Abstract: A coffee maker has a water reservoir, an in-line water heater, a brew basket for receiving coffee grounds, a water passage between the water reservoir and the brew basket, a water level sensor located in the water reservoir, a water level indicator, and a controller in communication with the water level sensor and the water level indicator. The passage passes through the in-line water heater for delivering heated water to the brew basket. The controller activates the water level indicator in response to a signal from the water level sensor. A method of making coffee in the coffee maker includes determining, in the controller, an operating condition for a coffee bean grinder and operating the coffee bean grinder based on the operating condition to grind coffee beans and produce a quantity of ground coffee beans.

Abstract: A capacitor drop power supply circuit for supplying power to a load has a switch configured to alter a configuration of the power supply circuit to reduce input current of the power supply circuit. The switch is operable by the load to alter the configuration when the load enters a power save mode. The switch is operable to alter the configuration of the power supply circuit between a first configuration having a first current path through the power supply circuit in a first current direction, and a second configuration having a second current path through the power supply circuit in the first current direction. The switch changes the power supply circuit between the first configuration and the second configuration when the load enters a power save mode.

Abstract: A tamping device for applying a tamping force to ground coffee in a portafilter. The tamping device has a tamper and a guard. The tamper has a reciprocating tamping base. The guard defines a passageway through which the tamping base reciprocates. The passageway fits closely around the tamping base.

Abstract: A heating element for an electrical appliance, such as an electric razor. The element has a hollow metallic sleeve having first and second sides. The first side of the sleeve has greater thermal mass than the second side of the sleeve. A positive temperature coefficient ceramic element is located within the sleeve and held in thermal contact with the sleeve by a compressed portion of the sleeve.

Abstract: A coffee maker or coffee bean grinder has a bean hopper for storing coffee beans, a bean grinder for grinding coffee beans into coffee grounds, and a bean delivery device for delivering a quantity of beans from the bean hopper to the bean grinder. The bean delivery device has a bean receptacle and is movable between first and second positions. In the first position, the bean receptacle communicates with the bean hopper and, in the second position, the bean receptacle communicates with the bean grinder.

Abstract: A capacitor drop power supply circuit for supplying power to a load has a switch configured to alter a configuration of the power supply circuit to reduce input current of the power supply circuit. The switch is operable by the load to alter the configuration when the load enters a power save mode. The switch is operable to alter the configuration of the power supply circuit between a first configuration having a first current path through the power supply circuit in a first current direction, and a second configuration having a second current path through the power supply circuit in the first current direction. The switch changes the power supply circuit between the first configuration and the second configuration when the load enters a power save mode.

Abstract: In a combination coffee grinder and coffee storage device, a housing has a grinding chamber and a storage container located with the housing. The storage container has a removable airtight closure and the grinding chamber has grinding blades. A motor is located in the housing for driving the grinding blades. A pump, located in the housing, has an air connection to the storage container for evacuating air from the storage container.

Abstract: A heating element for an electrical appliance, such as an electric razor. The element has a hollow metallic sleeve having first and second sides. The first side of the sleeve has greater thermal mass than the second side of the sleeve. A positive temperature coefficient ceramic element is located within the sleeve and held in thermal contact with the sleeve by a compressed portion of the sleeve.

Abstract: A coffee maker has a water reservoir, an in-line water heater, a brew basket for receiving coffee grounds, a water passage between the water reservoir and the brew basket, a water level sensor located in the water reservoir, a water level indicator, and a controller in communication with the water level sensor and the water level indicator. The passage passes through the in-line water heater for delivering heated water to the brew basket. The controller activates the water level indicator in response to a signal from the water level sensor. A method of making coffee in the coffee maker includes determining, in the controller, an operating condition for a coffee bean grinder and operating the coffee bean grinder based on the operating condition to grind coffee beans and produce a quantity of ground coffee beans.

Abstract: A tamping device for applying a tamping force to ground coffee in a portafilter. The tamping device has a tamper and a guard. The tamper has a reciprocating tamping base. The guard defines a passageway through which the tamping base reciprocates. The passageway fits closely around the tamping base.

