Abstract: The invention relates to a method for treating used lithium batteries (10) containing the steps: comminuting the batteries (10) such that comminuted material (24) is obtained, and (b) inactivating of the comminuted material (24) such that an inactive comminuted material (42) is obtained. According to the invention, the drying is conducted at a maximum pressure of 300 hPa and a maximum temperature of 80° C. and the deactivated comminuted material (42) is not filled into a transport container and/or said deactivated comminuted material is immediately further processed after the drying process.

Abstract: A lid and blade assembly for a micro puree machine includes a lid having a central aperture for receiving a central hub of the blade. At least two cutting arms and at least two mixing arms extend radially outward from the central hub. A retaining component retains the blade within the lid during processing. The lid includes a recess below the retaining component for collecting slush and ice displaced by the blade during processing. Portions of the blade also include serrated grooves for clearing slush deposits when the blade engages the lid.

Abstract: This invention involves with a kind of coffee machine, especially involves with a kind of automatic coffee grinding capsule making machine. The machine consists of the base, automatic rotating operation platform, coffee cup unloading device, coffee bean grinding device, coffee powder temporary storage device, powder tamping and removal device, coffee cap unloading device and capping device; the said automatic rotating operation platform is provided at the said base; the said automatic rotating operation platform can rotate based on the coffee capsule making status. This invention discloses the non-industrial and automatic coffee capsule maker that integrates coffee bean grinding, powder tamping and injection for capsule and capsule capping and improves the licensed process of such maker. This invention has more compact structure, smaller volume and lower cost, and can be operated simply and conveniently.

Abstract: A food recycler includes a case, a control system within the case, and a set of user interface components that are usable to at least cause the control system to initiate a food recycling cycle. The food recycler also includes a motor within the case and a bucket that has a volumetric capacity between 2.51 and 10 liters. A filter system configured to accommodate air filters is also included in the case of the food recycler. To remove water from waste food items, the food recycler includes a drying component.

Abstract: This description relates to garbage chutes and more particularly to recycling of waste management utilizing intelligent software and computer hardware along with mechanical hardware to implement protocols to properly separate recycled waste into corresponding waste receptacles. Each deposit is logged into a database where software management of analytics aids in the proper management of disposal of waste and timing of separation of recyclable goods creating a more efficient recycling management system.

Abstract: A post-processing apparatus includes: a cutter that cuts a transported sheet; a waste bin that stores a cutting waste generated by a cutting operation of the cutter and falling from the cutter; a sensor that detects the cutting waste at a predetermined position in a depth direction in the waste bin; and a hardware processor that controls the cutting operation of the cutter according to a cutting mode, sets a predetermined value according to the cutting mode when the sensor detects the cutting waste, counts the number of times of cutting by the cutter after the sensor starts to detect the cutting waste, and detects that the waste bin is full when the counted number of times of cutting reaches the predetermined value.

Abstract: The automatic coffee machine for preparing espresso coffee comprises at least one; infusion assembly (1) having an infusion piston (2) that can be actuated by motorized means (3), at least one container containing coffee beans to be ground, grinding means (4, 5) to grind the beans for preparing doses of ground coffee, conveying means to convey the doses of ground coffee into a filter-holder element (7) arranged under the piston, the grinding means (4, 5) comprising a first and a second grinder that are actuated by a first and a second opposite motor (8, 9) arranged laterally to the infusion piston.

Abstract: A waste destruction device for sharps, needles and solid waste preferably includes a material intake member, a destruction device and a storage member. The material intake member includes an intake housing and an intake cover. The intake cover pivots from an open to a closed orientation to receive objects to be shredded. At least one microprocessor board is used to control devices of the waste destruction device. The waste destruction device preferably includes a cutter housing, a first cutter member, a second cutter member, a cutter motor and a cutter intake housing. The waste destruction device preferably contains disinfection devices for disinfecting thereof. The storage member preferably includes a storage housing, a container drawer and a waste container. The container drawer is slidably received by the storage housing.

