Abstract: A cooking apparatus includes a housing defining an internal chamber. The internal chamber includes a cooking portion. The apparatus includes a single cooking container configured and adapted to be removably received in the cooking portion of the internal chamber. The single cooking container defines a cooking volume. The apparatus includes at least two heating elements positioned within the cooking portion of the internal chamber.

Abstract: A beverage infuser assembly includes a fluid vessel including a top end and a bottom end. A longitudinal axis is defined between the top end and the bottom end. The beverage infuser assembly includes a base assembly to the bottom end of the fluid vessel. The beverage infuser device includes a vibration source positioned within the base. The vibration source is configured and adapted to transmit ultrasonic waves into the fluid vessel to accelerate the infusion process. A method for infusing a beverage with one or more ingredient includes actuating a vibration source positioned within a base of a beverage infuser. The method includes transmitting ultrasonic waves generated by the vibration source into a fluid vessel of the beverage infuser to accelerate infusion of one or more ingredient within the fluid vessel into a fluid within the fluid vessel.

Abstract: In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a system includes, a container configured to hold foodstuffs and a base configured to be operatively coupled to the container. In embodiments, the base includes, a first set of blades having a first shape configured and adapted to process foodstuffs within the container, a second set of blades operatively connected to the first set of blades having a second shape configured and adapted to blend the foodstuffs within the container, and a controller operatively connected to control a motor to drive the first set of blades and the second set of blades about a rotational axis. The controller is configured to automatically switch between a first speed and a second speed based on a predefined program selected by a user. In embodiments, the first speed is slower than the second speed.

Abstract: In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a food steaming system includes an enclosed interior space defined by a first wall and a cooking volume within the interior space defined by a second wall radially inboard of the first wall forming an annulus between the first wall and the second wall. A steam generator is disposed proximate the cooking volume configured to inject a steam flow into the annulus prior to the steam flow entering the cooking volume. An air mover is operatively connected to move the steam flow upwards through the annulus from a lower portion of the interior space to an upper portion of the interior space, the air mover positioned downstream from the steam generator.

Abstract: A support body positioned within a cooking cavity includes a support surface segmented into a series of inclined support surfaces. A side aperture is between each of the support surfaces. The support body includes a rim surrounding a perimeter of the support surface. In some embodiments, each inclined support surface includes a plurality of ribs. The plurality of ribs can include at least one of an arcuate shape or a linear shape. The plurality of ribs can be of varying lengths. Each of the plurality of ribs can include a respective elongated aperture generally aligned with a centerline or arc of the rib.

Abstract: A drawer assembly for a capsule based brewing machine includes a housing having at least a one track on an inner side thereof. The drawer assembly includes a platform located within the housing for positioning a capsule puncturing needle. The drawer assembly includes a drawer. The drawer having at least one capsule receptacle therein, slidably engaged with the track of the housing. A method of operating drawer assembly for a capsule based brewing machine includes translating a drawer along a track of a housing from an extracted position to an inserted position, changing a vertical distance between a top surface of the drawer and a lower surface of a platform, and puncturing a capsule with a puncturing needle.

Abstract: A mechanism for a brewing machine includes a fluid reservoir, a first receptacle downstream from the fluid reservoir, a second receptacle downstream from the fluid reservoir, a first channel and a second channel. The first channel is configured and adapted to provide a fluid from the fluid reservoir to the first receptacle. The second channel is configured and adapted to provide a fluid from the fluid reservoir to the second receptacle.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus includes a housing defining an internal chamber. The internal chamber includes a cooking portion. The apparatus includes a single cooking container configured and adapted to be removably received in the cooking portion of the internal chamber. The single cooking container defines a cooking volume. The apparatus includes at least two heating elements positioned within the cooking portion of the internal chamber.

Abstract: A beverage maker having a liquid director configured to channel liquid toward a lowermost surface thereof, into and though an opening in the beverage maker, and to a fluid container of the beverage maker. The liquid director can be engaged with a lid of the beverage maker and/or at least one side wall of the container. The lid can be moved between a first position where the lid at least partially covers the opening and a second position where the lid does not cover at least a portion of the opening. The liquid director can be in a deployed, fluid receiving position when the lid is in the first position and can be in an undeployed position when the lid is in the second position.

Abstract: A beverage maker having a liquid director configured to channel liquid toward a lowermost surface thereof, into and though an opening in the beverage maker, and to a fluid container of the beverage maker. The liquid director can be engaged with a lid of the beverage maker and/or at least one side wall of the container. The lid can be moved between a first position where the lid at least partially covers the opening and a second position where the lid does not cover at least a portion of the opening. The liquid director can be in a deployed, fluid receiving position when the lid is in the first position and can be in an undeployed position when the lid is in the second position.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to a beverage maker. The beverage maker may include a brew system, an indicator to indicate at least one of a cleaning and a maintenance need of the beverage maker, and a control circuit. The brew system may include a reservoir to receive a liquid, a heater to heat the liquid, an expendable filter structured to filter impurities from the liquid for at least a predetermined number of brew cycles, and a container for receiving a beverage brewed from the filtered liquid. The control circuit may include a processor configured to receive a signal from at least one sensor indicative of an end of a brew cycle, increment a brew cycle counter by one count at the end of each brew cycle, and activate the indicator when a value of the brew cycle counter is equal to the predetermined number of brew cycles.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to a beverage maker. The beverage maker may comprise a brew system, at least one sensor, a display and a control circuit. The brew system may comprise a heater, a reservoir and a container for receiving a brewed beverage. The at least one sensor may be positioned to sense an end of a brew cycle. The control circuit may be configured to receive a signal from the at least one sensor indicative of the end of the brew cycle. Upon detecting the end of the brew cycle, the control circuit may be configured to initiate a timer and cause a current value of the timer to be shown on the display.

