Mounted In Mixing Chamber Bottom Wall Patents (Class 366/314)
  • Publication number: 20030063521
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a high intensity blending apparatus, particularly for blending operations designed to cause additive materials to become affixed to the surface of base particles. More particularly, the proposed invention relates to an improved blending tool for producing surface modifications to electrophotographic and related toner particles. The tool comprises a shank having riser members at each end, such risers being angled to the axis of the shank between 10 and 16 degrees.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Applicant: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Samir Kumar, Juan A. Morales-Tirado, D. Paul Casalmir, Scott M. Silence, Ying S. Molisani, James M. Proper, Jerry G. Owens, Geraldine Baer
  • Patent number: 6532863
    Abstract: A food processor in the present invention includes a spindle, a blade holder, a positioning member, an elastic retaining member, a flexible member and a push member. Only to press down the push member, engagement hooks and guide blocks of the push member will slide downwards along slide grooves of the positioning member to compress the flexible member and lower an inclined plane of the push member to press against an inner wall surface of a clamp part of the elastic retaining member to force the clamp part to be stretched outwardly so as to release a projection of the spindle, thereby the blade holder can be easily disassembled and assembled for the convenience of completely cleaning residuary foodstuff out of the blade holder to keep the blade holder in a good sanitary condition ready for the next use so as to prolong the working life of the food processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Inventor: Ming-Tsung Lee
  • Publication number: 20030043691
    Abstract: The invention involves a mixing device for mixing a base material with a liquid using a vertical feeder shaft for the base material and a mixing chamber which is arranged below the feeder shaft and into which the liquid is supplied and in which a mixing tool can be driven in rotation, whereby in the feeder shaft, a propeller rotating around a vertical axis is provided, in which blade elements extending in the radial direction are provided. In order to not cause any clogging in the feeder shaft at the propeller, it is proposed to keep individual segments blade-free all the way through over the entire height of the propeller parallel to the axis, when the propeller is rotating in the circumference direction. In this way, a homogenization of the supplied base material is also achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: LIPP Mischtechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Eberhard Lipp
  • Patent number: 6527433
    Abstract: A beverage mixer, smoothie maker or the like includes a container with a mixing assembly disposable on a base with a motor. A lid is disposable on the container and pivotally carries a stir stick that extends through an opening in the lid. The stir stick includes a ball portion to be pivotally disposable over the opening of the lid and to cooperate with the lid to cover the opening and to allow the ball portion to pivot in the opening. A spout can be coupled to the container to dispense contents, and can align with an alignment indentation in the base. A wall with an angled upper surface can be disposed adjacent the alignment indentation to abut and guide the spout to the alignment indentation. A cup indentation can be formed in the base under the alignment indentation to receive a cup under the spout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Inventor: Thomas E. Daniels, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6523996
    Abstract: An improved blending tool with an enlarged collision profile and method of use by rotation in a blending machine. The improved blending tool comprises an enlarged collision surface fixed at the end of the tool's center shank wherein at least half of the trailing surface of the collision surface is convexly negatively sloped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: James M. Proper
  • Patent number: 6505545
    Abstract: A food preparation system and method, including a base housing, a container detachably engagable with the base housing in which the container is adapted to receive food products. The system also includes a heater within the base housing and/or the container for converting a liquid into a cooking vapor, and a blade rotatably mounted in the container in which the blade supports the food products during a cooking step and processes the food products during a processing step. The system can also have positioning structure within the base housing and/or the container for positioning the blade in a cooking position during the cooking step, and for positioning the blade in a processing position during the processing step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Inventors: Melvin R. Kennedy, Jose Longoria, Robert G. Robbins
  • Publication number: 20020196703
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided to process material contained in one or more drums. In one exemplary method, waste material is transferred from one or more drums to a first tank. Waste material in the first tank is agitated with an agitator contained in the first tank, and the waste material is passed from the first tank to a second tank on a mobile wheeled chassis. The method also includes transporting the second tank from a location where the first tank is located.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2002
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Inventor: Robert M. Rumph
  • Patent number: 6488403
    Abstract: A food mixer includes a whipping attachment 60. The attachment includes an elongated impeller 20 that engages a drive of the mixer at the lower surface of a container 10. The attachment also includes a plurality of nested wire-shaped elements 22 attached to a side of the impeller. Because the elements are nested, they travel at a different angular velocities resulting in improved whipping, agitating and mixing characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Tilia International, Inc.