Abstract: An apparatus for obtaining personalized coffee blends includes a plurality of supply units each configured to supply a specific type of coffee bean to a collection container and each provided with at least a containing device in which the coffee beans of the specific type of coffee are contained. Each supply unit includes a first volumetric feed device and a second volumetric feed device.

Abstract: An automatic paper shredder includes a shredder cover, a paper holding box, a shell, a paper holding plate, a paper holding plate inlet, a paper shredding component, a drive motor, a paper pressing plate, a paper pick-up component, and a waste paper bin. The paper pressing effect is improved through a spliced paper pressing plate, and the paper pick-up effect is improved through a damping plate, a soft rubber piece, and a convex rib, and thus, efficiency is improved. The automatic paper shredder has the characteristics of being highly automated, convenient to use, safe, reliable, structurally simple and cost-effective.

Abstract: An automatic paper shredder with a staple removing structure and a staple removing method using the same. The automatic paper shredder includes a shredder cover, a paper holding box, a shell, a paper holding plate, a paper inlet, a paper shredding component, a drive motor, a paper pick-up component, a paper pressing plate, a straight through-hole, a waste paper bin and a staple removing component. The automatic paper shredder removes a staple (or clip) on a stack of paper through cooperation with a paper shredding structure. Paper can be automatically picked up in batches. Meanwhile, damage caused by staples to the whole shredder is prevented, and thus, the whole shredder is protected in use and has a longer service life.

Abstract: A portable shredder unit includes a lightweight housing with an interior cavity divided into a battery storage cavity and a collection cavity, said housing includes a top opening, two opposite ends, two opposite side walls, and a floor; a removable lid attached to said top opening on said housing; a high capacity electric shredder component configured to shred paper, said shredder component includes at least one feeding slot opening, an electric shredding mechanism, and electric motor and an exit discharge opening said shredder component being oriented on said lid so that said feeding slot opening is exposed when the lid is placed over the top opening of said housing and said exit discharge opening is oriented above and over said collection cavity in said housing so that shredded material exiting the exit discharge opening is deposited into said collection cavity; at least one pair of wheels attached to said housing near one said end; a handle attached to said housing; a GFCI receptacle having a ground wire;

Abstract: A paper shredder is configured like a conventional paper shredder except that the shredding mechanism is located in a removable cartridge. This allows a single paper shredder housing to be rapidly converted from one shredding pattern to another by simply changing the shredding cartridge. Furthermore, shredding cartridges can be readily replaced whenever the shredding mechanism jams or fails in some other manner. This simplifies repair and servicing of the paper shredder.

Abstract: A machine vision based automatic needle cannula inspection system and methods of use. The system comprises of an inspection and control unit, image capture devices (32, 33), light sources (34, 35, 36, 37), a unit that makes the needle cannula (28) and the image capture device(s) (32, 33) rotate relative to each other, and a rejected part removal unit. By means of rotating the needle cannula (28) and image capture devices (32, 33) relatively, a plurality of images captured along the circumferential direction of the needle cannula are directly saved to a computer, the images are then screened, processed and analyzed to fulfill the automatic inspection of multiple quality and technical parameters of the needle cannula without the need to position the bevel area of cannula tip to a specific direction.

Abstract: A coffee grinder-doser includes a grinder-doser body enclosing a grinding chamber which houses first and second mills configured and mutually positioned to grind coffee beans into powder. An external ring-nut which is gripped and rotated by an operator integrally connects to the first mill. A nut screw with a longitudinal axis, inside the grinding chamber, is engaged with an external thread of the ring-nut to translate the first mill along the longitudinal axis. The ring-nut includes a ring-nut body and indices defining the angular position thereof. The grinder-doser body includes a fixed reference for the indices. The ring-nut is associated with a graduated ring having the indices, and a cover at least partially removable to lock the graduated ring between the cover and the ring-nut. The cover is fixed to the ring-nut body by a partially removable couple for adjusting and locking the angular position of the graduated ring.

