Abstract: The invention is directed to a top assembly for an imperforate walled, open mouth coffee pot. The top assembly includes a liquid trap through which coffee is introduced from the exterior of the pot to the interior thereof and through which coffee is subsequently decanted from the pot.

Abstract: A top assembly for substantially sealing the open mouth of a coffee pot to thereby prevent oxidation and evaporation of the coffee. The top assembly includes a single passageway for both introducing coffee into the pot and for pouring coffee from the pot. The passageway includes a plurality of substantially parallel sub passages. The sub passages form a liquid trap which prevents air from entering the passageway as well as preventing evaporation from the pot. The sub passages are interconnected to form a channel which is substantially U-shaped in cross-section. The inlet to the liquid trap from inside the coffee pot is at the base of the U-shaped channel so that when the coffee pot is tilted to pour coffee from the pot, there is a gravity flow through the liquid trap and the liquid head pressure insures that all coffee in the pot may be poured out.

Abstract: An eccentrically positioned liquid trap improves coffee pour rate through a coffee pot top assembly that is retained in substantial sealing engagement with the open mount of a coffee pot by a retainer ring whose retention of the same is insensitive to variations in production tolerances.

Abstract: The method of and apparatus for reducing oxidation and evaporation of coffee in a wide-mouth decanter, such as those primarily intended for use with automatic coffee makers, by way of providing a cover for the wide mouth thereof, and in which there is provided a pour spout extending within the coffee decanter, the ingress orifice of the pour spout opening within the lower fourth of the coffee decanter, and the vent opening thereof being of a cumulative area such that the vapor pressure of heated coffee in the decanter exceeds atmospheric pressure to substantially create a vapor seal thereacross.

Abstract: The purpose of the invention is to form, from two injection molded parts, a self sealing top assembly for an imperforate walled, open mouth coffee pot.

Abstract: A siphon of preheated water to a filter basket is initiated by an inpour of cold water to a buoyant tank floating in a holding tank on the preheated water. The cold water addition causes the buoyant tank to sink thus raising the level of the preheated water to start a siphon. The cold water is thereafter metered to the holding tank and preheated preparatory to initiating another brew cycle.

Abstract: The pot life of a quantity of decanter contained coffee is significantly increased by maintaining a substantial temperature differential between the surface of the contained coffee and the bottom contents thereof; and dispensing coffee from the bottom of the decanter.The reduced surface temperature, as contrasted with the higher "drinking temperature" maintained at the bottom of the decanter from which coffee is dispensed, results in a significant decrease in oxidation and a dramatic decrease in evaporation as will be apparent from the exponential nature of the vapor pressure curve for water across the temperature range in question.This pot life extension may, if desired, be further increased by maintaining superatmospheric pressure within the decanter.

Abstract: Conventional automatic drip coffee makers require about one minute of manual involvement to commence a brewing cycle.The automatic drip coffee maker herein disclosed makes a full decanter of coffee within 11/2-2 minutes following the one minute manual involvement.The automatic drip coffee maker of the present invention uses preheated water but only the amount required for a decanter of coffee (1/2 gallon) making it unnecessary to employ a large reservoir. The concept, in a preferred embodiment, is to commence the brewing cycle by an almost instantaneous dump of the preheated water to a transfer tank which, in turn, meters heated water to the grounds at such a rate as to insure almost immediate contact between all the coffee grounds and all the hot water. The dump time for preheated water from the preheated reservoir to the transfer tank is less than the time required to fill a receptacle with cold water.

Abstract: The pot life of a quantity of decanter contained coffee is significantly increased by maintaining a substantial temperature differential between the surface of the contained coffee and the bottom contents thereof; and dispensing coffee from the bottom of the decanter.The reduced surface temperature, as contrasted with the higher "drinking temperature" maintained at the bottom of the decanter from which coffee is dispensed, results in a significant decrease in oxidation and a dramatic decrease in evaporation as will be apparent from the exponential nature of the vapor pressure curve for water across the temperature range in question.This pot life extension may, if desired, be further increased by maintaining superatmospheric pressure within the decanter.

Abstract: High speed turning characteristics of a vee type planing hull are increased by the use of after, outboard running surfaces which are concavely configured and include transverse wedges across the after, inboard halves thereof.

Abstract: A top assembly which includes an elongate pour spout and movable follower element is interfitted with the open top of a coffee receptacle whereby coffee may be dispensed through the pour spout while maintaining the main body of coffee isolated from atmosphere.

Abstract: A powering device for the tailstock of a lathe, wherein a cylinder and piston assembly is mounted on the tailstock for fluid actuation of the piston relative to the cylinder, and the piston is associated with the handwheel shaft to feed and retract the latter as desired, by fluid operating means, while the manually actuable tailstock operating means remains connected for manual actuation, as desired.