Abstract: A vacuum container and pump system including: a rounded rectangular or square base with an opening at a top to receive foodstuffs, adapted with an edge; an optional cover comprising at least two locking latches adapted to couple to said edge, said optional cover to close the opening of the vacuum container, said cover comprising: a circular vacuum tubular opening forming a cylindrical hole through said cover, and a cross-shaped notch on the inner cross-section of the tube, through which at least a portion of a plug is received and disposed when evacuating air. A vacuum bag comprising: a bag having an opening; a plurality of resealable fasteners; a hole for evacuating air with a pump from the bag; a cap for covering said hole; and a removable clip for easing closure of said plurality of fasteners adapted to be used with a plurality of said bags.

Abstract: A portable countertop electric oven for cooking food includes: a cooking housing; a power head operative to attach, connect, and/or couple, to the cooking housing, at least a portion of the power head extending into an interior of the cooking housing; a base operative to attach, connect, and/or couple, to the cooking housing; and a first securing element operable to secure the cooking housing to the base. A porting element may be provided, such as a handle formed from a portion of the power head, which may include first and second bulged regions of the power head. At least one of: the cooking housing; the power head and the base, may have a substantially elliptical shape, and may include two bulged portions at respective distal ends. The first securing element may be an attachment clip including a first region operable to engage with the cooking housing and a second region operable to engage with the base.

Abstract: A rotary blood pump may include one or more motor stators overlying exterior surfaces of a wall defining a pumping chamber. A rotatable impeller within the pumping chamber may have a hydrodynamic thrust bearing surface adapted to constrain a position of the impeller along an axis of rotation relative to the wall when the impeller is rotating about the axis of rotation. The impeller position may then be constrained without requiring a constant polarity magnetic force to be applied in the axial direction from a fixed position of the housing.

Abstract: A multi-stage cooking method for a counter-top electric oven is provided. The oven may include at least one cooking element and at least one control system coupled to the cooking element, the control system including a processor, a storage device, and an input interface. The multi-stage cooking method may include: receiving the multi-stage cooking recipe for the counter-top electric oven; storing the multi-stage cooking recipe in the storage device of the counter-top electric oven; and executing the multi-stage cooking recipe with the counter-top electric oven.

Abstract: A food substance flipping apparatus including a handle support member fixedly attached to a handle of the flipping apparatus and an outer support member coupled to the handle support member disposable to engage the food substance.

Abstract: A system and method directed to a dehydrating device, which may include a dehydrating enclosure and an adapter. The adapter may be operable to couple the dehydrating enclosure to a power unit, which may include a power source disposed inside the power unit, and a control source operable to control the power source. The power unit may be detachably couplable to at least one of the dehydrating enclosure or a cooking enclosure. The power unit and the cooking enclosure may collectively combine into a multi-stage counter-top electric oven. The power unit and the dehydrating enclosure may also collectively combine into a dehydrator. The dehydrating enclosure may include a plurality of stackable dehydrating trays through which dehydrating air is circulated from the power unit.

Abstract: A multi-stage cooking method for a counter-top electric oven is provided. The oven may include at least one cooking element and at least one control system coupled to the cooking element, the control system including a processor, a storage device, and an input interface. The multi-stage cooking method may include: receiving the multi-stage cooking recipe for the counter-top electric oven; storing the multi-stage cooking recipe in the storage device of the counter-top electric oven; and executing the multi-stage cooking recipe with the counter-top electric oven.