Abstract: A blender for processing comestible matter includes a base with a motor, a blade assembly, and a container. The blender further comprises a first safety mechanism and a second safety mechanism. The first safety mechanism functions to ensure that the container is securely attached to the blade assembly before the blade assembly can be mounted to the base. The second safety mechanism functions to ensure the motor in the base can only be powered on when the container and the blade assembly are securely mounted to the base. The blender is operable by affixing the container to the blade assembly, and then the assembly to the base, such that both safety mechanisms are released to permit the motor to be activated.

Abstract: A grinder for grinding beans of plant-based products and generating a ground powder can include: a grinding chamber; a wheel motor having a shaft defining an axial direction; a rotating grinding wheel and a stationary grinding wheel housed in the grinding chamber, wherein the rotating grinding wheel is connected to the shaft of the wheel motor and is configured to rotate around the axial direction, and wherein the stationary grinding wheel is stationary against rotation and is configured to axially move in both ways in the axial direction; and a device for resetting position of the rotating and stationary grinding wheels. The device can include: a mechanism for axially moving the stationary grinding wheel; an electric motor, coupled to the mechanism, for actuating the mechanism; and a way to stop the electric motor as soon as a contact state is detected between the stationary and rotating grinding wheels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a selector unit (10) for selectively feeding beans (20), in particular coffee beans, from a plurality of storage containers (16, 18) to an outlet opening (22). The selector unit comprises a shutter (26) associated to the outlet opening, wherein the shutter is movably mounted and movable in at least two different positions for feeding the beans from at least one selected storage container of the plurality of storage containers to the outlet opening. The selector unit further comprises a lever (30) including an actuation portion (36, 38) associated to the shutter for actuating the shutter in order to move the shutter in the at least two different positions, wherein the lever is formed separately from the shutter and movable with respect to the shutter.

Abstract: The present invention involves a collapsible and disposable container that is inserted into a paper shredder to catch the shredded paper fragments. The disposable container has a relatively narrow slot-shaped opening having a length less than the longest dimension of the top of the container. A pair of counter-rotating rollers is supplied to compact the paper fragments and feed them through the slot and into the waste container. Various sensor systems, some constructed from conductive ink are used with and within the disposable container.

Abstract: Auto-feeding paper shredders use auto-feed mechanisms to remove sheets of paper from a large stack and shred them without human assistance or intervention. Once the document owner inserts the stack of confidential documents and leaves the scene, others are free to access the stack and read or remove confidential documents. This problem by providing a locked shredding compartment to hold the stack while shredding is taking place. An electronically operated lock that can be locked and unlocked by entering a PIN (personal identification number) through a key pad or a series of buttons or switches. Fingerprints or other biometric factors can also be used to control the lock.

Abstract: A waste separator for attachment to a sink drain pipe is provided, the waste separator comprising: a transverse pipe, the transverse pipe including a proximal end, a distal end, a sidewall therebetween, a solid waste outlet at the distal end and a magnetic flange on the sidewall, the transverse pipe defining a transverse bore, the transverse bore housing a motor-driven auger and a cylindrical filter between the motor-driven auger and the transverse pipe sidewall; a sink wastewater inlet in a vicinity of the proximal end, the sink wastewater inlet normal to the transverse bore and in fluid communication with the transverse bore; a normally-closed solenoid valve, the normally-closed solenoid valve in a vicinity of the distal end of the transverse pipe; a lower vessel, the lower vessel including a waste water outlet, the lower vessel defining an interior, the interior in fluid communication with the transverse bore proximate the proximal end; and a microprocessor, the microprocessor in electronic communication w

Abstract: A rechargeable blender with offset blades is disclosed. Exemplary implementations may include a base assembly, a container assembly, control circuitry, and/or other components. The blender includes a set of blades that is offset from the center.

