Abstract: A hot beverage maker produces a brewed beverage in a sealed infusion compartment. An air pump and selector establish a first flow path by which a pressure differential established by the air pump displaces water from a container, through a heater to the infusion compartment and then to a brewed beverage container. A second flow path produces a pressure in the brewed beverage container that displaces brewed beverage out a delivery spout.

Abstract: Automatic apparatus for brewing a hot beverage. A control system causes a heater that is integral with a beverage container to elevate the water temperature to a predetermined brewing temperature while infusible material in an infuser basket is isolated from the liquid. When the brewing temperature is achieved, the controller causes a positioner assembly to submerge the infuser basket in the heated liquid. The control system maintains the liquid at a predetermined brewing temperature. After a predetermined brewing interval, the control system causes the positioner assembly to raise the infuser basket thereby to isolate the infusible material from the brewed beverage. Thereafter the control system may maintain the beverage temperature at an optimal serving temperature.

Abstract: A toaster in which spaced, vertically oriented heating assemblies are nested within a cover that pivots between open and closed positions. In the open position, an consumer can add food slices to or remove toasted food slices from baskets in the toaster remotely from the heating assemblies. When the cover closes, the heating assemblies pivot to be positioned on both sides of the baskets. When energized, the heating assemblies toast the food slices.

Abstract: A toaster in which spaced, vertically oriented heating assemblies are nested within a cover that pivots between open and closed positions. In the open position, an consumer can add food slices to or remove toasted food slices from baskets in the toaster remotely from the heating assemblies. When the cover closes, the heating assemblies pivot to be positioned on both sides of the baskets. When energized, the heating assemblies toast the food slices.

Abstract: A refrigerated beverage dispenser. A beverage container is carried in a covered refrigerated housing that includes a heat exchanger for maintaining beverage at a predetermined temperature. A dispensing tube provides a conduit for the beverage. To dispense the liquid, a pressure differential is produced whereby the pressure on the liquid in the container is greater than the pressure at a dispensing port.

Abstract: Apparatus for abrading hair and exfoliating skin. An electric motor drive produces rotation at three transmission outputs. A universal joint connects each motion transmission output to a disk for supporting annular abrasive pads. The abrasive disks and pads are free to swivel to maximize surface contact between the abrasive pad and skin during use.

Abstract: A brewing apparatus for infusing compacted ground coffee in a grounds cup at a brewing station with heated water under pressure. At a brewing station, a piston head with an active seal that is spaced from the grounds cup wall during motion, extends into the grounds cup. When the piston head begins to compact the ground coffee it activates the seal to form a sealed upper end of a brewing chamber. Hot water is admitted to the brewing chamber to produce the coffee. When the brewing cycle is completed, the piston head displaces further to force additional coffee from the grounds. Then the piston head retracts to allow the infusion chamber assembly to be removed for cleaning.

Abstract: A hair treating device for applying solution to hair includes a hollow member with dispensing ports, an inflatable bladder and a handle. The inflatable bladder is positioned in a manifold with the solution to be dispensed. The handle is sealed from the solution and has a pump. Operating the pump expands the bladder and ejects the solution through the dispensing ports.

Abstract: A humidifier including a steam generator with a container for water and an immersed heating module. The heating module has a spherical shape and is formed of a stainless steel outer surface and an aluminum inner body. Electrical heating coils are affixed to the aluminum body to heat the aluminum body and transfer heat through the stainless steel into water. The composite of the inner and outer bodies provides efficient heat transfer for boiling water. The stainless steel resists any permanent adherence of residue to the heating module during the boiling process. Steam from the boiling water transfers through a mixing stack to surrounding air in the humidifier.

Abstract: A vacuum sealing appliance for lidded containers. A container is evacuated by placing a conventional container with a lid under a bell cover or by applying a special lid to an open container. An actuator assembly moves a valve to an sealed position and energizes an electrical vacuum pump. A vacuum switch and solenoid simultaneously terminate the operation of the vacuum pump and allow atmospheric pressure to be applied to the lid, thereby to seal the lid against the container.

Abstract: A coffee grinder with a removable storage and dispensing element that has a housing and rotatable assembly in the housing. The rotatable assembly includes a distributor allows a single one of multiple open sectors to be filled in any given position. A dispensing component has an open sector angularly offset from the open sector of the distributor. When the dispensing component open sector aligns with a filled sector, the beans drop into a hopper for grinding. A grinder operates until all the beans in the hopper are ground.