Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for automatically making a pocket sandwich. The apparatus includes a platform configured to support a wrap (such as pita bread, tortillas, or the like) and a rotatable food pocket arranged at a center of the platform. A folding paddle is configured to rotate toward and away from the center of the platform, being placed at a location with respect to the platform such that motion of the folding paddle toward the center of the platform folds a portion of the wrap. The holding arm has a tip at a free end thereof, being movable in a vertical direction toward and away from the center of the platform. The holding arm is configured to contact the wrap and hold the folded pleat in place while the food pocket rotates with respect to the platform to permit the folding paddle to generate a successive pleat.

Abstract: A blender includes: a base unit, the base unit including a vent in fluid communication with external air; a motor mounted within the base unit and configured to drive blender blades; a cooling fan mounted in the base unit to draw air though the vent and past the motor into a reservoir; and a conduit formed within the base unit that provides an exit path for air drawn past an exit port at the rear of the base unit. A central baffle is located within the reservoir that divides the exit path into two lateral substreams that flow past opposite side edges of the central baffle, and two lateral baffles are located within the reservoir downstream of the central baffle. Each lateral baffle directs a respective substream inwardly such that the sub streams combine into a single stream that exits the exit port.

Abstract: A countertop oven includes a housing having a rear panel, an upper panel, a bottom panel, a first side panel, an opposing second side panel and an open front end, together defining a cooking cavity therebetween. The cooking cavity is accessible via the open front end of the housing. At least one heating element within the housing selectively heats the cooking cavity. A door is movably attached to the housing via at least one 4-bar linkage mechanism. The door is selectively movable between a closed position, wherein the open front end of the housing is covered by the door, and an open position, wherein the door is positioned generally atop the upper panel of the housing, thereby uncovering the open front end of the housing to access the cooking cavity.

Abstract: A food grinder comprises a base housing a motor, a throat portion coupled to the base, a receiving tube coupled to the throat, a feeding tray coupled to an upper end of the receiving tube, a selectively rotatable auger selectively insertable into and removable from the throat portion, and a storage tray sized and shaped to be selectively insertable into and removable from the feeding tray. The storage tray comprises a main body having a plurality of depressions formed in a top surface thereof. Each depression is sized and shaped to hold one or more accessories for use with the food grinder.

Abstract: A blender for blending foodstuff comprises a base enclosing a motor, a jar for containing foodstuff that is removably mountable to the base, and a lid removably mountable to the jar to selectively close off the top end. The lid comprises a main body having an opening defined therein, and a cap removably mountable to the main body to selectively close off the opening. When the cap is mounted to the main body and the lid is mounted to the jar, a tortuous airflow path is provided between the main body and cap to allow airflow into or out of the jar.

Abstract: A food dehydrator comprises a housing and a door slidably and pivotably affixed to the housing. The housing defines a food cavity and has an opening defined in the housing to enable access to the food cavity. The housing comprises opposing top and bottom walls, a back wall opposite the opening, and opposing side walls. The door is selectively movable between a closed position closing off the opening thereby blocking access to the food cavity and an open position enabling access to the food cavity. The door, when in the open position, may rest on the top wall.

Abstract: A blender comprises a housing and a shield. The housing has a first portion enclosing a motor and a second portion for selectively receiving a blender jar assembly. The second portion defines an opening through which the blender jar assembly is selectively received. The shield is selectively coupled to the second portion via a substantially vertical pivot point that enables the shield to be selectively pivoted between a closed position closing off the opening in the second portion and an open position enabling the blender jar assembly to be inserted into or removed from the second portion. The pivot point comprises an overcenter cam that urges the shield toward the closed position when the shield is positioned between the closed position and a maximum displacement point of the overcenter cam and that urges the shield toward the open position when the shield is positioned between the open position and the maximum displacement point.