Abstract: A carbonated beverage appliance in accordance with the present invention includes a housing and a carbonating head assembly configured to releasably engage a top end of a bottle containing a liquid to be carbonated. The bottle is engaged with the head assembly in a manner so as to provide a liquid and gas-tight seal. A tube is arranged in the housing for directing a flow of pressurized gas from a gas cylinder to the liquid within the bottle to produce a carbonated beverage. The carbonated beverage appliance includes a quick-connect mechanism for attaching a gas cylinder to the appliance, and a dispensing mechanism for the on-demand dispensing of a carbonated beverage from the bottle while it is attached to the appliance.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for storing and distributing hairpins for application to the hair of a subject, includes a support having a support surface, a plurality of hairpins releasably coupled to the support and an opener mounted to the support. The opener includes a base segment defining a longitudinal axis and having opposed generally diverging side segments. The base segment at least partially extends beyond the support surface of the support to orient the diverging side segments in position whereby legs of each hairpin may be advanced along the diverging side segments to displace the legs to cause opening thereof.

Abstract: A toaster and convection oven includes a housing having an internal heating compartment, a heating mechanism in thermal communication with the heating compartment and configured to heat the heating compartment, a user interface including a plurality of user controls to be manipulated by a user, the user controls allowing the user to program a dual cook mode including a first cooking mode and a second cooking mode, and a control unit operatively connected to the user interface and to the heating mechanism. The control unit is configured to receive a signal from the user interface and to control operation of the heating mechanism in dependence upon the signal to run the first cooking mode and the second cooking mode sequentially without further input from the user.

Abstract: A combination heat and steam oven according to the present invention includes a housing having an internal heating compartment, at least one dry heating element disposed within the heating compartment, a steam generating unit configured to produce steam for injection into the heating compartment, and a user interface. The user interface is configured for selectively controlling operation of the at least one dry heating element and the steam generating unit, so that the steam generating unit and the at least one dry heating element may be operated alone or simultaneously with the other of the steam generating unit and the at least one dry heating element.

Abstract: A hair curling apparatus includes a handle, a barrel depending from the handle, and dimensioned to accommodate a lock of hair wrapped thereabout and a clamp releasably mounted relative to one of the barrel or the handle. The clamp includes a spoon which is adapted to move relative to the one of the barrel or the handle between a closed position and an open position. The spoon engages the lock of hair when in the closed position. The curling iron apparatus has both clamp and clampless capabilities, thus providing the user with styling flexibility.

Abstract: A mirror apparatus (10) includes a platform (12), a mirror support (14) depending from the platform (12), a mirror member (16) mounted to the mirror support (14) and an illuminating member (34) mounted about at least a peripheral segment of the mirror member (16) for providing illumination. The mirror member (16) may include a first mirror side (24) having a substantially planar mirror surface and a second mirror side (26) having a magnifying mirror surface. The mirror support (14) may be mounted for movement relative to the platform (12) between a first operative position and a second transport position. The mirror support (14) may be mounted for pivotal movement relative to the platform (12) between the first operative position and the second transport position. The mirror support (14) may be adapted to be releasably secured in the first operative position.

Abstract: An adapter-converter assembly for use with an electrical outlet is disclosed including a main body having a first, second and third universal female outlets defining first, second and third outlet configurations, and a first male plug defining a first plug configuration. A second body has a fourth universal female outlet defining the second outlet configuration and a second male plug defining a second plug configuration. The second male plug is receivable in at least one of the female outlets and the fourth female outlet is configured to receive the first male plug. A third body has a fifth universal female outlet defining the third outlet configuration and a third male plug defining a third plug configuration. The third male plug receivable in at least one of the first, second and third female outlets and the fifth female outlet is configured to receive the first male plug.

Abstract: A brewed beverage appliance uses a specialized pre-packaged beverage container and a related method of brewing a beverage. The container comprises a cup-shaped base having openings at the bottom. A plurality of roasted, whole coffee beans are contained therein. The appliance has a blade that punctures the cup and then grinds the beans while they are still in the cup. Heated water is delivered to the cup and passes through the ground coffee causing brewed coffee to emit from the openings in the bottom of the cup and into a container such as a coffee mug.

Abstract: A hair curling apparatus includes a handle, a barrel depending from the handle, and dimensioned to accommodate a lock of hair wrapped thereabout and a clamp releasably mounted relative to one of the barrel or the handle. The clamp includes a spoon which is adapted to move relative to the one of the barrel or the handle between a closed position and an open position. The spoon engages the lock of hair when in the closed position. The curling iron apparatus has both clamp and clampless capabilities, thus providing the user with styling flexibility.

Abstract: A hair styling apparatus includes first and second handle members adapted for movement between an open position for receiving hair therebetween and a closed condition adjacent the hair, a heating element associated with at least one of said first and second handle members and a cartridge mountable to said first handle member and having a hair treatment agent for dispensing and treating hair disposed between the first and second handle members. The treatment agent may include a conditioning, strengthening, repairing or revitalizing fluid. An ultrasonic transducer may be associated with said cartridge. The transducer is actuable to heat the treatment agent to affect at least partial vaporization thereof for release adjacent the heating elements and application to the hair.

