Abstract: A cooking appliance includes an upper housing having a first heating plate, a lower housing having a second heating plate, and a temperature probe extending through one of the first heating plate and the second heating plate for detecting an internal temperature of a food item.

Abstract: A cooking appliance includes a lower housing having a lower heating surface and an upper housing operatively connected to the lower housing. The upper housing has an upper heating surface and an air inlet at least partially surrounding the upper heating surface. The cooking appliance further includes a filter disposed in the air inlet. The filter is configured to remove particulates from air passing through the air inlet.

Abstract: A cooking appliance includes a lower housing having a lower heating surface, an upper housing operatively connected to the lower housing and having an upper heating surface, and a smoke exhaust system. The smoke exhaust system includes an air inlet in a lower surface of the upper housing adjacent to the upper heating surface, an exhaust vent formed in the upper housing, and a fan disposed in the upper housing. The fan is configured to draw air through the inlet, into the upper housing, and expel the air through the exhaust vent.

Abstract: A cooking appliance includes a lower housing having a first heating plate, a pair of opposed frame members operatively connected to the lower housing, the frame members including a guide track formed therein, and an upper housing having a second heating plate and a guiding wheel on opposed sides of the upper housing. The guiding wheel is received in the guide track such that the upper housing is selectively movable along the guide track.

Abstract: A cooking appliance includes an upper housing having a first heating plate and a lower housing having a second heating plate. A handle is connected to the upper housing and is operable to move the upper housing between an open position and a closed position. The cooking appliance further includes a drip tray that is slidably received in said lower housing.

Abstract: A cooking appliance includes a lower housing having a lower heating element, an upper housing having an upper heating element, opposed frame members disposed between the upper housing and the lower housing and operatively connecting the lower housing to the upper housing. The cooking appliance further includes a food mounting assembly. The food mounting assembly includes a bracket extending between the opposed frame members for retaining a means for supporting food items over the lower heating element.

Abstract: A temperature sensing system for a cooking appliance having an upper housing having a first heating surface and a lower housing having a second heating surface includes a temperature sensing probe, a control panel and a control unit in electrical communication with the temperature sensing probe and the control panel. The temperature sensing probe is removably received by the upper housing and extends through said first heating surface. The control panel has one or more input buttons for allowing a user to select at least one input parameter including a desired internal temperature of a food item.

Abstract: A cooking appliance includes an upper housing having a first heating surface and a lower housing operatively connected to the upper housing. The lower housing has a second heating surface having a plurality of apertures therethrough for facilitating the egress of cooking juices from the second heating surface.

Abstract: A cooking appliance includes an upper housing, a lower housing operatively connected to the upper housing, and a removable baking attachment received on the lower housing. The baking attachment has a bottom surface, a substantially open top and peripheral sidewalls defining a baking cavity.

Abstract: A cooking appliance includes an upper housing having a first heating surface, a lower housing operatively connected to the upper housing, the lower housing having a second heating surface, and a splash guard having a plurality of peripheral sidewalls. The splash guard is nestable within the lower housing and extendable therefrom to a position wherein the splash guard substantially surrounds the second heating surface.

Abstract: A temperature sensing system for a cooking appliance includes a control unit having a receiver. The control unit and the receiver are housed within the cooking appliance. The temperature sensing system further includes a wireless temperature sensing probe having a temperature sensor and a wireless transmitter module. The wireless temperature sensing probe is configured to wirelessly communicate with the control unit housed within the cooking appliance.

Abstract: A mirror apparatus (10) includes a platform (12), a mirror support (14) depending from the platform (12), a mirror member (16) mounted to the mirror support (14) and an illuminating member (34) mounted about at least a peripheral segment of the mirror member (16) for providing illumination. The mirror member (16) may include a first mirror side (24) having a substantially planar mirror surface and a second mirror side (26) having a magnifying mirror surface. The mirror support (14) may be mounted for movement relative to the platform (12) between a first operative position and a second transport position. The mirror support (14) may be mounted for pivotal movement relative to the platform (12) between the first operative position and the second transport position. The mirror support (14) may be adapted to be releasably secured in the first operative position.

Abstract: A mandoline slicer 10 for slicing a food product, the slicer 10 comprising a frame 12 having opposed sidewalls 14,16, a first support plate 18 and a second support plate 20 positioned between the opposed sidewalls 14,16, a slicing member 22 having a slicing edge 58 positioned between the first and said second support plates 28,20, and a slice thickness adjustment mechanism 26 having a lever 80 movable between a first position and a second position and configured to vary a vertical distance between the slicing edge 58 of said slicing member 22 and an edge 42 of said first support plate 16.

Abstract: A system for removal of hair includes an instrument having a frame with a trailing handle segment and a leading treatment segment, a manually manipulative actuator mounted relative to the trailing handle segment of the frame and a drive member operatively coupled to the actuator and extending at least partially within the leading treatment segment of the frame. The drive member is movable between an initial condition and a deployed condition in response to corresponding movement of the actuator. A blade assembly is mountable relative to the leading treatment segment of the frame. The blade assembly includes a blade housing mountable relative to the treatment segment of the frame, a blade mounted to the blade housing and having hair teeth for grooming a pet and an ejector member mounted relative to the blade housing. The ejector member is couplable to the drive member of the instrument and positioned to facilitate removal of hair from the blade upon movement toward the advanced position.

Abstract: An apparatus for styling hair includes a handle frame, a treatment segment extending from the handle frame for applying treatment to hair of a subject, at least one control member disposed on the handle frame and a cover mounted to the handle frame. The cover is adapted to transition between an open position permitting access to the at least one control member and a closed position substantially enclosing the at least one control member, thereby protecting the at least one control member from moisture, hair treatment agents and/or contaminants. The cover may be dimensioned and adapted to be releasably secured in the closed position through magnetic means or other mechanism mechanisms/methodologies.

Abstract: A beverage assembly includes a housing having a liquid reservoir, an inlet portion formed in the housing, a beverage container configured to be removably accommodated within the inlet portion and having a fracturable seal and containing a beverage ingredient of a first size, a grinding mechanism positioned within the housing and in fluid communication with the inlet portion, and a piercing assembly positioned within the housing, wherein the piercing assembly selectively pierces the fracturable seal thereby causing said beverage ingredient to enter the grinding mechanism. The grinding mechanism selectively transforms the beverage ingredient from the first size to a second size, the second size being smaller than the first size. The beverage assembly further includes a brewing area disposed beneath the grinding assembly and configured to removably accommodate the beverage container after the beverage container has been pierced by the piercing assembly.

Abstract: A beverage appliance includes a housing having a liquid reservoir, a brewing station disposed within the housing and in fluid communication with the liquid reservoir, a grinding station disposed within the housing and being functionally separate from said brewing station, and a brewing carriage being selectively movable between a first position adjacent the grinding station and a second position adjacent the brewing station. Movement of the brewing carriage between the first and second position shifts a beverage ingredient in the brewing carriage from the first position to the second position and when the brewing carriage is in the in said second position, liquid is dispensed from the liquid reservoir and directed to the brewing carriage to produce a brewed beverage.