Abstract: A weighing scale with an electrical output includes a mechanical-to-electrical signal transducer which has a zero weight signal value which may vary in response to ambient conditions. The scale includes a fast acting switch operable to provide a switching function in response to the initiation of the placement of a weight upon the scale and a weight registering circuit operable in response to the switching function to register and store a zero weight signal before the signal transducer begins sensing the weight. The weight registering circuit is then operable to register the difference between the zero weight signal value and the ultimate signal from the transducer as the true weight.

Abstract: A reservoir for an electric kettle is defined by a dome shaped shell and a planar inner bottom, which are fastened together mechanically having a room temperature vulcanized silicone rubber filler located therebetween to act as a seal. The shell is skirted by an inwardly projecting annular lip and has an inwardly projecting annular shoulder parallel with and spaced from the lip. The inner bottom is bounded by a downwardly extending annular flange, the top edge of which abuts the bead and the bottom edge of which engages the lip. The form of the kettle components permits the interior of the shell to be coated between the lip and shoulder with an annular coating of the silicone rubber whereat the inner bottom is readily snapped into position in the shell during assembly of the kettle.

Abstract: An electronic digital alarm clock wherein a unique combination switch functions as an on/off switch for permitting or preventing an alarm from sounding and a momentary repeat alarm switch for temporarily shutting off the alarm for a short interval of time. A single switch actuator is provided for controlling both the alarm on/off switch and the repeat alarm switch. The actuator is guided for longitudinal movement for controlling the on/off switch and the actuator is also guided for inward and outward movement for controlling the momentary repeat alarm switch.

Abstract: A toaster/oven comprises a housing and a cooking chamber defined within the housing by a cooking chamber bottom panel, first and second cooking chamber side panels, a cooking chamber top panel and a cooking chamber back panel (which may be removable), the cooking chamber thereby defining a front opening. A door is pivotally mounted to the housing for closing the front opening. Removable cooking chamber side liners are removably mounted to the cooking chamber side panels and define grooves for supporting at least one rack therebetween. Each cooking chamber side liner has an offset flange including an offset portion and a tip extending from the top edge thereof and bottom tabs extending perpendicularly from the bottom edge thereof. Each cooking chamber side panel defines slot openings cooperatively positioned for receiving the offset flange and bottom tabs of one of the cooking chamber side liners for removably mounting the cooking chamber side liner thereto.

Abstract: A food processor includes a power unit in a base connected to drive a rotatable hub mounted on a vertically-oriented drive shaft extending into a removable bowl with cutting means on the shaft. To this general combination an improvement has the shaft stepfitted into a porous oil-impregnated sleeve bearing that is fixedly press-fitted into and carried from the base within the hub. The bearing thus vertically and rotatably supports and lubricates the shaft. A radially extending flange with upper and lower surfaces, is provided on the top of the bearing. Spaced vertical channels are provided in the inner and outer bearing surfaces to extend the length of the bearing from the top flange end to the lower sleeve end in the base. Circular oil collecting grooves are disposed in the upper and lower radial flange surfaces with the grooves connected respectively to the inner and outer channels.

Abstract: An electric heating appliance such as a coffeemaker, has a metallic base with an upper exposed surface and an electric heater on its lower side for heating the surface by conduction. A thermostat comprising a plastic-walled packaged unit with an opening through which an internal bimetal sensor is exposed is provided for controlling the heater and is mounted in a depressed niche formed in the surface of the heater. A detachable U-shaped metallic cover covers the opening and includes a heat-conducting projection extending through the opening very closely adjacent the sensor. The thermostat is positioned so that the cover faces and abuts the surface of the niche and a flexible clamp secures the thermostat in the niche and biases the projection and sensor closely together for fast thermostat response. The base may be an aluminum casting with the heater comprising a cast-in circular sheathed electric heating element.

Abstract: A support arrangement for readily mounting the diaphragm of a piezoelectric transducer on a desired node ring, the diaphragm having coaxially mounted thereon a circular piezoceramic element having a diameter substantially the same as that of the node ring. A substantially rigid support member and a clamping spider have annular means thereon also having the same diameter as that of the node ring such that the periphery of the piezoceramic element acts as a guide means by cooperating with one of the annular mounting means to assure coaxial alignment of the diaphragm, the support members, and the clamping spider. The support members and the clamping spider are snapped together to rapidly and accurately provide the diaphragm mounting on the desired node ring.

Abstract: An electronic temperature sensing system for toaster appliances and the like which is capable of providing a consistent toast color independent of toast compartment temperature at the initiation of each toasting operation, the condition of the bread to be toasted and bread loading. The system includes principally a temperature sensing device having a varying resistance versus temperature characteristic that is placed in close thermal coupling with the bread to be toasted for developing a voltage Vs as a function of temperature, and integrating means for deriving a voltage Vu that is an integrated function of the voltage Vs and represents a varying reference temperature. The difference between Vs and Vu is obtained and compared to a given voltage corresponding to a given toast color for generating a signal that terminates the toasting operation upon said given toast color being reached.

Abstract: An electronically tunable oscillator comprises a transistor coupled to ground by an emitter resistor. The collector and base of the transistor are interconnected through an inductor which has a tap connected to a bypass capacitor and a B+ voltage source. The source maintains the collector and base at the same DC potential. The collector of the transistor is coupled to a capacitance which cooperates with the inductor to provide a tuned circuit. At least part of the capacitance is provided by a varactor whose value can be controlled to determine oscillator frequency. The magnitude of the oscillator frequency is limited to two times the base to emitter voltage of the transistor and the use of the emitter resistor cooperates to minimize distortion.

Abstract: A stacked thermostat assemby includes a lower heat deformable blade, a conductive intermediate stiff spring blade, and a conductive upper less stiff spring blade with all the blades being supported, secured, and spaced apart at one end by interposed insulators. Electrical contacts on the conductive blades include structure for transmitting movement between the heat deformable blade to the upper blade to make and break an electric circuit and control heat to a medium sensed by the thermostat such as an iron soleplate on which the thermostat may be mounted. To this standard construction an improvement is provided in the temperature setting control mechanism of single structural integral bracket extending over the blades and mounted on and above the supported end, the bracket having an enlarged integral portion on its free end. A smooth unobstructed bore in the integral portion forms an elongated bearing guide between the ends of and over the blades.

Abstract: A heat-up/cool-down bimetal timer for an electric toaster wherein a unique screw fastener is provided for holding a calibration adjustment screw without being deformed during automated adjustment of the screw. The fastener is made from a blade of spring sheet metal that has an end turned on itself in the form of a cylinder for holding the calibration screw. Thus, the axis of the screw is parallel to or even in line with a plane that lies midway between the planes of the major surfaces of the sheet metal fastener. Accordingly, any automated screw driving equipment that may push downwardly on the head of the screw for adjusting it normally would not flex or bend the fastener in a plane perpendicular to one of its major flat surfaces.