Abstract: In a circuit arrangement to detect a voltage (U), the voltage is applied to the input of a voltage detector (VD) through a voltage divider (R1, R4), the voltage detector (VD) comprising a Schmitt-Trigger with reference voltage and an output driver. The output signal of the voltage detector (VD) is applied to the base of a transistor (T1) whose collector-emitter circuit, together with a series-connected capacitor (Cl), is connected in parallel with the voltage (U) to be detected. The junction of the capacitor (C1) and the transistor (T1) is connected to the input of the voltage detector (VD) through a resistor (R5, R6). The output of the voltage detector (VD) is further applied to the input of a component (C) delivering different output signals in dependence upon whether its input receives a constant signal level or a varying signal level.

Abstract: In an electrically operated hand mixer (10) including an attachment (1), the latter is provided with a bowl (2) closable by a lid (9). The hand mixer has at least two first (90) and second (77) drive shafts adapted for detachable coupling with various processing tools (76), such as whisk attachments or kneading blades. One of the drive shafts (90) can be non-rotatably coupled with an output shaft (16), extending upwardly through the lid (9), when the hand mixer (10) is placed on the lid (9) of the attachment (1). The output shaft (16) is connected with a drivable blade (21, 22) in the interior of the bowl (2) for chopping foods. The non-rotatable connection is established by engagement of a first toothing (71) provided in the drive shaft (90) and a mating second toothing (70) provided on the output shaft (16).

Abstract: A water proportioning device for steam irons, has a valve (52) arranged between a water reservoir (1) and a steam-generating chamber (2). The valve includes a valve member (5) having a valve opening (7) and a valve pin (9) in sealing engagement within the valve opening (7) and provided with a longitudinal groove (15). The valve pin (9) is rotatable within the valve opening (7) and movable from a closed position into an open position and vice versa by a rotary motion. The valve member (5) includes a skirt (6) encompassing the valve pin (9) and having a radial opening (18). In the closed position, one end of the longitudinal groove (15) is within the skirt (6), while in the open position the end of the longitudinal groove (15) is in communication with the opening (18) in the skirt (6).

Abstract: The invention is directed to an electrical appliance, with a housing structure comprised of a first housing portion and a second housing portion for accommodating at least one rechargeable storage cell and/or a storage cell charging circuitry, and with an appliance plug for transmitting a line voltage and for coupling and decoupling the two portions of the housing.

Abstract: The brewing device is composed of a housing part including a piston, vertically slidable in the housing part. On the housing part, a filter basket holder is mounted which is pivoted horizontally about the tilting axis and is provided with a filter basket to be filled with ground coffee. When the piston is lowered and reaches into the filter basket (i.e., its working position), the filter basket forms with it a pressure chamber, in which the ground coffee is enclosed, into which, on the piston side, hot water under pressure is urged through a conduit, and from which, on the filter basket holder side, the prepared espresso coffee beverage is discharged through at least one outlet opening. When the piston is lifted, the filter basket holder with the filter basket can be swung about a vertically extending tilting axis out of the range of effect of the piston.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a dry shaving apparatus with at least one short-hair cutter disposed on a housing and an actuating switch for turning an electric drive mechanism on and off as well as for adjusting a switch slide provided with a long-hair trimmer by means of a transmission device, wherein the transmission device is comprised of two pivotally mounted transmission elements, the first transmission element is pivotally mounted on the actuating switch and acted upon by a spring element, the second transmission element which is provided with notches and a control cam is pivotally mounted on the housing, is coupled to the switch slide through a control element engaging the control cam as well as a spring element, and is actuatable by the first transmission element through a detent element.

