Abstract: A garbage disposal unit is disclosed. The garbage disposal unit includes a cabinet. The garbage disposal unit further includes a crushing unit that is located in the cabinet and that is configured to crush garbage. The garbage disposal unit further includes a housing body that is located in the cabinet. The garbage disposal unit further includes an inlet port that is configured to guide garbage discharged from the crushing unit to the housing body. The garbage disposal unit further includes an outlet port that is configured to connect an inside of the housing body to an inside of the cabinet. The garbage disposal unit further includes a dehydration unit that is located in the housing body and that is configured to dehydrate and agitate garbage by rotating. The garbage disposal unit further includes an agitation unit.

Abstract: A food processor includes a base and a bowl with a removable lid. Food items are advanced into the bowl through a feed tube formed in the lid where they are cut by a cutting assembly driven by a motor. The cutting assembly is adjustable to vary the thickness of the cut food items. An adjustment assembly positioned in the base is operable to adjust the cutting thickness of the cutting assembly while the cutting assembly is driven by the motor.

Abstract: A mechanical bin-full device for a paper shredder with a pressing plate, a contact switch, and a touching part. The pressing plate is installed at an outside portion of the shredder mechanical parts under the lower housing. One end of the pressing plate is pivots on the lower housing and the other end is free. The contact switch is fixed on the lower housing and a contact point is provided on the contact switch. The touching part is provided on the pressing plate, away from the mechanical parts. The lower housing has a through-hole under the contact point of the contact switch enabling the touching part to contact the contact point. The waste paper drives the pressing plate to turn around the joint between it and the lower housing, making the touching part touch the contact point of the contact switch and making the shredder power off.

Abstract: A system for dosing coffee beans, comprising a coffee bean package provided with at least one wall which at least partly encloses an inner space for multiple dosages of coffee beans, and a coffee bean outlet for delivering coffee beans, and an apparatus provided with a coffee bean grinder, a coffee bean inlet for supplying coffee beans from the coffee bean package to the grinder, a connecting device for connecting the coffee bean package to the apparatus, so that the coffee bean outlet can be connected to the coffee bean inlet, and a dosing device provided with a dosing space which is arranged for feeding-through one predetermined dose of coffee beans from the coffee bean outlet to the coffee bean inlet.

Abstract: An under-sink waste processing appliance includes a waste separator which extracts liquid from organic waste and a composting aid and passes such extracted liquid to a residential drain line. The remaining solid, in the form of organic pulp, is dried in a dryer and deposited in a removable collection receptacle.

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: An ice shaving machine includes a bottom board, a drive unit located above the bottom board, a limit bracket secured on the bottom of the drive unit, a shaving frame detachably connected with the limit bracket, and a base frame detachably connected with the shaving frame. The limit bracket has a bottom provided with a plurality of first locking grooves. The shaving frame has an interior provided with a receiving chamber. The shaving frame has an upper end provided with a plurality of first locking pieces that are detachably locked in the first locking grooves of the limit bracket and a lower end provided with a plurality of second locking pieces. The base frame has a top provided with a plurality of second locking grooves that are detachably locked onto the second locking pieces of the shaving frame.

Abstract: A shredder includes a housing having an opening for the insertion of media to be shredded. A cutting assembly for the shredding of media is disposed in the housing. A media detector including an infrared emitter and an infrared sensor is disposed about the opening for the detection of the presence of media to be shredded in the opening. A controller is disposed in the housing and is in responsive communication with the media detector for controlling the operation of the cutting assembly. The controller is programmed with a dynamic media detection threshold that is at least in part passed upon an emission sensed value and a background sensed value.

Abstract: An apparatus for grinding coffee. The apparatus including: a grinder mechanism; a ground discharge region; a user control for enabling a user to select grind preferences; a display element for displaying data indicative of user inputs to the user control; a processor element coupled to the user control and a display element for controlling operation of the grinder mechanism. The apparatus being adapted to provides fine control over grind size and dispense discreet doses according to a users preference and control inputs; and display depictions representing a range of coffee grinder functions.

