Abstract: A pestle and bowl assembly comprises a pestle having an upper end adapted to operably connect to a kitchen stand mixer having an electric motor. A lower end of the pestle includes a convex shape which has a frictional surface. The assembly also includes a bowl having a curved wall. The bowl is configured to receive the pestle and one or more food items therein. The bowl is operably held by a portion of the kitchen stand mixer. When the motor of the kitchen stand mixer is activated, the lower end of the pestle spins in a planetary orbit pattern and rotates simultaneously in the bowl to crush, grind and/or press one or more food items held in the bowl against the bowl.

Abstract: A treatment method for solid oxide fuel cells includes: measuring a radius of curvature of a cell; measuring a surface resistance of cathode current collecting layer of a cell; performing an alcohol permeating test of a cell; performing simultaneously several stages of compression and heating or cooling to a cell; an apparatus for completing above stages is also disclosed.

Abstract: A cutting unit for comminuting bulky feedstock and a device into which such a cutting unit is integrated. The cutting unit has a cutting chamber, which is arranged along a conveying direction and is formed by paired opposite cross walls and longitudinal walls. A knife for comminuting the feedstock can be moved transverse to the conveying direction across the entire cross section of the cutting chamber from one cross wall to the opposite cross wall. To also assure the complete cutting through of fiber-containing or film-shaped feedstock, a counter knife is arranged in the cross wall opposite to the blade of the knife which is stationary relative to the cutting chamber and which during the cutting process forms a cutting gap with the blade of the knife. The wall segment of the opposite cross wall is placed movable in the advance direction of the knife.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a working unit or a device that includes a working unit of this type for processing foodstuffs. The working unit can be driven and made to rotate by means of a drive unit of said device. The working unit preferably has at least two working elements that are situated on a working axis and that act in the peripheral direction of said working axis. At least one of the working elements can be pivoted about the working axis in relation to at least one additional working element within a restricted pivoting angle. The pivoting mobility of the blades, which are preferably interspaced and positioned axially one above the other, permits said blades to be brought into a common radial resting position in order to fill the container with the product to be cut, in such a way that practically the entire container volume is exposed and can be filled.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed which may be used to homogenize a sample in a container. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a container and a cap with a fracturing member rigidly attached to the cap such that the fracturing member engages a sample as the cap is coupled to the container. In an example embodiment, the container is a test tube and the sample is a seed, such as a corn kernel. Methods of fracturing samples in containers with fracturing members rigidly attached to caps are also disclosed.

Abstract: A garlic chopper has a two-part housing, with an upper housing section and a lower housing section, with a receiving chamber in which the goods to be cut can be positioned. At least one knife element is arranged to move axially within the housing with at least one knife edge moved into the receiving chamber. The housing is closed at its lower housing section with a receiving chamber. The knife element is connected to an inertia mass element.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for crushing anodes, including a chamber for receiving the anodes. At least one movable wall is received in the chamber. The wall has a plurality of cutting devices associated therewith. The wall is able to move in a first direction for crushing the anodes and in a second direction away from the anodes. An apparatus is provided for applying pressure to the wall for moving the wall in the first direction. At least one pressure sensor associated with the apparatus for applying the pressure is provided. When a predetermined pressure level is reached, the wall ceases moving in the first direction and begins moving in the second direction.

Abstract: A foodstuff crusher/blender has a hollow body defining a closed elongate cavity. An access device, such as complementary screwthreads on respective ends of two portions of the body, enables the introduction and removal of foodstuff into and from the cavity. A crushing/blending ball is accommodated in the cavity. The cavity is of circular shape along its length in transverse cross-section. One end of the cavity is of substantially part-spherical shape with a diameter not substantially greater than that of the ball. The other end of the cavity is of substantially part-spherical shape with a diameter substantially greater than that of the ball. The diameter of the cavity increases progressively over at least a part of the distance between the two ends of the cavity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the alignment and location of a sample (7), such as pills or tablets, for carrying out a further method step, such as a hardness test, with the aid of two opposing jaws (2, 3, 21), which may be moved relative to each other, the movable compression jaw (2) of which displaces the sample (7) along a guide track on to the fixed counter-jaw (3, 21), in order to begin the further method step with the sample (7). The forward movement of the movable compressing jaw (2), along with the sample (7) towards the fixed counter-jaw (3, 21) is continuously interrupted, the compressing jaw (2) being drawn backwards and driven forwards, such that the sample oscillates about the rest position thereof and then the compressing jaw (2) continues the movement towards the counter-jaw (3, 21) until the sample (7) reaches said counter-jaw (21).

Abstract: A seed crusher e.g. useful in methods for high throughput analysis of seeds, comprises a horizontal well plate with at least one well for receiving a tube; an open-topped tube for lining each well wherein each tube is oriented for receiving a vertical reciprocating pin; a horizontal die plate with a vertical pin located to reciprocate in each tube; a removable separator for use in each tube to separate a reciprocating pin from a seed at the bottom of said tube and a press for bringing together the die plate and well plate to allow a pin to enter each tube.

Abstract: A candle forming kit comprises a container having a cylindrical side wall, a closed bottom, and an open top. A lid is threadably coupled to said side wall so as to cover the open top. The kit includes a shaft extending through the lid and adapted to rotate about an imaginary vertical axis extending longitudinally through the container. A first end of the shaft extends upwardly through the lid and is threadably coupled to a cylindrical handle member. A second end of the shaft is disposed within the container and includes a plurality of axially spaced apart chopper blades. The shaft is also coupled to a compression spring mounted within the lid. Placement of downward pressure by a user on the handle member biases the spring and positions the chopper blades substantially adjacent the bottom wall of the container.

Abstract: The invention is a food processor with a blade that moves up and down while rotating, for improved comminuting action. An additional, more general field of this invention is in the area of transmission mechanisms, specifically a mechanism that adds up-and-down motion to rotational motion. The mechanism includes a lifting element which is coupled to the drive shaft and which is also free to move up and down along the shaft. The blade is attached to the lifting element. A cylinder is fixed to the main body of the processor. A thread forms a continuous loop inside the cylinder, beginning at the bottom of the cylinder, extending in a spiral fashion to the top of the cylinder, and returning in a reverse spiral fashion to the bottom of the cylinder. The lifting element fits inside the cylinder, and has a post and a member located thereon. The post and member on the lifting element fit into the thread on the cylinder.