Abstract: A slicing disc assembly for use with an electrically powered food processor appliance includes a disc body having a top surface, a bottom surface, a central hub, a circumferential edge, a first opening in the disc body between the central hub and the circumferential edge, and a second opening in the disc body between the central hub and the circumferential edge, a horizontal slicing blade associated with the first opening, and a vertical blade assembly associated with the second opening, the vertical blade assembly being moveable between a slicing position and a retracted position.

Abstract: An appliance includes an appliance unit having a housing with the housing having steam emission holes, a heater in the housing, a primary water tank in the housing, and a cradle that is removably connectable to the appliance unit. The cradle has a secondary water tank that can communicate with the primary water tank when the appliance unit is connected to the cradle.

Abstract: A toaster includes a housing having a slot for receiving a food item, a heating element associated with the slot for toasting the food item, a carriage assembly having a supporting rack movably mounted in the slot for supporting the food item within the slot, a first slider member connected to the supporting rack, and a second slider member operatively connected to the first slider member, a motor, and a driving member having a first end operatively connected to the motor and a second end received in a slot in the second slider member such that when the motor is driven to rotate the driving member, the driving member drives the supporting rack, via the first slider member and the second slider member, to slidably move within the slot.

Abstract: A handheld appliance delivers heat and steam to a clothing garment or fabric. The appliance has a housing that contains a removable water reservoir, a pump, a control board, and a steam generator. The steam generator has a steam outlet that is a single nozzle connected to one of a plurality of output heads are interchangeably connected. Each output head has a steam outlet of different configurations to selectively vary one or more of steam emission pressure, steam emission distance and steam emission area. One or more output heads include physical components for direct contact with the garment or fabric.

Abstract: A garment treatment device includes a base, a water reservoir received on the base, a steam generator housed in the base and in fluid communication with the water reservoir, an air delivery system housed in the base, a pole extending from the base, and a garment bag having an interior space sized to receive a garment, the garment bag being receivable on the pole. The air delivery system is configured to provide air to the interior space to dry the garment in a drying mode of operation, and to inflate the garment bag so that an exterior, front face of the garment bag forms a cushioned support surface for supporting the garment on the exterior, front face in an ironing mode of operation. The steam generator is configured to convert water from the water reservoir into steam for passage into the garment bag in a steaming mode of operation.

Abstract: An appliance includes an appliance unit having a housing with the housing having steam emission holes, a heater in the housing, a primary water tank in the housing, and a cradle that is removably connectable to the appliance unit. The cradle has a secondary water tank that can communicate with the primary water tank when the appliance unit is connected to the cradle.

Abstract: A slicing disc assembly includes a disc body having a top surface, a bottom surface, a central hub, a circumferential edge, a first opening in the disc body between the central hub and the circumferential edge, and a second opening in the disc body between the central hub and the circumferential edge, an adjustable horizontal slicing blade associated with the first opening, the horizontal slicing blade being moveable in a direction perpendicular to the top surface of the disc body, and an adjustable vertical blade assembly associated with the second opening. The vertical blade assembly is moveable between a first position where a slicing element of the vertical blade assembly is located below a plane defined by the top surface of the disc body, and a second position where the slicing element of the vertical blade assembly extends above the plane.

Abstract: A garment treatment device includes a base, a water reservoir received on the base, a steam generator housed in the base and in fluid communication with the water reservoir, an air delivery system housed in the base, a pole extending from the base, and a garment bag having an interior space sized to receive a garment, the garment bag being receivable on the pole. The air delivery system is configured to provide air to the interior space to dry the garment in a drying mode of operation, and to inflate the garment bag so that an exterior, front face of the garment bag forms a cushioned support surface for supporting the garment on the exterior, front face in an ironing mode of operation. The steam generator is configured to convert water from the water reservoir into steam for passage into the garment bag in a steaming mode of operation.

Abstract: A toaster includes a housing having a slot for receiving a food item, a heating element associated with the slot for toasting the food item, a carriage assembly having a supporting rack movably mounted in the slot for supporting the food item within the slot, a first slider member connected to the supporting rack, and a second slider member operatively connected to the first slider member, a motor, and a driving member having a first end operatively connected to the motor and a second end received in a slot in the second slider member such that when the motor is driven to rotate the driving member, the driving member drives the supporting rack, via the first slider member and the second slider member, to slidably move within the slot.

Abstract: A handheld appliance delivers heat and steam to a clothing garment or fabric. The appliance has a housing that contains a removable water reservoir, a pump, a control board, and a steam generator. The steam generator has a steam outlet that is a single nozzle connected to one of a plurality of output heads are interchangeably connected. Each output head has a steam outlet of different configurations to selectively vary one or more of steam emission pressure, steam emission distance and steam emission area. One or more output heads include physical components for direct contact with the garment or fabric.

