Abstract: A control circuit for a blender provides low-cost power conditioning through the use of a high resistance which provides temporary power for operation of low-voltage logic circuitry and low-voltage switches for a time sufficient to switch the motor on, and a lower resistance which provides sufficient power for maintaining the motor on state indefinitely as instructed by the low-voltage logic circuitry. Low average power dissipation is provided by powering the low-voltage logic circuitry and low-voltage switches using the high resistance in a standby mode and switching in the lower resistance only when the motor is activated.

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

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

Abstract: An improved, dual-shaft preconditioner (10, 70) is provided having independent drive mechanism (18, 20, 78, 80) operatively coupled with a corresponding preconditioner shaft (14, 16, 74, 76) and permitting selective rotation of the shafts (14, 16, 74, 76) at rotational speeds and directions independent of each other. The mechanisms (18, 20, 78, 80) are operatively coupled with a digital controller (60) to allow rotational speed and direction control. Preferably, the preconditioner (10, 70) is supported on load cells (62, 100) also coupled with controller (60) to permit on-the-go changes in material retention time within the preconditioner (10, 70). The preconditioner (10, 70) is particularly useful for the preconditioning and partial gelatinization of starch-bearing feed or food materials.

Abstract: In a hand mixer (1) having two mains terminals (10, 11) and having interference suppression means (16) for a motor (27) and having a switching means configuration (130) which includes speed switching means (60) for switching the speed of the motor (27) to different lower speed values and start means (61) for starting the motor (27) at a higher speed, the two mains terminals (10, 11) and the speed switching means (60) and the start means (61) and preferably also the interference suppression means are connected mechanically and electrically to form a module (9), all the electrical connections between said parts of the module (9) being realized on the module (9).

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

Abstract: A system of intelligent appliances coupled by common household power lines or wireless links. In particular, the system includes one of more of a kitchen console, a breadmaker, a slow cooker, and a rice cooker/steamer. One or more of the appliances serves as a system controller and may include a further communications interface for coupling to an external communications network, such as the telephone network. The system can thus be accessed and controlled remotely. The system can also communicate with and obtain information from remote sources such as Internet-based facilities.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling energization of an appliance motor are described. The apparatus, in one embodiment, may include a condition responsive switch secured within an appliance motor casing to control the energization of the appliance motor windings. In one mode of operation, the condition responsive switch substantially prevents energization of the motor windings if at least one attachment has not been substantially properly secured to the appliance, and the switch substantially properly secured to the appliance.

Abstract: Digital device to regulate the speed of an electric motor having a commutating element mounted in series with the motor at the terminals of an A.C. distribution network. A duration of an on-state of the commutating element defines values corresponding to desired reference speeds. The digital device includes a tachometer sensor connected with the motor which emits pulses indicative of the speed of the motor, a microcontroller having an oscillator, a first counter whose count is tied to at least one period of the pulses to calculate an actual speed of the motor, a memory containing desired reference speed values, a comparator to compare the desired reference speed with the actual speed of the motor, and an interface to control the on-state of the commutating element.

Abstract: A blender is provided with a microprocessor for controlling energization of the blender drive motor, and a plurality of manually actuated switches for controlling the stepping of the microprocessor through a program which determines the mode and pattern of energization of the drive motor. There are N speed range selection switches, M speed selection switches and a pulse mode switch. Depending on the sequence in which these switches are actuated, the microprocessor controls the drive motor in a manual continuous mode at any one of N.times.M speeds, a manual pulse mode at any one of N.times.M speeds or an autopulse mode with any one of three patterns of energization. In the first pattern of energization the motor is energized to run at one of M constant speeds during intervals T1 which are separated by intervals T2 during which the motor is not energized.

Abstract: An electric food mixer includes a membrane potentiometer control which is responsive to a user's touch to select the speed of the mixer's motor. The top surface of the membrane potentiometer control is flexible and forms a continuous strip which is mounted flush with the mixer motor's housing so as to facilitate cleaning and improve the appearance of the mixer. The top surface of the membrane potentiometer control may include a flexible liquid crystal display to provide to the user visual feedback of the selected motor speed. A digital control is responsive to the output of the membrane potentiometer control for operating the mixer's motor at a mixer motor speed selected in accordance with the membrane potentiometer's output from a large number of selectable mixer motor speeds stored in a look up table in the digital control.