Abstract: The present disclosure describes a beverage machine for dispensing liquids from a container and an apparatus for securing said container to the beverage machine. The container is removably received by a resilient sealing ring which can be tightened around the container using a rotatable bracket. Through a system of interlocking teeth, a plurality of resilient sealing rings may be operated by a single actuator so that multiple containers can be secured to the machine more or less simultaneously.

Abstract: An automated self-cleaning frothing appliance includes: a housing having a base, a tower extending upwardly from the base, and a canopy extending from an upper portion of the tower above the base; a vessel mounted beneath the canopy, the vessel having an outlet at a lower end; a frothing tool extending from the canopy into the vessel; a first fluid pathway in the housing to receive water from a water source and deliver water into the vessel; a valve positioned to selectively open and close the outlet to the vessel; a valve-opening mechanism attached to the housing to selectively open and close the valve; a drain positioned beneath the outlet to receive water draining from the outlet; a second fluid pathway routed from the drain to deliver water to an external receptacle; and a controller operatively connected with the drive unit, the first fluid pathway and the valve-opening mechanism.

Abstract: An automated self-cleaning frothing appliance includes: a housing having a base, a tower extending upwardly from the base, and a canopy extending from an upper portion of the tower above the base; a vessel mounted beneath the canopy, the vessel having an outlet at a lower end; a frothing tool extending from the canopy into the vessel; a first fluid pathway in the housing to receive water from a water source and deliver water into the vessel; a valve positioned to selectively open and close the outlet to the vessel; a valve-opening mechanism attached to the housing to selectively open and close the valve; a drain positioned beneath the outlet to receive water draining from the outlet; a second fluid pathway routed from the drain to deliver water to an external receptacle; and a controller operatively connected with the drive unit, the first fluid pathway and the valve-opening mechanism.

Abstract: An adapter for a blender is provided. The blender includes a base having a housing enclosing a motor. The adapter includes a first drive shaft having a clutch hub configured to be drivingly coupled to a first set of blending blades and a first pulley, a second drive shaft having a spline configured to be drivingly coupled to a second set of blending blades and a second pulley configured to be operatively coupled to the motor, and a belt which engages the first and second pulleys. The clutch hub and the spline are positioned outside of the housing. Operation of the motor causes rotation of the second pulley, the second drive shaft and the second set of blending blades. The rotation of the second pulley causes movement of the belt which, in turn, causes rotation of the first pulley, the first drive shaft and the first set of blending blades.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion includes a mounting surface configured to support a mounting portion of a pressure regulator. The first portion defines a cavity configured to receive at least a portion of the pressure regulator, and an opening configured to provide fluid communication between the cavity and an area outside of the first portion. The second portion includes a mounting surface configured to support the mounting portion of the pressure regulator. The second portion defines a cavity and an opening configured to provide fluid communication between the cavity of the second portion and an area outside of the second portion. The second portion is configured to be coupled to the first portion to form a fluid-tight seal.