Abstract: A blending container for retaining foodstuff to be blended by a blender, the blending container may include an outer sleeve having an inner surface and at least one interlock tab extending therefrom. An inner liner having a wall that extends from a perimeter of a bottom to define a cavity to retain the foodstuff to be blended, wherein at least a portion of the wall of the inner liner frictionally engages against a portion of the inner surface of the outer sleeve. The inner liner may be made from a disposable material. The inner liner may include a rim that defines an opening such that the rim is configured to abut against a blade base. The inner liner may include a size of at least one of 8, 12, and 16 fluid ounces and the outer sleeve may be configured to receive the inner liner of various sizes.

Abstract: A blending container for retaining foodstuff to be blended by a blender, the blending container may include an outer sleeve having an inner surface and at least one interlock tab extending therefrom. An inner liner having a wall that extends from a perimeter of a bottom to define a cavity to retain the foodstuff to be blended, wherein at least a portion of the wall of the inner liner frictionally engages against a portion of the inner surface of the outer sleeve. The inner liner may be made from a disposable material. The inner liner may include a rim that defines an opening such that the rim is configured to abut against a blade base. The inner liner may include a size of at least one of 8, 12, and 16 fluid ounces and the outer sleeve may be configured to receive the inner liner of various sizes.

Abstract: A food processing assembly (20) includes a base member (21), a container (22) and a cover (23). The base member (21) has a platform portion (26) adapted to carry the container (22) and a housing portion (25) for a motor. A wall (29) of the housing (25) has a plurality of air inlet slots (35) and a gutter (37) protects the slots (35) from receiving any liquid which might be on the base member (21). The container (22) has a sidewall (52) with an open top that has a peripheral rim (57). A cover (23) includes a tab assembly (73) that has a notch (70) to receive the rim (57). The vertical lifting of a handle portion (77) of the tab assembly (73) removes the cover (23) from the container (22). A spout (61) and a handle (60) are formed near the top of the container (22). A heat shield (62) includes a body portion (63) which is attached to the sidewall (52) at a location under the spout (61), and it also includes a flap (62).

Abstract: A food mixing machine (20) has an agitator (25) to mix food in a cup (C). A cup holder (31) is provided with a flexible boot (32) which receives the cup (C). The cup holder (31) is moveable through an opening (90) in the machine (20) and carries a gripping assembly (33) and an actuator assembly (34). The actuator assembly (34) is moveable relative to the gripping assembly (33) and is biased by springs (35) to maintain fingers (56) of the gripping assembly (33) in engagement with the cup (C). When it is desired to release the cup (C), a release assembly (80) overcomes the bias of the springs (35). As the cup holder (31) moves through the opening (90), the area between the cup holder (31) and the opening (90) is sealed by a seal assembly (91) so that food materials cannot go through the opening (90).

Abstract: A food processing assembly (20) includes a base member (21), a container (22) and a cover (23). The base member (21) has a platform portion (26) adapted to carry the container (22) and a housing portion (25) for a motor. A wall (29) of the housing (25) has a plurality of air inlet slots (35) and a gutter (37) protects the slots (35) from receiving any liquid which might be on the base member (21). The container (22) has a sidewall (52) with an open top that has a peripheral rim (57). A cover (23) includes a tab assembly (73) that has a notch (70) to receive the rim (57). The vertical lifting of a handle portion (77) of the tab assembly (73) removes the cover (23) from the container (22). A spout (61) and a handle (60) are formed near the top of the container (22). A heat shield (62) includes a body portion (63) which is attached to the sidewall (52) at a location under the spout (61), and it also includes a flap (62).

Abstract: A food mixing machine (20) has an agitator (25) to mix food in a cup (C). A cup holder (31) is provided with a flexible boot (32) which receives the cup (C). The cup holder (31) is moveable through an opening (90) in the machine (20) and carries a gripping assembly (33) and an actuator assembly (34). The actuator assembly (34) is moveable relative to the gripping assembly (33) and is biased by springs (35) to maintain fingers (56) of the gripping assembly (33) in engagement with the cup (C). When it is desired to release the cup (C), a release assembly (80) overcomes the bias of the springs (35). As the cup holder (31) moves through the opening (90), the area between the cup holder (31) and the opening (90) is sealed by a seal assembly (91) so that food materials cannot go through the opening (90).

Abstract: A food mixing machine (20) has an agitator (25) to mix food in a cup (C). A cup holder (31) is provided with a flexible boot (32) which receives the cup (C). The cup holder (31) is moveable through an opening (90) in the machine (20) and carries a gripping assembly (33) and an actuator assembly (34). The actuator assembly (34) is moveable relative to the gripping assembly (33) and is biased by springs (35) to maintain fingers (56) of the gripping assembly (33) in engagement with the cup (C). When it is desired to release the cup (C), a release assembly (80) overcomes the bias of the springs (35). As the cup holder (31) moves through the opening (90), the area between the cup holder (31) and the opening (90) is sealed by a seal assembly (91) so that food materials cannot go through the opening (90).

