Abstract: A blending and dispensing appliance is provided which includes a blending container, a housing having a recess for receiving and supporting the blending container, and an agitator to agitate contents placed therein. A conduit is disposed on an outer sidewall of the blending container and fluidly connected to the blending container. An auger is disposed in the conduit and is rotated within the conduit when a dispensing arm is depressed. The rotating auger extrudes blended contents through the conduit from the blending container to a dispensing spout for further directing the blended contents into a beverage container. A motorized base containing both an agitator and auger motor selectively provide rotary power to the agitator and auger, respectively. A control system is provided for controlling the operation of auger and the agitator so that the contents placed into the beverage container are blended to a desired consistency.

Abstract: A hot beverage maker is provided with a removable pump for cleaning a brewing needle. The pump fits into a brewing chamber which normally receives a pod of an infusible beverage material. A pod receptacle and a lid pivotally connected to the housing form the brewing chamber, After a brewing cycle or when cleaning of the brewing needle is desired, an interior chamber of the pump is filled with cleaning fluid and the pump inserted into the pod receptacle. When the lid is closed, the brewing needle is inserted into the interior chamber. The lid is closed and released repeatedly to operate the pump. This creates a pumping action of the cleaning fluid through the brewing needle to dislodge a buildup of minerals or residual deposits. The used cleaning fluid and dislodged deposits are discarded after the cleaning operation is completed.

Abstract: A portable heater providing both radiant and forced air heat a closed loop heating element positioned within a substantially oval shaped reflector, The reflector air vent allows air to pass in from a bottom of the reflector, over the closed loop heating element and the reflector. A housing surrounds the reflector and heating element. A blower is located at a lower end of the housing and draws air inward and up between the reflector and the heating element from which it emerges past the heating element. Control knobs for controlling a thermostat and output power level are located at the top surface of the housing.

Abstract: A hand-held convertible iron is provided that includes a housing, a soleplate disposed on the housing for pressing a garment, the soleplate having a first portion and a second portion, a heating means having a first element and a second element, the first element being disposed adjacent to the first portion of the soleplate and the second element being disposed adjacent to the second portion, wherein the second portion of the soleplate is removably attached to the housing. A quick-disconnect electrical connection provides electrical power to the second element of the heating means when the second portion of the soleplate is attached to the housing.

Abstract: A content cartridge is disclosed having a base with a sterile chamber and a content chamber, where the sterile chamber has a sterile chamber opening and the content chamber has a content chamber opening. A cover is sealed to the base, covering the content chamber opening and the sterile chamber opening. A first frangible seal is provided between the cover and the base extending from the content chamber. A second frangible seal is provided between the cover and the base extending between the sterile chamber and the content chamber. When the sterile chamber is pressured with a pressurizing fluid, the pressure in the sterile chamber will increase. When the predetermined pressure is exceeded in the sterile chamber, the second frangible seal opens forming a fluid path between the sterile chamber and the content chamber. In this manner, the pressurized fluid can flow from the sterile chamber.

Abstract: A controller for use in textile heating devices, such as heating pads, heating blankets, and the like is provided. The controller provides a display system for conveying to a user the selected heat setting. Such display system is useful in low light condition, where a user cannot readily see the heat setting indicia on the controller. The display system includes a plurality of lighted elements. The lighted elements are illuminated at different intensity levels to indicate the selected heat setting, In this manner, a user is provided with a visual frame of reference to indicate the selected heating setting. Namely, the differentiation between the intensity levels enables a user to visual determine the selected heating setting by the position of a higher intensity lighted element in relationship to lesser intensity lighted elements.

Abstract: The animal deterrent device of the present disclosure utilizes and automatic system to detect the presence of an animal in a designated area. Upon detection, the animal deterrent device releases a deterring stimulus. The deterring stimulus is intended to remove the animal from the designated area, and through continuous use, eventually training the animal from entering the designate area. The designation area can include: furniture, such as a couch, chair, table, etc; a room or portions thereof; plants, indoor or outdoor gardens; and the like.

Abstract: The present disclosure recites a beverage brewing system having beverage brewing machine and a collapsible brew basket. The beverage brewing machine has a housing with a water reservoir and an electrical heating element for heating water. An output system is provided for dispensing the heated water to the brew basket. The brew basket is a collapsible brew basket, positionable between a collapsed position and an expanded portion. The brew basket included and upper portion and a lower portion, the lower portion slidingly engaging the upper portion between the collapsed and the exposed position.

Abstract: A food heating and serving appliance is provided including generally circular upper and base portions with the upper portion being rotatably mounted to the base portion. The upper portion has a plurality of independently controlled heated food containers mounted in cavities on the upper portion. The upper portion is freely rotatable relative to the base portion for rotating a preferred heated container to the front of the appliance for serving convenience. Each of the food containers may include a lid with a handle for covering the heated containers. A pivoting cover attached to the base portion may be folded to engage a pocket on a sidewall of the housing when in alignment for preventing relative rotation between the upper and base portions. The pocket may also serve to store the cord plug when the power cord is retracted into the base portion and the cover is folded into the pocket.

Abstract: A slow cooker having a thermometer such as a capillary thermometer and a graphic display device for indicating a temperature condition of the food product contained within the cooking vessel, the thermometer measuring the temperature of an outer surface of the cooking vessel and the graphic display device displaying the temperature measured by the thermometer but adjusted by a correlation factor to indicate at least an approximate temperature of the food product within the cooking vessel.

Abstract: An expandable food storage bag is provided having gusseted sides so that larger food or other items may be inserted therein before vacuum heat sealing. The bag includes first and second sidewalls having a first thickness and a first oxygen transmission rate. The bag further includes first and second gusseted sidewalls having a second thickness less than the first thickness and a second oxygen transmission rate substantially equal to or less than the first oxygen transmission rate. The first pleated sidewall interconnects one side of the first and second sidewalls. The second gusseted sidewall interconnects an opposite side of the first and second sidewalls. The thinner gusseted sidewalls allow the bag to be heat sealed with the first and second sidewalls that may be otherwise too thick with gusseted sidewalls of the same thickness as the first and second sidewalls while maintaining a substantially equal or less oxygen transmission rate.

Abstract: Systems (200) and methods (1300) for selectively retracting a first component of a Vacuum Packaging Appliance (“VPA”). The method comprises: causing the first component to normally be in an engaged position in which the component facilitates a formation of a heat seal along an open end of a container disposed within the VPA; detecting an existence of at least one first condition associated with the VPA; and applying a magnetic field in proximity to the component when the first condition is detected, whereby the first component is at least maintained in an unengaged position in which the first component no longer facilitates the formation of the heat seal.