Abstract: Systems and methods have demonstrated the capability of rapidly cooling the contents of pods containing the ingredients for food and drinks.

Abstract: The freezer enclosure is maintained at a temperature equal to or less than the freezing point of the beverage. Gears, rotatably mounted on a shelf, include sets of aligned interconnected gears and gears connecting the gears in the sets. A drive gear is mounted to and moveable with the shaft of a motor. The drive gear is connected to one of the gears in one of the sets to drive the gears in each set. A coaster-shaped member is moveable with the gears and supports a bottle which contains the beverage. The bottle is locked to the member such that it rotates with the member. The motor continuously rotates the bottle to agitate the beverage to keep the beverage from freezing. Internal baffles in the bottle increase the agitation resulting from the rotation.

Abstract: A fluid mixing system that can be used as a bioreactor or fermentor can include a stand and a support housing pivotably mounted to the stand. The support housing bounds a chamber into which a container assembly is removably disposed. The container assembly includes a flexible bag bounding a compartment adapted to hold a fluid and a mixing element disposed within the compartment. The support housing can be tilted relative to the stand for ease in insertion of the container assembly. The support housing can also be repeatedly rocked relative to the stand form mixing fluid within the container assembly.

Abstract: A bulk mixing container that includes a container housing, an agitator mounting structure, an agitator assembly, and a bearing. The bearing is mounted in an opening in the agitator mounting structure with a shaft of the agitator assembly extending through a central bore in the bearing. The bearing has a cylindrical body that includes a flange at one end which engages an upper surface of the agitator mounting structure, and a locking tab at its other end which engages a lower surface of the agitator mounting structure to thereby hold the bearing in place. An O-ring fitted into a groove on the outer cylindrical surface of the body provides a secondary seal against fluid movement between the bearing and agitator mounting structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mixing system comprising a vessel (1) for housing a disposable fluid mixing bag (2), which vessel (1) comprises a base (3) supporting the fluid mixing bag (2) and a sidewall (4) extending vertically upwards from the base (3). The sidewall (4) of the vessel comprises a door opening (5) which is closable by a sliding door (6). The system with the sliding door provides an easy access to the inside of the vessel (1) in a space saving manner.

Abstract: A device for agitating a canister of material to mix the material therein. A housing in which the canister is inserted has a ball mounted to the bottom end of the housing. The ball is mounted on an axle driven by an external rotary power drill. The ball is located offset with respect to a main axis of the housing and is also mounted offset with respect to the axle of rotation thereby causing rotation of the canister as well as reciprocal motion of the canister.

Abstract: A device for mixing and applying a substance includes a syringe barrel, a plunger, a shaft, a mixing surface, and a locking device. The syringe barrel is preloaded with one or more components of the substance and is enclosed by a seal. The plunger has a plunger body that is displaceable within the syringe barrel, and a dispensing surface. The shaft within the plunger body has a first end and a second end, and is positioned to extend through and from the plunger body. The mixing surface is attached to the first end of the shaft. The locking device enables the mixing surface to alternate between an extended position and a retracted position. In the extended position, the mixing surface projects from the dispensing surface to promote mixing of the substance. In the retracted position, the mixing surface is retracted through the dispensing surface into the plunger body.

Abstract: The assembly includes a base and a mixing bowl. The base is adapted to receive the mixing bowl and has a receiving surface with a concave part. The mixing bowl has an outer surface with a convex part positively fitting into the concave part. In a connected position, the convex part and the concave part are adjacently connected. Also in the connected position, the mixing bowl is rotatable with regard to the base around at least one axis of all axes intersecting a center point. Further in the connected position, the base and the mixing bowl are releasably held together by magnetism, preferably via a magnetic interaction between the base and the mixing bowl.

Abstract: A blender for home or commercial use that is rugged enough to blend frozen beverages, simple to use and safe. The blender includes an upper housing with a front housing door that covers the moving blending machinery. The blender also includes a cupholder receiving area which allows the user to safely insert a frozen food or beverage cup inside a cupholder for blending. After the start button is pressed, the cup and cupholder will be lifted together for blending in a balanced, linear motion by an elevator assembly. Dual lead screws or a dual belt drive are preferably used in the elevator assembly to achieve this balanced, linear motion. As the cupholder is lifted upward, a cover will be pressed over the top opening of the inserted cup to prevent spillage during blending. The elevator assembly continues to lift the cupholder upward until the rotating cutter blades of a spindle assembly cut through successive layers of the frozen food or beverage.

