Abstract: A beverage brewing apparatus which includes a tank for containing heated water. Partitions are positioned in the heated water tank to define holding sections and a brewing section. Water is introduced into the holding sections of the tank and heated therein to a temperature of 180.degree.. Water retained in the heated water tank may pass from the holding sections around the partitions to the brewing section. A beverage holding reservoir is disposed in each of the holding sections of the tank so that heat from the water in the holding sections maintains a beverage disposed in the holding reservoirs at a desired temperature. A brewing assembly is associated with the holding reservoir and a dispensing head on a swing arm communicates with the brewing section and is positionable in relation to each of the brewing assemblies. A sensor and heater in the brewing section maintain the water retained therein at a temperature of 200.degree..

Abstract: A temperature control device and method for controlling water temperature for a fill water displacement beverage brewing apparatus. The beverage brewing apparatus includes a heated water reservoir for retaining a predetermined volume of water in a heated state and a thermostatically controlled heating device for heating the water in the heated water reservoir within a predetermined temperature range. The temperature control device includes a brew cycle activation device which automatically overrides the thermostatically controllable heating device for activating the heating device upon initiation of the brew cycle. The method heats fill water introduced into the reservoir regardless of the temperature of the water retained in the heated reservoir to reduce the time required to heat fill water to a desired water temperature.

Abstract: A temperature control device and method for controlling water temperature for a fill water displacement beverage brewing apparatus. The beverage brewing apparatus includes a heated water reservoir for retaining a predetermined volume of water in a heated state and a thermostatically controlled heating device for heating the water in the heated water reservoir within a predetermined temperature range. The temperature control device includes a brew cycle activation device which automatically overrides the thermostatically controllable heating device for activating the heating device upon initiation of the brew cycle. The method heats fill water introduced into the reservoir regardless of the temperature of the water retained in the heated reservoir to reduce the time required to heat fill water to a desired water temperature.

Abstract: A digital control system for a coffee bean grinder, particularly one with a dual hopper, which is conveniently programmable and automatically operable for selecting bean type and grinding with a high degree of accuracy bean quantities ranging from a few ounces (e.g., 3 ounces or less) for brewing a few cups of coffee, to large quantities (e.g., 2 pounds or more) for brewing several gallons of coffee. The invention may be confined entirely to a grinder, or may be incorporated in a brewing system consisting of a brewer and one or more grinder. The invention allows one grinder to accommodate one or more coffee grinders either of the same type or of different types (i.e., a brewer for making multi-cup quantities or urns for making gallon quantities).

Abstract: An elongate hollow tubular assembly mounts a temperature sensing element in a reservoir to determine the temperature of a liquid in the reservoir. The tubular assembly includes an inner tubular member constructed of a thin, light-weight, electrically insulating and thermally conducting material, an intermediate tubular member constructed of a thin, heat-sealable, dielectric material, having an end thereof which extends into the reservoir heat-sealed; and an outer tubular member constructed of a moldable, water-impervious, heat-resistant and durable material. A sealing arrangement is provided for sealing an end of the outer tubular member which extends into the reservoir.

Abstract: Apparatus for melting and heating shortening includes a housing having a top, a bottom and sidewalls; a heating grid mounted in the housing and spaced above the bottom thereof for melting shortening and allowing melted shortening to pass therethrough toward the bottom of the housing. A door is mounted to the housing for introducing a block of shortening onto the heating grid. A bottom heater is mounted adjacent the housing bottom for maintaining the melted shortening at a desired temperature. A control circuit maintains control of the operation of both the heating grid and the bottom heater in a predetermined fashion for initially melting a block of shortening introduced onto the heating grid while substantially preventing smoking of the same, and for maintaining melted shortening at the desired temperature.

Abstract: A boiling water dispenser includes a hot water reservoir, a user-actuated faucet for drawing boiling water from a discharge zone at the top of the reservoir, and a solenoid-actuated valve for admitting unheated water to an inlet zone at the bottom of the reservoir. An electric resistance heating element within the reservoir is supplied with AC current through a series- connected bilateral switch device which is periodically switched on and off in response to the sensing of steam in a reservoir venting conduit to maintain the dispensing temperature at the boiling point. An indicator lamp conditioned by a sensor in the reservoir confirms to the user that the dispensing temperature is at the boiling point.