    Inventor: Anthony Charles Lawson
  • Publication number: 20020176321
    Abstract: A mixer apparatus for mixing materials such as feed is disclosed. The apparatus includes a container for the reception therein of the materials. The container has a base and a wall extending away from the base, the wall defining an opening disposed remote from the base for the reception therethrough of the materials. The arrangement is such that the base and the wall define therebetween an enclosure for the materials received through the opening. An auger is rotatably disposed within the enclosure, the auger having an axis of rotation extending through the base. A driven wheel is drivingly connected to the auger, the driven wheel being disposed on an opposite side of the base relative to the auger. A drive connected to a main source of power, the drive being drivingly connected to the driven wheel so that when the drive rotates, the auger is rotated within the enclosure for mixing the materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2001
    Publication date: November 28, 2002
    Inventor: William S. Knight
  • Patent number: 6484623
    Abstract: A baking apparatus with a toaster comprises a main body; a baking part disposed at one side of the main body, and having a lid mounted at an upper portion thereof so as to be opened and closed by a hinge, a pot mounting portion for receiving a pot, a first heat generator formed at an inside wall of the pot mounting portion, and a rotational shaft protruded at a lower center portion of the pot mounting portion so that a stirring wing is inserted thereon; a toasting part disposed at the other side of the main body, and having a toasting chamber for receiving a slice of bread, a second heat generator formed at an inside wall of the toasting chamber, a lever for applying power source to the second heat generator and guiding the slice of bread, a crumb tray for removing bread crumbs, a driving motor for driving the rotational shaft of the baking part, and an operating portion for applying the power source to the driving motor and the first heat generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Kaiser Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chong-Man Yoon, Jong-Deuk Jeong, Jin-Kook Park
  • Patent number: 6467948
    Abstract: A food processor having a container and a drive shaft extending through a bottom thereof includes a processing device having an impeller 20 for engaging the drive shaft and a dome-shaped cap or shield 90. The cap includes dimples on a lower surface to assist in breaking up lumps of food in the container. The processing device can rotate in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Tilia International, Inc.
    Inventor: Anthony Charles Lawson
  • Patent number: 6467945
    Abstract: A discharge apparatus of the type disclosed in co-pending application Ser. No. 09/562,167 filed May 2, 2000. The apparatus includes a container for the reception therein of the feed. The container has a base and a wall extending away from the base. The wall defines an opening which is disposed remote from the base for the reception therethrough of the feed. The arrangement is such that the base and the wall define therebetween an enclosure for the feed received through the opening. An auger is rotatably disposed within the enclosure for mixing the feed. Also, the wall further defines an outlet which is disposed between the base and the opening, the outlet permitting discharge therethrough of the feed. A door is disposed adjacent to the outlet, the door being movable from a closed disposition thereof for obturating a discharge of the feed through the outlet when the feed is being mixed to an open disposition thereof for permitting a discharge of the feed when mixed through the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Knight Manufacturing Corp
    Inventors: Christopher Albright, Ric Joranlien
  • Publication number: 20020131327
    Abstract: An adjustable baffle device secured to a wall of a container of a vertical mixer for processing and mixing materials such as animal feed and the like is disclosed. The device includes an elongated plate having a first and a second end, the plate being secured to the wall of the container about a pivot disposed between the first and second ends of the plate. The plate has a first portion disposed between the pivot and the first end of the plate and a second portion disposed between the pivot and the second end of the plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2001
    Publication date: September 19, 2002
    Inventors: Christopher Albright, Ric Joranlien
  • Patent number: 6446547
    Abstract: A food processor that is operable in a dough mixing mode and in at least one other mixing mode. When in the dough mixing mode, the mixing impeller is driven at a continuous speed in the range of about 1,400 to about 1,600 rpm and preferably form about 1,400 rpm to about 1,550 rpm. When in the other mixing mode, the impeller is driven at a speed in excess of 1,600 rpm. The impeller has a blade assembly with an upper blade and a lower blade that are offset vertically and sloped toward one another to thereby slice a relatively wide swath of the dough ball during mixing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Conair Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Kubicko, Theodore B. Mulle, Asik Braginsky
  • Patent number: 6435515
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a seal assembly for installation on shafts of mixers for concrete, mortar and similar mixtures, of the type comprising sliding rings in oil bath, characterised in that it also comprises, on the side facing the inside of the mixing tank, an annular gasket preferably made of Vulkolan/adiprene, capable of preventing any risk of mixture leakage out of the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Officine Meccaniche Galletti O.M.G. - S.R.L.
