Editing Blender (section)

=== Increased versatility ===
With the rising popularity of [[smoothie]]s, [[Frappucino]]s and other frozen drinks prepared in front of the customer, new models of commercial blenders often include a sound-reducing enclosures and computerized controls.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}

Specialized blenders for making smoothies are becoming popular, chiefly resembling an ordinary model with a [[spigot]] added for quick serving. Some models also feature a gimballed stirring rod mounted on the lid, constructed so that mixtures can be stirred whilst the machine is running with no chance of the stirrer fouling the blades.

In 1996 Tom Dickson, founder and CEO of [[Blendtec]], introduced the [https://bestportableblenderonline.com/best-blender-for-ice/#3_Blendtec_Designer_725_8211_Professional_Grade_Portable_Blender_for_Crushing_Ice WildSide] blending jar—a unique design that eliminated the need for stir sticks and plungers to make thicker blends. The technology was so effective that Vita-Mix decided to use the design in the company's commercial blending containers. In 2010 the United States court system concluded that Vita-Mix had willfully infringed the patents, ultimately awarding Blendtec $24 million in damages.<ref>{{cite book|title=US Court of Appeals|year=2012|url=http://www.cafc.uscourts.gov/images/stories/opinions-orders/11-1244-1484-1512.pdf|access-date=2013-04-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130224000922/http://www.cafc.uscourts.gov/images/stories/opinions-orders/11-1244-1484-1512.pdf|archive-date=2013-02-24|url-status=dead}}</ref>