Abstract: A food storage machine is provided that includes a film delivery mechanism, a cutting mechanism, a conditioning assembly and a drive mechanism. The film delivery mechanism has a support cradle for a roll of bag material and a feed roller assembly for dispensing the bag material. The cutting mechanism is disposed adjacent the film delivery mechanism and has a first sealing bumper and a shuttle member with a cutting portion. The shuttle member is arranged to cut transversely across the bag material dispensed from the film delivery mechanism. The conditioning assembly is pivotably disposed below the film delivery mechanism and has a heater member for sealing a portion of the bag material. The drive mechanism is operatively connected to the conditioning assembly and configured to pivot upwards to contact the first sealing bumper of the cutting mechanism and to pivot downwards to contact a second sealing bumper.

Abstract: A slow cooker including a housing with a heating element positioned therein, a cooking vessel configured to be positioned within the housing for heating via the heating element and a lid configured to be positioned on the cooking vessel to substantially close a generally pen end thereof. The lid has a releasable handle assembly wherein a motor handle or a non-motor handle may be attached thereto. The motor handle may be configured to selectively activate the motor in a pre-determined interval sequence wherein at the beginning of each interval the motor is activated for a given time and then the motor is deactivated until the beginning of the next interval Lid clips may be pivotally connected to the lid to releasably engage a rim of the cooking vessel.

Abstract: A food saver machine is provided that includes a film delivery mechanism, a cutting mechanism, a conditioning assembly and a drive mechanism. The film delivery mechanism has a support cradle for a roll of bag material and a feed roller assembly for dispensing the bag material. The cutting mechanism is disposed adjacent the film delivery mechanism and has a first sealing bumper and a shuttle member with a cutting portion. The shuttle member is arranged to cut transversely across the bag material dispensed from the film delivery mechanism. The conditioning assembly is pivotably disposed below the film delivery mechanism and has a heater member for sealing a portion of the bag material. The drive mechanism is operatively connected to the conditioning assembly and configured to pivot upwards to contact the first sealing bumper of the cutting mechanism and to pivot downwards to contact a second sealing bumper.

Abstract: A drip coffee maker is provides including a means for delaying the release of brewed coffee from the brew basket assembly position in a brew basket housing. The brew basket assembly includes an upper basket portion vertically movably mounted with respect to a lower basket portion. A bias member is interposed between the basket portions, vertically biasing the upper basket portion with respect to the lower basket portion. A basket valve is included in the upper and lower basket portions, and is actuatable between an open and a closed position. A carafe is included, and has a lid portion with a lid aperture therein. The carafe is removably positionable under the brew basket assembly with the lid aperture proximal to the basket valve. The basket valve opens when the weight of the hot water and coffee grounds in the upper basket portion exceeds a threshold weight of the bias members.

Abstract: A drip coffee maker is provided which include a means for impeding the infiltration of cold air into a gap between a bottom surface of the brew basket housing and the lid of a carafe as the coffee is brewed. The coffee maker includes a base, reservoir housing, and brew basket housing, where a carafe is removably positionable on the base. The carafe including a lid portion, which defines a gap between the lid portion and a bottom surface of the brew basket housing when the carafe is positioned on the base. A means for substantially encircling the gap between the lid portion of the carafe and the bottom surface of the brew basket housing is provided. The means for substantially encircling the gap is operable between an open and a closed position. In the open position, the carafe can be inserted onto the base. As the carafe is inserted, the means for substantially encircling the gap rotates to the closed position.

Abstract: A drip coffee maker is provides including a means for delaying the release of brewed coffee from the brew basket assembly position in a brew basket housing. The brew basket assembly includes an upper basket portion vertically movably mounted with respect to a lower basket portion. A bias member is interposed between the basket portions, vertically biasing the upper basket portion with respect to the lower basket portion. A basket valve is included in the upper and lower basket portions, and is actuatable between an open and a closed position. A carafe is included, and has a lid portion with a lid aperture therein. The carafe is removably positionable under the brew basket assembly with the lid aperture proximal to the basket valve. The basket valve opens when the weight of the hot water and coffee grounds in the upper basket portion exceeds a threshold weight of the bias members.

Abstract: A beverage maker includes a reservoir; a heater for heating water in the reservoir from a starting temperature to a brewing temperature; a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the water and the heater; a pump connected to the reservoir for pumping hot water from the reservoir at the brewing temperature to a user's cup via an infusible food material; and a controller adapted to operate the pump over a predetermined pumping time based at least in part on the time interval to bring the water temperature in the reservoir from the starting temperature to the brewing temperature. The controller may also be programmed to turn said heater on, turn said pump on when the water temperatures reaches said brewing temperature, and turn said heater and pump off when said temperature sensor senses another temperature higher than said brewing temperature.

Abstract: A beverage maker includes a stand; and a brew head supported on the stand. The brew head includes a shower head and a pod carrier disposed below the shower head. The shower head and the pod carrier together define a brewing chamber in which the pod is infused with hot water from the shower head. The shower head is movable to thereby adjust the brewing chamber to accommodate one or more pods.

Abstract: A beverage maker includes a base; a stand extending upwardly from the base; a brew head supported on the stand; and a manually actuated gear drive operably associated with the brew head and the stand for vertically adjusting the height of the brew head above the base.

Abstract: A beverage brewer and method of using the same is provided. The beverage brewer has the capacity to brew a beverage from variable amounts of prepackaged pods or from free-form brewing material captured between upper and lower filter membrane surfaces.

Abstract: A beverage maker includes a reservoir; a heater for heating water in the reservoir from a starting temperature to a brewing temperature; a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the water and the heater; a pump connected to the reservoir for pumping hot water from the reservoir at the brewing temperature to a user's cup via an infusible food material; and a controller adapted to operate the pump over a predetermined pumping time based at least in part on the time interval to bring the water temperature in the reservoir from the starting temperature to the brewing temperature. The controller may also be programmed to turn said heater on, turn said pump on when the water temperatures reaches said brewing temperature, and turn said heater and pump off when said temperature sensor senses another temperature higher than said brewing temperature.

Abstract: A drip coffee maker having a horizontal spray of heated water into a brew basket. Much of the effect of gravity is removed and the spread of heated water may be increased. The horizontal spray shower head may be used to expose the top layer of coffee grinds in the brew basket to an equal amount of hot water within a few seconds of brewing start time. By immersing the coffee grinds in hot water at the same level, the coffee grinds are all subjected to the same water pressure. The water then filters down evenly over the coffee grinds in the brew basket. Thus, the coffee grinds within the brew basket are given maximum exposure to the heated water. This exposure allows more coffee to be extracted from fewer grinds, thus conserving coffee and avoiding overcooking of the grinds.

Abstract: A drip coffee maker having a horizontal spray of heated water into a brew basket. Much of the effect of gravity is removed and the spread of heated water may be increased. The horizontal spray shower head may be used to expose the top layer of coffee grinds in the brew basket to an equal amount of hot water within a few seconds of brewing start time. By immersing the coffee grinds in hot water at the same level, the coffee grinds are all subjected to the same water pressure. The water then filters down evenly over the coffee grinds in the brew basket. Thus, the coffee grinds within the brew basket are given maximum exposure to the heated water. This exposure allows more coffee to be extracted from fewer grinds, thus conserving coffee and avoiding overcooking of the grinds.