Abstract: A portable warm air humidifier for delivery to a room a steam air mixture of uniform moisture and at a temperature that does not cause sensation of pain. A steam ejector is used to mix the steam from an evaporation chamber with the air entering the humidifier with the advantage, among others, of eliminating the need for motors and blowers. A difference in the water level between a water supply compartment and the evaporation chamber provides a constant pressure in the evaporation chamber which is necessary to drive generated steam through a steam nozzle communicating with the steam ejector. The dimensions of the steam nozzle are determined in relation with the rate of steam generation in accordance with steam velocity to effectively eliminate or minimize the noise normally associated with the passage of steam through a nozzle.

Abstract: The present invention generally discloses processing tools for attachment to a hand-held blender. The processing tools are uniquely designed for realizing a perfect consistency for specialty foodstuffs. Also, the invention sets forth an easy attachment mechanism for securing a removable processing tool to a hand held blender. Furthermore, a container for use with a hand-held blender is also provided.

Abstract: A battery-operated two-speed salad spinner. The bowl receives one of two differently sized baskets. A cover includes a driving mechanism that rotates a selected bowl through a driving wheel.

Abstract: A reversible rack for an electric toaster oven that includes a frame and a plurality of support wires. At least some of the support wires have a plurality of projections on a first side of the rack. When the rack is positioned in the oven with the first side up, the projections carry food items placed on the rack substantially out of contact with the support wires. When the rack is positioned with the first side down the rack is arranged to support items on the substantially flat surface of the second side of the rack. The rack frame can have end members offset from the plane of the rack in the opposite direction of the projections. When the rack is positioned in the toaster oven with the projections up the rack is higher in the oven than when rack is positioned in toaster oven with the projections down.

Abstract: A heating element for heating liquids, comprising a heating coil coiled about a central axis. The coil has a first end and a second end lying in a plane substantially parallel to the central axis. The coil is covered with insulation which is covered with a protective sheath. The protective sheath is covered with an aluminum housing provided with a central aperture to increase the surface area of the heating element in contact with the liquid to improve start-up time. The aluminum housing is also provided with an aperture to receive a thermostat. A pressure die having a first portion and a second portion is adapted to receive a spacer between the first and second portions to vary the distance between the first and second portion and allow for the manufacture of heating elements of varying diameters.

Abstract: A vacuum sealing appliance for lidded containers. A container is evacuated by placing a conventional container with a lid under a bell cover or by applying a special lid to an open container. An actuator assembly moves a valve to an sealed position and energizes an electrical vacuum pump. A vacuum switch and solenoid simultaneously terminate the operation of the vacuum pump and allow atmospheric pressure to be applied to the lid, thereby to seal the lid against the container.

Abstract: A coffee grinder with a removable storage and dispensing element that has a housing and rotatable assembly in the housing. The rotatable assembly includes a distributor allows a single one of multiple open sectors to be filled in any given position. A dispensing component has an open sector angularly offset from the open sector of the distributor. When the dispensing component open sector aligns with a filled sector, the beans drop into a hopper for grinding. A grinder operates until all the beans in the hopper are ground.

Abstract: A humidifier comprises a water tank with a top opening and an assembly with a warm mist distributor and a vaporization module with a boiling chamber. The vaporization module has an insulated wall chamber, nozzles extending from a closed end proximate the warm mist distributor and an end closure at the opposite end. The end closure has a central opening the facilities filling and draining of the boiling chamber. In use the central opening is closed, and a labyrinth passage through the end closure meters the water that enters the boiling chamber.

Abstract: An electric cooking appliance with reversible cooking elements. A base carries two pivoted contact boxes. Each contact box includes a support surface for receiving a cooking element including a sleeve for supporting the cooking element on the contact box. Each cooking element is molded with an integral, internal heating element and desired cooking surfaces. Reversal of cooking surfaces is accomplished by removing, flipping and reversing the cooking element with its internal heating element on its contact box.

Abstract: An electric cooking appliance with reversible cooking elements. A base carries two pivoted contact boxes. Each contact box includes a support surface for receiving a cooking element including a sleeve for supporting the cooking element on the contact box. Each cooking element is molded with an integral, internal heating element and desired cooking surfaces. Reversal of cooking surfaces is accomplished by removing, flipping and reversing the cooking element with its internal heating element on its contact box.

Abstract: A humidifier comprises a water tank with a top opening and an assembly with a warm mist distributor and a vaporization module with a boiling chamber. The vaporization module has an insulated wall chamber, nozzles extending from a closed end proximate the warm mist distributor and an end closure at the opposite end. The end closure has a central opening the facilities filling and draining of the boiling chamber. In use the central opening is closed, and a labyrinth passage through the end closure meters the water that enters the boiling chamber.

Abstract: A coffee grinder with a removable storage and dispensing element that has a housing and rotatable assembly in the housing. The rotatable assembly includes a distributor allows a single one of multiple open sectors to be filled in any given position. A dispensing component has an open sector angularly offset from the open sector of the distributor. When the dispensing component open sector aligns with a filled sector, the beans drop into a hopper for grinding. A grinder operates until all the beans in the hopper are ground.

Abstract: A portable warm air humidifier for delivery to a room a steam air mixture of uniform moisture and at a temperature that does not cause sensation of pain. A steam ejector is used to mix the steam from an evaporation chamber with the air entering the humidifier with the advantage, among others, of eliminating the need for motors and blowers. A difference in the water level between a water supply compartment and the evaporation chamber provides a constant pressure in the evaporation chamber which is necessary to drive generated steam through a steam nozzle communicating with the steam ejector. The dimensions of the steam nozzle are determined in relation with the rate of steam generation in accordance with steam velocity to effectively eliminate or minimize the noise normally associated with the passage of steam through a nozzle.

Abstract: A heating element for heating liquids, comprising a heating coil coiled about a central axis. The coil has a first end and a second end lying in a plane substantially parallel to the central axis. The coil is covered with insulation which is covered with a protective sheath. The protective sheath is covered with an aluminum housing provided with a central aperture to increase the surface area of the heating element in contact with the liquid to improve start-up time. The aluminum housing is also provided with an aperture to receive a thermostat. A pressure die having a first portion and a second portion is adapted to receive a spacer between the first and second portions to vary the distance between the first and second portion and allow for the manufacture of heating elements of varying diameters.

Abstract: An immersible heater module for elevating the temperature of a liquid in a container. The heating module has a semispherical shape and is formed with an outer body that inhibits the adherence of residues during the boiling process, such as stainless steel or dielectric-coated stainless steel, and an aluminum inner body. Electrical heating coils are affixed to the aluminum body to heat the aluminum body and transfer heat through the outer body into the liquid. The composite of the inner and outer bodies provides efficient heat transfer for boiling liquid.