Abstract: A soleplate includes an operable portion of an ironing surface having a front edge located opposite a rear edge, and having a first side located opposite a second side. The soleplate includes a longitudinal axis bisecting the front edge and the rear edge. The soleplate also includes a transverse axis bisecting the first side and the second side based on a midpoint of the longitudinal axis. The soleplate also includes an intersection located where the longitudinal axis and the transverse axis cross. The operable portion of the ironing surface is substantially curved along the longitudinal axis and substantially curved along the transverse axis, forming a raised pinnacle of the operable portion located along the longitudinal axis at a point other than the intersection, the raised pinnacle forming a highest point on the operable portion.

Abstract: A wirelessly operable cooking appliance for cooking food products includes a wireless communication device. A computing device, such as a smartphone, can wirelessly communicate with the cooking appliance to control and monitor the cooking appliance.

Abstract: A base power unit for a blender includes a housing supporting a motor coupled to a drive shaft, the drive shaft coupled to a drive element. The base power unit also includes a fan coupled to the drive shaft, where the fan is located between the motor and the drive element. The housing defines an air flow path passing the motor, where the fan receives air after the air enters the housing through an intake vent, and the fan causes the air to pass out of the housing through an exit vent.

Abstract: A tabletop grill generally includes a first grill unit having a first grill plate and a first heating element for heating the first grill plate. The grill further includes a second grill unit positionable relative to the first grill unit. The second grill unit has a second grill plate and a second heating element for heating the second grill plate. The grill is configured to function as a broiler.

Abstract: A heating appliance generally includes a housing defining a food product compartment, and a rack configured to support a food product within the food product compartment. The heating appliance further includes a heating assembly disposed within the food product compartment. The heating assembly includes a heating element having a length, wherein the heating element is configured to have a temperature increase along the length during heating. The heating assembly further includes a heat distribution member disposed between the heating element and the rack, wherein the heat distribution member includes a pattern of apertures that tapers in accordance with the temperature increase of the heating element.

Abstract: A wirelessly operable cooking appliance for cooking food products includes a wireless communication device. A computing device, such as a smartphone, can wirelessly communicate with the cooking appliance to control and monitor the cooking appliance.

Abstract: An air frying system including a housing defining an inner chamber, a food basket removably positionable within the inner chamber, the food basket comprising a shell with first and second ends, a first cap attached to the shell at the first end, and a second cap removably attached to the second end of the shell, and a handle assembly adjacent to the first cap at the first end of the shell. The handle assembly includes a tray having an outer periphery and at least one handle extending from the outer periphery of the tray, wherein at least one of the handles is positioned outside the inner chamber of the housing when the food basket is positioned within the inner chamber of the housing. In this way, the food basket can be inserted and removed from the inner chamber without touching hot surfaces that have been heated during the cooking process.

Abstract: A heating appliance includes a housing defining a food product compartment having at least a front door and a rear wall opposite the front door. The heating appliance also includes a rack configured to support a food product within the food product compartment. The heating appliance also includes a heating assembly disposed within the food product compartment and an elongate heating device having a first length, and an angled heat distribution member having a second length disposed between the heating device and the rack. The heat distribution member includes a pattern of apertures and the heat distribution member is configured to prevent infrared radiation produced by the heating device from directly reaching the rear wall of the housing, except for infrared radiation that passes through the apertures of the heat distribution member.

Abstract: A tabletop grill generally includes a first grill unit having a first grill plate and a first heating element for heating the first grill plate. The grill further includes a second grill unit positionable relative to the first grill unit. The second grill unit has a second grill plate and a second heating element for heating the second grill plate. The grill is configured to function as a broiler.

Abstract: A food preparation appliance has a base, a blade member rotatable in a direction of rotation, and a container with a closed bottom, an open top and a tubular sidewall together defining an interior space of the container. The top of the container is configured for releasable connection with the base, with the blade member disposed within the interior space of the container. The sidewall has a rib projecting inward of the interior space of the container and extending lengthwise along at least a portion of the sidewall from the top of the container toward the bottom of the container. The rib has, in the direction of rotation of the blade member, a peak defined as the shortest transverse dimension measured from the center of the container to the sidewall at a respective height along the portion of the sidewall having the rib, the rib being asymmetric in transverse cross-section.

Abstract: A food preparation appliance has a base, a blade member rotatable in a direction of rotation, and a container with a closed bottom, an open top and a tubular sidewall together defining an interior space of the container. The top of the container is configured for releasable connection with the base, with the blade member disposed within the interior space of the container. The sidewall has a rib projecting inward of the interior space of the container and extending lengthwise along at least a portion of the sidewall from the top of the container toward the bottom of the container. The rib has, in the direction of rotation of the blade member, a peak defined as the shortest transverse dimension measured from the center of the container to the sidewall at a respective height along the portion of the sidewall having the rib, the rib being asymmetric in transverse cross-section.

Abstract: An air frying system including a housing defining an inner chamber, a food container positioned in the inner chamber, an air heating and circulation system in communication with the food container, and a steam supply and circulation system in communication with the food container, wherein the air heating and circulation system and the steam supply and circulation system are independently controllable for cooking a food product in the food container.

Abstract: In a container and method for processing food, the container has a closed end, and open end and a tubular sidewall extending therebetween and together with the closed end defining an interior space of the container. The container is configured to accommodate a blade member within the interior space of the container. The container has a center and the sidewall has at least one rib projecting inward of the interior space of the container and extending heightwise along at least a portion of the sidewall. The rib is asymmetric in transverse cross-section. A blade member is also disclosed and is configured to have different planes in which the blade member moves upon rotation of the blade.

Abstract: A food preparation appliance has a base, a blade member rotatable in a direction of rotation, and a container with a closed bottom, an open top and a tubular sidewall together defining an interior space of the container. The top of the container is configured for releasable connection with the base, with the blade member disposed within the interior space of the container. The sidewall has a rib projecting inward of the interior space of the container and extending lengthwise along at least a portion of the sidewall from the top of the container toward the bottom of the container. The rib has, in the direction of rotation of the blade member, a peak defined as the shortest transverse dimension measured from the center of the container to the sidewall at a respective height along the portion of the sidewall having the rib, the rib being asymmetric in transverse cross-section.

Abstract: The smoker device disclosed herein provides a small profile device with more control than existing technologies for both cold smoking and smoking in an electric or compact grill. One of the main advantages of the design disclosed herein is a dual concentric or nesting fuel/housing dual structure that allows for adjusting the amount of smoke or aroma that a user wants the smoker device to emit during the smoking process.

Abstract: An improved blender or food processor is provided that moves a blade translationally in the vertical plane while another blade or blade assembly rotates in the horizontal plane to stop the blender from cavitating the contents while blending viscous fluids (an air pocket from forming around the cutting blades or forming a vortex or a disruptive vacuum). Both actions of rotating the lower blades and translationally moving the upper blade are done simultaneously using one motor. In a related embodiment, rotational and translational movements are provided with decoupled gear assemblies.

Abstract: A wirelessly operable slow cooker for cooking food products includes a wireless communication device. A computing device, such as a smartphone, can wirelessly communicate with the slow cooker to control and monitor the slow cooker.