Abstract: A blender for blending foodstuff includes a base enclosing a motor and a jar sensor secured to the base. The base has an upper mounting surface and the motor is mounted beneath the upper mounting surface. The jar sensor is secured to the base proximate the upper mounting surface. A jar is removably mountable to the base on the mounting surface. The jar includes a closed end and an actuator is mounted proximate the lower jar surface. The jar sensor detects the presence of the actuator when the jar is mounted to the base in an operating position. The motor is powered when the jar sensor detects the presence of the actuator in the operating position.

Abstract: A container for containing food and/or beverage ingredients is described. The container is of a type which may be supported in a support while the ingredients inside the container are processed, such as by a rotating blade or other mechanism. The container includes anti-rotation elements positionable in anti-rotational contact with a corresponding protruding portion in a container support in a manner which restricts rotational movement of the vessel relative to the container support.

Abstract: A container for containing food and/or beverage ingredients is described. The container is of a type which may be supported in a support while the ingredients inside the container are processed, such as by a rotating blade or other mechanism. The container includes anti-rotation elements positionable in anti-rotational contact with a corresponding protruding portion in a container support in a manner which restricts rotational movement of the vessel relative to the container support.

Abstract: A device consisting of a low-RPM motor wherein the motor spins a flat disk, a peg is attached to the disk, a stationary spring armature wherein the peg can activate the stationary spring armature as the disk rotates, and a tube containing beads in a fluid positioned in a top plate wherein the spring armature can contact the tube. This device can further include a soft closed-cell foam top mounted on the top plate wherein the tube is inserted and maintained by the foam in such a way as to allow for slight motion of the tube induced by the contact by the spring armature.

Abstract: A device for intimately mixing the content of substrate containers, includes a stirring mechanism made up of a drive motor, a connecting rod and a stirring propeller at the end of the connecting rod remote from the drive motor. A support mechanism is provided for accepting the weight of the stirring mechanism.

Abstract: A blender for blending foodstuff includes a base enclosing a motor and having an upper mounting surface. A jar sensor is secured to the base proximate the upper mounting surface and a jar is removably mountable to the base on the mounting surface. The jar includes a closed end and an actuator is mounted proximate the closed end. The jar sensor detects the presence of the actuator when the jar is mounted to the base in an operating position. The motor is powered when the jar sensor detects the presence of the actuator in the operating position. A motor temperature indicator is positioned on a control panel on the base and a temperature sensor is in communication with the motor temperature indicator. First and second cordsets are adaptable for removable mounting to the base for powering the motor.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is directed to a stand mixer including a base with an upstanding pedestal portion and a mixer head supported on the pedestal portion, the mixer head having a upward-facing side, a downward-facing side and an aperture passing through the mixer head from the upward-facing side to the downward-facing side.

Abstract: A blender for blending foodstuff comprising a motor housing that encloses an electric motor and has a first end and a second end. An upper housing is attached to the first end of the motor housing. The motor housing includes a fan driven by the motor controlled by a plurality of switches positioned behind a flexible cover. A transparent base having translucent base feet and an open bottom partially surrounds the motor housing and has a first end. The first end of the base is clamped between the upper housing and the first end of the motor housing to thereby solely suspend the motor housing from the first end of the base. A shroud is positioned partially around the motor within the motor housing. The fan draws air through the open bottom of the base into the second end of the motor housing and then around and outside of the shroud into the open top of the shroud to thereby cool the motor. The air is then directed out through the open side portion of the shroud and then sealingly vented to atmosphere.

Abstract: A device for extracting and fragmenting substances, especially infectious or malodorous substances, in a laboratory test vessel (3) is provided. The device includes a processing tool (11) and a stirrer element (33). An interior of the laboratory test vessel (3) is subdivided by a sieve (59) into a collection chamber and a processing chamber. The sieve (59) prevents parts of the substances having a defined rain size from reaching the collection chamber (73). A sample can be taken from the collection chamber using a pipette (45) which is passed through the stirrer element (33) and the sieve (59).

