Abstract: Disclosed is a blender including a noise blocking device. The blender includes: a container receiving food therein and having a processing member in which a processing member for processing food accommodated in the container is rotatably mounted thereon; a handle connected to the container; a body configured to allow the container to be mounted on an upper side thereof and receiving a drive device for supplying drive force for rotation of the processing member; and a noise blocking device connected to the body to define a closed space for receiving the container, wherein the handle is disposed outside the noise blocking device. The blender has a compact and simple structure, and provides user convenience. The noise blocking device of the blender can have an improved noise blocking effect.

Abstract: An adapter for a dispensing container in a planetary mixer and an adaptor and dispensing container combination are provided. The container has a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis and includes a removable cap having a first width dimension measured along the transverse axis, an enlarged container part spaced apart from the cap, the enlarged container part having a second width dimension measured along the transverse axis, and a narrowed container section between the cap and the enlarged container part. The adapter includes a cavity defining a passageway configured for receiving the narrowed container section, the passageway having a transverse dimension that is less than the first dimension.

Abstract: A hinged lid, for covering a container having an open top defined by an upper rim, comprises a substantially transparent pair of sections hingedly connected to one another along an axis about which at least one of the sections may pivot between closed and open positions. The sections further have respective peripheral portions with corresponding flat lower sides, which are substantially coplanar with one another in said closed position, thereby being engageable with the rim of the container so as to accommodate various sizes thereof and protect food in the container from flies or other contamination. According to one aspect of the invention, the pivotable section can have a notch with flexible bristles associated therewith to accommodate a serving utensil while also minimizing contamination of food in the container. According to another aspect, the invention can further include a strap for removably securing the other section to the container.

Abstract: A pouring shield for a stand mixer includes an upper collar for mounting to a mixer head of the stand mixer in a friction-fit manner without the need for clamps or other mounting accessories. The stand mixer is configured to receive a mixing bowl with an open top, and the pouring shield is configured to cover the open top of the mixing bowl at an upper rim of the mixing bowl using a seal member which is disposed around an outer perimeter of the pouring shield. The seal member is a flexibly resilient member configured to close the open top of the mixing bowl when the stand mixer is in a closed position, and includes a wide surface for accommodating mixing bowls of various sizes.

Abstract: A tablet feeder comprises a device body, a plurality of tablet cassettes disposed on one face of the device body 1 in a vertical direction, each tablet cassette accommodating a plurality of tablets by kind, and a plurality of chutes disposed on one face of the device body 1 in a vertical direction and shifted in a horizontal direction, the chutes temporarily storing the tablets dispensed from the tablet cassette and having the dispensing portion at the downward portion thereof, the dispensing portion being capable of dispensing the tablets to a bottomed cylindrical tablet container.

Abstract: A see-through and stir-through lid is provided for cookware. The lid includes a transparent main body having an outer periphery. An access port extends through the main body with a splatter guard secured within the access port. The splatter guard has a self-regulating opening of variable size allowing passage of a working end of a cooking utensil through the opening in the splatter guard while minimizing size of the opening about a shaft of the cooking utensil. A support structure supports a cooking utensil atop the lid with the working end resting above the splatter guard so that liquid and/or food residue may drain through the opening in the splatter guard into the cookware.

Abstract: A beverage mixing system includes a housing, a sealing feature, a locking feature, and an agitator. The housing has an opening separating inner and outer surfaces and a boss that extends through the housing such that part of the outer surface forms an inner bore of the boss having a terminus pointing toward the opening. The agitator has a base, a shaft, and a mixing element coupled to the base such that the base, in cooperation with the sealing feature, circumferentially seals the opening of the housing to form a cavity defined by the inner surface. The shaft passes through the inner bore. The locking feature when engaged permits independent or simultaneous translational and rotational movement of the shaft while an area between the terminus of the boss and the shaft remains mechanically sealed during the movement against liquid or powder encroachment into a clean area of the inner bore.

