Abstract: The invention features devices and kits for capturing and culturing microorganisms (e.g., bacteria, fungi, or protists) and methods of using the devices and kits to detect microorganisms in environmental and other samples. The device includes a nutrient media having a flat growth area on which microorganisms can grow. Samples are collected by contacting the device with any environmental sample, e.g., rolling device on a work surface or exposing device to air, or by filtering a sample through a membrane. Microorganisms deposited on the membrane derive nutrients from the underlying media and grow into colonies that can then be detected using methods known in the art. The detected colonies can be imaged digitally or with film.

Abstract: A drinking straw and closure assembly for use with a container includes a straw element having an outer diameter. A decorative assembly includes a decorative element secured to an attachment sleeve. The attachment sleeve has an inner diameter adapted to fit over the outer diameter of the straw element. A straw support member is adapted for engagement with the straw element and with the container. A rotary closure member is adapted for engagement with the straw element and with the container.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an improved perforated lid (10) for containers for cooking foods, comprising holes (15) for the passage of vapor and gas going upwards and of condensed vapor going downwards and means for cooling and condensing vapor passing through said holes, and means for supporting said means for cooling vapor, wherein said means for cooling vapor are made of a sequence, starting from the container for cooking foods and going upwards, comprised of a perforated lower plate (11), at least one perforated intermediate plate (12) and an upper plate (13) that is not perforated, and said means for supporting said means for cooling vapor are made of a lower spacing element (16), positioned between said lower plate (11) and said intermediate plate (12) and of an upper spacing element (18), positioned between said intermediate plate (12) and said upper plate (13). The invention further concerns a fryer (20) for use with said perforated lid (10).

Abstract: Disclosed is a pressurized oven apparatus having a compressor and a pressurized chamber for rapidly preparing food products and retaining internal moisture therein. The apparatus comprises an oven with a pin-locking door and sealing means, an internal chamber having heating elements and a structure designed to withstand elevated internal pressures. Ambient air is drawn into the device through an air filter by an air compressor means. The compressor elevates the air pressure as it enters, whereby it flows to a preheating chamber, raising its temperature prior to being forced into the oven internal chamber. An automated relief valve system allows a consistent pressure to be maintained within the chamber, allowing the pressurized air to be evacuated therefrom through an insulated and muffled outlet. The air outlet of the device is preferably connected to an insulated air line to vent air to the exterior of a building or residence.

Abstract: A pressureless or atmospheric steamer for cooking food with a high cooking efficiency has a cooking compartment with an outlet for steam and condensate that feeds to a tempering tank via an outlet conduit. The outlet conduit is spaced closely from the controlled water level in the tempering tank, and is in fluid communication with the atmospheric vent to create an open steam cooker. A steam generator is adjacent the cooking compartment and has a water reservoir, a heat exchanger secured within the reservoir in a heat-transferring relationship at an exterior surface of the heat exchanger with the water held in the reservoir, and a heater that supplies heat to the interior of the heat exchanger. The tempering tank has a drain and level controls for a water supply held in the tempering tank.

Abstract: Hood, in particular associable to a cooking oven for professional kitchen applications, comprising a catalytic converter, a fan adapted to extract gases, fumes and vapors from the cooking cavity of said oven, a first intake aperture adapted to enable said gases to flow from the interior of the cooking cavity of said oven into said extractor hood, a third aperture adapted to enable said gases to be exhausted from the interior of said extractor hood into the outside ambient, a channel connecting said intake aperture with said exhaust aperture, and within which there are arranged said catalytic converter and said fan, as well as a condenser for condensing the water vapor and condensable fats contained in the gas flowing through said channel; in said channel there is provided a second intake aperture adapted to take in air from the ambient surrounding the oven.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus includes a cooking vessel and a lid for covering the cooking vessel. The cooking apparatus also may include an exhaust tube for bleeding off pressure within the cooking vessel, in which a portion of the exhaust tube is positioned above the lid when said lid covers said cooking vessel. In another embodiment, the cooking apparatus includes a first O-ring gaskets for forming a first seal between the cooking vessel and the lid, and a second O-ring gasket for forming a second seal between the cooking vessel and the lid. A method for reducing pressure includes the steps of providing a vessel and covering the vessel with a lid. The method also includes the steps of positioning a portion of an exhaust tube above the lid when the lid covers the vessel and bleeding off at least a portion of the pressure inside the vessel through the exhaust tube.

