Abstract: A food processor or a chopper has a rotating blade, a motor, an intermediate shaft driven by the motor and an output shaft driving the blade. A first clutch member is coupled with the intermediate shaft, and a second clutch member is coupled with the output shaft. The clutch members are movable from an engaged position for driving the output shaft from the motor and a disengaged position for disengaging the output shaft from the motor. A safety interlock mechanism enables and disables the motor. A clutch lever is operable with the safety interlock to move the clutch members between the engaged and disengaged positions such that when the motor is enabled the clutch members are engaged for driving the output shaft from the motor and when the motor is disabled the clutch members are disengaged for disengaging the output shaft from the motor.

Abstract: An electric appliance has first and second rotational output spindles located within a housing. The first and second spindles have respective first and second couplings for attachment of first and second work tools to the first and second spindles, respectively. The second rotational output spindle is concentric with the first rotational output spindle such that connection of one of the first and second work tools to the corresponding spindle excludes connection of the other of the first and second work tools to the corresponding spindle. The first rotational output spindle has a first rotational speed that is different from a second rotational speed of the second output spindle.

Abstract: A pod disposal system has a pod holder for holding a coffee pod; a moveable chamber including an engaging member for engaging with the coffee pod, and an ejector operably connected to the engager for disengaging the coffee pod from the engager, An actuator moves the moveable chamber between an engaging position, in which the engager engages with the coffee pod, an intermediate position, in which the moveable chamber moves the coffee pod out of the pod holder, and a disengaging position, in which the ejector disengages the coffee pod from the engager, thereby disposing the coffee pod.

Abstract: A handheld electric mixer has a rotational output spindle for holding mixer work pieces, first and second gears located on the rotational output spindle, and a motor. The first gear is rotationally coupled to the motor output shaft. The mixer includes a two-speed gear-box receiving torque from the motor, and transmitting the torque to the output spindle. The two-speed gear-box includes a rotational lay shaft axially parallel to the rotational output spindle, third and fourth gears located on the lay shaft, the third gear meshing with the first gear and the fourth gear meshing with the second gear. A selector mechanism selects between a first gear ratio and a second gear ratio and includes a clutch disk on the spindle, and moveable axially for alternatively engaging and rotatably locking the one of the third or fourth gears that is engaged with the clutch disk.

Abstract: A mixing vessel, that is used with a motorized food processor, has a vessel wall with an cylindrical upper section and a frustoconical lower section. The upper section has a longitudinal axis generally centered within the upper section and an upper opening defining an upper end of the vessel wall. The lower section is tapered towards a lower circular opening defining a lower end of the vessel wall and has contiguous cambered protuberances defining a hypocycloidal inner surface within the lower section. A base removably closes the lower circular opening and has an upwardly tapered structure and a vertical rotational spindle. A blade assembly is locatable on the spindle. The blade assembly has a pair of upwardly extending blade arms, a pair of radially extending blade arms, and a pair of downwardly extending blade arms.

Abstract: A handheld electric mixer has a rotational output spindle for holding mixer work pieces, first and second gears located on the rotational output spindle, and a motor. The first gear is rotationally coupled to the motor output shaft. The mixer includes a two-speed gear-box receiving torque from the motor, and transmitting the torque to the output spindle. The two-speed gear-box includes a rotational lay shaft axially parallel to the rotational output spindle, third and fourth gears located on the lay shaft, the third gear meshing with the first gear and the fourth gear meshing with the second gear. A selector mechanism selects between a first gear ratio and a second gear ratio and includes a clutch disk on the spindle, and moveable axially for alternatively engaging and rotatably locking the one of the third or fourth gears that is engaged with the clutch disk.

Abstract: A mixing vessel, that is used with a motorized food processor, has a vessel wall with an cylindrical upper section and a frustoconical lower section. The upper section has a longitudinal axis generally centered within the upper section and an upper opening defining an upper end of the vessel wall. The lower section is tapered towards a lower circular opening defining a lower end of the vessel wall and has contiguous cambered protuberances defining a hypocycloidal inner surface within the lower section. A base removably closes the lower circular opening and has an upwardly tapered structure and a vertical rotational spindle. A blade assembly is locatable on the spindle. The blade assembly has a pair of upwardly extending blade arms, a pair of radially extending blade arms, and a pair of downwardly extending blade arms.

Abstract: A handheld electric mixer has a variable speed motor and a two-speed gearbox for transmitting driving torque of the motor to a pair of work pieces that mix, blend, beat or otherwise act upon a food item or recipe constituents. The gear box has a first gear ratio for providing a first range of output speeds and a second gear ratio for providing a second range of output speeds. The first ratio transmits at least twice as much torque to the rotational work pieces as does the second ratio. There is an electronic speed controller for controlling rotational speed the motor and a separate ratio selector for selecting between the first and second ratios of the gearbox.