Abstract: A system and method for agitating pouched products traveling along a conveyor belt to facilitate heat transfer, blending, mixing and/or stirring of the contents thereof. An agitation station is located along the conveyor belt, and includes an agitator secured to one end of an arm, the arm being pivotally secured to the frame supporting the conveyor belt.

Abstract: A mixing device configured to blend food. The mixing device includes a base enclosing a motor. A jar is removably mounted to the base for containing food. A collar is removably mounted between the base and the jar. A dispensing spout is removably mounted to the collar. Further, a splash guard is removably mounted to the base.

Abstract: A blender base that may be used with a food processor container, a blender container, and a single use beverage container. The blender container includes a novel blade unit having a food processor-style blade and blender type blades. Programs with preprogrammed motor commands for desired operations are stored in memory and may be selected by a user on a user interface. The user interface may include a liquid crystal display, or function switches and light emitting diodes. Upon selection of a particular pre-defined function, the microcontroller retrieves the appropriate program from the read only memory and specifies the preprogrammed motor commands to accomplish the selected function.

Abstract: A control drip mixer attachment is in combination with a hub type food mixer. The control drip mixer attachment includes a container with a side wall and a bottom wall forming an interior of the container. A shaft is connected to the container, with the shaft being adapted and arranged to be removably inserted into a hub section of the mixer. An outlet opening is in fluid communication with the interior of the container near the bottom wall and is located vertically above the bowl of the mixer.

Abstract: A food processing device having a motor shaft of a motor from the device coupled to the tool carrying shaft for multi-speed operation. The tool carrying shaft and the motor shaft are connected by two distinct trains, continuously driven, each train comprising one free wheel, mounted with relation to the free wheel of the other train in such a way that power from the motor is only transmitted to the tool carrying shaft by the relevant train in a single direction of rotation of the motor and that for the other direction of rotation of said motor, the power is only transmitted to the tool carrying shaft by the other train.

Abstract: Methods and devices for securing the bottom of an item of cookware to the burner of a stove top by use of magnetism. The magnet(s) may be permanent magnets or electromagnets. The cookware may comprise a permanent magnet disposed on or in the base of the cookware. The burner comprises a magnetic material such as steel or iron. The magnetic material may be in the grate of the cook top, in the electric coil of an electric burners in the surface of a vitroceramic or smooth-top stove top, or other component of the cook top in close proximity to the bottom of the cookware when it is on the cooking surface. The magnetic source prevents the cookware from being accidentally knocked off the cook top.

Abstract: A dispensing blender for blending foodstuff and dispensing foodstuff therefrom. The dispensing blender includes a base enclosing a motor, a jar removably mountable to the base, a collar removably mountable between the base and the jar and a dispensing spout mounted to the collar. At least a portion of the dispensing spout is movable to an open position wherein foodstuff within the jar is able to flow from the jar, through the collar and out of the dispensing spout and a closed position wherein the foodstuff is blocked from flowing out of the dispensing spout. A cup actuation lever mounted to the base is movable to a dispensing position wherein the dispensing spout is urged to the open position and a resting position wherein the dispensing spout is urged to the closed position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ablative thermolysis reactor (12) comprising a reaction vessel (20), and inlet (14) into the reaction vessel (20) for receiving feedstock, and an outlet from the reaction vessel (20) for discharging thermolysis product. Within the reaction vessel (20), is provided an ablative surface (20a) defining the periphery of a cylinder, and heating means (22) are arranged to heat the ablative surface (20a) to an elevated temperature. In addition at least one rotatable surface (28) having an axis of rotation coincident with the longitudinal axis of said cylinder. The rotatable surface (28) is provided relative to the ablative surface (20a) such that feedstock is pressed between a part of the rotatable surface (28) and said ablative surface (20a) and moved along the ablative surface (20a) by the rotatable surface (28), whereby to thermolyse said feedstock.