Abstract: A mechanical bin-full device for a paper shredder with a bin, having a curved, perforated T-blade sensor on a cylindrical body partially covered with a metal sheet. The T-blade is pendent into the bin. Metal contacts are placed on the paper shredder near the metal sheet, forming a switch, which is coupled to a motor control circuit for the shredder motor. The T-blade is pushed by paper shreddant and rotates the cylinder body as paper shreddant fills the bin. When the bin becomes full, the T-blade is positioned so that the metal contacts touch the metal sheet, closing the control circuit switch, and causing the motor to cease operating. The control circuit can include a microcontroller coupled to the motor, or a transistor-based driver coupled to a motor relay.

Abstract: The paper shredder simultaneously shreds both manually inserted sheets of paper and sheets of paper that are placed in an auto-feeder input tray. Immediately above the shredding mechanism the input path is bifurcated. One branch extends essentially straight up from the blades and leads to a manual input slot. A second branch extends at an angle towards the rear of the shredder where an auto-feed roller lies at the bottom of an auto-feed slot. When a stack of paper is placed into the slot, the bottom of the stack rests against the auto-feed roller which grasps the top sheet and pulls it under the roller. The roller then pushes the sheet down the angled throat where a curved surface bends the sheet downwards and into the shredding mechanism.

Abstract: A paper shredder having shredder cover and a motor coupled to shredder blades includes a shredder throat in proximity to shredder blades. The shredder throat has a moveable blade, and a fixed blade. A shredder jam grip has a projection in communication with a power switch plunger. When the shredder is in the NORMAL position, a throat gap is in its normal position and the projection positions the plunger to power to the motor. When the shredder is in the JAM CLEAR position, the throat gap is in its wide position and the projection positions the plunger to remove power from the motor.

Abstract: A device for grinding coffee beans includes a body provided with a vertical hopper for the entry of the coffee beans and a separate vertical outlet for the ground coffee, which are mutually connected by way of a horizontal seat within which a shaft is associated axially and rotatably. A first grinder is keyed to the shaft and interacts with a facing second grinder. These grinders cooperate with elements adapted to allow a first, micro-adjustment and a second, macro-adjustment of the grinding as a function of the type of coffee beans selected.

Abstract: A grinder for reducing particle size of an organic matter, for example herbs, includes a housing assembly supporting a gauge screen therein to define a cutting chamber thereabove and a receiving chamber therebelow. A plurality of fixed blades are mounted in the cutting chamber in fixed relation to the housing assembly and a plurality of rotating blades rotate relative to the fixed blades to reduce size of the organic matter by cutting, shearing and/or grinding. The gauge screen is replaceable with other screens of different gauge independently of the fixed and rotating blades. The blades are bidirectional and include guide surfaces on the fixed blades which guide material downwardly and into the direction of rotation relative to respective cutting edges of the blades as the rotating blades are rotated relative to the fixed blades in either direction.

Abstract: A device to produce personalized mixtures of substances intended to obtain and optimize beverages for a specific individual or user, includes a plurality of containers of basic substances, at least a measuring device and management and control means. The device is associated to the management and control means configured to carry out instructions regarding personalized formulas that express univocal sensory profiles or profiles functional to the specific needs of a specific individual or user.

Abstract: An auto-feed paper shredder is configured for placement below the surface of a desk. The auto-feeder consists of a drawer located on the front surface of the shredder. This drawer is slid out to insert a stack of documents to be shredded. When the door is slid back into the shredder and the shredding system is activated, feed rollers draw sheets of paper either from the top or the bottom surface of the stack and feed the sheets into a conventional paper shredding mechanism. An input slot is provided to insert single sheets of paper when the auto-feeder is not being used.

Abstract: A medical waste processing device includes an outer housing, material intake chamber having a passageway through which material passes, and cutting members contained within the housing that cuts and shreds the waste material before entering a waste receptacle that is located in the lower portion of the housing. A vacuum filter system is further provided to capture and filter potentially harmful aerosols that may be emitted during operation of the device. A method is also provided for reducing the volume of waste material through operation of the electrical shredding device.

