Abstract: A food mixer is presented having mixing tool detection capability. The food mixer has a base unit with a tool attachment portion, a mixing bowl attached to the base unit, and a motor attached to the base unit. The motor has operational settings and is configured to apply a torque to the tool attachment portion. A mixing tool is removably attached to the tool attachment portion, and a controller unit of the mixer is configured to detect the mixing tool attached to the tool attachment portion and to automatically control the operational settings of the drive motor based on the mixing tool detected. A magnet carrier may be used to detect a magnetic portion of the mixing tool as it moves with respect to a magnetically-sensitive sensor in the base unit.

Abstract: A food preparation apparatus is presented that has fast-stop capability. It includes a base unit, a mixing container attached to the base unit, a mixing tool configured to extend into and move within the mixing container, and a motor within the base unit. The motor is configured to provide a torque to the mixing tool. A control unit within the base unit is connected to the motor. A contact sensor is connected to the control unit, and the control unit is configured to stop rotation of the motor when the contact sensor detects a touch of a human hand. In some cases, contact with the mixing tool stops the motor, and in other cases, contact with an outer surface or user interface of the base unit stops the motor.

Abstract: A food mixing machine appliance is presented for mixing ingredients. The machine has a base unit that can rest on a horizontal surface, a motor positioned in the base unit, a bowl attached to the base unit, and a mixing tool positioned in the bowl. The bowl has a longitudinal axis that extends at an angle that is non-parallel relative to a gravitational direction while the base unit is resting on the horizontal surface, and the mixing tool is operably connected to the motor to receive a torque from the motor and to move within the bowl to mix contents of the bowl. The non-parallel longitudinal axis of the bowl may improve mixing quality and may allow the mixer to better mix small amounts of ingredients in the bowl.

Abstract: A variable-engagement planetary food mixing tool for attachment to a motorized food mixing apparatus is presented. The tool has a body that has a driveshaft engagement portion and a first longitudinal axis. The tool also has a sun gear concentric with the first longitudinal axis, wherein the sun gear has a first helical gear surface. A planet gear with a second longitudinal axis is also included, wherein the second longitudinal axis is non-parallel to the first longitudinal axis. The planet gear has a second helical gear surface extending around the second longitudinal axis. The planet gear is configured to engage the first helical gear surface of the sun gear in one or more positions along the second longitudinal axis. A mixing member is connected to the planet gear and moves around the first longitudinal axis while rotating around the second longitudinal axis as the planet gear traverses the sun gear.

Abstract: A food mixer is presented having mixing tool detection capability. The food mixer has a base unit with a tool attachment portion, a mixing bowl attached to the base unit, and a motor attached to the base unit. The motor has operational settings and is configured to apply a torque to the tool attachment portion. A mixing tool is removably attached to the tool attachment portion, and a controller unit of the mixer is configured to detect the mixing tool attached to the tool attachment portion and to automatically control the operational settings of the drive motor based on the mixing tool detected. A magnet carrier may be used to detect a magnetic portion of the mixing tool as it moves with respect to a magnetically-sensitive sensor in the base unit.

Abstract: A food mixer is presented having mixing tool detection capability. The food mixer has a base unit with a tool attachment portion, a mixing bowl attached to the base unit, and a motor attached to the base unit. The motor has operational settings and is configured to apply a torque to the tool attachment portion. A mixing tool is removably attached to the tool attachment portion, and a controller unit of the mixer is configured to detect the mixing tool attached to the tool attachment portion and to automatically control the operational settings of the drive motor based on the mixing tool detected. A magnet carrier may be used to detect a magnetic portion of the mixing tool as it moves with respect to a magnetically-sensitive sensor in the base unit.

Abstract: A variable-engagement planetary food mixing tool for attachment to a motorized food mixing apparatus is presented. The tool has a body that has a driveshaft engagement portion and a first longitudinal axis. The tool also has a sun gear concentric with the first longitudinal axis, wherein the sun gear has a first helical gear surface. A planet gear with a second longitudinal axis is also included, wherein the second longitudinal axis is non-parallel to the first longitudinal axis. The planet gear has a second helical gear surface extending around the second longitudinal axis. The planet gear is configured to engage the first helical gear surface of the sun gear in one or more positions along the second longitudinal axis. A mixing member is connected to the planet gear and moves around the first longitudinal axis while rotating around the second longitudinal axis as the planet gear traverses the sun gear.

Abstract: A food mixing machine appliance is presented for mixing ingredients. The machine has a base unit that can rest on a horizontal surface, a motor positioned in the base unit, a bowl attached to the base unit, and a mixing tool positioned in the bowl. The bowl has a longitudinal axis that extends at an angle that is non-parallel relative to a gravitational direction while the base unit is resting on the horizontal surface, and the mixing tool is operably connected to the motor to receive a torque from the motor and to move within the bowl to mix contents of the bowl. The non-parallel longitudinal axis of the bowl may improve mixing quality and may allow the mixer to better mix small amounts of ingredients in the bowl.

Abstract: A food preparation apparatus is presented that has fast-stop capability. It includes a base unit, a mixing container attached to the base unit, a mixing tool configured to extend into and move within the mixing container, and a motor within the base unit. The motor is configured to provide a torque to the mixing tool. A control unit within the base unit is connected to the motor. A contact sensor is connected to the control unit, and the control unit is configured to stop rotation of the motor when the contact sensor detects a touch of a human hand. In some cases, contact with the mixing tool stops the motor, and in other cases, contact with an outer surface or user interface of the base unit stops the motor.

Abstract: A food mixer is presented having mixing tool detection capability. The food mixer has a base unit with a tool attachment portion, a mixing bowl attached to the base unit, and a motor attached to the base unit. The motor has operational settings and is configured to apply a torque to the tool attachment portion. A mixing tool is removably attached to the tool attachment portion, and a controller unit of the mixer is configured to detect the mixing tool attached to the tool attachment portion and to automatically control the operational settings of the drive motor based on the mixing tool detected. A magnet carrier may be used to detect a magnetic portion of the mixing tool as it moves with respect to a magnetically-sensitive sensor in the base unit.