Abstract: A spill-resistant material processor includes a vessel having an opening with a funnel-shaped rim, a lid, a processing blade rotationally mounted within the vessel, and a base having a motor therein to drive the processing blade and process any material within the vessel. The processor is particularly adapted to cut and mill coffee beans and avoid spillage of milled coffee from the lid and the vessel.

Abstract: A mold has a depression defining the shape of the bottom of an infusion pod. The opening of the depression is rimmed with a mold sealing surface. A coffee pressing bolt has a protrusion in substantial conformity to the shape of the depression. A bolt carrier has a resilient member biasing the bolt. The bolt carrier is axially moveable relative to the mold to repeatedly bring the form into contact with the mold in such a manner as to bring the mold sealing surface and the bolt carrier sealing surface into compressive relation while simultaneously bringing the bolt and the depression into juxtaposition. The resilient member has a spring coefficient high enough to conform a sheet of filter material to the shape of the depression and mold sealing surface so as to create a flanged filter cup in a cupping operation, yet low enough to avoid over packing a quantity of an infusable material deposited within the flanged filter cup in a sealing operation.

Abstract: A freshness indicator for a coffee maker having a controller is adapted to initiate the brewing of a quantity of beverage upon receiving a brewing command signal. A timer is adapted to output the time since activation of the timer upon a timer start command signal, and a display is adapted to display the output of the timer. The controller is adapted to output the timer start command signal to the timer at a predetermined time before, during or after brewing.

Abstract: A sweat scraper includes a core made of a first resilient material defining a scraper blade and a handle. A sheath made of a second resilient material substantially surrounds the side edges of the core and defines a continous border around the scraper blade edges. The first resilient material is preferably substantially less resilient than the second resilient material to form a compliant continues unshaped wiper blade.

Abstract: A humidifier having a lighted water tank. A lamp illuminates the tank so that the water level of the tank is visible from across the room. The lamp may extend into a lens, which in one embodiment is faceted to aid in dispersing light into the tank. The illuminated tank may also serve as a night light.