Abstract: Systems (100) and methods (700) for making a mixed food item. The methods comprise creating a seal between an inner container of a culinary tool and an outer container of the culinary tool such that at least one ingredient of the mixed food item is prevented from exiting the culinary tool. The culinary tool is configured to at least facilitate measurement of a volume of the ingredient necessary to make the mixed food item. The inner container is rotated relative to the outer container of the culinary tool so that the seal is at least partially broken, whereby the ingredient is dispensed from the culinary tool into the culinary appliance.

Abstract: A food saver machine is provided that includes a film delivery mechanism, a cutting mechanism, a conditioning assembly and a drive mechanism. The film delivery mechanism has a support cradle for a roll of bag material and a feed roller assembly for dispensing the bag material. The cutting mechanism is disposed adjacent the film delivery mechanism and has a first sealing bumper and a shuttle member with a cutting portion. The shuttle member is arranged to cut transversely across the bag material dispensed from the film delivery mechanism. The conditioning assembly is pivotably disposed below the film delivery mechanism and has a heater member for sealing a portion of the bag material. The drive mechanism is operatively connected to the conditioning assembly and configured to pivot upwards to contact the first sealing bumper of the cutting mechanism and to pivot downwards to contact a second sealing bumper.

Abstract: A vacuum sealing appliance is provided including a vacuum motor assembly generating suction, a vacuum trough fluidly connected to the vacuum motor assembly configured to receive suction and evacuate a food container through an open end, and at least one heat sealing element adjacent the vacuum trough configured to heat seal the open end of the food container after evacuation. The vacuum sealing appliance further includes a control unit configured to control the vacuum motor assembly and the at least one heat sealing element. The vacuum sealing appliance further includes a sensor electrically connected to the control unit configured to detect moisture in exhaust air of the vacuum motor assembly and send electrical signals to the control unit. Based upon the electrical signals, the control unit controls one or both of the vacuum motor assembly and the at least one heat sealing element.

Abstract: An electrical device including an electrical power cord secured to a base of the electrical device by using a plug having a pair of resilient prongs. The plug is inserted into an opening in the base to secure a strain reliever on an end of the electrical power cord into the opening. The resilient prongs flex towards each other when the plug is inserted into the opening. The prongs return to their original positions after passing through the opening and seat the plug in the opening. When seated, the plug secures the strain reliever into the opening thereby securing the electrical power cord to the base.

Abstract: A slow cooker including a housing, cooking vessel with a rim and a lid. At least one latching arrangement is disposed on the lid and a complementary engagement member disposed on a sidewall of the housing configured to selectively retain the lid in sealing engagement with the cooking vessel rim and the housing to inhibit leakage of the food stuffs from the interior of the cooking vessel. The at least one latching arrangement includes a base attached to the lid and an elastic tie down connected to the base having an elongated portion with a stop member formed thereon configured to engage the engagement member. The stop member engages the engagement member by extending the elastic tie down such that the stop member is moved past the engagement member and when the elastic tie down is released the stop member is restrained by the engagement member.

Abstract: A slow cooker appliance includes a lid, cooking vessel, housing and at least one but preferably two latching arrangements for securing the lid. Each latching arrangement includes a lid mount mounted on opposing sides of the periphery of the lid, a U-shaped member pivotally attached to the lid mount, and a rotating member rotatably connected to a housing mount disposed on a sidewall of the slow cooker housing, A U-shaped member is looped around the rotating member and a cammed surface on the rotating member urges against the end of the U-shaped member as the rotating member is rotated clockwise or counter-clockwise from an unlatched position to one of two possible latched positions. This creates a force in the U-shaped member that is transmitted to the lid mount. The lid mount urges the lid against a rim of the cooking vessel thereby securing the lid and the container to the housing.

Abstract: A vacuum and sealing appliance comprises a heat sealing element for sealing a container during a sealing cycle. A controller controls the temperature of the heat sealing element during the sealing cycle based on a signal from a temperature sensor that senses the real-time temperature of the heat sealing element. A seal indicator light is provided which is lighted during the sealing cycle and extinguished at its completion. The signal from the controller energizes the heating element for a time to heat the sealing element to a pre-determined temperature for sealing the container and initiates a dwell time corresponding to cooling the heating element after sealing the container. Values of the real-time temperatures of the heat sealing element and values of the sealing times and the dwell times that correspond to the values of the real-time temperatures of the heat sealing element are stored in a look-up table.

Abstract: A mixed beverage maker having an ice-shaving unit combined with a mixing unit. The mixed beverage maker further includes a concentrate container holder in fluid communication with a reservoir. The ice-shaving unit, mixing unit, concentrate container holder and reservoir are operable connect to a controller, which can be programmed to selective control the operational cycles of each of the units, a pumping cycle, a ice shaving cycle, and a mixing cycle. The controller includes at least one preprogrammed routine to control the operational parameters of the a pumping cycle, a ice shaving cycle, and a mixing cycle to make the mixed drink.

Abstract: A beverage container assembly for use with a blender is provided comprising a beverage container having an open top portion and a closed bottom portion. A first removable cover is for selectively covering the top portion of the beverage container. The first cover is adapted to be removably mountable on and off a blender and comprises an adapter portion for mounting the beverage container on a blender. A second removable cover is for selectively covering the open top portion of the beverage container. The second cover includes a drinking hole. The first and second covers are interchangeable on the beverage container and the second cover is mountable on the closed bottom portion for storage.

Abstract: A flexible storage container is provided which includes first and second panels of film having opposing first and second edges interconnected by a seal. A bottom end of the flexible container is formed by interconnecting the first and second panels with a seal. An opening is formed from the first and second panels on a top end of the flexible container to allow food items to be inserted into an interior volume formed between the first and second panels. An absorbent pad is disposed between an inner surface of the first and second panels a distance D from the opening and extending an entire length of the opening. The absorbent pad includes opposing tabs that are inserted between the first and second panels before being interconnected. The tabs are firmly held between the first and second panels in an extra wide portion of the seals having a width W.