Abstract: An apple slicer includes a base having an inner surface, a solid central portion and a plurality of blades radially extending from the solid central portion to the inner surface and a gripping portion integrally formed with the base. The solid central portion is generally circular and non-removable. The solid central portion passes freely through a coreless apple, while the plurality of blades slice through the coreless apple.

Abstract: A colander includes a split handle having a top handle coupled to a top rim and a bottom handle coupled to a bottom rim, the bottom handle being rotatable with respect to the top handle and a body having a plurality of perforations and being attached to the bottom rim. The body is collapsible and a bottommost surface of the body is generally flat. The bottom handle rotates either 90°, 180° or 360° with respect to the top handle.

Abstract: A butter dish includes a cover having a blade fixedly attached therein and a base cooperating with the cover, the base configured to receive a stick of butter. The blade extends across a width of inside surfaces of opposing sidewalls of the cover and is confined within those sidewalls. The base includes a cutting surface having a plurality of equidistant markings to receive the stick of butter such that the cover operates as a blade handle and allows for the measured cutting of butter on the cutting surface.

Abstract: A food chopper includes an upper handle and a lower handle secured to the upper handle, the lower handle including a receptacle extending from a proximalmost end thereof, the receptacle configured to receive a food item therein and the receptacle defining a track mechanism on an inner sidewall thereof. The food chopper further includes a pusher assembly including a pusher shaft and a pusher press plate, the pusher press plate having a boss protruding outwardly from a top surface thereof, wherein the boss is configured to releasably engage the track mechanism defined within the receptacle such that the pusher press plate remains flat as it travels within the receptacle.

Abstract: A salad spinner includes a lid having a pull ring supported thereon and a strainer bowl having a strainer basket supported therein, the strainer basket having a pivotable strainer handle mounted on a chopper. The pull ring is configured to be angularly displaced away from the lid to impart a spinning motion to the strainer basket within the strainer bowl. The strainer handle defines a centrally disposed strainer aperture. The lid has a hex shaft that is removably coupled to the strainer aperture of the strainer handle. The hex drive shaft is further removably coupled to a hex opening of a chopper rod of a chopper. The hex drive shaft initiates the spinning motion to chop salad and to dry salad independently of each other.

Abstract: A mincer includes a housing, a hinged door, a handle, a cam, an axle, and a plurality of circular blades mounted on the axle. Rotation of the handle or knob with respect to the housing causes rotation of the cam with respect to the housing, which in turn causes the axle and the blades mounted thereon to travel radially outward or inward with respect to the housing to extend or retract the blades out of or into the housing. The mincer can be operated to extend the blades for operation and to retract the blades for storage. The door can be closed for operation and opened for cleaning of the mincer.

Abstract: A device for use in cutting open and removing the seed and flesh of an avocado is disclosed. The device includes a first handle member having a first end and a second end and a second handle member having a first end and a second end. The device also includes a first blade joining the first handle member and the second handle member together at their respective first ends and a second blade coupled to the first handle member and the second handle member at their respective second ends.

Abstract: A vacuum-drawing lid can include a base frame with a first one-way valve, a piston with a second one-way valve, and a cylindrical cam with a sinusoidal groove formed on an inner surface thereof to drive reciprocation of the piston as the cylindrical cam turns. Turning the cylindrical cam in a first direction can drive the piston to translate in a first direction and actuate the first valve. Turning the cylindrical cam in a second direction can drive the piston to translate in a second direction and actuate the second valve.

Abstract: A mincer includes a housing, a hinged door, a handle, a cam, an axle, and a plurality of circular blades mounted on the axle. Rotation of the handle or knob with respect to the housing causes rotation of the cam with respect to the housing, which in turn causes the axle and the blades mounted thereon to travel radially outward or inward with respect to the housing to extend or retract the blades out of or into the housing. The mincer can be operated to extend the blades for operation and to retract the blades for storage. The door can be closed for operation and opened for cleaning of the mincer.

Abstract: A vacuum-drawing lid can include a base frame with a first one-way valve, a piston with a second one-way valve, and a cylindrical cam with a sinusoidal groove formed on an inner surface thereof to drive reciprocation of the piston as the cylindrical cam turns. Turning the cylindrical cam in a first direction can drive the piston to translate in a first direction and actuate the first valve. Turning the cylindrical cam in a second direction can drive the piston to translate in a second direction and actuate the second valve.

Abstract: The present disclosure is also directed towards systems and methods for grinding a spice or grain material wherein a mill is comprised of a turn knob, a mill body, and a grind assembly and the turn knob is rotatably and slideably coupled to the mill body and sliding the turn knob relative to the mill body adjusts a grind setting of the mill and rotating the turn knob relative to the mill body grinds or mills the spice or grain material.