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: 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: 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.

Abstract: An electric oven toaster construction wherein a unique inverted L-shaped lever is provided for controlling operation of an oven toaster switch and a toaster timer. The lever is pivotally mounted at the intersection of its legs and a generally horizontal leg extends outwardly from the oven toaster to a position where it may be manually actuated. The other leg extends downwardly for moving the toaster timer to its on position. The generally horizontal leg of the lever includes a downwardly extending latch arm which is movable into engagement with a solenoid armature for holding the lever and the switch in a closed position during a toasting cycle. Thus, at the end of a toasting cycle, the toaster timer actuates the solenoid to release the latch arm and a spring bias of the switch moves the switch and the inverted L-shaped lever to an open position.

Abstract: In a multi container interlocked food machine having a power base with a bowl-supporting portion and driven shaft extending vertically therefrom, with an upstanding motor-containing housing, a processor bowl having structure locking it on the supporting portion and containing a cutter on the shaft, a lid on the bowl operatively connected to an interlock of an internal lid switch-controlled motor energizing circuit to deenergize said circuit on lid removal, an improved second interlock mechanism is provided comprising a separate smaller diameter blender jar and cutter disposable on the shaft, base securing structure on the jar locks it on the base portion concentric with the bowl locking portion, an internal separate jar switch is connected to the motor circuit in parallel with the lid switch, the base securing structure operatively connecting with the jar switch through a biased slider mechanism, whereby on mounting the jar on the base, the jar switch is closed to "on" position to automatically by-pass the li

Abstract: A digital platform scale having a base and movable cover thereon with a lever system in the base converting vertical movement to horizontal lever movement, spring means connected to the base and lever to counter-balance the lever movement and a differential transformer connected to the lever system and to an electrical digital readout to display weight, an improvement is provided that disposes the spring horizontally in the base and connected to the lever system at its point of maximum movement. A differential transformer is interposed as part of the connection between the spring and the lever system and axially aligned with the spring.

Abstract: A rotary cutter blade for use in an unfluted constant diameter bowl of a small series motor driven food processor with a rotatable hub is provided where the blade comprises a cutting surface formed in two distinct curvatures of substantially equal radii with a first inner surface including a long circular outwardly convex cutting edge having its center of curvature offset a given amount from the hub axis and terminating inwardly of the bowl inner surface and having a second outer surface of a short circular outwardly convex cutting edge with its center of curvature being a lesser amount offset from the hub axis and extending from tangency with the bowl inner surface to terminate in a substantially pointed intersection with the first cutting edge and the first and second cutting surfaces having lengths substantially in the ratio of 3 to 1 where the particularly formed blade permits use of a series motor without stalling or jamming by wedged pieces of food between the blade and bowl.

Abstract: In a conventional iron an improvement is provided in the mode valve subassembly that includes a molded cup-shaped valve housing with an upright closed peripherally extending side wall with a pair of spaced stops, the side wall enclosing a flat bottom wall all mounted within the handle.

Abstract: Thermostats for use in electrically heated appliances have a positive off position and are adapted for transition to a low temperature on position within a small amount (approximately one radian) of control shaft rotation. The thermostats comprise a stacked blade assembly including a lower bimetal temperature responsive blade, an intermediate stiff spring blade and an upper less stiff flexible spring blade, with the spring blade having juxtaposed switch contacts thereon and the bimetal blade operating to separate the switch contacts when the set temperature is attained. A control bracket mounted above the stacked blade assembly defines an opening through which a control shaft extends, the control shaft butting against the stiff spring blade and positioning it. The shaft mounts a cam and the control bracket has a depending cam follower for the cam, wherein the spring blade urges the cam against the cam follower.

Abstract: A motor assembly is provided for a blind tube mounting the tube having one open end with a tapered inner surface and an opening through the tube downstream of the end and facing the surface. A switch wiper is movably mounted in the opening. The tube may be the handle of a movable tool such as a toothbrush or vegetable peeler or the like. For driving the tool there is provided a sized motor mount that includes a second tubular member with an outer tapered surface for telescopic mating with the tapered inner surface of the tube, the second member having an end vertical wall with a smaller sized motor secured to and cantilevered from the wall and extending into the tube. The second tubular member is an insulating plastic for an electrical barrier between the switch terminals and the motor.

