Abstract: A control apparatus is provided for a dispensing mechanism having an electrically operated dispensing control member and a sensor for sensing a first predetermined condition and producing a condition control signal for permitting or preventing operation of the dispensing control member in accordance with the predetermined condition. The control apparatus comprises a dispensing duration timer responsive to the condition control signal for permitting operation of the dispensing control member, for producing a dispensing control signal for a selectable amount of time for controlling the time duration of the operation of the dispensing control member and a delay timer responsive to the dispensing duration timer control for a selectable amount of time following dispensing duration of the timer control signal for preventing a further operation of the dispensing duration timer for a selectable amount of time following each dispensing operation.

Abstract: The adjustable measuring device of the present invention has a housing containing an arcuate chamber guide having movable plates attached to it so as to define a metering chamber of variable size. The housing has a housing inlet at the top, communicating with a chamber inlet, and a housing outlet at the bottom, communicating with the metering chamber. An amount, predetermined by the size of the metering chamber, of material to be ground leaves a hopper, and enters the metering chamber through the housing inlet and the chamber inlet. The housing is slid, thereby closing the hopper, until the housing outlet is positioned over a grinding area. Then, the material is discharged into the grinding area to be ground.

Abstract: A decanter or carafe for serving hot coffee having a metal bottom to which a plastic upper portion is joined. The decanter is unbreakable and shatterproof for all practical purposes. The lip of the pouring spout is shaped to facilitate pouring to either side as well as frontwards. A pistol grip handle skeleton is integrally joined to the plastic upper portion and receives mating grip pieces from opposite sides. The mating grip pieces may be colored brown to designate "regular" coffee and orange to designate "de-caffinated" coffee. The composite handle incorporates vents to drain liquid that might otherwise become trapped therein.

Abstract: A beverage brewing funnel including a filter retaining basket and a handle which are securely yet removably attached to a funnel shell. A compressible fork and a prong attached to an upper portion of the filter retaining basket engage a slot and an aperture, respectively, and a compressible annular bead engages a corresponding groove to retain the filter retaining basket inside of the funnel shell. A two member fastener attaches the handle to an outside surface of the funnel shell. A first member of the fastener is attached to the outside surface of the funnel shell and a second member of the fastener attaches the handle to the first member of the fastener. The filter retaining basket employs no loose hardware and the two member fastener used to attach the handle to the funnel shell is attached in on the outside of the funnel shell.

Abstract: An elongate hollow tubular assembly mounts a temperature sensing element in a reservoir to determine the temperature of a liquid in the reservoir. The tubular assembly includes an inner tubular member constructed of a thin, light-weight, electrically insulating and thermally conducting material, an intermediate tubular member constructed of a thin, heat-sealable, dielectric material, having an end thereof which extends into the reservoir heat-sealed; and an outer tubular member constructed of a moldable, water-impervious, heat-resistant and durable material. A sealing arrangement is provided for sealing an end of the outer tubular member which extends into the reservoir.

Abstract: A coffee grinder discharge chute for use with a coffee grinder operatively attached to a discharge opening in the grinder. The chute is comprised of a generally vertical elongate channel-shaped body having a generally tubular upper section and a channel-shaped lower portion. A grind directing cover is hingedly attached to the chute body over the channel-shaped lower portion to adjustably enclose the flow of ground coffee discharged through the chute thereby shielding the discharged ground coffee from ambient air currents. An end of the chute has sides which are cut back to provide increased grind flow therethrough and an inwardly directed end portion against which the coffee exerts a force to open the hingedly attached cover member. A chaff suppressing grinder discharge cleaning baffle is attached generally in the upper portion of the chute body. The baffle includes a plate member to which is attached a plunger and a clean-out lever.

Abstract: A sensor assembly for boiling water dispenser includes clamping members for mounting a sensor such as a thermister in position to sense the presence and absence of steam.

