Abstract: A gripper assembly (20) includes a cylinder (22), a deformable gripping portion (210), a piston (24), and an ejector (260). The gripper assembly is suitable for picking and placing a vessel (10) by gripping a gripped portion (102) of the vessel. The gripping portion extends from adjacent an end of the cylinder. The gripping portion has a spring-like property that allows deformation as the vessel is engaged thereby holding the vessel. The piston is slidably disposed inside the cylinder. The ejector includes a head portion (270) adjacent a first end of the ejector and a plunger portion (26) adjacent a second end of the ejector. The head portion of the ejector is slidably disposed inside the cylinder separately from the piston. The plunger of the ejector is partially disposed within the deformable gripping portion for engaging the vessel. The gripper assembly may be used to align an analyzer instrument (800).

Abstract: A handle adapted for replacing a heater and blower system removably located in a central opening defined a top enclosure of a countertop oven. The handle comprises a mounting system for removably attaching the handle to the top enclosure in order to replace the heater and blower system when the heater and blower system is removed. The handle enables a user to remove the top enclosure from the bottom enclosure by lifting up on the handle when the handle is installed in the top enclosure. In this manner, the countertop oven may be converted to a food server comprising the handle, the top enclosure, and the bottom enclosure.

Abstract: A rack invention includes a rack having a rack surface and a plurality of legs attached to the rack surface. Each of the legs is made of wire and has two straight segments extending downwardly from the rack surface and a connecting segment which connects together the straight segments. The connecting segment is shaped so as to allow the rack surface to be placed at one of a plurality of predetermined distances above the surface in the oven. The cooking rack invention also includes a plurality of such racks which may be used together in an oven. In such an instance, the length of the straight segments of one rack are different that those of another rack, so that the racks provide different ranges of height adjustability.

Abstract: The present food dehydrator may be substantially cylindrical in shape including a base member, an air heating and circulation means, a plurality of stackable trays, and a top. Each tray includes an outer wall structure and a platform section which may be separated from each other. Removal of a platform section when the trays are stacked allows for dehydration of larger items, and otherwise allows for easier cleaning of the tray and for replacement of the platform section. Attachment and detachment is performed by rotation of the platform section with respect to the outer wall structure. A method of forming the two-piece tray for the dehydrator is also disclosed.

Abstract: A handle adapted for replacing a heater and blower system removably located in a central opening defined a top enclosure of a countertop oven. The handle comprises a mounting system for removably attaching the handle to the top enclosure in order to replace the heater and blower system when the heater and blower system is removed. The handle enables a user to remove the top enclosure from the bottom enclosure by lifting up on the handle when the handle is installed in the top enclosure. In this manner, the countertop oven may be converted to a food server comprising the handle, the top enclosure, and the bottom enclosure.