Abstract: The invention is a detachable probe control for an electrically heated utensil to sense the temperature and control the electric current to the utensil. It uses a hollow thin walled tubular finger that snugly fits in a matching recess for good heat conduction therebetween for temperature control of the utensil in a conventional manner. The particular probe of the invention uses a transducer in the form of a thermistor that is supported in the finger of a unique mounting such that the temperature of the tube walls is readily sensed by the thermistor. Structure is provided to electrically insulate the thermistor while at the same time permitting thermal conductivity to the thermistor whereby the thermistor responds rapidly to finger or probe temperature changes for accurate temperature control of the utensil.

Abstract: In a home bag sealer with an elongated box and lid where the box supports a roll of bag material and a heater is provided along the lid opening operative on lid closing to seal a selected size of bag, the device being provided with structure to cut the sealed bag, the invention provides an improved cutter assembly of a lengthwise slot in the lid inboard of the heater and having a pair of oppositely disposed supporting ribs contiguous along the slot substantially the length of the lid. Disposed in the slot is a removable cutter assembly supported on and spanning the ribs on each side thereof for sliding along the slot. The assembly includes a pair of facing nylon brackets each bracket having a leading edge with a narrow notch therein and a faired surface extending away from the notch. A cutter blade is located between the brackets and extends within the notch and an operating handle removably clamps the brackets above the ribs externally of the lid.

Abstract: An automatic coffee brewing machine is provided with a heater for heating the pump apparatus for forcing water therethrough, thermostatic switch means associated with the pump apparatus for sensing the completion of the brewing cycle, and circuit means including the switch means effective upon completion of the brewing cycle for changing the power output of the heater from the high level required for brewing operation to a much lower level required to prevent reinitiation of the brewing cycle. A heating unit for a carafe holding brewed coffee has heating means associated with the circuit means for producing heat both during and after the brewing cycle, the heat produced during the brewing cycle being greater than that produced after the brewing cycle.

Abstract: In a steam iron having a horizontal slot in the upper forward portion of the handle and a temperature control rod with its upper end disposed centrally of the slot, an improvement is provided in the temperature control assembly for operating the rod. A semi-circular crowned disc spring plate is provided with a projection and a depressed hollow recess in the crown surrounds the rod and has an upper annular bearing surface around the recess. The spring plate curves down from the bearing edge to the plate periphery and is fixed in the slot against withdrawal by a projection abutting the inner handle. A generally half-circular polypropylene dial plate support is provided with U-arms straddling the rod and with upper projections on each arm and in the bight of the U for locking the dial support in the handle slot.

Abstract: A variable intensity whistle is formed by a cylindrical chamber having apertures in opposite ends. The centers of the apertures are off set with respect to the cylinder axis and the chamber is formed in two parts which are rotatable relative to each other to either align the apertures and displace them by predetermined amounts.

Abstract: A food processing appliance has a base and removable bowl with a cutter mechanism therein which is supported on and driven from a power unit in the base at selected speeds. The invention provides an improvement of a removable reducing transmission disposed directly in and removably coupled to form and close the bottom wall in the bowl and having a portion extending into the bowl for supporting the cutting mechanism. The transmission is disposed entirely external to the base and is driven from the base whereby the selected removable bowl can only be connected to the base for food processing when the transmission is coupled directly to the bowl.

Abstract: In a conventional plastic drip coffeemaker, an improvement is provided for mounting the hot water generator comprising a single plastic molded box-shaped housing having an access opening only at one end and the other end and side walls being integrally formed. Spaced ribs are molded on and extend along a side wall towards the opening and terminate inside of the opening. A molded-in boss for securement is provided on the opposite side wall and a U-shaped channel member crosses the access opening with its legs directed inwardly of the housing to straddle in fixed abutment against the ribs at one edge and fixed to the boss at the opposite edge. The hot water generator is secured to the channel inside the opening so that the generator is fixed against all lateral movement by the straddling channel and against movement into the opening by abutment against the ribs.