Abstract: A knob/handle for kitchen devices having a rotary motion is provided. The knob/handle includes a handle body and a modified sprag clutch mechanism integrated into the handle body to enable rotation of the handle in one pre-designated direction for application of torque to a connected shaft. A hub is secured to the handle body and has one end in communication with the modified sprag clutch mechanism and an opposing end configured for connection to a shaft of a kitchen device.

Abstract: A device for extracting zest from a fruit includes a body, a carrier coupled to the body, and a blade coupled to the body. The carrier moves the fruit relative to the blade and holds the fruit as the blade separates a portion of the flavedo from the pith of the fruit's peel to extract zest from the fruit. The device also includes an arm that urges the blade against the fruit's peel to generate contact pressure as the carrier moves the fruit relative to the blade, and that allows the blade to move toward and away from the carrier to accommodate the contour of the fruit's peel, which is often curved. The blade includes a plurality of teeth, each configured to cut a portion of the fruit's flavedo from the fruit's pith without separating the pith from the berry.

Abstract: A French press coffee maker 200 having a coffee grounds basket is provided. The coffee grounds basket 100 is a completely contained mesh basket (14-19) that enables the placement of coffee grounds therein, while completely preventing loose coffee grounds from physically mixing with the water that ultimately becomes the coffee the user drinks. In this manner, not only is the coffee more pure, but cleaning the device is made easier and simpler by maintaining the used coffee grounds separate and apart from the carafe/container within which it is positioned during use.

Abstract: A food cutter has a cutting portion and a movable portion that is movable between a first position in which the movable portion is raised relative to the cutting portion and a second position in which the movable position is lowered relative to the cutting portion. The cutting portion comprises an upstanding wall with a blade formed on a distal end of the upstanding wall. The movable portion is arranged generally traverse to the upstanding wall. A biasing member extends continuously from the upstanding wall to the movable portion. The biasing member urges the movable portion to the first position when the movable portion is moved to the second position.

Abstract: An open hole food grater is provided. A hole is etched into the blade such that a cutting angle is formed with the plane of the cutting surface and the point at which the same meets the hole. This design of the open hole food grater not only increases the efficiency of food grating by allowing the use of the same in two cutting directions, it also eliminates all protrusions from the plane of the cutting surface. This substantially reduces any chance of a user being cut by coming into contact with the plan of the food cutting surface of the grater.

Abstract: A French press coffee maker having a carafe with a removable bottom portion is disclosed. The bottom of the carafe is open and a bottom portion is removably secured to the open bottom of the same. A seal ring is positioned between the bottom portion and the open bottom of the carafe to provide a liquid tight seal once connected. In this manner, cleaning the device is made easier and simpler by maintaining enabling the removal of the user coffee grounds from the bottom of the carafe.

Abstract: A device for extracting zest from a fruit includes a body, a carrier coupled to the body, and a blade coupled to the body. The carrier moves the fruit relative to the blade and holds the fruit as the blade separates a portion of the flavedo from the pith of the fruit's peel to extract zest from the fruit. The device also includes an arm that urges the blade against the fruit's peel to generate contact pressure as the carrier moves the fruit relative to the blade, and that allows the blade to move toward and away from the carrier to accommodate the contour of the fruit's peel, which is often curved. The blade includes a plurality of teeth, each configured to cut a portion of the fruit's flavedo from the fruit's pith without separating the pith from the berry.

Abstract: A self-centering and self-gripping corkscrew is provided. A centering and locking mechanism is integrated into the bottle receiving opening of the corkscrew such that in one downward motion a bottleneck is securely gripped and automatically centered under the cork removing device (e.g., a worm screw). The centering and gripping mechanism is spring biased downward and utilizes compression techniques configured into an outer mechanism (contained within the bottle receiving opening of corkscrew) and the body of the corkscrew to simultaneously grip and align the bottle with the axis of the cork removing device. The locking mechanism is part of the centering mechanism and allows the corkscrew to remain locked onto the bottleneck (after centering and gripping) during activation of the cork removing device and removal of the corresponding cork. An upward motion opposite the locking motion disengages the mechanism, removing the corkscrew from the bottle.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices and methods for sealing containers. The device can include a seal, a spring, and an eccentric or ramp. In a first position, the spring and the seal can be retracted enabling the device to be placed in the opening of a container. In a second position, the spring can expand the seal enabling it to seal against a sealing surface of the container. The device can create a replaceable bottle cap assembly that conforms to the top of a non-threaded beverage container. The device can provide a lid for a variety of storage containers, including food storage containers. The device can form a watertight or airtight seal. The device can be used to form a movable lid for a container or to join multiple containers together.