Just think about it. Other than the obvious and traditional myriad number of toys and games that saturate the universe, there are relatively few functional products that can put a smile on a face. A blender happens to be one of those products.

The whirring sound alone invites thoughts of a party. Sure, blenders whip up milk shakes, margaritas, slushies, soups, salsas and smoothies. But when you break down all these tasty treats, they are, in the end, pleasant, comforting, fulfilling and fun-filled experiences.

“We couldn’t think of life without a Vita-Mix machine,” says John Barnard, president and third-generation leader of Vita-Mix Corporation, the world’s leader in the manufacture of high-performance blenders for home and commercial use. “It’s a necessary appliance for every home and every food-related business.”

The Cleveland, Ohio-based company has added a new model, the Vita-Mix 5200, to its flagship line of blenders. The Vita-Mix 5200 is the first household appliance to use Eastman Tritan™ Copolyester, a durable new container material that combines the strength and durability of polycarbonate with the superb clarity and chemical resistance of copolyesters. Tritan™ does not contain bisphenol-A (BPA), enabling Vita-Mix to offer their customers a true leading-edge product.

Vita-Mix is a family-owned and operated company founded in 1921 by William G. (Papa) Barnard, a fun-loving but savvy businessman who advocated a whole foods lifestyle long before it was in vogue.

“This new 5200 is an extension of our founder’s vision of producing an appliance that goes beyond of what is expected from a conventional blender,” says Barnard. “And it certainly fits a functional yet fun philosophy that has given us a solid foothold in the home and commercial markets.”

The heart of the Vita-Mix 5200 is a new and more efficient, custom-designed two-peak horsepower motor that enables the machine to run substantially cooler under heavy loads. In addition, Tritan™ enabled designers to use molds developed initially for polycarbonate.

“Having a new polymer in the marketplace is very exciting, and to have one that works with minor tooling changes is a real plus,” says Ray Seuffert, president of Laszeray Technology, Inc., the North Royalton, Ohio, firm that helped transition the Vita-Mix product to the new material.

Eastman Tritan™ copolyester offers the clarity, toughness, and chemical resistance of traditional copolyesters with higher heat resistance and ease of processing. This balance of properties allows the blender containers to better withstand frequent consumer handling and cleanings with considerably reduced risk of crazing, cracking or hazing.

“The container is virtually unbreakable, chemical resistant and contains no BPA,” says Barnard. “A see-through, no-drip-spout, container lets you follow the processing from start to finish. And it features raised calibrations so that you can easily measure ingredients in ounces, cups or metrics.”

Other attributes of the Vita-Mix 5200 include:

• Hardened stainless-steel blades with both hammermill and cutting surfaces that break down the food and ice inside the container to ensure consistently smooth results;
• Metal-to-metal container-to-base construction for maximum durability and long life;
• Heavy-duty base made from fire retardant ABS plastic and thermal set polyester that's available in white, black and red with a new designer label;
• A removable lid plug, also made of Tritan™, is marked with measurements and allows ingredients to be added while processing. Spill proof lid vents to allow hot or cold food to expand and contract. A new lid locking mechanism means anyone can take the lid off with ease.

The new container features improved sound dampening during certain operations. This doesn’t detract from the overall fun of the whirring sound but it may keep the neighbors from running over to your house as fast.