Abstract: An air purifying device is provided for removing airborne particles. The device includes a housing including an air inlet and an air outlet. A fan is positioned within the housing for drawing air into the housing through the air inlet and expelling air through the air outlet. A filter assembly is positioned within the housing between the air inlet and the fan. The filter assembly includes a frame and a filter element mounted to the frame. The device also includes a hanger and an elongate hanger support that removably extends within the hanger. Either the hanger or the elongate hanger support is coupled to the frame while the other is coupled to the housing. The hanger can include a channel or a pair of opposed legs configured to form a gap.

Abstract: An electronic control circuit for use with a heater, a fan, a humidifier or any device utilizing a power mode switch and a condition sensor, the electronic control circuit including a single control switch for controlling both power output and responding to a sensed condition. The electronic circuit includes a microprocessor, preferably in the form of an application-specific integrated circuit to provide the circuit logic. The single control switch is preferably a push-button switch which places the unit in the selected mode of operation. The electronic control circuit also includes a thermistor or humidity sensor to sense conditions and, depending upon the set temperature/humidity by the control switch and the sensed condition the unit will operate accordingly. The unit can also operate in a manual mode, thereby bypassing the sensor operation.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus includes a cooking chamber and user interface, which includes a controller, display, and memory for storing recipes. The display is coupled to the controller and displays recipes. A method includes selectively displaying recipes and selecting a manual or recipe mode. In the manual mode, a heat setting and cooking time is selected. The selected cooking time is decremented in predetermined increments and the heating element is energized in accordance with the selected heat setting, after which the heating element is energized according to a keep warm setting for a predetermined time, following which it is de-energized. In the recipe mode, a main menu is displayed, from which the user selects a recipe category. A sub menu is displayed, from which the user selects a recipe identifier associated with the selected recipe category. A list of ingredients for the selected recipe identifier is then displayed.

Abstract: The portable air purifying device (10) is provided for removing airborne particles. The device includes a housing (12) including an exterior surface formed with an air inlet (26) and an air outlet (28). The air outlet is formed as a plurality of openings. A scroll (44) is located within the housing and has walls formed with an intake opening (194) and an exhaust port (186). The exterior surface and the walls define a cavity (76). The cavity has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is in communication between the exhaust port and the air outlet. A fan (14) is positioned within the intake opening for drawing air in through the air inlet to pass through the scroll and the first portion of the cavity to be expelled through the air outlet while the second portion of the cavity is under a positive pressure. A filter assembly (48) is assembled within the housing between the air inlet and the fan. The device can include a second filter assembly.

Abstract: A programmable slow-cooker appliance, in which a user sets a time and temperature for cooking a food item. A programmable controller prevents the unit from being used solely as a “keep warm” appliance, and a unique design allows cooling of the controller during cooking.

Abstract: An electronic control circuit for use with a heater, a fan, a humidifier or any device utilizing a power mode switch and a condition sensor, the electronic control circuit including a single control switch for controlling both power output and responding to a sensed condition. The electronic circuit includes a microprocessor, preferably in the form of an application-specific integrated circuit to provide the circuit logic. The single control switch is preferably a push-button switch which places the unit in the selected mode of operation. The electronic control circuit also includes a thermistor or humidity sensor to sense conditions and, depending upon the set temperature/humidity by the control switch and the sensed condition the unit will operate accordingly. The unit can also operate in a manual mode, thereby bypassing the sensor operation.

Abstract: A humidifier includes a modular performance indicator that is removably attached to a grill of the humidifier air outlet. The performance indicator generally includes at least one humidity sensing means and a display. The humidity sensing means is positioned within the airflow for measuring the exit-relative humidity of the airflow and the display is coupled to the humidity sensing means for indicating when the humidifier wick requires replacement and/or the humidifier water supply requires refilling based upon the measured exit-relative humidity reaching a predetermined value.

Abstract: An ergonomic, electric can opener sits squarely on a kitchen counter and has working features such that the user need not turn the opener to see where to place the can. The housing and working features of the can opener are situated at about a 45 degree angle to the front of the kitchen counter, and a person using the can opener can easily see both an operating lever and a place to insert the can for opening. The can opener is advantageous to persons with arthritic conditions, requiring no orientation in a preferred direction by a user, a minimum of force to operate, and automatic stopping.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a percentage of filter life remaining of a filter assembly of filter-fan devices. The system uses a single thermistor that is operated in two separate modes for monitoring the filter assembly. The thermistor is positioned in the airflow of the filter-fan adjacent to the air outlet. A first current is applied to the thermistor for determining the temperature of the airflow from a first thermistor voltage. The first thermistor voltage is responsive to the first current applied to the thermistor. A second current that is greater than the first current is applied to the heat the thermistor. The temperature of the thermistor is determined from a second thermistor voltage which is responsive to the second current applied to the thermistor. The percentage of filter life remaining of the filter assembly is determined from the temperature of the airflow and the second thermistor voltage.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus including a housing having an interior which contains a heating device. The cooking apparatus includes a liner which is preferably made of metallic material with a bowl which may be removably placed therein to cook food. The heating device is a heating band which has downwardly extending foot members to prevent the heating element from contacting the floor of the housing to prevent hot spots and inadvertent burning of a users hand.

Abstract: A heater includes a housing having an outer surface and sidewalls defining an interior space that holds a heating element. The heater further includes a heating element having a lower portion and an upper portion, where the heating element has differing power densities from the lower portion to the upper portion. The heating element includes a heat shield positioned in substantially parallel relation to the heating element to create a duct where air may travel through. The heater is provided with an air displacement device positioned adjacent to the heating element to create a planar flow of air through the duct. The heater may be controlled by a control circuit having a circuit board, which controls the power supplied to the heating element and the air displacement device.

Abstract: An air purifying device is provided for removing airborne particles. The device includes a housing including an air inlet and an air outlet. A fan is positioned within the housing for drawing air into the housing through the air inlet and expelling air through the air outlet. A filter assembly is positioned within the housing between the air inlet and the fan. The filter assembly includes a frame and a filter element mounted to the frame. The device has a removable coupler having first and second hangers. A first elongate hanger support is coupled to the housing and removably extends within the first hanger and a second elongate hanger support is coupled to the frame and removably extends within the second hanger.

Abstract: An air purifying device is provided for removing airborne particles. The device includes a housing including an air inlet and an air outlet. A fan is positioned within the housing for drawing air into the housing through the air inlet and expelling air through the air outlet. A filter assembly is positioned within the housing between the air inlet and the fan. The filter assembly includes a frame and a filter element mounted to the frame. The device also includes a hanger and an elongate hanger support that removably extends within the hanger. Either the hanger or the elongate hanger support is coupled to the frame while the other is coupled to the housing. The hanger can include a channel or a pair of opposed legs configured to form a gap.