Abstract: A masticating juicer includes an auger configured to rotate within a drum to perform a masticating process with respect to at least one food item introduced into the masticating juicer with the masticating process producing a juice and a pulp. An end cap is coupled to an end of the drum and is adjustable relative to the drum with respect to an axial direction of the auger. The end cap includes a flexible ring disposed adjacent an end of the auger formed from a resiliently flexible material configured to flex in reaction to the pulp applying pressure to the flexible ring. The flexing of the flexible ring increases a cross-sectional flow area between the auger and the flexible ring to accommodate a back pressure generated by the pulp.

Abstract: A masticating juicer includes an auger configured to rotate within a drum to perform a masticating process with respect to at least one food item introduced into the masticating juicer with the masticating process producing a juice and a pulp. An end cap is coupled to an end of the drum and is adjustable relative to the drum with respect to an axial direction of the auger. The end cap includes a flexible ring disposed adjacent an end of the auger formed from a resiliently flexible material configured to flex in reaction to the pulp applying pressure to the flexible ring. The flexing of the flexible ring increases a cross-sectional flow area between the auger and the flexible ring to accommodate a back pressure generated by the pulp.

Abstract: A convertible juicer is disclosed. The convertible juicer includes a shell formed from a plurality of removable shell segments and an extraction assembly. The extraction assembly is disposed in the shell. The extraction assembly including a drum, a compression chamber disposed in the drum, and an auger disposed in the drum and received by the compression chamber. The extraction assembly and the shell are convertible between a storage configuration and a juicing configuration.

Abstract: A container lid having a handle-activated seal includes a base having an aperture so that food items can be charged into the container through the aperture, a closure member for closing the aperture, a main body that circumscribes the base, a handle and a gasket. The base and main body are movably mounted with respect to one another and the main body is driven downwardly when the handle is pivoted from a vertical configuration to a folded, horizontal configuration. The main body has a lower peripheral edge spaced a small vertical distance above the gasket when the handle is in a vertical, not pivoted position. The gasket is driven by the downward travel of the main body into sealing relation with the rim of a container when the handle is pivoted into its horizontal, folded configuration.

Abstract: A convertible juicer is disclosed. The convertible juicer includes a shell formed from a plurality of removable shell segments and an extraction assembly. The extraction assembly is disposed in the shell. The extraction assembly including a drum, a compression chamber disposed in the drum, and an auger disposed in the drum and received by the compression chamber. The extraction assembly and the shell are convertible between a storage configuration and a juicing configuration.

Abstract: A method and system for presenting lip-synchronized speech corresponding to the text received in real time is provided. A lip synchronization system provides an image of a character that is to be portrayed as speaking text received in real time. The lip synchronization system receives a sequence of text corresponding to the speech of the character. It may modify the received text in various ways before synchronizing the lips. It may generate phonemes for the modified text that are adapted to certain idioms. The lip synchronization system then generates the lip-synchronized images based on the phonemes generated from the modified texts and based on the identified expressions.