Abstract: A stand mixer (10) capable of subjecting ingredients in a bowl (60) to a planetary mixing action, and which is also provided with the capability of heating the ingredients, is further provided with a guarding device (70, 80) to reduce unwanted egress of steam and/or to prevent ingredients being ejected from the bowl (60). The guarding device comprises a first component (70) which is removably attachable to the stand mixer (10) in the vicinity of its planetary drive outlet (44) and a second component (80) which is removably attachable to the first component (70) and also to the bowl (60). The first component (70) is shaped and configured to shield part of the stand mixer (10) from heat and the second component (80) is designed to resist unwanted egress of steam and/or to prevent ingredients being ejected from the bowl.

Abstract: A beverage mixing system includes a housing, a sealing feature, a locking feature, and an agitator. The housing has an opening separating inner and outer surfaces and a boss that extends through the housing such that part of the outer surface forms an inner bore of the boss having a terminus pointing toward the opening. The agitator has a base, a shaft, and a mixing element coupled to the base such that the base, in cooperation with the sealing feature, circumferentially seals the opening of the housing to form a cavity defined by the inner surface. The shaft passes through the inner bore. The locking feature when engaged permits independent or simultaneous translational and rotational movement of the shaft while an area between the terminus of the boss and the shaft remains mechanically sealed during the movement against liquid or powder encroachment into a clean area of the inner bore.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture provide for resuspending and/or collecting blood and/or other types of cells in solution. In one embodiment, cells may be recovered from used surgical sponges and/or other types of surgical articles.

Abstract: A lid and a jug for a blender. The lid and jug cooperate, wherein the lid is a relatively tight fitting polymeric lid having an outer edge and an upper surface. A pull tab being integral with the lid. The pull tab forms a ring above the upper surface of the lid that defines an at least finger-sized opening located adjacent to the outer edge of the lid, the opening having a central axis of symmetry that is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the jug.

Abstract: The invention relates to a lid, particularly having a beverage cup. The lid of a beverage cup, particularly for a single use as a beverage cup, has at least one stirrer. The lid includes a main lid part, a rotary disk, and a rotor. The rotary disk and the stirrer are integrally formed in the assembled state. The main lid part is present between the rotary disk and the stirrer, preferably in a parallel alignment.

Abstract: A device for preparing drinks, in particular, cooled drinks. Also disclosed is a multi-way coupling for use in a device for cooling drinks and a method for cleaning a device for preparing drinks.

Abstract: A lid (2) for closing a container (4) of liquid, the lid being provided with a spindle passageway (20) enabling an elongate body (30) of a stirrer member (3) for stirring the liquid to pass through the lid (2), which elongate body is designed to be mounted to rotate in the spindle passageway (20), the spindle passageway including a portion (23) for receiving the elongate body (30) and designed to allow the elongate body (30) of the stirrer member (3) to pass through it, and a portion (21) for receiving a seal (1), which portion has an inside diameter greater than the inside diameter of the portion (23) for receiving the elongate body (30) and receives an annular seal (1) designed to allow the elongate body of the stirrer member to pass through it. The inside peripheral face of the annular seal (1) is provided with a helical lip (120).

Abstract: A unitary cover is adapted for use with a tubular container having an open end with a cylindrical connecting bead at the open end. The unitary cover comprises a central circular wall. An annular flange is at a periphery of the central circular wall comprising a downwardly opening U-shaped channel receivable on the cylindrical connecting bead. A bung opening is provided through the central circular wall. A rib network depends downwardly from the central circular wall surrounding the bung opening.

Abstract: A cooling stick for a blender includes a cylindrical member designed to fit tightly through a circular aperture extending through the blender lid. The member has a lower portion and an upper portion with a surrounding rim of a diameter larger than the circular aperture. The lower portion has a lower end sized and shaped to avoid contact with the blender blade assembly. The cylindrical member has an interior chamber, an opening extending from an exterior of the member to the chamber and means for sealing the opening. A cooling fluid is located within the interior chamber. The fluid is cooled or frozen when the cooling stick is located in a cooling environment. When the chilled cooling stick is mounted to the lid of the blender, the cooling stick will cool contents of the blender when the blender is operated. The cooling stick also cools the blender contents after operation.