Abstract: A coffee mill 1 to which the present invention is applied includes a milling unit 2 which mills, with an inner blade 8, coffee beans 5, a drive shaft 3 in which one end is cooperatively coupled to the inner blade 8 and in which on the shaft center 23 of the other end, a rectangular shaft portion 21 is formed that has a predetermined twist around at least part of the shaft center in a shaft center direction and that is rectangular in cross section and an operating handle 4 to which a rectangle shaft hole 22 that is rectangular in plan view is open and which is coupled to the drive shaft 3 by externally fitting the rectangular shaft hole 22 to the rectangular shaft portion 21.

Abstract: A paper shredder bin-full sensor with a push bar, a conductive element coupled to the push bar, a sensing contact assembly normally set apart from the conductive element, and a signaling contact coupled to the sensing contact assembly. Sensor includes a push bar sweeper between the conductive element and the push bar, and a biasing element coupled to the push bar sweeper, the biasing element elastically resists the shredded material force. A predetermined shredded material force presses the push bar, causing the conductive element to couple to the sensing contact assembly, in turn causing a waste bin-full signal to emanate. Push bar can be articulated and non-articulated. Articulated push bars include upper and lower push bars, and respective tensioning element connecting the respective upper and lower push bars. Lower push bar is extended from upper push bar. Paper shredder can have articulated or non-articulated push bars.

Abstract: An apparatus for making mixed beverages may include a housing, a first hopper for receiving a first beverage ingredient, and a shaving mechanism. The shaving mechanism may include a first body that receives the first beverage ingredient from the first hopper. The first body may include a sidewall, at least one shaving blade and at least one respective opening extending through the sidewall. In use, the shaving blade shaves the first beverage ingredient, the first beverage ingredient is delivered through the opening in the sidewall, and the first beverage ingredient is conveyed within the first body. The apparatus may further include a mixing mechanism including a second body for receiving the first beverage ingredient from the first body.

Abstract: A mixing vessel for an electric motor-operated food processor, with a vessel floor, an agitator extending through the vessel floor into the mixing vessel, and a foot part that can be externally connected with the vessel floor, which is designed for fixing the agitator to the vessel floor. In order to prevent a user from filling the mixing vessel without the agitator properly assembled in the food processor, it is proposed that the vessel floor or foot part have a blocking element that can be exposed to the spring force of a spring element, and can be shifted against the spring force by means of a corresponding contact element of the foot part or vessel floor from a blocking position that prevents a fixation of the agitator into a release position that enables a fixation.

Abstract: A cotton candy preparing device is desired which does not operate with a pan portion removed. To provide a cotton candy preparing device that prevents a user from taking some time before getting aware that the device is not operating properly, there is provided a cotton candy preparing device having a pan portion that is fixed on to a main body portion by a locking piece, wherein a power supply switch is incorporated in the main body portion, wherein the power supply switch has a switch operating rod that enables on and off operations of a circuit, and a locking body that restricts a sliding movement of the switch operating rod, and wherein when the pan portion is fixed to the main body portion by the locking piece, the locking body is moved by the locking piece to thereby enable the switch operating rod to slide.

Abstract: An herb grinding device is disclosed that includes a first section and a second section. The first section includes a first cavity, a top surface, an outer wall surrounding the first cavity, and a plurality of teeth extending from the top surface. The second section is rotatably coupled to the first section and includes a second section floor, a plurality of holes in the second section floor, a second cavity facing the first cavity, a plurality of teeth extending from the second section floor, and an annular flange positioned within the first cavity and interfacing an outer wall of the first section. The herb grinding device may also include a third section that is removably coupled to the second section opposite the first section and includes a channel extending through the third section, and a fourth section that is removably coupled to the third section and includes a collection cavity.

