Abstract: An ionization chamber for a smoke detector is disclosed wherein entry of airborne combustion products to the chamber is enhanced by an improved aperture and inlet surface arrangement which is formed in an electrode housing member for the chamber.

Abstract: An accessory cooking container for toaster/ovens comprises a pan and a cover, the pan having a generally rectangular flat bottom surrounded by upstanding sidewalls and a peripheral flange extending outwardly from the tops of the sidewalls. A lip bounds the perimeter of the peripheral flange. In one embodiment, the cover comprises a flat top surrounded by downwardly extending sidewalls and a peripheral flange extending outwardly from the bottom edges of the sidewalls. The flange is sized to be accommodated within the lip of the bottom, wherein the cover is restrained from sliding off the bottom. The flange of the pan defines a slot through which the flange of the cover may be gripped to remove the cover. The cover is optionally provided with a heat-resistant glass window having high transmissivity to infrared energy mounted in an opening in the top thereof.

Abstract: A fluid spray nozzle of the massaging type for selectively producing pulsating and nonpulsating streams is provided with axially adjustable valve sealing arrangements for selectively opening and closing inlet ports. The axial flow directing and sealing means provides positive shut-off characteristics even after the various elements have been subjected to substantial wear.

Abstract: A toaster/oven accessory pan sized to cook small food items (eggs, etc.) comprises a flat major panel, integral upstanding sidewalls, a peripheral flange extending from and surrounding the sidewalls, and two handles integral with the peripheral flange and defining a slot opening for receiving the tines of a fork to lift and carry the pan. The bottoms of the fork tines engage a tab of the handle partially defining the slot opening, the tops of the fork tines engage a downstruck stiffening bead formed in the peripheral flange adjacent the slot opening and the ends of the tines abut a sidewall juxtaposed the handle. The peripheral flange is provided with grooves extending about two opposed corners and beads extending about the remaining two opposed corners, and a second identical toaster/oven accessory pan can be inverted and nest on the first pan as a cover, and in particular, the beads and grooves nest.

Abstract: In a steam iron having a connected handle with a steam control thereon, a fill opening to an interior water tank, a ported soleplate having a steam generating boiler with a coverplate thereover forming steam distribution passages and with a water sight gauge connected to the tank, an improvement is provided in the gauge of an opening in the top of the tank within the confines of the handle and disposed in the opening is a closed top vertically directed tube extending through the opening so that it extends both into the tank and into the handle and is sealed to the tank preventing leakage. An aperture is provided through the tube inside the tank in the upper portion thereof for venting the tube inside the tank and a window is provided in the handle and is sized to extend along part of the tube and including the top. Float structure is disposed in the tube with the float being covered by the window when the tank is empty.

Abstract: In a home bag sealer of an integral molded and elongated box housing having an opening for supporting a roll of bag material with a rear pivoted lid on the housing to close the opening and, with a heater along the opening operative on lid closing to seal a selected size bag, there is provided an improvement in the lid assembly of a wall at each end of the opening with a bearing aperture in each wall adjacent the opening at the pivot axis. A flat wall encloses the remaining surface of the housing around the opening and an elongated slot is provided in the flat wall adjacent and parallel to each end wall opposite the opening.

Abstract: In a food processor with a power base and lid-covered bowl, a cutting disc is rotated by a shaft extending into and terminating in the bowl, and structure is provided to reverse the shaft rotation on selection. In this general arrangement, an improvement is provided in the cutting disc comprising a first cutting member on the disc surface facing in the direction of the selected shaft rotation and a second cutting member is provided on the same disc surface facing opposite the first cutting member with the cutting members being substantially diametrically opposite for dynamic balance. The cutting members are preferably on different levels on the disc surface with slanted ramps connecting the levels. The arrangement is such that one of the cutting members performs a cutting operation when the disc is rotated in one direction while the other member is rendered inoperative and, on shaft reversal, the other member performs the cutting operation while the one member becomes inoperative.

Abstract: An electromechanical lock detects a series of taps on a surface. After converting the taps into a series of electrical signals, processes the signals and compares the tap sequence with a pre-set code.

Abstract: In a lightweight steam iron with a soleplate and means to selectively deliver water for steam distribution and having a first plastic plate above the soleplate coextensive therewith and a skirt portion around the plastic plate with a second plastic housing having a handle and sealingly supported by the plate whereby the skirt and housing form internal water tank walls and also enclose other iron operating components. A water gauge is supplied for the iron and an improvement on the gauge in this combination includes an entirely integral elongated rectangular niche or cut-out with back, bottom and sides, so the niche forms one of the housing edges parallel to the handle. The niche has spaced apertures in its back side facing outwardly of the iron and connecting with the interior of the tank top.

Abstract: A control device includes a housing having a serpentinely disposed channel and a cover, secured to the housing, which converts the channel into an ultrasonic waveguide. One end of the waveguide is bounded by a stationary reflector and the other end of the waveguide communicates with a bore which holds a piezoelectric device matched to the waveguide so as to provide therein, when actuated, a propagating transverse wave in the ultrasonic frequency range. The cover includes three elongated slots, each of which slidably supports a different reflector unit. Each unit has a reflector extending into the waveguide and can be positioned anywhere along its corresponding slot. Actuation of the piezoelectric transducer by an electrical pulse causes an ultrasonic pulse to propagate down the waveguide and parts thereof are reflected back to the transducer where an electrical group of pulse signals are caused to appear.