Abstract: A handheld having a grater panel with a bottom surface from which grated particulates emerge and a catch bin removably attached to the grater panel, the catch bin having a substantially flexible body with one or more living hinges capable of adapting the catch bin from a collapsed configuration for storage to an expanded configuration for use. The catch bin has an open top for receiving the grated particulates and may also include an open front corresponding to the handle end of the grater panel from which the grated particulates can be poured.

Abstract: The present disclosure is generally related to an apparatus having cutter elements for destroying articles such as paper sheets and a mechanism for separating at least a sheet from a stack in a tray. The separation mechanism can be activated by rotation of the cutter elements. In one embodiment, the separation mechanism is provided in the form of a helical mechanism, such as a coil, configured for insertion into the stack and to receive separated sheets from the stack in between its spaces as it is rotated. The separated sheets can fall via gravity into the shredder mechanism. Optionally, a paper feed mechanism can feed separated paper to the cutter elements. The tray can include an edge to assist in directing separated paper towards the cutter elements. One or more staple picking support mechanisms can also be provided to assist in separating sheets from a stapled set of pages.

Abstract: An apparatus for the shredding and scanning of receipts has a housing with an inlet opening and an outlet opening, a feeding mechanism positioned in the housing, and at least one blade positioned in the housing adjacent to the feeding mechanism. The feeding mechanism is suitable for drawing the receipt through an interior of the housing. The blade is suitable for cutting the receipt. The feeding mechanism serves to pass the cut receipt through the outlet opening. A scanner is positioned adjacent to the inlet opening so as to read information on the receipt prior to the receipt encountering the blade.

Abstract: The bins are situated in locations at one or more sites. A monitoring station located remotely from the bins is operably connected to each of the bins. Each bin includes an internal compartment having a given capacity for retaining paper to be shredded. An IR-LED distance measuring sensor is mounted within each bin for generating an output which is a function of the level of paper present in the compartment. The bin electronics monitors the status of the sensor and the power input to the bin. Signals are transmitted the monitoring station when the output of the sensor indicates that bin is filled to a pre-set percentage of its capacity and when a sensor or power failure are detected. At the monitoring station, information as to the remaining capacity and operational state of each bin is displayed and stored.

Abstract: A coffee grinder using a stepper or servo motor in which the amount of ground coffee output is correlated to degrees or increments of burr rotation. By controlling burr rotation a precise amount of coffee is delivered eliminating excess coffee from being ground.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for containing a material, such as coffee beans, that may be used with a grinding apparatus. The apparatus may have a directing component to guide a controlled dose of material toward the grinding apparatus. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a container with a base portion that engages a grinding apparatus. The container, when engaged with the grinding apparatus, can direct coffee beans toward the grinding apparatus and has a door that releases a controlled dose of beans. A grinding apparatus is also disclosed that may have a movable tongue to cause excess grounds caught on interior components of the grinding apparatus to exit the grinding apparatus. The apparatus, systems, and methods reduce labor associated with grinding the material and allow a user, such as a barista, to more efficiently prepare brewed beverages, such as single-cup portions of coffee.

Abstract: A food processor of one design includes a housing including a motor and a coupling for rotating a food processing implement. The housing receives a feed chute assembly with a receiving chute for food to be processed. The feed chute assembly also includes an aligned discharge chute communicating with a processing implement, such that food is processed linearly from the receiving chute to the discharge chute. The housing has an open front for receiving containers for food processed by said food processor. This results in a smaller food processor which is capable of directly feeding processed food into a container separate from the food processor itself.

Abstract: An apparatus for grinding a mineral includes a head operable to be attached to a bottle. The head includes a radial slider for controlling the coarseness of the grind. The apparatus further includes an inner grinding element, an outer grinding element, a shaft, and a neck sleeve. The inner grinding element is in communication with the head. The outer grinding element is also in communication with the head, wherein the outer grinding element and the inner grinding element are operable to rotate relative to each other. The shaft extends through the inner grinding element and the outer grinding element. The shaft couples with the inner grinding element and comprises a blunt end. The shaft also extends through the neck sleeve, which acts as a spacer between the inner grinding element and the blunt end.

