Abstract: A digital playback device is disclosed for displaying at least a portion of a visual presentation. One described device includes a housing, a display device supported by the housing and a self-contained computer in communication with the display device. The computer is disposed within the housing and positioned relative to the display device to define a thermal airspace between the display device and the computer.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing filtered coffee by use of microwave energy includes a vessel for containing the filtered coffee and a container having a single compartment for receiving and retaining a non-heated coffee mixture of coffee grounds and water. The vessel has a vessel opening formed therein and the container includes an outlet adapted to be received by the vessel opening to pass the coffee mixture therethrough to the vessel. Heating means heats the coffee mixture through exposure to microwave energy. A filter means is disposed across the outlet and includes a resistance to flow which is slight enough that the heated mixture passes through a filter to emerge as a filtered coffee.

Abstract: A device for heating food with steam includes a relatively small water container heated by an electric heating source so that steam is generated very shortly after switching on the heating source. The evaporated water is at least partly steadily resupplied preferably from the condensate of the steam precipitating at the inside of the lid of the device, or via a separate water reservoir which is defined by the bottom space of the base of the device.

Abstract: In order to boil eggs or other foods not suitable for cooking with direct microwave radiation, a receptacle containing such foods is separated from a microwave source by a radiation shield overlain by a heating vessel partly filled with water which is exposed to the microwaves. This vaporizes the water and the resulting steam is admitted through one or more tubes into the receptacle for a rapid heating of its contents. The shield may reflect the incident microwaves into the water bath.

Abstract: In order to boil eggs or other foods not suitable for cooking with direct microwave radiation, a receptacle containing such foods is separated from a microwave source by a radiation shield while an adjacent heating vessel partly filled with water is exposed to the microwaves. This vaporizes the water and the resulting steam is admitted into the receptacle for a rapid heating of its contents. The shield may adjoin the vessel walls and may reflect the incident microwaves into the water bath. In a simple case, the food receptacle and its shield may be replaced by a metal foil--e.g. of aluminum--in which the foods to be boiled are loosely wrapped while lying in a shallow pool of water within the microwave-irradiated heating vessel.