    Inventor: Paolo Galletti
  • Patent number: 6431744
    Abstract: A blender hopper has a contiguous annular side wall with a larger upper portion, and a smaller lower portion. The upper portion is in the form of a square and the lower portion is in the form of an octagon and a bottom wall adjoins the lower portion. Four narrower triangular side walls extend upwardly and outwardly from the diagonal sides of the bottom wall and adjoin the four corners of the upper portion, respectively, and four wider truncated wedge-shaped walls extend upwardly and outwardly from the four orthogonal sides of the bottom wall with their wider ends adjoining the four sides of the upper portion, respectively, and inwardly protruding longitudinal rib is formed in each of the wider truncated wedge-shaped walls. A tubular dispensing conduit is secured in an aperture in one of the wider walls and a dispensing valve is connected to its outer end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Inventors: Fred L. Ash, William O. Ash, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6428199
    Abstract: A reactor for chemical reactions, especially polymerization reactions, and in particular a reactor for emulsion, suspension, solution, bulk and/or precipitation polymerizations, which has a stirring mechanism, incoming and outgoing lines and a removable lid, and where both the stirring mechanism and incoming and outgoing lines are installed on the reactor floor. The novel reactor is quick and easy to open and clean and permits simple and rapid changeover of the installed stirring elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Robert Rupaner, Sven Lawrenz, Gerhard Bauer
  • Patent number: 6418837
    Abstract: A kitchen appliance (1) having a container (10) and having a first cover configuration (21) for closing the container (12) advantageously also includes a second cover configuration (25) which can be placed onto the first cover configuration (21), as a result of which a hollow space (29) is formed with the aid of the two cover configurations (21, 25), which hollow space serves to and is adapted to accommodate accessories (31, 32) of the kitchen appliance (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Heimo Obersteiner
  • Patent number: 6412404
    Abstract: A juice maker comprises a jar and a tray at a bottom portion of the jar, the tray comprising an opening at one end, and is characterized in that: the jar comprising a recess at one side, a hole at a bottom portion close to the recess, an axle adjacent to the hole; the tray comprising an opening at one end and a sleeve at the other end opposing to the opening, the opposing end with respect to the opening of said tray is attached closely to the hole, thus, the tray may be pivoted into the recess of the jar when not in use, and the tray may be pivoted outwardly from the recess to drain the juice in the jar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Lundar Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tony Hsu
  • Publication number: 20020080678
    Abstract: A beverage mixer, smoothie maker or the like includes a container with a mixing assembly disposable on a base with a motor. A lid is disposable on the container and pivotally carries a stir stick that extends through an opening in the lid. The stir stick includes a ball portion to be pivotally disposable over the opening of the lid and to cooperate with the lid to cover the opening and to allow the ball portion to pivot in the opening. A spout can be coupled to the container to dispense contents, and can align with an alignment indentation in the base. A wall with an angled upper surface can be disposed adjacent the alignment indentation to abut and guide the spout to the alignment indentation. A cup indentation can be formed in the base under the alignment indentation to receive a cup under the spout.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Inventor: Thomas E. Daniels, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6409377
    Abstract: A vertical mixing device for fodder includes a mixing chamber comprising at least two adjacent vertical augers provided in longitudinal direction of the mixing chamber one behind the other at the bottom and between essentially upright walls. Both vertical augers can be driven with the same sense of rotation in order to convey the fodder upwardly. In the wedge areas between the rotational courses of both vertical augers distributor cones are situated at the walls. The surface of each distributor cone comprises guiding surfaces extending with differing steepness from a bottom sided base situated within one wedge area to a tip positioned at least close to the wall. Each distributor cone is inclined obliquely towards one of the vertical augers the sense of rotation of which is directed towards this distributor cone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Trioliet Mullos B.V.