Abstract: A soup maker includes a container mounted to an annular seat receiving a heat conducting pan that receives food to be cut by a cutter coupled with a transmission shaft driven by a motor. A heating pan abuts a bottom of the thermally conducting pan and is connected to a heating tube electrically connected to a power supply terminal. A temperature sensor abuts the heating pan. A base includes a coupling portion having a terminal hole and a sensor hole. A positioning plate presses against a positioning switch on the coupling portion when the annular seat couples with the coupling portion, with the power supply terminal and a coupling section of the temperature sensor respectively extending into the terminal hole and the sensor hole for electrical connection with the control circuit board, allowing the control circuit board to control the motor and the heating tube.

Abstract: A machine for shredding plastic container including a pressing device having a main housing having an interior space, a first opening for feeding container and a second opening for disposing the shredded pieces, a fixed plate position at one end within the housing and having slits arranged in matrix pattern, facing the interior of the housing, and having sharp edges, a movable plate having plurality of blades connected to at least one arm. The movable plate can move along a central axis within the housing and the blades have edges facing the sharp edges of the fixed plate. The containers are placed between the plates, such that when the movable plates moves along the central axis of the housing toward the fixed plate, the blades crash and cut the container into flakes. Pegs protrude from the blades, such that when the arm moves forward, the pegs punch the container.

Abstract: A paper shredder with an allowable thickness warning function is provided. The paper shredder includes a casing and an upper cover. An input tray is disposed on the casing for placing plural papers thereon. A pressing member and a thickness detecting device are installed on the upper cover. When the pressing member is contacted with the plural papers on the input tray and pushed by the plural papers, the pressing member is moved. The thickness detecting device is located near the pressing member. Moreover, in response to the movement of the pressing member, the thickness detecting device may be triggered. If an overall thickness of the plural papers exceeds an allowable thickness, the pressing member is pushed by the plural papers. Consequently, the thickness detecting device is triggered by the pressing member to generate a warning signal.

Abstract: A shredder has cutter elements for destroying articles (paper) and a feed mechanism for advancing paper from a stack in a tray into cutters for shredding. The feed mechanism has a feed member provided adjacent to the tray with an elastic arm for engaging and disengaging the stack. The feed member rotates in a feeding direction about an axle, with the elastic arm elastically deforming to apply pressure to feed paper atop the stack to the cutters. The elastic arm can include a protruding tip that is inserted into the stack. The tray includes a curved feed bed to assist in feeding paper into the cutters and deforming the elastic arm. A pivot arm can also move the feed member relative to the tray (e.g., vertically). A disengagement mechanism can hold the feed mechanism in an inoperable feeding position when a drawer or tray is moved into an open position.

Abstract: A safety inlet apparatus for a paper feed opening of a shredder, with cutting cylinders including an upper casing having a feed end with a safety dam with upper and lower indices. An angled plate means set apart from the upper casing forms the paper feed opening. A safety plate with a distal index end is provided, which is formed to traverse the feed opening from the angled plate to the safety dam. Also included is a pivot, and a power control switch. The pivot is configured to facilitate traversal of the safety plate distal index from the angled plate to the safety dam. The power limit switch is on the upper casing, apart from the pivot member. The traversal of the safety plate distal index end to the safety dam lower index causes the power control switch to stop comminution. A buckle bit plate provides open and closed detents.

