Abstract: An outdoor grill of the type having a base, a cover, a food-supporting grill and a heating element includes an electrical housing having a support member removably disposed within the outdoor grill, and a housing member secured to the support member. The housing member is shaped to define a cavity wherein at least one electrical connection is located. The top and the sides of the housing member define a nonperforated surface which substantially prevents substances damaging to the at least one electrical connection from entering the cavity. In case damaging substances do enter the cavity, the bottom of the housing member defines a surface having at least one vent for venting the substances from the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus for grilling food includes a base, a reflector positioned within the base, a heating element mounted upon the base and spaced above the reflector, and a food-supporting grill. The reflector includes a downwardly sloped bottom surface having a central region shaped to define a flavor well and a plurality of perforations disposed outside of the flavor well to direct drippings away from the flavor well.

Abstract: An electric heater assembly which provides an alarm warning when an abnormal condition occurs and which simultaneously disables the electrical heating elements is provided. The heater element assembly includes a heating element, an electrically actuated alarm which provides an alarm warning when an abnormal condition occurs, and a tip-over switch which provides a closed circuit when the heater is in a predetermined level position and which provides an open circuit when the heater is tilted beyond a selected tilt angle. The electrical heating element, electrically actuated alarm, and tip-over switch are electrically connected such that the tip-over switch disables the heating element and actuates the alarm when the tip-over switch is in one of the open and closed positions, and such that the tip-over switch enables the heating element and disables the alarm when the tip-over switch is in the other of the open closed positions.

Abstract: A food processor for cutting, comminuting and blending various culinary ingredients includes a drive unit which is expressly designed for installation on the underside of kitchen cabinets and at least one food receiving container having a rotating cutter assembly disposed therein. The rotating cutter assembly includes a pair of blades slidably mounted upon a shaft which food in opposite directions to improve the uniformity of cutting and blending. The food container is slidably received in the drive unit and a connection and release mechanism therein automatically interconnects the cutter assembly with an output drive member in the drive unit when the food container is fully seated therein. A release mechanism may be manually activated to disconnect the drive member prior to the removal of the food container from the drive unit.

Abstract: A percolator/dispenser is disclosed which includes an insulated container having a hinged lid. A percolator heater tube and basket are mounted inside the container, and a manually operated pressure pump is included in the lid of the container. This pressure pump operates to pump air from outside the container to the inside of the container when operated. A discharge spout is movable between a vented position, a pump position, and a sealed position. A pressure lock system prevents the spout from being moved from the sealed position to the pump position when excessive pressure is present within the container. A lid stop system prevents the lid from being closed when the spout is in the pump position. A lid lock system prevents the lid from being opened when the container is pressurized.

Abstract: A percolator/dispenser is disclosed which includes an insulated container having a hinged lid. A percolator heater, tube, and basket are mounted inside the container, and a manually operated pressure pump is included in the lid of the container. This pressure pump operates to pump air from the outside of the container to the inside of the container when operated. A discharge spout is movable between (1) a vented position, in which a vent path is provided between the spout and an upper portion of the interior of the container, (2) a dispensing position, in which the spout is connected to a tube which extends down to a lower portion of the interior of the container, and (3) a sealed position, in which the spout is sealed. An interlock is provided which insures that the percolator can not be activated unless the spout is in the vented position, thereby automatically preventing overpressurization of the insulated container due to inadequate venting during operation of the percolator.

Abstract: A steam cooking utensil is disclosed which includes a base; a boiling water reservoir and a condensate trough defined by the base; and a heater disposed centrally to the boiling water reservoir, mounted in the base, and coupled to a thermostat also mounted in the base. The condensate trough is disposed in annular relationship to the boiling water reservoir. A food tray defining a imperforate central surface and an array of peripheral aperatures is supported such that the imperforate surface is vertically aligned with the boiling water reservoir and the array of peripheral apertures is vertically aligned with the condensate trough. A cover having a bottom opening defined by a rim is positioned over the food tray, condensate trough and boiling water reservoir, such that the rim cooperates with an outer peripheral lip of the condensate trough to form a seal. The disclosed steam cooking utensil operates to cook food quickly, cleanly and efficiently.

Abstract: A convection oven being an air distribution chamber above the main cooking compartment is the subject of the present invention. A centrifugal fan draws air from the cooking compartment into the air chamber and directs the air outwardly past an electrical heating element mounted within the air chamber in a serpentine configuration. The heated air passes from the air chamber into the cooking compartment through a series of slots which are arranged in a non-symmetrical pattern in order to heat the cooking compartment uniformly for uniform cooking of the food.

Abstract: A shaded pole lamination is disclosed which includes a rotor opening positioned asymmetrically with respect to the sides of the lamination so as to increase the metal available to carry the magnetic flux on the side of the main pole which is farther from the main coil. In addition, shading coil recesses are provided which are grouped with respective reluctance gaps and crowded into the region near the reluctance gaps in order to maximize the area of the main poles. The shape of the lamination adjacent the reluctance gap has been modified to further increase operating efficiency.

Abstract: A percolator/dispenser is disclosed which includes an insulated container having a hinged lid. A percolator heater, tube, and basket are mounted inside the container, and a manually operated pressure pump is included in the lid of the container. This pressure pump operates to pump air from the outside of the container to the inside of the container when operated. A normally open vent path is provided between a spout of the container and the upper portion of the interior of the container. When the manually operated pump is operated, a vent valve is controlled to close this vent path in order to seal the container such that air introduced into the container by means of the pump operates to force liquid out of the spout of the container.

Abstract: A device for opening sealed food bags is mounted on the frame of an electric can opener. The device includes a serrated cutter wheel which is driven by the can opener motor. A guide surface on the frame guides the bag as it is being fed through the cutter wheel. A modified form of the invention includes a pair of idler discs which overlap the cutter wheel. In a third form of the invention, the cutter wheel is not driven, and a pivotal lever is used to maintain the bag against the cutter wheel as it is fed manually through the cutting mechanism.

Abstract: A device for opening sealed bags containing foods of various types. A lever is pivoted to one end of a base plate and carries a serrated cutter wheel which is mounted for free rotation. The base plate has a recess which receives the cutting edge of the cutter wheel when the lever is pressed toward the base plate to a cutting position. The bag is inserted between the lever and base plate and is pulled through the device such that the peripheral teeth of the cutter wheel cut or perforate the bag.

Abstract: A food slicing machine which folds up into a compact storage position includes a motor driven blade mounted on an upright housing. A platform pivotally mounted to the housing supports a sliding food tray which in turn receives a food pusher used to maintain the food against a guide surface during the slicing stroke. A thumb guard pivotally connected with the food tray must be positioned properly to permit operation of the machine. The components are removable for cleaning and are contained together when the unit is folded up for storage.