Abstract: A garment steamer has a housing with a reservoir and a boiler for converting water to steam. The housing includes a normally closed valve in a flow path between the reservoir and the boiler. A removable fill plug in a fill opening or inlet of the reservoir is configured to engage the valve to permit water to be communicated from the reservoir via an outlet to the boiler for conversion into steam. The plug-actuated valve isolates the boiler from the reservoir when the plug is removed, providing safer refilling when the boiler is hot. The garment steamer also includes a steam discharge head coupled by a hose to the housing and configured to direct steam onto a garment or similar item.

Abstract: A pivoting and swiveling floor treatment appliance includes a lock-prevention member that prevents a body from becoming pivotally locked in a forward/backward direction when a portion of the body is in a swiveled position. The lock-prevention member may move relative to an appliance head and to a portion of the body that swivels. In some embodiments, components of the lock-prevention member contribute to locking the swivel of the body when the body is pivotally locked.

Abstract: A pivoting and swiveling floor treatment appliance includes a lock-prevention member that prevents a body from becoming pivotally locked in a forward/backward direction when a portion of the body is in a swiveled position. The lock-prevention member may move relative to an appliance head and to a portion of the body that swivels. In some embodiments, components of the lock-prevention member contribute to locking the swivel of the body when the body is pivotally locked.

Abstract: A steam appliance having a split handle with the upper part biased away from the handle base and an actuator for a water pump. When the appliance is pushed, the handle upper part is depressed and displaces a pump actuator to activate the pump. Use of a steam frame and steam towel allows an iron to be used as a steam cleaner. When a pole is mounted on the upper handle part, the appliance may be used as a steam mop that is activated by pushing the pole which depresses the handle to actuate the pump.

Abstract: Food processing apparatus and methods for processing food are disclosed. The apparatus may include stored sequences for operating a processing tool. The stored sequences may address various challenging aspects of blending solid foods and/or ice. In some embodiments, particular sequences are implemented with specific processing tools.

Abstract: A food processor is provided which includes a container, a blade assembly, a lid configured to cover the top of the container, and a handle attached to the lid. The handle may be movable between at least a first position and a second position with respect to the lid, where when the handle is in the first position, the lid is capable of being coupled to the container, and when the handle is in the second position, the lid is locked to the container. When the handle is in the first position, the motor may be prevented from being activated, and when the handle is in the second position activation of the motor may be permitted. A release button on the lid may be configured to move the handle out of the second position.

Abstract: A fabric steam towel for mounting onto a steam frame of a steam appliance is provided. The pocket includes two complimentary substantially planar layers of fabric joined at their peripheral edge with an open section for mounting onto the steam frame and allowing the open edges to butt against each other. The fabrics are constructed of an outer terry layer and inner material with an upper jersey layer, padding and a lower mesh layer with a 45 degree quilting pattern to improve performance. The fabric is sealed about the frame a first length of a fastener is secured to the inside face along the open edge of one layer with a complimentary length of fastener secured to the inside face of the second layer and extending beyond the edge to allow the open edges of each layer to abut each other and for the fasteners to engage and secure the fabric pocket about the edge of the frame.