Abstract: A water kettle and filter includes a receptacle having an interior for holding a quantity of liquid, the receptacle having a base and side walls, the side walls having a handle for enabling liquid to be poured out of the receptacle, a spout opposite the handle through which liquid can exit the receptacle, and a filter which comprises a filter plate and a water treatment cartridge mounted thereto. The filter plate is slidably mounted to the interior of the receptacle and the water treatment cartridge is slidably mounted and frictionally retained to the filter plate.

Abstract: A safety shut-off device for an electric toaster having a food support member includes at least one switch that is movable between a closed position to thereby energize one or more heating elements associated with the toaster and an open position for deenergizing the at least one heating element. A rotatable support beam is pivotally connected to the chassis. An armature is connected to one end of the beam and a first locking member is connected to an opposite end of the beam. A second locking member associated with the food support member engages the first locking member during a toasting operation. During a toasting operation, the beam is rotated to close the at least one switch and an electromagnet is energized to hold the beam, and thus the food support member, in a toasting position. At the end of the toasting operation, the electromagnet is deenergized, causing the beam to rotate and open the switch to deenergize the at least one heating element and release the food support member.

Abstract: A safety shut-off device for an electric toaster having a food support member includes at least one switch that is movable between a closed position to thereby energize one or more heating elements associated with the toaster and an open position for deenergizing the at least one heating element. A rotatable support beam is pivotally connected to the chassis. An armature is connected to one end of the beam and a first locking member is connected to an opposite end of the beam. A second locking member associated with the food support member engages the first locking member during a toasting operation. During a toasting operation, the beam is rotated to close the at least one switch and an electromagnet is energized to hold the beam, and thus the food support member, in a toasting position. At the end of the toasting operation, the electromagnet is deenergized, causing the beam to rotate and open the switch to deenergize the at least one heating element and release the food support member.

Abstract: An air filtration device for intake of atmospheric air, removal of contaminants from the atmospheric air, expulsion of filtered air, includes a housing configured for application directly to an electrical outlet and provides air intake from the front surface of the housing and air expulsion from the side of the housing to utilize a wall surface to disperse the filtered air. A filter change indicator is provided to communicate that a filter should be changed, and a filter orientation system is provided to allow proper orientation of the filter with respect to air flow.

Abstract: A low cost toaster having a metal body and plastic end panels. The end panels have cooling inlet vents near their lower ends and the top wall of the metal body has air outlet vents. Ambient air admitted through the inlet vents flows upwardly through the toaster and outwardly through the outlet vents to provide a cooling effect sufficient to allow the use of inexpensive plastic material for molding the end panels. The toaster has a bread lifter made entirely from a wire rod, a bread lifter extension made entirely from a wire rod, and a toast color cam made entirely from a single piece of sheet metal.

Abstract: An air filtration device for intake of atmospheric air, removal of contaminants from the atmospheric air, expulsion of filtered air, includes a housing configured for application directly to an electrical outlet and provides air intake from the front surface of the housing and air expulsion from the side of the housing to utilize a wall surface to disperse the filtered air. An indicator is provided to communicate that a filter should be changed, and a filter orientation system is provided to allow proper orientation of the filter with respect to air flow.