A self-contained, consumer-ready product from a coconut that has a seed-case, a layer of coconut meat inside of the seed-case, and an internal cavity containing sterile coconut water, in a condition that is ready for a consumer to access and remove the sterile water within the coconut, and a method for providing such a product. One method comprises forming an aperture that extends through the seed-case of the coconut but does not extend through the layer of coconut meat; forming a coconut pre-product in a first location, by affixing to the apertured coconut a closure member that is adapted to close the aperture and to be easily removed by a consumer in a second location different from the first location; and providing a self-contained, consumer-ready coconut product, by associating, with the coconut pre-product, a pre-selected plunger member that includes an elongated lance member that the consumer slides within the aperture after removal of the closure member in the second location and penetrates through the layer of coconut meat and into the internal cavity containing the sterile water.

A motor is generally described. The motor may include an armature and a coil. The coil and armature operatively receive power from a power source. The power induces magnetic fields in the coil and armature to drive the armature. When power is removed, the coils reverse polarity to inductively decelerate the armature.

A food processor having an external slicing disc adjustment mechanism is provided. The food processor includes a work bowl and a lid configured to be selectively removable therefrom. The food processor further includes a slicing disc having a disc body and a slicing blade internal to the work bowl, and a mechanism for adjusting a spacing between the disc body and slicing blade. The mechanism includes a rotatable lever accessible form outside the work bowl.

A packaged food product includes a container and a food product. The container has a rim and at least one wall extending away from the rim. The at least one wall defines a storage area, and the food product is retained within the storage area such that the food product is in contact with the at least one wall. The at least one wall is readily deformable by a hand of a user to reduce a volume of the storage area. Reducing the volume of the storage area causes the food product to exit the storage area. The container includes an integral tool portion including a tine extending from a distal end of the tool portion for breaking up the food product after removal from the storage area. The food product can be a wet cat or dog food.

An attachment for use with a food processing system includes a container body having a sidewall, a first end configured to be mounted to a food processing base, and a second end remote of said first end. The first end is open and the second end is at least partially open. A chamber is defined by said container body and an agitating member is receivable at the first end. A displacement member is arranged at the second end to seal the second end. The displacement member is extendable into the chamber from the second end to increase a pressure within the chamber.

A cutting board for domestic or gastronomic use. The board has a flat plate having an outer surface formed by pair of opposite faces and a peripheral edge. The plate is formed between the faces and within the edge with a passage having ends open at the outer surface. A heater or cooler connected to the outer passage ends feeds a hot or cold fluid through the passage and thereby heats or cools at least a portion of the faces of the cutting board.

A portable smoothie maker with solar panels including a base assembly, a container assembly and a lid assembly. The base assembly includes a hollow base. The base encloses a motor. The base is covered with solar panels. The solar panels power the motor to rotate a blade. The blade is at the top end of the base. The container assembly includes a container. The container is threadably coupled to the top end of the base. The container encloses the blade. The lid assembly includes a lid removable attached to an open top end of the container. Fruits, vegetables and liquids are deposited into the container to make a smoothie by rotating the blade.

A reservoir assembly for a food processing system including a vacuum mechanism includes a housing having a hollow interior, an inlet pipe extending through said housing into said hollow interior, a fluid flow path from said hollow interior to the vacuum mechanism, and a valve positioned within said hollow interior, said valve being movable to control a flow of air provided to the vacuum mechanism via said fluid flow path.

An automated station is provided with a tool comprising a linear actuator having a power supply inlet adapted to be releasably connected to a feed line; a container for edible liquids; a closure movable by means of the linear actuator between a closed position in which the edible liquid is in the container so that the liquid is shaken by the action of the automated station and an open position in which the edible liquid is poured out of the container in a controlled manner through the action of the automated station; and a lever arm pivoted and connected between the linear actuator and the closure so as to reduce the load applied by the actuator to decrease a first resultant force applied by the closure on a fluid seal in the closed position with respect to a second force applied by the actuator to the pivoted lever arm.

Food processing apparatuses having a drive unit which has more than one mode of operation, works with more than one food processing container, and/or may be operated in more than orientation are disclosed. The drive unit may be operated in first and second modes of operation. In some embodiments, the drive unit may be actuated in a different manner in the second mode of operation as compared to the first mode of operation. In some embodiments, the orientation of the drive unit in the second mode of operation is vertically flipped upside-down as compared to the orientation of the drive unit in the first mode of operation.