Abstract: A lightweight plastic electrolytic steam iron has a soleplate with steam distributing means therefrom and a casing of electrically non-conducting material forming the walls of an internal water tank coextensive with and extending over the soleplate. Spaced electrodes are supported in the rear of the tank to generate steam from the water therein and an insulated steam conduit extends from the soleplate upwardly into the tank to direct saturated steam from the tank through the steam distributing means to the surface being ironed. To this general combination, an improvement for minimizing condensation of moisture on the soleplate adds a thin chamber disposed between the tank and the soleplate and parallel and coextensive with them to separate the tank and soleplate over substantially their entire facing surfaces.

Abstract: Alarm devices are provided with circuit means for permitting interconnection of the alarm devices into an alarm system in which each of the alarm devices continually senses for an adverse condition, such as smoke in a smoke detection alarm system, and in which all of the alarm devices signal an alarm in response to the sensing of an adverse condition. The interconnections for the alarm devices are such that the alarm devices not directly coupled to operative sources of electric power will, nevertheless, sense adverse conditions and signal alarms when any one of the alarm devices senses an adverse condition.

Abstract: A smoke detector of the ionization type is provided with a movable test target or probe for intercepting alpha radiation within the measuring chamber when moved to a particular position. As a result of the interception of alpha particles, the electrical resistance of the chamber between a pair of electrodes is increased. Since the electrical resistance similarly increases when airborne products of combustion enter the measuring chamber, the operative position and size of the test target may be selected such that its movement to its operative position results in electrical simulation of a predetermined level of airborne products of combustion within the measuring chamber.

Abstract: In a food processor with a power base and a lid-covered bowl, a feed chute through the lid empties onto a cutting disc rotated by a shaft extending into and terminating in the bowl. To this general combination an improvement in the disc structure is provided comprising a peripheral flange around the disc edge extending upwardly adjacent the bowl inner surface, with a single substantially rectangular locking bevel-edged opening through the disc and flange on one side only of the disc's center, the opening terminating short of and adjacent the disc center. A narrow slot is provided centrally of the opening to extend across the disc center and a depending hub on the disc at its center crosses the slot to receive the shaft. A removable beveled-edged cutter blade insert has a tab matching the slot and the insert is radially slidable into the opening and the slot to contact the hub.

Abstract: A lightweight plastic electrolytic steam iron has a soleplate with steam distributing means therefrom and a casing of electrically non-conducting material forming the walls of an internal water tank coextensive with and extending over the soleplate. Spaced electrodes are supported in the tank to generate steam from the water therein and an insulated steam conduit extends from the soleplate upwardly into the tank to direct saturated steam from the tank through the steam distributing means to the surface being ironed. The spaced electrodes comprise a pair of adjacent parallel electrode plates disposed in the tank and spaced from the tank walls and from each other with the plates generally being vertical to the soleplate of the iron. A structure is connected to control the spacing between the plates from the iron handle and separate spaced stop posts are provided to limit movement of each plate to avoid contact therebetween.

Abstract: A toaster/oven having a door and a door frame and door jam peripherally surrounding the cooking chamber front opening. The door is pivotally mounted on two hinge pins, a first hinge pin being received in an opening on one side of the door frame and a second hinge pin being received in a slot on the other side of the door frame. The geometry of the slot and pin position on the door is such that the door is not removable except when in its fully opened position. The toaster/oven also comprises door retention means for selectively holding the door in a closed, partially open broil and a fully opened position. The pivotal movement of a lever arm operates first and second switch means which respectively cut off power to the heating elements of the toaster/oven and provide a signal to the controls of the toaster/oven when the door is open.

Abstract: A self-feeding and self-emptying food grinder is provided of a walled-hopper type with food receiving and bottom rectangular discharge openings. To this standard structure which may be mounted on a driving shaft, an improvement is provided that includes a foraminated outwardly directed convex grate enclosing and over the discharge opening and a driven cutter and move assembly transporting food from the hopper is provided with the assembly including a split drum smaller than and rotatably mounted off center in the discharge opening substantially along the parting line between the opening and grate, the drum being disposed to contact the grate on rotation at only one portion thereof.

Abstract: An ionization smoke detector is disclosed wherein an electric field is established in an ionization chamber for reducing detector instability caused by air currents acting on the detector. An improved structure for enhancing detector sensitivity by establishing a unipolar region in the chamber is described.

Abstract: An ionization type of smoke detector is described having a means for reducing the effect of extraneous electrical fields which penetrate an ionization chamber of the detector.

Abstract: In a steam iron with the water tank above an electrically heated soleplate with steam apertures, a primary steam generator is disposed in the soleplate and fed from the tank by a metering water valve for steam generation. A cover plate over the soleplate forms distributing passages connecting the primary generator with the apertures and a separate surge generator is provided and fed by a surge valve for intermittent steam generation. A duct connects the surge generator in upstream flow series relation so surge steam flows through the duct into the primary generator and then through the distributing passages to the apertures for a surge of steam. To this general arrangement, an improvement is provided comprising a converging nozzle means forming the exit from the duct and discharging centrally of the primary generator whereby the nozzle increases the surge steam velocity into the primary generator to scrub the generator before entering the distribution passages to the soleplate apertures.