Abstract: A method for blending food or beverages, preferably using a blender that is compact enough for home use, rugged enough to blend frozen beverages, simple to use and safe. The blender includes an upper housing, with a front housing door, that covers the moving blending machinery. The blender also includes a cupholder receiving area which allows the user to safely insert a frozen beverage cup inside a cupholder for blending. After the start button is pressed, a cupholder lip will be grasped by the clamping jaw of an elevator assembly to lift the cupholder up. As the cupholder is lifted upward, a cover will be pressed over the top opening of the inserted cup to prevent spillage during blending. The elevator assembly will then continue to lift the cupholder upward until the rotating cutter blades of a spindle assembly cut through successive layers of the frozen beverage.

Abstract: A blender that is compact enough for home use, rugged enough to blend frozen beverages, simple to use and safe. The blender includes an upper housing, with a front housing door; that covers the moving blending machinery. The blender also includes a cupholder receiving area which allows the user to safely insert a frozen beverage cup inside a cupholder for blending. After the start button is pressed, a cupholder lip will be grasped by the clamping jaw of an elevator assembly to lift the cupholder. As the cupholder is lifted upward, a cover will be pressed over the top opening of the inserted cup to prevent spillage during blending. The elevator assembly will then continue to lift the cupholder upward until the rotating cutter blades of a spindle assembly cut through successive layers of the frozen beverage.

Abstract: A machine (10) for mixing a food product in a container includes a container holder (38) having an axis and adapted to receive a container. An agitator (30) is rotated by a motor (22) on an axis and is positioned above the container holder (38). A motor (47) moves the container holder (38) upwardly to selectively position the agitator (30) in the container with the axis of rotation of the agitator (30) being displaced from the axis of the container holder (38). A motor (45) can rotate the container holder (38) on its axis while the agitator (30) is in the container.

Abstract: A machine (10) for mixing a food product in a container includes a container holder (38) having an axis and adapted to receive a container. An agitator (30) is rotated by a motor (22) on an axis and is positioned above the container holder (38). A motor (47) moves the container holder (38) upwardly to selectively position the agitator (30) in the container with the axis of rotation of the agitator (30) being displaced from the axis of the container holder (38). A motor (45) can rotate the container holder (38) on its axis while the agitator (30) is in the container.

Abstract: A blender that is compact enough for home use, rugged enough to blend frozen beverages, simple to use and safe. The blender includes an upper housing, with a front housing door; that covers the moving blending machinery. The blender also includes a cupholder receiving area which allows the user to safely insert a frozen beverage cup inside a cupholder for blending. After the start button is pressed, a cupholder lip will be grasped by the clamping jaw of an elevator assembly to lift the cupholder. As the cupholder is lifted upward, a cover will be pressed over the top opening of the inserted cup to prevent spillage during blending. The elevator assembly will then continue to lift the cupholder upward until the rotating cutter blades of a spindle assembly cut through successive layers of the frozen beverage.

Abstract: A method for blending food or beverages, preferably using a blender that is compact enough for home use, rugged enough to blend frozen beverages, simple to use and safe. The blender includes an upper housing, with a front housing door, that covers the moving blending machinery. The blender also includes a cupholder receiving area which allows the user to safely insert a frozen beverage cup inside a cupholder for blending. After the start button is pressed, a cupholder lip will be grasped by the clamping jaw of an elevator assembly to lift the cupholder up. As the cupholder is lifted upward, a cover will be pressed over the top opening of the inserted cup to prevent spillage during blending. The elevator assembly will then continue to lift the cupholder upward until the rotating cutter blades of a spindle assembly cut through successive layers of the frozen beverage.

Abstract: A food mixing machine (16) includes an agitator (15) for mixing food in a cup (C). The cup (C) is received in a flexible boot (22) which is carried by a cup holder (21). The cup holder (21) also carries a cup release assembly (23) which is biased away from the cup by springs (24). At the end of the mixing cycle, a release initiating assembly (60) engages the cup release assembly (23) which overcomes the bias of the springs (24) and allows the cup release assembly (23) to engage the boot (22) which in turn releases the cup (C) from the cup holder (21).

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: A mixer system including a bowl for receiving a material to be mixed, a mixer body having a rotatable output component, and a hinge. The bowl is pivotable about the hinge relative to the mixer body such that the bowl can be pivoted between a loading/unloading position and a closed position relative the mixer body. The mixer may include a magnetic bowl detector and the bowl may include a magnet thereon.

Abstract: A mixing machine includes a power bowl lift mechanism that operates independent of a drive motor for mixing operations, and may be formed by a linear actuator. A pivoting motor mount assembly can be used in conjunction with a portable tensioning tool for tensioning a drive belt.

