A stand mixer includes: a lower assembly comprising a base and a lower support arm extending upwardly from the base; an upper assembly comprising a generally horizontal head positioned above the base and an upper support arm extending downwardly from the head, the lower and upper support arm assemblies forming a generally vertical support arm, the head configured to provide a mounting location for a beater; and a head-raising mechanism that moves the head relative to the base between raised and lowered positions, the head remaining generally horizontal in the raised position.

An apparatus for brewing coffee in a pre-existing vessel includes a frame, a basket, a means for agitating the basket and a power source. The basket includes at least one opening that is capable of permitting liquid to transgress into and out of the basket. The power source provides the necessary power for operating the motor. The motor is attached to the frame and a linkage connects the motor to the basket. The means for agitating the basket imparts motion to the basket during operation. The apparatus may further include an on-board heat source.

According to present invention, an apparatus for cold brewing beverages such as cold brew coffee includes a frame, a basket, a means for agitating the basket, a power source, and a vessel. The basket has at least one opening that is capable of permitting liquid to transgress into and out of the basket. The means for agitating the basket includes at least one motor and linkage connecting the motor to the basket. The motor is attached to the frame. The power source provides the necessary power for operating the motor. The basket is positioned within the interior cavity during normal operation and the means for agitating the basket imparts motion to the basket relative to the vessel during normal operation. The apparatus is intended to be used either at room temperature or, e.g., in a refrigerator.

A stand mixer includes a base with a support column, and a bowl lift framework extending outwardly from the support column. The bowl lift framework includes at least two lift arms. The lift arms are pivotable relative to the support column. A head is attached to an upper end of the support column and extends horizontally from the support column above the base. Additionally included is a bowl. The bowl includes a flange around a circumference of the bowl, and the bowl is held between the lift arms of the bowl lift framework.

A module 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.

There is disclosed herein a frothing assembly (21) to froth milk in a container (11). The assembly (21) includes: a body (25); a motor (33) fixed to the body and having an output shaft (34) that is rotatably driven about a longitudinal axis (35) of the shaft (34); a frothing device (36) rotatably driven by the shaft (34) and to be submerged in the milk in the container (11); and a perforated member (43) at least partly surrounding the frothing device (36) and spaced from the frothing device (36) by a clearance (44), wherein rotation of the frothing device (36) causes movement of milk in the clearance (44) and movement of milk through the perforated member (43) to be circulated back through the container (11) and the clearance (44) to cause frothing of the milk.

An automated self-cleaning frothing appliance includes: a housing having a base, a tower extending upwardly from the base, and a canopy extending from an upper portion of the tower above the base; a vessel mounted beneath the canopy, the vessel having an outlet at a lower end; a frothing tool extending from the canopy into the vessel; a first fluid pathway in the housing to receive water from a water source and deliver water into the vessel; a valve positioned to selectively open and close the outlet to the vessel; a valve-opening mechanism attached to the housing to selectively open and close the valve; a drain positioned beneath the outlet to receive water draining from the outlet; a second fluid pathway routed from the drain to deliver water to an external receptacle; and a controller operatively connected with the drive unit, the first fluid pathway and the valve-opening mechanism.

An economical blender with a removable, motor driven spindle assembly to perform blending, a motor driven elevator used to lift a cup with food or beverage up to the spindle assembly and a liquid reservoir which allows liquid to be inserted into the food or beverage during blending. The removable spindle assembly has a quick release coupler and a compression spring which connects the quick release coupler to a cup cover. Blending is accomplished by connecting a motor driven inner spindle drive shaft to a concentric outer spindle drive tube through cogged couplers. The outer spindle drive tube powers a blending tool and, like the blending tool, is removable with the spindle assembly for cleaning.

A method and assembly for preparing a drink based on frozen food comprises storing frozen food in various containers in the form of first granular materials and under deep- freeze conditions, crushing a portion of at least one of the first granular materials into a second granular material, and placing the second granular material into a cup. A first liquid is added to the cup at a temperature of at least 50° C. The cup, filled with the foods and possibly the first liquid, is closed, and the content of the cup is ground into a homogeneous mass. Lastly, the cup is opened and served.

A micro puree machine including a housing, a power shaft, a bowl assembly and a platform. The power shaft extends from the housing. The bowl assembly including at least one locking bowl element. The platform includes at least one complementary locking platform element that is configured to engage the at least one locking bowl element such that rotation of the bowl assembly relative to the platform is prevented at times the bowl assembly is positioned thereon. The platform is rotatable from a first position to a second position relative to the housing such that the platform raises the bowl assembly towards the power shaft during the rotation of the bowl assembly and platform. The raising of the bowl assembly facilitates connection between the power shaft and a blade assembly that is positioned in a lid assembly on the bowl assembly.