Abstract: A meat grinder includes: a housing; a drive unit mounted in the housing, the drive unit including a motor; a screw conveyor comprising a barrel fixed relative to the housing, and an auger located within the barrel and operatively connected with the motor; a hollow feed chute having upper and lower ends, the lower end mounted on and configured to feed into the barrel; and a feed tray mounted on the upper end of the feed chute, the feed tray including an opening in communication with the upper end of the feed chute. The feed chute includes an inlet section of a first inner diameter that includes the upper end, a feed section of a second inner diameter that includes the lower end, the second diameter being less than the first diameter, and a funneled section between the inlet section and the feed section.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes slow cookers. A slow cooker includes an outer housing, a heating element, a container, a lid, a network housing unit, and a network antenna. The network antenna is located in a top portion of the network housing unit such that the network antenna resides above a maximum liquid fill line within the removable container or above a housing rim of the outer housing. The network may be a Wi-Fi network. Systems associated with operation of the slow cooker are also provided herein.

Abstract: A stand mixer includes: a base, the base including a bowl lift framework having first lift features; a support arm attached to the base and extending upwardly therefrom; a head attached to an upper end of the support arm and extending generally horizontally therefrom above the base; and a bowl assembly comprising a bowl and a skirt mounted to the bowl, the skirt including second lift features. The first lift features interact with the second lift features such that, when the bowl assembly is rotated relative to the bowl lift framework, the bowl assembly changes elevation relative to the base between raised and lowered positions.

Abstract: A bowl assembly for a stand mixer includes a bowl with a skirt mounted to a lower end of the bowl. A plurality of radially-outwardly projecting nubs are mounted on the skirt and engage the stand mixer. The bowl assembly nubs may be spring-loaded and biased toward a radially-outward extended position.

Abstract: A stand mixer includes: a base, the base including a bowl lift framework having first lift features; a support arm attached to the base and extending upwardly therefrom; a head attached to an upper end of the support arm and extending generally horizontally therefrom above the base; and a bowl assembly comprising a bowl and a skirt mounted to the bowl, the skirt including second lift features. The first lift features interact with the second lift features such that, when the bowl assembly is rotated relative to the bowl lift framework, the bowl assembly changes elevation relative to the base between raised and lowered positions.

Abstract: A stand mixer includes: a base, the base including a bowl lift framework having first lift features; a support arm attached to the base and extending upwardly therefrom; a head attached to an upper end of the support arm and extending generally horizontally therefrom above the base; and a bowl assembly comprising a bowl and a skirt mounted to the bowl, the skirt including second lift features. The first lift features interact with the second lift features such that, when the bowl assembly is rotated relative to the bowl lift framework, the bowl assembly changes elevation relative to the base between raised and lowered positions.

Abstract: A kitchen appliance for processing foodstuff includes a housing, a bowl removably mounted onto the housing and defining a first cavity therein, and a removable lid to cover at least the bowl. A perforated basket is removably received between the bowl and the lid and defines a second cavity. A tool is removably coupleable with a drive shaft such that rotation of the drive shaft effectuates rotation of the tool. The tool is mountable in a first position on the drive shaft within the perforated basket, or in a second position on the drive shaft within the bowl. In the first position of the tool, apertures of the perforated basket permit foodstuff processed by the tool into fragments smaller than the apertures to pass from the second cavity into the first cavity. In the second position of the tool, foodstuff is processed by the tool directly in the first cavity.

Abstract: A kitchen appliance includes a housing that defines a cavity. The housing has a housing rim defining an opening to the cavity. A heating or cooling element is disposed within the housing to heat or cool the cavity. A container has a generally hollow interior and a container rim. A lid is sized and shaped to at least partially cover the opening of the container when placed on the container. The lid has an exterior surface and an opposing interior surface. At least one latching mechanism or handle is operable to seal the contents of the appliance within the appliance.

Abstract: A kitchen appliance includes a housing that defines a cavity. The housing has a housing rim defining an opening to the cavity. A heating or cooling element is disposed within the housing to heat or cool the cavity. A container has a generally hollow interior and a container rim. A lid is sized and shaped to at least partially cover the opening of the container when placed on the container. The lid has an exterior surface and an opposing interior surface. At least one latching mechanism or handle is operable to seal the contents of the appliance within the appliance.

Abstract: An automated mix in-cup apparatus includes a frame having a cup-holder to secure a tapered cup selectively placed therein, and a first motor operatively connected to the cup-holder to rotate the cup-holder. A reciprocating carriage is axially supported by the frame and supports a second motor and a rotatable mixing blade to mix a consumable material. The mixing blade is secured to a shaft axially extending from the second motor, the shaft defining a longitudinal axis and the second motor configured to rotate the shaft and the mixing blade. Reciprocal movement of the carriage axially translates the mixing blade into and out of the tapered cup in the cup-holder. The cup-holder and the first motor are oriented at an incline, defining a tilt angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the shaft, whereby the shaft and the rotatable blade are positioned off-center relative to the tapered cup in the cup-holder.

