Abstract: A dual chamber condiment grinder has more than one chamber for holding a different condiment in each, and each chamber has a rasp that can be selectively moved up and down to grind the condiment in the associated chamber. An actuating handle rotates on the top of the chambers to position a cam over one or the other of the rasps to selectively grind the contents of one of the chambers. In the alternative, the cam can move in a slot in a movable handle to position the cam over the desired rasp.

Abstract: A portable beverage container comprises a base portion having a seat adapted to support the beverage container on a surface and/or in a holder, the base portion being fabricated from a first material such as plastics, rubbers, metals, and/or silicone. The portable beverage container further comprises a lip, which a user contacts when consuming a beverage, sealingly and rigidly attached to the base and fabricated from a second material, different from the first, the second material being adapted to enhance a drinking sensation of the user. The second material can for example comprise ceramic, bone china, stones, and/or glass. In other embodiments, the beverage container may include a bone china handle with a silicone over-mold.

Abstract: A container for liquids and a lid for the same are shown and described. The disclosed embodiments incorporate a container and a lid, the lid having: a base removably, sealably coupled to the container; a mouth adapted to facilitate drinking and/or pouring liquid out of the container; and a valve member positioned therebetween. The valve member is rotatable between an open orientation in which an aperture in the valve member aligns with openings in the base and mouth, and a closed orientation in which the aperture does not align with one or both of the openings. A handle/actuator can be used to manipulate the valve member, and can be oriented to function as a handle for the container when the valve member is in the closed configuration, and to be moved out of the user's way when the valve member is in the open orientation.

Abstract: An apparatus for magnetically sealing a cover of a beverage container comprises a body having an opening, at least a first magnetic member of a first polarity disposed on at least a first portion of the body and a second magnetic member of a second polarity, substantially opposite the first polarity, disposed on at least a second portion of the body, the first magnetic member magnetically retaining the second magnetic member in first and second positions, independent of mechanical assistance, to expose at least a portion of the opening to allow fluid flow to and from the container when in the first position and sealingly occlude the opening to prevent spillage when in the second position.

Abstract: A kitchen whisk having a whisk-head attached to a grippable handle by a coupling, the handle having a flex zone for enhancing the “whipping” action of the whisk-head. A cable can be embedded within the flex zone region of the handle for reinforcing the same, the ends of the cable being disposed between and encased within a handle core and an inner plug core, the inner plug core being located within the coupling. In addition, the coupling captures the ends of the wires for attachment to the handle.

Abstract: A hand-held hand-powered food processor having a pull cord motor for rotating a spindle that carries an arm. The arm can be a cutter blade or an elastomeric flexible peeler arm having a durometer of preferable between Shore 80 A and Shore 82 A. A food processor having a spindle, an elastomeric arm driven by the spindle, a stop block on a sidewall near the end of the arm, and a drive for rotating the spindle to rub against the skin of food in the processor for peeling the food. The cover of the processor has a flat outer periphery so the cover can be used as a storage unit for the contents of the processor.

Abstract: Devices for removing and/or slicing a meat of fruit are disclosed. In one embodiment, the device has a handle portion and a working portion having an elongated blade and a pair of lateral extensions. The elongated blade has a cross-sectional shape adapted to facilitate movement of the elongated blade through the meat of the fruit. The working portion of the device has a resting configuration in which the elongated blade has a first radius of curvature, and at least one of the lateral extensions is manipulable under a manual force during use to deform the working portion from the resting configuration to a displaced configuration in which the elongated blade has a second radius of curvature, selectively conforming to the curvature of the skin before and as the elongated blade moves through the meat of the fruit.

Abstract: A dual chamber condiment grinder has more than one chamber for holding a different condiment in each, and each chamber has a rasp that can be selectively moved up and down to grind the condiment in the associated chamber. An actuating handle rotates on the top of the chambers to position a cam over one or the other of the rasps to selectively grind the contents of one of the chambers. In the alternative, the cam can move in a slot in a movable handle to position the cam over the desired rasp.

Abstract: Devices for removing the meat from an avocado, papaya or similar fruit, and/or for slicing the meat are shown and described. In one particular embodiment, the device has a handle portion adapted to allow an individual to manually manipulate the device, and a working portion having an elongated blade and a pair of lateral extensions coupling opposing ends of the elongated blade to the handle portion. The elongated blade has a cross-sectional shape adapted to facilitate movement of the elongated blade through the meat of the fruit.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the treatment of hydrogen sulfide. The method preferably includes forming a solvent-surfactant blend, preparing a microemulsion by combining the solvent-surfactant blend with a carrier fluid and contacting the hydrogen sulfide with the microemulsion. In preferred embodiments, the solvent-surfactant blend includes a surfactant and a solvent selected from the group consisting of terpenes and alkyl or aryl esters of short chain alcohols.

Abstract: A device for dressing shellfish comprises a handle and a working end. The handle can have a pair of handle members manually actuable with a single hand. The working end can incorporate a pair of blades connected to the respective handle members. The blades can be coupled to each other near their distal ends at least one can be adapted to bend laterally at a central region when one or both of the handles is actuated. The blades can be manipulable between an aligned configuration to facilitate insertion of the working end into the shellfish, and a spread configuration in which one or more of the blades can penetrate the shell. Removal of the device from the shellfish while the working end is retained in the spread configuration can form a slit along the length of the shellfish, facilitating removal of meat therefrom.

Abstract: A dual chamber condiment grinder has more than one chamber for holding a different condiment in each, and each chamber has a rasp that can be selectively moved up and down to grind the condiment in the associated chamber. An actuating handle rotates on the top of the chambers to position a cam over one or the other of the rasps to selectively grind the contents of one of the chambers. In the alternative, the cam can move in a slot in a movable handle to position the cam over the desired rasp.

Abstract: A mill for grinding a spice or grain material has a grinding mechanism including: a lever mounted for pivotal movement about a lever axis, a grinder bit mounted for rotational movement about a grinder bit rotational axis, the grinder bit rotational axis being at least approximately parallel to the lever axis, and a linkage coupled to the grinder bit and coupled to the lever to transfer pivotal movement from the lever to the grinding bit. The grinder bit may be cylindrical and include a gradated set of teeth. A cam pivots an engagement surface to adjust a spacing between the engagement surface and the grinding bit to select a size of resulting particles.

Abstract: A kitchen whisk having a whisk-head attached to a grippable handle by a coupling, the handle having a flex zone for enhancing the “whipping” action of the whisk-head. A cable can be embedded within the flex zone region of the handle for reinforcing the same, the ends of the cable being disposed between and encased within a handle core and an inner plug core, the inner plug core being located within the coupling. In addition, the coupling captures the ends of the wires for attachment to the handle.

Abstract: A device for dressing shellfish comprises a handle and a working end. The handle can have a pair of handle members manually actuable with a single hand. The working end can incorporate a pair of blades connected to the respective handle members. The blades can be coupled to each other near their distal ends at least one can be adapted to bend laterally at a central region when one or both of the handles is actuated. The blades can be manipulable between an aligned configuration to facilitate insertion of the working end into the shellfish, and a spread configuration in which one or more of the blades can penetrate the shell. Removal of the device from the shellfish while the working end is retained in the spread configuration can form a slit along the length of the shellfish, facilitating removal of meat therefrom.