Abstract: A mixing appliance includes a motor having a rotatable drive shaft coupled to a gearbox having a rotatable output shaft. The gearbox includes a first gear train having a first output speed ratio and a second gear train having a second output speed ratio. A controller module is communicatively coupled to an actuator arranged to selectively trigger a shifter member to shift an engagement of the first gear train or the second gear train to the other of the first or second gear train.

Abstract: A kitchen appliance includes a body defining an accessory connection surface with a sensor. The kitchen appliance further includes a first appliance accessory with a first readable module and a second appliance accessory with a second readable module. A user interface on the body includes a visual display and a plurality of buttons under the visual display that are biased towards a user to provide haptic feedback. A control system is configured to receive a signal from the sensor of the presence of the first readable module or the second readable module and identify which of the first appliance accessory and the second appliance accessory are attached to the accessory connection surface by the signal. The control system is further configured to generate a graphic on the visual display specific to the identified appliance accessory.

Abstract: A food processing appliance includes a base configured to selectively receive a plurality of vessel types. At least one of the plurality of vessel types includes a first magnetic key that includes at least one magnet disposed in a first arrangement of magnets along at least two axes. A magnetic compass assembly that is located on the base is configured to detect a reading that includes a presence and location of magnets on the at least two axes. The food processing appliance also includes a processor and a memory. The memory includes instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to receive the reading from the magnetic compass assembly and identify the at least one vessel type from the plurality of vessel types based on the first arrangement of the at least one magnet.

Abstract: A dicer assembly for a food processor appliance includes a blade unit that has a driven hub, a first arm that extends from the driven hub, and a second arm that extends from the driven hub opposite the first arm. A first blade is connected to and extends along the first arm. A first trolley extends from the first arm opposite the driven hub and a second trolley extends from the second arm opposite the driven hub. An outer ring defines a guide rail slidably coupled with the first trolley and the second trolley.

Abstract: A food processor for a food item, the food processor comprises a base, a see-through receptacle configured to receive the food item. The receptacle is operably coupled with the base. The food processor also comprises a see-through lid operably coupled with the see-through receptacle. The food processor further comprises a drive shaft rotatably coupled with the base and a see-through tool support formed as a disc operably coupled with the drive shaft disposed within the see-through receptacle.

Abstract: A food processing appliance includes a base and a heating component operably connected to the base and configured to selectively receive a vessel and generate heat above a temperature threshold. At least one latch includes a locked position that secures the heating component to the vessel and an unlocked position that permits removal of the heating component from the vessel. A temperature dependent catch assembly is configured to retain the at least one latch in the locked position above the temperature threshold and release the at least one latch below the temperature threshold.

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 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.

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.