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 modular appliance apparatus is disclosed for use in the preparation of food products. The modular appliance apparatus may have a housing to contain internal components. The housing may contain a motor, a controller, and electronic circuitry. On a bottom portion of the housing, at least one base contact may be present. An attachment may secure to the bottom portion of the housing and contain at least one attachment contact. An electronic connection between the at least one base contact and at least one attachment contact may be interpreted by the controller to determine a speed of operation by the motor. Depending on the type of attachment secured to the housing, various different combinations of electronic connections may be made to operate the motor at different speeds to meet the requirements for food preparation by the specific attachment.

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 drive mechanism for a multi-function food processor with three drive outlets each couplable separately to a food processing component. The drive mechanism comprising: a motor with a motor output shaft disposed at one end of the motor, the motor output shaft comprises a first cone gear of a cone gear set and a worm; a first central drive shaft comprising a second cone gear of the cone gear set that meshes with the first cone gear of the motor output shaft, the first central drive shaft associated with the first drive outlet and the second drive outlet; the second drive outlet associated with the first central drive shaft by a first reduction gear arrangement which comprises a first gear train that meshes with a sun gear sleeved on the first central drive shaft; a second central drive shaft comprising a worm gear driven by the worm of the motor output shaft, 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. The overall structure of the drive mechanism is made more compact.

The present invention relates to a cold beverage preparation device (20), the device comprising an open cooling reservoir (5) for receiving a liquid beverage, cooling means (15) associated to the cooling reservoir (5) for cooling at least part of an internal surface of the cooling reservoir, a rotational stirring member (16) arranged in the cooling reservoir (5) for mixing or foaming the liquid depending on the speed of rotation of the member, and a rotational scraping member (17) arranged in the cooling reservoir (5) for scraping the internal surface of the cooling reservoir, wherein the rotational stirring member (16) and the scraping member (17) are designed for being driven independently within the cooling reservoir (5) of the device.

A stand mixer 10 comprises a head unit 50 having a lower surface presenting, in operation, a downwardly-facing drive outlet for driving in rotation at least one tool suspended therefrom. The head unit is supported with the downwardly-facing drive outlet above a receiving location 30 for a mixing bowl 40. Driving means, including an electric motor 70 and associated transmission means for conveying rotary drive to the drive outlet, are provided. The mixer further comprises first 80 and second 90 coaxial driving outlets presented on an upper surface 52 of the head unit 50; the coaxial outlets 80, 90 run at different speeds and are driven from the motor 70 by means of an epicyclic gearbox 100. The motor 70 is housed in the support means 60 with its drive shaft 72 in substantial alignment with the coaxial drive outlets 80, 90.

A food processing system includes a processing container having a motor-driven processing blade positioned at a bottom of the processing container, a lid receivable atop the processing container, and a motor-driven dasher assembly connected to the lid and being configured to scrape interior sidewalls of the processing container.

A drive system for use in a piece of an appliance includes a drive shaft and a first rotary coupling and a second rotary coupling. When the drive shaft is rotated in a first direction, the first rotary coupling and the second rotary coupling rotate about an axis of the drive shaft at a same speed. When the drive shaft is rotated in a second opposite direction, the first rotary coupling and the second rotary coupling rotate about the axis of said drive shaft at different speeds.

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.

A stand mixer 10 comprises a head unit 50 having a lower surface presenting, in operation, a downwardly-facing drive outlet for driving in rotation at least one tool suspended therefrom. The head unit is supported with the downwardly-facing drive outlet above a receiving location 30 for a mixing bowl 40. Driving means, including an electric motor 70 and associated transmission means for conveying rotary drive to the drive outlet, are provided. The mixer further comprises first 80 and second 90 coaxial driving outlets presented on an upper surface 52 of the head unit 50; the coaxial outlets 80, 90 run at different speeds and are driven from the motor 70 by means of an epicyclic gearbox 100. The motor 70 is housed in the support means 60 with its drive shaft 72 in substantial alignment with the coaxial drive outlets 80, 90.