Abstract: A pivotable mixer bowl including a bowl body for receiving material to be mixed, a first mounting bracket coupled to and extending from an outer surface of the bowl body and having an opening therein, and a second mounting bracket coupled to and extending from the outer surface and having an opening therein. The second mounting bracket is vertically spaced from the first mounting bracket. The opening of the second mounting bracket is generally aligned with the opening of the first mounting bracket to define a pivot axis of the mixer bowl. The mixer bowl further includes a locking bracket coupled to and extending from an outer surface of the bowl body.

Abstract: A mixing machine includes a power bowl lift mechanism that operates independent of a drive motor for mixing operations, and may be formed by a linear actuator. A pivoting motor mount assembly can be used in conjunction with a portable tensioning tool for tensioning a drive belt.

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 mixing machine includes a drive assembly and control system for making speed changes on the fly and for providing controlled acceleration and deceleration. A bowl receiving portion may be movable between a lowered position and a raised position with a power bowl lift mechanism provided to effect such movement. Advanced control features and special function modes may also be provided.

Abstract: A mixing machine includes a power bowl lift mechanism that operates independent of a drive motor for mixing operations, and may be formed by a linear actuator. A pivoting motor mount assembly can be used in conjunction with a portable tensioning tool for tensioning a drive belt.

Abstract: An apparatus for safely handling and securely holding a multitude of large and heavy open topped pails, for loading ingredients into these pails, and for stirring the ingredients within these pails into a fully homogenized state. The apparatus is adapted for simple removal and easy cleaning of the stirring components, and to minimize mess and eliminate cross contamination.

Abstract: An apparatus for safely handling and securely holding a multitude of large and heavy open topped pails, for loading ingredients into these pails, and for stirring the ingredients within these pails into a fully homogenized state. The apparatus is adapted for simple removal and easy cleaning of the stirring components, and to minimize mess and eliminate cross contamination.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for suspending solid particles in a predetermined volume of liquid contained inside a container having a wall, the wall being partly isolated from the liquid by a deposit adhering to its internal face, and bringing together at least some of the particles in the agglomerated state, the container is subjected to a reciprocating movement along a reference axis, at a frequency adapted to cause within the predetermined volume of liquid, without any other external action, an ebb and flow on either side of the reference axis, detaching the deposit, and dispersing the particles toward the center of the volume of liquid.

Abstract: The invention is a motorized constant stirring spoon for pots and pans that constantly stirs or mixes foods that are being heated on top of a stove or range. The device can combine other attachments, such as a slotted spoon or whisk, and is powered by either an attached electrical cord that can be plugged into a conventional wall socket or run off batteries. The device's additional features may include a liquid level sensor to detect when the liquid is boiling over the pot; a built in thermometer; and an adjustment dial to adjust the stirring implement to the proper height.

Abstract: A mixing machine comprising a housing having an upper portion and a lower portion, an attachment drive head extending downwardly from the upper portion of the housing, an attachment drive including an attachment drive shaft, the shaft being capable of driving a detachable mixing attachment, an adjustable drive train linked to the attachment drive for driving the attachment drive shaft, a motor mounted in the housing for driving the drive train, a shift lever assembly including a shift lever wherein movement of the shift lever adjusts the length of the adjustable drive train and thereby changes the speed of the attachment drive, and a mechanism mounted on the housing to prevent the shift lever from vibrating out of position during a mixing operation and to prevent a change in speed of the mixing machine.

Abstract: A bowl scraper for an industrial size mixer has a bar shaped mandrel with a horizontal section and a vertical section. The horizontal section has a quick connect/disconnect coupler affixed thereto. A gravity actuator/keeper locks the mandrel in place while the mixer is operating. The vertical section is shaped to complement the shape of the interior wall of the bowl. A rubber boot, which fits over the vertical section, is adapted to scrape the bowl regardless of the direction in which the mixer turns.

Abstract: The invention is a lock for the bowl support of a food mixing machine. After the bowl is raised into the mixing position, the lock ensures that the bowl maintains its position and is not subject to creep. The mixing machine comprises a mixing head, a mixing bowl support for supporting a mixing bowl under the mixing head, a gear train for moving the bowl support and mixing bowl into position beneath the mixing head, and a lock which engages the gear train to prevent the bowl support from moving out of position beneath the mixing head during mixing. The lock is preferably a pawl which engages one of the gears in the gear train, preventing the bowl and the bowl support from moving out of position.

