Abstract: Filter apparatus for filtering liquids comprising a hollow filter body (12) mounted in a housing (18) having an inlet port (22) for supplying liquid to be filtered to the interior of the housing. An outlet port (24) for filtered liquid communicates with the interior of the filter body. A motor (16) is arranged to rotate the filter body around a vertical axis and paddles on the filter body cause liquid to be filtered to flow in a direction around the axis. In operation, at least some of the matter, such as particulate matter held in suspension or carried by the liquid which is heavier than the liquid, is caused to be directed outwardly in a direction from said filter body towards said housing. This matter would also be downwardly directed towards the bottom of the housing.

Abstract: A circuit breaker comprises a housing (1) having a first face and an opposed second face, accessible electrical contacts (105, 106, 108, 115) exposed on each of the faces. An electrical connection is provided between at least one of the contacts (105) and an associated contact (106) on the second face. At least one further contact (108, 115) on the second face is engageable with the at least one contact (105, 112) on the first face of an adjacent circuit breaker.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus for heating, brewing, storing and dispensing a hot liquid. Known brewing apparatus typically dispenses hot water and a single beverage. Where a selection of beverages are desired a plurality of such apparatus is required. This brewing apparatus in accordance with the invention has within a single housing a hot water unit and a plurality of beverage brewing units to dispense different hot beverages. Further, each of the brewing units consists of a heating and brewing portion and a liquid storing and dispensing portion, the liquid storing and dispensing portion being detachable from the apparatus to dispense beverage at a location distant from the apparatus. The detachable liquid storing and dispensing unit comprises an insulated container with a liquid dispensing tap having a valve positioned well within the insulated wall of the container and a steam trap at the inlet to the container to prevent heat losses from the container.

Abstract: A coffee and/or tea disperser having a cold water reservoir connected to a water heater which is connected in turn to a spray head. Below the head is a container for a bed of coffee grains or tea leaves and below which again is a tank for the infused beverage. Cups of freshly infused coffee or tea can be metered from the tank by a dispensing valve. In order to ensure that the amount of coffee dispensed does not vary by any significant amount as the head of liquid in the tank varies, the tank is disposed above the surface on which the cup rests by a distance, measured from the maximum head of liquid in the tank to said datum, which is at least six times the maximum displacement of liquid in the tank. Moreover the tank is wide and low. The tank is preferably dismountable for easy cleaning and level probes normally protruding into the tank are arranged to be swung out of the tank to assist dismounting.

Abstract: Tea making apparatus of the type comprising of the means for supplying heated water over a basket for holding a bed of tea leaves. In accordance with the invention a syphon tube is provided to delay the passage of hot water through the tea leaf bed until the hot water reaches a pre-determined level so that the hot water is in contact with the tea leaves for a period in excess of one minute before discharge. The inlet arm of the syphon tube has a roughened inner surface to maintain droplets of brewed tea therein, following discharge of the brew from the tea leaf bed, the droplets serving to aid the start of a secondary syphon on accumulation of brewed tea above the level of the syphon inlet. Thus after the initial brew, water remains in contact with the tea leaf bed for only a short time so that the leaves do not become oversoaked.

Abstract: An ultra-violet ray water sterilizer comprising a container having two chambers connected together only adjacent the bottom internal surfaces of the chambers, one chamber containing a germicidal ultra-violet ray lamp extending up the chamber from the bottom surface thereof, the said one chamber having an outlet adjacent the top of the ultra-violet lamp, the second chamber having a water inlet. Thus, the water may be poured into the said second chamber and when this is to be dispensed upon tilting the units so that water emerges from the outlet at the top of the first chamber, all the water passes the ultra-violet ray lamp and becomes sterilized.

Abstract: Water dispensing apparatus which is intended to dispense sterilized chilled water comprising a sterilization unit having an inlet for connection to mains water supply and having its outlet connected to a refrigeration unit, the refrigeration unit having a tap or dispensing valve. Preferably, the sterilizing unit comprises an ultra violet lamp surrounded by an outer tube and through which water flows between inlet and outlet. If desired a water reservoir may be connected to the sterilizer, the arrangement being such that water is sterilized both on entering the reservoir and on leaving the reservoir and so that make-up air is sterilized on entering the reservoir.

Abstract: A coffee and/or tea dispenser having a cold water reservoir connected to a water heater which is connected in turn to a spray head. Below the head is a container for a bed of coffee grains or tea leaves and below which again is a tank for the infused beverage. Cups of freshly infused coffee or tea can be metered from the tank by a dispensing valve. In order to ensure the head of liquid applied to the valve is within reduced limits the tank is wide and low. The tank is preferably dismountable for easy cleaning and level probes normally protruding into the tank are arranged to be swung out of the tank to assist dismounting. The dispensing valve is preferably formed with a flexible liquid conduit squeezed between three abutments so that the tube is not clamped but rather distorted into a closed state.