A food mixer is presented having mixing tool detection capability. The food mixer has a base unit with a tool attachment portion, a mixing bowl attached to the base unit, and a motor attached to the base unit. The motor has operational settings and is configured to apply a torque to the tool attachment portion. A mixing tool is removably attached to the tool attachment portion, and a controller unit of the mixer is configured to detect the mixing tool attached to the tool attachment portion and to automatically control the operational settings of the drive motor based on the mixing tool detected. A magnet carrier may be used to detect a magnetic portion of the mixing tool as it moves with respect to a magnetically-sensitive sensor in the base unit.

A blending device is shown and described. The blending device may include a blending container and a power source operatively connected to the blending container. The power source may be configured to supply power to the blending container. The blending container may also include a feature that is powered by the power source.

A dispensing device, comprising a plurality of microfluidic pumps, microfluidic valves, and a microfluidic mixer chip, for receiving and mixing microfluidic amounts of a plurality of fluids having differing viscosities, is disclosed. The device includes a plurality of pathways for moving fluids from associated reservoirs to the microfluidic mixer chip. A mix controller controls the microfluidic pumps and valves so that the fluids, having different viscosities, can be accurately mixed at specified microfluidic amounts or volumes according to a specified microfluidic recipe, and the microfluidic mixture dispensed from the device. The device can be in communication with a software application implemented on a mobile compute device, such as a smartphone, and receive instructions for implementing the specified microfluidic recipe from the software application such that the operation of device components is at the direction of the software application executed on the mobile compute device.

The systems and methods provide a container assembly comprising: a container having a known storage capacity for storing a liquid; an additive dispensing assembly, the additive dispensing assembly dispensing variable, non-zero quantities of one or more additives into the liquid stored in the container; one or more vessels that each contain one of the additives, of the one or more additives, to be dispensed into the liquid; and a gas dispensing assembly, the gas dispensing assembly releasing a gas into the liquid stored in the container, and the gas dispensing assembly including: an onboard gas tank; a valve assembly; and a gas outlet, and the valve assembly controlling flow of gas from the onboard gas tank, through the valve assembly, and to the gas outlet so as to output the gas into the liquid; and wherein the valve assembly, to perform the controlling the flow of gas, is movable between: an open position, in which flow of gas is allowed to flow from the onboard gas tank to the gas outlet; and a closed position in which the flow of gas is prevented to flow from the onboard gas tank to the gas outlet.

A heating and stirring device is described herein that comprises a base configured to removably attach to one of a beverage container and a beverage container lid, the base containing a power supply, a controller, and a motor, and an agitator having a body and a length with a first end portion configured to be supported by the base, and a second end portion, wherein the first terminal end is configured to be outside of the beverage container and the second end portion is configured to be inside of the beverage container. Corresponding systems and methods also are disclosed.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a personalized cosmetic formula preparing system, a method of operating the system, and computer readable instructions for implementing the method. The system determines a personalized cosmetic formula for a consumer. In an embodiment, the determination is based on the consumer's preferences, lifestyle, and cosmetic attributes. The system comprises one or more beauty assessment devices, a digital hub in communication with the one or more beauty assessment devices, a dispenser, and a mixer. The system may be used directly in communication with the consumer, or may automatically obtain the formula from other sources. The companion app may control the constituent elements of the system remotely via the digital hub. The formula preparing system may cause a personalized cosmetic formula to be prepared and packaged without complex or expensive equipment and without extensive cosmetic technical training for the operator of the system.

The systems and methods provide a container assembly comprising: a container having a known storage capacity for storing a liquid; an additive dispensing assembly, the additive dispensing assembly dispensing variable, non-zero quantities of one or more additives into the liquid stored in the container; one or more vessels that each contain one of the additives, of the one or more additives, to be dispensed into the liquid; and a gas dispensing assembly, the gas dispensing assembly releasing a gas into the liquid stored in the container, and the gas dispensing assembly including: an onboard gas tank; a valve assembly; and a gas outlet, and the valve assembly controlling flow of gas from the onboard gas tank, through the valve assembly, and to the gas outlet so as to output the gas into the liquid; and wherein the valve assembly, to perform the controlling the flow of gas, is movable between: an open position, in which flow of gas is allowed to flow from the onboard gas tank to the gas outlet; and a closed position in which the flow of gas is prevented to flow from the onboard gas tank to the gas outlet.

There is disclosed a computer-controlled dispenser system. The system includes a first set of repositories for fluid components suitable for combination into different mixtures, a second set of repositories for viscous components suitable for combination into different mixtures, and a dispensing nozzle where the fluid and viscous components are dispensed. The system further includes a set of valves and pumps for moving fluid and viscous components to a dispensing nozzle and a scale for measuring an amount of fluid and viscous components dispensed from the dispensing nozzle. The system enables computer control to ensure accurate output of both fluid and viscous components according to the instructions received for their creation.

A custom cosmetic dispensing device includes a communication enabled automated dispenser for dispensing a user-specified cosmetic product. The dispenser has a housing with a plurality of liquid-ingredient cartridges removably coupled to a motor, each cartridge used to dispense a processor memory specified volume of liquid-ingredients. The dispenser interfaces with a software application that accepts, stores and interprets user inputs, assists users in custom formulation, and relays said inputs to the device controller unit for production of a customized cosmetic formula. A collection container may be used for immediate, stored or transported final compositions.

A blending device includes a motor, a motor controller, and a wireless controller configured to receive a wireless signal. The motor controller may be configured to alter the operations of the motor based the wireless signal. The wireless signal may include a blending program to be carried out by the blending device. The blending device may include one or more sensors configured to sense parameters of the blending device. The wireless signal may include information related to the sensed parameters. A blending device network may be formed by providing a second blending device having a wireless controller in communication with the first blending device wireless controller. The first and second blending devices may share information over the network.