Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for brewing a beverage from precursor particulates. The apparatus comprises a liquid delivery system for delivering liquid into a brewing basket. The liquid delivery system comprises a showerhead disposed above at least a portion of the brewing basket. The showerhead has a plurality of outlet openings through which liquid flows outward from the showerhead into the brew basket. At least two of the outlet openings are oriented to direct the flow of liquid out of the showerhead at least in part transversely of the brew basket.

Abstract: A circuit configuration is disclosed for use in an appliance includes a power switch configured to open and close a first group of electrical contacts, where the contacts while closed cause the appliance to energize upon a user initiating a use of the appliance. The circuit configuration also includes a primary timing device electrically connected to the first group of electrical contacts, the primary timing device being actuated upon energization of the appliance and the primary timing device being configured to de-energize the appliance after a first time period by opening the first group of electrical contacts. The circuit configuration also includes a secondary timing device electrically connected to the power switch by a second group of electrical contacts, where the secondary timing device is configured to de-energize the appliance after a second time period, where the second time period is set based on the first time period.

Abstract: A circuit configuration is disclosed for use in an appliance includes a power switch configured to open and close a first group of electrical contacts, where the contacts while closed cause the appliance to energize upon a user initiating a use of the appliance. The circuit configuration also includes a primary timing device electrically connected to the first group of electrical contacts, the primary timing device being actuated upon energization of the appliance and the primary timing device being configured to de-energize the appliance after a first time period by opening the first group of electrical contacts. The circuit configuration also includes a secondary timing device electrically connected to the power switch by a second group of electrical contacts, where the secondary timing device is configured to de-energize the appliance after a second time period, where the second time period is set based on the first time period.

Abstract: An induction cooktop includes a housing defining a cavity, an inner induction coil positioned within the cavity and having a first shape, and an outer induction coil circumscribing the inner induction coil within the cavity and having a second shape different from the first shape of the inner induction coil.

Abstract: A circuit configuration is disclosed for use in an appliance includes a power switch configured to open and close a first group of electrical contacts, where the contacts while closed cause the appliance to energize upon a user initiating a use of the appliance. The circuit configuration also includes a primary timing device electrically connected to the first group of electrical contacts, the primary timing device being actuated upon energization of the appliance and the primary timing device being configured to de-energize the appliance after a first time period by opening the first group of electrical contacts. The circuit configuration also includes a secondary timing device electrically connected to the power switch by a second group of electrical contacts, where the secondary timing device is configured to de-energize the appliance after a second time period, where the second time period is set based on the first time period.

Abstract: A tabletop grill generally includes a first grill unit having a first grill plate and a first heating element for heating the first grill plate. The grill further includes a second grill unit positionable relative to the first grill unit. The second grill unit has a second grill plate and a second heating element for heating the second grill plate. The grill is configured to function as a broiler.

Abstract: Embodiments of a testing method for diabetics to optimize their administered insulin dosage comprise collecting sampling sets of biomarker data, each sampling set comprising a sufficient plurality of non-adverse sampling instances and each sampling instance comprising an acceptable biomarker reading at a single point in time recorded upon compliance with adherence criteria, determining a biomarker sampling parameter from each sampling set, comparing the biomarker sampling parameter to a target biomarker range, calculating an insulin adjustment parameter associated with the biomarker sampling parameter if the biomarker sampling parameter falls outside the target biomarker range, adjusting the insulin dosage by the insulin adjustment parameter if the biomarker sampling parameter falls outside the target biomarker range and the insulin dosage does not exceed maximum dosage, and exiting the testing method if the adjusted insulin dosage is optimized.

Abstract: A coffeemaker generally includes a reservoir and a flow control system for regulating a flow of water from the reservoir. The flow control system has a thin-film heating element that defines at least a portion of a heating conduit in which water is heated.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for brewing a beverage from precursor particulates. The apparatus comprises a liquid delivery system for delivering liquid into a brewing basket. The liquid delivery system comprises a showerhead disposed above at least a portion of the brewing basket. The showerhead has a plurality of outlet openings through which liquid flows outward from the showerhead into the brew basket. At least two of the outlet openings are oriented to direct the flow of liquid out of the showerhead at least in part transversely of the brew basket.

