Abstract: A countertop appliance includes a base, a drive shaft, a first coupler, a first engagement feature, a secondary coupler assembly, a first jar assembly, and a second jar assembly. The secondary coupler assembly includes a second coupler, a gearset coupled to the second coupler, and a second engagement feature coupled to the gearset. The secondary coupler assembly is operable between a disengaged condition, wherein the second engagement feature is disengaged from the first engagement feature, and an engaged condition, wherein the second engagement feature is engaged with the first engagement feature. The second coupler is generally rotationally stationary during drive shaft rotation at a first speed in the disengaged condition of the secondary coupler assembly, and the second coupler rotates at a second speed that is less than the first speed during drive shaft rotation at the first speed in the engaged condition of the secondary coupler assembly.

Abstract: A laminating arrangement includes a laminating roller, a heat source for heating the laminating roller, the heat source being powered by an AC power supply, and a heat source intensity control system for controlling the intensity of the heat source. The intensity control system includes a processor and a triode for alternating current communicating with the processor. The triode for alternating current is turned on and off by the processor to control the AC power supply to the heat source to vary the intensity of the heat source.

Abstract: A laminating arrangement includes a laminating roller and a radiating element to radiate energy therefrom. A reflector has a main body and is configured so that energy radiated from the radiating element is reflected and concentrated to exit the reflector in a direction towards the laminating roller. A thermal connector has first and second ends, the first end being in thermal contact with the main body of the reflector. When the radiating element is switched on, and the temperature of the second end of the thermal connector and the temperature of the surface of the laminating roller are approximately equal and below an optimal laminating temperature, the temperature of the second end of the thermal connector rises at substantially the same rate as the surface of the laminating roller. A thermometer is positioned to measure the temperature of the thermal connector at or near the second end.

Abstract: A laminating device includes first and second rollers, a motor, a first drive element associated with the motor and configured to be driven thereby, a second drive element associated with at least one of the rollers, and adapted to engage the first drive element so that the motor may drive the rollers to rotate in respective first directions, and a support arrangement which at least partially supports at least one of the rollers and the second drive element. The support arrangement is movable with respect to the first drive element between a first position, in which the first and second drive elements engage one another, and a second position, in which the first and second drive elements are disengaged from one another, allowing rotation of the rollers in respective second directions without this motion being transmitted to the motor.

Abstract: A laminating arrangement includes a laminating roller, a heat source for heating the laminating roller, the heat source being powered by an AC power supply, and a heat source intensity control system for controlling the intensity of the heat source. The intensity control system includes a processor and a triode for alternating current communicating with the processor. The triode for alternating current is turned on and off by the processor to control the AC power supply to the heat source to vary the intensity of the heat source.

Abstract: A laminating device includes first and second rollers, a motor, a first drive element associated with the motor and configured to be driven thereby, a second drive element associated with at least one of the rollers, and adapted to engage the first drive element so that the motor may drive the rollers to rotate in respective first directions, and a support arrangement which at least partially supports at least one of the rollers and the second drive element. The support arrangement is movable with respect to the first drive element between a first position, in which the first and second drive elements engage one another, and a second position, in which the first and second drive elements are disengaged from one another, allowing rotation of the rollers in respective second directions without this motion being transmitted to the motor.

Abstract: A laminating arrangement includes a laminating roller and a radiating element to radiate energy therefrom. A reflector has a main body and is configured so that energy radiated from the radiating element is reflected and concentrated to exit the reflector in a direction towards the laminating roller. A thermal connector has first and second ends, the first end being in thermal contact with the main body of the reflector. When the radiating element is switched on, and the temperature of the second end of the thermal connector and the temperature of the surface of the laminating roller are approximately equal and below an optimal laminating temperature, the temperature of the second end of the thermal connector rises at substantially the same rate as the surface of the laminating roller. A thermometer is positioned to measure the temperature of the thermal connector at or near the second end.