembly (200), the jar assembly (200) comprising a base
assembly (220) and a jar (118), the base assembly (220) comprising:
a jar base (126); and
5 a spindle (202) coupled to the jar base (126), wherein the
spindle (202) has a first end (212) and a lower body (414), and
wherein the lower body (414) has a circumferential groove (412); and
a blade assembly (204) comprising:
a blade (218);
10 a snap member (206) disposed on the blade (218), the snap
member (206) having a projection (408) to snap fit with the
circumferential groove (412) of the spindle (202);
a push member (208) disposed on the snap member (206),
wherein the push member (208) is adapted to slide down along an
15 inner side of the snap member (206) on application of a downward
force on the push member (208) to cause the snap member (206) to
expand and release the snap fit; and
a cover (210) housing the snap member (206) and the push
member (208), wherein the cover (210) is coupled to the blade (218).
20
10. The mixer as claimed in claim 9, wherein the cover (210) comprises:
a first portion (402) to house the snap member (206) and an outer rim
(216) of the push member (208); and
a second portion (404) to house a substantially cylindrical body of the
25 push member (206),
wherein an internal diameter of the first portion (402) of the cover
(210) is greater than an internal diameter of the second portion (404) of the
cover (210) to allow the snap member (206) to expand on application of a
force.
19
11. The mixer as claimed in claim 9, wherein the lower body (414) of the spindle
has a greater diameter than the first end (212) to cause the snap member (206)
to expand and snap fit with the spindle (202) when the blade assembly (204)
5 is to be coupled to the spindle (202).
12. The mixer as claimed in claim 9, wherein at least a part of the first end (212)
of the spindle (202) fits in the push member (206) and at least a part of the
lower body (414) fits in the snap member (208) when the blade assembly
10 (204) is snap fitted to the spindle (202).
13. The mixer as claimed in claim 9, wherein the snap member (206) has a
segmented body comprising a plurality of flanges (308) and a base plate (504)
on which the plurality of flanges (308) is disposed.
15
14. The mixer as claimed in claim 9, wherein the push member (208) has a
substantially cylindrical body with a closed end (214) and a tapered outer rim
(216) on an end opposite to the closed end (214), wherein the tapered outer
rim (216) is disposed over a complimentarily tapered edge (406) of the snap
20 member and abuts an internal edge (410) of the cover.
15. The mixer as claimed in claim 9, wherein the snap member (206) is made of
resilient elastic material.