Abstract: A food processing appliance includes a reservoir to receive water, a heater to produce steam from any water in the reservoir and a food-containing vessel positioned to receive steam from the heater. The vessel has a number of apertures that are sized to allow ingress of the steam to the vessel, yet curtail egress of any pureed food in the vessel therethrough. A carrier is mounted movably with respect to the vessel and a motor causes relative movement between the carrier and the vessel. A beater extends into the vessel from the carrier.

Abstract: A method for attaching a planar electrical element (5), such as a thick film printed circuit, to a vessel (1) whereby the element (5) is integrated in the body of the vessel (1) to form a heating apparatus such as an electric kettle. The vessel (1) defines an aperture (4) at a position where the element (5) is to be secured thereto and the element (5) includes a plate capable of covering the aperture (4). The element (5) is retained in position covering the aperture (4) by subsequent deformation of the body of the vessel. In the method, a sealing member (7, 11, 12, 13) is located between the periphery of the aperture (4) and the element (5) and a securing member (6) is positioned on the element (5) on the opposite side to the sealing member (7, 11, 12, 13).

Abstract: A heating apparatus for a liquid includes a vessel (1) having a base and a side walls (2, 3), and a planar electrical element (5) integrated in the base wall (2). In order to render the apparatus efficient when only a small quantity liquid is to be heated, the base wall (2) of the vessel (1) surrounding the element (5) is inclined towards the element (5) so that the liquid retained in the vessel (1) is directed on to the element (5). Preferably, the portion of the base wall (2) of the vessel (1) surrounding the element includes a lip (9) whereby the element (5) is stepped downwardly from the base wall (2) to form a well whereby a small quantity of liquid is retained either in direct contact with or directly above the element (5). The angle (.alpha.) of inclination of the base wall (2) of the vessel (1) to the element (5) is preferably at least 5.degree..