Abstract: A system for evacuating containers. The system includes a base housing defining a recess having a vacuum inlet port in communication with a vacuum source. An inner door is hinged to the base housing and is sized to cover the recess when in a closed position, and an outer door having a sealing member is hinged to close over the inner door. A vacuum nozzle extends at least partially between the inner and outer doors and is in communication with the recess. The inner and outer doors cooperate to retain a flexible container therebetween and around the nozzle so that the nozzle is positioned for fluid communication with an inside of the container. A removable drip pan is positioned to retain fluids drawn by the nozzle.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus includes a cooking chamber and user interface, which includes a controller, display, and memory for storing recipes. The display is coupled to the controller and displays recipes. A method includes selectively displaying recipes and selecting a manual or recipe mode. In the manual mode, a heat setting and cooking time is selected. The selected cooking time is decremented in predetermined increments and the heating element is energized in accordance with the selected heat setting, after which the heating element is energized according to a keep warm setting for a predetermined time, following which it is de-energized. In the recipe mode, a main menu is displayed, from which the user selects a recipe category. A sub menu is displayed, from which the user selects a recipe identifier associated with the selected recipe category. A list of ingredients for the selected recipe identifier is then displayed.

Abstract: A system for evacuating containers. The system includes a base housing defining a recess having a vacuum inlet port in communication with a vacuum source. An inner door is hinged to the base housing and is sized to cover the recess when in a closed position, and an outer door having a sealing member is hinged to close over the inner door. A vacuum nozzle extends at least partially between the inner and outer doors and is in communication with the recess. The inner and outer doors cooperate to retain a flexible container therebetween and around the nozzle so that the nozzle is positioned for fluid communication with an inside of the container. A removable drip pan is positioned to retain fluids drawn by the nozzle.

Abstract: A system for evacuating containers. The system includes a base housing defining a recess having a vacuum inlet port in communication with a vacuum source. An inner door is hinged to the base housing and is sized to cover the recess when in a closed position, and an outer door having a sealing member is hinged to close over the inner door. A vacuum nozzle extends at least partially between the inner and outer doors and is in communication with the recess. The inner and outer doors cooperate to retain a flexible container therebetween and around the nozzle so that the nozzle is positioned for fluid communication with an inside of the container. A removable drip pan is positioned to retain fluids drawn by the nozzle.

Abstract: A modular kitchen appliance system includes a base having a first receptacle and a second receptacle formed in a top surface of the base, at least a first motor contained within the base, a vessel supported in the first receptacle of the base and a hand-held appliance removably supported in the second receptacle of the base. The vessel includes a blade assembly adapted for coupling to the first motor and the hand-held appliance has a first end for receiving a shaft of an appliance attachment.

Abstract: A modular kitchen appliance system includes a base having a first receptacle and a second receptacle formed in a top surface of the base, at least a first motor contained within the base, a vessel supported in the first receptacle of the base and a hand-held appliance removably supported in the second receptacle of the base. The vessel includes a blade assembly adapted for coupling to the first motor and the hand-held appliance has a first end for receiving a shaft of an appliance attachment.

Abstract: A system for evacuating containers. The system includes a base housing defining a recess having a vacuum inlet port in communication with a vacuum source. An inner door is hinged to the base housing and is sized to cover the recess when in a closed position, and an outer door having a sealing member is hinged to close over the inner door. A vacuum nozzle extends at least partially between the inner and outer doors and is in communication with the recess. The inner and outer doors cooperate to retain a flexible container therebetween and around the nozzle so that the nozzle is positioned for fluid communication with an inside of the container. A removable drip pan is positioned to retain fluids drawn by the nozzle.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus includes a cooking chamber and user interface, which includes a controller, display, and memory for storing recipes. The display is coupled to the controller and displays recipes. A method includes selectively displaying recipes and selecting a manual or recipe mode. In the manual mode, a heat setting and cooking time is selected. The selected cooking time is decremented in predetermined increments and the heating element is energized in accordance with the selected heat setting, after which the heating element is energized according to a keep warm setting for a predetermined time, following which it is de-energized. In the recipe mode, a main menu is displayed, from which the user selects a recipe category. A sub menu is displayed, from which the user selects a recipe identifier associated with the selected recipe category. A list of ingredients for the selected recipe identifier is then displayed.