Abstract: Lighting assembly comprises an optical fiber light guide panel member having a light conducting core cladded on opposite sides by cladding made of optically transparent material having a lower index of refraction than the light conducting core to cause total internal reflection of conducted light within the light conducting core at the core-cladding interface. Disruptions at one or more areas of the cladding cause conducted light within the light conducting core to be emitted from one or more areas of the panel member. Electrical circuitry is bonded to one or both sides of the cladding. One or more LEDs embedded in the panel member are in electrical conduct with the electrical circuitry and optically coupled to the light conducting core.

Abstract: Lighting assembly comprises an optical fiber light guide panel member having a light conducting core cladded on opposite sides by cladding made of optically transparent material having a lower index of refraction than the light conducting core to cause total internal reflection of conducted light within the light conducting core at the core-cladding interface. Disruptions at one or more areas of the cladding cause conducted light within the light conducting core to be emitted from one or more areas of the panel member. Electrical circuitry is bonded to one or both sides of the cladding. One or more LEDs embedded in the panel member are in electrical conduct with the electrical circuitry and optically coupled to the light conducting core.

Abstract: A portable air cleaner designed to remove particles and unwanted gases from a room to provide for a healthier and cleaner environment. The portable air cleaner includes a high air volume circulating design and operates quietly and efficiently. The air exhaust of the air cleaner includes a plurality of arcuate vanes radiating outwardly from the interior of the air cleaner. The vanes are disposed in a non-symmetrical arrangement the air exhaust to reduce pressure drop and to minimize operation noise.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a reduced velocity chamber with a high velocity air inlet, an electric motor, a rotary blade driven by the motor to create a vacuum in the chamber, an outlet for exhausting air from the chamber, which air flows in a selected path from the air inlet, through the chamber and out the air exhaust outlet and a disposable porous sheet filter layer in the chamber for removing large solid particles from the air.

Abstract: An air filtering and freshening device comprising a filter element within the intake of the device housing, a motorized fan mounted within the device housing which draws contaminated air into the device, and forces air out of the device through an outlet having separate exhaust and scent discharge passages. The exhaust passage including a plurality of arcuate vanes radiating outwardly from the interior of the device, and being disposed across the exhaust passage to promote efficient operation by reducing the pressure drop through the passage and minimizing operational noise. The scent discharge passage includes a scent element producing a freshening scent. The scent element is removably positioned adjacent the scent discharge passage, which carries high velocity, high pressure filtered air from the motorized fan, picks up the concentrated freshening scent, and discharges in an effective and efficient manner, a continuous stream of freshening scent.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a reduced velocity chamber with a high velocity air inlet, an electric motor, a rotary blade driven by the motor to create a vacuum in the chamber, an outlet for exhausting air from the chamber, which air flows in a selected path from the air inlet, through the chamber and out the air exhaust outlet and a disposable porous sheet filter layer in the chamber for removing large solid particles from the air.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a reduced velocity chamber with a high velocity air inlet, an electric motor, a rotary blade driven by the motor to create a vacuum in the chamber, an outlet for exhausting air from the chamber, which air flows in a selected path from the air inlet, through the chamber and out the air exhaust outlet and a disposable porous sheet filter layer in the chamber for removing large solid particles from the air.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a reduced velocity chamber with a high velocity air inlet, an electric motor, a rotary blade driven by the motor to create a vacuum in the chamber, an outlet for exhausting air from the chamber, which air flows in a selected path from the air inlet, through the chamber and out the air exhaust outlet and a disposable porous sheet filter layer in the chamber for removing large solid particles from the air.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a reduced velocity chamber with a high velocity air inlet, an electric motor, a rotary mechanism driven by the motor for creating a vacuum in the chamber, an outlet for exhausting air from the chamber, which air flows in a selected path from the air inlet, through the chamber and out the air exhaust outlet and a disposable porous sheet filter layer in the chamber for removing large solid particles from the air. The vacuum cleaner also has an improved filter, wherein the improved filter includes a layer of material to remove very fine air particles and a layer of material to remove odors from the air.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a reduced velocity chamber with a high velocity air inlet, an electric motor, a rotary mechanism driven by the motor for creating a vacuum in the chamber, an outlet for exhausting air from the chamber, which air flows in a selected path from the air inlet, through the chamber and out the air exhaust outlet and a disposable porous sheet filter layer in the chamber for removing large solid particles from the air. The vacuum cleaner also has an improved filter, wherein the improved filter includes a layer of material to remove very fine air particles and a layer of material to remove odors from the air.

Abstract: A portable air cleaner designed to remove particles and unwanted gases from a room to provide for a healthier and cleaner environment. The portable air cleaner includes a high air volume circulating design and operates quietly and efficiently. The air exhaust of the air cleaner includes a plurality of arcuate vanes radiating outwardly from the interior of the air cleaner. The vanes are disposed in the air exhaust to reduce pressure drop and to minimize operation noise.

Abstract: A multi-purpose cooking appliance comprising: a self-supporting base, a lid mountable on the base, a cooking chamber defined between the base and the lid, a heat conductive pan within the cooking chamber, a heat source connected to the heat conductive pan, removable, elongated skewers for supporting food within said cooking chamber, the skewers being formed of a heat conductive material and having a length sufficient to span the length of the conductive pan and rest thereon, and at least one tray including a surface engageable with a surface on said pan to locate the tray within the cooking chamber, the tray being dimensioned to be spaced from the pan.

Abstract: A hand-held mixing device comprising an electric motor, an elongated shaft extending from the motor, a housing enclosing the motor and a major portion of the shaft, a blade at the free end of the shaft, a heating element extending from the housing, the heating element formed to have at least one coil surrounding the blade, the coil being dimensioned to be spaced from the outer edge of the blade and to form a generally annular gap thereabout. The motor and heating element are electrically connectable to an electrical power source wherein the electrical power to the motor and to the heating element are independently controllable.