Abstract: A knife block system for holding and sharpening knives includes a knife block and a knife sharpener assembly. The knife block has a housing and defines a plurality of slots for receiving the knives. The knife sharpener assembly is operatively associated with the housing, and movable relative to the housing, between a closed configuration within the housing and an open configuration extending out of the housing. In the closed configuration, the knife sharpener assembly is fully nested within the housing of the knife block and hidden from view. In the open configuration, the knife sharpener assembly is accessible by a user to sharpen the knives.

Abstract: A lid for use with a cooking pot or pan having an upper part and a lower part fixed to each other such that the upper surface of the lower part and the lower surface of the upper part are spaced from each other except at the perimeters to define a thermal break between the upper and lower parts of the lid. The lower surface of the lower part includes a plurality of downward projections for contributing a continuous basting to food during the cooking process. A handle fixed to the upper part is thermally isolated from the pot or pan by the thermal break.

Abstract: A method of displaying recipes on a kitchen appliance such as a blender. The appliance comprises a computing device, a display screen, and navigational keys. A server connected to the Internet may receive various recipes from a plurality of computing devices also connected to the Internet. The received recipes are converted into records having a consistent record format and stored in a database, and the records are then communicated to the appliance. Optionally the recipe data may be inserted into the appliance in the form of a chip or other computing device. A selection of various criteria is presented on the display screen of the appliance and the user uses navigational keys to select criteria for sorting of the records. The records are then sorted according to the selected criteria, and the sorted records are listed on the display screen.

Abstract: A combination toaster and breadbox includes an enclosure, a toaster having a heating area disposed within the enclosure, and a breadbox having a storage area also disposed within the enclosure. The combination may include a fan installed within a gap disposed between the toaster and breadbox within the enclosure that draws in cool air so as to prevent the transfer of heat from the toaster to the breadbox. The toaster may comprise a toaster oven.

Abstract: A combination can opener and organizer includes components so that it functions as a can opener assembly and also may function as a spice rack or a cutlery set. In the combination, the container includes apertures that can receive spice bottles or, in a different design, cutlery items such as knives.

Abstract: A mixer/sifter combination includes a counter-stand type mixer together with a sifter attachment that is designed to be coupled to the mixer via the mixer's aperture that rotates a typical beater so that the mixer can be used to perform sifting functions. The sifter attachment includes a coupler rod that connects to the mixer, various gears that reduce the rate of rotation of a sifter beater attached to the gears and disposed within a sifter cup of the sifter attachment. The sifter attachment may include a second coupler rod that also connects to the mixer.

Abstract: A mixer/sifter combination includes an electric, hand mixer together with a sifter attachment that is designed to be coupled to the mixer via the mixer's aperture that rotates a typical beater so that the mixer can be used to perform sifting functions. The sifter attachment includes a coupler rod that connects to the mixer, various gears that reduce the rate of rotation of a sifter beater attached to the gears and disposed within a sifter cup of the sifter attachment.

Abstract: A pasta machine includes a housing with a removable container for holding a liquid such as water, and the housing includes a heater for heating the liquid to a boiling state. An enclosed colander having a cover and holding a food product such as pasta is disposed on the container and includes arms to allow it to rotate through the boiling water. The housing of the pasta machine includes a suitable control mechanism that controls rotation of the colander through the boiling water to cook the food product within the colander. The number of rotations and intervals between rotation are a function of the type and amount of pasta within the colander.

Abstract: A combination slicer and toaster which is particularly suitable for slicing and toasting bagels and other similar food items, which comprises in combination a slicing section and a toasting section, such that a bagel, or other similar food item, is inserted into an opening slot in one end of the slicing section, wherein said bagel or other food item is forced into intimate contact with a slicing means located within the slicing section by the downward action of a plunger means located in rotational contact with the opening slot. Upon passing through the slicing section, the bagel is simultaneously deposited in the toasting section of the device, where the now sliced food item is toasted and, upon completion of the toasting operation, is elevated through an exit slot in the other end of the device.

Abstract: A combination slicer and toaster which is particularly suitable for slicing and toasting bagels and other similar food items, which comprises in combination a slicing section and a toasting section, such that a bagel, or other similar food item, is inserted into an opening slot in one end of the slicing section, wherein said bagel or other food item is forced into intimate contact with a slicer located within the slicing section by the downward action of a pusher located in rotational contact with the opening slot. Upon passing through the slicing section, the bagel is simultaneously deposited in the toasting section of the device, where the now sliced food item is toasted and, upon completion of the toasting operation, is elevated through an exit slot in the other end of the device.

Abstract: A pasta machine includes a housing with a removable container for holding a liquid such as water, and the housing includes a heater for heating the liquid to a boiling state. An enclosed colander having a cover and holding a food product such as pasta is disposed on the container and includes arms to allow it to rotate through the boiling water. The housing of the pasta machine includes a suitable control mechanism that controls rotation of the colander through the boiling water to cook the food product within the colander. The number of rotations and intervals between rotation are a function of the type and amount of pasta within the colander.

Abstract: A combination can opener and organizer includes a container with at least front and two side surfaces, a can opener assembly disposed at or near the front surface of the container and adapted to open a can, and a utensil holder disposed on one of the side surfaces and adapted to hold a utensil. The combination can opener and organizer also can include a cavity disposed within the container and open at the top for defining a storage compartment for one or more tools.

Abstract: A mixer/sifter combination includes an electric, hand mixer together with a sifter attachment that is designed to be coupled to the mixer via the mixer's aperture that rotates a typical beater so that the mixer can be used to perform sifting functions. The sifter attachment includes a coupler rod that connects to the mixer, various gears that reduce the rate of rotation of a sifter beater attached to the gears and disposed within a sifter cup of the sifter attachment.

Abstract: A combination can opener and organizer includes a container with at least front and two side surfaces, a can opener assembly disposed at or near the front surface of the container and adapted to open a can, and a utensil holder disposed on one of the side surfaces and adapted to hold a utensil. The combination can opener and organizer also can include a cavity disposed within the container and open at the top for defining a storage compartment for one or more tools.

Abstract: A combination electric can opener and kitchen organizer for utensils includes a container having front, rear and two side surfaces, a can opener assembly disposed at or near the front surface of the container for opening a can, indentations at the side surfaces for defining storage areas, and utensil holders disposed on the side surfaces to hold utensils within the defined storage areas. The container's two side surfaces are adjacent to and extend from the front surface at angles between 30 and 60 degrees, and the container includes an oval shaped top and an oval shaped base that extend over and below the storage areas to provide a single, compact device that performs the functions of both a can opener for opening cans and a kitchen organizer that stores kitchen utensils, gadgets and other items in a convenient and space efficient manner.

Abstract: An electric salad spinner device which is designed for ease of use and allows for efficient drying of salad greens, leafy vegetables and the like. The device comprises a base component, a generally cylindrical basket component, a generally cylindrical basket component, a scalable lid having a handle, an on/off switch and a drive motor. Optionally, the device also comprises a liquid dispenser assembly which may also be motorized to provide agitation and may also comprise a sheer assembly to allow for slicing in of hard vegetables such as, for example, cucumbers, carrots, celery and the like.