Abstract: A blending and dispensing appliance is provided which includes a blending container, a housing having a recess for supporting the blending container, an ice-shaving unit, and an agitator to agitate shaved ice and other beverage ingredients in the blending container. A conduit is disposed on an outer sidewall of the blending container and fluidly connected to the blending container. An auger is disposed in the conduit and is rotated within the conduit when a dispensing arm is depressed. The rotating auger extrudes blended contents through the conduit from the blending container to a dispensing spout. A motorized base containing both an agitator and an auger motor selectively provide rotary power to the agitator and auger, respectively. A control system is provided for controlling the operation of the ice-shaving motor, the agitator, and the agitator so that the contents placed into the beverage container are blended to a desired consistency.

Abstract: An animal bathing system is provided which mixes an injectant from a fluid container with water for bating an animal, where the injectant can be a shampoo conditioner, de-flea agent, or other similar type. The animal bathing system can include a support structure having a plurality of fluid containers each including an injectant and a fluid control system, wherein the plurality of fluid containers are in fluid communication with the fluid control system. The plurality of fluid containers can be supporting on the support structure in a vertical orientation. The fluid control system include a system for cleaning the component to prevent cross contamination without the need for back flushing.

Abstract: There is provided an appliance including a base having a housing, a motor-fan assembly disposed in the housing, a working implement which is operated by the motor-fan assembly when energized, a pocket integrally formed in a sidewall of the housing configured for use as a carrying handle, and one or more apertures formed in the pocket configured to allow cooling air to enter the housing to cool the motor-fan assembly.

Abstract: Appliances comprising a base unit and a plug connector coupled to the base unit. The plug connector is configured to electrically couple the appliance to a first socket connector of an electrical receptacle. A channel is formed on or in a first sidewall of the base unit. The plug connector is disposed in the channel when in an engaged position. A defines a channel wall of the channel. The lever is configured to facilitate a transition of the plug connector between the engaged position and a disengaged position. The lever engages the plug connector when in the engaged position and does not engage the plug connector when in the disengaged position.

Abstract: A food preparation appliance including a housing containing a sieve having an inner perforated surface for extracting fruits and vegetables into liquids and solid particles, a source of rotatable power for rotating the sieve, and a manually operated cleaning device for removing pulp of food particles from the perforated surface of the sieve. The cleaning device includes a cleaning implement having a first position normally biased into a non-engaged position from the perforated surface and a second position when the cleaning device is operated to an engaged position against the perforated surface. The cleaning implement is biased against the perforated surface in the second position using a biasing member configured to maintain constant engagement of the cleaning implement against the perforated surface while the sieve is rotated. In an embodiment, the biasing member is a coil wave spring.

Abstract: The is provided an appliance including a food preparation container, an agitator assembly for attachment to a blending container, the agitator assembly including: an agitator nut configured to secure the agitator assembly to the blending container, an agitator base including at least one agitator blade mounted thereon and configured to be seated in the agitator nut prior to the agitator assembly being secured to the blending container, a groove formed in an inner wall of the agitator nut, and a seal having an outer periphery that when inserted into the groove secures the agitator base into the agitator nut.

Abstract: A food preparation appliance comprising a sieve having an inner perforated surface for extracting a food item into liquid and solid particles, a source of rotatable power for rotating the sieve, a cleaning device for removing unwanted buildup of pulp from the perforated surface of the sieve, and a reservoir holding a pre-determined volume of cleaning fluid that is released and directed onto the sieve when the cleaning device is operated.