Abstract: A kitchen appliance in the form of a stand mixer has an electric motor driving a mixing implement via a gear box. The gear box includes a worm on a shaft mating with a worm gear to achieve speed reduction and a change in the axis of rotation.

Abstract: A mixing device for mix foodstuff includes a base housing at least one motor. The mixing device further includes a jar for containing the foodstuff. The mixing device has a first operating configuration wherein the foodstuff is blended within the jar. The mixing device includes at least one travel mug for containing the foodstuff. The mixing device has a second operating configuration wherein the foodstuff is mixed within the at least one travel mug. The jar and the at least one travel mug are separately removably mountable to the base. The at least one travel mug is removably mountable within the jar for storage.

Abstract: The present application describes a method for rinsing a splash shield. A vessel containing contents to be mixed is positioned in a mixing machine, and a splash shield is positioned over the opening of the vessel. After the material within the vessel is mixed by a mixing element, the splash shield is separated from the vessel and rinsed by a nozzle on the mixing machine. In another embodiment, a vessel containing contents to be mixed is positioned in a holder on a mixing machine, and a splash shield (which may or may not be rinseable) is positioned over the opening of the vessel. The contents of the vessel are mixed using a mixing element. During and/or after mixing, opposed relative movement of the mixing element and vessel may occur, creating an upward lifting force on the vessel. The weight of the shield is sufficient to overcome this upward lifting force on the vessel and thereby causes the vessel to remain seated in the holder.

Abstract: A frozen dessert mixing machine of the type including an auger and mixing cone which has an open top, wherein the mixing cone moves toward the auger and the auger mixes a frozen desert from material contained in the mixing cone. The mixing machine further comprises means for effectively closing the open top of the mixing cone during the mixing of the desert material so that a liquid material can be included in the mixing cone to be mixed with a frozen material in the mixing cone without the liquid material or resulting mixture being ejected from or otherwise escaping from the mixing cone. A valve mechanism is associated with an opening in the bottom of the mixing cone so that the resulting mixture in the mixing cone can be dispensed from the bottom of the mixing cone when the valve mechanism is opened.

Abstract: This invention is concerned with providing apparatus for blending product within a container (10) by charging the container with product, applying a lid (l2) with an integral blending element (14) thereon. The product is blended by driving the blending element with an external drive (34) whilst the container is in an inverted position. The assembled and filled container is located in a holder (22) whilst in a generally upright position and the holder is moved to invert the container so that the lid is lowermost and the product is in contact with the blending element in which position the product is blended. Inversion may take place in a housing (23) in which the product may be heated to a blending temperature.

Abstract: A machine for automating manual labor has a portion to house the motor and at least three interchangeable head fittings for different applications. Applications include cleaning surfaces, cleaning vessels, mixer, blender, chopper, slicer, shredder, vibrator, massager, semi and fully automatic milk cream maker. The machine is driven by an electric motor that can perform different motions and actions, one at a time or simultaneously, depending on the head piece attached to the motor piece. Two such motions are rotary and linear. The machine is powered by battery or mains electricity.

Abstract: A machine for making ice-cream products comprises at least a motor operatively connected to a rod-shaped element so as to drive the rotation of the latter about its own axis of extension, grip means for moving the motor and/or the rod-shaped element at least along the axis of rotation of the rod-shaped element so that the rod-shaped element is at least partly immersed in a containment tank. The machine comprises means for activating the motor, preferably contact sensors, positioned on the grip means.

Abstract: Methods and mechanisms for shaking containers are disclosed. The shaking motion can be made to vary in a dynamic fashion so that the different components within the container are not made to separate, as if subjected to the processing of a centrifuge. Such dynamic motion can appear to be random. A cantilevered base plate or other type of based place can be coupled to a base. A motor can be coupled to the base plate and configured to rotate a generally vertical shaft. A cam or other type of wheel can be coupled to the shaft and configured to eccentrically rotate about the shaft, wherein the wheel is configured to rotate within a bearing. A container base is coupled to the bearing such that the container base is configured to translate or otherwise move is general accordance with the eccentric rotation of the cam. The container base can be configured to tilt based at least in part on the translation of the container base.

