Abstract: A vacuum sealer includes: a housing comprising a vacuum chamber therein; a vacuum pump in fluid communication with the vacuum chamber; a sealing mechanism adjacent a periphery of the vacuum chamber; a valve positioned and configured to releasably seal the vacuum chamber, the valve movable between a first position, in which the valve forms a seal with the sealing chamber, and a second position, in which the valve does not form a seal with the sealing chamber; and a controller operatively connected with the vacuum pump, the sealing mechanism, and the valve. The controller is configured to move the valve from the first position to the second position during sealing.

Abstract: A vacuum sealer includes: a housing comprising a vacuum chamber therein; a vacuum pump in fluid communication with the vacuum chamber; a sealing mechanism adjacent a periphery of the vacuum chamber; a valve positioned and configured to releasably seal the vacuum chamber, the valve movable between a first position, in which the valve forms a seal with the sealing chamber, and a second position, in which the valve does not form a seal with the sealing chamber; and a controller operatively connected with the vacuum pump, the sealing mechanism, and the valve. The controller is configured to move the valve from the first position to the second position during sealing.

Abstract: A method of cleaning a food processor includes: (a) providing a food processor a base that includes a rotary power driver having a rotatable shaft; a bowl mounted on the base; and a food processing blade attached to the shaft within the bowl; (b) inserting a cleaning accessory into the bowl above the food processing blade; (c) introducing cleaning fluid into the bowl; and (d) rotating the food processing blade with the rotatable shaft to agitate the cleaning fluid.

Abstract: A vacuum sealer apparatus includes a housing having a vacuum chamber therein, a vacuum pump in fluid communication with the vacuum chamber, a sealing mechanism adjacent a periphery of the vacuum chamber, and at least one processor. The at least one processor is configured to execute program code stored in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium to calculate a rate of change of a vacuum level in the vacuum chamber responsive to energizing the vacuum pump to withdraw air from the vacuum chamber, and to energize the sealing mechanism and/or reduce power to the vacuum pump based on the rate of change of the vacuum level. Related methods of operation are also discussed.

Abstract: A blender jar assembly comprises a container portion having an open end for receiving the foodstuff to be blended and for dispensing the foodstuff after blending and a base portion selectively coupled to the container portion. The base portion comprises a floor and a sidewall connected to and extending from the floor to form a chamber for receiving at least a portion of the foodstuff during a blending operation. The chamber has an open end in fluid communication with the open end of the container portion when the container portion and the base portion are selectively coupled. The base further comprises one or more rotatable blades that are fully contained within the chamber formed by the floor and the sidewall and do not extend beyond a rim of the sidewall.

Abstract: A blender comprises a housing and a shield. The housing has a first portion enclosing a motor and a second portion for selectively receiving a blender jar assembly. The second portion defines an opening through which the blender jar assembly is selectively received. The shield is selectively coupled to the second portion via a substantially vertical pivot point that enables the shield to be selectively pivoted between a closed position closing off the opening in the second portion and an open position enabling the blender jar assembly to be inserted into or removed from the second portion. The pivot point comprises an overcenter cam that urges the shield toward the closed position when the shield is positioned between the closed position and a maximum displacement point of the overcenter cam and that urges the shield toward the open position when the shield is positioned between the open position and the maximum displacement point.

Abstract: An improved vacuum sealer having a sealing bar with a plurality of heating elements, where the heating elements ultimately seal the entire length of a polymeric bag, but may be activated independently such that a portion of the bag may first be sealed, after which a vacuum force is applied to the bag such that the internal air is removed, after which the remainder the of the bag is sealed through application of power to the second heating element.

Abstract: A blender jar assembly comprises a container portion having an open end for receiving the foodstuff to be blended and for dispensing the foodstuff after blending and a base portion selectively coupled to the container portion. The base portion comprises a floor and a sidewall connected to and extending from the floor to form a chamber for receiving at least a portion of the foodstuff during a blending operation. The chamber has an open end in fluid communication with the open end of the container portion when the container portion and the base portion are selectively coupled. The base further comprises one or more rotatable blades that are fully contained within the chamber formed by the floor and the sidewall and do not extend beyond a rim of the sidewall.

Abstract: A blender comprises a housing and a shield. The housing has a first portion enclosing a motor and a second portion for selectively receiving a blender jar assembly. The second portion defines an opening through which the blender jar assembly is selectively received. The shield is selectively coupled to the second portion via a substantially vertical pivot point that enables the shield to be selectively pivoted between a closed position closing off the opening in the second portion and an open position enabling the blender jar assembly to be inserted into or removed from the second portion. The pivot point comprises an overcenter cam that urges the shield toward the closed position when the shield is positioned between the closed position and a maximum displacement point of the overcenter cam and that urges the shield toward the open position when the shield is positioned between the open position and the maximum displacement point.