Abstract: An electrically operated hand mixer includes processing tools drivable by an electric motor for processing foods, and a housing accommodating the electric motor. A handle for manipulating the hand mixer is provided on the housing and extends substantially transversely to the longitudinal axis of the processing tools, wherein a connecting cable extends from the housing at the end remote from the processing tools and is swivellably guided in an antikink joint adapted to be swung from the housing. A winding-up arrangement is provided on the housing permitting winding the connecting cable onto the appliance. The antikink joint additionally serves as the winding-up arrangement in conjunction with a snap-in locking arrangement which, in a fixed position, along with the winding-up arrangement, permits guiding the connecting cable during the winding-up action. A reliable winding-up arrangement is achieved thereby in a simple manner.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a coffee maker for the preheating and keeping warm of cups, including a support surface (3) for cups (7, 8) and a heat source (2) delivering heat also to the cups (7, 8) resting on the support surface (3), wherein water held in a water reservoir (1) is heatable by means of the heat source (2) to a temperature such that vapors and/or steam are formed. Discharge orifices (9, 10) are provided in the support surface (3) for passage of the vapors and/or steam therethrough to circulate around the cups (7, 8) resting on the support surface (3), thereby heating them. In this manner, the cups are preheated readily and kept warm durably. In addition, the discharge orifices (9, 10) in the support surface may be closable by a spring-loaded flap structure (19) or a valve, a flap structure (19) or a valve being movable to an open position by the weight of a cup (7, 8).

Abstract: The invention is directed to an electric shaving apparatus having a short-hair cutter assembly (2) arranged on a housing (1) and at least one control switch (9) slidably mounted on the housing (1) for setting a long-hair trimmer assembly (4) from an "Off" position to at least one or several positions of use. The long-hair trimmer assembly (4) is adjustably mounted on the housing (1) of the shaving apparatus in such a way that it follows the surface of the skin.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an electric toothbrush including a brush unit (1) adapted to be push-fitted to a handle unit. The brush unit (1) accommodates a rotary camshaft (4) as well as a series of bristle holders (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16) provided with tufts (17) of bristles and disposed approximately transversely relative to the camshaft (4). The bristle holders (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16) are pivotally mounted on two mounting pins (8, 9) extending parallel to the camshaft (4), thus enabling the bristle holders (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16) to be moved in a motion about the mounting pin (8, 9) by the camshaft (4). The two mounting pins (8, 9) are arranged on either side of an imaginary first plane (18) aligned approximately parallel to the bristle tufts (17) and extending lengthwise through the camshaft (4), and each of the bristle holders (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16) includes an opening (19, 20) for receiving one of the two mounting pins (8, 9).

Abstract: The invention is directed to a brush holder for a toothbrush, in particular for cleaning the interproximal spaces, for releasably locating a brush preferably comprising an in particular stem-shaped bristle supporting structure having bristles secured thereto, with the bristle supporting structure including a portion carrying no bristles, and the brush holder including a receiving structure adapted to receive the bare portion. The brush holder is of an approximately disk-shaped configuration. The receiving structure is associated with a recess, and the recess carries pivotally therein a clamping structure for clampingly, yet releasably, positioning the brush in its proper location relative to the brush holder.

Abstract: An epilating appliance for the removal of human body hair, with a casing adapted to be held in the user's hand, with a rotary cylinder including pincer elements driven by a motor. At least one actuator element extends through the rotary cylinder for actuating the pincer elements coupled thereto. The actuator element being operable by an associated pressure element and being displaceable against the pressure of a spring, wherein structure is provided for adjusting the gripping force of the pincer elements.

Abstract: In a first embodiment, a beverage brewing machine has a reservoir in which water is heated, which is arranged upstream of a brewing unit and heatable by an electric heating device. At the bottom is an outlet valve which opens only on reaching a given water temperature so that the hot water flows through an outlet pipe downstream of the outlet valve from the reservoir over the upper surface of a product, preferably ground coffee or tea-leaves, contained in a brewing unit, from which it goes to a receptacle as a beverage after extraction of the product. Hot water from the reservoir can also be taken via a pipe along paths other than over the upper surface of the product into the receptacle. The pipe takes a siphon-like path, the vertex of which is far enough above the bottom of the reservoir so that hot water also flows via the pipe to the other path and not only over the upper surface of the product only when a certain level is reached in the reservoir.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a diffuser for a hair dryer comprising a diffuser body which is adapted to be secured to the nozzle of the hair dryer and includes a plurality of hair pickup elements (9, 10, 11) extending away from the diffuser body. At least one of the hair pickup elements (9, 10) is movably arranged on the diffuser body.