Abstract: A coffee pot heating unit is provided with a base, a heating area associated with the base and having a size sufficient to accommodate a bottom portion of a coffee container, and a heating apparatus associated with the heating area to heat the heating area. The heating apparatus may include a heating element, and the heating apparatus may have an electrical resistance such that the heating apparatus generates no greater than about 80 watts of electrical power when the heating apparatus is connected to a 120-volt electrical power source. The heating apparatus generates a substantially fixed and constant electrical power output that does not change substantially while the heating apparatus is connected to the 120-volt power source.

Abstract: A self-sealing coffee pot is provided with a coffee container for holding liquid coffee, a pouring spout associated with the coffee container, a cover associated with the coffee container and having an opening disposed therein, a pivot member mounted to the cover and being disposed adjacent the opening, and a support mechanism that pivotably supports the pivot member. The support mechanism supports the pivot member so that the pivot member is pivotable between a closed position in which the opening in the cover is closed by a portion of the pivot member and in which substantially no vapor may escape from the interior portion of the coffee container to the atmosphere through the opening in the cover and an open position in which the opening in the cover is open and in which liquid coffee can be poured into the coffee container from a location outside of the coffee container.

Abstract: An I.D. pipe clamp used for holding the ends of two pipes during welding, and having a means for inspecting the inside diameter of the root pass of the weld without removal of the pipe clamp or breaking of the purge gas seal. The pipe clamp has a frame with two clamping mechanisms for locking the clamp in position within the pipe ends. A means for inspecting, such as a video camera or other nondestructive testing device, is mounted on the pipe clamp between the two clamping mechanisms. Gas purge dams are located proximate each clamping mechanism to facilitate the creation of an inert gas purge in the region of the weld joint. The means for inspecting is operated to inspect the root pass of the weld prior to breaking the gas purge and prior to removal of the pipe clamp. The pipe clamp may also support a means for dressing of the weld I.D., such as a brush or a grinding tool, along with a vacuum line for removal of debris created during operation of the means for dressing.