Abstract: An improved process and apparatus for the extraction of espresso coffee from ground coffee beans in which the pressure of extraction is precisely regulated by a pressure valve and is not dependent on coffee grind size, degree of compaction of the coffee grind, or operator skill. A feature of the invention is in an assembly of the brewing chamber and regulator valve for convenient removal and attachment to an espresso machine as a unit without otherwise modifying the machine. The assembly is configurable with the regulator valve within a common housing which also defines the brewing chamber, or with a regulator valve separate from the brewing chamber assembly but attached to an outlet of the brewing chamber.

Abstract: A latch mechanism includes a cylindrically shaped rotating cam having a small radius portion and a large radius portion that are spaced from each other along a circumference of cylinder. A ball is seated against the cam. The ball is forced outward when it is seated in the small radius portion of the cam, and is allowed to move inward when it is seated in the large radius portion of the cam. A first hollow latch pin is provided, having an indentation at one point on the outer surface thereof into which the ball can seat. A second smaller size latch pin, also having an indentation in one point on the outer surface thereof into which the ball can seat, is insertable within the first hollow latch pin, to thereby allow multiple objects to be secured by the latch mechanism. A housing supports and facilitates movement of the cam, the ball and the two latch pins.

Abstract: Light weight, compact electronic image displays are provided which have flat profiles and which can be configured as direct view or projection displays. An improved cathode-ray tube utilizing two or more electron guns simultaneously produces two or more lines in separate phosphor stripes on the faceplate of cathode-ray tube, one phosphor for each electron gun. A vertical raster is produced mechanically by a rotating mirror mechanism and is positioned on a screen by way of optical elements. A controller and frame buffer synchronize electron gun output and vertical raster scanner operation to produce a bright, high resolution, converged image.

Abstract: Access to a complete data base stored on optical disk media is limited to portions of the data base to which individual users are entitled by provision of an additional code on the optical disk, indicating the portions of the data base which the customers may access. The disk reader comprises an additional reader for reading the additional code and means for preventing access to other portions of the data base. The additional code may be conventional bar code.