Abstract: A measuring cup with a base, opposed side walls, a rear wall and a higher in elevation front wall. Quantity markings are provided. The front wall has an outwardly extending lip. With the lip on a table top, the front wall slants downwardly from the lip to thereby maintain foodstuff therein. A cover seals the measuring cup. It has a flat section about the dimensions of the base so that a second measuring cup can be stacked on the cover of the first. A cutting board is provided with a bevel or undercut edge for mating engagement with the lip of the measuring cup to allow easy transfer of cut foodstuff from the cutting board and into the measuring cup.

Abstract: A multi-functional kitchen utensil comprising separate, individually functioning components. A spatula component, having a handle and spatula head, and a spoon component, having a separate handle and spoon head. The spatula head is substantially flat from side to side at its distal end with a beveled edge and also comprises a rounded, concave center having one or more drainage slots, forming a spoon configuration. The spatula head also has a serrated edge on one or more edges. The spoon head is substantially spoon-like and has a silicone component secured to the distal tip, the silicon and the rounded component extending from the handle, together, forming an integrated spoon shape. The silicone component has a substantially flat but beveled distal edge. The spoon component is secured to the spatula component at a hinged connecting point at or near the proximal ends of each handle to form a pair of tongs.

Abstract: A pot comprises a cooking vessel with handle. The vessel has an upper edge at the top of its side wall and a pouring spout formed therein. A lid is provided, having a downwardly extending flange extending inwardly and downwardly therearound for snuggly fitting the lid within the side wall of the vessel. It is provided with a handle. The flange has a strainer section. When the strainer is aligned with the pouring spout, the liquid contents of the pot can be poured while the solid contents remain. The flange extends into the pot a sufficient depth so that the pot and lid can be tilted for pouring and, yet, the lid held on the pot. The pot's handle comprises a preferably concave top surface to hold a standard-sized handle of a cooking spoon. The lid is provided with a central recess for a spoon head to sit thereon.

Abstract: A dish drying rack and cutting board which integrate to define a holding compartment or container useful in shipping, displaying, transporting and storage of the same and kitchen utensils held within the walls of the dish drying rack and its bottom with the cutting board serving as the ceiling of the compartment or container. The top holding lip of the dish drying rack mates with the bottom and perimeter edge of the cutting board.

Abstract: A set of kitchen knives with nesting handles comprising a side with a concavity for accepting the bulbous, bulging outwardly or convex side of a handle of a slightly smaller knife in the set with all knives being nestable for space saving. When nested the convex side of one handle fits into the concavity of another handle and all blades of the knives are maintained in parallel orientation.

Abstract: A freestanding solar-powered charging system includes a baseplate, a substantially vertical frame member having a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to and extending from the baseplate, one or more panels coupled to the second end of the vertical frame member, each of the panels having an upper surface with a photovoltaic cell, an energy storage device electrically coupled to the photovoltaic cell, and one or more electrical connectors supported by the vertical frame member and electrically coupled to the energy storage device, the electrical connectors configured to engage any one or more of a plurality of consumer electronic devices for charging the consumer electronic devices.

Abstract: An avocado pitting device comprises a housing having an inner surface defining a recess. The recess is configured to receive a pit of an avocado. An engagement member projects inwardly from the housing inner surface. The engagement member is configured to engage the pit and retain the pit within the recess such that the pit is removable with the housing from the avocado.

Abstract: A brake assembly for reducing the rotational velocity the spinning basket of a food spinning device applies a frictional force to an annular ridge on the lid of the spinning basket. A brake button movably disposed in a cover of the spinning device includes flexible pinching arms having cam surfaces. The cam surfaces of the flexible pinching arms extend through a guide aperture, thereby causing the pinching arms to flex toward each other when the brake button is depressed and to apply the frictional engagement to the annular ridge.

Abstract: An avocado pitting device comprises a housing having an inner surface defining a recess. The recess is configured to receive a pit of an avocado. An engagement member projects inwardly from the housing inner surface. The engagement member is configured to engage the pit and retain the pit within the recess such that the pit is removable with the housing from the avocado.

Abstract: Telepresence display configuration useful for video conferencing. The telepresence display configurations include a video display and a mat. The mat is spaced apart from the video display and has an opening having an inner perimeter configured to frame a viewing surface of a video display.

Abstract: A brake assembly for reducing the rotational velocity the spinning basket of a food spinning device applies a frictional force to an annular ridge on the lid of the spinning basket. A brake button movably disposed in a cover of the spinning device includes flexible pinching arms having cam surfaces. The cam surfaces of the flexible pinching arms extend through a guide aperture, thereby causing the pinching arms to flex toward each other when the brake button is depressed and to apply the frictional engagement to the annular ridge.