Abstract: A high crushing efficiency medical waste treatment machine includes a crushing cylinder, a crushing knife set provided at the bottom of the crushing cylinder, an intermittent material discharge mechanism set on one side of the crushing knife set, a pressurizing mechanism slidingly set along the axis of the crushing cylinder on the other side of the crushing knife set. The pressurizing mechanism includes a mounting frame slidingly connected to the inner wall of the crushing cylinder, the mounting frame rotatably connected to a material tumbling plate made of magnetic material; when the intermittent material discharging mechanism discharges material, the pressurizing mechanism moving in a direction close to the crushing knife set; when the intermittent material discharges mechanism stops discharging material, the material tumbling plate rotates.

Abstract: A safety system (4) for a kitchen device (1) having a vessel (5) and a lid (21), the safety system (4) comprising: a processor (10); a retaining arm (7) adapted to, in a retaining position, retain the lid (21) against the vessel (5); a first sensor (40) adapted to communicate a retaining signal to the processor (10) when the retaining arm (7) is in the retaining position; and a second sensor (43) adapted to communicate a function signal to the processor (10), the function signal indicating a function of the lid (21), wherein the processor (10) is adapted to select an operating mode of the kitchen device (1) in response to the retaining signal and the function signal.

Abstract: A lid assembly for use with a micro puree machine including a lid, a clip mechanism, and a release mechanism. The defines an axis. The clip mechanism is movable between an inward position and an outward position relative to the axis of the lid. The release mechanism is positionable relative to the clip mechanism between a home position and a release position and is operable to move the clip mechanism between the inward position and the outward position. At times the release mechanism is positioned toward the home position, the clip mechanism is moved toward the inward position. At times the release mechanism is positioned toward the release position, the clip mechanism is moved toward the outward position. The clip lever is operable to cause the clip mechanism to engage with or disengage from the blade assembly during installation and removal of bowl assembly from a micro puree machine.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of cleaning a food processor including providing a food processor base that includes a rotary power driver having a rotatable shaft. A bowl is mounted on the base. A food processing blade attached to the shaft within the bowl. A cleaning accessory is placed in the bowl above the food processing blade. A cleaning fluid is introduced into the bowl, and the food processing blade with the rotatable shaft agitate the cleaning fluid in conjunction with the cleaning accessory.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a meat grinder. The meat grinder includes a housing; a drive unit mounted in the housing, the drive unit including a motor; a screw conveyor including a barrel fixed relative to the housing, and an auger located within the barrel and operatively connected with the motor; a hollow feed chute having upper and lower ends, the lower end mounted on and configured to feed into the barrel; and a feed tray mounted on the upper end of the feed chute, the feed tray including an opening in communication with the upper end of the feed chute. The feed chute includes an inlet section of a first inner diameter that includes the upper end, a feed section of a second inner diameter that includes the lower end, the second diameter being less than the first diameter, and a funneled section between the inlet section and the feed section.

Abstract: A micro puree machine including a housing, a power shaft, a bowl assembly and a platform. The power shaft extends from the housing. The bowl assembly including at least one locking bowl element. The platform includes at least one complementary locking platform element that is configured to engage the at least one locking bowl element such that rotation of the bowl assembly relative to the platform is prevented at times the bowl assembly is positioned thereon. The platform is rotatable from a first position to a second position relative to the housing such that the platform raises the bowl assembly towards the power shaft during the rotation of the bowl assembly and platform. The raising of the bowl assembly facilitates connection between the power shaft and a blade assembly that is positioned in a lid assembly on the bowl assembly.

Abstract: A food processor assembly is disclosed. An example food processor assembly includes an assembly base, a bowl base, a bow, a lid, and a blade storage container. The assembly base includes a rotary input shaft that selectively couples to a coupler of a blender base. The bowl base selectively couples to the assembly base with the rotary input shaft extending through the bowl based. The bowl includes a body and a central column integrally formed with the body though which the rotary input shaft extends. The lid selectively couples to the bowl. The lid includes a feed tube to receive food items. The lid having a first vertical orientation to selectively couple to the bowl and a second vertical orientation to selectively couple to the bowl. The blade storage container selectively couples to the lid when the lid in coupled to the bowl in the second vertical orientation.

