Abstract: A device for thawing frozen items in a container of liquid, the container having one or more sidewalls, the device including a housing, a motor disposed in the housing, a propeller coupled to the motor, and a fastener extending from the housing, the fastener detachably securable to the side wall of the container, the fastener oriented on the housing such that the propeller is positionable in the liquid when the fastener engages the side wall of the container. A controller can be operably connected to the motor, the controller including a thickness input, the controller programmed to determine an operational time period in response to the thickness input. The controller instructs the motor to rotate the propeller for the operational time period to help thaw the frozen item. A display can be operably connected to the controller. A method of thawing a frozen item is also disclosed.

Abstract: A stovetop popcorn cooker (popper) contains a rotating shaft inclined with respect to the vertical axis of its bowl and is connected to and rotates a stirrer parallel to the bottom. The unique connection between the shaft and stirrer allows the stirrer to remain in continuous contact with the bottom while being rotated by the inclined shaft. A hinged lid extends over the majority of the top area of bowl. The bowl (pot), the cross-section of which has a flat bottom, may incorporate a first curved portion tangent to the bottom and second curved portion tangent to a cylindrical portion at the top.

Abstract: A food processing lid is used with a cooperating bowl and a stick mixer handle. The lid has a feed tube and a recess for receiving a removeable gearbox that is driven by a stick mixer.

Abstract: A fluidic system and method includes a channel reservoir which holds 1.5 milliliters or less of fluid. The agitation mechanism, which is partially integrated with the channel or reservoir, includes a fiber or rod at least partially situated within the channel or reservoir, and which acts to move or vibrate to stir and/or agitate fluid within the channel or reservoir. The fluid is then extracted from an extraction area following the agitation or stirring operation.

Abstract: The polymer degassing apparatus includes a barrel-shaped horizontal container 41 having a supply port 42 for supplying a reactant, a discharge port 43 for discharging a reactant, a stirring means 45 for stirring a reactant, and a degassing means for drawing a gas via a degassing port 44 of the horizontal container. The supply port is positioned below the molten liquid level of the reactant. A recovery container 37 that is connected to the degassing port for recovering a volatile substance in the gas and a vacuum pump 36 are provided. The stirring means includes a plurality of stirring rods 46 oriented along the same direction as the axis in the horizontal container and coupling members 47 for coupling the stirring rods along the same direction as the axis, provided that the coupling members are placed at a distance from the virtual rotation center of the stirring means.

Abstract: The invention relates to a disposable cup with a rotating spoon comprising a container (1), a spoon (3), a lid (2) with a hole for the passage of the spoon and a sleeving (4) which can be coupled to one another. The spoon (3) consists of a rod having a paddle-shaped flare at one end and a series of bends near the other end which define a C-shaped layout, the central branch of which has a rib (12) with an intermediate groove and passes through the hole of the lid (2), the end part projecting with crank functions. A radial slit (7) with a length and width equal to or greater than the section of the paddle starts from the hole of the lid. The lid further has a mouth piece or drinking area (8) next to its periphery. The invention is applicable in café, hotel and restaurant establishments for drinking take-away hot beverages, such as coffee.

Abstract: Described is a filling machine comprising a machine frame structure and a supply container which is pivotable from an operative position into a pivoted-away position and in front of the outlet of which is disposed a feed device which can be driven in rotation, in such a way that it can be pivoted away together with the supply container. In that respect there is provided a two-part drive ring for the feed device, of which the first ring part is mounted to the machine frame structure and is driven there, and the second ring part carries the feed device and can be pivoted away together with the supply device and in the operative position of the supply container is so coupled to the first ring part that the first ring part carries forces acting on the feed device and rotationally entrains the second ring part for driving the feed device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rotating beater (1) adapted to be rotated by a drive shaft (2), including at least one wire-shaped beater element (3, 22), which starts from the drive shaft (2), extends further in the direction of the drive shaft and, finally, after one or a plurality of changes in its direction of extension, is led back to the drive shaft (2). The course of the beater element (3, 22) is substantially subdivided into a first section (4, 7) in the extension of the drive shaft (2), a second section (5, 8) extending substantially transversely to the drive shaft (2), and a third (6, 9) section (6), with the first (4, 7) and third (6, 9) sections extending so that their ends (10, 11 or 12, 13, respectively) starting from the drive shaft (2) lag behind their other ends (23, 24 or 25, 26, respectively) in the direction of rotation (U) of the beater.