Abstract: An easily cleanable horizontal mixer (10) includes a mixing bowl (18), a roof (22) configured to close an upper opening of the mixing bowl, and a material feed tube (24) provided on the roof and communicated with a material feed port formed in the roof. A rotatable lid (26) is disposed in the material feed tube. The lid has an inner surface (26a) that can be set flush with an inner surface (22a) of the roof. The mixing bowl has a scraper member (32) provided at an upper end (16b) of the mixing bowl defining the upper opening. The scraper member slides on the inner surface of the roof when the mixing bowl is rotated from a mixing operation position to a non-mixing operation position.

Abstract: A storage container is provided, which includes carbon dioxide containing a functional material and a container body in which carbon dioxide has been hermetically contained. Accordingly, a method for molding a resin, a method for forming a plating film, and the storage container for carbon dioxide, which are excellent in the mass productively at low cost, are provided without using any special high pressure apparatus for producing a supercritical fluid.

Abstract: A mixing machine includes a mixer body including a head portion that extends over a bowl receiving location. An output member extends downward from the head portion toward the bowl receiving location. A drive system is linked to the output member for effecting planetary rotation of the output member. A bowl guard support is at an underside of the head portion. The bowl guard support provides a circular support path in the form of a groove extending about a periphery of the bowl guard support. A bowl guard assembly includes a housing member and a catch member extending from a surface of the housing member. The catch member is received within the groove to maintain a vertical position of the bowl guard assembly while permitting rotation of the bowl guard assembly. The catch member is movable relative to the housing member and is biased into the groove to seat therein.

Abstract: The invention concerns a lid (2) comprising a skirt (3) for covering the opening of a can (1), in particular a paint can. The invention is characterized in that the skirt (3) comprises a peripheral edge (30), at least one stud (71) formed in the edge (30) and elastically coupled to said edge (30), at least one lock (72) mounted sliding on said edge such that said lock may take up a locking position wherein said lock is adapted to retain said stud in a position for engaging the lid on the can.

Abstract: An enclosure for a blender includes a body portion and a cover. The cover is hingedly attached to the body portion. The body portion of the enclosure includes a metallic foot that mates with the base member of the blender. The base member may include at least one magnet that secures the foot, and therefore body portion, in position by the magnetic force acting upon the foot. A gasket is provided between the foot of the body portion and the base member to completely isolate the enclosure from the base member, and to reduce vibrations in the enclosure during operation of the blender. The body portion of the enclosure may also include gasket strips to seal the enclosure when the cover is closed.

Abstract: Device and method for mixing bone cement, for injection into vertebra in particular, comprising a mixing beaker (1), manual stirring rod (6) and a cover (2), which fits in said mixing beaker (1) with a perfect fit, and the lowermost point of which features an extraction hollow cone (3) in which an extraction syringe for extraction by suction of bone cement mixed in said mixing beaker (1) is provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for making, storing, and transporting frozen confections includes a first housing member. A second housing member fits within such first housing member. A mixing member is engageable within such second housing member for mixing predetermined ingredients. A first lid member having an aperture disposed therethrough for receiving a first predetermined end of such mixing member releasably covers such second housing. A motor, connectable to at least one of such first housing member, such second housing member, such first lid member, such mixing member, and a combination thereof, enables at least one of such second housing member and such mixing member to rotate such that such predetermined ingredients are mixed. A securing mechanism secures such motor member to such apparatus. A power source is operably connected to such motor.