Abstract: A surgical stapling device includes an anvil assembly and a reload assembly that includes a knife and a knife carrier. The knife is releasably coupled to the knife carrier and is embedded in a cut ring of the anvil assembly when the stapling device is fired. The knife is separable from the knife carrier upon application of a predetermined force on the knife. The predetermined force is applied to the knife after the stapling device is fired by moving the anvil assembly in relation to the reload assembly from a clamped position to an open position.

Abstract: A blender system includes a container having a rotatable blade assembly therein, a lid covering an open end of the container, and a base with a motorized unit. When the container is coupled with the base, the motorized unit is adapted to drive rotation of the rotatable blade assembly. The lid includes a hinged actuator lever adapted to actuate the motorized unit. A detent extends from the hinged actuator lever and passes through a series of apertures and presses against a slidable actuator shaft disposed in the container and maintained in its position by a spring force, thereby depressing a switch for the motorized unit. A rotatable blade system includes cutting blade(s) and crushing blade(s). The crushing blade extends longitudinally outwardly from a hub. When the hub rotates in a first direction or second direction opposite the first direction, a face of the crushing blade is leading or trailing, respectively.

Abstract: Proposed is a blender, in which a blender body operates when closure of the container lid on a container body is detected. In the blender, when the closure of the container lid is detected, power is transmitted from a first inductive coil of the blender body to a second inductive coil of the container body. A transmission module of the container body transmits a signal to a receiving module of the blender body by suing the power transmitted to the second inductive coil. When the signal is received by the receiving module, the blender body detects the closure of the container lid and is operated.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to food preparation appliance with a rotatable tool for chopping and/or mixing a food in a food preparation container, the tool being detachably connected to a shaft, which extends from outside the food preparation container through a passage toward the tool inside the food preparation container in order to be able to drive the tool to rotate. A locking mechanism is provided for producing a locked connection of the tool to the shaft and is equipped so that a releasing and/or a locking of the connection of the tool from/to the shaft can be performed from outside the food preparation container. The present disclosure also relates to an anchoring assembly for the food preparation appliance. It is thus possible to ensure a simple and convenient removal of a prepared food from the food preparation container.

Abstract: A material cleaning device and a cooking appliance. The material cleaning device comprises: a cleaning chamber, an air inlet, a material inlet, and a water inlet being provided on the cleaning chamber, the air inlet, the material inlet, and the water inlet being respectively used for transporting air flows, a material to be cleaned, and water for cleaning the material to the cleaning chamber; and a stirring assembly provided in the cleaning chamber and being capable of rotating in the cleaning chamber under the action of the air streams, so as to stir the material and the water in the cleaning chamber. The material cleaning device drives the stirring assembly to rotate by means of air streams, so as to make the stirring assembly stir the material and the water in the cleaning chamber, thereby implementing automatic cleaning. The material cleaning device features a simple structure, and is easy to use.

Abstract: A blending device having an interlock system which may comprise a plurality of subassemblies. A thermal detector may be configured to be proximity with matter being blended for human consumption. Interlock system may further include a blade interlock contact and a compressive contact. The blender vessel may be configured to compress the compressive contact to a communicative configuration when connected with the blade assembly. Interlock system may utilize a blender base assembly that has base interlock contacts and a motor. The blade assembly may be configured to releasably mount to the blender base assembly and may cause the base interlock contact and the blade interlock contact to come into electrical communication with each other. The interlock system may ultimately result in the motor being obstructed from operation unless certain conditions are met. The interlock system may further utilize one or more than one logic circuit element.