Abstract: A food mixing machine (20) has an agitator (25) to mix food in a cup (C). A cup holder (31) is provided with a flexible boot (32) which receives the cup (C). The cup holder (31) is moveable through an opening (90) in the machine (20) and carries a gripping assembly (33) and an actuator assembly (34). The actuator assembly (34) is moveable relative to the gripping assembly (33) and is biased by springs (35) to maintain fingers (56) of the gripping assembly (33) in engagement with the cup (C). When it is desired to release the cup (C), a release assembly (80) overcomes the bias of the springs (35). As the cup holder (31) moves through the opening (90), the area between the cup holder (31) and the opening (90) is sealed by a seal assembly (91) so that food materials cannot go through the opening (90).

Abstract: A microwave oven food mixer comprises a body including a drive mechanism and a plurality of adjustable arms extending outwardly from the body. The body and arms are configured so that the body may engage the lip of a culinary vessel disposed on a turntable of a microwave oven, with the arms extended to engage walls of the oven. A mixing arrangement extends downwardly from the body and is arranged to be located in said vessel during use. The mixing arrangement includes a fixed stirrer and a rotatable stirrer. The fixed stirrer is secured to the body and arranged to pass adjacent an inner wall of the vessel. The rotatable stirrer is connected to the drive mechanism and arranged so that rotation of the vessel on the turntable with the arms engaging walls of the oven causes rotation of the rotatable stirrer.

Abstract: A decoding apparatus for enabling decoding processing free of unneeded delay at a switching point between digital high definition broadcast and multi-view broadcast. The decoding apparatus includes a picture frame storage unit (34) for storing an HD picture frame, decoded by a decoding unit (33), in terms of a storage area for HS as a unit, and for storing m SD picture frames, in terms of a recording area for SD as a unit, and a recording area procuring unit (host CPU) (14) for procuring a recording area for SD and a recording area for HD, based on the recording area information for HD and on the recording area information for SD, when m SD picture stream data is supplied. The decoding apparatus also includes a picture frame write unit (15) for writing an HD picture frame in the procured storage area for HD and for writing m SD picture frames in the procured storage area for SD.

Abstract: A bowl liner for a mixing bowl of a stand mixer includes a shell and a rim secured an upper end of the shell. The shell is sized to be received in the mixing bowl, and is formed from an elastomeric material. The shell has a mixing chamber defined therein. The rim includes an outer perimeter surface that has a keyed surface section to locate the liner relative to the stand mixer.

Abstract: A mixing container includes a flexible container, mixing elements and an upper bearing having a rigid flange. The flange is provided with an insertion passage that fluidically communicates with the inside space on one end and with the outside of the container on the other end. The flange is fixed in a rigid and sealing manner to the upper part of the wall of the container around an insertion opening, the insertion passage and the insertion opening communicating fluidically. The flange also supports, on the inside thereof, an upper bearing that is arranged inside, adjacent to the insertion passage, without preventing the fluidic communication between the insertion passage and the insertion opening. The mixing container is used to receive a biopharmaceutical content to be mixed.

Abstract: A food mixing machine (16) includes an agitator (15) for mixing food in a cup (C). The cup (C) is received in a flexible boot (22) which is carried by a cup holder (21). The cup holder (21) also carries a cup release assembly (23) which is biased away from the cup by springs (24). At the end of the mixing cycle, a release initiating assembly (60) engages the cup release assembly (23) which overcomes the bias of the springs (24) and allows the cup release assembly (23) to engage the boot (22) which in turn releases the cup (C) from the cup holder (21).

Abstract: A fluid mixing system includes a support housing having an interior surface bounding a compartment, the support housing having a floor and a sidewall upstanding therefrom, an opening extending through the sidewall and communicating with the compartment. An elongated rack is mounted to the support housing adjacent to the opening. A first hanger includes an elongated shaft having a first end and an opposing second end, the first end of the shaft being removably mounted to the rack so that the second end projects outwardly away from the sidewall of the support housing, the second end of the shaft having a fastener disposed thereat.

Abstract: A stir system for stirring a liquid in a vial includes a top for at least partially closing the vial and a stirrer rotatable mounted in the top. The stirrer extends from the top into the vial and the stirrer is being connected with a magnet, which is rotatable during use by a rotating magnet field so as to rotate the stirrer in the vial. The system further includes a holder for holding the vial and a cover for covering the vial in the holder.