Abstract: A cooling stick for a blender includes a cylindrical member designed to fit tightly through a circular aperture extending through the blender lid. The member has a lower portion and an upper portion with a surrounding rim of a diameter larger than the circular aperture. The lower portion has a lower end sized and shaped to avoid contact with the blender blade assembly. The cylindrical member has an interior chamber, an opening extending from an exterior of the member to the chamber and means for sealing the opening. A cooling fluid is located within the interior chamber. The fluid is cooled or frozen when the cooling stick is located in a cooling environment. When the chilled cooling stick is mounted to the lid of the blender, the cooling stick will cool contents of the blender when the blender is operated. The cooling stick also cools the blender contents after operation.

Abstract: A covering structure of a mixer includes: a fixed ring connected to the head of a mixer; an upper ring; and a lower ring. The fixed ring is further surrounded by a protruding ring. The upper ring has a striding part on its inner wall to stride on the protruding ring. The upper ring further has at least two stopping parts at an interval. A concave part is formed between each pair of consecutive stopping parts. One end of the lower ring is formed with connecting parts whose number is the same as that of the stopping parts. Its other end is connected downward with a covering element. The connecting parts of the lower ring are inserted via the concave parts on the upper ring and above them. By rotating the lower ring, the connecting parts urge against the stopping parts to form a rotating ring that can rotate along the protruding ring.

Abstract: The open top of a blender container (11) is closed by a cover (10). The cover (10) is provided with an internal vane (25) which extends downwardly from the top wall (17) of the cover (10) and inwardly from the sidewall (16) of the cover (10). The vane (25) disrupts any turbulence which might be created by a fluid being mixed in the container (10).

Abstract: The invention provides mixing apparatus which has a container base and a container lid with the lid carrying mixing means extending through the lid with at one end a mixing element and at the other end a drive connection to a drive motor. When the drive is operated the mixing element mixes the contents of the container, usually when the container inverted. The lid has a rim portion with a circumferential slot and the top edge of the container is located into the slot when the lid is assembled with the container whereby to improve connection between the lid and the container during mixing. The lid within the rim portion carries the mixing means and, during mixing, the assembly is held to lock the assembly together.

Abstract: A mounting and coupling assembly for a mixer for in a container having an impeller connected to a drive shaft, in an assembly, which extends through an opening into the container. The assembly includes a lip mount to stabilize and support the mixer on the lip of said container. A cover secures said lip mount with threaded fasteners engaging complementary fasteners on the container neck and clamping the plate to the container lip. A primary objective of the invention is to allow the stable mounting of a mixing unit to bulk containers and allow easy and safe coupling of a power module to the mixing assembly.

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: An enclosure for a blender including a body portion adapted to be secured to a base, and a cover pivotally attached to the body portion. The body portion includes sidewalls, a back wall, and an abbreviated top wall. The cover includes sidewalls, a front wall, a top wall, and an abbreviated back wall. A flange extends outwardly from the sidewalls and the top wall of the body portion and a gasket is provided thereon to create a seal between the cover and the body portion of the enclosure.

Abstract: An easily cleanable horizontal mixer. This horizontal mixer (10) includes a mixing bowl (18) having an upper opening, a material feed port (20), a roof (22) configured so as to close the upper opening, a material feed tube (24) attached to the roof and extending upwardly from a periphery of the material feed port to define a material feed passage extending through the material feed port, and the lid (26) disposed in the material feed tube. The mixing bowl has a bottom wall (14), a peripheral wall (16) extending from the periphery of the bottom wall to the upper opening, and a scraper plate (32) at an upper end (16b) of the peripheral wall. The lid has an inner surface (26a) that is, at a position to close the material feed port, brought into a position where the inner surface is flush with an inner surface (22a) of the roof.

