Lock mode for a blender

Abstract

A rechargeable blender with a locking mechanism is disclosed. Exemplary implementations may include a base assembly, a container assembly, a blending component, control circuitry, and/or other components. The blender includes a power interface configured to be manually engaged by the user, which facilitates transitions between a locked mode of operation and an unlocked mode of operation. Rotation of the blending component is selectively allowed or prevented based at least in part on the current mode of operation.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A blender configured to blend foodstuffs, the blender comprising:
 a base assembly, a container assembly, a blending component, a power interface, and control circuitry,   wherein the blending component is configured to rotate and blend the foodstuffs during blending by the blender,   wherein the base assembly includes an electrical motor configured to drive rotation of the blending component,   wherein the container assembly is configured to hold the foodstuffs during blending by the blender,   wherein the power interface is configured to provide an interface for the user to control operation of the blender, wherein the operation of the blender occurs in at least two modes of operation including a locked mode of operation and an unlocked mode of operation,   wherein the control circuitry is configured to:
 control the electrical motor to drive the rotation of the blending component, 
 enable, through the power interface, a first transition from the locked mode of operation to the unlocked mode of operation, and a second transition from the unlocked mode of operation to the locked mode of operation, 
 selectively allow or prevent the rotation of the blending component based on whether the blender is currently operating in the locked mode of operation or the unlocked mode of operation such that:
 (i) the rotation of the blending component is allowed in the unlocked mode of operation of the blender, such that, responsive to the user performing a particular interaction with the power interface, the rotation of the blending component is activated, and 
 (ii) the rotation of the blending component is prevented in the locked mode of operation of the blender, such that, responsive to the user performing the particular interaction with the power interface during the locked mode of operation, the control circuitry prevents activation of the rotation of the blending component. 
 
   
     
     
         2 . The blender of  claim 1 , wherein the base assembly further includes:
 a rechargeable battery configured to power the electrical motor, wherein the electrical motor is integrated into the base assembly; and   a charging interface configured to conduct electrical power to the rechargeable battery.   
     
     
         3 . The blender of  claim 1 , wherein the power interface includes one or both of a button and a touch screen. 
     
     
         4 . The blender of  claim 1 , wherein the first transition occurs responsive to a first type of manual engagement of the power interface by the user, and wherein the second transition occurs responsive to a second type of manual engagement of the power interface by the user. 
     
     
         5 . The blender of  claim 4 , wherein the first type of manual engagement of the power interface is the same as the second type of manual engagement of the power interface. 
     
     
         6 . The blender of  claim 5 , wherein the power interface includes a button, wherein the first type of manual engagement of the power interface by the user includes pressing the button and holding the button depressed for at least a specified duration, wherein the duration is at least 3 seconds. 
     
     
         7 . The blender of  claim 1 , wherein the blending component is a set of blades. 
     
     
         8 . The blender of  claim 1 , further comprising a detector configured to make a detection whether the base assembly is coupled to the container assembly in a manner operable and suitable for blending by the blender, wherein the rotation of the blending component is further prevented based on the detection by the detector that the base assembly is not coupled to the container assembly in a manner operable and suitable for blending by the blender, and wherein the rotation of the blending component is allowable responsive to the detection by the detector that the base assembly is coupled to the container assembly in a manner operable and suitable for blending by the blender. 
     
     
         9 . The blender of  claim 1 , wherein the first type of manual engagement is different than the particular interaction with the power interface. 
     
     
         10 . The blender of  claim 4 , wherein the second type of manual engagement of the power interface by the user includes pressing and releasing a button at least three times within a specified amount of time, wherein the specified amount of time is between 1 and 3 seconds. 
     
     
         11 . The blender of  claim 1 , wherein the blending component is included in and mounted permanently to the base assembly. 
     
     
         12 . The blender of  claim 1 , wherein the locked mode of operation and the unlocked mode of operation are mutually exclusive. 
     
     
         13 . The blender of  claim 1 , wherein the electrical motor is integrated permanently into the base assembly, and wherein the rechargeable battery is integrated permanently into the base assembly such that the base assembly forms an integral whole. 
     
     
         14 . The blender of  claim 1 , wherein the base assembly includes a first mechanical coupling configured to couple the base assembly to the container assembly, wherein the container assembly includes a second mechanical coupling disposed at or near the proximal end of the container assembly, wherein the second mechanical coupling is configured to engage the first mechanical coupling of the base assembly to couple the base assembly to the base assembly. 
     
     
         15 . The blender of  claim 8 , wherein the container assembly includes one or more magnetic elements, and wherein detection by the detector is based on proximity of magnetic elements in the detector with the one or more magnetic elements included in the container assembly. 
     
     
         16 . The blender of  claim 2 , wherein the charging interface is a universal serial bus (USB) port configured to receive an electrical connector for charging the rechargeable battery. 
     
     
         17 . The blender of  claim 2 , wherein the charging interface is configured to support wireless charging of the rechargeable battery. 
     
     
         18 . The blender of  claim 1 , wherein the container assembly is configured to hold a volume between 8 ounces and 48 ounces.