Abstract: A beverage mixing device includes a primary container, a secondary container mounted in the primary container, a diaphragm removably mounted on the secondary container to seal the lower end of the secondary container, a sliding member movably mounted in the secondary container and having a lower end provided with a cutting blade that is movable to penetrate the diaphragm to connect the secondary container to the primary container and an upper end provided with a helical driven portion, and a top cap removably mounted on the primary container and provided with a helical drive portion abutting the helical driven portion of the sliding member to push the sliding member toward the diaphragm by rotation of the top cap relative to the sliding member.

Abstract: A machine (10) for mixing a food product in a container includes a container holder (38) having an axis and adapted to receive a container. An agitator (30) is rotated by a motor (22) on an axis and is positioned above the container holder (38). A motor (47) moves the container holder (38) upwardly to selectively position the agitator (30) in the container with the axis of rotation of the agitator (30) being displaced from the axis of the container holder (38). A motor (45) can rotate the container holder (38) on its axis while the agitator (30) is in the container.

Abstract: A variety of embodiments of blending containers are shown herein. In one embodiment, the blending container includes a mixing blade that rotates on an axis adjacent to the bottom of the blending container. The blending container includes one or more walls that extend upward from the bottom and a handle secured to the one or more walls. The blending container may be configured so that a vortex created when liquid is blended inside the container is not positioned over the axis. The blending containers may also be configured to stack inside one another.

Abstract: A beverage stirring device comprising: a frame for supporting the beverage stirring device relative to a work surface, the frame comprising a longitudinal axis extending substantially perpendicular to the work surface; a motor comprising a housing and a drive shaft rotatable relative to the housing, the drive shaft being substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the frame; a weight eccentrically mounted to the drive shaft; at least one spring for movably mounting the housing of the motor to the frame; and a container-receiving surface connected to the housing of the motor for receiving a beverage container, the container-receiving surface extending substantially parallel to the work surface and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the frame, whereby operation of the motor imparts a gyrating motion to a beverage container seated on the container-receiving surface, so as to stir a beverage contained in the beverage container.

Abstract: A multi-functional mixer comprises a housing, the housing having a containing space in which a container is placed; a motor device mounted on the housing; a stirring device connected to the motor device, wherein the stirring device comprises a stirring body and a frothing body driven by the motor and can mix the materials contained in the container. The multi-functional mixer of the present invention can be used for making milk shake and making milk frothing, which offers not only convenience, but also cost saving in making milk shake and milk frothing. The mixer has a steam function as well and can blow steam into the milk shake or the milk frothing, which steam flow can be adjusted through a steam control knob, which can control the temperature of the milk shake or milk frothing, and help frothing formation.

Abstract: This invention is concerned with providing apparatus for blending product within a container (10) by charging the container with product, applying a lid (l2) with an integral blending element (14) thereon. The product is blended by driving the blending element with an external drive (34) whilst the container is in an inverted position. The assembled and filled container is located in a holder (22) whilst in a generally upright position and the holder is moved to invert the container so that the lid is lowermost and the product is in contact with the blending element in which position the product is blended. Inversion may take place in a housing (23) in which the product may be heated to a blending temperature.

Abstract: A food blending apparatus and a method of blending food within a container with the object of providing a hygienic system whereby disposable containers are charged with product at a location remote from consumption. After filling with ingredients the container is sealed and then cooled. Containers include an integral blender which when connected to a drive enable the product to be blended at the point of consumption after location in driving connection with the drive means. Product is accessed through a sealed opening of the container after opening the seal. After consumption the container is disposed of and is constructed to make disposal economical.

Abstract: A mixing system, apparatus and/or method. Pathogen reduction of and/or mixing storage solutions into blood or blood components are useful purposes for these. Squeezing or clapping devices may be used to activate the mixing process, as may rotational devices or laterally movable, rotational and/or orbital devices. Constriction elements may also be used to create useful vortex mixing actions. Photoradiation may be provided while the components continue to be mixed together for pathogen reduction of blood or blood components.

Abstract: An apparatus for making frozen food products having a horizontal mixing spindle with a continuous, closed-loop, recessed, crisscrossed track around its outer lengthwise surface. A paddle wheel encircles the spindle and has a plug or guide skate that extends into the crisscrossed track and guides the paddle wheel back and forth along the length of the spindle as well as around the circumference of the spindle. A horizontal, cylindrical, cooling canister encloses the spindle and paddle wheel and is coupled to a refrigeration unit for keeping the canister and its contents cold. One end of the canister is provided with a push-type dispensing block for dispensing the frozen food product.

