A beverage container for a blender includes one or more vibrating mechanisms coupled to a bottom portion of the beverage container or integrated within one or more walls of the beverage container. After a beverage has been blended, the one or more vibrating mechanisms are activated as the beverage is being poured. Vibrations from the one or more vibrating mechanisms are mechanically transmitted to the beverage container, thereby promoting the pourability of the beverage from the beverage container, including dislodging ingredients in the beverage that became lodged or trapped in crevices of the beverage container during the prior blending process, and freeing up beverage ingredients that accumulated at the bottom of the beverage container during the prior blending process.

A food stand system with a plan view in the shape of an incomplete circle, with a flat top surface as a countertop, and a convex customer-facing surface. The stand contains a food preparation appliance having both cooking and refrigeration components. Sensors measure the appliance interior state, and provide data to an automated controller that controls appliance operation to prepare food for consumption.

A product preparation system and method wherein a single-use product container assembly and a multiple motion intelligent driving device are employed to process contents of the container assembly.

A blender assembly includes a blender jar having a bottom wall. The bottom wall includes first and second surfaces opposing one another and an interior edge defining an opening. A bearing housing is positioned at least partially within the opening and is spaced apart from the first surface of the bottom wall and the interior edge of the bottom wall. A nut is operably coupled with the bearing housing and is spaced apart from a second surface of the bottom wall. A gasket assembly is positioned to maintain a spacing of the bearing housing and the nut relative to the bottom wall. The gasket assembly is positioned over the interior edge of the bottom wall.

A portioning device includes an integrated handle, actuating lever, and rack with teeth, with the handle having an aperture at the top. The rack is formed to be easily placed, and retained, in an initial position for assembly. One or more scoops are provided which may each be detachably connected the handle top end. A wiping blade may be detachably connected to the scoop for free rotation within the scoop. The wiping blade includes a shaft having a number of gear teeth, together with a camming surface leading to the first tooth on the shaft. Insertion of the scoop and wiping blade shaft into the handle aperture results in the first rack tooth acting as a camming surface and rotating the wiping blade to the proper clocking position with the first tooth of the shaft engaged with the first tooth of the rack. In this manner the number of component parts is reduced significantly, while at the same time allowing for re-use of the handle with the various interchangeable scoops.

A handheld injector is provided for injecting liquid, such as flavoring or basting material, into meat or poultry. The injector includes a pistol-shaped housing which encloses a battery-powered motor for constant-rate delivery of liquid from a peristaltic pump. The injector also includes a fluid conduit within the housing through which liquid is pumped from a reservoir of liquid to a needle for injection into the meat.

A blender system includes a container having a rotatable blade assembly therein, a lid covering an open end of the container, and a base with a motorized unit. When the container is coupled with the base, the motorized unit is adapted to drive rotation of the rotatable blade assembly. The lid includes a hinged actuator lever adapted to actuate the motorized unit. A detent extends from the hinged actuator lever and passes through a series of apertures and presses against a slidable actuator shaft disposed in the container and maintained in its position by a spring force, thereby depressing a switch for the motorized unit. A rotatable blade system includes cutting blade(s) and crushing blade(s). The crushing blade extends longitudinally outwardly from a hub. When the hub rotates in a first direction or second direction opposite the first direction, a face of the crushing blade is leading or trailing, respectively.

An apparatus for supporting and surrounding a tray holding a circular dough base of a pizza so as to intercept and retain food particles and splatter as food ingredients are being deposited on the dough base. The apparatus includes multi-tiered platforms and upright walls of progressively greater diameter, to receive pizza trays bearing pizza dough of different nominal sizes. The platforms or walls or both have finger holes to enable ejection of an assembled pizza. The platforms and upright walls are rotatably mounted to a base, so that the pizza dough can be rotated as food ingredients are deposited thereon. Four or more tiers may be provided.

An apparatus for supporting and surrounding a tray holding a circular dough base of a pizza so as to intercept and retain food particles and splatter as food ingredients are being deposited on the dough base. The apparatus includes multi-tiered platforms and upright walls of progressively greater diameter, to receive pizza trays bearing pizza dough of different nominal sizes. The platforms or walls or both have finger holes to enable ejection of an assembled pizza. The platforms and upright walls are rotatably mounted to a base, so that the pizza dough can be rotated as food ingredients are deposited thereon. Four or more tiers may be provided.

A container comprises a body and a base. The body includes an open end and a closed end. The closed end is attached to the base. The closed end may be welded to the base. Cross-sectional perimeters of the body decreases from the closed end to the open end.