Abstract: An automated mix in-cup apparatus includes a frame having a cup-holder to secure a tapered cup selectively placed therein, and a first motor operatively connected to the cup-holder to rotate the cup-holder. A reciprocating carriage is axially supported by the frame and supports a second motor and a rotatable mixing blade to mix a consumable material. The mixing blade is secured to a shaft axially extending from the second motor, the shaft defining a longitudinal axis and the second motor configured to rotate the shaft and the mixing blade. Reciprocal movement of the carriage axially translates the mixing blade into and out of the tapered cup in the cup-holder. The cup-holder and the first motor are oriented at an incline, defining a tilt angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the shaft, whereby the shaft and the rotatable blade are positioned off-center relative to the tapered cup in the cup-holder.

Abstract: A kitchen appliance includes a housing that defines a cavity. The housing has a housing rim defining an opening to the cavity. A heating or cooling element is disposed within the housing to heat or cool the cavity. A container has a generally hollow interior and a container rim. A lid is sized and shaped to at least partially cover the opening of the container when placed on the container. The lid has an exterior surface and an opposing interior surface. At least one latching mechanism or handle is operable to seal the contents of the appliance within the appliance.

Abstract: A kitchen appliance includes a housing enclosing a motor and a switch mechanism. A bowl is removably mountable onto the housing. At least one actuation member is movable between a first position and a second position. A bowl lid is removably mountable onto the upper rim of the bowl. When the bowl lid is properly positioned onto the upper rim of the bowl, the motor is actuated or permitted to be actuated by pressing downwardly on the lid such that at least a portion of one of a plurality of flanges of the bowl contacts at least a portion of the actuation member to force the actuation member to the second position.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes an automated blend in-cup apparatus and the related method of operation. The disclosure relates generally to the field of mixing consumable material. More specifically, the disclosure relates to a mixer that is automatically operable to lower a mixing blade into a cup or vessel that contains material to be blended/mixed. A carriage reciprocates on a frame. A pulley system is also located on the frame and a power cord is routed through the pulley system. A moveable pulley in the pulley system moves in the opposite direction of the reciprocating carriage. The apparatus further comprises a well with an inlet manifold and a drain and a fixed but removable cup-receiving holder. Overall, the apparatus is effective, fast, easy to operate, safe, and clean.

Abstract: A kitchen appliance includes a housing that defines a cavity. The housing has a housing rim defining an opening to the cavity. A heating or cooling element is disposed within the housing to heat or cool the cavity. A container has a generally hollow interior and a container rim. A lid is sized and shaped to at least partially cover the opening of the container when placed on the container. The lid has an exterior surface and an opposing interior surface. At least one latching mechanism or handle is operable to seal the contents of the appliance within the appliance.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes an automated blend in-cup apparatus and the related method of operation. The disclosure relates generally to the field of mixing consumable material. More specifically, the disclosure relates to a mixer that is automatically operable to lower a mixing blade into a cup or vessel that contains material to be blended/mixed. A carriage reciprocates on a frame. A pulley system is also located on the frame and a power cord is routed through the pulley system. A moveable pulley in the pulley system moves in the opposite direction of the reciprocating carriage. The apparatus further comprises a well with an inlet manifold and a drain and a fixed but removable cup-receiving holder. Overall, the apparatus is effective, fast, easy to operate, safe, and clean.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes an automated blend in-cup apparatus and the related method of operation. The disclosure relates generally to the field of mixing consumable material. More specifically, the disclosure relates to a mixer that is automatically operable to lower a mixing blade into a cup or vessel that contains material to be blended/mixed. A shield is automatically lowered to at least partially isolate the cup. The apparatus further comprises a well with an inlet manifold and a drain and a fixed but removable cup-receiving holder. The shield can include a magnetic portion that is detected by a first sensor on the apparatus. A safety interlock prevents the actuation of the mixing blade in the event that the magnetic portion is not proximate to the first sensor. Overall, the apparatus is effective, fast, easy to operate, safe, and clean.

Abstract: A kitchen appliance includes a housing enclosing a motor and a switch mechanism. A bowl is removably mountable onto the housing. At least one actuation member is movable between a first position and a second position. A bowl lid is removably mountable onto the upper rim of the bowl. When the bowl lid is properly positioned onto the upper rim of the bowl, the motor is actuated or permitted to be actuated by pressing downwardly on the lid such that at least a portion of one of a plurality of flanges of the bowl contacts at least a portion of the actuation member to force the actuation member to the second position.

Abstract: An ice cream maker comprises a collapsible outer bucket having a closed bottom end and an open top end, a mixing assembly selectively insertable into the outer bucket, a handle having first and second ends directly or indirectly affixed to the outer bucket. The handle is selectively supported by the mixing assembly such that the top end of the outer bucket is indirectly supported by the mixing assembly.