Abstract: A shut-off mechanism for a toaster includes a damper arm pivotally mounted on a frame that includes a damper unit. The damper unit including (a) a cavity in which a viscous fluid is stored, (b) a rotor that resides partially in the cavity and partially outside of the cavity, the viscous fluid resisting rotation of the rotor relative to the cavity, and (c) an engagement member attached to the rotor that engages a track on the frame. The damper arm is movable between a deactivated position and an activated position. An electrical switch configured to engage an electrical contact when the damper arm is in the activated position and to disengage from the electrical contact when the damper arm is in the deactivated position.

Abstract: A blender jar comprises a container portion defining a blending chamber and having an open top end, a lid for selectively closing off the open top end of the container portion, one or more selectively rotatable blades extending into the blending chamber, and an insert selectively insertable into the blending chamber. The insert comprises a tubular central body having (i) a side wall defining a central chamber and an open top end and (ii) a floor at least partially closing off a bottom end of the central body, a flange projecting circumferentially outward from the central body, and a plurality of fins projecting outward the lower portion of the central body. One or both of the floor and a lower portion of the central body having a plurality of holes defined therein.

Abstract: A blender jar assembly comprises a container portion having an open end for receiving the foodstuff to be blended and for dispensing the foodstuff after blending and a base portion selectively coupled to the container portion. The base portion comprises a floor and a sidewall connected to and extending from the floor to form a chamber for receiving at least a portion of the foodstuff during a blending operation. The chamber has an open end in fluid communication with the open end of the container portion when the container portion and the base portion are selectively coupled. The base further comprises one or more rotatable blades that are fully contained within the chamber formed by the floor and the sidewall and do not extend beyond a rim of the sidewall.

Abstract: A stand mixer includes: a base, the base including a bowl lift framework having first lift features; a support arm attached to the base and extending upwardly therefrom; a head attached to an upper end of the support arm and extending generally horizontally therefrom above the base; and a bowl assembly comprising a bowl and a skirt mounted to the bowl, the skirt including second lift features. The first lift features interact with the second lift features such that, when the bowl assembly is rotated relative to the bowl lift framework, the bowl assembly changes elevation relative to the base between raised and lowered positions.

Abstract: An electric can opener comprises a motor, a controller, and a signal-detecting element monitoring at least one of (i) an audio signal and (ii) a motion-type signal during operation of the can opener. The controller determines a baseline signal value, calculates a threshold signal value and compares the monitored signal value to the calculated threshold value. The controller stops operation of the can opener if the detected signal is outside the threshold from the baseline.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a steam iron having a housing, a handle, a soleplate, a water reservoir comprising a water inlet port, a fill door comprising a plug sized to seal the water inlet port, and a blocking member configured to prevent the plug from sealing the water inlet port during shipment of the steam iron. Methods for preparing a steam iron for shipment are also provided.