Abstract: A mixing device, configured to blend food, including a housing, having a motor, and a jar removably mounted to the housing for containing food. The housing includes a base, a central body and a pair of side bodies that attach to the sides of the central body in an assembled configuration of the housing. Further, the housing includes a top removably mounted to the base to clamp the side bodies and the central body between the top and the base when the housing is in the assembled configuration.

Abstract: A dispensing blender for blending foodstuff and dispensing foodstuff therefrom. The dispensing blender includes a base enclosing a motor, a jar removably mountable to the base, a collar removably mountable between the base and the jar and a dispensing spout mounted to the collar. At least a portion of the dispensing spout is movable to an open position wherein foodstuff within the jar is able to flow from the jar, through the collar and out of the dispensing spout and a closed position wherein the foodstuff is blocked from flowing out of the dispensing spout.

Abstract: An ice beverage-making apparatus includes a housing, an electric motor located within the housing, a torque transmission supported by the housing and receiving input from the electric motor and providing a first output shaft and a second-speed output shaft that rotates at a different speed than the first output shaft. The apparatus further includes an ice crushing module supported by the housing and receiving torque from the first output shaft, and a blending module receiving torque from the second output shaft.

Abstract: A mixing machine includes a removable head cover that may be formed of plastic and that may include a nose portion that is disposed about a power take off the mixing machine.

Abstract: A mixer may include one or more of (i) a readily installable and removable bowl guard member, (ii) a bowl guard sensor arrangement, (iii) a bowl guard support ring assembly including a plastic part and a metal part, (iv) a bowl guard support ring assembly and bowl guard member that interact for limiting movement of the bowl guard member.

Abstract: Methods and devices for securing the bottom of an item of cookware to the burner of a stove top by use of magnetism. The magnet(s) may be permanent magnets or electromagnets. The cookware may comprise a permanent magnet disposed on or in the base of the cookware. The burner comprises a magnetic material such as steel or iron. The magnetic material may be in the grate of the cook top, in the electric coil of an electric burner, in the surface of a vitroceramic or smooth-top stove top, or other component of the cook top in close proximity to the bottom of the cookware when it is on the cooking surface. The magnetic source prevents the cookware from being accidentally knocked off the cook top.

Abstract: A plastic container and lid assembly for storing liquid coating materials including a container and a lid. The container has a body with a bottom wall, at least four sidewalls and a neck. The neck defines a wide mouth opening and including threads for receiving mating threads on the lid. The lid also has a plurality of lugs, preferably two lugs, extending radially from the lid and terminating at or before the lugs extend beyond the container sidewalls when the lid is in sealed engagement with the container. The body also has an integral handle for lifting the container and the container neck supports a bail-type handle also for lifting said container. The integral handle and bail-type handles do not extend beyond the container sidewall. The container and lid assembly having an effective packing footprint and an effective packing volume which substantially conforms to the effective packing footprint and the effective packing volume of a conventional metal paint can.

Abstract: A mixing implement includes a body having a mixing portion and a connecting portion, the connecting portion having an upper shaft receiving opening formed therein and a side opening that leads to the shaft receiving opening, the shaft receiving opening having a drive pin receiving recess, the side opening and the drive pin receiving recess located substantially diametrically opposite each other with the side opening at a height corresponding to at least part of the drive pin receiving recess. A retainer is movably coupled with the connecting portion through the side opening and biased into an inward position in which an inner portion of the retainer is normally positioned within the shaft receiving opening, the retainer movable to an outward position in which the inner portion of the retainer is at least partially retracted from the shaft receiving opening.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for mixing a specimen (e.g., a biological fluid specimen) in an upstanding container having an internal mixer with a cavity defined by an upstanding annular wall. The annular wall of the mixer is engaged by a movable holder, which is elevated along with the engaged mixer sufficiently to prevent contact of the mixer with the container during mixing. The mixer is then moved to mix the specimen. The holder, which may include an expanding collet that fits within the cavity of the mixer, preferably rotates the mixer to stir the specimen. When mixing is complete, the holder is disengaged from the mixer. A controller coordinates all actions of the holder.

