Abstract: A flow heater comprises a heating element (48; 248) and a first heating region (18, 20; 218, 220) heated by the heating element (48; 248) for heating liquid flowing therethrough to a first temperature below boiling. The flow heater also comprises a second heating region (22; 222) for heating the liquid to a second temperature below boiling. The second region (22; 222) has means (25; 225) for permitting the exit of steam therefrom separately from heated liquid. The flow heater cannot be operated so that bulk boiling of said liquid takes place in the second region (22; 222).

Abstract: A cordless electrical appliance comprises an appliance part comprising at least two functional components (T1, M1) and a base for supplying electrical power to the appliance part. A cordless electrical connector (6) makes electrical connection between the appliance part and the base part in use. Both of the functional components (T1, M1) are connected between a pair of electrical connections provided by the connector (6) and arranged such that at least one of the functional components (T1, M1) is selectively energised in response to a change in the relative polarities of the two electrical connections. A switch such as a diode (D1) may be provided between the two functional components (T1, M1), so as to switch ON or OFF the current to a functional component (T1, M1) depending on the polarity of the connections.

Abstract: A heater for heating liquid to boiling comprises a heating element (48; 106), a first heating region (18, 20; 100) heated by said heating element (48; 106) for heating liquid flowing therethrough to a temperature below boiling, and a second heating region (22; 102) for heating said liquid to boiling. The second region permits the exit of steam therefrom separately from heated water.

Abstract: A steam generating appliance such as an electric iron comprises a base unit and a hand-held mobile unit which can be releasably coupled to the base unit. The base unit comprises a reservoir for water and a pump for pumping water from the reservoir into the mobile unit when the mobile unit is coupled to the base unit. The mobile unit comprises a boiler and an on-board reservoir for water, wherein the on-board reservoir is adapted to store water received from the base unit under pressure and to deliver the water to the boiler under the control of a user-operable valve.

Abstract: A steam generator e.g. for a hand-held portable appliance such as a domestic iron or steam cleaner comprises a water inlet, a boiler, a valve for controlling the entry of water into the boiler and means for delivering a surge of water to the boiler when the valve is opened. Also disclosed is an adaptor for supplying electrical power to a mobile electrical appliance. The adaptor is operable in a corded mode when secured to the appliance for supplying electrical power and water while the appliance is being used; or a cordless mode when secured to a base unit such that electrical and water connection can be made by placing the appliance on or against the base unit; and broken by lifting or moving the appliance away from the base unit.

Abstract: A liquid heating vessel comprising heating means for heating liquid in the vessel, electronic control means, electromagnetic switching means for interrupting or reducing power to the heating means, and temperature sensing means for providing a signal dependent on the temperature of liquid in the vessel to the control means. The control means is arranged to operate the electromagnetic switching means to interrupt or reduce power to the heating means in response to the control means determining that a pre-determined temperature condition has been reached.

Abstract: An electric infusion beverage maker comprises a liquid heating chamber having electric heating means associated therewith for heating liquid in the chamber. An infusion chamber receives in use a beverage to be infused. A pump transfers heated liquid from the liquid heating chamber to the infusion chamber at a transfer rate. The infusion chamber has outlet means arranged such that beverage-infused liquid drains out of the infusion chamber and into the liquid heating chamber at a drainage rate which is lower than the transfer rate. This means that liquid cannot pass straight through the infusion chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for heating liquid comprises a heating chamber, a dispensing chamber and a conduit. The conduit conveys heated liquid from the heating chamber to the dispensing chamber for automatic dispensing. The dispensing chamber has valve means through which the heated liquid is dispensed, which are operable to interrupt the automatic dispensing. An apparatus for heating liquid comprises a heating chamber, a dispensing chamber and a conduit. The conduit conveys heated liquid from the heating chamber to the dispensing chamber for automatic dispensing. The apparatus comprises means for determining a volume of heated liquid to be dispensed automatically.

