Abstract: A cartridge for use with a mounting head for the preparation of fluid comestibles comprising a cartridge inlet, a chamber connected to said cartridge inlet for containing suitable flavor-containing or particle materials, a cartridge outlet connected to said chamber and a handle enabling a user to hold the handle to attach and secure the cartridge inlet to the mounting head to allow the liquid to be delivered under pressure through the flavor-containing or particle materials in the chamber, through the cartridge outlet and directly into a receptacle such as a cup or carafe for consumption, thereby dramatically simplifying the preparation of the fluid comestibles and relieving the user from the tedious cleaning work. The handle comprising at least part of the wall of the chamber, which is sufficiently rigid.

Abstract: An applicator for applying fluid or paste product to hair or hair-like objects on a surface comprises a handle, an application member for holding an amount of product and applying the product to the objects, and a shield for covering at least part of the application member to prevent the surface from contacting the application member during the use of the applicator, thereby preventing the surface from being contaminated by the product. The shield has at least one opening configured to allow the hair or hair-like objects to reach the product on the application member, thereby causing the objects to be coated by the product. A product loading system is used to load an amount of product selectively to the application member while leaving the shield substantially free of the product. The loading system has a dosage indicator for showing the user how much product is used for a particular application and a level indicator for showing the user how much product is left.

Abstract: A cartridge for use with a mounting head for the preparation of fluid comestibles comprising a cartridge inlet, a chamber connected to said cartridge inlet for containing suitable flavor-containing or particle materials, a cartridge outlet connected to said chamber and a handle enabling a user to hold the handle to attach and secure the cartridge inlet to the mounting head to allow the liquid to be delivered under pressure through the flavor-containing or particle materials in the chamber, through the cartridge outlet and directly into a receptacle such as a cup or carafe for consumption, thereby dramatically simplifying the preparation of the fluid comestibles and relieving the user from the tedious cleaning work. The handle comprising at least part of the wall of the chamber, which is sufficiently rigid.

Abstract: A cooktop hygiene device removably mountable to a cooktop for collecting food sputterings or spillings and preventing such sputterings or spillings from contaminating the cooktop comprises a plate-like structure, which can be flexible or rigid, having an upper surface adapted to receive the spillings or sputterings and a lower surface adapted to interface with the cooktop surface, and a plurality of openings on the plate-like structure to receive the heaters on the cooktop and to allow a user to place a cookware or utensil on the heaters. A fold facilitator is provided on the plate like structure to facilitate the folding of the device to fit into a dishwasher. A plurality of drip pans secured to the plate-like structure is provided for catching the food and liquid spillings or sputterings. The plurality of openings may be covered by heater covers to provide cooking zones on the plate-like structure to engage with the heaters and conduct heat from the heaters to cookware on the cooking zones.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for making drinks such as cappuccino, latte, espresso, coffee or filtered water which comprise a cold water filter system for purifying water for either direct consumption or use in extracting flavor-containing materials like coffee, a hot water filter assembly located on the brew head for removing impurities originated from both water itself and the parts of the apparatus in contact with water, and/or an automatic milk frothier for frothing the milk. The cold water filter system comprises a removable water container having at its bottom a water flow passageway, a filter cartridge removably mounted in the water flow passageway, a containing chamber for receiving filtered water, and a valve in the water flow passageway for automatically closing the passageway when the container is removed from and opening the passageway when placed onto the chamber.