Abstract: A blender for blending foodstuff includes a base enclosing a motor and a jar sensor secured to the base. The base has an upper mounting surface and the motor is mounted beneath the upper mounting surface. The jar sensor is secured to the base proximate the upper mounting surface. A jar is removably mountable to the base on the mounting surface. The jar includes a closed end and an actuator is mounted proximate the lower jar surface. The jar sensor detects the presence of the actuator when the jar is mounted to the base in an operating position. The motor is powered when the jar sensor detects the presence of the actuator in the operating position.

Abstract: A lid that is removably mountable to an upper open end of a jar of a mixing device includes a generally circular base having a top surface and a opposing bottom surface. A pour spout extends generally vertically upwardly from the base when the lid is mounted to the upper end of the jar. The pour spout has a crisp edge for pouring foodstuff when the lid is mounted to the jar. Further, the lid includes a channel that generally surrounds the pour spout to collect errant drips of foodstuff when the lid is mounted to the jar and when foodstuff is poured through the pour spout.

Abstract: A kitchen appliance with a safety interlock for processing foodstuff including a housing with a motor and a switch to actuate the motor within the housing. A bowl has a first actuator therein for selectively actuating the switch. A bowl lid is removably mountable over a mouth of the bowl and is mounted to a mouth of the bowl when the bowl and bowl lid are in a working position. A feed tube defines a feed cavity including a feed mouth. The feed tube has a second actuator in an operative relationship with the first actuator. A feed tube lid is pivotably and removably mounted to the feed tube and includes a tab. The tab contacts and moves the second actuator to its operative position to thereby actuate the switch through the first actuator when the feed tube lid is in a closed position.

Abstract: A dispensing blender for blending foodstuff and dispensing foodstuff therefrom. The dispensing blender includes a base enclosing a motor, a jar removably mountable to the base, a collar removably mountable between the base and the jar and a dispensing spout mounted to the collar. At least a portion of the dispensing spout is movable to an open position wherein foodstuff within the jar is able to flow from the jar, through the collar and out of the dispensing spout and a closed position wherein the foodstuff is blocked from flowing out of the dispensing spout. A cup actuation lever mounted to the base is movable to a dispensing position wherein the dispensing spout is urged to the open position and a resting position wherein the dispensing spout is urged to the closed position.

Abstract: A strain gauge apparatus for measuring stresses on a rotating blade includes a strain gauge assembly, a shaft connectable to the rotating blade, a slip ring connected to the shaft, and a sleeve for covering lead wires routed along the shaft from the strain gauge and connected to the slip ring. The present invention also relates to a method of determining the fatigue life of a rotating blade.

Abstract: A blender for blending foodstuff includes a base enclosing a motor and having an upper mounting surface. A jar sensor is secured to the base proximate the upper mounting surface and a jar is removably mountable to the base on the mounting surface. The jar includes a closed end and an actuator is mounted proximate the closed end. The jar sensor detects the presence of the actuator when the jar is mounted to the base in an operating position. The motor is powered when the jar sensor detects the presence of the actuator in the operating position. A motor temperature indicator is positioned on a control panel on the base and a temperature sensor is in communication with the motor temperature indicator. First and second cordsets are adaptable for removable mounting to the base for powering the motor.

Abstract: A dispensing blender for blending foodstuff and dispensing foodstuff therefrom. The dispensing blender includes a base enclosing a motor, a jar removably mountable to the base, a collar removably mountable between the base and the jar and a dispensing spout mounted to the collar. At least a portion of the dispensing spout is movable to an open position wherein foodstuff within the jar is able to flow from the jar, through the collar and out of the dispensing spout and a closed position wherein the foodstuff is blocked from flowing out of the dispensing spout.

Abstract: A kitchen appliance with a safety interlock for processing foodstuff including a housing with a motor and a switch to actuate the motor within the housing. A bowl has a first actuator therein for selectively actuating the switch. A bowl lid is removably mountable over a mouth of the bowl and is mounted to a mouth of the bowl when the bowl and bowl lid are in a working position. A feed tube defines a feed cavity including a feed mouth. The feed tube has a second actuator in an operative relationship with the first actuator. A feed tube lid is pivotably and removably mounted to the feed tube and includes a tab. The tab contacts and moves the second actuator to its operative position to thereby actuate the switch through the first actuator when the feed tube lid is in a closed position.