    Inventor: Nicolaas Van Der Plas
  • Patent number: 6409376
    Abstract: A mixer apparatus is disclosed for mixing livestock feed and the like. The apparatus includes a container for the reception therein of the feed. The container includes a housing and a wall extending away from the housing. The wall defines an opening which is disposed remote from the housing for the reception therethrough of the feed. The arrangement is such that the housing and the wall define therebetween an enclosure for the feed received through the opening. An auger is disposed within the enclosure, the auger having an axis of rotation which extends through the housing. A final driven wheel is disposed within the housing, the final driven wheel being rotatable about the axis of rotation. The final driven wheel is drivingly connected to the auger so that when the final driven wheel is rotated within the housing, the auger is rotated therewith within the enclosure. The final driven wheel and the auger together as a unit are removable and replaceable relative to the housing and enclosure respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Inventor: William Knight
  • Publication number: 20020071343
    Abstract: A mixer apparatus is disclosed for mixing livestock feed and the like. The apparatus includes a container for the reception therein of the feed. The container includes a housing and a wall extending away from the housing. The wall defines an opening which is disposed remote from the housing for the reception therethrough of the feed. The arrangement is such that the housing and the wall define therebetween an enclosure for the feed received through the opening. An auger is disposed within the enclosure, the auger having an axis of rotation which extends through the housing. A final driven wheel is disposed within the housing, the final driven wheel being rotatable about the axis of rotation. The final driven wheel is drivingly connected to the auger so that when the final driven wheel is rotated within the housing, the auger is rotated therewith within the enclosure. The final driven wheel and the auger together as a unit are removable and replaceable relative to the housing and enclosure respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2001
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Inventors: Christopher Albright, Claude McFarlane, Ric Joranlien
  • Publication number: 20020071338
    Abstract: A mixer apparatus is disclosed for mixing livestock feed and the like. The apparatus includes a container for the reception therein of the feed. The container includes a housing and a wall extending away from the housing. The wall defines an opening which is disposed remote from the housing for the reception therethrough of the feed. The arrangement is such that the housing and the wall define therebetween an enclosure for the feed received through the opening. An auger is disposed within the enclosure, the auger having an axis of rotation which extends through the housing. A final driven wheel is disposed within the housing, the final driven wheel being rotatable about the axis of rotation. The final driven wheel is drivingly connected to the auger so that when the final driven wheel is rotated within the housing, the auger is rotated therewith within the enclosure. The final driven wheel and the auger together as a unit are removable and replaceable relative to the housing and enclosure respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2001
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Inventor: William S. Knight
  • Patent number: 6402365
    Abstract: A blender for home food preparation is improved by the incorporation of electronic motor control circuitry responsive to a microcontroller. The microcontroller includes memory for storage of data and programmed instructions. The programmed instructions permit a user to select from a plurality of blending speeds and define a pre-determined end time. Use of a pre-determined end time produces a two-speed blending cycle. The programmed instructions determine the length and energy level associated with each portion of the two-speed blending cycle. A user can stop the blending cycle at any time, with or without a pre-determined end time. Safety features include a pre-determined maximum motor run time, top jar load detector and auto shut down after a period of inactivity. The pre-determined end time from a previous blending cycle is stored in memory, allowing the microcontroller to reproduce the duration of the previous blending cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Kayue Electric Company Limited
    Inventor: Wai Hung Wong
  • Patent number: 6401599
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatic bread maker for home use, and particularly relates to methods of displaying during the bread making cycle. The automatic bread maker of the present invention comprises: a baking chamber with a heater, a baking pan disposed inside the baking chamber, a kneading blade disposed in the baking pan, a motor which drives the kneading blade, a controller which controls the heater and the motor, an input means for inputting cooking conditions, and a display which displays a time remaining before the time to add additional ingredients and the actual time to add the ingredients. The display shows the remaining time or the actual time to add the ingredients. Therefore, the user can clearly confirm when to add additional ingredients, and can prepare the ingredients accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshikatsu Maeda, Akihisa Nakano
  • Patent number: 6390665
    Abstract: A blender having a container with a motor and spinning blades at the bottom and plastic blades attached to prevent spillage, and an exit port with a control valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Inventor: Mike Silveria
  • Publication number: 20020044496
    Abstract: A food mixer which includes a container having an impeller adapted to be driven by drive means adjacent the lower surface of the container and which impeller is adapted both to cooperate with various mixing devices and to rotate in either the clockwise or anti-clockwise direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2001
    Publication date: April 18, 2002
    Applicant: Tilia International, Inc.
