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.

A frozen food appliance and related method of making a frozen food product. A rotational drive assembly configured in an axial alignment using a direct drive to produce rotational movement of a blade element to contact a frozen food precursor in a frozen food container associated with the frozen food appliance where the rotational drive assembly omits rotational speed modifying gears and transmissions positioned between a drive motor and the blade element. In another aspect, a rotational drive assembly may be kept in axial alignment with a frozen food container via a multi portioned container mount having a float connector.

A lid and blade assembly for a micro puree machine includes a lid having a central aperture for receiving a central hub of the blade. At least two cutting arms and at least two mixing arms extend radially outward from the central hub. A retaining component retains the blade within the lid during processing. The lid includes a recess below the retaining component for collecting slush and ice displaced by the blade during processing. Portions of the blade also include serrated grooves for clearing slush deposits when the blade engages the lid.

A speed control assembly for an appliance includes a bracket and a cam that is slidably coupled with the bracket and has an engagement edge. A lever is operably coupled with the cam and is configured to move the cam along the bracket. A slider is fixedly coupled with the bracket and a magnet is disposed adjacent the engagement edge. A ball bearing that is in magnetic communication with the magnet is configured to be selectively engaged with one of a plurality of retention spaces that are defined by the engagement edge of the cam. A sensor is configured to detect a position of the magnet.

A stand mixer is provided having a motor, an attachment support coupled to the motor, a mixing shaft coupled to the motor, a retractable plunger, and a mixing attachment. The mixing shaft may be rotatable by the motor. The retractable plunger may be extendable between a first position into the mixing shaft and a second position extending from the mixing shaft. The mixing attachment may be removably attached to the mixing shaft and may define a shaft channel for sliding receipt of the mixing shaft. The mixing attachment may also define an aperture connected with the with the shaft channel and configured for selective receipt of the retractable plunger. The mixing shaft can be inserted into the shaft channel and may be moved to selectively lock the mixing attachment to the mixing shaft by receipt of the retractable plunger into the aperture of the mixing attachment.

There is provided an ice knife for a kitchen appliance, comprising two or more blades, said blades each comprising a main section arranged at the same height, the height being configured such that processed ice collects under the main section in use.

A micro puree machine includes a mixing shaft coupled to a blade and rotatable by means of a gear. A magnet is coupled to the gear and a rotation sensor is mounted on the machine housing. As the mixing shaft descends into the pre-frozen ingredients, the rotation sensor detects a magnetic field of the magnet as the gear rotates and generates a rotation signal in response. A controller receives the rotation signal and determines a rotation count associated with the gear, causing the mixing shaft to ascend back toward the housing once a pre-selected rotation count has been reached. The pre-selected rotation count correlates with the partial processing of the ingredients.

A frozen food appliance and related method of making a frozen food product. A rotational drive assembly configured in an axial alignment using a direct drive to produce rotational movement of a blade element to contact a frozen food precursor in a frozen food container associated with the frozen food appliance where the rotational drive assembly omits rotational speed modifying gears and transmissions positioned between a drive motor and the blade element. In another aspect, a rotational drive assembly may be kept in axial alignment with a frozen food container via a multi portioned container mount having a float connector.

An implement for stirring or comminuting food including a rotatable shaft which is driven by a motor, a working part provided on an end of said shaft opposite to the motor, and an inner assembly and an outer assembly which define a housing of the implement. The inner assembly is movable within the outer assembly. The inner assembly rotatably bears the shaft such that the working part is situated on an outer side of the implement. The working part is provided within a shield which is provided on the outer assembly, wherein the inner assembly, together with the shaft, is movable axially with respect to the outer assembly. The inner assembly is borne with respect to the outer assembly such that axial movement of the inner assembly with respect to the outer assembly leads to a rotational movement of the outer assembly with respect to the inner assembly.

Disclosed are a cutter assembly and a fruit and vegetable cutter using the cutter assembly. The cutter assembly includes a rotating shaft assembly, a forward-rotating blade and a counter-rotating blade. The rotating shaft assembly has a first mandrel and a first outer shaft. The end of the first mandrel and the end of the first outer shaft are each provided with a first transmission part coupled to a drive device; the blades are respectively arranged in the shaft assembly and perpendicular to the rotating shaft assembly; one blade is coupled to the first mandrel, and the other is coupled with the first outer shaft, so that the blades can be driven by the rotating shaft assembly to rotate in two opposite directions at the same time. The fruit and vegetable cutter includes a fruit and vegetable cavity, the cutter assembly and a driving device for driving the cutter assembly.