Abstract: A medical waste fluid collection cart may include a container assembly and a suction tube having a lumen extending through the suction tube. The suction tube may communicate with the container to deposit waste fluid from a surgical site in the container. The container assembly may include a container, a base forming a bottom of the container, and a lid assembly. The base may include an interior surface defining a draining opening. The interior surface may extend along a ramped path toward the drain opening. The lid assembly may include a lid ring and a lid capable of engaging each other with a twist lock mechanism. The lid ring may engage the container and the lid may cover at least part of a central opening to the container. The container may have a window and a tinting assembly. The container assembly may have a vacuum level detection system.

Abstract: A food processing container includes a food processing chamber and a cover assembly with a latch mechanism operable between latched and unlatched positions. The latch mechanism includes a first magnetic member disposed therein. An interlock assembly is disposed outside of and adjacent to the food processing chamber and includes a sealed cavity with a plunger member moveable disposed within the sealed cavity. The plunger is operable between at-rest and actuated positions within the sealed cavity and includes upper and lower magnetic members disposed at opposite ends of the plunger member. The plunger member moves to the actuated position as the latch mechanism moves to the latched position due to a repulsion force between the first magnetic member and the upper magnetic member, and further wherein the lower magnetic member moves into the lower portion of the sealed cavity as the latch mechanism moves to the latched position.

Abstract: A juicer having a juice extracting screw assembly, in which a housing with a juice extracting screw installed in the housing has a simplified interior structure, thereby reducing the production cost of the juicer and easily dispensing juice and residue separately using respective passages.

Abstract: A detachable juicer comprises a base having a driving device and a circuit board mounted therein and a cup. An inductive switch mounted on the upper end surface of the base and a power line is connected with the circuit board. A driving device is connected with a lower connector. A lower magnet is embedded in the upper end surface of the base, and an anti-lip suction cup covers the lower magnet. The cup is provided with a cup cover having a lower end surface embedded with an upper magnet. A tapered portion in the cup cover is provided with a central through hole and is mounted with a paddle cutter having a shaft passing through the central through hole. The bottom of the upper connector and the top of the lower connector are provided with engaging teeth or blocks for engaging with each other.

Abstract: A system for allowing gas to flow into a liquid, the system comprising: a container having a bottom wherein the bottom comprises a gas inlet; a lid configured to cover the container; a gas providing mechanism configured to allow flow of the gas through the gas inlet into the liquid when contained in the container, and a locking mechanism configured to ensure flow of gas into the liquid only when the container is properly covered by the lid. Additional embodiments of the system are disclosed herein.

Abstract: A stirring body of the present invention includes housing rotatably mounted to a center of a bottom surface of a cooking container, and blade that extends from an outer peripheral surface of housing toward an inner peripheral surface of the cooking container and curves convexly toward a downstream side of a rotating direction in a plan view. Blade has front edge positioned on the downstream side in the rotating direction, and rear edge positioned on an upstream side in the rotating direction relative to front edge. A leading end portion of blade curves along the inner peripheral surface of the cooking container in the plan view and slopes upward toward the upstream side in the rotating direction. Front edge is positioned below rear edge near housing and is positioned above rear edge near leading end portion.

Abstract: A food grinder comprises a base housing a motor, a throat portion coupled to the base, a receiving tube coupled to the throat, a feeding tray coupled to an upper end of the receiving tube, a selectively rotatable auger selectively insertable into and removable from the throat portion, and a storage tray sized and shaped to be selectively insertable into and removable from the feeding tray. The storage tray comprises a main body having a plurality of depressions formed in a top surface thereof. Each depression is sized and shaped to hold one or more accessories for use with the food grinder.

Abstract: A food processor including a reversible motor disposed in a base for generating a rotational force, a processor container removably attached to the base, a spindle rotated by the reversible motor when energized, and a slicing disc rotatably coupled to the spindle, the slicing disc having a radially extending slicing blade formed on one side thereof configured to perform a slicing operation and a plurality radially extending shredding blades disposed oppositely to the slicing blade on the slicing disc configured to perform a shredding operation. The slicing disc is automatically rotated in a first direction by the motor when the first and third discrete positions are selected on a slice selector disc corresponding to the slicing and dicing operations and automatically rotated in a second direction by the motor when the second discrete position is selected on the slice selector disc corresponding to the shredding operation.