    Inventor: Anthony Charles Lawson
  • Patent number: 6354728
    Abstract: Device for producing a pourable product with a guide vane therein and method for using the device. The device includes a rotor chamber in which a rotor is arranged with a vertical rotor axis. The rotor has, at least in its radially outer third, the shape of a conical shell. Guide vanes for circulating starting materials or the product are arranged statically on an inner wall of the rotor chamber above the plane of the upper edge of the rotor. The guide vanes have, in cross section to the rotor axis, essentially the shape of a segment of a circle or spiral. The inner ends of the guide vanes lie approximately in the middle part of the rotor radius. The conical shell may have at least partially sheet-like gas passages in the form of perforations or screens. The device is used for producing pourable products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignees: Glatt Systemtechnik Dresden GmbH, Kws Saat AG
    Inventors: Frank Bretschneider, Bruno Peter, Jürgen Bruckner
  • Publication number: 20020021619
    Abstract: A vertical mixing device for fodder includes a mixing chamber comprising at least two adjacent vertical augers provided in longitudinal direction of the mixing chamber one behind the other at the bottom and between essentially upright walls. Both vertical augers can be driven with the same sense of rotation in order to convey the fodder upwardly. In the wedge areas between the rotational courses of both vertical augers distributor cones are situated at the walls. The surface of each distributor cone comprises guiding surfaces extending with differing steepness from a bottom sided base situated within one wedge area to a tip positioned at least close to the wall. Each distributor cone is inclined obliquely towards one of the vertical augers the sense of rotation of which is directed towards this distributor cone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Publication date: February 21, 2002
    Applicant: TRIOLIET MULLOS B.V.
    Inventor: Nicolaas Van Der Plas
  • Patent number: 6338569
    Abstract: A food blending apparatus and a method of blending food within a container (30) with the object of providing a hygienic system whereby disposable containers are charged with product at a location remote from consumption. After filling with ingredients the container is sealed and then cooled. Containers include an integral blender (35) which when connected to a drive enable the product to be blended at the point of consumption after location in driving connection with the drive means. Product is accessed through a sealed opening (31) of the container after opening the seal. After consumption the container is disposed of and is constructed to make disposal economical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Inventor: Shane R. McGill
  • Patent number: 6328465
    Abstract: A vertical feed mixer has an auger with a center post that has an inclined upper surface that is substantially flat. Flights of varying shapes can be used. The upper part of the flight extends above the upper surface. The inclined upper surface increases the versatility and efficiency of the mixer since feed bales are unlikely to block the mixer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Jay-Lor Fabricating Inc.