Abstract: A decanter or carafe for serving hot coffee having a metal bottom to which a plastic upper portion is joined. The decanter is unbreakable and shatterproof for all practical purposes. The lip of the pouring spout is shaped to facilitate pouring to either side as well as frontwards. A pistol grip handle skeleton is integrally joined to the plastic upper portion and receives mating grip pieces from opposite sides. The mating grip pieces may be colored brown to designate "regular" coffee and orange to designate "de-caffinated" coffee. The composite handle incorporates vents to drain liquid that might otherwise become trapped therein.

Abstract: Apparatus for melting and heating shortening includes a housing having a top, a bottom and sidewalls; a heating grid mounted in the housing and spaced above the bottom thereof for melting shortening and allowing melted shortening to pass therethrough toward the bottom of the housing. A door is mounted to the housing for introducing a block of shortening onto the heating grid. A bottom heater is mounted adjacent the housing bottom for maintaining the melted shortening at a desired temperature. A control circuit maintains control of the operation of both the heating grid and the bottom heater in a predetermined fashion for initially melting a block of shortening introduced onto the heating grid while substantially preventing smoking of the same, and for maintaining melted shortening at the desired temperature.

Abstract: A beverage brewing apparatus for brewing beverage concentrates and mixing these concentrates with dilution water prior to being disposed into a common decanter. A common fill basin is provided to supply the water requirements for both the brewing of the concentrate as well as the dilution of the concentrate. Brewing is initiated upon filling the basin to a predetermined level, after which, at a second predetermined level, dilution water is permitted to flow. At a first predetermined basin level, the brewing water ceases to be transported to the beverage brewing substance, however, the dilution water continues to flow until the basin is drained.

Abstract: A boiling water dispenser includes a hot water reservoir, a user-actuated faucet for drawing boiling water from a discharge zone at the top of the reservoir, and a solenoid-actuated valve for admitting unheated water to an inlet zone at the bottom of the reservoir. An electric resistance heating element within the reservoir is supplied with AC current through a series- connected bilateral switch device which is periodically switched on and off in response to the sensing of steam in a reservoir venting conduit to maintain the dispensing temperature at the boiling point. An indicator lamp conditioned by a sensor in the reservoir confirms to the user that the dispensing temperature is at the boiling point.

Abstract: A hot water dispenser includes a hot water reservoir, a user-actuated faucet for drawing hot water from an outlet zone near the top of the reservoir, and a solenoid-actuated valve for admitting unheated water to an inlet zone at the bottom of the reservoir. An inline flow regulator establishes an inlet flow rate less than the faucet flow rate to maximize the volume of hot water available at the faucet. An electric resistance heating element within the reservoir is supplied with AC current through a series-connected bilateral switch device which is periodically switched on and off in accordance with the temperature of water sensed by a sensor at the faucet to maintain a constant dispensing temperature. The switch device is thermally coupled to the bottom of the reservoir such that the reservoir acts as a heat sink to dissipate heat generated during switching. An indicator lamp conditioned by the sensor confirms to the user that the dispensing temperature is within a predetermined range.

Abstract: A coffee grinder in which coffee beans can be selectively fed by gravity to the grinder mechanism from either of two hoppers. Separate reciprocable slides close off or open separate discharge openings communicating between the bottom of each hopper and the grinder inlet for beans. The slides are operated by separate solenoids. An electrical control circuit including a dual timer, two solenoids and the grinder motor, allow an operator to selectively grind a predetermined quantity of beans from either of the hoppers.

Abstract: A beverage (tea and coffee) making appliance of the type having a reservoir wherein a supply of hot water for brewing is maintained and from which a volume of the hot water is displaced by an equal volume of a batch of cold water discharged by gravity from a cold water basin through a fill tube into the bottom of the reservoir. The displaced hot water is discharged into a brewing funnel lined with a filter on which the beverage forming material (ground coffee or tea leaves) is placed. The cold water basin is equipped with a removable standpipe-like fitting on the upper end of the fill tube through which cold water enters as long as the level of water in the cold water basin is above the upper end or entrance opening in the fill tube. The fill basin has a second drain opening to which is connected one end of a tube the other end of which discharges into a portion of the brewing funnel which is partitioned off from the filter lined portion.