Abstract: A herbal steam device includes a closed heated boiling chamber with openings at the side for a steam outlet. A collecting chamber surrounds the upper part of the boiling chamber. Cold water from a reservoir below flows into the boiling chamber through an inflow pipe. Surplus water flows through an overflow and a backflow pipe back to the reservoir. An electrical heating plate is present under the boiling chamber, and a herb pot may be placed in the steam space above the boiling chamber. The inflow pipe runs in a curve around the boiling chamber. The steam which escapes from the openings heats up the inflowing water. At the same time, the relatively cold inflow pipe acts as a foam barrier adjacent to the openings.

Abstract: A detergent supply system for a kitchen hood has a mounting case perpendicularly attached to the kitchen hood, a detergent dispenser with a pump, a wastewater collector and a detergent reservoir mounted higher than the detergent dispenser is mounted. By mounting the detergent dispenser, wastewater collector and the detergent reservoir inside the mounting case, the detergent supply system can be conveniently attached to a self-cleaning kitchen hood.

Abstract: A catalytic converter designed to be integrated into a food-cooking appliance and to act, during a cooking cycle in a closed atmosphere and without oxygen being admitted from the outside, to treat the odors in the cooking fumes before the fumes are discharged to the outside, the converter comprising a basic substrate (30) provided with perforations (31) for passing the cooking fumes to be treated, the substrate (30) being coated with an intermediate layer (32) having a large surface area, itself provided with a surface component (33) formed of an inorganic solution based on precious metals so as to form the catalytic active layer of the converter, the intermediate layer (32) comprising alumina and cerine so as to form an intermediate layer (32) with a surface area of not less than 150 square meters per gram (m2/g), the amount of alumina/cerine added to the basic substrate (30) lying in the range 30 g/m2 to 35 g/m2, including 15 g/m2 of cerine to 25 g/m2 of cerine.

Abstract: In one aspect, an electric cooker comprises a pan that may have a planar upper surface portion, and a lid configured such that condensation that collects on its inner surface drains outside the pan. In another aspect, a serpentine heating element may be mounted to the bottom of the pan along a course that reduces disparity in heating of the upper surface of the pan.

Abstract: A food-cooking appliance having a cooking bowl designed to be closed by a lid (7) in a substantially airtight manner during cooking, heater means, and odor treatment means (10) for treating the cooking odors, which means discharge the treated stream of air to the outside of the appliance via at least one opening (20), the food-cooking appliance being characterized in that it includes cooling means (21) designed to generate a cooling stream directed to sweep across the opening (20).

Abstract: A multipurpose cooking pan has an outward top flange round the top open side thereof, slots and holes on the outward top flange for guiding external heat energy into the inside of the cooking pan during cooking, an endless positioning groove on the outward top flange for the positioning of the pan cover covering the cooking pan, and at least one sloping guide notch cut through a part of the outward top flange for enabling liquid means to be guided out of the cooking pan when the user tilting the cooking pan.

Abstract: A compound cover made up of a pair of cover parts of a diameter substantially the same as the kettle. The cover parts rest on the kettle in stacked arrangement, and are rotatable relative to each other. The parts have hole, therethrough in a common pattern, and can be rotated to put the holes in complete register, and out of register where all the holes are completely blocked. The cover parts are of inverted conical shape to facilitate drainage of condensed water back into the kettle. In a modified form, the parts have stepped formation at the periphery for fitting any of a series of different sized kettles within a wide range.

Abstract: A gas appliance, flue assembly, or vent adapter including an adjustable flow regulator which regulates the proportions and volume of dilution air and combustion products into the vent is disclosed. The flow regulator can be adjusted to allow a given appliance to exhaust vent gases through a range of different venting systems constructed from a wide range of materials. The appliance installer may adjust the appliance vent gases for a particular pre-existing or installed vent. The flow regulator also provides flow resistance which helps prevent backdrafting and the free escape of dilution air (which may be heated room air in some instances) through the vent to the outside atmosphere.