Abstract: The beverage appliance of the present invention includes a venturi having a steam inlet and a milk inlet. The steam inlet and milk inlet each include a solenoid valve configurable between an open state and a closed state. The solenoid valves are electrically coupled to a processor and are controllable through first and second switches. In operation, upon activation of the first switch, the solenoid valves are controlled to their open states to deliver milk and steam to the venturi to produce frothed milk. When a desired amount of frothed milk has been dispensed, the user deactivates the first switch and the processor controls only the milk inlet solenoid valve to its closed state. The steam inlet solenoid valve remains in its open state for a predetermined amount of time such that a burst of steam only is forced through the venturi and distribution lines to purge them of milk.

Abstract: The beverage appliance of the present invention includes a venturi having a steam inlet and a milk inlet. The steam inlet and milk inlet each include a solenoid valve configurable between an open state and a closed state. The solenoid valves are electrically coupled to a processor and are controllable through first and second switches. In operation, upon activation of the first switch, the solenoid valves are controlled to their open states to deliver milk and steam to the venturi to produce frothed milk. When a desired amount of frothed milk has been dispensed, the user deactivates the first switch and the processor controls only the milk inlet solenoid valve to its closed state. The steam inlet solenoid valve remains in its open state for a predetermined amount of time such that a burst of steam only is forced through the venturi and distribution lines to purge them of milk.

Abstract: An apparatus for accommodating a beverage includes an outer vessel defining a vessel cavity for receiving a cooling agent, a container having a lid and a beverage receptacle and a port. The lid is configured for engagement with the outer vessel to releasably mount the container to the outer vessel. The beverage receptacle defines a receptacle chamber for accommodating a liquid beverage for consumption by a user. The receptacle chamber is isolated from the vessel cavity. The beverage receptacle comprises a thermal conductive material and is at least partially disposed within the vessel cavity of the outer vessel when the container is mounted to the outer vessel whereby thermal energy is transferred from the cooling agent to the liquid beverage. The port defines a port opening in fluid communication with the receptacle chamber to permit distribution of the liquid beverage to the user. The outer vessel and mounted container may be positioned within a freezing apparatus to freeze the cooling agent, e.g.

Abstract: An apparatus for accommodating a beverage includes an outer vessel defining a vessel cavity for receiving a cooling agent, a container having a lid and a beverage receptacle and a port. The lid is configured for engagement with the outer vessel to releasably mount the container to the outer vessel. The beverage receptacle defines a receptacle chamber for accommodating a liquid beverage for consumption by a user. The receptacle chamber is isolated from the vessel cavity. The beverage receptacle comprises a thermal conductive material and is at least partially disposed within the vessel cavity of the outer vessel when the container is mounted to the outer vessel whereby thermal energy is transferred from the cooling agent to the liquid beverage. The port defines a port opening in fluid communication with the receptacle chamber to permit distribution of the liquid beverage to the user. The outer vessel and mounted container may be positioned within a freezing apparatus to freeze the cooling agent, e.g.

Abstract: A convertible fashion accessory item has a first condition in the form of a bracelet, anklet, necklace or other looped jewelry item, and at least a second condition in the form of a hair or ponytail holder. The accessory apparatus includes an outer elastic member and at least one inner elastic member disposed within the outer elastic tubular member with the at least one inner elastic member defining a hollow interior. The accessory apparatus may include first and second inner elastic members. The first inner elastic member may include filler material within the hollow interior thereof. Alternatively, each of the first and second inner elastic members includes filler material within the hollow interiors thereof. The filler material includes filler yarns or threads, or foam. A decorative element, in the form of, e.g., a chain, may be mounted about the outer elastic member.

Abstract: The coffee maker of the present invention includes a housing, a water reservoir disposed in the housing and a shower head in fluid communication with the water reservoir. The coffee maker also include a first heating element for heating water from the water reservoir and being controllable between and ON state and an OFF state, and a second heating element located downstream from the first heating element and being controllable between an ON state and an OFF state. The first and second heating elements are operable in at least a first mode and a second mode, the second mode being different from the first mode.

Abstract: A method of removing a tattoo from skin of a human subject. The method has the step of applying to a region of the skin having the tattoo a reducing composition that includes a reducing agent and a penetration enhancer in admixture. The penetration enhancer is present in an amount effective to effect penetration of at least at least a portion of the reducing agent through the skin to the location of the tattoo. The reducing agent is present in an amount effective to at least partially decolorize or break up a pigment of the tattoo. The reducing agent can be selected from the group consisting of sodium oxymethylene sulfoxylate and sodium hydroxymethane sulfinic acid.

Abstract: A method of removing a tattoo from skin of a human subject. The method has the step of applying to a region of the skin having the tattoo a reducing composition that includes a reducing agent and a penetration enhancer in admixture. The penetration enhancer is present in an amount effective to effect penetration of at least at least a portion of the reducing agent through the skin to the location of the tattoo. The reducing agent is present in an amount effective to at least partially decolorize or break up a pigment of the tattoo. The reducing agent can be selected from the group consisting of sodium oxymethylene sulfoxylate and sodium hydroxymethane sulfinic acid.

