Abstract: A cooking vessel is provided. The cooking vessel includes a vessel body, a handle, a locking portion and a bail. The vessel body has an inner surface and an outer surface. The handle has an upper surface, a lower surface, a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end of the handle is coupled to the vessel body. The locking portion is disposed in one of either the lower surface and the distal end of the handle. The bail is coupled to the handle proximate the distal end of the handle. The bail is movable between an unlocked position and a locked position, and the bail is configured to cooperatively and lockingly engage a locking portion of a second cooking vessel when the bail is in the locked position.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a lid structure with latches is configured for sealing use with container vessels of different materials having differing manufacturing dimensional tolerances, such plastic vessels and glass vessels. Another feature of a lid and vessel combination is the provision of a lid receptacle feature, configured to capture the base of a vessel in a stacking arrangement, without utilization of special features on the vessel base. A method of merchandising lids and vessels is described, wherein a lid is provided for separate purchase, a plurality of vessels of different materials is provided for separate purchase which are configured to match to the lid.

Abstract: A masking fixture for coating dishware includes a support base having a first ferromagnetic member and a contoured support surface configured for engagement with a lower contour of the dishware. A mask base includes a second ferromagnetic member. The second ferromagnetic member is magnetically attracted to the first ferromagnetic member. The mask base includes a mask guide. A mask includes a masking surface configured for engagement with the upper contour. The mask is moveably coupled to the mask guide for movement between an engaged position in which the masking surface is engageable with the upper contour and a disengaged position. The mask can be moved to the disengaged position to facilitate removal of the mask base from the dishware after a coating operation.

Abstract: A plastic storage container assembly is disclosed comprising a storage container configured to receive a locking lid is disclosed. The storage container is comprised of a base, a generally curvilinear sidewall, a locking ledge and a resting ledge and handles. The sidewall has an inner surface and an outer surface and extends upwardly from the base. The sidewall terminates in a continuous curvilinear upper rim that has a generally parabolic profile and defines a terminal edge of the sidewall. The locking ledge traverses the outer surface of the sidewall and is defined by an outwardly projecting step in the sidewall. The locking ledge is disposed below the terminal edge of the sidewall. The resting ledge is disposed below the terminal edge of the sidewall. The storage container includes upwardly projecting first and second handles defining opposed sides of an upper extent of the sidewall.

Abstract: An interchangeable knife block that accommodates various numbers and sizes of cutlery utensils. One knife block includes a base, a body having a first end and a second end, wherein the body is coupled to the base at the first end and extends from the base, and a cap removably coupled to the second end of the body and defining one or more slots therein, each slot being configured to receive a portion of a cutlery utensil therein.

Abstract: A glass or ceramic dishware item with an image disposed thereon is provided. The image is transferred, at ambient temperature, to the surface of the dishware from an ink composite by using a silicone transfer substrate. The ink composite is dispensed by an inkjet head. Methods and systems for producing ink composites and dishware using ink composites are also provided.

Abstract: Stackable lids for a container each include a top surface facing generally in a first direction and a bottom surface opposite the top surface and facing generally in a second direction. Pivotable wing portions extend from each side edge of the lid and each pivotable wing portion is joined to its respective side edge by a hinge. The wing portions are moveable between engaged and disengaged positions, and an inner surface of each wing includes a tab member configured for detent engagement with a rim of the container. The lid also includes corner portions extending between the side edges. Each corner portion includes a skirt portion extending generally in the second direction. Each corner portion also defines a recessed shoulder configured to receive the skirt portion of another when the lids are stacked.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a lid structure with latches is configured for sealing use with container vessels of different materials having differing manufacturing dimensional tolerances, such plastic vessels and glass vessels. Another feature of a lid and vessel combination is the provision of a lid receptacle feature, configured to capture the base of a vessel in a stacking arrangement, without utilization of special features on the vessel base. A method of merchandising lids and vessels is described, wherein a lid is provided for separate purchase, a plurality of vessels of different materials is provided for separate purchase which are configured to match to the lid.

Abstract: A masking fixture for coating dishware includes a support base having a first ferromagnetic member and a contoured support surface configured for engagement with a lower contour of the dishware. A mask base includes a second ferromagnetic member. The second ferromagnetic member is magnetically attracted to the first ferromagnetic member. The mask base includes a mask guide. A mask includes a masking surface configured for engagement with the upper contour. The mask is moveably coupled to the mask guide for movement between an engaged position in which the masking surface is engageable with the upper contour and a disengaged position. The mask can be moved to the disengaged position to facilitate removal of the mask base from the dishware after a coating operation.

Abstract: Disclosed are cooking devices and assemblies that employ infrared radiant energy to cook food. One cooking assembly includes a cooker including a body having a cooker lid configured to engage a top of the body, an inner layer arranged within the body and defining a heating cavity within the cooker, a heating element arranged within the heating cavity and configured to heat the heating cavity, and a cooking vessel made of a transmissive material and configured to be arranged within the heating cavity, the cooking vessel defines a cooking cavity configured to receive food therein, wherein the heating element convectively heats the cooking vessel and infrared radiant energy is thereby emitted from interior surfaces of the cooking vessel into the cooking cavity to cook the food.

Abstract: A glass or ceramic dishware item with an image disposed thereon is provided. The image is transferred, at ambient temperature, to the surface of the dishware from an ink composite by using a silicone transfer substrate. The ink composite is dispensed by an inkjet head. Methods and systems for producing ink composites and dishware using ink composites are also provided.

Abstract: Stackable lids for a container each include a top surface facing generally in a first direction and a bottom surface opposite the top surface and facing generally in a second direction. Pivotable wing portions extend from each side edge of the lid and each pivotable wing portion is joined to its respective side edge by a hinge. The wing portions are moveable between engaged and disengaged positions, and an inner surface of each wing includes a tab member configured for detent engagement with a rim of the container. The lid also includes corner portions extending between the side edges. Each corner portion includes a skirt portion extending generally in the second direction. Each corner portion also defines a recessed shoulder configured to receive the skirt portion of another when the lids are stacked.

Abstract: A knife for cutting food products having a proximal end, a distal end and a length defined therebetween. The knife includes a blade portion having a cutting edge and a spine disposed on a top side of the blade portion and generally opposed to the cutting edge. The knife includes a handle portion disposed proximal of the blade portion with a top surface and a bottom surface, a first end proximal to the blade portion and a second end distal to the blade portion. The handle portion includes a bolster section with at least a first thickness, a first lateral sidewall and a second lateral sidewall. The bolster section is disposed at the first end of the handle portion and adjacent to the blade portion. The first sidewall of the bolster section includes an arcuate proximal bolster boundary defined by a curvilinear ridge extending downwardly toward the blade portion from a point proximate the top surface of the handle portion.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a lid structure with latches is configured for sealing use with container vessels of different materials having differing manufacturing dimensional tolerances, such plastic vessels and glass vessels. Another feature of a lid and vessel combination is the provision of a lid receptacle feature, configured to capture the base of a vessel in a stacking arrangement, without utilization of special features on the vessel base. Another feature of an embodiment of a lid is the capability of lid nesting of multiple lids with interference fit between adjacent lids to lock the lids together.