Abstract: The invention is directed to a tea filter assembly (10) adapted to be fitted to a coffee maker (18) in place of a coffee filter in order to be able to make tea with the coffee maker (18). It is known in the art to provide such a tea filter assembly (10) with a first valve (36) for closing an outlet (44) from the tea filter assembly (10) while the tea is steeping. It is a disadvantage in such a type of tea filter assembly (10) that upon termination of the steeping time hot water continues to be discharged from the coffee maker (18), flowing over the tea leaves and extracting bitter principle in the process. To avoid this drawback, provision is made in the invention for a water conduit (14) through which hot water exiting the coffee maker flows straight into a carafe after the steeping time has ended, without coming into contact with tea leaves contained in a tea basket (16).

Abstract: The invention is directed to a steam iron comprising a soleplate (1) in which a steam generating chamber (2) is provided which is surrounded by a heating element (8) and communicates through a channel (10) with outlet ports (11) for the steam produced in the steam generating chamber (2), and further comprising a water reservoir arranged above the soleplate (1) and including in the area of the steam generating chamber (2) a drop dispensing device for the water to be evaporated, wherein a baffle device (13) is provided beneath the drop dispensing device, the baffle device having at least two oppositely inclined surfaces (15) sloping from the drop impingement location of the water to be evaporated in the direction of the heating element (8), effecting spreading of the water to both sides of the steam generating chamber (2).

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: A beverage brewing machine including a reservoir for holding cold water, an electric heating unit which during operation heats the cold water to produce a brewing water, and a brewing unit. The brewing unit has a receiving chamber for receiving a filter insert into which product is placed. The filter insert has a water-permeable wall. The receiving chamber has a collecting groove which receives water and delivers the received water to the outside of the water-permeable wall when the filter insert is resting in the receiving chamber so that water flows through the sidewall into an upper portion of the product in the filter insert. The reservoir includes a first water outlet through which a portion of the brewing water is delivered onto the top of the product in the filter insert, and the reservoir includes a second water outlet through which another portion of the brewing water is delivered to the collecting groove and from there through the water permeable wall of the filter insert.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a kitchen appliance (1) for processing food which includes an appliance base (2) and a weighing device (36) incorporating a force-detecting element (39) capable of determining and indicating the weight of food contained in a vessel (8). During weighing the vessel (8) is carried by the force-detecting element (39) which is in turn connected with the appliance base (2). At least one bearing element (53) vertically slidable against the force of a biased spring (54) is provided between the force-detecting element (39) and the vessel (8). During weighing the vessel (8) rests on the bearing element (53) while being adapted to be latched with the appliance base (2) for operation of the kitchen appliance (1). The force-detecting element is comprised of a bending beam (39) fastened to the appliance base (2) and having strain gauges (41, 42) fitted thereto which supply a signal which is evaluated by an electronic circuitry and displayed.

Abstract: A fixedly positioned hot plate, particularly for use with a coffee maker, has an upper surface for receiving a container of liquid to be maintained at a constant temperature. An electric heating device arranged underneath the hot plate includes a plate member movable between a first position in biased engagement with the underside of the hot plate and a second position spaced therefrom to vary the heat exchange rate therebetween. Secured to the underside of the plate member is a metallic sheathed heating having a water heating pipe soldered to the periphery thereof. A temperature sensitive element, e.g. U-shaped bimetal, thermally coupled to the heating device has a first portion connected to a downwardly dependent stud secured to the underside of the hot plate and extending freely through a bore in the plate member an a second portion secured to the plate member.

Abstract: An ironing device which comprises an unheated soleplate, a fan, and a discharge port in the soleplate. The fan generates an air stream which is conveyed via the discharge port between the soleplate and a textile material. A large surface and supporting air cushion is developed between the soleplate and the textile material.

Abstract: A magnetic bearing having contactless position stabilization of a supported body which includes a damping and aligning arrangement. This arrangement includes two spaced rotating annular permanent magnets which form a gap therebetween and which are attached to a rotor supported by the bearing. A stationary plate having good electrical conductivity and extending into the gap between the permanent magnets, is cut by their rotating magnetic flux. Mechanical disturbances of the rotor generate eddy-currents in the conductive plate which currents damp out these disturbances. A portion of the plate outside the gap is much thicker than the portion in the gap and provides a very low resistance path for the eddy-currents.