Abstract: Reinforcing device for household bean milk and bean curd makers reinforces a structure for fastening a drive motor to a main body using a bracket, thus reducing vibration and noise. The reinforcing device is constructed such that a body cap extends to a predetermined length, thus preventing a lower portion of the main body from being thermally deformed, and for reducing vibration and noise. The reinforcing device may include a first bracket provided at a predetermined position between the body cap and the main body to increase a force to fasten the drive motor to the main body, and the reinforcing device may include a locking element for assembling the body cap, the first bracket, and the drive motor with the main body into a single or unitary body.

Abstract: A food blending apparatus and a method of blending food within a container (30) with the object of providing a hygienic system whereby disposable containers are charged with product at a location remote from consumption. After filling with ingredients the container is sealed and then cooled. Containers include an integral blender (35) which when connected to a drive enable the product to be blended at the point of consumption after location in driving connection with the drive means. Product is accessed through a sealed opening (31) of the container after opening the seal. After consumption the container is disposed of and is constructed to make disposal economical.

Abstract: An apparatus for blending and for making ice cream includes drive, blending, and stirring units. The drive unit includes a high-speed output gear unit driven rotatably by a drive shaft and formed with a first engaging hole that extends along a rotary axis, a speed-reduction gear unit driven rotatably by the drive shaft, and a low-speed output gear unit driven rotatably by the speed-reduction gear unit and formed with a second engaging hole that is coaxial with the first engaging hole. The blending unit engages removably the first engaging hole and is driven by the drive unit to rotate about the rotary axis at a higher speed. The stirring unit engages removably the second engaging hole and is driven by the drive unit to rotate about the rotary axis at a lower speed.

Abstract: A household soybean milk maker including a main body defining a space for receiving water, a cover element openably installed on an upper end of the main body, a drive motor disposed in the cover element to generate rotating force, a drive shaft for outputting rotating force of the drive motor, a blade connected to the drive shaft, a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of the inside of the main body, and a sieve-like container which accommodates soybeans therein and is detachably attached to the cover element. A water vessel is coupled to a lower end of the main body. A steam generator is arranged in the water vessel to generate steam. Guide tubes are formed in the main body so that steam generated by the steam generator can be supplied through the guide tubes to soybean juice produced when the blade breaks the soybeans.

Abstract: An apparatus for blending and for making ice cream includes drive, blending, and stirring units. The drive unit includes a high-speed output gear unit driven rotatably by a drive shaft and formed with a first engaging hole that extends along a rotary axis, a speed-reduction gear unit driven rotatably by the drive shaft, and a low-speed output gear unit driven rotatably by the speed-reduction gear unit and formed with a second engaging hole that is coaxial with the first engaging hole. The blending unit engages removably the first engaging hole and is driven by the drive unit to rotate about the rotary axis at a higher speed. The stirring unit engages removably the second engaging hole and is driven by the drive unit to rotate about the rotary axis at a lower speed.

Abstract: A food blending apparatus and a method of blending food within a container with the object of providing a hygienic system whereby disposable containers are charged with product at a location remote from consumption. After filling with ingredients the container is sealed and then cooled. Containers include an integral blender which when connected to a drive enable the product to be blended at the point of consumption after location in driving connection with the drive means. Product is accessed through a sealed opening of the container after opening the seal. After consumption the container is disposed of and is constructed to make disposal economical.

Abstract: A blending device for mixing a content of a bag in combination with a collection member, the blending device comprising a casing defining a chamber and comprising a mixer and a door. The collection member is adapted to receive therein a bag with a content to be mixed by the blending device and is adapted to be installed in the blending device. When the collection member and the bag are positioned in the chamber and the door is closed, the mixer is operated to act on the bag and cause the content thereof. If the bag ruptures while in the blending device, its content will be collected by the collection member. The collection member is detachably secured at an upper end thereof to the blending device. The collection member typically takes the form of a flexible collection bag that is open-ended at its upper end.

Abstract: A mixing system, apparatus and/or method. Pathogen reduction of and/or mixing storage solutions into blood or blood components are useful purposes for these. Squeezing or clapping devices may be used to activate the mixing process, as may rotational devices or laterally movable, rotational and/or orbital devices. Constriction elements may also be used to create useful vortex mixing actions. Photoradiation may be provided while the components continue to be mixed together for pathogen reduction of blood or blood components.