Abstract: A method for rapidly and uniformly mixing solutions within a biochemical analyzer by rapidly and repeatedly moving a sampling probe in a two-dimensional boomerang-curved pattern within the solution.

Abstract: A stand mixer is provided with wheels proximate the base. The base houses a mixing bowl capable of being placed into a locked position. When the mixing bowl is in the locked position, its handle faces outward. The mixer can be lifted with the handle to transfer the weight of the stand mixer from the feet to the wheels. The stand mixer can then be moved into a desired position.

Abstract: The present application describes a method for rinsing a splash shield. According to the disclosed method, a vessel containing contents to be mixed is positioned in a mixing machine, and a splash shield is positioned over the opening of the vessel. After the material within the vessel is mixed by a mixing element, the splash shield is separated from the vessel and rinsed by a nozzle on the mixing machine. In another embodiment, a vessel containing contents to be mixed is positioned in a holder on a mixing machine, and a splash shield (which may or may not be rinseable) is positioned over the opening of the vessel. The contents of the vessel are mixed using a mixing element. During and/or after mixing, opposed relative movement of the mixing element and vessel may occur, creating an upward lifting force on the vessel. The weight of the shield is sufficient to overcome this upward lifting force on the vessel and thereby causes the vessel to remain seated in the holder.

Abstract: A mixing system, apparatus and/or method. Pathogen reduction of and/or mixing storage solutions into blood or blood components are useful purposes for these. Squeezing or clapping devices may be used to activate the mixing process, as may rotational devices or laterally movable, rotational and/or orbital devices. Constriction elements may also be used to create useful vortex mixing actions. Photoradiation may be provided while the components continue to be mixed together for pathogen reduction of blood or blood components.

Abstract: A device for holding a container (bucket) containing material to be mixed without the need for an operator to hold the container comprises a frame having multiple rings. An upper ring and a lower ring are attached to vertical connectors. Horizontal connectors extend from the lower ring across the diameter to position the bottom of a bucket. The vertical connectors are attached on one edge to the lower ring and on another edge to the horizontal connectors connecting the lower ring. The vertical supports are attached on one upper edge to the upper ring with one free edge that forms a fin that extends into the interior diameter of the device. Supports extend from the vertical connectors below the lower ring. Each support has a tapered side terminating in a point. The device sits on the supports. A bucket of material to be mixed is held within the frame of the device. Means for mixing is applied to the material for mixing the material.

Abstract: A safety device for stirring assemblies to be applied to shelf paint vessels and the like, which includes a top portion including a coupling tooth for coupling to a top portion of the shelf, a driving screw mechanism, guide elements for arranging and centering a stirring cover, and a further coupling tooth for coupling to a bottom portion which is provided for covering an element for supporting a stirring assembly and all the driven elements of the device.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for mixing a specimen (e.g., a biological fluid specimen) in an upstanding container having an internal mixer with a cavity defined by an upstanding annular wall. The annular wall of the mixer is engaged by a movable holder, which is elevated along with the engaged mixer sufficiently to prevent contact of the mixer with the container during mixing. The mixer is then moved to mix the specimen. The holder, which may include an expanding collet that fits within the cavity of the mixer, preferably rotates the mixer to stir the specimen. When mixing is complete, the holder is disengaged from the mixer. A controller coordinates all actions of the holder.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for mixing small volumes of reaction components. In one application, a plurality of removable vessels are placed in a parallel reactor, and reaction components are delivered to each vessel. An impeller is rotated in each vessel to mix the components. Each impeller has a rotary shaft and at least one blade on the shaft for placement in the reaction components. The blade is dimensioned so that one rotation of the impeller causes the blade to sweep out a sweep volume representing a large amount of the fill volume of the vessel.

