Abstract: An electrically operated slicing knife includes an axially movable switch guard overlying the switch of the knife. The switch guard is movable to a first position whereat the switch is uncovered and a second position whereat the switch is covered to prevent a user from actuating the switch. A pair of user actuated buttons control ejection of the blade of the knife. When the buttons are in a first position, the blade is locked relative to the knife handle, and the switch guard when positioned to uncover the knife switch maintains the buttons in their locked position. When the switch guard is moved to cover the switch, the buttons can be actuated by a user to unlock the blades from the knife handle.

Abstract: An electric clothes iron with circuitry for automatically disabling power to the iron when the iron is left unattended for a certain period of time. The circuitry includes a circuit for controlling two timing periods, one for controlling the shut off when the iron is in the horizontal position, and one for controlling the shut off when the iron is in the vertical position. When the user grasps the handle of the iron, the timing circuits are disabled. However, once the user removes his hand from the iron, one of the two timer periods starts to expire. If the timer reaches its prescribed limit before the handle is again grasped, the iron will automatically shut off. If the user grasps the iron during the timing process, the timer will be disabled, and will start the counting from zero the next time the hand is removed from the handled.

Abstract: A can opener (30) includes a housing (32) which supports a drive wheel (64) for rotating a can (82) loaded on the opener. While the can (82) is being rotated by the drive wheel (64), a cutter (74) is severing a lid (80) of the can therefrom. An actuator (86) is pivotally mounted at the rear of the housing (32) and extends across the top, and over the front, of the can opener (30) to provide the external control for operating the can opener. A switching mechanism (136) and a disc (184) are located within the housing (32) and are responsive to movement of the actuator (86) by a user to operate the can opener (30). A magnet assembly (98) is removably located on the underside of the actuator (86) for attaching magnetically to the lid (80) of the can (82) during a lid-cutting operation to facilitate removal of the lid from the can after completion of the lid-cutting operation. A blade sharpener (42) is located at the rear of the housing (32).

Abstract: A self-cleaning litter box for cats employs a comb drive to drive a comb through litter to remove waste from the litter. A sensor for detecting the presence of an obstruction is coupled to the comb drive and stops the comb drive upon detecting an obstruction. A manual mode selector switch and an actuating switch are provided to manually activate the cleaning of the litter box at a time deemed appropriate by the cat owner. A foot pedal unit may be provided for semi-automatic use. A removable tray for cat litter may be provided. The tray may be disposable. A pivotable ramp facilitates ingress to, and egress from, the litter box. The ramp may be carpeted. A tray receives the litter box and a hood encloses the litter box to provide privacy.

Abstract: A hair curler set for heating a plurality of hair curling rollers includes an electric heater assembly. The set includes a housing having a rotatable shaft mounted therewithin. The longitudinal axis of the rotatable shaft is disposed substantially horizontally. The heater assembly comprises a generally circular disc and is mounted on the rotatable shaft at substantially the longitudinal mid-point thereof. A pair of mounting members are spaced at either end of the shaft. Each mounting member has a surface facing towards an opposed surface of the heater assembly. A plurality of rollers are mounted between the opposed surfaces of the mounting members and the heater assembly in a generally circular array.

Abstract: An electric toaster comprising a heating element; and a combined user actuation and thermostat switch assembly connected to the heating element. The switch assembly comprises a thermostat having a bi-metal electrical contact blade and a snap-acting electrical contact blade, and a user actuated member for moving the snap-acting blade towards the bi-metal blade. The switch assembly provides an electrical path between the heating element and an electrical power supply cord without an additional separate user actuated power switch along the path.

Abstract: A hand mixer 30 is formed with a housing 32 and a handle 34 extending in one direction from the housing. A pair of beaters 58 and 60 can be assembled with the hand mixer 30 and rotated by a motor 88 under the control of a sensory actuator 92. A slidable compliant switch pad 44 provides an external facility for an operator to selectively position the sensory actuator 92 to operate the motor 88, and the beaters 58 and 60, at the different speeds. The sensory actuator 92 provides a tactile response to the operator during selection of the different speeds. The hand mixer 30 is provided with a first embodiment of a beater ejection mechanism 192, or a second embodiment of a beater ejection mechanism 242, for facilitating ejection of the beaters 58 and 60 from the hand mixer. A button 52 located externally on top of the housing 32 provides operational access to the operator to initiate the beater ejection process.

Abstract: The invention resides in an oven which is capable of recirculating air in a laminar pattern around food stuff supported within the oven cavity. The heating elements of the oven are disposed at the lower portion of the oven with the food stuff being supported thereabove. Air which is drawn in by an impeller at the top of the cavity is driven downwardly through a duct and redirected below the food and across heating element(s) and thereafter redirected upward in a recirculating pattern to effect uniform cooking of the food stuff located therein.

Abstract: A food preparation device is provided with a toaster portion and an attached slicing mechanism. The device may be used to prepare toasted bagels and other food products. The toaster portion and the slicing mechanism are arranged to provide a compact construction. The slicing mechanism may be provided with slot-shaped guides for guiding a knife. A press plate may be used to hold the food product in a desired position for cutting. In addition, a device may be provided for removing the food product after it has been sliced.