Abstract: An interlock system for actuating a switch to interrupt a flow of electrical current to a component of a domestic electrical appliance is described. The current is interrupted unless a sensor indicates that the appliance is in a safe condition, and the system includes a rod-like member which is turned about its own axis through at least a predetermined angle, when the appliance is safe, to actuate the switch to permit current to flow. The safe condition is typified by the secure placement of a lid or cover on a receptacle in a manner intended for operation of the appliance. Moreover, the lid or cover for the receptacle may be formed with an upstanding, chimney-like feed-tube through which food items can be added for processing in the receptacle, and a “pusher” device, sized to fit closely within the feed tube, is further provided, by means of which a user can urge foodstuffs into the receptacle for processing.

Abstract: A juicer arrangement comprises a motor-driven appliance (1), capable of extracting juice from fruit, and a vessel (10) for receiving the juice. The appliance has a tubular outlet duct (9) through which juice can flow; the duct consisting of an inner portion (12) that is fixed to the appliance (1) and an outer portion (13) which can be rotated, relative to the inner portion (12), about the longitudinal axis (12a) of the tubular outlet duct (9). Near the outlet end of the outer portion (13) of the outlet duct there is provided a chordally-extending internal wall (15), configured such that, in one rotational position of the outer portion (13) of the duct relative to the inner portion (12), the wall (15) is positioned to act as an anti-dripping dam member to resist liquid flow through the outlet duct (9). In another rotational position of the outer portion (13) of the duct relative to the inner portion (12), the wall (15) is inverted, leaving a gap through which juice can be dispensed.

Abstract: A wand-like tool (20) for a hand blender comprises an elongate, tubular housing (22) containing a rotatable drive shaft (23). The tool is adapted at one end to permit the shaft (23) to pick up rotary drive from a hand-held driver unit, and carries a foodstuff-processing head at its other end; the processing head comprising a bladed member (26), coupled to the shaft (23) and having at least three blades (32a, 32b, 32c). The bladed member rotates within a processor head housing (27) having a tubular side-wall (30) formed with a roof (36) where the processor head housing (27) joins the tubular shaft housing (22) and being open at its opposite end, and the internal surface (38) of the side-wall (30) bears protrusions (40) facing the tips of the blades (32a, 32b, 32c). Each protrusion (40) presents a respective bluff body to foodstuffs flowing past it.

Abstract: The invention provides a centrifugal juicer (10) with a removable container, or bin, (32) for collection of the unwanted pulp generated by the juicing process. A macerator (22) is located in a working zone (20) of the juicer, and the pulp is thrown upwardly and outwardly away from the macerator, and exits through a letterbox-like aperture (34) which aligns with a filler aperture (36) in the bin when the bin is placed correctly for operation of the juicer. The bin (32) is slidably movable towards and away from the juicer and is open-topped; the bin being covered during operation by a roof member (38) which extends outwardly from the juicer. The bin (32) is provided with an upper bridging member (40), above the filler aperture (36); the bridging member (40) having a surface adapted to slide in contact with, or closely adjacent, the underside of the roof (38), thereby to wipe pulp deposits from the roof when the bin (32) is slid away from the juicer (10) for removal.

Abstract: An electrically-driven kitchen machine (10), comprising a food mixer or a food processor, has a support platform (33) for supporting a receptacle (60) for foodstuffs to be mixed or otherwise processed. The machine has an electric motor used to drive mixing or processing tools disposed in the receptacle (60); and a heater (71) for heating the foodstuffs in the receptacle. In order to ensure that the temperature of the foodstuffs is accurately determined, the base of the receptacle (60) consists of multiple layers, comprising a first metallic material (63), such as aluminium, having a relatively high thermal conductivity, sandwiched between outer (62) and inner (64) skins of a second metallic material of lower thermal conductivity than the first metallic material, and the machine (10) is also provided with first and second probes (80 and 81), each protruding through the receptacle-supporting platform (33) and urged upwardly to contact the inner skin (64) and the first metallic material (63) respectively.

Abstract: This invention provides a safety system for electrically operated kitchen appliances such as blenders, food processors and the like, to protect users from contact with cutting or macerating implements which, in operation of such appliances, are rotated at reasonably high speeds by powerful electric motors. In order to provide a reliable and robust safety system which is economical to manufacture, the invention utilises a detent member (30, 50) which is rotatable with either the motor or the implement (80). A trapping member (110, 130), which is mobile between two positions along the motor's axis of rotation, but which cannot rotate, traps or releases the detent member, depending upon the trapping member's position. The trapping member (110, 130) is moved into the position at which the detent member (30, 50) is released only when a container (100) is correctly inserted into place to contain the implement. The invention also provides an electrically powered kitchen appliance incorporating such a safety system.

Abstract: A stand mixer (10) capable of subjecting ingredients in a bowl (60) to a planetary mixing action, and which is also provided with the capability of heating the ingredients, is further provided with a guarding device (70, 80) to reduce unwanted egress of steam and/or to prevent ingredients being ejected from the bowl (60). The guarding device comprises a first component (70) which is removably attachable to the stand mixer (10) in the vicinity of its planetary drive outlet (44) and a second component (80) which is removably attachable to the first component (70) and also to the bowl (60). The first component (70) is shaped and configured to shield part of the stand mixer (10) from heat and the second component (80) is designed to resist unwanted egress of steam and/or to prevent ingredients being ejected from the bowl.

Abstract: An interlock system for actuating a switch to interrupt a flow of electrical current to a component of a domestic electrical appliance is described. The current is interrupted unless a sensor indicates that the appliance is in a safe condition, and the system includes a rod-like member which is turned about its own axis through at least a predetermined angle, when the appliance is safe, to actuate the switch to permit current to flow. The safe condition is typified by the secure placement of a lid or cover on a receptacle in a manner intended for operation of the appliance. Moreover, the lid or cover for the receptacle may be formed with an upstanding, chimney-like feed-tube through which food items can be added for processing in the receptacle, and a “pusher” device, sized to fit closely within the feed tube, is further provided, by means of which a user can urge foodstuffs into the receptacle for processing.

Abstract: The invention provides an interlock system whereby operation of a domestic appliance such as a food processor containing an electric motor capable of driving a bladed or similar processing tool at relatively high speed is inhibited unless a vessel having a first or a second base configuration is securely mounted to the appliance so as to contain the tool; the vessel having a lid or cover intended to be in place for safe operation when the processing tool is driven by the motor. A vessel-supporting surface of the appliance carries several up-standing latches, each of which is formed with features capable of co-operating with vessels having either of the base configurations to temporarily latch either type of vessel operationally to the appliance.

Abstract: A variable-width toaster is described, in which the food-supporting carriage (5, 60) adapts readily, robustly and in a cost-effective manner to different width settings of the toasting chamber (2, 70). Respective elongate members (51, 52; 61, 62) are mounted to either side of the toasting chamber and are linked together by linking members (53a-53n; 63a, 63b) which form part of the food-supporting surface and are pivotally attached to the elongate members to accommodate lateral relative movement between the elongate members as the width of the toasting chamber is varied. In one embodiment, unitary linking members (53a-53n) link the two elongate members (51, 52) and the elongate members are urged apart by a spring (54). In another embodiment, chevron-like linking members, comprising pairs of pivotally associated linking members (63a, 63b) are employed.