Abstract: The open top of a blender container (11) is closed by a cover (10). The cover (10) is provided with an internal vane (25) which extends downwardly from the top wall (17) of the cover (10) and inwardly from the sidewall (16) of the cover (10). The vane (25) disrupts any turbulence which might be created by a fluid being mixed in the container (10).

Abstract: A food mixing machine (20) has an agitator (25) to mix food in a cup (C). A cup holder (31) is provided with a flexible boot (32) which receives the cup (C). The cup holder (31) is moveable through an opening (90) in the machine (20) and carries a gripping assembly (33) and an actuator assembly (34). The actuator assembly (34) is moveable relative to the gripping assembly (33) and is biased by springs (35) to maintain fingers (56) of the gripping assembly (33) in engagement with the cup (C). When it is desired to release the cup (C), a release assembly (80) overcomes the bias of the springs (35). As the cup holder (31) moves through the opening (90), the area between the cup holder (31) and the opening (90) is sealed by a seal assembly (91) so that food materials cannot go through the opening (90).

Abstract: A food processing assembly (20) includes a base member (21), a container (22) and a cover (23). The base member (21) has a platform portion (26) adapted to carry the container (22) and a housing portion (25) for a motor. A wall (29) of the housing (25) has a plurality of air inlet slots (35) and a gutter (37) protects the slots (35) from receiving any liquid which might be on the base member (21). The container (22) has a sidewall (52) with an open top that has a peripheral rim (57). A cover (23) includes a tab assembly (73) that has a notch (70) to receive the rim (57). The vertical lifting of a handle portion (77) of the tab assembly (73) removes the cover (23) from the container (22). A spout (61) and a handle (60) are formed near the top of the container (22). A heat shield (62) includes a body portion (63) which is attached to the sidewall (52) at a location under the spout (61), and it also includes a flap (62).

Abstract: An air pocket is often formed in fluid (F) in the pitcher (14) of a blender around the rotating mixing blade assembly (24) thereof. The air pocket is of a cross-sectional size defined by an air channel defining member, shown in the form of a bearing housing (23) of the mixing blade assembly (24). After the pitcher (14) is filled with the fluid (F), the plunger portion (12) of an accessory (10) is positioned adjacent to and above the mixing blade assembly (24) and maintained free of contact with the pitcher (14). The plunger portion (12) is of a cross-sectional size approximately the cross-sectional size of the air channel defining member and prevents the formation of the air pocket in the fluid (F) around the blade assembly (24).

Abstract: A dispenser according to the invention is capable of dispensing fluid food products from selected bags through nozzles attached thereto. An actuator plate has one edge provided with V-shaped slots. A push rod carries the actuator plate and positions a selected V-shaped slot adjacent to the selected nozzle. The other end of the actuator plate is in engagement with a cam assembly driven by a motor. The rod can be pushed to engage a switch to activate the motor which moves the actuator plate so that a V-shaped slot engages a nozzle to dispense the selected fluid food. A return spring assures that the actuator plate is in constant engagement with the cam assembly.

Abstract: A disposable agitator (12, 12A) for a food mixer (10) includes an elongate hollow sleeve stem (16, 24) which fits over and rotates with an elongate rotatable shaft (11, 11A) of the mixer (10). An agitator blade (17, 25) configured in the shape of a bowl of a spoon is positioned at the bottom of the stem (16, 24). In one embodiment a detent (18) in the stem (16) engages a recess (14) in the shaft (11) while in another embodiment a barb (29) engages a flange (23) on the shaft to longitudinally position the agitator (12) on the shaft (11). The agitator is used by sliding the hollow stem (16, 24) upwardly over the shaft (11, 11A) to, in one embodiment, to cause the detent (18) to engage the recess (14), and in the other embodiment to cause the barb (29) to engage the flange (23). After mixing the food product, the user is induced to remove the agitator (12, 12A), because the blade (17, 25) is configured like the bowl of a spoon, by sliding the stem (16, 24) downwardly away from the shaft (11, 11A).

Abstract: A splash guard (10) for a food mixer (11) having a housing from which a food agitator (17) downwardly extends including a base plate (22) having an opening (24) therein. A ring member (23) is positioned above the base plate (22) and surrounds the agitator (17). Rod members (27) carry the base plate (22) and ring member (23) so that when a cup (C) is placed below the base plate (22) and moved vertically, the base plate (22) and ring member (23) move upwardly with the rod member (27) while the agitator (17) enters the cup (C).

Abstract: Electrostatic water treating apparatus having a hollow charging electrode with an external impervious dielectric coating immersed in the water to be treated in which the interior of the electrode is kept dry by a water tight cap telescoped over the dielectric coating and having an O-ring seal with its wet side engaging the water and its dry side vented to the atmosphere.