    Inventor: Jacob R. Tamminga
  • Publication number: 20010046183
    Abstract: A food mixer which includes a container having an impeller adapted to be driven by drive means adjacent the lower surface of the container and which impeller is adapted both to cooperate with various mixing devices and to rotate in either the clockwise or anti-clockwise direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2001
    Publication date: November 29, 2001
    Inventor: Anthony Charles Lawson
  • Patent number: 6322241
    Abstract: A material vacuum stirring and dispersing device includes a closed container for stirring solid and liquid under vacuum condition, making it possible to stir materials evenly, without forming material balls to enhance the quality of the mixture. The device further includes a material feeder positioned on the closed container for feeding solid or powder materials evenly into the closed container in which is placed the liquid, and a stirring member having a straight shaft extending out and in the closed container with a plurality of stirring leaves fixed on a lower end of the straight shaft in the container. The straight shaft is rotated by a rotating device placed outside of the closed container and is movable up and down as well so as to make the stirring leaves rotate and also move and down to stir completely the solid with the liquid in the closed container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Inventors: Shen-An Hsu, Cheng-Hui Chen, Bor-Jhy Chen
  • Publication number: 20010038573
    Abstract: A mixer apparatus is disclosed for mixing livestock feed and the like. The apparatus includes a container for the reception therein of the feed. The container includes a housing and a wall extending away from the housing. The wall defines an opening which is disposed remote from the housing for the reception therethrough of the feed. The arrangement is such that the housing and the wall define therebetween an enclosure for the feed received through the opening. An auger is disposed within the enclosure, the auger having an axis of rotation which extends through the housing. The mixer apparatus further includes a further auger which is disposed within the enclosure, the further auger having a rotational axis disposed approximately parallel and spaced from the axis of rotation of the auger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2001
    Publication date: November 8, 2001
    Inventor: William S. Knight
  • Patent number: 6312246
    Abstract: Apparatus to produce pasta used in particular, but not exclusively, in the domestic field, comprising a box-like structure (11), a mixing assembly (12) and an extrusion assembly (13), the mixing assembly (12) comprising a receptacle (16) inside which a mixing organ (18) is commanded to rotate and the extrusion assembly comprising at least a feeding screw (32) and an interchangeable extruder (31), the mixing assembly (12) and the extrusion assembly (13) being assembled in a removable manner on the box-like structure (11), the mixing assembly (12) being equipped with an outlet aperture (26) suitable to couple in an air-tight manner with an inlet aperture (28) of the extrusion assembly (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Simac-Vetrella SpA
    Inventor: Silvano Pozzobon
  • Publication number: 20010036124
    Abstract: A drinking container cup, such as for coffee, tea soup or the like, having an interior and an exterior surface, said container having an integrated powered stirring device extending from the interior surface of the bottom section of the housing and driven by a small battery powered motor located in the bottom section of the housing. The bottom section and integrated stirring device are fitted with inside thread for screwing to the container and may be removed for separate cleaning or simply left in place, adding soap and turning on the stirring device. A removable lid which mechanically engages the top of the container is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2001
    Publication date: November 1, 2001
    Inventor: Scott Rubenstein
  • Patent number: 6298776
    Abstract: A turning device for food processors that include a rotatable cutter to cut foodstuffs to be processed. A stationary container is fitted with a lid, and a tubular member extends upwardly from the container bottom through which a driven shaft extends. The cutter is mounted on the shaft and includes a sleeve-like central part and radially-outwardly-extending cutting knives. The turning device includes at least a pair of strips that extend axially from a tubular holder that is adapted to fit over the central part of the cutter. In use, the turning device is disposed over the central part of the cutter with the holder positioned above the strips. The turning device extends longitudinally relative to the cutter to cover essentially the whole of the central part of the cutter above the position of the cutting knives, and it is stationary relative to the container during operation of the food processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: AB Hällde Maskiner
    Inventor: Ulf Ekström
  • Patent number: 6299085
