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 food preparation appliance includes a food preparation vessel, a lid, an attachment part, a locking device, and a plurality of sensors. The lid may be placed on the food preparation vessel. The attachment part may be placed on the food preparation vessel instead of the lid. The locking device is for locking the lid placed on the food preparation vessel and for locking the attachment part placed on the food preparation vessel.

A food preparation appliance includes a food preparation vessel, a lid, an attachment part, a locking device, and a plurality of sensors. The lid may be placed on the food preparation vessel. The attachment part may be placed on the food preparation vessel instead of the lid. The locking device is for locking the lid placed on the food preparation vessel and for locking the attachment part placed on the food preparation vessel.

The present invention is directed to a food processor having a lid with a pour spout. The spout includes a wide mouth opening for easy introduction of food and liquids, and has a body that protrudes into the interior of the processor container. The spout body narrows as it extends into the interior of the container and is angled so that it points toward the center of the container. This helps to prevent splashback of food as its chopped while the food processor is operating.

A food processor (100) with a food preparation vessel (102), a base (104) housing a drive motor (111) and a spindle assembly (140) for detachable engagement with an accessory (109) for rotation in the preparation vessel (102). The spindle assembly (140) has a gear assembly such that the accessory (109) is driven at a speed that differs from that of the drive motor (111).

A food processor (100) with a food preparation vessel (102), a base (104) housing a drive motor (111) and a spindle assembly (140) for detachable engagement with an accessory (109) for rotation in the preparation vessel (102). The spindle assembly (140) has a gear assembly such that the accessory (109) is driven at a speed that differs from that of the drive motor (111).

The invention relates to a monitoring apparatus configured to monitor a processing status of a food item under processing in a food processor, the monitoring apparatus comprising a sensor operable to determine characteristic information related to the food item in the food processor, a controller configured to provide a control signal to the food processor to control an operation of the food processor when the determined characteristic 5 information or a rate of change of the determined characteristic information meets a predetermined criteria.

The invention relates to a monitoring apparatus configured to monitor a processing status of a food item under processing in a food processor, the monitoring apparatus comprising a sensor operable to determine characteristic information related to the food item in the food processor, a controller configured to provide a control signal to the food processor to control an operation of the food processor when the determined characteristic 5 information or a rate of change of the determined characteristic information meets a predetermined criteria.

Provided is a device, comprising: a barrier configured to impeded or prevent particles shed by a robot in a first volume of space from entering a second volume of space in which the robot manipulates a workpiece; and a robot having three or more degrees of freedom, the robot comprising: a first portion disposed on a first side of the barrier in the first volume, the first portion comprising an actuator of the robot, the actuator being configured to drive movement of the robot to manipulate the workpiece; and a second portion disposed on a second side of the barrier in the second volume, the second portion comprising an end-effector of the robot by which the robot makes contact with the workpiece.

Provided is a device, comprising: a barrier configured to impeded or prevent particles shed by a robot in a first volume of space from entering a second volume of space in which the robot manipulates a workpiece; and a robot having three or more degrees of freedom, the robot comprising: a first portion disposed on a first side of the barrier in the first volume, the first portion comprising an actuator of the robot, the actuator being configured to drive movement of the robot to manipulate the workpiece; and a second portion disposed on a second side of the barrier in the second volume, the second portion comprising an end-effector of the robot by which the robot makes contact with the workpiece.