Abstract: A vacuum sealer includes a housing having an upper platform and a lid pivotably attached thereto. A first heating plate is secured to one of the underside of the lid and the platform and an opposing, thermally insulating backing strip is secured to the other of the underside of the lid and the platform. The first heating plate and the backing strip heat seal a portion of a plastic bag positioned therebetween. A second heating plate is secured to one of the underside of the lid and the platform, and an opposing stamp wheel is rotatably mounted to the other of the underside of the lid and the platform. The stamp wheel has a plurality of raised characters spaced about a periphery thereof. The stamp wheel and the second heating plate heat stamp the raised characters facing the second heating plate onto a portion of a plastic bag positioned therebetween.

Abstract: A kitchen appliance for processing foodstuff includes a housing, a bowl removably mounted onto the housing and defining a first cavity therein, and a removable lid to cover at least the bowl. A perforated basket is removably received between the bowl and the lid and defines a second cavity. A tool is removably coupleable with a drive shaft such that rotation of the drive shaft effectuates rotation of the tool. The tool is mountable in a first position on the drive shaft within the perforated basket, or in a second position on the drive shaft within the bowl. In the first position of the tool, apertures of the perforated basket permit foodstuff processed by the tool into fragments smaller than the apertures to pass from the second cavity into the first cavity. In the second position of the tool, foodstuff is processed by the tool directly in the first cavity.

Abstract: A kitchen appliance includes a housing that defines a cavity. A heating or cooling element is disposed within the housing to heat or cool the cavity. A container fits within the cavity. A lid at least partially covers the container when placed thereon. At least one handle assembly is engageable by a user for carrying the kitchen appliance, and includes a handle anchor positioned on the housing and a handle pivotably connected thereto. The handle is pivotable between an engaged position in which at least a portion of the handle contacts the lid to retain the lid in sealing engagement with the container rim, and a disengaged position in which the portion of the handle is spaced-apart from the lid to permit the lid to be removed from the container rim. The handle includes a locking mechanism for locking the handle in the engaged position.

Abstract: A kitchen appliance comprises a housing including a base member, a side wall member, and a retaining trim encasing the upper end of the side wall. The side wall member includes an external enclosure and an internal liner. At least a portion of the retaining trim is spaced radially outwardly from an external surface of the enclosure, thereby defining a retaining channel between the retaining trim and the external surface of the enclosure. The kitchen appliance includes at least one decorative panel for lining at least a portion of the external surface of the enclosure. An upper end of the panel is slidably receivable into, and retainable by, the retaining channel and a lower end of the at least one decorative panel is supported by the base member. The panel is disengageable from the retaining channel and the base member, such that the panel is interchangeable.

Abstract: A kitchen appliance includes a housing that defines a cavity. A heating or cooling element is disposed within the housing to heat or cool the cavity. A container fits within the cavity. A lid at least partially covers the container when placed thereon. At least one handle assembly is engageable by a user for carrying the kitchen appliance, and includes a handle anchor positioned on the housing and a handle pivotably connected thereto. The handle is pivotable between an engaged position in which at least a portion of the handle contacts the lid to retain the lid in sealing engagement with the container rim, and a disengaged position in which the portion of the handle is spaced-apart from the lid to permit the lid to be removed from the container rim. The handle includes a locking mechanism for locking the handle in the engaged position.

Abstract: A method of heating contents within a slow cooker for a user-selected duration includes engaging a control interface to energize a heating element to a first power level for a first time period. The method further includes automatically energizing the heating element to a second power level for a second time period following completion of the first time period to avoid over-heating contents within the slow cooker, the second power level being lower than the first power level. The method also includes automatically energizing the heating element to a third power level for a third time period following completion of the second time, the third power level being greater than the second power level.

Abstract: The present invention provides an assembly having a fuel injector and a fuel supply device. The fuel injector has a first and second end, a fuel metering portion with a longitudinal axis extending therethrough, an outer shell surrounding the fuel metering portion and at least one fixing member that extends generally radially from the outer shell. The fixing member has a leg, where a portion of the leg is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. A cross member is located transverse to the portion of the leg and has a projection that has a substantially planar surface and extends toward the outer shell. The fuel supply device has a cup with an injector receiving opening and at least one connecting member with a mating surface adapted to engage the substantially planar surface of the fixing member. A method of connecting the fuel cup to the fuel injector and a method of disengaging the fuel cup from the fuel injector is also provided.