Abstract: Paper shredder thickness calibration using a Hall effect torque detector coupled to a paper shredder motor, producing a signal corresponding to the paper shredder motor rotation, a controller receives the signal and determines a paper shredder motor torque from the signal corresponding to the rotation of the paper shredder motor, with the torque corresponding to shreddant thickness. Signal is compared to predetermined maximum signal beyond which overload is signaled. Also, a method of operating a paper shredder having a rotating motor to comminute shreddant, including providing a Hall effect rotor and sensor; creating a torque signal based on a full load motor torque, and comparing the current torque signal to the full load torque signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a slidable cover mechanism of a paper shredder, wherein an upper cover of the paper shredder is provided with a face cover sliding along an upper surface of the upper cover, two sides at a bottom of the upper cover are provided respectively with a first chute and a second chute, two sides at a bottom of the face cover are provided with guiding pillars, the guiding pillars are disposed respectively in the first chute and the second chute, a first pressing plate and a second pressing plate are connected respectively above the first chute and the second chute on the guiding pillars, an exterior side of the first chute is provided with a micro-switch at a bottom of the upper cover, and an extension arm is provided between a side of the first pressing plate and the micro-switch.

Abstract: The invention provides a pill crusher device which is spherical or ovoid in shape having a top port for inserting pills to be crushed and a bottom port for releasing and pouring the powdered medication. The device comprises a molded plastic casing which encloses an oscillating electric motor which is activates a rapid orbital or oscillating motion to a pair of concentric serrated jaws or toothed rings located in the interior of the device wherein the outer toothed ring inhabits the inner surface of the casing and the inner toothed ring spins or oscillates in opposition to the fixed outer ring and grinds the pills against the teeth of the outer ring. The pills are quickly reduced to powder form.

Abstract: Described herein is a blender with noise damping elements. In one embodiment, the device may include a base unit having a motor coupled to a drive mechanism. The device may include a food container including an outer shell removably attached, at a bottom portion of the outer shell, to the drive mechanism at a first ring. The food container may include an inner shell removably attached, at a bottom portion of the inner shell, to the drive mechanism at a second ring that is smaller than the first ring. The food container may include a gap between the outer and inner shells. The device may include a top cover removably attached to a top end of the food container.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for containing a material, such as coffee beans, that may be used with a grinding apparatus. The apparatus may have a directing component to guide a controlled dose of material toward the grinding apparatus. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a container with a base portion that engages a grinding apparatus. The container, when engaged with the grinding apparatus, can direct coffee beans toward the grinding apparatus and has a door that releases a controlled dose of beans. A grinding apparatus is also disclosed that may have a movable tongue to cause excess grounds caught on interior components of the grinding apparatus to exit the grinding apparatus. The apparatus, systems, and methods reduce labor associated with grinding the material and allow a user, such as a barista, to more efficiently prepare brewed beverages, such as single-cup portions of coffee.

Abstract: A shredder includes a shredding mechanism and a vibration sensor configured to detect vibrations generated by the shredding mechanism. The shredder includes a controller configured to regulate operation of the shredder's motor in response to the detected vibrations. The controller may regulate operation of the shredder so as to keep the detected vibrations below a predetermined vibration level during operation of the shredder. The controller may modify operation of the shredder (e.g., turn the shredder off, conduct an autocorrect sequence, increase or decrease the shredder's speed, display an error message) in response to the detected vibrations having a predetermined characteristic (e.g., frequency and/or amplitude within a predetermined range, a characteristic that indicates a material/paper jam or misfeed).

Abstract: An apparatus for pre-composting organic material, comprising: a housing with two openings and a pre-composting means between the two openings wherein kitchen scraps may be fed in the first opening and the pre-composted scraps exit the second opening. In an embodiment of the present invention the pre-composter includes: a lid assembly which may facilitate feeding scraps into the pre-composter; a hopper and blade assembly for pre-composting or cutting and shredding the scraps; a component tray for securing the housing to the hopper; a bin for collecting the pre-composted scraps; and a crank assembly which delivers rotational power to the blade assembly.

Abstract: An electrical appliance, such as a shredder, having low standby power consumption is provided. A power isolation circuit is positioned to electrically disconnect electronic components of the shredder from the shredder's primary power source. An auxiliary power source may generate or store power for powering electronic components, such as sensors or processors, while the primary power source is disconnected. A power isolation controller may use a timer, light detector, or user interaction sensors to determine whether to reconnect the primary power source to the electronic components.