Abstract: A liquid heating apparatus has a first mode of operation in which a first volume of water can be heated and a second mode of operation in which a second, smaller volume of water can be heated and automatically dispensed. The first mode may be provided by a removable liquid heating vessel. The second mode may be provided by a second heating chamber comprising a heater arranged to heat liquid and dispense it through an outlet. The second heating chamber is filled with water from the removable liquid heating vessel.

Abstract: An apparatus for heating a measured amount of water comprises a heating chamber, a dispensing chamber and a conduit for conveying water from the heating chamber to an inlet of the dispensing chamber. The apparatus is arranged such that an increase in pressure associated with boiling forces heated water into the conduit and then into the dispensing chamber.

Abstract: An underfloor heater for a liquid heating vessel comprises a base plate, a heat diffuser portion in good thermal contact with the base plate, a heating element in good thermal contact with the diffuser portion and a sensing region for receiving a thermal sensor. The sensing region is not directly connected to the diffuser portion and is at least partly surrounded by a wall. The sensing region may be provided with a second separate diffuser portion comprising a disc of aluminum brazed to the underside of the base plate.

Abstract: A water treatment cartridge comprises an additive channel arranged so that only some of the water passing through the cartridge passes through it. The additive channel comprises means for automatically releasing an additive into the water in the channel. The additive channel is arranged to control the additive dose. The cartridge may also contain a water treatment or filter medium.

Abstract: An underfloor heater for a liquid heating vessel comprises a base plate, a heat diffuser portion in good thermal contact with the base plate, a heating element in good thermal contact with the diffuser portion and a sensing region for receiving a thermal sensor. The sensing region is not directly connected to the diffuser portion and is at least partly surrounded by a wall. The sensing region may be provided with a second separate diffuser portion comprising a disc of aluminum brazed to the underside of the base plate.

Abstract: A liquid heating vessel comprising heating means for heating liquid in the vessel, electronic control means, electromagnetic switching means for interrupting or reducing power to the heating means, and temperature sensing means for providing a signal dependent on the temperature of liquid in the vessel to the control means. The control means is arranged to operate the electromagnetic switching means to interrupt or reduce power to the heating means in response to the control means determining that a pre-determined temperature condition has been reached.

Abstract: A water treatment cartridge has a major and a minor axis in a horizontal cross-section and mounting lugs provided at the upper end of the cartridge, generally aligned with the major axis of the cartridge.

Abstract: A water treatment vessel is adapted for receiving, in use, an elapsed time indicator. The vessel comprises denominating means, for denominating a portion of the indicator corresponding to a desired elapsed time, so as to allow a user to see when the indicator indicates the desired elapsed time. The denominating means may comprise one or more windows such that only a selected portion of the indicator is visible. The vessel is arranged to activate the indicator automatically when it is installed.

Abstract: An electric beverage maker includes a lower, water boiling vessel, a funnel extending into the lower vessel and having an upper compartment for receiving a beverage, and an upper vessel mounted over the funnel to receive water which has passed up the funnel through the compartment, and from which the beverage is dispensed. The lower vessel is formed with an opening in its lower region, which is closed by a thick film electric heater. The heater is controlled by a control which operates to disable the heater until such time as the control is reset manually by a user.

Abstract: A water treatment and storage vessel has a reservoir for untreated water and filter means in fluid communication with the reservoir. A main vessel portion is provided for receiving and storing treated water which comprises a Peltier-effect device for removing heat from treated water therein, thereby cooling the water.

Abstract: A beverage maker 2 comprises a first chamber 4, a second chamber 6 arranged on top of said first chamber 4, with a tube 8 extending down from said second chamber 6 into said first chamber 4 for transferring liquid between the two chambers. The base of the first chamber 4 has a first region 26 at least a portion of which is arranged to boil dry and a second region 28 which is arranged to retain a quantity of liquid after the first region 26 boils dry. The first region 26 is separated from the second region 28 by a wall 30. The underside of the base of the first chamber 26 is provided with one or more sheathed heating elements 32 arranged below the first region 26 of the base and also with a heat transfer member 20 which extends between the first and said second regions of the base. A thermal control 24 has a sensor arranged to detect when the first region of the base boils dry so as to interrupt the power supply to or reduce the heating output of the heating apparatus.