Abstract: A beverage maker includes a reservoir; a heater for heating water in the reservoir from a starting temperature to a brewing temperature; a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the water and the heater; a pump connected to the reservoir for pumping hot water from the reservoir at the brewing temperature to a user's cup via an infusible food material; and a controller adapted to operate the pump over a predetermined pumping time based at least in part on the time interval to bring the water temperature in the reservoir from the starting temperature to the brewing temperature. The controller may also be programmed to turn said heater on, turn said pump on when the water temperatures reaches said brewing temperature, and turn said heater and pump off when said temperature sensor senses another temperature higher than said brewing temperature.

Abstract: A vacuum packaging appliance with a sealing sub-assembly including a latching mechanism and release mechanism is described. According to certain embodiments, the release mechanism, latch and sealing sub-assembly operate in an integrated fashion such that the vacuum packaging appliance can be easily opened or sealed.

Abstract: Metals having a silvery-white appearance and methods of producing the same. In one embodiment, the composite material of the present invention comprises a metallic core, a first layer, and a second layer. The first layer encases the external surfaces of the metallic core and is produced by electroplating copper or copper alloy from a first bath containing copper ions. The second layer encases the first layer and is produced by electroplating white bronze from a second bath containing copper and tin ions. According to one embodiment of the method of the present invention, the first layer is electroplated on the metallic core and the second layer is electroplated on the first layer. In another embodiment of the composite material and method of the present invention, the material comprises only the metallic core and a first layer of white bronze. The resulting composite has a silvery-white appearance and does not include exposed nickel so that persons allergic to nickel metals are not affected by the composite.