Abstract: A disinfecting apparatus for cleaning, disinfecting, and sanitizing a wide variety of devices used by medical personnel, law enforcement and correctional facilities, body art establishments, and the like, comprises a top portion, an upper portion that includes a main tank, and a lower portion that includes a water pump and reservoir tank. The water pump conveys the disinfectant solution from the main tank through a filter to the piping system that delivers the disinfectant solution to the plurality of jets that dispense the disinfectant solution to the devices held on a removable holding device within the interior chamber. The devices are then further sanitized and sterilized by a blower and UV-C light exposure.

Abstract: An appliance including an ice manipulation reservoir capable of receiving ice having a base, wherein the base includes a first level and a second level, with the first level descending gradually to the second level. A first ice modification member is disposed inside the ice manipulation reservoir adjacent the first level of the base, and a second ice modification member is disposed inside the ice manipulation reservoir adjacent the second level of the base. A motor is operably connected with the ice manipulation reservoir and includes an output shaft. An impeller is connected with the output shaft proximate to the plurality of ice modification members, with the impeller being operable between a first directional rotation, and a second directional rotation.

Abstract: A food mixer is presented having mixing tool detection capability. The food mixer has a base unit with a tool attachment portion, a mixing bowl attached to the base unit, and a motor attached to the base unit. The motor has operational settings and is configured to apply a torque to the tool attachment portion. A mixing tool is removably attached to the tool attachment portion, and a controller unit of the mixer is configured to detect the mixing tool attached to the tool attachment portion and to automatically control the operational settings of the drive motor based on the mixing tool detected. A magnet carrier may be used to detect a magnetic portion of the mixing tool as it moves with respect to a magnetically-sensitive sensor in the base unit.

Abstract: An interlocking method and blending apparatus is provided which includes a base, container, and lid. The apparatus comprises light emitters, light sensors, and light reflectors. Light is emitted by the light emitters from the base, through the container, and toward the lid. Light reflectors in the lid reflect the light back through the container and toward the base. The light sensors detect the reflected light and can be used to control operation of the blender and illumination of the container. Light may be in the visible spectrum, or sub-visible spectrum. The light emitters and light sensors may be at the base and/or the bottom of the container.

Abstract: A waste processing system includes a cutting system and a feed system, wherein the improvement relates to a safety and control system which comprises a side mount actuator having at least two operable positions, wherein the actuator is in communication with the waste processing system and is adapted to selectively control the operation thereof.

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 cam coupled to the moveable blade is in communication with a power switch plunger. When the shredder is in the NORMAL/ON position, a throat gap is in its normal position and the cam positions the plunger to power to the motor. When the shredder is in the JAM CLEAR/OFF position, the throat gap is in its wide position and the cam positions the plunger to remove power to the motor. A method is provided, including providing a moveable blade; sensing a throat jammed condition; releasing the moveable blade; moving the moveable blade to a wide gap position; sensing the moveable blade in the wide gap position; turning off the motor in response to the sensing.

Abstract: A paper shredder having shredder cover and a motor coupled to shredder blades includes a shredder throat coupled to an inlet in the shredder cover and in proximity to shredder blades. The shredder throat has a moveable throat blade, which widens the shredder throat. An anti-jam switch, which when activated causes the motor to advance the shredder blades to clear a jam in the widened shredder throat. The jam clearing mechanism can be automatic or manual, as by push-button or turn-knob linkages. A method for recovering from a shredder jam in a paper shredder is provided, including providing a moveable throat blade; sensing a shredder throat jammed condition; releasing the moveable throat blade; moving the moveable throat blade to a wide gap position; sensing the moveable throat blade in the wide gap position; advancing shredder blades in response to the sensing, by which the jammed condition is cleared.

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 blending appliance having a housing includes a motor compartment and a jar receiving portion spaced laterally from the motor compartment. The housing includes an upper retaining member and a support pad extending outwardly from the housing, such that a jar receiving portion is defined therebetween. A motor is disposed in the motor compartment. A jar includes a lid with a feed chute. Together, the jar and lid are configured for reception in the jar receiving portion of the housing. The lid is vertically secured onto the jar by the upper retaining member upon reception of the jar into the jar receiving portion.

