Abstract: A French press coffee maker includes a carafe, a plunger, and a ladle. The carafe includes a base wall and an upwardly extending generally cylindrical side wall. The plunger includes a rod and a piston connected to the rod. The piston is movable with respect to the carafe in an axial direction. The ladle includes a base having a peripheral rim and an upwardly extending arm connected with the base.

Abstract: A French press coffee maker includes a carafe, a plunger, and a ladle. The carafe includes a base wall and an upwardly extending generally cylindrical side wall. The plunger includes a rod and a piston connected to the rod. The piston is movable with respect to the carafe in an axial direction. The ladle includes a base having a peripheral rim and an upwardly extending arm connected with the base.

Abstract: A brush includes a handle and a head having an array of bristles and a paddle with a plurality of apertures formed therein. The paddle and bristles may be formed of silicone.

Abstract: The present invention provides a rack including fingers which are pivotally mounted so that when an actuator is moved to an extended condition the fingers will simultaneously move to an extended position approximately perpendicular to the upper surface of the rack so that items may be placed thereon for uses such as drying. The fingers are pivotally attached to the actuator so that, upon movement to a retracted position, the fingers will pivot downward and to a retracted position below the upper surface providing a flat rack that is easily stored. The rack also includes a liquid indicator for identifying whether liquid is present within a base of the rack.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing fluid, such as soap for washing items such as dishes and the like, is disclosed having a piston mechanism with a seal between a piston head and cylinder. The apparatus may include a one-way valve to prevent fluid from entering a soap storage reservoir. The apparatus may include a sponge head portion for scrubbing the items, for instance, and for receiving soap dispensed by the apparatus.

Abstract: A container for storing personal items, such as toothbrushes, cotton swabs, make-up applicators, and the like, is disclosed. The container has a body made from at least two telescoping walls, and a lid for closing an open end of the body. The lid is connected to the telescoping walls in a manner which provides better access to the stored items when the lid is opened. The container may be embodied such that the innermost wall of the body is raised to expose the stored items, or such that the outermost wall of the body is retracted to expose the stored items.

Abstract: A utility knife which includes a feature for presenting a user with a replacement blade holder containing replacement blades when the separate halves of the knife body, referred to as handle portions, are opened to expose an interior cavity is disc losed. A pivotable latching lever selectively movable between a latched position and an unlatched position permits the two handle portions to pivot relative to one another about a pivot axis when the lever is in the unlatched position so that the replacement blade holder may be presented to the user. The disclosed utility knife having a replacement blade holder and a latching lever is capable of very economic manufacture, yet is dependable in operation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a rack including fingers which are pivotally mounted so that when an actuator is moved to an extended condition the fingers will simultaneously move to an extended position approximately perpendicular to the upper surface of the rack so that items may be placed thereon for uses such as drying. The fingers are pivotally attached to the actuator so that, upon movement to a retracted position, the fingers will pivot downward and to a retracted position below the upper surface providing a flat rack that is easily stored. The rack also includes a liquid indicator for identifying whether liquid is present within a base of the rack.

Abstract: The present invention in an embodiment provides a rack including fingers which are pivotally mounted so that when an actuator is moved to an extended condition the fingers will simultaneously move to an extended position approximately perpendicular to the upper surface of the rack so that items may be placed thereon for uses such as drying. The fingers are pivotally attached to the actuator so that, upon movement to a retracted position, the fingers will pivot downward and to a retracted position below the upper surface providing a flat rack that is easily stored. The rack also includes a liquid indicator for identifying whether liquid is present within a base of the rack.

Abstract: A brush includes a handle and a head having an array of bristles and a paddle with a plurality of apertures formed therein. The paddle and bristles may be formed of silicone.

Abstract: A utility knife which includes a feature for presenting a user with a replacement blade holder containing replacement blades when the separate halves of the knife body, referred to as handle portions, are opened to expose an interior cavity is disclosed. A pivotable latching lever selectively movable between a latched position and an unlatched position permits the two handle portions to pivot relative to one another about a pivot axis when the lever is in the unlatched position so that the replacement blade holder may be presented to the user. The disclosed utility knife having a replacement blade holder and a latching lever is capable of very economic manufacture, yet is dependable in operation.