Abstract: A blender for blending foodstuff includes a base enclosing a motor and having an upper mounting surface. A jar sensor is secured to the base proximate the upper mounting surface and a jar is removably mountable to the base on the mounting surface. The jar includes a closed end and an actuator is mounted proximate the closed end. The jar sensor detects the presence of the actuator when the jar is mounted to the base in an operating position. The motor is powered when the jar sensor detects the presence of the actuator in the operating position. A motor temperature indicator is positioned on a control panel on the base and a temperature sensor is in communication with the motor temperature indicator. First and second cordsets are adaptable for removable mounting to the base for powering the motor.

Abstract: A food processor for countertop foodstuff preparation comprises a receiving base that encloses an electric motor. The receiving base has a shaft driven by the motor. A pedestal extends generally upwardly from the outer periphery. The pedestal includes an actuator. The motor is operable when the actuator is in an activated position and inoperable when the actuator is in an unactivated position. A bowl is removably mountable on the receiving base. A lid is removably mountable over an open top of the bowl. The lid has an actuator tab that extends from the outer periphery and a positioning tab that extends from the outer periphery. The lid is rotatable for moving the actuator tab into engagement with the actuator to place the actuator in the activated position. The positioning tab extends over at least part of the pedestal to provide a visual indication when the actuator is in the activated position.

Abstract: An air purifier includes a housing having an air inlet, an air outlet and an airflow path therethrough. The housing has a top, a bottom and a plurality of sides. An air filter is located within the housing in the airflow path and a motor is located within the housing. The motor includes a motor shaft and a fan is on the motor shaft for urging air into the air inlet, through the airflow path and out of the air outlet. A cover is removably mounted to the housing proximate the air inlet and a base is removably mounted to the housing. The air purifier is positionable in one of a vertical operating orientation when the weight of the housing is supported by the base and a horizontal operating orientation when the weight of the housing is supported by one of the sides of the housing.

Abstract: The blender includes a motor housing that has an outer surface surrounding an electric motor. The motor housing has a first end and a second end. The outer surface has a first mounting member. The motor housing includes a control electrically connected to the motor. A jar has an open end and a blending end and an interior surface. The jar includes a blade assembly proximate to the blending end. The jar is removably mountable to the first end of the motor housing in a operable position. The interior surface of the jar has a second mounting member. The second mounting member is in releasable registry with the first mounting member when the open end of the jar is placed over the first end of the motor housing in a storage position such that the motor housing is at least partially contained within the jar.

Abstract: A slow cooker includes a cooking base having a heating element and an open end. The slow cooker has a first container sized to fit within the open end of the cooking base. The first container has an opening for receiving foodstuff. The volume of the first container is sized to accommodate a second container. The second container has an opening for receiving foodstuff. The opening of the second container is generally equal in size to the opening of the first container. The first container has a cooking position wherein the first container is inserted in the cooking base. The second container has a cooking position wherein the second container is inserted in the cooking base. The first container and second container have a storage position, wherein the second container is nested within the first container. The slow cooker also includes a lid that is sized to enclose the opening of either of the first and second containers during their respective cooking positions.

Abstract: A clothes dryer comprises a plurality of generally parallel shelves. Each shelf includes at least an outer frame having a first end and a second end. Each shelf also includes a fabric extending across the frame to form a substantially planar surface. The dryer further includes a fan and a housing that encloses the fan. The housing has an extension arm and at least one air intake vent. The extension arm supports the second end of each shelf and comprises a plurality of air exhaust vents that are configured to direct air substantially parallel to the planar surface of each shelf.

Abstract: A deep fryer including a housing, a pot positioned in the housing and a basket which is removably positioned in the pot. The basket includes first and second handle attachment brackets that mount each of first and second handles to opposite sides of the basket.