Abstract: A food processor or a chopper has a rotating blade, a motor, an intermediate shaft driven by the motor and an output shaft driving the blade. A first clutch member is coupled with the intermediate shaft, and a second clutch member is coupled with the output shaft. The clutch members are movable from an engaged position for driving the output shaft from the motor and a disengaged position for disengaging the output shaft from the motor. A safety interlock mechanism enables and disables the motor. A clutch lever is operable with the safety interlock to move the clutch members between the engaged and disengaged positions such that when the motor is enabled the clutch members are engaged for driving the output shaft from the motor and when the motor is disabled the clutch members are disengaged for disengaging the output shaft from the motor.

Abstract: A food processor is provided with a wide feed tube. The food processor has a pusher that cooperates with a safety mechanism. The safety mechanism comprises a linkage assembly that prevents the food processor's motor from operating unless the pusher is inserted into the feed tube.

Abstract: A shredder has a jam proof system with a thickness detector having a contact member which displaces as an article is inserted into the shredder and a resistance generating mechanism which provides a resistance force to the contact member, in response to its displacement. The greater the thickness of the article, the greater the resistance force realized. When a predetermined thickness is reached, there is a significant change in the resistance force. The resistance generating mechanism may include at least two spring mechanisms and provide feedback to the user that the inserted article may be too thick. In addition, the thickness detector may include a thickness sensor. The sensor may communicate with a controller to alert the user, and/or alter the operation of the shredder, in response to the thickness of the inserted article. For example, the controller may visually and/or audibly alert the user, or control shredder motor response.

Abstract: A kitchen appliance includes a housing enclosing a motor and a switch mechanism. A bowl is removably mountable onto the housing. At least one actuation member is movable between a first position and a second position. A bowl lid is removably mountable onto the upper rim of the bowl. When the bowl lid is properly positioned onto the upper rim of the bowl, the motor is actuated or permitted to be actuated by pressing downwardly on the lid such that at least a portion of one of a plurality of flanges of the bowl contacts at least a portion of the actuation member to force the actuation member to the second position.

Abstract: A fruit and vegetable juicer has a motor above which is a filter basket that is surrounded by a collection chamber. A feed tube is supported above the filter basket and is integral with a lid to the collection chamber. In preferred embodiments, the separation chamber comprises a central liquid collection portion and a pulp collection portion that surrounds it. In particularly preferred embodiments, the inside diameter of the interior sidewall that separates the pulp collection chamber from the juice collection chamber is tapered toward a central axis of rotation. The smaller diameter end of the sidewall is adjacent to an upper rim of the filter basket.

Abstract: The invention relates to a magnetic safety device especially designed for use with a combined food cutting and processing machine. An assembly of elements work together to move a magnet vertically and modify the relative position of said magnet with respect to a magnetic detector/sensor located in the interior of the motor block of the combined food cutting machine.

Abstract: A safety and control system for a wood chipper includes a positional switch having at least a first and second position and a hydraulic valve adapted to provide hydraulic fluid to the feed wheel system thereby powering the feed wheel system when is a first position, and diverting hydraulic fluid to a reservoir, thereby removing power from the feed wheel system, when is a second position, whereby a the valve and the switch are operatively connected such that when the switch is the first position, the valve is in a first position and is adapted to send hydraulic fluid to the feed wheel system, and when the switch is in the second position, the valve is in a second position and is adapted to send hydraulic fluid to the reservoir.

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: 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: A food processor is provided which includes a container, a blade assembly, and a base arranged such that the container is coupleable to the base. The base includes a housing and a motor configured to drive the blade assembly. The food processor further includes an actuator included with the container moveable between a first position and a second, extended position. When the container is coupled to the base and the actuator is in the second, extended position, the actuator is configured to actuate a switch to permit activation of the motor, and the base is constructed such that the container can be coupled to the base when the actuator is in the second, extended position.

