The invention relates to a method (100) for operating a food processor (10), in which, in a preparation mode, at least one processor device (50) of said food processor (10) is actuated so as to prepare food at least partly automatically, wherein a monitoring device (200) determines detection values (106) by detecting (105), at said processor (10), at least two detection variables (102) specific to a state of preparation.

The invention relates to a weighing device, e.g. for kitchens. It has a support plate (1) for receiving the object to be measured and a controller (16). Furthermore, an excitation element (12) for generating mechanical vibrations in the support plate (1) and a measuring element (14) for measuring the mechanical vibrations of the support plate (1) are provided. The excitation element (12) and the measuring element (14) are used to determine one or more resonance frequencies and/or other spectral characteristics of the support plate (1), and this is used, for example, to determine the mass of the object.

A coffee grinder-loser apparatus has a removable grinding chamber that is extractable with a fast release. Grinding adjustment is independent of access to the grinding chamber. An interface flange is interposed between an adjusting ring nut and a fixed chamber of the grinding chamber. The flange makes an indirect coupling of the ring nut and of an extractable group of components to the fixed structure. A locking system includes levers with a cam tooth mounted externally on the interface flange. The cam tooth hooks a head of tie-rod assemblies with an elastic spring so as to place them in traction and joined to the fixed structure of the grinding chamber.

A weigh scale unit may be used in conjunction with a beverage preparation machine to prepare beverages efficiently. The weigh scale unit may provide the status of ingredient addition to a beverage receptacle. The weigh scale unit may send instructions and/or data to the beverage preparation machine. In some embodiments, the beverage preparation machine sends instructions and/or data to the weigh scale unit.

A countertop cooking appliance is an apparatus that is used to manufacture food, particularly cheeses, with controlled heating, mixing, drainage, and pressure cycles. The apparatus is also configured to accept various cooking patterns for different foods based on different recipes. A perforated drainer is used to hold ingredients for mixing, completed cheese curds, and the finalized cheese product. A processing receptacle is a container that holds the perforated drainer and temporarily stores whey and process byproducts. A byproduct receptacle is a storage unit for whey and other liquid byproducts produced in the cheese development process. A fluid pump applies pressure to fluids collected in the processing receptacle, transferring them to the byproduct receptacle. A linear actuator provides mechanical power to one of several detachable food-interacting heads, which consequently chops, mixes, or otherwise agitates the contents of the perforated container.

An operable measuring attachment for a mixing appliance includes a mixing bowl defining a mixing interior, a housing having a protrusion attachable to the appliance and a plurality of containers each having an interior volume. Each container is alternatively operable between a measuring position engaged to a top of the housing, and a disengaged position distal from the housing. The operable measuring attachment also includes a magnetic coupler having a first magnetic member disposed proximate the base of each of the plurality of containers and a second magnetic member disposed proximate the top of the housing. The selective magnetic engagement of the first magnetic member of any one of the plurality of containers and the second magnetic members further defines the measuring position. A scale is disposed within the housing that is in communication with the interior volume of the container in the measuring position.

A coffee grinding machine is described, said machine comprising a first grinder and a second grinder cooperating with each other based on a first grinding parameter for grinding coffee beans, thus obtaining a first dose of ground coffee during a first grinding cycle, wherein the coffee grinding machine also comprises a weighing device configured to measure the weight of said first dose of coffee substantially at the end of said first grinding cycle, wherein said weight measurement of said first dose measured at the end of said first grinding cycle is used to set a second grinding parameter of a second dose, ground after the first dose during a second grinding cycle. The coffee grinding machine is configured to interrupt the grinding of said second dose during said second grinding cycle in a manner not dependent on an actual weight measurement of said second dose.

A countertop cooking appliance is an apparatus that is used to manufacture food, particularly cheeses, with controlled heating, mixing, drainage, and pressure cycles. The apparatus is also configured to accept various cooking patterns for different foods based on different recipes. A perforated drainer is used to hold ingredients for mixing, completed cheese curds, and the finalized cheese product. A processing receptacle is a container that holds the perforated drainer and temporarily stores whey and process byproducts. A byproduct receptacle is a storage unit for whey and other liquid byproducts produced in the cheese development process. A fluid pump applies pressure to fluids collected in the processing receptacle, transferring them to the byproduct receptacle. A linear actuator provides mechanical power to one of several detachable food-interacting heads, which consequently chops, mixes, or otherwise agitates the contents of the perforated container.

A food processing device adapted to identify an ingredient and an associated recipe. The device includes a container for receiving an ingredient to be processed and a blending blade located in the container. The device further includes a sensor for sensing characteristics of the ingredient received at the container, a processor for analyzing the characteristics, and a communications system for sending the characteristics to a remote data processing resource for analyzing or further analyzing, where the analyzing is for identifying ingredient types for a plurality of added ingredients and for identifying a recipe consistent with the added ingredient types. The device further includes an output device for guiding a user to follow remainder of the identified recipe.

A food-product handling device includes a sifter unit having a housing defining an open upper side, a mount extending outwardly from the first housing along a first axis, and a lower side opposite the upper side. The sifter unit further has a sifter basket having an interior aligned with and inset within the open upper side. The device further includes a scale assembly having a body defining an upper opening and an opposite lower opening and having an annular weight-sensing unit surrounding the upper opening. The body is positionable on the housing of the sifter unit with the opening in communication with the open upper side of the housing. A hopper is positionable on the weight-sensing unit and defines a lower open end at least partially received within the body when the hopper is positioned on the weight-sensing unit.