Abstract: A kitchen device (10), the kitchen device (10) including: a base (12) having a motor (58); a vessel assembly (14) removably mounted on the base (12), the vessel assembly (14) having: a vessel (16) providing a space (36) to receive ingredients to be processed; a blade assembly (38) at least partly located in the space (36) and drivable by the motor (58) to process the ingredients, the blade assembly (38) also projecting outwardly from the vessel (16) to provide for driving engagement by the motor (58); and a collar (40) to engage the blade assembly (38) and secure the blade assembly (38) to the vessel (16), the collar (40) being movable relative to the vessel (16) between a release position allowing removal of the blade assembly (38) from the vessel (16) and a securing position fixing the blade assembly (38) to the vessel (16); the kitchen device (10) further including a sensor mechanism (39) to detect, when the vessel assembly (14) is mounted on the base (12), whether the collar (40) is in the securing positi

Abstract: A safety system (4) for a kitchen device (1) having a vessel (5) and a lid (21), the safety system (4) comprising: a processor (10); a retaining arm (7) adapted to, in a retaining position, retain the lid (21) against the vessel (5); a first sensor (40) adapted to communicate a retaining signal to the processor (10) when the retaining arm (7) is in the retaining position; and a second sensor (43) adapted to communicate a function signal to the processor (10), the function signal indicating a function of the lid (21), wherein the processor (10) is adapted to select an operating mode of the kitchen device (1) in response to the retaining signal and the function signal.

Abstract: A locking mechanism (104) for a kitchen device (101) having a vessel (105), the vessel (105) providing an interior space and having a rim (106) surrounding an opening (105a) of the space, and a lid (121) to engage the rim (106) to close the space, the locking mechanism (104) comprising: a retaining arm (107), the retaining arm (107) being attachable to the device (101) and movable between a free position, wherein the lid (121) is movable with respect to the vessel (105), and a retaining position, wherein the retaining arm (107) is engageable with the lid (121) to retain the lid (121) against the vessel (105) to at least partly close the opening (105a); a securing assembly (108), the securing assembly (108) being attachable to the device (101) to engage the retaining arm (107) and movable between a free position, wherein the retaining arm (107) may be moved between the free position and the retaining position, and a securing position, wherein the securing assembly (108) engages the retaining arm (107) to preve

Abstract: An agitator (10) for a kitchen device (68), the kitchen device (68) having: a vessel (56) with a bottom wall (62) and an upwardly extending side wall (70), the bottom wall (62) and the side wall (70) providing a space (72) to receive ingredients to be processed, the side wall (70) extending upwardly to a rim (74) that at least partly surrounds a top opening (76) to the space (72); a blade assembly (54) located in the space (72) to process the ingredients and to be rotatably driven in a rotation direction (22) about a generally upright axis (20); and a drive assembly to rotatably drive the blade assembly (54) about the axis (20); the agitator (10) including: a hub (12) to be coupled to the blade assembly (54) so as to be rotated thereby about the axis (20); a plurality of arms (14) fixed to the hub (12) and extending outwardly therefrom so as to have a major direction of extension that is generally radial relative to the axis (20); and wherein at least one of the arms (14) projects below said hub (12) so as to

Abstract: A locking mechanism (104) for a kitchen device (101) having a vessel (105), the vessel (105) providing an interior space and having a rim (106) surrounding an opening (105a) of the space, and a lid (121) to engage the rim (106) to close the space, the locking mechanism (104) comprising: a retaining arm (107), the retaining arm (107) being attachable to the device (101) and movable between a free position, wherein the lid (121) is movable with respect to the vessel (105), and a retaining position, wherein the retaining arm (107) is engageable with the lid (121) to retain the lid (121) against the vessel (105) to at least partly close the opening (105a); a securing assembly (108), the securing assembly (108) being attachable to the device (101) to engage the retaining arm (107) and movable between a free position, wherein the retaining arm (107) may be moved between the free position and the retaining position, and a securing position, wherein the securing assembly (108) engages the retaining arm (107) to preve

Abstract: A safety system (4) for a kitchen device (1) having a vessel (5) and a lid (21), the safety system (4) comprising: a processor (10); a retaining arm (7) adapted to, in a retaining position, retain the lid (21) against the vessel (5); a first sensor (40) adapted to communicate a retaining signal to the processor (10) when the retaining arm (7) is in the retaining position; and a second sensor (43) adapted to communicate a function signal to the processor (10), the function signal indicating a function of the lid (21), wherein the processor (10) is adapted to select an operating mode of the kitchen device (1) in response to the retaining signal and the function signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for power allocation across multiple loads. The method comprising the steps of: allocating available power between two or more power load elements, wherein a ratio of power allocated to a load element is based on a priority and measured parameters; and dynamically updating the power allocated to a load element as power requirements change.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for power allocation across multiple loads. The method comprising the steps of: allocating available power between two or more power load elements, wherein a ratio of power allocated to a load element is based on a priority and measured parameters; and dynamically updating the power allocated to a load element as power requirements change.

Abstract: An apparatus for making a frozen dessert. The apparatus including a reservoir located within a chassis for receiving a liquid dessert mixture and a rotatable paddle located within the reservoir. The paddle can have a body coupled to at least one respective scraper element by a living hinge, such that the scraper element has a scraping edge that is radially-outward biased by the living hinge for abuttingly engaging a wall of the reservoir. The reservoir and the axis of rotation can be substantially horizontally directed, with a substantially vertically-orientated lid closing an opening of the reservoir, the lid defining an aperture for receiving the mixture or enabling egress of the frozen dessert.

Abstract: An apparatus for making a frozen dessert. The apparatus including a reservoir located within a chassis for receiving a liquid dessert mixture and a rotatable paddle located within the reservoir. The paddle can have a body coupled to at least one respective scraper element by a living hinge, such that the scraper element has a scraping edge that is radially-outward biased by the living hinge for abuttingly engaging a wall of the reservoir. The reservoir and the axis of rotation can be substantially horizontally directed, with a substantially vertically-orientated lid closing an opening of the reservoir, the lid defining an aperture for receiving the mixture or enabling egress of the frozen dessert.

Abstract: A multi-panel pivot-slide door or window structure is disclosed. The door assembly includes multiple door panels mounted on one guide rail/track of the head and sill, which are connected with two jambs to form door rim/frame opening. A pivot-wheel mechanism is configured on each of the door panels in which each panel is operable to pivot to open and then slide to either side to maximize the open area of the opening.