Abstract: A blender for blending foodstuff comprising a motor housing that encloses an electric motor and has a first end and a second end. An upper housing is attached to the first end of the motor housing. The motor housing includes a fan driven by the motor controlled by a plurality of switches positioned behind a flexible cover. A transparent base having translucent base feet and an open bottom partially surrounds the motor housing and has a first end. The first end of the base is clamped between the upper housing and the first end of the motor housing to thereby solely suspend the motor housing from the first end of the base. A shroud is positioned partially around the motor within the motor housing. The fan draws air through the open bottom of the base into the second end of the motor housing and then around and outside of the shroud into the open top of the shroud to thereby cool the motor. The air is then directed out through the open side portion of the shroud and then sealingly vented to atmosphere.

Abstract: A mixing device configured to blend food. The mixing device includes a base enclosing a motor. The base includes a recessed area and a projection extends from the recessed area. A jar is removably mounted to the base for containing food. A collar is removably mounted between the base and the jar. The collar has a blending tool that is operatively engaged with the motor when the collar is positioned on the base. Further, a splash guard is removably mounted to the base. The splash guard covers said recessed area. A space defined by the recessed area of the base and the splash guard provides storage for a cap. The cap is releasably mounted to the projection.

Abstract: A mixing device configured to blend food. The mixing device includes a base enclosing a motor. A jar is removably mounted to the base for containing food. A collar is removably mounted between the base and the jar. A dispensing spout is removably mounted to the collar. Further, a splash guard is removably mounted to the base.

Abstract: A dispensing blender for blending foodstuff and dispensing foodstuff therefrom. The dispensing blender includes a base enclosing a motor, a jar removably mountable to the base, a collar removably mountable between the base and the jar and a dispensing spout mounted to the collar. At least a portion of the dispensing spout is movable to an open position wherein foodstuff within the jar is able to flow from the jar, through the collar and out of the dispensing spout and a closed position wherein the foodstuff is blocked from flowing out of the dispensing spout. A cup actuation lever mounted to the base is movable to a dispensing position wherein the dispensing spout is urged to the open position and a resting position wherein the dispensing spout is urged to the closed position.

Abstract: A stirring stick for manipulating foodstuff in a blender comprises an elongate plunger having first and second ends. The plunger has a cavity extending between the first and second ends. At least a portion of the plunger is generally trough-shaped, and the cavity is open at least at the second end. A handle is attached to the first end of the plunger. A user may move the stirring stick in one or more directions when the stirring stick is positioned in the blender.

Abstract: A stirring stick for manipulating foodstuff in a blender comprises an elongate plunger having first and second ends. The plunger has a cavity extending between the first and second ends. At least a portion of the plunger is generally trough-shaped, and the cavity is open at least at the second end. A handle is attached to the first end of the plunger. A user may move the stirring stick in one or more directions when the stirring stick is positioned in the blender.

Abstract: A blender blade assembly has a lower blade and an upper blade, each having a planar center section and curved outer blade sections. The blades extend in the same longitudinal direction so that the upper blade sections are above the lower blade sections. The blade sections are so curved that ingredients in the path of rotating blades are funneled between them. Such funneling can create a tendency for the ingredients to form a swirling mass which rotates with the blade assembly and detracts from the efficiency of the blade assembly. Therefore, the curved blade sections of the upper blade extend at an upward angle sufficient to avoid the creation of a swirling mass of ingredients that rotates with the blade assembly.

Abstract: A pin table for a bowling pin spotting/respotting device is fabricated from stamped sheet metal and has lips around the periphery of the sheet metal pin table, as well as around each of a plurality of pin openings through the pin table. The sheet metal pin table is generally planar in configuration and has a plurality of pin openings. The lips extend upwardly around the periphery of the pin table and around the periphery of each of the openings. The lips provide sufficient rigidity to the pin table to enable its manufacture from stamped sheet metal rather than a more expensive aluminum casting. A respot actuating assembly for use with the aforementioned table includes a respot cam link mechanism, a pair of crank arms and an adjustable stop mechanism for limiting rotation of the crank arms. Linkage connects the crank arms to the respot cam link mechanism and to multiple pairs of gripper rods for gripping and releasing a plurality of bowling pins.