Abstract: An apparatus for stirring and, respectively, or kneading dough includes a frame (1) into which a receptacle (17) for the dough to be treated can be carried in by chassis (22). In its carried-in position, the receptacle (17) can be lifted by a lifting device (23) into a position in which at least one tool (15) extends from above into the receptacle (17). Each tool (15) is disposed eccentrically with respect to the axis (42) of the receptacle (17) and is carried by a tool carrier (4) driven around the axis (42) by a drive (41). In additon thereto, a further drive (50) for the tools (15) is provided which are movable relative to the tool carrier (4). The tool carrier (4) is bearingly supported with its periphery on a collar (2) of the frame and closes the upper opening of the receptacle (17) in its lifted position like a cover. Thereby a particular intensive and continuous treatment of the dough in the receptacle (17) is obtained and the stresses on the receptacle (17) are reduced.

Abstract: A food mixer comprises a base, a supporting structure or column upstanding from the base and an arm projecting from the upper end of the column and carrying a mounting member for a mixing tool. The column is provided with a vertically extending V-section channel on its bowl-facing side which, in use, receives part of the periphery of the mixing bowl so that the necessary horizontal extensions of the head from the column is minimized. The mixing bowl is supported on a mixing bowl support vertically movable on the column to bring the bowl up to the mixing tool and lower the bowl therefrom. Except in the fully lowered position of the bowl support, the bowl is held captive on the bowl support by a pin which is extended upwardly through a hole in a flange of the bowl, the flange being received in a slot in the bowl carrier.

Abstract: A driving device for a vortex mixing apparatus comprises holders for holding a mixing unit of a type having at each opposite end a pumping diaphragm for imposing a pulsatile flow on a liquid passing through a primary channel in the unit. Two pistons are each arranged to cooperate with a respective one of the diaphragms and to reciprocate between a retracted position clear of the unit and an extended position in which it extends into a housing of the unit and compresses the respective diaphragm. Driving mechanisms are normally arranged to reciprocate the pistons in phase at the same frequency such that when one piston is moving from its retracted position to its extended position the other is moving from its extended position to its retracted position and vice versa. Control mechanisms are arranged, upon stopping of the driving mechanisms, to cause both pistons to adopt retracted positions so that the unit may be inserted into, and removed from the holders without interference from the pistons.

Abstract: Improvements are provided in machines for processing frozen comestibles of the type in which a frozen comestible is placed in a mixing cup and the mixing cup is moved toward an auger which mixes the frozen comestible into a smooth, soft material. The improvements comprise at least one orifice in a sidewall of the mixing cone and a system for delivering a cleaning and sanitizing solution through the orifice to spray the solution into the interior of the mixing cone. As the mixing cone is moved up and down, the cleaning and sanitizing solution is sprayed into the mixing cone and impinges on the auger to clean and sanitize the auger and the interior of the mixing cone. The system for delivering the cleaning and sanitizing solution preferably comprises a manifold having a hollow interior, with a plurality of orifices in the sidewall of the mixing cone which communicate with the hollow interior of the manifold. The manifold is positioned adjacent to the exterior surface of the sidewall of the mixing cone.

Abstract: A frozen confections blending machine, especially for blending basic frozen comestibles with flavors of users' choices, whereby each end product may vary, in quick succession, from a previous one. To perform the therefor required change-over procedure, the subject improvements were introduced, including facilities for rapid, frequent and sanitary cleaning operations between product changes, such as a permanently built-in sink having drainage, protective shieldings against random soilage of the internal machine components and provisions for improved safety of machine operations of those parts which were not rendered safe by the sanitary improvements.

Abstract: A blending apparatus particularly adapted for blending or mixing candy, cookies, nuts or fruit with the material of a cold flowable substance, such as ice cream, includes a blending container, a rotatable auger having a rotatable cutter displaceable into and out of the container, and a device for causing recirculation of at least a portion of the ingredients within the container during mixing. The auger is rotatable within the container with the cutter being rotated at a different angular velocity from the auger. The cutter is effective to cut large portions of the ingredients in the container into smaller portions.

Abstract: This invention provides a safe and sanitary apparatus for blending hard ice cream (or other frozen confections) with syrups and other ingredients. The funnel holding the materials to be mixed is advanced in progressively increasing sweeps over the blending auger as the auger is rotated in clockwise and counterclockwise directions to produce a tasty and attractively marbled or blended product. A spray head and suitable automatic washing apparatus also is provided to rinse the auger and funnel surfaces.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for pressuring a hard frozen comestible, similar to hardened ice cream, while simultaneously subjecting it to mechanical action to reduce the crystal and cell structure of the material to transform it into a soft, smooth and creamy texture only slightly less cold than its starting temperature. The apparatus includes a hopper for receiving the hard frozen comestible to be treated, an auger positioned above the hopper and automatically actuated by movement of the hopper toward the auger to produce conditioning of the comestible by the auger as the hopper and auger move toward one another into an adjacent relationship. The hopper is supported on a saddle member, and vertical guide members are employed for supporting and guiding the saddle member during vertical movement thereof provided by linkage assembly.