Abstract: A system for providing power to a cordless appliance is provided. The system includes a coupler, and a complementary coupler on the appliance is also present. The coupler has symmetrically configured concentric power terminals, which are connected to a main power source in use, and a magnetic coupling region disposed concentrically around an outer periphery of the power terminals. The complementary coupler has complementary power terminals configured to engage with the symmetrically configured concentric power terminals of the coupler, and an engaging region disposed concentrically around an outer periphery of the complementary terminals. A magnetic force provides a mutual attraction between the magnetic coupling region and the engaging region, thereby engaging the power terminals and complementary power terminals and establishing an electrical connection between the coupler and the appliance.

Abstract: A steam iron is described. The steam iron includes a housing, a handle defined at an upper portion of the housing, a soleplate carried on a base portion of the housing, a heating assembly carried in the housing and in thermal communication with the soleplate, a spray outlet, a water reservoir defined in the housing, and a pump assembly. The pump assembly includes a first mechanical pump which is manually operable to pump water from the reservoir and deliver a shot of steam from the soleplate, and a second mechanical pump manually operable to pump water from the reservoir and deliver a spray of water from the spray outlet. The steam iron also includes an underhandle trigger for manually operating one of the first and second mechanical pumps, the underhandle trigger being located beneath the handle, and an upper trigger for manually operating the other of the first and second mechanical pumps, the upper trigger being located in an upper portion of the iron housing.

Abstract: An electric steam iron is described. The iron includes a water reservoir and a soleplate. The soleplate includes a base, a heating element, a constant steam chamber in fluid communication with a plurality of constant steam chamber apertures passing through the base, and a steam shot chamber. The steam shot chamber includes a front cavity and a steam shot channel in thermal communication with the heating element and in fluid communication with the front cavity, the front cavity including at least one steam shot chamber aperture passing through the base, the steam shot channel defining a pair of flow paths substantially overlying the heating element, each flow path having a re-entrant shape. The iron further includes a constant steam chamber water delivery means for delivering water from the water reservoir into the constant steam chamber, and a steam shot chamber water delivery means for delivering water from the water reservoir into the steam shot chamber in the soleplate.

Abstract: A heating vessel is described that includes a contact plate having a contact surface configured to be in direct thermal communication with the contents located in a heating chamber of the vessel and a heat distribution plate in thermal communication with the contact plate. The heat distribution plate is configured to be remote from the contact plate in at least one region to define a thermally insulating zone. There is a heat source in thermal communication with the heat distribution plate and an electronic temperature sensor located in the thermally insulating zone, in thermal communication with the contact plate. The electronic temperature sensor is thermally insulated from the heat distribution plate by the thermally insulating zone. The measured temperature may be used to control the heating of the kettle to bring the contents lo the boil or to maintain the measured temperature within a specified range.

Abstract: A juice extractor (10) having a base (11) upon which there is mounted an electric motor (13). The electric motor (13) drives a grating disc (32). Extending upwardly from the disc (32) is a delivery chute (24) via which food is delivered to the disc (32). A food engaging member is pivotally mounted in a lower portion of the chute (24) and is movable between an extended position projecting into the passage (25) of the chute (24) and a retracted position clearing the passage (25). The member (34) inhibits at least larger pieces of food, such as fruit and vegetables, from engaging the disc (23) until the plunger (33) engages the food to move the food towards the disc (32).

Abstract: A juice extractor (10) having a base (11) upon which there is mounted an electric motor (13). The electric motor (13) drives a grating disc (32). Extending upwardly from the disc (32) is a delivery chute (24) via which food is delivered to the disc (32). A food engaging member is pivotally mounted in a lower portion of the chute (24) and is movable between an extended position projecting into the passage (25) of the chute (24), and a retracted position clearing the passage (25). The member (34) inhibits at least larger pieces of food such as fruit and vegetables, from engaging the disc (23) until the plunger (33) engages the food to move the food towards the disc (32).

Abstract: A food mixer 10 having a turntable 22 that receives a bowl 23. Projecting into a bowl 23 are beaters 24 that are driven by means of a motor 13. The turntable 22 is driven by means of a motor 25. A common speed control member in the form of a dial 29 operates a pair of potentiometers 31 that control the motors 13 and 25 so that there is a correlation between the speeds thereof.

Abstract: A rechargeable electric toothbrush 10 is received within a charger 11. The toothbrush 10 includes an outer body 12 that receives a toothbrush assembly 13. Within the body 12, there is located a secondary electric circuit 22 including a secondary coil 23. Upon the secondary coil 23 being energized, DC electric power is delivered to the batteries 21 for charging purposes. The socket 25 includes a primary circuit including a primary coil 31 that upon being energized causes the secondary coil 23 to produce an AC current, subsequently converted into a DC current for the purposes of charging the battery 21.