Abstract: An appliance for vacuum packaging and sealing a container, including: a vacuum motor assembly generating suction, a vacuum trough fluidly connected to the vacuum motor assembly, first and second heat sealing elements, and a microprocessor configured to control the vacuum motor assembly and the first and second heating elements in programmable sequences. One programmable sequence may include energizing the vacuum motor assembly to provide suction to the vacuum trough, energizing the first heat sealing element at a first predetermined temperature for a first predetermined time when a first predetermined vacuum level is reached in the vacuum trough, de-energizing the vacuum motor assembly after a third predetermined time has elapsed after the first heat sealing element has been de-energized, delaying a dwell time, and energizing the second heat sealing element at the expiration of the dwell time at a second predetermined temperature for a second predetermined time.

Abstract: An appliance for dispensing, forming and vacuum packaging a container is provided including a base, a vacuum motor disposed in the base, a vacuum sealing compartment formed in the base including a vacuum trough fluidly connected to the vacuum motor, a sealing element disposed in the vacuum sealing compartment adjacent the vacuum trough, and a storage compartment formed in the base vertically disposed above the vacuum sealing compartment configured to store a roll of flexible container material. At least one section of the container material may be dispensed from the storage compartment and cut from the roll of container material and sealed on a first free end with the sealing element to form an unsealed container. The unsealed container may then be evacuated by the vacuum motor through a second free end inserted into the vacuum trough and/or sealed on the second free end with the sealing element to form a hermetically sealed container.

Abstract: Appliances comprising a base unit and a plug connector coupled to the base unit. The plug connector is configured to electrically couple the appliance to a first socket connector of an electrical receptacle. A channel is formed on or in a first sidewall of the base unit. The plug connector is disposed in the channel when in an engaged position. A defines a channel wall of the channel. The lever is configured to facilitate a transition of the plug connector between the engaged position and a disengaged position. The lever engages the plug connector when in the engaged position and does not engage the plug connector when in the disengaged position.

Abstract: A blending appliance is provided including a motorized base, a blending container, and an agitator configuration fitted into an opening of the blending container and rotatably coupled to the motorized base when the blending container is mounted on the motorized base. The agitator configuration includes a blade arrangement disposed on a spindle performing a blending operation on ingredients at a lower end of the blending container and a whisk including a plurality of loops disposed a pre-determined distance from the blade arrangement at a distal end of a rotating shaft interconnected to the spindle.

Abstract: A blending appliance is provided including a motorized base, a blending container, and an agitator configuration fitted into an opening of the blending container and rotatably coupled to the motorized base when the blending container is mounted on the motorized base. The agitator configuration includes at least a first blade form performing a blending operation on ingredients at a lower end of the blending container and at least a second blade form extending vertically upward from the first blade form and performing a processing operation on the ingredients in the blending container above the first blade form. The at least second blade form includes a pair of opposing elongated spiral shaped Hades that spiral in a direction of rotation of the agitator configuration when the motorized base is energized and configured to stir ingredients and force ingredients down into the first blade form.

Abstract: An electric hair cutting apparatus having a motor for rotating a shaft, which rotates an eccentric about the axis of the shaft, but not about the central axis of the eccentric. A cylindrical bearing is positioned around the eccentric. A drive tip is provided with a follower end which is shaped and positioned to engage with the bearing surrounding the eccentric. As the eccentric rotates, the bearing alternately pushes on left and right arms of the follower end of the drive tip, causing the drive tip to oscillate back and forth about a pivot point. The angle of the bearing with respect to the eccentric allows for generally continuous contact between the arms of the follower end of the drive tip with the bearing, even throughout the pivoting of the drive tip.

Abstract: A food storage 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 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.