Abstract: Devices for removing and/or slicing a meat of fruit are disclosed. In one embodiment, the device has a handle portion and a working portion having an elongated blade and a pair of lateral extensions. The elongated blade has a cross-sectional shape adapted to facilitate movement of the elongated blade through the meat of the fruit. The working portion of the device has a resting configuration in which the elongated blade has a first radius of curvature, and at least one of the lateral extensions is manipulable under a manual force during use to deform the working portion from the resting configuration to a displaced configuration in which the elongated blade has a second radius of curvature, selectively conforming to the curvature of the skin before and as the elongated blade moves through the meat of the fruit.

Abstract: A dual chamber condiment grinder has more than one chamber for holding a different condiment in each, and each chamber has a rasp that can be selectively moved up and down to grind the condiment in the associated chamber. An actuating handle rotates on the top of the chambers to position a cam over one or the other of the rasps to selectively grind the contents of one of the chambers. In the alternative, the cam can move in a slot in a movable handle to position the cam over the desired rasp.

Abstract: Devices for removing the meat from an avocado, papaya or similar fruit, and/or for slicing the meat are shown and described. In one particular embodiment, the device has a handle portion adapted to allow an individual to manually manipulate the device, and a working portion having an elongated blade and a pair of lateral extensions coupling opposing ends of the elongated blade to the handle portion. The elongated blade has a cross-sectional shape adapted to facilitate movement of the elongated blade through the meat of the fruit.

Abstract: A dual chamber condiment grinder has more than one chamber for holding a different condiment in each, and each chamber has a rasp that can be selectively moved up and down to grind the condiment in the associated chamber. An actuating handle rotates on the top of the chambers to position a cam over one or the other of the rasps to selectively grind the contents of one of the chambers. In the alternative, the cam can move in a slot in a movable handle to position the cam over the desired rasp.

Abstract: A device for dressing shellfish comprises a handle and a working end. The handle can have a pair of handle members manually actuable with a single hand. The working end can incorporate a pair of blades connected to the respective handle members. The blades can be coupled to each other near their distal ends at least one can be adapted to bend laterally at a central region when one or both of the handles is actuated. The blades can be manipulable between an aligned configuration to facilitate insertion of the working end into the shellfish, and a spread configuration in which one or more of the blades can penetrate the shell. Removal of the device from the shellfish while the working end is retained in the spread configuration can form a slit along the length of the shellfish, facilitating removal of meat therefrom.

Abstract: A mill for grinding a spice or grain material has a grinding mechanism including: a lever mounted for pivotal movement about a lever axis, a grinder bit mounted for rotational movement about a grinder bit rotational axis, the grinder bit rotational axis being at least approximately parallel to the lever axis, and a linkage coupled to the grinder bit and coupled to the lever to transfer pivotal movement from the lever to the grinding bit. The grinder bit may be cylindrical and include a gradated set of teeth. A cam pivots an engagement surface to adjust a spacing between the engagement surface and the grinding bit to select a size of resulting particles.

Abstract: A kitchen whisk having a whisk-head attached to a grippable handle by a coupling, the handle having a flex zone for enhancing the “whipping” action of the whisk-head. A cable can be embedded within the flex zone region of the handle for reinforcing the same, the ends of the cable being disposed between and encased within a handle core and an inner plug core, the inner plug core being located within the coupling. In addition, the coupling captures the ends of the wires for attachment to the handle.

Abstract: A device for dressing shellfish comprises a handle and a working end. The handle can have a pair of handle members manually actuable with a single hand. The working end can incorporate a pair of blades connected to the respective handle members. The blades can be coupled to each other near their distal ends at least one can be adapted to bend laterally at a central region when one or both of the handles is actuated. The blades can be manipulable between an aligned configuration to facilitate insertion of the working end into the shellfish, and a spread configuration in which one or more of the blades can penetrate the shell. Removal of the device from the shellfish while the working end is retained in the spread configuration can form a slit along the length of the shellfish, facilitating removal of meat therefrom.

Abstract: A mill for grinding a spice or grain material has a grinding mechanism including: a lever mounted for pivotal movement about a lever axis, a grinder bit mounted for rotational movement about a grinder bit rotational axis, the grinder bit rotational axis being at least approximately parallel to the lever axis, and a linkage coupled to the grinder bit and coupled to the lever to transfer pivotal movement from the lever to the grinding bit. The grinder bit may be cylindrical and include a gradated set of teeth. A cam pivots an engagement surface to adjust a spacing between the engagement surface and the grinding bit to select a size of resulting particles.

Abstract: A single-handedly operated citrus fruit segmenter having first and second arms such that squeezing the arms into a closed position causes a curved movable scoop to extend into a citrus fruit proximate to a triangular blade and form a segment-shaped compartment. The actuation of the curved movable scoop occurs by a user squeezing the first arm toward the second arm. A pin on the first arm is operatively connected to an elongated slot of a cam mechanism such that the rotation of the first arm about its pivot location causes the cam mechanism to rotate about its own pivot location. Therefore, the cam mechanism, being also connected to the curved movable scoop, forces the curved movable scoop into the citrus fruit.