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: The open top of a blender container (11) is closed by a cover (12). The cover (12) has an opening (25) therein so that items to be mixed in the blender container (11) by a rotatable blade (19) positioned therein can be introduced while the blade (19) is rotating. A plug (26) is carried by a strap (27) which is integrally formed with the cover so that the opening (25) can be readily closed by the plug (26). The opening (25) is sized so that human access to the blade (19) cannot be gained.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for administering micro-ingredient feed additives wherein controlled access is provided to the bins or containers that store the micro-ingredients prior to delivery thereby preventing inadvertent errors in adding incorrect micro-ingredients to a feed ration as well as to provide a measure of security to prevent tampering with the micro-ingredients in the bins. A micro-ingredient delivery system typically includes a plurality of bins that store designated micro-ingredients therein. Each bin may have a locking device thereby restricting access to the bin, along with a switch indicating whether the bin access cover is open or closed. A master controller of the delivery system provides signals to lock or unlock the locking devices based upon authorizations provided to access the bins in accordance with the particular operating parameters and requirements of the delivery system.

Abstract: The agitating device is a moveable safety grate designed mainly for use in grain and material handling bins. The grate creates a safe and easy way to break up any lumps created in the grain or material during storage which would impede the flow to the grain sump. The safety bars may comprise width adjustable safety bars which are mounted on rails to move and reciprocate freely at the central opening of the grain sump in the bin floor. The grate can be moved via a rod protruding to the exterior of the bin, or by an optional air cylinder with air lines running to controls on the exterior of the bin. To aid in breaking up of lumps, the grate may also be equipped with a collapsible metal slat which is attached to the sliding grate and can be collapsed when the bin sweep is in use.

Abstract: A lid that is removably mountable to an upper open end of a jar of a mixing device includes a generally circular base having a top surface and a opposing bottom surface. A pour spout extends generally vertically upwardly from the base when the lid is mounted to the upper end of the jar. The pour spout has a crisp edge for pouring foodstuff when the lid is mounted to the jar. Further, the lid includes a channel that generally surrounds the pour spout to collect errant drips of foodstuff when the lid is mounted to the jar and when foodstuff is poured through the pour spout.

Abstract: An insulator for a drum of a concrete truck is provided. Because temperature is a factor in the time in which concrete cures, thermal conditions during transport are of paramount concern. There have been efforts to alleviate this problem by providing insulating blankets that control temperature better. However, until now, a durable system that effectively insulates concrete while in transport has not been available. Furthermore, construction of an insulating system large enough to cover a concrete mixer gives rise to numerous fabrication difficulties. With the introduction of a polyethylene foam interposed between truck tarp material, a convenient system that is easily coupled and decoupled from a truck is available that is both durable and cost effective.

Abstract: A covering structure of a mixer includes: a fixed ring connected to the head of a mixer; an upper ring; and a lower ring. The fixed ring is further surrounded by a protruding ring. The upper ring has a striding part on its inner wall to stride on the protruding ring. The upper ring further has at least two stopping parts at an interval. A concave part is formed between each pair of consecutive stopping parts. One end of the lower ring is formed with connecting parts whose number is the same as that of the stopping parts. Its other end is connected downward with a covering element. The connecting parts of the lower ring are inserted via the concave parts on the upper ring and above them. By rotating the lower ring, the connecting parts urge against the stopping parts to form a rotating ring that can rotate along the protruding ring.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for administering micro-ingredient feed additives wherein controlled access is provided to the bins or containers that store the micro-ingredients prior to delivery thereby preventing inadvertent errors in adding incorrect micro-ingredients to a feed ration as well as to provide a measure of security to prevent tampering with the micro-ingredients in the bins. A micro-ingredient delivery system typically includes a plurality of bins that store designated micro-ingredients therein. Each bin may have a locking device thereby restricting access to the bin, along with a switch indicating whether the bin access cover is open or closed. A master controller of the delivery system provides signals to lock or unlock the locking devices based upon authorizations provided to access the bins in accordance with the particular operating parameters and requirements of the delivery system.

Abstract: The open top of a blender container (11) is closed by a cover (10). The cover (10) is provided with an internal vane (25) which extends downwardly from the top wall (17) of the cover (10) and inwardly from the sidewall (16) of the cover (10). The vane (25) disrupts any turbulence which might be created by a fluid being mixed in the container (10).