Abstract: A waste tire separation recycling treatment device includes a machine rack, a pair of crushing rollers, a pair of stripping wheels and a guiding portion. After a waste tire, which is performed with pyrolysis, is placed in the device to obtain a non-metal scrap, a metal scrap and a mixture, and above 98% of the non-metal scrap, the metal scrap and the mixture are sequentially rolled and striped off to transform them into the non-metal scrap and the metal scrap. Afterward, several separation processes are performed to separate the non-metal scrap and the metal scrap, thereby greatly increasing the efficiency of separation recycling treatment.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a shredder having a device located at least partially between a shredder mechanism and an output side of the shredder housing to disperse any accumulation of shredded materials at least adjacent the output opening, as well as remove shredded materials caught in or near the cutting assembly. One device is a movable device positioned between a shredder mechanism and the output side of the shredder housing that is configured to pivot about an axis in an oscillating manner. Another device includes a fan mechanism for blowing and moving shredded materials through a passageway in the shredder housing and towards an outlet.

Abstract: A counter top food waste disposer in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure includes a food conveying section, a motor section and a grind and discharge section disposed between the food conveying section and the motor section. In an aspect, the food waste disposer also includes a discharge area in which a container is removably receivable. When the container is received in the discharge area, during operation of the food waste disposer food waste is dischargeable from a discharge outlet of a discharge section into the container. In an aspect, a hose is removably receivable in the discharge area when the container is not present and food waste is discharged through the hose when it is received in the discharge area. In an aspect, the food waste disposer includes a water reservoir from which water can be introduced into the food waste disposer.

Abstract: A shredder for shredding substrates has a shredder mechanism, a motor, and a pair of cooperating shredding structures each having a set of spaced apart cutter elements interleaving with one another such that substrates are fed between the interleaved sets of cutter elements. At least one of the cooperating shredding structures includes a rotatably mounted shaft rotatable by the motor with its cutter elements mounted in spaced apart relation with spaces therebetween. The shaft has a tubular body with an inner surface defining a hollow interior, an outer surface, and a plurality of openings formed through the tubular body open to the inner and outer surfaces. The openings are open to the spaces between the cutter elements on the shafts. A supply of lubricant communicates with the plurality of openings of the shaft to deliver the lubricant from the interior of the shaft to the cutter elements through the openings.

Abstract: A shredder having a feed passage configured to receive material to be shredded by the shredder. The shredder also has a thickness detector configured to measure the thickness of the material being fed through the feed passage. The thickness detector includes a contact member movable from a limiting position engaging one wall of the feed passage, away from the wall, against a biasing force acting on the contact member. A sensor is configured to measure varying displacement of the contact member from the limiting position. A controller is configured to zero the thickness detector at times during operation of the shredder when no material is being fed through the feed passage so that the thickness of the material being fed through the feed passage is measured with respect to a zero position of the thickness detector.

Abstract: A tissue processing device, including a housing defining a first passage through at least a portion thereof, the first passage defining a longitudinal axis; a first processing member rotatably coupled to the housing and extending across at least a portion of the first passage; and a second processing member rotatably coupled to the housing and extending across at least a portion of the first passage, the second processing member being substantially parallel to the first processing member, the second member being offset from the first processing member in a first direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis and in a second direction substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A food pusher for a food processor is provided. The food pusher includes a first member configured to be slidably received in a feed tube of a food processor, and a second member slidably received in the first member. The second member includes a valve positioned at the bottom thereof that is configured to open when the second member is fully inserted into the first member to release the liquid contents of the second member.

Abstract: A multi-functional food processing system includes a base having a first drive coupler and a second drive coupler, a first container to engage the first drive coupler, a second container to engage the second drive coupler, and a third container to engage the first drive coupler or the second drive coupler. The first container includes a first processing assembly where the first drive coupler is operable to rotate the first processing assembly at a first speed while the second container includes a second processing assembly where the second drive coupler is operable to rotate the second processing assembly at a second speed. The third container includes a third processing assembly and a transmission system, where the first drive coupler or the second drive coupler is operable to drive the transmission system to rotate the third processing assembly at a third speed.