Abstract: A blending device for mixing a content of a bag in combination with a collection member, the blending device comprising a casing defining a chamber and comprising a mixer and a door. The collection member is adapted to receive therein a bag with a content to be mixed by the blending device and is adapted to be installed in the blending device. When the collection member and the bag are positioned in the chamber and the door is closed, the mixer is operated to act on the bag and cause the content thereof. If the bag ruptures while in the blending device, its content will be collected by the collection member. The collection member is detachably secured at an upper end thereof to the blending device. The collection member typically takes the form of a flexible collection bag that is open-ended at its upper end.

Abstract: A mixing vial for storing and mixing first and second components includes a mixing container for holding one of the components, and a supplemental container received within the mixing container for holding the other of the components separated from the first component. Manually operable release mechanism is actuatable to produce opening of the supplemental container within the mixing container to permit mixing of the previously segregated components to form a combined mixture in the mixing container.

Abstract: A frothing mug includes a mug portion holding a first liquid, a whisk extending into the mug portion, a means for rotating the whisk and a base supporting the mug portion and the whisk and providing the means for rotating the whisk to aerate the liquid. A method of frothing a liquid using the mug includes pouring a quantity of a first liquid into the mug portion such that a portion of the whisk is, or will be, exposed to the air and a portion of the whisk is, or will be, immersed in the first liquid, activating the means for rotating the whisk to froth the liquid and deactivating the means for rotating the whisk after the first liquid is sufficiently frothy.

Abstract: A method of storing semen includes a series of carrying trays mounted on a rack mounted within a refrigerated container. Each tray supports a plurality of tubes containing the semen with the tubes having a main body being cylindrical in shave. The rack is arranged to store the samples in a manner such that the samples are continuously mixed. The rack provides movement to the tubes for mixing. The housing may rotate about an axis such that the tubes are moved about the axis or the housing may tilt the tubes such that the sample mixes that samples end to end. The tubes can be removed from the rack on the trays for use.

Abstract: An apparatus for stirring ingredients includes a base, a receptacle supported by the base for receiving the ingredients, a track mounted to the base, a carriage conveyed along the track, an arm extending from the carriage over the receptacle, and a driven paddle depending from the arm into the receptacle. The apparatus and also include a heater supported by the base for heating the receptacle. The paddle can be specially configured to include a bridge and a pair of blades attached pivotally to the bridge. The blades can yield, should they encounter a hard ingredients in use.

Abstract: An apparatus for blending and for making ice cream includes drive, blending, and stirring units. The drive unit includes a high-speed output gear unit driven rotatably by a drive shaft and formed with a first engaging hole that extends along a rotary axis, a speed-reduction gear unit driven rotatably by the drive shaft, and a low-speed output gear unit driven rotatably by the speed-reduction gear unit and formed with a second engaging hole that is coaxial with the first engaging hole. The blending unit engages removably the first engaging hole and is driven by the drive unit to rotate about the rotary axis at a higher speed. The stirring unit engages removably the second engaging hole and is driven by the drive unit to rotate about the rotary axis at a lower speed.

Abstract: A mixing machine includes portions of a control system formed as a unit that is mounted within the machine for movement between an operating position internal of the machine and a service position in which at least part of the unit extends through an opening in the machine for access thereto.

Abstract: A mixer/sifter combination includes a counter-stand type mixer together with a sifter attachment that is designed to be coupled to the mixer via the mixer's aperture that rotates a typical beater so that the mixer can be used to perform sifting functions. The sifter attachment includes a coupler rod that connects to the mixer, various gears that reduce the rate of rotation of a sifter beater attached to the gears and disposed within a sifter cup of the sifter attachment. The sifter attachment may include a second coupler rod that also connects to the mixer.