Abstract: An apparatus for styling hair includes a housing dimensioned to be held in a hand of a user, and having an air inlet and an air outlet, a fan within the housing, a heater for heating air passing from said air inlet to said air outlet and an end cap mounted to the barrel adjacent the air inlet. The end cap includes an end cap frame defining an end cap axis and a reducer mounted within the end cap frame. The reducer is dimensioned to reduce acoustic energy. The end cap may be releasably couplable to the housing.

Abstract: The beverage appliance of the present invention includes a venturi having a steam inlet and a milk inlet. The steam inlet and milk inlet each include a solenoid valve configurable between an open state and a closed state. The solenoid valves are electrically coupled to a processor and are controllable through first and second switches. In operation, upon activation of the first switch, the solenoid valves are controlled to their open states to deliver milk and steam to the venturi to produce frothed milk. When a desired amount of frothed milk has been dispensed, the user deactivates the first switch and the processor controls only the milk inlet solenoid valve to its closed state. The steam inlet solenoid valve remains in its open state for a predetermined amount of time such that a burst of steam only is forced through the venturi and distribution lines to purge them of milk.

Abstract: The beverage appliance of the present invention includes a venturi having a steam inlet and a milk inlet. The steam inlet and milk inlet each include a solenoid valve configurable between an open state and a closed state. The solenoid valves are electrically coupled to a processor and are controllable through first and second switches. In operation, upon activation of the first switch, the solenoid valves are controlled to their open states to deliver milk and steam to the venturi to produce frothed milk. When a desired amount of frothed milk has been dispensed, the user deactivates the first switch and the processor controls only the milk inlet solenoid valve to its closed state. The steam inlet solenoid valve remains in its open state for a predetermined amount of time such that a burst of steam only is forced through the venturi and distribution lines to purge them of milk.

Abstract: A beverage making appliance uses a specialized beverage container and a related method of brewing a beverage. The container includes a cup-shaped body having a floor, a circumferential wall, and a top opening, a filter element positioned above the floor, at least one aperture formed in the floor, and a cover releasably attached to the cup body and covering the top opening. The appliance includes a base adapted to receive a beverage receptacle, a reservoir, a housing, a brewing tray in mechanical communication with the housing and dimensioned to receive a container containing at least one drink ingredient having particles of a first size, a grinding mechanism and a water delivery mechanism to selectively deliver water from the reservoir to one of a brewed beverage outlet in fluid communication with the receptacle, and a hot-water outlet.

Abstract: A hair styling apparatus includes first and second handle members adapted for movement between an open position for receiving hair therebetween and a closed position adjacent the hair, a heating element associated with at least one of said first and second handle members and a vibration element mountable to at least one of the first and second handle member to impart mechanical energy to the heating element. The vibration element may include a transducer. The transducer may be a piezoelectric transducer.

Abstract: A facial treatment apparatus includes a housing, a facial treatment member mounted to the housing, and dimensioned for application to facial skin of a subject and being actuable to treat the facial skin, a visual display including a facial icon having a plurality of regions corresponding to different areas of the facial skin to be treated by the facial treatment member, an electronic timer adapted to count time associated with a treatment protocol and responsive to actuation of the facial treatment member and a controller associated with the timer and the facial icon and cooperating to visually identify a different region of the facial icon at successive predetermined time intervals of the treatment protocol.

Abstract: A system for removal of hair includes an instrument having a frame with a trailing handle segment and a leading treatment segment, a manually manipulative actuator mounted relative to the trailing handle segment of the frame and a drive member operatively coupled to the actuator and extending at least partially within the leading treatment segment of the frame. The drive member is movable between an initial condition and a deployed condition in response to corresponding movement of the actuator. A blade assembly is mountable relative to the leading treatment segment of the frame. The blade assembly includes a blade housing mountable relative to the treatment segment of the frame, a blade mounted to the blade housing and having hair teeth for grooming a pet and an ejector member mounted relative to the blade housing. The ejector member is couplable to the drive member of the instrument and positioned to facilitate removal of hair from the blade upon movement toward the advanced position.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for styling hair includes first and second members (12, 14) operatively connected to each other and adapted for relative movement between a generally open condition to receive a length of hair and a generally approximated position to engage the length of hair and a brush (22) mounted relative to the first and second members (12, 14). The brush (22) is adapted for rotational movement about a longitudinal axis defined thereby to brush the length of hair when the first and second members (12, 14) are in the approximated condition. At least one, if not both, of the first and second members (12, 14) may include a heating element (58) for heat treating the length of hair.

Abstract: A mixing paddle for use in a conventional ice cream maker includes two vertical arms that have outer contact edges that exceed the inner diameter of the freezer bowl in which they are positioned during use. This enables the contact edges to effectively scrape ice cream ingredients from the inner wall of the bowl during use and direct the ingredients toward the center of the bowl. The mixing paddle also comprises two cross-members that have pin-wheel style shapes that move ice cream ingredients vertically during use. The combined effect of the vertical arms and the cross-members optimally and uniformly mixes the ice cream ingredients during use and ensures efficient cooling.