Abstract: This invention provides an apparatus and a method for agitating a fluid suspension contained within an at least partially flexible vessel. This invention provides an apparatus comprising a structure for receiving the vessel, an agitating member capable of receiving the vessel, and a motor operatively communicating with the agitating member to substantially uniformly agitate the fluid suspension. This invention also provides a method comprising folding an at least partially flexible vessel so that there are two inner portions and reciprocally moving one or both of the inner portions between a first position and a second position, whereby the fluid suspension is substantially uniformly agitated.

Abstract: This invention provides an apparatus and a method for agitating a fluid suspension contained within an at least partially flexible vessel. This invention provides an apparatus comprising a structure for receiving the vessel, an agitating member capable of receiving the vessel, and a motor operatively communicating with the agitating member to substantially uniformly agitate the fluid suspension. This invention also provides a method comprising folding an at least partially flexible vessel so that there are two inner portions and reciprocally moving one or both of the inner portions between a first position and a second position, whereby the fluid suspension is substantially uniformly agitated.

Abstract: This invention provides an apparatus and a method for agitating a fluid suspension contained within an at least partially flexible vessel. This invention provides an apparatus comprising a structure for receiving the vessel, an agitating member capable of receiving the vessel, and a motor operatively communicating with the agitating member to substantially uniformly agitate the fluid suspension. This invention also provides a method comprising folding an at least partially flexible vessel so that there are two inner portions and reciprocally moving one or both of the inner portions between a first position and a second position, whereby the fluid suspension is substantially uniformly agitated.

Abstract: Building materials such as concrete, mortar and plaster are placed in a bag which is suspended in a bottomless drum. A handle is used to move a plunger up-and-down through the bottom of the drum such that the plunger repeatedly moves part of the bag upwardly through the materials contained in the bag to cause mixing thereof. The drum is rotationally indexed with reciprocal movements of the plunger, which also moves laterally. The plunger has an interchangeable head having a leading face which is inclined with respect to the direction of lateral movement on the upward stroke, and at least one inclined downwardly-facing facet.

Abstract: A microbe suspender for determination of the microbiological quality of foods comprises a beater which beats the outside of a plastic bag containing test sample and suspending liquid at a frequency high enough that the bag does not completely follow the beater movement so that microbe suspending shock waves are transmitted into the liquid at each impact of the beater with the bag, yet low enough in frequency that on each impact the beater remains in contact with the bag long enough to transfer stirring energy to the liquid and test sample to aid the removal of deep-seated microbes. As additional improvements over the art the suspender provides a collecting tray which prevents hazardous microbial suspensions reaching the bench in the event that a bag leaks, and an operator-protecting door that does not comprise part of the beating/suspending mechanism so that it can be transparent and permit the action to be viewed, and additionally the door is completely removable to improve the cleanability.

Abstract: A blending device for mixing the contents of a plastic bag comprises a casing defining a mixing chamber in which are disposed paddles or the like for acting on the bag and mix the contents thereof, and having a pivotable door for providing access to the chamber and positioning a bag and its contents in this chamber. The door includes a lower container which extends inwardly towards the casing such as to be located in the casing's mixing chamber when the door is a closed position such that spillage resulting from a rupture of the bag in the blending machine is collected in the door's bottom container. Preferably, the door can be easily and completely disconnected from the casing the facilitating the cleaning thereof, for instance following a collection by the container thereof of a spillage.

Abstract: A combination bar and beverage mixing device includes a base panel with a vertical shelf support attached thereto. Extending from the shelf support are upper and lower horizontal shelves. A blender assembly is slidably mounted on a horizontal track that is disposed between the upper and lower shelves. As the blender assembly is slid along the track, a mixing container is automatically rotated to mix a beverage received therein.

Abstract: A blending device for mixing the contents of a plastic bag comprises a casing defining a mixing chamber in which are disposed paddles or the like for acting on the bag and mix the contents thereof, and having a pivotable door for providing access to the chamber and positioning a bag and its contents in this chamber. The door includes a lower container which extends inwardly towards the casing such as to be located in the casing's mixing chamber when the door is a closed position such that spillage resulting from a rupture of the bag in the blending machine is collected in the door's bottom container. Preferably, the door can be easily and completely disconnected from the casing for facilitating the cleaning thereof, for instance following a collection by the container thereof of a spillage.

