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 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 container (11) for a blender includes a base surface (13) and a blade (20) which is rotatable on an axis above the base surface (13). An arcuate wall (14) and two generally straight walls (15, 16) extend upwardly from the base surface (13) and terminate at the upper end of container (11). The axis of rotation of the blade (20) is closer to the arcuate wall (14) than it is to the generally straight walls (15, 16). A skirt (25) extends downwardly from the base surface (13) and has an opening. Sound baffling fingers (32) extend from the skirt (25) and into the opening. A spout (40) is formed at the intersection of two of the walls (14, 15, 16), the spout (40) having an entry point located approximately twenty to thirty percent of the height of the walls (14, 15, 16) from the upper end of the container (11). A handle (34) is positioned opposite to the spout (40) and a cover (12) includes a plug (55) to close the spout (40).

Abstract: A machine (10) for mixing food products includes a motor (22) which turns a hollow shaft assembly (28) that carries an agitator (40). The agitator (40) has an I-beam shaped stem (41) with a blade (43) in the shape of the bowl of a spoon on one end of the stem (41). A socket (44) is formed at the other end of the stem (41) and has a bottom surface (45). An assembly (70) for releasing the agitator (40) from the shaft assembly (28) includes a solenoid (71) which pivots an arm (74) that engages a plunger (80). The plunger (80) includes a pin (81) which is received in the hollow shaft assembly (28) and which engages the bottom surface (45) of the socket (44) of the agitator (40) upon activation of the solenoid (71) to release the agitator (40) from the hollow shaft assembly (28).

Abstract: A base for a blender housing a motor and including controls for operation of the blender. The base includes an air intake, an air exhaust, and a baffle, wherein the air exhaust and baffle are formed as a part of the bottom of the blender base and act to reduce the sound emitted by the blender. The bottom of the blender base includes an internal cavity defined partially by a support flange where heated air is exhausted. The air is then forced to change directions before exiting through exhaust ports.

Abstract: A container (11) for a blender includes a base surface (13) and a blade (20) which is rotatable on an axis above the base surface (13). An arcuate wall (14) and two generally straight walls (15, 16) extend upwardly from the base surface (13) and terminate at the upper end of container (11). The axis of rotation of the blade (20) is closer to the arcuate wall (14) than it is to the generally straight walls (15, 16). A skirt (25) extends downwardly from the base surface (13) and has an opening. Sound baffling fingers (32) extend from the skirt (25) and into the opening. A spout (40) is formed at the intersection of two of the walls (14, 15, 16), the spout (40) having an entry point located approximately twenty to thirty percent of the height of the walls (14, 15, 16) from the upper end of the container (11). A handle (34) is positioned opposite to the spout (40) and a cover (12) includes a plug (55) to close the spout (40).

Abstract: A container (11) for a blender includes a base surface (13) and a blade (20) which is rotatable on an axis above the base surface (13). An arcuate wall (14) and two generally straight walls (15, 16) extend upwardly from the base surface (13) and terminate at the upper end of container (11). The axis of rotation of the blade (20) is closer to the arcuate wall (14) than it is to the generally straight walls (15, 16). A skirt (25) extends downwardly from the base surface (13) and has an opening. Sound baffling fingers (32) extend from the skirt (25) and into the opening. A spout (40) is formed at the intersection of two of the walls (14, 15, 16), the spout (40) having an entry point located approximately twenty to thirty percent of the height of the walls (14, 15, 16) from the upper end of the container (11). A handle (34) is positioned opposite to the spout (40) and a cover (12) includes a plug (55) to close the spout (40).

Abstract: A food mixer (10) includes a rotatable shaft (18) which carries a coupler (21) having an aperture (25) therein. An agitator (22) is configured as a spoon having a bowl (27) and a stem (26). The stem (26) is received in the aperture (25) and in one embodiment a flexible tab (32) at the end of the stem (26) is engaged by a lug (37) in the aperture (25) to attach the agitator (22) to the coupler (21). In another embodiment, flexible tines (52) have lugs (53) which are received in a bore (46) in a coupler (41) to attach the agitator (42) to the coupler (41).

Abstract: An enclosure for a blender includes a body portion and a cover. The cover is hingedly attached to the body portion. The body portion of the enclosure includes a metallic foot that mates with the base member of the blender. The base member may include at least one magnet that secures the foot, and therefore body portion, in position by the magnetic force acting upon the foot. A gasket is provided between the foot of the body portion and the base member to completely isolate the enclosure from the base member, and to reduce vibrations in the enclosure during operation of the blender. The body portion of the enclosure may also include gasket strips to seal the enclosure when the cover is closed.

Abstract: A machine (10) for mixing food products includes a motor (22) which turns a hollow shaft assembly (28) that carries an agitator (40). The agitator (40) has an I-beam shaped stem (41) with a blade (43) in the shape of the bowl of a spoon on one end of the stem (41). A socket (44) is formed at the other end of the stem (41) and has a bottom surface (45). An assembly (70) for releasing the agitator (40) from the shaft assembly (28) includes a solenoid (71) which pivots an arm (74) that engages a plunger (80). The plunger (80) includes a pin (81) which is received in the hollow shaft assembly (28) and which engages the bottom surface (45) of the socket (44) of the agitator (40) upon activation of the solenoid (71) to release the agitator (40) from the hollow shaft assembly (28).

Abstract: The open top of a blender container (11) is closed by a cover (12). The cover (12) has an opening (25) therein so that items to be mixed in the blender container (11) by a rotatable blade (19) positioned therein can be introduced while the blade (19) is rotating. A plug (26) is carried by a strap (27) which is integrally formed with the cover so that the opening (25) can be readily closed by the plug (26). The opening (25) is sized so that human access to the blade (19) cannot be gained.

Abstract: A base for a food processor housing a motor and including controls for operation of the food processor. The base includes an air intake, an air exhaust, and a baffle, wherein the air exhaust and baffle are formed as a part of the bottom of the food processor base and act to reduce the sound emitted by the food processor. The bottom of the food processor base includes an internal cavity defined partially by a support flange where heated air is exhausted. The air is then forced to change directions before exiting through exhaust ports.

Abstract: A system (10) for attaching a cover (12) to a container (11) and for closing an opening (21) in the cover (12) with a plug (13) utilizes a container (11) having an upper lip (16). The cover (12) is made of an elastomeric material and has handles (30) each having a notch (31) therein to receive the lip (16) of the container (11). A ridge (32) depends from the periphery of the opening (21) in the cover (12). The ridge (32) is generally square having sides (33) and corners (34). The ridge (33) includes a notch (35) formed in each side (33), and ribs (36) are positioned at each side of the notches (35). The plug (13) has a generally cylindrical stem (41) whose diameter approximates the length of a side (33) of the ridge (32). Diametrically opposed tabs (45) are positioned on the stem (41). By aligning the tabs (45) with the corners (34) of the ridge (32), the stem (41) can pass through the opening (21). Then rotating the plug (13) allows the tabs (45) to pass over the ribs (36) and into opposed notches (35).

Abstract: An enclosure for a blender includes a body portion and a cover. The cover is hingedly attached to the body portion. The body portion of the enclosure includes a metallic foot that mates with the base member of the blender. The base member may include at least one magnet that secures the foot, and therefore body portion, in position by the magnetic force acting upon the foot. A gasket is provided between the foot of the body portion and the base member to completely isolate the enclosure from the base member, and to reduce vibrations in the enclosure during operation of the blender. The body portion of the enclosure may also include gasket strips to seal the enclosure when the cover is closed.