Abstract: A hot water dispenser includes a hot water reservoir, a user-actuated faucet for drawing hot water from an outlet zone near the top of the reservoir, and a solenoid-actuated valve for admitting unheated water to an inlet zone at the bottom of the reservoir. An inline flow regulator establishes an inlet flow rate less than the faucet flow rate to maximize the volume of hot water available at the faucet. An electric resistance heating element within the reservoir is supplied with AC current through a series-connected bilateral switch device which is periodically switched on and off in accordance with the temperature of water sensed by a sensor at the faucet to maintain a constant dispensing temperature. The switch device is thermally coupled to the bottom of the reservoir such that the reservoir acts as a heat sink to dissipate heat generated during switching. An indicator lamp conditioned by the sensor confirms to the user that the dispensing temperature is within a predetermined range.

Abstract: A beverage brewer includes a water reservoir in which water is heated to a predetermined brewing temperature by a resistance heater element within the reservoir. To initiate a brewing cycle cold water is admitted to the reservoir for a predetermined time period through an electrically operated fill valve to displace a predetermined volume of heated water from the reservoir. The heated water flows through a beverage filter containing coffee or tea to a serving beaker. A temperature interlock circuit having a temperature sensing element in the reservoir prevents actuation of the fill valve when the reservoir temperature falls below a predetermined minimum level.

Abstract: Apparatus for indicating level of material comprises a cable vertically suspended so as to contact and be surrounded by the material. The cable is suspended from a cam follower mechanism that engages a cam coupled to a motor for selectively introducing slack in the cable, such that the upper portion of the cable unsupported by the material engages and is suspended from a load cell. Circuitry is responsive to cable weight measured by the load cell for indicating level of the material. The motor comprises a rotary electric motor having a horizontal axis of rotation perpendicular to the vertical cable. The cam comprises a cam plate coupled to the motor to rotate about the motor axis and having an asymmetric periphery surrounding the axis of rotation. The cam follower mechanism comprises an arm pivotally mounted in fixed position adjacent to the cam plate and supporting a roller that engages the cam plate periphery.

Abstract: A monitor is provided for a field planting machine having a plurality of planting units and a plurality of seed sensors respectively associated with the planting units for producing seed signals in response to the dispensing of seeds thereby. The monitor comprises a plurality of sensor circuits coupled in series circuit, one of the sensor circuits being coupled intermediate each of the sensors and a common signal line. These sensor circuits and the associated sensors are sequentially selectable for causing a first condition on the common signal line in response to production of seed signals at or above a predetermined rate and a second condition on the common signal line in response to the non-production of seed signals at or above the predetermined rate.

Abstract: A seed sensor for sensing seeds flowing along a path is provided with an electromagnetic transducer having a movable diaphragm. An arm is secured to a generally peripheral portion of the diaphragm and extends into the seed flow path to be struck at random by the seeds. The arm has a portion operatively engageable with a mid portion of the diaphragm and functions as a mechanical amplifier to actuate the diaphragm when struck by the seeds for producing usable output signals.

Abstract: An air pressure monitor includes an electro-mechanical sensor comprising a flexible diaphragm whose deflection is proportional to the air pressure applied thereto, and a variable inductor including a coil and a movable core inside of the coil, the movable core being attached to the flexible diaphragm for movement in response to the deflection thereof to adjust the inductance of the coil in proportion to the air pressure applied to the diaphragm. The monitor further comprises electrical circuits including a first oscillator circuit including the coil for producing a pressure signal at a frequency proportional to the pressure in response to the inductance of the coil, and a second oscillator circuit for producing a reference signal at a frequency corresponding to the frequency produced by the first oscillator when the pressure is substantially zero.

Abstract: A seed level sensor for automatic seed planting apparatus is provided with connecting plugs for connecting the seed level sensor to electrical leads presently existing between a seed dispensing sensor and a seed planter monitor. The seed level sensor includes a switching device connected in one of the lines of the electrical leads between the seed dispensing sensor and the seed planter monitor and which interrupts the operation of the seed dispensing sensor when the level of seeds within the hopper is below a predetermined level. An indicator associated with the seed planter monitor is energized for a given period of time when seeds are below the predetermined level, to alert the operator that a low seed level exists in the hopper.