Abstract: A tabletop grill generally includes a first grill unit having a first grill plate and a first heating element for heating the first grill plate. The grill further includes a second grill unit positionable relative to the first grill unit. The second grill unit has a second grill plate and a second heating element for heating the second grill plate. The grill is configured to function as a broiler.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for brewing a beverage from precursor particulates. The apparatus comprises a liquid delivery system for delivering liquid into a brewing basket. The liquid delivery system comprises a showerhead disposed above at least a portion of the brewing basket. The showerhead has a plurality of outlet openings through which liquid flows outward from the showerhead into the brew basket. At least two of the outlet openings are oriented to direct the flow of liquid out of the showerhead at least in part transversely of the brew basket.

Abstract: An induction cooktop includes a housing defining a cavity, an inner induction coil positioned within the cavity and having a first shape, and an outer induction coil circumscribing the inner induction coil within the cavity and having a second shape different from the first shape of the inner induction coil.

Abstract: In a portable container system for heating a beverage generally, the system includes a container for containing a beverage to be heated. The container generally has a bottom and a side wall together defining an internal reservoir containing the beverage to be heated. A base of the system is operable to heat the container at the bottom thereof. The base is constructed of multiple layers generally including at least a top barrier layer, an electrically non-conductive bottom barrier layer and a thin film heating element intermediate the top barrier layer and the bottom barrier layer.

Abstract: In a cooking appliance, the appliance generally includes at least one cooking grate having a first rail, a second rail, and a plurality of rods extending between the first and second rails in spaced relationship with each other, each of the plurality of rods having a respective heating element such that the at least one cooking grate facilitates directly contacting a food product with a plurality of the heating elements during cooking.

Abstract: In a toaster and method for toasting a food product, the generally includes at least one thin-film heating element, the thin-film heating element including a resistive film coupled to a substrate and extending between a pair of electrical conductors.

Abstract: A coffeemaker generally includes a reservoir and a flow control system for regulating a flow of water from the reservoir. The flow control system has a thin-film heating element that defines at least a portion of a heating conduit in which water is heated.

Abstract: In a portable container system for heating a beverage generally, the system includes a container for containing a beverage to be heated. The container generally has a bottom and a side wall together defining an internal reservoir containing the beverage to be heated. A base of the system is operable to heat the container at the bottom thereof. The base is constructed of multiple layers generally including at least a top barrier layer, an electrically non-conductive bottom barrier layer and a thin film heating element intermediate the top barrier layer and the bottom barrier layer.

Abstract: A rapid-toasting toaster includes a housing having at least one slot configured to receive the food product and a heating box disposed within said housing. The heating box includes at least one basket disposed generally underneath the at least one slot and a heating unit disposed adjacent the at least one basket. The basket is configured to retain the food product and the heating unit is configured to radiate heat from a side facing the at least one basket. A filament is supported by the heating unit. The filament includes a wire having a resistance rating less than about 12 ohms/m and is configured in a pattern including at least two windings that are spaced apart a distance less than about 6 mm.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for brewing a beverage from precursor particulates. The apparatus comprises a liquid delivery system for delivering liquid into a brewing basket. The liquid delivery system comprises a showerhead disposed above at least a portion of the brewing basket. The showerhead has a plurality of outlet openings through which liquid flows outward from the showerhead into the brew basket. At least two of the outlet openings are oriented to direct the flow of liquid out of the showerhead at least in part transversely of the brew basket.

Abstract: A tabletop grill generally includes a first grill unit having a first grill plate and a first heating element for heating the first grill plate. The grill further includes a second grill unit positionable relative to the first grill unit. The second grill unit has a second grill plate and a second heating element for heating the second grill plate. The grill is configured to function as a broiler.