Abstract: A cordless appliance includes a blender having a base unit with a housing and an upwardly opening upper cavity. A drive connection is positioned within the upwardly opening upper cavity. The housing further includes a battery-receiving cavity that is configured to receive a removable battery. A motor is disposed within the housing of the base unit it is contemplated to be powered by the removable battery. A blender jar includes an upper collar in an interior cavity. A first lid assembly is configured to be coupled to the upper collar of the blender jar and includes a blade assembly and a drive connecting member. A second lid assembly includes a cap member removably received on an open aperture of the second lid assembly. The first and second lid assemblies are configured for limited rotation with respect to the blender jar for engagement of the same.

Abstract: A blade grinder that includes a base unit having a housing. The housing encloses a drive motor and defines a receiving cavity. A battery receiver is defined along a portion of the housing and a battery is removably coupled to the battery receiver. A blade implement is disposed within the receiving cavity, wherein the blade implement is configured to be driven by the drive motor. A bowl is positionable in an operably disposed condition within the receiving cavity. A lid is couplable to the housing to retain the bowl in the operably disposed condition within the receiving cavity.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner assembly is provided that includes a body extending along an axis to a base connection end that includes a protrusion. A handle extends from the body opposite the base connection end. A dust collection portion includes a body connection end that includes a track with a lock passage extending perpendicularly from the track. The protrusion is located in the lock passage in a locked position and in the track in an unlocked position to selectively remove the dust collection portion from the body.

Abstract: A hand-held mixer includes a housing, a pillar coupled to the housing at a pillar proximal end and extending to a pillar distal end, a motor within at least one of the housing and the pillar, a first beater hub removably receiving a first beater, and a battery receptacle at the pillar distal end. The battery receptacle receives a battery pack with a battery for powering the motor such that the battery pack is operable between a docked condition and an undocked condition. In the docked condition, the battery pack is engaged with the battery receptacle to provide power to the motor. In an undocked condition, the battery pack is disengaged from the battery receptacle. The battery pack moves along a battery pack axis that is substantially perpendicular to a first beater axis of rotation from the undocked condition to the docked condition.

Abstract: An immersion blender includes a housing, and a battery pack is selectively coupled to the housing. An implement includes a shaft cover that extends from the housing along an axis. A rotatable shaft is located in the shaft cover. A motor is located in the housing and is operably connected to a first end of the shaft. An implement tool is operably connected to a second end of the shaft. A user interface includes a power button and a lock button that are configured to activate the motor only while the power button and the lock button are simultaneously held.

Abstract: A rechargeable battery assembly for a kitchen appliance includes a charging base with a plug according to a standardized connection specification and a body having a pair of notches disposed adjacent a perimeter thereof. The battery assembly also includes a battery with a receptacle, a plurality of battery terminals, a plurality of tabs, and first and second buttons. The plurality of tabs are configured to move inwardly by initial engagement with corresponding notches in the charging receptacle and to move outward behind the corresponding notches when the battery is fully received in the charging receptacle, thereby defining a charging position. The first and second buttons are associated with respective ones of the plurality of tabs. The first and second buttons each are configured to move the respective tabs inward for release from the notches to remove the battery from the charging position.

Abstract: A water treatment apparatus that includes: at least one module which operatively and selectively treats one or both of an original household hot water received from the household hot water line and water flowing through the module and treats cold water received from an original household cold water line that flows through; a process control unit whereby a user selects a desired treatment option for the water flowing through the apparatus to be dispensed to the user; one or more plumbing connections which operatively divert the original household hot and cold water flow to the user selected water treatment module so as to dispense to the user the selected treated water; and one or more valves which operatively cooperate with the process control unit to direct the water flow within the apparatus so as to provide the user with the selected treated water.

Abstract: A water treatment apparatus that includes: at least one module which operatively and selectively treats one or both of an original household hot water received from the household hot water line and water flowing through the module and treats cold water received from an original household cold water line that flows through; a process control unit whereby a user selects a desired treatment option for the water flowing through the apparatus to be dispensed to the user; one or more plumbing connections which operatively divert the original household hot and cold water flow to the user selected watertreatment module so as to dispense to the user the selected treated water; and one or more valves which operatively cooperate with the process control unit to direct the water flow within the apparatus so as to provide the user with the selected treated water.