Abstract: A fecal matter removing tool for safely removing impacted fecal matter from children and adults. The removing tool includes a hollow, cone shaped barrel having a first end and an open second end, wherein the first end is tapered and can be inserted into a user's rectum and rotated in order to remove impacted fecal matter therefrom. A plurality of apertures are disposed along the barrel, wherein a side of each aperture is raised in order to cut and collect the fecal matter within the hollow interior of the barrel. A lip extends perpendicularly outward from the second end of the barrel in order to prevent the barrel from being positioned too far within a user's rectum. A cap is removably secured to the second end of the barrel so the removing tool can be grasped by a user in order to rotate the barrel within the user's rectum.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a grinder, comprising a container bottle for containing a spice, a grinding assembly interconnected with the container bottle and used for grinding the spice and a casing for accommodating the grinding assembly. A feeding mechanism for pushing the spice in the container bottle into the grinding assembly is further provided between the container bottle and the grinding assembly in the casing. Compared with the prior art, the design of the feeding mechanism in the present invention provides a solution for feeding of a spice with large volume and/or a relatively smooth spice with small friction in the prior art, so that the grinder provided by the present invention is applicable to not only grinding of a granular spice, but also grinding of a leafy spice with large volume and light weight.

Abstract: The invention relates to a foodstuff-cutting device called a mandoline of the type comprising a moving blade support defining a cutting plane and moving in a reciprocating translational movement in relation to the foodstuff in accordance with an inverted configuration and having a sleeve associated with a plunger allowing foodstuffs to be inserted and kept in the pathway of the moving blade support remarkable in that it comprises a receptacle with a lid preformed with a passageway which, arranged transversely in relation to the travel of the moving blade support, receives a sleeve associated with the plunger thereby allowing food stuffs to be inserted and kept in the pathway of the moving blade support.

Abstract: A coffee grinding machine including a first burr and a second burr. At least one of the first burr and the second burr is rotatable about an axis of rotation, the burrs being mutually cooperating to grind coffee. The machine includes a motor which rotates at least one of the burrs with respect to the other, wherein the axis of rotation of the motor does not coincide with the axis of rotation of the burrs so that the coffee which is ground by the grinders is directed to an output of a conveyor cone for use thereof.

Abstract: Coffee bean container, in particular a double bean container, for releasably fixing on a coffee grinder or a coffee machine with an integrated coffee grinder, with a first bean compartment (3) comprising a first bean outlet (6) and with at least one second bean compartment (4) comprising a second bean outlet (6), with closure means (12) assigned to the bean outlets (5, 6) for closing the bean outlets (5, 6), with locking means (13) for locking the bean container to the coffee grinder or to the coffee machine, and with an actuating element (8) actuatable by a user and moveable relative to the bean compartments (3, 4), wherein the actuating element (8) is designed and arranged for both opening all bean outlets (5, 6) and for locking the locking means (13), in particular with a single actuating movement, and/or both for closing all bean outlets (5, 6) and unlocking the locking means (12), in particular with a single actuating movement.

Abstract: A juicer including a juicing device and a driving device adapted for driving a juicing device, the juicing device includes a container and a roller being rotatably mounted inside the container, the roller is adapted to be driven by the driving device, the roller includes first and second cutting plates being projected outwardly from an outer surface of the roller, a juice outlet and a residue outlet are positioned on a container wall, a plurality of cutting plate receivers is arranged on the outer surface of the roller and is adapted for allowing the first and second cutting plates to be slidingly mounted inside the cutting plate receivers, the first cutting plate includes at least one cutting member having a convex structure mounted on a surface of the first cutting plate.

Abstract: A new grinder is described which is used to grind coffee beans, with a first grinding element and a second grinding element, wherein the two grinding elements are rotatable relative to one another, in such a way that coffee beans are ground by the grinding elements into a coffee powder, and with an entrainer wheel rotatable with the first grinding element, said entrainer wheel being used to convey, on its edge region, the ground coffee powder out of the grinding elements via an exit channel. The edge region of the entrainer wheel is constituted tapered towards the grinding elements with a concave profile, in such a way that an inner high edge (Ri) and an outer low edge (Ra) are formed, and the entrainer wheel comprises a plurality of entrainer vanes distributed in the edge region over the periphery.