Abstract: A hair styling apparatus includes a handle, a rotatable component operatively coupled to the handle and adapted for rotatable movement to engage a length of hair to impart a curling effect to the length of hair and an ion generator mounted to the handle and dimensioned and adapted to direct a concentration of ions to the length of hair.

Abstract: A coffee making appliance includes a housing having a base for supporting a container configured to receive brewed coffee and a reservoir for receiving water to be heated. A hopper is configured to receive a quantity of whole coffee beans and is positioned adjacent a grinder that is itself configured to transform the whole coffee beans into ground coffee. A passageway is formed in the housing for channeling the ground coffee from the grinder to a brewing chamber. A pump configured to supply the water from said reservoir to said brewing chamber via a brew path and the brew path then directs said heated water over the passageway, thereby cleaning the passageway of particulates of the ground coffee.

Abstract: A hair treatment or styling apparatus adapted to impart a straightening and/or curling effect on hair includes both a novel thermally conductive construction and heating assembly, which conveys thermal energy uniformly to all areas of the treatment head such that the desired style is achieved regardless of the skill of the user. The apparatus further includes a hinge assembly incorporating one or more ceramic bearings units which provide smooth consistent resistance for pivoting movement of the treatment members and a more durable hinge joint thereby increasing the life and usability of the apparatus.

Abstract: A coffee making appliance includes a housing having a base for supporting a container configured to receive brewed coffee and a reservoir for receiving water to be heated. A hopper is configured to receive a quantity of whole coffee beans and is positioned adjacent a grinder that is itself configured to transform the whole coffee beans into ground coffee. A passageway is formed in the housing for channeling the ground coffee from the grinder to a brewing chamber. A pump configured to supply the water from said reservoir to said brewing chamber via a brew path and the brew path then directs said heated water over the passageway, thereby cleaning the passageway of particulates of the ground coffee.

Abstract: A coffee making appliance includes a housing having a base for supporting a container configured to receive brewed coffee, a reservoir for receiving water to be heated, a hopper configured to receive a quantity of whole coffee beans, the hopper having an outlet, a vertically-oriented burr grinder positioned adjacent to the outlet of said hopper, the grinder being configured to transform the whole coffee beans into coffee grounds, a filter removably received by the housing for receiving the coffee grounds from the grinder, a pump configured to supply water from the reservoir to the filter, and a driving mechanism configured to rotate the filter while the water is supplied to the filter to cause the water to pass radially through the coffee grounds to produce the brewed coffee.

Abstract: A hair styling apparatus includes a handle, a rotatable component operatively coupled to the handle and adapted for rotatable movement to engage a length of hair to impart a curling effect to the length of hair and an ion generator mounted to the handle and dimensioned and adapted to direct a concentration of ions to the length of hair.

Abstract: A coffee making appliance includes a housing having a base for supporting a container configured to receive brewed coffee, a reservoir for receiving water to be heated, a hopper configured to receive a quantity of whole coffee beans, the hopper having an outlet, a vertically-oriented burr grinder positioned adjacent to the outlet of said hopper, the grinder being configured to transform the whole coffee beans into coffee grounds, a filter removably received by the housing for receiving the coffee grounds from the grinder, a pump configured to supply water from the reservoir to the filter, and a driving mechanism configured to rotate the filter while the water is supplied to the filter to cause the water to pass radially through the coffee grounds to produce the brewed coffee.

Abstract: A hair treatment or styling apparatus adapted to impart a straightening and/or curling effect on hair includes both a novel thermally conductive construction and heating assembly, which conveys thermal energy uniformly to all areas of the treatment head such that the desired style is achieved regardless of the skill of the user. The apparatus further includes a hinge assembly incorporating one or more ceramic bearings units which provide smooth consistent resistance for pivoting movement of the treatment members and a more durable hinge joint thereby increasing the life and usability of the apparatus.

Abstract: A food steamer includes a base, a cooking container receivable by said base, a lid receivable atop said cooking container, a boiler housed within the base, a steam flow pathway extending from said boiler to said lid for directing steam generated by said boiler into said container through said lid, a control unit configured to control operation of said food steamer in response to a user input. The control unit is configured to automatically deactivate the boiler when the lid is removed from the cooking container.

Abstract: A carbonated beverage appliance in accordance with the present invention includes a housing and a carbonating head assembly configured to releasably engage a top end of a bottle containing a liquid to be carbonated. The bottle is engaged with the head assembly in a manner so as to provide a liquid and gas-tight seal. A tube is arranged in the housing for directing a flow of pressurized gas from a gas cylinder to the liquid within the bottle to produce a carbonated beverage. The carbonated beverage appliance includes a quick-connect mechanism for attaching a gas cylinder to the appliance, and a dispensing mechanism for the on-demand dispensing of a carbonated beverage from the bottle while it is attached to the appliance.