Abstract: A kettle has a spout closure movable between open and closed conditions, and an actuator assembly manually operable for effecting movement of the closure between the open and closed conditions, the actuator assembly including a retaining mechanism for retaining the closure in each of its open and closed conditions.

Abstract: A vessel has a body defining a storage unit and a spout communicating with the storage unit, a spout closure coupled to the body at a first coupling location for movement between open and closed positions, a handle having a front end movably coupled to the spout closure at a second coupling location and a rear end spaced from the body, and support structure fixed to the body and movably supporting the rear end of the handle at a third coupling location, the coupling locations being arranged so that the spout closure is unresponsive to a vertical lifting force exerted on the handle, but opens in response to a tipping force exerted on the handle by a user's hand.

Abstract: A local power generation system generates a substantially DC voltage at an inverter input, which is modulated to generate a resulting output AC power signal to a load. The inverter input voltage may be obtained from an engine generator, providing an AC power signal that is rectified. An energy storage device helps maintain the DC voltage at the inverter input when load power draw increases or during engine startup or acceleration, for example, until the engine accommodates the increased power demand. The system may also be used in an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) application, in which the load draws power from a utility-provided AC power source until a fault condition appears. When the fault condition appears, the load switches its power draw from the utility-provided AC power source to the inverter output. The energy storage device is charged through a bidirectional DC-to-DC converter and through an inverter that operates in a rectifier mode to rectify a utility-provided AC electrical power signal.

Abstract: A kettle is provided which includes a body defining a storage unit and including a spout coupled to the body and defining an opening. The kettle also includes a handle having first and second ends and coupled to the body for rotation about a second axis disposed between the first and second ends and engageably coupled to the spout lid, wherein the rotation of the handle in a first direction causes movement of the lid to its open position and rotation of the handle in a second direction causes movement of the lid to its closed position.

Abstract: A kettle is provided which includes a body defining a storage unit and including a spout coupled to the body and defining an opening. The kettle also includes a handle having first and second ends and coupled to the body for rotation about a second axis disposed between the first and second ends and engageably coupled to the spout lid, wherein the rotation of the handle in a first direction causes movement of the lid to its open position and rotation of the handle in a second direction causes movement of the lid to its closed position.