Abstract: A system for detecting a combustion-related condition in a pulverizer includes a pulverizer configured to receive coal chunks via an inlet, to grind the coal chunks into coal powder and to output the coal powder via an outlet. The system includes sensors configured to detect heat input characteristics supplied to the pulverizer and heat output characteristics emitted from the pulverizer. The system also includes a controller configured to determine, based on signals from the sensors, whether a combustion-related condition exists in the pulverizer based on a heat balance function including the heat input characteristics and the heat output characteristics.

Abstract: A fluorescent bulb compactor and mercury vapor recovery system that allows for the safe collection and disposal of crushed or broken fluorescent lamps, while recovering substantially 100% of the hazardous mercury vapors contained within the lamps. A fluorescent lamp is inserted within a drum and broken into fragments by one or more blades, with the fragment falling to the bottom of the drum. The mercury vapors that are emitted from the broken fluorescent lamps are forced out of the drum by negative positive pressure created by a vacuum/filter assembly. Once through the filter assembly, which includes a HEPA filter and activated carbon filter, the gases are permitted to escape into the environment virtually 100% free of mercury toxins.

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. The food processor includes an adjustment assembly that is operable to adjust the cutting thickness of the cutting assembly while the cutting assembly is driven by the motor.

Abstract: A wood chipper comprising a chamber in which wood is chipped, a discharge of chipped wood from the chamber, and a pair of rollers at least one of which is driven. The rollers are positioned for feeding of wood between the rollers and into the chamber. One of the rollers is a smooth roller, and an other of the rollers is driven and has cutting elements thereon. The at least one roller is driven by a hydrostatic pump. A plurality of legs are height adjustable for supporting the wood chipper and for positioning a power receiving means at different heights for aligning with connection to a tractor power take-off.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shredder for cutting up data storage media, for example sheet-like materials (paper, stacks of paper, etc.), CD-ROMs, DVDs, floppy disks or articles of that kind, the material feed of which is assigned a switching device for at least automatically starting its cutting tool when materials to be shredded are being fed, in particular an office shredder whose feed opening of the material feed, which leads to the cutting tool, is assigned at least two signal-emitting sensors which are arranged at a distance from one another and are operatively connected to a control unit by means of circuitry.

Abstract: A kitchen appliance includes a base having a top wall and a motor. A container is removably mountable to the base. At least a portion of the container is operatively engaged with the motor to prepare foodstuff therein. A shield is removably mountable onto the base to enclose the container. At least one locking mechanism secures at least a portion of the shield to the base. The locking mechanism includes a projection formed on or in one of the base and the shield and a locking tab attached to the other of the shield and the base. The locking tab is slidable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the locking tab is spaced-apart from the projection. In the second position, at least a portion of the locking tab engages at least a portion of the projection.

Abstract: A waste processing system includes a cutting system and a feed system, wherein the improvement relates to a safety and control system which comprises a side mount actuator having at least two operable positions, wherein the actuator is in communication with the waste processing system and is adapted to selectively control the operation thereof.

Abstract: A shredder is disclosed. The shredder includes a housing having a throat for receiving at least one article to be shredded, and a shredder mechanism received in the housing and including an electrically powered motor and cutter elements. The shredder mechanism enables the at least one article to be shredded to be fed into the cutter elements. The motor is operable to drive the cutter elements so that the cutter elements shred the articles fed therein. The shredder also includes a detector that is configured to detect a thickness of the at least one article being received by the throat, and a controller that is operable to perform a predetermined operation responsive to the detector detecting that the thickness of the at least one article is at least equal to a predetermined maximum thickness.

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: An integrated beverage blending and cleaning includes at least one blender module comprising a housing, a spindle, at least one blade, a drain, and a cleaning assembly. The housing comprises a substantially vertically disposed wall. A controller which, upon completion of a blending or mixing sequence, activates a cleaning and/or sanitizing mode via said cleaning assembly to clean at least an interior of said housing.