Abstract: A blender 30 includes a base housing 32, a jar mount 34 which nests on the housing, and a jar 36, which is threadedly attached to the jar mount. A motor 66 is contained within the base housing 32 and drives a blending implement 74 located within the base of the jar 36. The jar mount 34 rests on a plurality of compliant pads 88 to support the jar mount and the jar 36 during operation of the blender 30. An extension 42 of the base housing 32 provides an enclosure for a switch assembly 68 which includes four switches 96 for facilitating external control of the operation of the motor 66 and the blender 30. Each of four compliant actuator pads 54 extend through respective openings 148 in a cover 50 of the extension 42 and engage a respective actuator block 158 which is mounted on a pivotable panel 152.

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.

Abstract: An improved process for producing integral, composite handles having cushioned comfort grips, for appliances such as electric steam irons, comprising a first step of injection molding a one-piece handle substrate of strong, rigid, resinous composition having the desired predetermined shape and design, including a recessed, wrap-around area corresponding to the area of the handle which will be gripped by the hand of the eventual user of appliance. The present process comprises a second step of injection molding an integral, outer, soft, contoured layer of foamed resin into the recessed, wrap-around area of the rigid plastic handle substrate, to form a smooth, compressible, comfort grip surface area of the composite handle for engagement with the hand of the user.

Abstract: A metal container 30 includes a container portion 34 and a handle 44. The container portion 34 is formed with a base floor 36, a side wall 38 and an opening 40 surrounded by an edge 42. The handle 44 is formed by two shell sections 64 and 66 which are assembled and secured, mechanically and adhesively, to form the handle. Soft, non-slip attachments 130 are secured to an inboard side of the exterior of the handle 44. Brackets 46 and 50 are secured to a side wall 38 of the container portion 34 and provide for threaded attachment of opposite ends of the handle 44 with the container portion of the container 30.

Abstract: A beverage vessel or carafe 20 includes a container 22, an upper body 24 which is secured to the container, a handle 28 which extends between the upper body 24 and the container 22, a spout 30 formed in the upper body and a lid 34 which located in an opening 32 of the upper body. A seal 52 or 52a is located between, and compressed by, the container 22 and the upper body 24 to preclude the beverage from undesirably entering a chamber 70 of the carafe 20. A rib 98 of the upper body 24 cooperates with a pocket 110 of the container 22 to secure the upper body with the container. A fastening element 142 is attached within a pocket 140 formed on an outer surface of the container 22 and includes a sleeve 148 which fits snugly within a hole 156 of an end 38 of the handle 28 and is secured in this firm assembly by a threaded fastener 164. A compliant handle cover 180 is assembled with the handle 28 to provide a firm but tactile comfort for one who uses the carafe 20.

Abstract: A glass container 30 includes a container portion 34 and a handle 44. The container portion 34 is formed with a base floor 36, a side wall 38 and an opening 40 surrounded by an edge 42 which is formed with a pouring lip 46. The handle 44 is formed by two shell sections 52 and 54 which are assembled and secured, mechanically and adhesively, about a glass support 48 which is formed integrally with the glass container portion 34. A soft, non-slip attachment 110 is secured to an inboard side of the exterior of the handle 44.

Abstract: A hand held cleaning apparatus with a housing, a motor, and a cleaning attachment operably connected to the motor. The housing is sized and shaped to provide two primary hand holding positions. The housing has a handle section allowing a user to grasp the housing therearound and thereby provide the first hand holding position. The housing also has a head section with a top surface having a curve to be matingly received on a user's palm and thereby provide the second hand holding position.

Abstract: A caddy 30 for a hand mixer 32 includes a base 38 and a cover 40 which are joined to form a housing 36. The housing 36 is formed with a nest 74 having a pair of mounting posts 44 extending upward from a floor wall 76 of the nest. The mounting posts 44 are formed with a stem 54, an annular groove 56 and a head 58 which cooperate with accommodating biased fingers 116 and radially inward nubs 118 of the fingers to retain the mixer 32 with the caddy 30 upon assembly therewith. Openings 98 are formed in the caddy 30 to receive implement mounts 104, which are held with the caddy by biased fingers 63 and nubs 64 located within the openings. The caddy 30, with the hand mixer 32 and the implements 34, is transportable and may be stored when the mixer and implements are not in use.

Abstract: A coffeemaker (30) includes a lower housing (32) and an upper housing (34). A water reservoir (44) sets atop a portion of the lower housing (32). A top cover (56) extends in cantilever from the upper housing (34). A brew basket holder (58) is mounted pivotally to the upper housing (34) and contains a brew basket (76), having a brewed-beverage outlet (88), and a filter (78). When the coffeemaker (30) is in use, the holder (58) is located beneath the top cover (56). A releasable latch unit (62) is employed to retain the holder (58) in this. As a carafe (64) is placed in the coffeemaker (30), an actuator (132) is moved by the carafe to operate a switch (130), whereafter, upon operation of a control switch by a user, the coffeemaker (30) will process through a beverage brewing cycle. When the actuator (132) moves, the outlet (88) is opened to allow the flow of the beverage to the carafe (64).

Abstract: A food mixing appliance has a mixing head pivotably supported on a pedestal. The appliance includes a mechanism for locking the head relative to the pedestal in several discrete positions and for enabling the user to pivot the head relative to the pedestal into a selected one of the discrete positions. A mechanism includes a user actuated pivotable lever and first and second pivotable pawls. A member is fixed in position relative to the lever and includes slots defining a plurality of discrete positions for the pivotable head. Each of the pawls selectively engage a selected one of the slots corresponding to angular positions of 0.degree., 45.degree. and 90.degree. for the head relative to the pedestal.

Abstract: An integrated circuit constructed to provide control functions to a toaster oven cooking appliance. The control functions including compensation for input voltage fluctuations, compensation for residual heat due to recycling, audible signal generation, multiple mode selection, safety shut off and others. The integrated circuit also provides flexibility to accommodate multiple models of an appliance in a product line.