Abstract: A method for packaging, shipping, displaying and positioning a foldable filter having a hinge into an air filtration unit wherein the foldable filter is pivotable about the hinge between a collapsed position and an expanded position. The method includes the steps of positioning the foldable filter in the collapsed position, inserting the collapsed foldable filter into a package, shipping the collapsed foldable filter within the package to a store, positioning the packaged foldable filter for display at the store, removing the foldable filter from the package, moving the foldable filter to the expanded position and positioning the foldable filter into the air filtration unit. The foldable filter includes first and second frame sections connected by the hinge and pleated filter material that includes at least one pleat edge extending generally parallel to a hinge axis. The hinge is formed at least partially by a portion of the at least one pleat edge.

Abstract: A blender for blending foodstuff comprising a motor housing that encloses an electric motor and has a first end and a second end. An upper housing is attached to the first end of the motor housing. The motor housing includes a fan driven by the motor controlled by a plurality of switches positioned behind a flexible cover. A transparent base having translucent base feet and an open bottom partially surrounds the motor housing and has a first end. The first end of the base is clamped between the upper housing and the first end of the motor housing to thereby solely suspend the motor housing from the first end of the base. A shroud is positioned partially around the motor within the motor housing. The fan draws air through the open bottom of the base into the second end of the motor housing and then around and outside of the shroud into the open top of the shroud to thereby cool the motor. The air is then directed out through the open side portion of the shroud and then sealingly vented to atmosphere.

Abstract: A mixing device configured to blend food. The mixing device includes a base enclosing a motor. The base includes a recessed area and a projection extends from the recessed area. A jar is removably mounted to the base for containing food. A collar is removably mounted between the base and the jar. The collar has a blending tool that is operatively engaged with the motor when the collar is positioned on the base. Further, a splash guard is removably mounted to the base. The splash guard covers said recessed area. A space defined by the recessed area of the base and the splash guard provides storage for a cap. The cap is releasably mounted to the projection.

Abstract: A toaster for heating a food stuff to a selected shade, includes a housing having at least one wall, at least one heating chamber within the housing for receiving the food stuff to be heated and at least one heating element for heating the food stuff in the heating chamber. A window is provided in the wall and a control knob is provided for controlling the time period that the food stuff is heated. The control knob is rotatable between a first end position at which the food stuff is heated for a short time period to provide a light food stuff shade, a second end position at which the food stuff is heated for a long time period to provide a dark food stuff shade and a plurality of intermediary positions between the first and second end positions it which the food stuff is heated for a selected time period between the short and long time periods to provide a food stuff shade between light and dark.

Abstract: A mixing device configured to blend food. The mixing device includes a base enclosing a motor. A jar is removably mounted to the base for containing food. A collar is removably mounted between the base and the jar. A dispensing spout is removably mounted to the collar. Further, a splash guard is removably mounted to the base.

Abstract: A dispensing blender for blending foodstuff and dispensing foodstuff therefrom. The dispensing blender includes a base enclosing a motor, a jar removably mountable to the base, a collar removably mountable between the base and the jar and a dispensing spout mounted to the collar. At least a portion of the dispensing spout is movable to an open position wherein foodstuff within the jar is able to flow from the jar, through the collar and out of the dispensing spout and a closed position wherein the foodstuff is blocked from flowing out of the dispensing spout. A cup actuation lever mounted to the base is movable to a dispensing position wherein the dispensing spout is urged to the open position and a resting position wherein the dispensing spout is urged to the closed position.

Abstract: A lid for a bowl of a food processor for processing a relatively large size or large volume of foodstuff including a top lid wall and a feed tube extending from the top lid wall along a feed axis. The feed tube including an inner feed surface defining a feed cavity and a mouth for accessing the feed cavity. A feed tube lid is movably secured to the mouth of the feed tube. A food pusher is movably mounted to the feed tube lid. The food pusher and feed tube lid cover the mouth of the feed tube when the feed tube lid and food pusher are in a working position. The food pusher is movable relative to the feed tube in first and second directions in the working position. The first direction is generally parallel to the feed axis and the second direction is generally perpendicular to the feed axis.