Abstract: A food processing assembly (20) includes a base member (21), a container (22) and a cover (23). The base member (21) has a platform portion (26) adapted to carry the container (22) and a housing portion (25) for a motor. A wall (29) of the housing (25) has a plurality of air inlet slots (35) and a gutter (37) protects the slots (35) from receiving any liquid which might be on the base member (21). The container (22) has a sidewall (52) with an open top that has a peripheral rim (57). A cover (23) includes a tab assembly (73) that has a notch (70) to receive the rim (57). The vertical lifting of a handle portion (77) of the tab assembly (73) removes the cover (23) from the container (22). A spout (61) and a handle (60) are formed near the top of the container (22). A heat shield (62) includes a body portion (63) which is attached to the sidewall (52) at a location under the spout (61), and it also includes a flap (62).

Abstract: An enclosure for a food processor includes a body portion and a cover. The cover is hingedly attached to the body portion. The body portion of the enclosure includes a metallic foot that mates with the base member of the food processor. The base member may include at least one magnet that secures the foot, and therefore body portion, in position by the magnetic force acting upon the foot. A gasket is provided between the foot of the body portion and the base member to completely isolate the enclosure from the base member, and to reduce vibrations in the enclosure during operation of the food processor. The body portion of the enclosure may also include gasket strips to seal the enclosure when the cover is closed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a stirrer tool that includes a head component having a first body portion and a second body portion connected to the first body portion with a first plurality of projections extending substantially radially out from and substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of a body portion. Head component may also have a second plurality of projections extending in a substantially distal direction away from a distal end of the body portion, and all of the projections may be made of a substantially stiff material that is flexible enough to be bent to fit through an opening in a container that is smaller in diameter than a diameter of the head component and stiff enough to mix viscous products.

Abstract: The present application describes a method for rinsing a splash shield with water or a sanitizing solution. According to the disclosed method, a vessel containing contents to be mixed is positioned in a mixing machine, and a splash shield is positioned to shield 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: An enclosure (10) includes a base member (13), a body portion (12) and a cover (11) pivotally attached to the base portion (12) by a hinge assembly (25). The body portion (12) is attached to the base member (13) by a magnet assembly (35). The magnet assembly (35) includes magnets (36) positioned in pockets (20) formed in a wall (15) of the base member (13), and a metallic strip (37) held in a wall (28) of the body portion (12) by a plate (38). The body portion (12) is also provided with lugs (34) to be received in openings (19) in the base member (13).

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: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a stirrer tool that includes a head component having a first plurality of projections extending substantially radially out from and substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of a body portion. Head component may also have a second plurality of projections extending in a substantially distal direction away from a distal end of the body portion, and all of the projections may be made of a substantially stiff material that is flexible enough to be bent to fit through an opening in a container that is smaller in diameter than a diameter of the head component and stiff enough to mix viscous products. The projections may further be capable of being shortened by cutting off a selected length of the projections. The first plurality of projections may be configured to create a vortex mixing action and the second plurality of projections may be configured to reach and stir up sediment on bottoms and in corners of containers.

Abstract: In a method of cleaning a rotary mixing device having a mixer portion and a driving shaft, a shield is located over at least the mixer portion. The mixing device is rotated, expelling material clinging to or trapped by the mixing portion, such as paint, from the mixer portion of the mixing device. This material is blocked or caught by the shield. In one embodiment, the shield is cylindrical in shape and has a base with an opening through which the shaft of the mixing device may extend, and an open second end leading to an interior area for containing the mixer portion of the mixing device.

Abstract: An enclosure for a blender includes a body portion and a cover. The cover is hingedly attached to the body portion. The body portion of the enclosure includes a metallic foot that mates with the base member of the blender. The base member may include at least one magnet that secures the foot, and therefore body portion, in position by the magnetic force acting upon the foot. A gasket is provided between the foot of the body portion and the base member to completely isolate the enclosure from the base member, and to reduce vibrations in the enclosure during operation of the blender. The body portion of the enclosure may also include gasket strips to seal the enclosure when the cover is closed.