Abstract: An electric appliance has first and second rotational output spindles located within a housing. The first and second spindles have respective first and second couplings for attachment of first and second work tools to the first and second spindles, respectively. The second rotational output spindle is concentric with the first rotational output spindle such that connection of one of the first and second work tools to the corresponding spindle excludes connection of the other of the first and second work tools to the corresponding spindle. The first rotational output spindle has a first rotational speed that is different from a second rotational speed of the second output spindle.

Abstract: A handheld electric mixer has a variable speed motor and a two-speed gearbox for transmitting driving torque of the motor to a pair of work pieces that mix, blend, beat or otherwise act upon a food item or recipe constituents. The gear box has a first gear ratio for providing a first range of output speeds and a second gear ratio for providing a second range of output speeds. The first ratio transmits at least twice as much torque to the rotational work pieces as does the second ratio. There is an electronic speed controller for controlling rotational speed the motor and a separate ratio selector for selecting between the first and second ratios of the gearbox.

Abstract: An ice beverage-making apparatus includes a housing, an electric motor located within the housing, a torque transmission supported by the housing and receiving input from the electric motor and providing a first output shaft and a second-speed output shaft that rotates at a different speed than the first output shaft. The apparatus further includes an ice crushing module supported by the housing and receiving torque from the first output shaft, and a blending module receiving torque from the second output shaft.

Abstract: A coffee grinder has a lower body with an opening for receiving coffee beans and a removable coffee bean container mounted on the lower body. The container has a discharge opening which, in situ, communicates with the opening in the body. A grinder is located in the body in communication with the opening for grinding coffee beans into smaller coffee grounds. A closure is located with the coffee bean container for selectively closing the discharge opening when required.

Abstract: A handheld steam cleaner has a housing with an integral pistol-grip handle and a nozzle. Located with the housing are a soap tank, a water reservoir, a water pump and a steam generator. A soap pump is located in the handle. A first passage leads from the water reservoir, through the water pump and the steam generator, to a steam discharge opening in the nozzle. A second passage leads from the soap tank, through the soap pump, to a soap discharge opening in the nozzle. The housing also has a body. The handle is connected with the nozzle and the body extends downwardly from the handle and the nozzle.

Abstract: A coffee machine brew head has a body with a pivotally connected closure. The body has a recess for a coffee holding device. The closure closes the recess to define a coffee brewing chamber. A pivotal handle of the brew head is movable in a closing direction and an opening direction. The brew head has a bayonet lock with a stationary part and a rotational part that is movable with or by the handle for locking and unlocking the closure when the handle is moved in the closing and opening directions respectively.

Abstract: A handle for use with cookware that has a base and a lid defining a cooking chamber. The handle is pivotally mountable to cookware about a horizontal axis and moves between a lifting position and a stored position. The handle has a cam for raising an edge of the lid when the handle is pivoted towards the stored position. A catch can be provided for positioning and holding the handle relative to the cookware. The catch has an elastically resilient member having a detent for engaging a recess positioned with the handle and is released by force applied to the handle.

Abstract: A coffee maker has a water reservoir, a water heater, a coffee holder for holding coffee grounds and a pump for pumping water from the reservoir through the heater to deliver pressurized water to the coffee holder. The coffee holder has a sieve holder and two exchangeable sieves including a first, drip-coffee, sieve and a second, espresso-coffee, sieve. The coffee maker can be used for preparing alternatively drip-coffee or espresso-coffee.

Abstract: An accessory for a grill has a flat thin metal plate with a flange for movably connecting the plate to a grill. The grill has a heated cooking platen on a base. The plate is movable between a first position extending parallel to and opposite the platen and a second position perpendicular to the platen.

Abstract: A jar/bottle opener has a housing, a first pair of opposed jaws for gripping a jar or bottle and a second pair of opposed jaws for gripping a jar or bottle closure. A driven shaft operates the first and second jaws and turns the second jaws relative to the first jaws.

Abstract: Retractable cord assembly has a power cord for supplying power to an electrical appliance and a plug top with electrical pins connected to one end of the cord for connection with a wall outlet. The power cord is coiled on a spring-loaded spool within the plug top and is extendable from the plug top. The spring-loaded spool provides a retracting force to retract the power cord back within the plug top.

Abstract: A domestic appliance has a heated heat transfer member located in or on its housing and a temperature sensor for measuring the operating temperature of the transfer member. User inputs are provided for selecting an optimized temperature setting for the transfer member. A temperature controller controls the operating temperature of the heat transfer member in response to signals from the temperature sensor to maintain it at or near the selected temperature setting. The power cord of the appliance has a plug top with electrical pins for connection with a wall outlet. The power cord is coiled on a spring-loaded spool within the plug top and is extendable from the plug top. The spring-loaded spool provides a retracting force to retract the power cord back within the plug top.