Abstract: A conversion unit is provided which permits the conversion of a portable hand-held appliance, such as a mixer having a pair of beaters, to a stationary drink mixer having a single depending stirring shaft. The conversion unit includes a power unit receptacle that securely supports the portable appliance power unit in a manner which permits the driving engagement of the stirring shaft by a power take-off of the portable appliance power unit. Stabilizing fingers in the power unit receptacle additionally engage the power unit to provide enhanced stability. Storage for the pair of mixer beaters may be provided at the rear of the unit when the portable appliance is an electric mixer so that all components of the convertible mixer combination are maintained within a single integrated unit.

Abstract: A splatter shield (42) is positioned on a frontwall (34) of a hollow upright standard (14) of an electric drink mixer (10). The splatter shield includes a one-piece body (44) having a top flange (60) bent to form a rear flange (68) which engages an inner surface (38) of the hollow standard frontwall to cooperate with a mounting bolt (46) extending through an aperture (48) in the body into engagement with the frontwall to mount the splatter shield on the standard. A switch actuator mechanism (30) for activating a drink mixer motor (18) via a switch assembly (36) extends through a slot (32) defined in the frontwall and a slot (58) in the body to be contacted by a container (24) supported on a container support (54) which is also one-piece with the body.

Abstract: The drink mixer (10) includes a standard (12), base (14) and motor housing (16) formed to provide an integral, unitary wall structure adjacent a stirrer arm (18). The front of the standard and top of the base are protected by a removable splatter shield (22) which is properly positioned by a locator pin (118) formed on the standard (12). The splatter shield (22) is held in place by a cup support assembly (24) and a switch actuator assembly (26). This switch actuator assembly (26) operates a power switch assembly (58) including a flat slide plate (74) which shields a normally closed microswitch (96). The lower edge of the slide plate (74) contacts a switch actuating arm (100) to depress the microswitch button (98) when the slide plate is in an "off" position. The slide plate (74) moves away from the switch actuating arm (100) to release the switch button (98) and actuate the mixer ( 10).

Abstract: The drink mixer (10) includes a standard (12), base (14) and motor housing (16) formed to provide an integral, unitary wall structure adjacent a stirrer arm (18). The front of the standard and top of the base are protected by a removable splatter shield (22) which is properly positioned by a locator pin (118) formed on the standard (12). The splatter shield (22) is held in place by a cup support assembly (24) and a switch actuator assembly (26). This switch actuator assembly (26) operates a power switch assembly (58) including a flat slide plate (74) which shields a normally closed microswitch (96). The lower edge of the slide plate (74) contacts a switch actuating arm (100) to depress the microswitch button (98) when the slide plate is in an "off" position. The slide plate (74) moves away from the switch actuating arm (100) to release the switch button (98) and actuate the mixer ( 10).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making sauce and salad dressings in which vegetable oil is trickled into a mixer at a predetermined limited rate for complete dispersion in which perfected mixing and suspension is provided by gravity accelerated free flow of oil in a thinning fine stream, or droplets, a substantial distance undisturbed by agitated air and the flow is repeatedly comminuted by high speed cutters or blades rotating edgewise at 1800 R.P.M. in a mixing operation which assures excellent suspension of the oil in a mixture which does not separate.