    Abstract: A cutting device for food processors wherein the processor is a cutting machine for cutting or chopping raw foodstuffs. The machine includes a container. A cutting device that includes a central sleeve-like part is non-rotatably fitted to a driven shaft and carries a cutting tool at its lower end, the cutting tool including knives that extend radially outwards from the sleeve. The cutting device includes a first pair of knives with respective knives extending radially from opposite sides of the central part close to the bottom of the central part. At least one second knife projects radially outwards from the central part higher up from the bottom of the central part than the first pair of knives. The second knife has a shorter bade than the knives of the first pair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: AB Hällde Maskiner
    Inventor: Ulf Ekström
  • Publication number: 20010022139
    Abstract: A food processor that is operable in a dough mixing mode and in at least one other mixing mode. When in the dough mixing mode, the mixing impeller is driven at a continuous speed in the range of about 1,400 to about 1,600 rpm and preferably form about 1,400 rpm to about 1,550 rpm. When i8n the other mixing mode, the impeller is driven at a speed in excess of 1,600 rpm. The impeller has a blade assembly with an upper blade and a lower blade that are offset vertically and sloped toward one another to thereby slice a relatively wide swath of the dough ball during mixing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 1999
    Publication date: September 20, 2001
    Inventors: ROBERT KUBICKO, THEODORE B. MULLE, ASIK BRAGINSKY
  • Patent number: 6289793
    Abstract: A cooking appliance that facilitates preparation of dry packaged foods includes a base and a removable pot on the base. The base is adapted to rest upon a horizontal countertop surface as a support for other components of the cooking appliance. The base includes an electric line adapted to be plugged into a source of household electricity and an electric motor connected to the electric line. The pot is adapted to be placed removably upon the base for food preparation purposes and to be used apart from the base as a serving dish. An electric heating element is included for heating the pot when the pot is on the base using electric power from the electric line. A stirring mechanism on the pot is adapted to connect to the motor when the pot is placed on the base and to stir packaged foods within the pot using rotational power from the electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Tsann Kuen USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael G. Hu, Simon Ming-Jen Huang
  • Patent number: 6283625
    Abstract: The invention includes an apparatus to automatically heat and froth milk for beverages. The apparatus includes a container, a lower paddle group and upper paddle group located above the container bottom. Each paddle group includes at least two paddles. The lower paddle group is adapted to rotate in a direction that is counter to the rotation of the upper paddle group. The apparatus further includes a heater disposed firmly against and below the container bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Inventors: Stephen W. Frankel, Robert M. Fey
  • Patent number: 6267049
    Abstract: Apparatus to produce ice-cream or similar cold products, comprising a cooling container, a cooling device arranged around the cooling chamber and an ice-cream making receptacle, inside the receptacle there being included a rotating whisk associated with a driven shaft, the cooling device comprising a vertical aperture, the cooling device being able to selectively assume a first widened position, or a second closed position, there being included an opening device to cooperate with the cooling device to take them selectively from the second to the first positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignee: Simac-Vetrella SpA
    Inventor: PozzoBon Silvano
  • Publication number: 20010006486
    Abstract: A safety device for a mixer comprising a container with a bottom and at least one side wall, an inlet opening arranged at the upper part of the container, and a shaft extending through the bottom to drive at least one tool, such as one or several knifes, arranged near the bottom. The shaft has a connecting element extending into the container and being arranged to drive a removable follower which supports the tool, the follower being supported by a cover part arranged at a distance from said bottom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2001
    Publication date: July 5, 2001
    Applicant: Aktiebolaget Electrolux
    Inventor: Donald Ofverberg
  • Publication number: 20010002892
    Abstract: A magnetic induction drive for a rotatable driven member in a sealed housing, in particular, a shaft-mounted blade in a blender cup, uses a comparatively thin circular plate of a magnetizable material with circumferentially arrayed poles secured within the housing to the shaft. A brushless d.c. motor in a base separate from the housing has a rotor formed as an array of pie-shaped permanent magnet regions that interact with an electronically controlled, rotating electromagnetic field produced by a ring of stator coils. A second such permanent magnet is coupled to rotate coaxially and in unison with the rotor, with poles of opposite polarity aligned and adjacent one another. A steel disc is sandwiched between and bonded to the rotor and the second permanent magnet. The magnetic field (lines of flux) of the second magnet extends axially away from the rotor to induce magnetic poles of opposite polarity in the drive plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2001
    Publication date: June 7, 2001
    Applicant: Island Oasis Frozen Cocktail Co., Inc.