Abstract: A mechanical bin-full device for a paper shredder with a bin, having a curved, perforated T-blade sensor on a cylindrical body partially covered with a metal sheet. The T-blade is pendent into the bin. Metal contacts are placed on the paper shredder near the metal sheet, forming a switch, which is coupled to a motor control circuit for the shredder motor. The T-blade is pushed by paper shreddant and rotates the cylinder body as paper shreddant fills the bin. When the bin becomes full, the T-blade is positioned so that the metal contacts touch the metal sheet, closing the control circuit switch, and causing the motor to cease operating. The control circuit can include a microcontroller coupled to the motor, or a transistor-based driver coupled to a motor relay.

Abstract: Shredding device for shredding material comprising a housing: a rotor and one or more counter blades which are arranged in the housing such that they interact for shredding the material; a pusher element that is movable such that it pushes the material to be shredded in the direction towards the rotor and the counter blades; a hopper for feeding the material which is arranged movable on the housing between a first and a second position, where, in its first position, the material may be fed to the rotor and the counter blades, and in its second position, the rotor and the counter blades are freely accessible from the exterior of the shredding device.

Abstract: A pour-over coffee brewer apparatus comprises a base containing a motor that drives a coffee grinder via a set of gear assemblies, a vertical support structure extending upwards from a rear portion of the base, and a horizontal support structure extending out from a top portion of the vertical support structure, the horizontal support structure comprising a grinder for grinding coffee beans and a water dispenser for dispensing water onto ground coffee beans. The set of gear assemblies comprises a first gear assembly in the base, a second gear assembly in the horizontal support structure, and a gear shaft in the vertical support structure that couples the first gear assembly and the second gear assembly.

Abstract: Disinfecting devices and related methods are provided that apply germicidal ultraviolet light to disinfect dispensing components of food and beverage dispensers. A disinfecting holster for a nozzle of a beverage dispensing handle includes a housing adapted to receive a nozzle of a beverage dispensing handle and an ultraviolet light source bent around the housing to surround at least a portion of the housing. The ultraviolet light source generates and emits germicidal ultraviolet light onto the nozzle. The housing substantially contains the ultraviolet light within the housing during the application of the ultraviolet light to the dispensing nozzle. The ultraviolet light can be periodically applied to maintain the nozzle in a disinfected state.

Abstract: A blender jar for a household type blender. The blender jar includes a jar and a blender blade assembly provided rotatably around a rotary axis at a bottom of the blender jar. The rotary axis is tilted from a normal axis of a working surface used for operating the blender jar thereon in ordinary use.

Abstract: A cigar cutter and smokable substance grinder has a lid section having grinding surface features. A bottom section is connected to the lid section and has grinding surface features and a blade. A passageway penetrates the entire cutter and grinder and is aligned with both sections such that the sections can be rotated around the passageway without obstructing it. The lid section and bottom section combine to form an interior cavity within the cutter and grinder, for grinding a smokable substance.

Abstract: A blending and dispensing appliance is provided which includes a blending container, a housing having a recess for supporting the blending container, an ice-shaving unit, and an agitator to agitate shaved ice and other beverage ingredients in the blending container. A conduit is disposed on an outer sidewall of the blending container and fluidly connected to the blending container. An auger is disposed in the conduit and is rotated within the conduit when a dispensing arm is depressed. The rotating auger extrudes blended contents through the conduit from the blending container to a dispensing spout. A motorized base containing both an agitator and an auger motor selectively provide rotary power to the agitator and auger, respectively. A control system is provided for controlling the operation of the ice-shaving motor, the agitator, and the agitator so that the contents placed into the beverage container are blended to a desired consistency.