Abstract: Disclosed is a new mixing device for joint compound and the like for mixing pre-blended and newly blended viscous liquid compounds within a cylindrical flat-bottomed container to obtain homogeneous consistency of the compound. The mixing device for joint compound and the like comprises a paddle member adapted to be rotatively driven by a conventional drill motor. The paddle member comprises a unitarily formed, essentially rigid rod having an elongated vertical shank portion with a collinearly formed chuck engagable portion on the proximal end thereof. An agitator blade portion is formed on the distal end of the shank portion. The agitator blade portion includes vertical and horizontal rod portions for efficient mixing of compound near the container sides and bottom. Angled rod portions are also included for efficient mixing of compound in the central area of the container.

Abstract: A paint can cover or lid having a paint mixing device rotatably supported therefrom and extending into the interior of the paint can for mixing paint in the can while the cover or lid is in place to form a closure for the can. The mixer includes a paddle rotatably supported from the paint can cover or lid and a rotatable member which extends rotatably through the paint can cover or lid in a sealed manner to prevent leakage of paint and entrance of air with the outer end of the rotatable member having a polygonal socket receiving the output of a power device. In one embodiment of the invention, the paint can lid or cover is provided with an opening therein receiving an adapter secured to and sealed to the cover or lid by a threaded nut with the rotatable member extending through the adapter in sealed relation thereto.

Abstract: A corn popper includes a vessel open at the top, and a removable top cover. A handle integral with the cover includes a pistol grip portion relatively remote from the vessel when the cover is attached. A stirring mechanism, supported for rotation about a vertical axis within the vessel when the cover is attached, rotates responsive to the squeezing of a trigger mounted slidably with respect to the pistol grip section of the handle. The means for driving the stirring mechanism include a drive gear angularly fixed on the stirring mechanism, and a pinion movable linearly into and out of driving engagement with the drive gear, and also rotatable, by virtue of an extension of the trigger.

Abstract: An electric drill powered paint stirrer for stirring paint in a conventional paint marketing can of the kind normally closed for sale by a lid. A second lid is substitutable on the can for the marketing lid and has a central opening. A stirring rod assembly is releasably securable in the second lid. The assembly comprises a bushing element having a reduced diameter externally threaded and extending from a shoulder. The bushing has a central through bore. The second lid opening is of diameter to snugly receive the threaded bushing end therethrough but not the shoulder. The assembly further includes a stirring rod having an upstanding shank extending upward through the bushing. The rod has upper and lower radially widened portions closely flanking the upper and lower ends of the bushing for axially locating the shank in the bushing. The rod has a bottom portion depending from the shank and sized to lie close to the can peripheral wall and bottom for stirring paint in the marketing can.

Abstract: A stirring rod for use in a heating vessel which includes a contractable generally circular upper portion which is joined to a generally hooked shaped lower portion by a vertically extending rod section.

Abstract: A mixer comprising a shaft which is appropriately curved to substantially conform to the interior shape of the sides and bottom walls of a steam kettle and a structure for supporting the shaft within the steam kettle. The latter consists of a lid which fits about the peripheral upper edge of the steam kettle. A length of a heat resistant, self lubricating, tubular material, such as Teflon, is slidably extended over substantially the entire length of the shaft, to perform a dual function. This material, first of all, eliminates the need for any type of bearing structure which normally would be required in order for the shaft to be rotated when disposed to extend through the lid, into the steam kettle. The material itself functions as a bearing. Secondly, the material being heat resistant can seat on the bottom of the steam kettle and thereby permit the shaft to be easily and properly seated in the steam kettle without the need for other mechanical devices.

Abstract: The specification discloses a combination mixing-reaction apparatus comprising a mixing vessel within an evacuable housing, mixing vanes operable from outside of the apparatus. The housing is provided with vacuum conduits which can be connected to a vacuum source for withdrawing vapors and gaseous reaction products from within the apparatus.

Abstract: In an apparatus for blending and kneading ingredients comprising an open-topped container for the ingredients to be blended and kneaded into a cohesive mass, such as dough, a lid for the container, rotary drive means mounted on the lid, and a kneader arm removably mountable to the rotary drive means for rotatable drive thereby, the improvement comprises means for mounting the lid so as to enable limited angular movement of the kneader arm axis within the container for enabling the axis of rotation of the kneader arm to sweep across the container bottom during rotation of the kneader arm as the viscosity of the mixture of ingredients being kneaded increases. This is achieved by using interengaging parts on the lid and container, preferably lugs on the lid and handles on the container, which allow for rocking and elevational movement of the lid. Preferably a flexible lid is utilized, and experiences an undulating movement enhancing the angular movement of the kneader arm axis.