A countertop appliance includes a base, a drive shaft, a first coupler, a first engagement feature, a secondary coupler assembly, a first jar assembly, and a second jar assembly. The secondary coupler assembly includes a second coupler, a gearset coupled to the second coupler, and a second engagement feature coupled to the gearset. The secondary coupler assembly is operable between a disengaged condition, wherein the second engagement feature is disengaged from the first engagement feature, and an engaged condition, wherein the second engagement feature is engaged with the first engagement feature. The second coupler is generally rotationally stationary during drive shaft rotation at a first speed in the disengaged condition of the secondary coupler assembly, and the second coupler rotates at a second speed that is less than the first speed during drive shaft rotation at the first speed in the engaged condition of the secondary coupler assembly.

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 kitchen appliance has a control arrangement arranged to receive sound commands and to operate the appliance in response to the sound commands; a microphone arranged to receive sound comprising a sound command and to provide the sound to the control arrangement; and at least one acoustic filter configured to suppress from the sound provided to the control arrangement background noise created by operation of the kitchen appliance.

A blender having bi-directionally rotatable blades includes: a blade assembly including a main blade shaft that is provided to allow a first blade and a first main coupler to integrally rotate in a forward direction and a reverse-rotation blade shaft that is provided to allow a second blade and a first reverse-rotation coupler to integrally rotate in a reverse direction; and a gearbox assembly including a main gear shaft that is provided to allow a second main coupler and a main gear to rotate in the forward direction, at least one sub-gear that is engaged with the main gear and rotates in the reverse direction, a ring gear to which the sub-gear is internal and engaged, and a second reverse-rotation coupler that is configured to integrally rotate with the ring gear in the reverse direction and transmit the reverse rotation to the first reverse-rotation coupler.

A blender having bi-directionally rotatable blades includes: a blade assembly including a main blade shaft that is provided to allow a first blade and a first main coupler to integrally rotate in a forward direction and a reverse-rotation blade shaft that is provided to allow a second blade and a first reverse-rotation coupler to integrally rotate in a reverse direction; and a gearbox assembly including a main gear shaft that is provided to allow a second main coupler and a main gear to rotate in the forward direction, at least one sub-gear that is engaged with the main gear and rotates in the reverse direction, a ring gear to which the sub-gear is internal and engaged, and a second reverse-rotation coupler that is configured to integrally rotate with the ring gear in the reverse direction and transmit the reverse rotation to the first reverse-rotation coupler.

The present disclosure provides a drive assembly and a food processor. The drive assembly comprises: a drive body; and a transmission assembly comprising at least a first transmission member and a second transmission member, the first transmission member being in driving connection with the drive body and provided thereon with a first drive shaft, and the second transmission member being in driving connection with the drive body and provided thereon with a second drive shaft. The technical solution is capable of driving, using a single drive body, at least two drive shafts to move, so that multi-shaft output with a single drive body can be realized.

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 food processing system includes a driving pulley, a driven pulley, a motor, a belt, and an actuator. The motor is configured to rotate the driving pulley. The belt is connected with the driving pulley and the driven pulley. The driving pulley is configured to rotate the belt. The belt is configured to rotate the driven pulley. The actuator is connected with the driven pulley. The actuator is configured to move the driven pulley relative to the belt between an extended position and a retracted position.

Drive mechanism for a multi-function food processor with three drive outlets each couplable separately to a food processing component. The drive mechanism including: at one end of a motor, an output shaft having a first cone gear of a cone gear set and a worm; a first central drive shaft having a second cone gear meshing with the first cone gear, the first central drive shaft associated with the first and second drive outlets; the second drive outlet associated with the first central drive shaft by a first reduction gear arrangement which includes a first gear train meshing with a sun gear sleeved on the first central drive shaft; a second central drive shaft having a worm gear driven by the worm, the second central drive shaft associated with the third drive outlet; the third drive outlet associated with the second central drive shaft by a second gear reduction arrangement.

A hand-held housing for a multi-purpose food preparation appliance, has at least one first drive output configured to drive a removable rotary work tool, an opening configured for mounting a removable work accessory, retaining members configured to engage with a connecting element of the work accessory mounted in the opening, and a second drive output configured to drive a rotary drive unit of the work accessory mounted in the opening.

The retaining members are arranged on an outer part of a protrusion arranged inside the housing around the second drive output, the retaining members being configured to engage with an inner part of the connecting element.