Abstract: A processing apparatus and method includes a housing, including: a motor, and a drive shaft rotatable by a motor about a drive axis, including a drive engagement device movable along the drive axis, a bowl, the drive shaft extending into the bowl when the bowl is secured to the housing in a working position, a bowl lid including a chute, a lid shaft including a lid engagement device axially aligned with the drive shaft when the bowl and bowl lid are in the working position, and a pusher including a pusher engagement portion for causing the lid engagement device to move the drive engagement device into the retracted position when the bowl and bowl lid are in the working position, wherein, when the drive engagement device is in the retracted position, the drive shaft is rotatable by the motor.

Abstract: A processing apparatus and method includes a housing, including: a motor, and a drive shaft rotatable by a motor about a drive axis, including a drive engagement device movable along the drive axis, a bowl, the drive shaft extending into the bowl when the bowl is secured to the housing in a working position, a bowl lid including a chute, a lid shaft including a lid engagement device axially aligned with the drive shaft when the bowl and bowl lid are in the working position, and a pusher including a pusher engagement portion for causing the lid engagement device to move the drive engagement device into the refracted position when the bowl and bowl lid are in the working position, wherein, when the drive engagement device is in the refracted position, the drive shaft is rotatable by the motor.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to a beverage maker. The beverage maker may include a brew system, an indicator to indicate at least one of a cleaning and a maintenance need of the beverage maker, and a control circuit. The brew system may include a reservoir to receive a liquid, a heater to heat the liquid, an expendable filter structured to filter impurities from the liquid for at least a predetermined number of brew cycles, and a container for receiving a beverage brewed from the filtered liquid. The control circuit may include a processor configured to receive a signal from at least one sensor indicative of an end of a brew cycle, increment a brew cycle counter by one count at the end of each brew cycle, and activate the indicator when a value of the brew cycle counter is equal to the predetermined number of brew cycles.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus and method of assembling the same includes an outer shell including a base, a heating element positioned inside the outer shell, and a thermally conducting liner removably located inside the outer shell over the heating element. The liner includes an annular flange, and a first integral handle including a first latch. The apparatus and method further includes a lid configured to be placed over the liner, the lid including a sealing ring at an outer edge of the lid, and a top surface, wherein the first latch is configured to contact the top surface of the lid to secure the lid to the annular flange of the liner.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to a beverage maker. The beverage maker may comprise a brew system, at least one sensor, a display and a control circuit. The brew system may comprise a heater, a reservoir and a container for receiving a brewed beverage. The at least one sensor may be positioned to sense an end of a brew cycle. The control circuit may be configured to receive a signal from the at least one sensor indicative of the end of the brew cycle. Upon detecting the end of the brew cycle, the control circuit may be configured to initiate a timer and cause a current value of the timer to be shown on the display.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to a beverage maker. The beverage maker may include a brew system, an indicator to indicate at least one of a cleaning and a maintenance need of the beverage maker, and a control circuit. The brew system may include a reservoir to receive a liquid, a heater to heat the liquid, an expendable filter structured to filter impurities from the liquid for at least a predetermined number of brew cycles, and a container for receiving a beverage brewed from the filtered liquid. The control circuit may include a processor configured to receive a signal from at least one sensor indicative of an end of a brew cycle, increment a brew cycle counter by one count at the end of each brew cycle, and activate the indicator when a value of the brew cycle counter is equal to the predetermined number of brew cycles.

Abstract: A beverage maker can comprise a liquid director configured to channel liquid toward a lowermost surface thereof, into and though an opening in the beverage maker, and to a fluid container of the beverage maker. The liquid director can be engaged with a lid of the beverage maker and/or at least one side wall of the container. The lid can be moved between a first position where the lid at least partially covers the opening and a second position where the lid does not cover at least a portion of the opening. The liquid director can be in a deployed, fluid receiving position when the lid is in the first position and can be in an undeployed position when the lid is in the second position.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to methods of operating a food processing device. The food processing device may comprise a blade configured to rotate about a vertically oriented axis. The methods may comprise performing a plurality of rotation cycles. Each rotation cycle may comprise a first period during which the blade is rotated at a first rotation speed and a second period during which the blade is rotated at a second rotation speed. The first rotation speed may increase between successive rotation cycles, while the second rotation speed may be constant across the plurality of rotation cycles. Also, all values of the first rotation speed may be greater than the second rotation speed.