Abstract: In a combination coffee grinder and coffee storage device, a housing has a grinding chamber and a storage container located with the housing. The storage container has a removable airtight closure and the grinding chamber has grinding blades. A motor is located in the housing for driving the grinding blades. A pump, located in the housing, has an air connection to the storage container for evacuating air from the storage container.

Abstract: A food processor bowl includes a container having a coaxial inner sleeve for locating a rotary tool in the container and a dispensing opening. A removable closure for the container has an open position for dispensing contents from the container and a closed position for defining a processing chamber in the container. A support extends across the dispensing opening and has a central hub for retaining a rotary tool within the container when contents of the container are being dispensed through the dispensing opening.

Abstract: A food processor bowl includes a container having a coaxial inner sleeve for locating a rotary tool in the container and a dispensing opening. A removable closure for the container has an open position for dispensing contents from the container and a closed position for defining a processing chamber in the container. A support extends across the dispensing opening and has a central hub for retaining a rotary tool within the container when contents of the container are being dispensed through the dispensing opening.

Abstract: A hot and cold beverage maker has a housing having a base and an upper body. A water reservoir, brew basket and water heater are located in the housing. There is a water passage from the reservoir thorough the water heater to the brew basket for delivering heated water to the brew basket. In the base is a cradle for supporting a beverage jug beneath the brew basket outlet. The cradle has a rotary coupling for engaging a corresponding coupling of a beverage jug placed in the cradle. The beverage maker may also include a beverage jug having a base with a rotary blade in the jug connected to a jug coupling at the jug base.

Abstract: A vacuum coffee maker comprises a first vessel for receiving water to be heated and brewed coffee and a second vessel for receiving coffee grounds and brewing coffee therein. The first vessel has an opening in it and a fluid passage from the opening to a lower potion of the vessel. The second vessel having an opening in it. A base for receiving the first vessel is provided with a heater. A platform supports the second vessel above the first vessel. Engagement means releasably brings together the opening in the first vessel and the opening in the second vessel for fluid communication between the first and second vessels.

Abstract: A method of making coffee in a drip-type coffee maker includes introducing steam into coffee grounds, and passing heated water through the coffee grounds to infuse the water. A coffee maker includes a second water passage in which the flow of water is controlled so that it is converted into steam for delivery to the brew basket. The steam enters the brew basket below the level of any coffee grinds in the basket, and causes a substantially helical steam flow path in the grinds.

Abstract: A coffee maker includes a water reservoir, an in-line water heater, a brew basket for receiving coffee grinds, and a water passage between the reservoir and the brew basket. The passage passes through the in-line water heater for delivering heated water to the brew basket. A a bi-directional valve disposed in the water passage between the water reservoir and the in-line water heater to permit substantially unrestricted flow in a first direction and restricted flow in a second direction. A controller can be provided for altering the valve between an unrestricted bi-directional mode and a unidirectional mode.

Abstract: A method of making coffee in a drip-type coffee maker includes adding heated water to a brew basket containing coffee grinds, allowing said water to accumulate within the brew basket, and at a predetermined moment opening an aperture in the brew basket to allow the water to drain. In a drip-type coffee maker the aperture in the brew basket has a closure. A controller is operable to move the aperture closure to the open position a predetermined moment after heated water is delivered to the brew basket. The predetermined moment may be when the water in the brew basket reaches a predetermined level, or a predetermined time after the coffee maker is activated.

Abstract: An electric hand mixer comprises a housing and a motor mounted with the housing. A gearbox is mounted with the housing and coupled with an output shaft of the motor. A pair of spindles having respective axes are positioned about a shared axis. The spindles are coupled with the gearbox for rotation about the respective axes and rotation about said third axis.

Abstract: A coffee maker includes a water reservoir, an in-line water heater, a brew basket for receiving coffee grinds, and a water passage between the reservoir and the brew basket. The water passage passes through the in-line water heater for delivering heated water to the brew basket. A rotating paddle is removably disposed in the brew basket to stir coffee grinds in the basket while heater water is supplied to the brew basket.