Abstract: A container (32) includes a sealable body including a chamber (42), at least one opening formed in the sealable body, and a vacuum sealing assembly (52) mounted to the sealable body adjacent at least one opening. The vacuum sealing assembly (52) includes a valve (60) and a mechanism (70) moveable between a first position that maintains the valve (60) in a sealing engagement with at least one opening and a second position that removes the valve (60) from the sealing engagement or exposes the valve (60) for removal from the sealing engagement.

Abstract: An illustrative micro-puree machine is provided. The micro-puree machine includes a detachably connectable processing container including a lid having an opening configured to receive a mixing shaft. The lid includes a blade holder configured to hold a blade assembly to the lid. The blade holder is coupled to a release lever configured to control the blade holder to be disengaged from the blade assembly when the release lever is in a release position. A base unit includes a coupling interface arranged to couple with the lid of the detachably connectable processing container. The coupling interface includes at least a portion of the mixing shaft configured to extend through the lid and into the processing container when the processing container is coupled to the coupling interface. The coupling interface includes at least one radially extending arm forming a corresponding at least one slot, each of the at least one slot including at least one sidewall.

Abstract: A plunger retention assembly for a micro-puree machine includes a lid coupleable to a bowl. The lid defines a central passage through an interior of the lid. A plunger coupling is extendable through the central passage. A plunger has an attachment portion insertable through the central passage from a bottom surface of the lid. The attachment portion defines a channel for removeably receiving the plunger coupling.

Abstract: A helical coupling assembly for a micro puree machine includes at least one protrusion on a processing bowl configured to slidably engage a slot on an interior surface of the coupling when the processing bowl is rotated in a clockwise direction. The slots are configured such that, for a certain range of rotation, the slots are not helical to prevent the bowl from disengaging during extrusion of ingredients from the bowl.

Abstract: An illustrative micro-puree machine is provided. The micro-puree machine includes a base unit including a coupling interface arranged to couple with a detachably connectable processing container. The coupling interface includes a mixing shaft configured to extend into the processing container. A drip tray couplable to the base unit below the processing container when the processing container is coupled to the coupling interface. The drip tray is configured to receive food material that leaks from the processing container while coupled to the coupling interface.

Abstract: A micro-puree machine has an automatic bowl lock for locking to a bowl having at least one projection on an outer surface of the bowl. The bowl is rotatable relative to the micro-puree machine to rotate the at least one projection into and out of at least one slot on the micro-puree machine. The automatic bowl lock includes a locking pin moveable between a first position, in which the locking pin does not prevent the at least one projection from rotating out of the at least one slot, to a second position, in which the locking pin prevents the at least one projection from rotating out of the at least one slot, thereby locking the bowl to the micro-puree machine.

Abstract: A food processing device is disclosed that includes a motorized base and a vessel arranged to releasably couple to the motorized base. The motorized base has a base coupling configured to rotate about a rotational axis. The base coupling is shaped to engage a vessel coupling on the vessel such that rotation of the base coupling drives rotation of the vessel coupling about the rotational axis. The vessel coupling includes a drive shaft that extends into a cavity defined by the vessel. The food processing device also includes an accessory arranged to detachably couple to the vessel's drive shaft and rotate within the vessel about the rotational axis and rotation of the accessory is driven by the vessel coupling via the drive shaft.

Abstract: An extrusion lever mechanism is configured to change the extrusion state of a micro puree machine via electronic control. This control can be either manual or automatic, as selected by the user. The extrusion lever mechanism is also configured to provide a way for the user to retract an extruding plunger in order to remove the processing bowl from the machine.

Abstract: An extrusion assembly for a micro puree machine is disclosed. The extrusion assembly includes a plunger drive inhibitor configured to restrict input torque applied to the extrusion assembly from transferring to the extrusion drive train and the extrusion plunger. The plunger drive inhibitor may be implemented with various mechanisms, including a slip clutch assembly (with or without a frictional cone brake), a torsion spring, and/or an automated slip clutch assembly configured to cut power to the extrusion drive train when slipping of the clutch plates is detected.

Abstract: A cooking system positionable on a support surface including a housing having an internal heating compartment and an opening formed in said housing for accessing said internal heating compartment. The housing is movable between a first position and second position. The opening is arranged within a first plane when said housing is in said first position, and the opening is arranged within a second plane when said housing is in said second position, said first plane and said second plane being distinct.

Abstract: A cooking system including a housing having a hollow interior, a heating element associated with said housing, a support body for supporting the food within said hollow interior such that the food is positionable on a support surface of said support body, and a guard located between at least a portion of the support surface and said heating element. The guard is permissive of convective airflow between said hollow interior and said heating element, and is generally impermeable to projectile matter generated during a cooking operation.

Abstract: A hair care appliance is provided. The hair care appliance includes a handle and a body coupled to the handle via a rotational hinge joint. The body can be movable via the rotational hinge joint between a straight configuration in which the body is aligned with a longitudinal axis of the handle and a bent configuration in which the body extends along an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the handle. A fluid flow path extends between an inlet in the handle and an outlet in the body. The hair care appliance can be operated with minimal loss of fluid flow in either the straight configuration and the bent configuration. The hair care appliance includes a fan assembly in the handle and a heater assembly in the body that are positioned to create a balanced center of mass of the hair care appliance when operated by a user.

Abstract: A micro puree machine has a drive motor positioned within a lower portion of a housing extending along a vertical axis. A mixing shaft positioned within an upper portion of the housing extends at a non-parallel angle relative to the vertical axis. The bowl of ingredients is installed to an angled surface of the upper portion of the housing along the mixing shaft axis, allowing for easier viewing of the bowl installation.

Abstract: Various exemplary attachments for hair care appliances and methods of using attachments for hair care appliances are provided. In general, a hair care attachment in an exemplary embodiment is in the form of a brush accessory that has a hollow body having first and second region, an attachment collar at a first end of the hollow body and having an inlet for receiving airflow, a plurality of bristles positioned along the first region of the hollow body, a plurality of outlet openings positioned along the first region of the hollow body adjacent the plurality of bristles, and a heater assembly positioned along the second region of the hollow body.