Abstract: A convertible fashion accessory item has a first condition in the form of a bracelet, anklet, necklace or other looped jewelry item, and at least a second condition in the form of a hair or ponytail holder. The accessory apparatus includes an outer elastic member and at least one inner elastic member disposed within the outer elastic tubular member with the at least one inner elastic member defining a hollow interior. The accessory apparatus may include first and second inner elastic members. The first inner elastic member may include filler material within the hollow interior thereof. Alternatively, each of the first and second inner elastic members includes filler material within the hollow interiors thereof. The filler material includes filler yarns or threads, or foam. A decorative element, in the form of, e.g., a chain, may be mounted about the outer elastic member.

Abstract: A combination heat and steam oven according to the present invention includes a housing having an internal heating compartment, at least one dry heating element disposed within the heating compartment, a steam generating unit configured to produce steam for injection into the heating compartment, and a user interface. The user interface is configured for selectively controlling operation of the at least one dry heating element and the steam generating unit, so that the steam generating unit and the at least one dry heating element may be operated alone or simultaneously with the other of the steam generating unit and the at least one dry heating element.

Abstract: The beverage appliance of the present invention includes a venturi having a steam inlet and a milk inlet. The steam inlet and milk inlet each include a solenoid valve configurable between an open state and a closed state. The solenoid valves are electrically coupled to a processor and are controllable through first and second switches. In operation, upon activation of the first switch, the solenoid valves are controlled to their open states to deliver milk and steam to the venturi to produce frothed milk. When a desired amount of frothed milk has been dispensed, the user deactivates the first switch and the processor controls only the milk inlet solenoid valve to its closed state. The steam inlet solenoid valve remains in its open state for a predetermined amount of time such that a burst of steam only is forced through the venturi and distribution lines to purge them of milk.

Abstract: The beverage appliance of the present invention includes a venturi having a steam inlet and a milk inlet. The steam inlet and milk inlet each include a solenoid valve configurable between an open state and a closed state. The solenoid valves are electrically coupled to a processor and are controllable through first and second switches. In operation, upon activation of the first switch, the solenoid valves are controlled to their open states to deliver milk and steam to the venturi to produce frothed milk. When a desired amount of frothed milk has been dispensed, the user deactivates the first switch and the processor controls only the milk inlet solenoid valve to its closed state. The steam inlet solenoid valve remains in its open state for a predetermined amount of time such that a burst of steam only is forced through the venturi and distribution lines to purge them of milk.

Abstract: The coffee maker of the present invention includes a housing, a water reservoir disposed in the housing and a shower head in fluid communication with the water reservoir. The coffee maker also include a first heating element for heating water from the water reservoir and being controllable between and ON state and an OFF state, and a second heating element located downstream from the first heating element and being controllable between an ON state and an OFF state. The first and second heating elements are operable in at least a first mode and a second mode, the second mode being different from the first mode.

Abstract: The beverage appliance of the present invention includes a venturi having a steam inlet and a milk inlet. The steam inlet and milk inlet each include a solenoid valve configurable between an open state and a closed state. The solenoid valves are electrically coupled to a processor and are controllable through first and second switches. In operation, upon activation of the first switch, the solenoid valves are controlled to their open states to deliver milk and steam to the venturi to produce frothed milk. When a desired amount of frothed milk has been dispensed, the user deactivates the first switch and the processor controls only the milk inlet solenoid valve to its closed state. The steam inlet solenoid valve remains in its open state for a predetermined amount of time such that a burst of steam only is forced through the venturi and distribution lines to purge them of milk.

Abstract: An oven 1 includes a housing 2 and a hinged cover 3 arranged to be selectively opened and closed. One or more dials 5, buttons 6, and arrow buttons 7 control various functions including activating heat from either the dry heater 10 or the steam heater 12, controlling temperature settings, setting automatic timers, setting displays, setting alarms, and other functions. A circuit or control is used to cycle off the dry heat element 10 when the steam generator 12 requires power to generate steam and to turn the dry heat element 10 back on when the steam generator 12 has cycled off and steam is being introduced into the chamber of the oven 1.

Abstract: Hair ornament with a resilient attaching clip comprising a pair of complementary transversally elongated limbs (12, 14) having handle portions (30, 32) and which are connected by hinge and spring means (16) and having suitably shaped prongs (18) extending from each elongated limbs (12, 14) and forming a pair of clipping portions wherein each elongated limb comprises a socket (20, 22) having a hollow cylindrical recess and which forms at the inner opposite end abutting sliding planes (23, 25), as well as a bushing (24) which is received in a recess provided in the respective socket of each limb, whereby the limbs are pivoted to each other and a spring (26) inserted in the bushing extending into the sockets and being attached at both ends by suitable means at the outer end of the sockets in order to bias the limbs in the closed position.