Abstract: A food processor having a detachable, spring-loaded lid is provided. The lid is pivotally connected to a work bowl via a spring-loaded hinge that biases the lid to an open position. A manually operable latch on the lid opposite the hinge allows a user to close the lid and lock the lid to the work bowl.

Abstract: A food processor having a work bowl and lid configured to be selectively removable from the bowl is provided. The food processor includes a mechanism for securing the lid to the work bowl. The mechanism includes a plurality of recesses formed in an interior lip of the bowl and a plurality of corresponding protrusions formed on an exterior lip of the lid. The protrusions are configured to engage the recesses to align and secure the lid to the bowl.

Abstract: A food processor having a removable feed tube is provided. The food processor includes a work bowl and a lid configured to be selectively removable from the work bowl and having a feed tube opening. A removable feed tube is selectively attached to the lid and extends upwards from the feed tube opening when attached to the lid. The food processor also includes a simple cover that can be utilized in place of the removable feed tube to close off the feed tube opening.

Abstract: A food processor having a removable feed tube is provided. The food processor includes a work bowl and a lid configured to be selectively removable from the work bowl and having a feed tube opening. A removable feed tube is selectively attached to the lid and extends upwards from the feed tube opening when attached to the lid. The food processor also includes a simple cover that can be utilized in place of the removable feed tube to close off the feed tube opening.

Abstract: A feed tube assembly for a food processor is provided. The feed tube assembly includes a first member having a channel therethrough configured to be slidably received in a feed tube of a food processor, and a second member slidably received in the channel of the first member. The first member also includes a flat spring that extends into the channel to secure food items within the channel.

Abstract: A food processor having an external slicing disc adjustment mechanism is provided. The food processor includes a work bowl and a lid configured to be selectively removable therefrom. The food processor further includes a slicing disc having a disc body and a slicing blade internal to the work bowl, and a mechanism for adjusting a spacing between the disc body and slicing blade. The mechanism includes a rotatable lever accessible form outside the work bowl.

Abstract: A food processor feed tube assembly includes a first feed tube extension and a second feed tube extension telescopically and slidably received in the first feed tube extension. The second feed tube extension is configured to be movable from a retracted position in which the second feed tube extension is substantially entirely nested within the first feed tube extension, and an extended position in which the second feed tube extension is extended from the first feed tube extension.

Abstract: A blade assembly for a food processor is provided. The blade assembly includes a body, a top knob slidably movable relative to the body, and a pair of processing blades pivotally connected to the body. The knob is movable from a first position, in which the blade assembly is locked to the bowl of the food processor and the blades are extended from the body, to a second position, in which the blade assembly is unlocked from the bowl and the blades are folded up against the body.

Abstract: A blade assembly for a food processor is provided. The blade assembly includes a body, a top knob slidably movable relative to the body, and at least one blade fixed to the body. The knob is movable from a first position, in which the blade assembly is locked to the bowl of the food processor, to a second position, in which the blade assembly is unlocked from the bowl.

Abstract: A waste disposal apparatus, for disposing of waste materials using aerobic decomposition, includes a decomposition chamber having a waste inlet for receiving waste materials, and a closure member for closing the inlet and sealing the decomposition chamber. The apparatus includes a stirrer for stirring waste materials in the chamber, and a waste outlet for discharging waste materials from the chamber after aerobic decomposition thereof.

Abstract: A paper shredder includes a housing, a rotatable shredding assembly, a bin, and a flap. The housing defines a first end with a housing opening and a second end opposite the first end. The shredding assembly is positioned in the housing and has a lower wall including an output opening through which shredded scraps exit the shredding assembly. The output opening has first and second sides, and the first side is closer to the housing opening than the second side. The bin is insertable into the housing through the housing opening for collecting the shredded scraps exiting the shredding assembly, and is removable from the housing in a removal direction from the second end toward the first end.

Abstract: Clean glass particles are produced from post-consumer mixed glass and like waste streams by a series of pulverizing, size- and material-based separation, ozonation, drying, sizing, and paper fluff removal steps.