Abstract: A method for preparing a flavored slurried confection includes the use of a disposable serving container holding an individual serving of a neutral flavored mix which has a freezing point temperature lower than normally found for that of water. A large supply of the mix filled containers is stored in a storage freezer for maintaining the neutral flavored mix at a storage temperature, such as is typical of a food storage freezer for a restaurant. A desired quantity of the mix filled containers is then transferred from the storage freezer to a tempering freezer, generally close to a preparation and serving area, for maintaining the neutral flavored mix at a desirable blending temperature. The mix filled container is then removed from the tempering freezer for preparation of a flavored confection, such as a flavored shake.

Abstract: An apparatus for stirring which allows automatic coupling of the motor assembly with the stirring shaft. The apparatus comprises a housing, a detachable stirring shaft with an engagement head, and a motor assembly. The motor assembly is fixed onto the housing, and includes a cam assembly having a coupling shaft coupled to a cam device. The cam assembly is adapted to provide an engagement position and a disengagement position of the coupling shaft. The engagement position allows the coupling shaft to engage the stirring shaft when the stirring shaft is placed in a receiving position. A set of gears allows the translation of rotary movement of a motor into the rotating action of the coupling shaft.

Abstract: A flavored shake drink is prepared from a prepackaged neutral flavored mix stored within a container. A flavored syrup is selected and dispensed through a bar gun styled dispenser in fluid communication with bag-in-box stored packages containing a variety of flavored syrups. A protective sleeve is placed within various size containers typically representing a small, medium and large size, wherein the sleeve permits blending within a standard fountain mixer and prevents the contents of the container from splashing onto the surrounding counter or on the container outside walls. In this way, the container used to store the prepackaged neutral mix and used to blend added ingredients is again used as the container holding the shake for the customer. The method provides a cost effective and health code conscience method for providing multi-flavored shakes.

Abstract: A foam-in-bag packaging system is disclosed that comprises a mixing device for mixing foam precursors in a bag of flexible plastic film material sealed on all four sides by respective edge seals and having a plurality of frangible seals therein defining three separate interior cells in the bag. Two of the cells separately contain a first and second foam precursor composition and the cells are located at one end of the bag. The remainder of the bag is vented for permitting gases to escape from the bag as the foam precursors form foam while preventing foam or foam precursors from escaping from the bag. The mixing device ruptures the frangible seals to form a single interior cell and mixes the first and second foam precursors.

Abstract: A flavored shake drink is prepared from a prepackaged neutral flavored mix stored within a container. A flavored syrup is selected and dispensed through a bar gun styled dispenser in fluid communication with bag-in-box stored packages containing a variety of flavored syrups. A protective sleeve is placed within various size containers typically representing a small, medium and large size, wherein the sleeve permits blending within a standard fountain mixer and prevents the contents of the container from splashing onto the surrounding counter or on the container outside walls. In this way, the container used to store the prepackaged neutral mix and used to blend added ingredients is again used as the container holding the shake for the customer. The method provides a cost effective and health code conscience method for providing multi-flavored shakes.

Abstract: A temperature control device controls the temperature of the contents of a pan-shaped specimen container, in particular for the temperature control of specimen strips by hybridization assays. The specimen container can be set sealingly into a movably supported housing for a water bath.

Abstract: An air/liquid mix regulator is disclosed for use in a frozen confectionary dessert dispensing machine. The mix regulator regulates the amount of liquid and air entering the freezing chamber of the frozen dessert machine. The regulator has a single aerator tube having both an air inlet passage and a liquid inlet passage which are least partially divided. The aerator tube has different liquid inlet openings at each end so that it is invertible and usable with differing liquid viscosities. The aerator tube is engageable with a base section of the regulator and has a check valve therein to prevent the backflow of aerated mix into the storage chamber to prevent frothing and foaming in the storage hopper. The single check valve is located in an area of the base section that takes advantage of the relatively warmer liquid in the storage hopper to prevent freezing and sticking of the check valve.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a multi-purpose kitchen apparatus for processing foods, with a container (1) having arranged in a bore (20) in a container bottom (2) a bearing sleeve (4) in which a tool shaft (5) extending through the container bottom (2, 3) is journalled for rotary movement therein. The one end (35) of the tool shaft (5) is adapted to be connected with a drive motor through a coupling means (7), while the other (23) end is adapted be connected through a coupling member (8) with a processing tool for processing the foodstuffs. The bearing sleeve (4) is secured within the bore (20) of the container bottom (2, 3) by means of at least one resilient intermediate ring (9, 10) radially surrounding the bearing sleeve (4). This results in a bearing arrangement which affords particular ease of manufacture, is stable and has a low noise level.