    Inventors: John F. Karkos, John Micheli
  • Publication number: 20010002891
    Abstract: The invention relates to an automatic beverage frother. The beverage frother includes a lower housing assembly having a motor coupled to a gear train. The gear train may be removeably coupled to an upper paddle group and a lower paddle group disposed within a container. Each paddle group rotates about the longitudinal axis of the container in opposite directions. Within each paddle group is at least one paddle where each paddle is formed of a frame having mesh disposed within the frame. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 1999
    Publication date: June 7, 2001
    Applicant: STEPHEN W. FRANKEL
    Inventors: STEPHEN W. FRANKEL, ROBERT M. FEY
  • Patent number: 6227698
    Abstract: An apparatus for processing dispersions of solids in a fatty phase has at least two parts (1, 4) which can be driven with the aid of at least one drive and caused to rotate relative to one another, form a processing gap (6, g1, g2, g1′, g2′) between one another and are mounted relative to one another by means of at least one rotary bearing (2 or 3). One part is in the form of processing container (1) having at least one feed orifice (9) and at least one outflow orifice (11). The other part (4) is arranged essentially concentrically with the first part (1) and with the axis of rotation (A). At least one of the two parts (1 or 4) is provided with shearing tools (7, 8) on the surfaces (12, 16) facing one another. The processing container (1) is essentially conical, the cone having its smaller end face on the side of the feed orifice (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Richard Frisse GmbH
    Inventor: Kurt Müntener
  • Patent number: 6223652
    Abstract: The invention relates to a kitchen appliance comprising a container and a housing accommodating an electric motor. The container comprises a bottom, a removable lid, and a bearing for supporting a tool which is drivable in the container by the motor. A filter can be placed in the container around the tool and can be filled with ingredients such as fruits or vegetables. After activation of the tool, liquids and juices are obtained from these ingredients which pass through strainer openings of the filter. According to the invention, the filter is held in a fixed position in the container during operation in that the filter is locked in between the bottom and the lid of the container. In a first embodiment of the kitchen appliance, the filter is locked in between the bottom and the lid of the container in that the filter has a length which substantially corresponds to a distance between the bottom and the lid of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Edgard G. Calia, Henk S. De Jong
  • Patent number: 6217209
    Abstract: A material processor having an enclosure with an ingress to receive material into the enclosure, and a discharge to remove material from the enclosure. A spindle is located in the enclosure, has a longitudinal spindle axis, and is rotatable about the spindle axis. A drive is operatively connected with the spindle to rotate the spindle about the spindle axis. A centrifugal sieve is located in the enclosure and coupled with the spindle. The ingress feeds material into the sieve. A conveyor is connected with the discharge to transfer material from the enclosure. The conveyor further has a generally cylindrical tube with a tube diameter, two opposing ends, and a tube axis extending through the ends. A helical blade extends along the tube axis between the two ends and is rotated about the tube axis. More particularly, the helical blade may have a series of blade tips that are spaced along the tube axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Inventors: Ernst R. Muller, Michael R. Muller, Steve J. Cencich
  • Patent number: 6210033
    Abstract: A magnetic induction drive for a rotatable driven member in a sealed housing, in particular, a shaft-mounted blade in a blender cup, uses a comparatively thin circular plate of a magnetizable material with circumferentially arrayed poles secured within the housing to the shaft. A brushless d.c. motor in a base separate from the housing has a rotor formed as an array of pie-shaped permanent magnet regions that interact with an electronically controlled, rotating electromagnetic field produced by a ring of stator coils. A second such permanent magnet is coupled to rotate coaxially and in unison with the rotor, with poles of opposite polarity aligned and adjacent one another. A steel disc is sandwiched between and bonded to the rotor and the second permanent magnet. The magnetic field (lines of flux) of the second magnet extends axially away from the rotor to induce magnetic poles of opposite polarity in the drive plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Island Oasis Frozen Cocktail Co., Inc.
    Inventors: John F. Karkos, Jr., John Micheli