A damper mechanism for a stand mixer includes a swing body coupled to a pivot pin and operable along an actuation path between first and second positions. A piston damper is configured to provide a damping effect to a downward movement of a mixer head and is coupled to the swing body. The piston damper includes a damper housing and a piston rod, wherein the piston rod is operable between extended and compressed positions relative to the damper housing. The piston damper provides a damping effect along a portion of the actuation path of the swing body as a mixer head moves towards the closed position relative to a pedestal of the stand mixer.

A fluid mixing system that can be used as a bioreactor or fermentor can include a stand and a support housing pivotably mounted to the stand. The support housing bounds a chamber into which a container assembly is removably disposed. The container assembly includes a flexible bag bounding a compartment adapted to hold a fluid and a mixing element disposed within the compartment. The support housing can be tilted relative to the stand for ease in insertion of the container assembly. The support housing can also be repeatedly rocked relative to the stand form mixing fluid within the container assembly.

A system for evolving and dissolving a gas with a liquid can include a vessel having at least one wall forming a cavity, where the at least one wall includes at least one first surface feature disposed on an inner surface of the at least one wall. The liquid and the gas can be disposed within the cavity. The at least one first surface feature can alter the rate at which the gas evolves from or dissolves into the liquid.

A method for mixing a fluid includes: dispensing a first volume of a fluid into a flexible container, the flexible container being at least partially disposed within the chamber of a support housing; repeatedly moving the support housing and the flexible container contained therein so as to mix the first volume of fluid within the flexible container; adding further fluid into the flexible container after moving the support housing to form a second volume of fluid; and manipulating a mixing element within the flexible container so as to mix the second volume of fluid.

A method for mixing a fluid includes: dispensing a first volume of a fluid into a flexible container, the flexible container being at least partially disposed within the chamber of a support housing; repeatedly moving the support housing and the flexible container contained therein so as to mix the first volume of fluid within the flexible container; adding further fluid into the flexible container after moving the support housing to form a second volume of fluid; and manipulating a mixing element within the flexible container so as to mix the second volume of fluid.

A bench mixer has a combined whisk and scraper attachment. In preferred embodiments, the mixer has a processor configured to access data indicative of a respective power limit to be applied to a motor for each of a plurality of user selectable speed settings and monitors motor speed to compare against a user selected speed setting. The processor increases the power applied to the motor, up to a respective power limit if the current speed is lower than the user selected speed setting.

A tool that is attachable to an electrically driven stand mixer and configured, when suspended into a bowl and driven in planetary motion by the stand mixer, to perform a mixing operation that involves folding ingredients together without substantial expulsion of air from the mix. The device aims to automate the folding action by providing a food mixing arrangement in which a tool having a wing-like volute blade is suspended by its shaft from a drive outlet of the stand mixer and executes a planetary motion within a mixing bowl. The blade is twisted along its length and has curved surfaces formed to gently lift and turn ingredients to be mixed in the bowl so as to simulate a gentle folding action similar to that achieved manually by an experienced cook.

A method for controlling pressure in a blending apparatus includes sealingly coupling a blade platform to a rim of a vessel including foodstuffs to form a blending chamber. The blade platform includes a blade assembly. The method includes injecting fluid via an opening defined within the blade platform into the blending chamber while the blade platform is sealingly coupled to the vessel. The injection of fluid causes a change in pressure in the blending chamber. The method includes rotating blades of the blade assembly to process the foodstuffs in the blending chamber. The method includes introducing air into the blending chamber to decrease a difference between the pressure within the blending chamber and a pressure external to the blending chamber. The method includes decoupling the blade platform from the rim.

A bowl liner for a mixing bowl of a stand mixer includes a shell and a rim secured an upper end of the shell. The shell is sized to be received in the mixing bowl, and is formed from an elastomeric material. The shell has a mixing chamber defined therein. The rim includes an outer perimeter surface that has a keyed surface section to locate the liner relative to the stand mixer.

A stand mixer includes a base configured for resting on a surface and a mixing head coupled to the base so as to be moveable between a lowered, operative position and a raised, non-use position. A locking mechanism is engageable between the base and the mixing head and has a solenoid having an operative end moveable between a rest condition and an actuated condition and a swing arm pivotably mounted with respect to the solenoid. The swing arm is moveable between a locked position, wherein the swing arm is engaged between the mixing head and the base, and a release position, wherein the swing arm is disengaged from the base. The solenoid acts on a lever end of the swing arm to move the swing arm into the release position when the solenoid is in the actuated condition.