Abstract: A cooking device is provided. In one embodiment, the cooking device includes a base having a recessed cavity arranged in a top surface. The cooking device can also include a heating element arranged within the recessed cavity of the base. A first bracket can be positioned on the base, and a cooking plate can be positioned on the top surface of the base. A lid assembly can be provided and can include a cover plate configured to be removably positioned over the cooking plate. The cover plate can include a plurality of through-holes arranged therein. A second bracket can be positioned on the cover plate and it can be configured to couple to the first bracket such that the lid assembly is connected to and rotatable relative to the base.

Abstract: A micro puree machine has a mixing shaft attachable to a blade that is subject to both linear and rotational movement. A drive motor is contained within a lower portion of the machine housing and operatively couples to a first gear that engages a second gear on the mixing shaft for rotation of the mixing blade. A position motor within the upper housing operates to move the mixing blade linearly to engage the ingredients in the bowl. During both axial and rotational movement of the mixing shaft, the drive motor and the position motor remain stationary within their respective positions in the housing.

Abstract: A combination cooking system and methods for cooking having a simplified venting structure are provided. In one embodiment, the cooking system can include a housing having a hollow chamber for receiving food, a lid coupled to the housing for enclosing food within the chamber, and at least one heating element. In use, a seal disposed between the lid and housing can be selectively removed to create an air gap there between, thus providing a simplified method for venting air within the housing and thereby enabling the system to operate in different cooking modes. A locking element for locking the lid relative to the housing and/or an adjustable vent can also be selectively used to control venting within the system to enable the system to operate in different cooking modes.

Abstract: Containers are provided for use with a beverage dispensing device. The container can include a housing defining a hollow interior and having an opening leading to the hollow interior, a cover coupled disposed over the opening, an inlet leading to the hollow interior, and an outlet spaced apart from the interior. The inlet and outlet can each have valves movable between open and closed positions for allowing fluid flow into and out of the hollow interior.

Abstract: Cookware lids are provided having a collapsible handle that is movable between a first extended configuration for use during cooking, and a second collapsed configuration with a reduced profile to enable the lids to be stored. In certain exemplary embodiments, the lids can include attachment features to allow the lids to be arranged in a stacked configuration, with the collapsible handle mated to the attachment feature on an adjacent lid.

Abstract: A blade assembly for a micro puree machine including a central support hub, a cutting blade, a mixing blade, a central opening, an angled ledge and an undercut. The cutting blade extends outward from a circumferential surface of the central support hub and defines a curved leading edge. The central opening is configured to receive a power shaft therein. The angled ledge is located at an upper end of the central support hub and extends about at least a portion of an outer perimeter of the central support hub. The undercut is located on the outer perimeter of the central support hub and is positioned closer to a lower end of the central support hub than the angled ledge. The undercut includes an engagement surface that extends outwards from a central axis of the central support hub and is configured to receive and retain a clip mechanism.

Abstract: A reservoir assembly for a food processing system including a vacuum mechanism includes a housing having a hollow interior, an inlet pipe extending through said housing into said hollow interior, a fluid flow path from said hollow interior to the vacuum mechanism, and a valve positioned within said hollow interior, said valve being movable to control a flow of air provided to the vacuum mechanism via said fluid flow path.

Abstract: An example of a system, consistent with the present disclosure, may include a motor-battery assembly. The motor-battery assembly may include a housing defining one or more cavities, a suction motor configured to be fluidly coupled to a debris compartment of a vacuum cleaner for generating air flow through the vacuum cleaner for entraining debris, one or more batteries at least partially disposed within at least one of the one or more cavities, and a motor/battery controller at least partially disposed within at least one of the one or more cavities, the motor/battery controller configured to control power provided to the suction motor and to regulate charging and/or discharging of the one or more batteries.

Abstract: A micro puree machine including a housing, a power shaft, a bowl assembly and a platform. The power shaft extends from the housing. The bowl assembly including at least one locking bowl element. The platform includes at least one complementary locking platform element that is configured to engage the at least one locking bowl element such that rotation of the bowl assembly relative to the platform is prevented at times the bowl assembly is positioned thereon. The platform is rotatable from a first position to a second position relative to the housing such that the platform raises the bowl assembly towards the power shaft during the rotation of the bowl assembly and platform. The raising of the bowl assembly facilitates connection between the power shaft and a blade assembly that is positioned in a lid assembly on the bowl assembly.

Abstract: In general, the present disclosure is directed to a hand-held surface cleaning device that includes a relatively compact form-factor to allow users to store the same in a nearby location (e.g., in a drawer, in an associated charging dock, on a table top) for easy access to perform relatively small cleaning tasks that would otherwise require retrieving a full-size vacuum from storage. A hand-held surface cleaning device consistent with aspects of the present disclosure includes a body (or body portion) with a motor, power source and dust cup disposed therein. The body portion also functions as a handgrip to allow the hand-held surface cleaning device to be operated by one hand, for example.

Abstract: An attachment for use with a food processing system includes a sealable body including a wall and a processing chamber, a chamber opening formed in said sealable body, and a vacuum passage arranged in fluid communication with said chamber opening. The vacuum passage is associated with at least one of said wall and said processing chamber of said sealable body.

Abstract: An air treatment system is disclosed that includes a modular configuration whereby a fan module, filter module, and humidifier module may couple together to provide a plurality of air treatment solutions. In more detail, the modules can stack end-to-end in a vertical configuration. The modules may electrically couple to each other via a common electrical bus and enable a controller disposed in the fan module (or other module) to control fan flow rates, direction, and humidity. The fan module can include an articulating nozzle capable of directing airflow in virtually any direction and angle about an environment. The fan module can further include an inlet arrangement that can selectively restrict external air from entering the fan module housing when the fan module is fluidly coupled to the filter module. Thus, the fan module may generate air flow from exclusively filtered air to minimize or otherwise reduce bacterial/mold growth within the fan module housing.

Abstract: A surface cleaning device includes a nozzle and an odor dial assembly. The nozzle includes a nozzle housing and a dirty air passageway. The odor dial assembly include a fragrance member and a dial body configured to be removably coupled to the nozzle housing. The dial body at least partially defines a fragrance cavity configured to at least partially receive the fragrance member and a fragrance passageway extending therethrough. The odor dial assembly is configured to transition between a plurality of user-selectable positions to adjust an amount of fragrance particles released by the fragrance member into the dirty air passageway.

Abstract: In an aspect, data characterizing a plurality of measurements of a rate of energy supplied to an igniter of a smoke unit and of a temperature of a region proximate the igniter, acquired during a predetermined period of time of igniter activation, can be received. A maximum time of igniter activation can be determined based on an average rate of energy supplied to the igniter and an average temperature of the region proximate the igniter. Whether a total length of time, during which the igniter is activated and during a subsequent period of time, exceeds the maximum time of activation can be determined, and the igniter can be deactivated in response to determining that the total length of the time exceeds the determined maximum time of activation.