Abstract: A liquid heating appliance having a dispensing valve which is supported by a liquid reservoir and which includes an axially compressible conduit connected at its upper end to the reservoir and supporting at its lower end a nozzle, the nozzle supporting a valve member which is unseated by compressing the conduit.

Abstract: A magnetic flowmeter which includes a spool formed by a metallizable ceramic whose dielectric constant is at least 25 through which the fluid to be metered is conducted. The outer surface of the spool is metallized in its central region to define a pair of capacitative metering electrodes at diametrically-opposed positions, an electromagnetic field being established within the spool whereby when the flowing fluid intercepts this field, an emf is induced therein to produce a signal at the metering electrodes which is a function of flow rate. Overlying each metering electrode and projecting from the spool is a ceramic block whose outer surface is metallized to define a shield electrode which covers the metering electrode.

Abstract: A travel iron having a handle which pivots sideways between an upright "use" position and a flat "storage" position wherein the handle is pivotally mounted on the main body portion of the iron at its rear end only and wherein cam ramp and pin means provide longitudinal forward and rearward movement of the handle during its pivotal movement whereby to stabilize both ends of the handle when the handle is in its upright "use" position. A pump actuator mounted in the main body portion of the iron is actuated by a plunger slidably mounted in the handle. A dual-voltage sole plate heating circuit has a pair of identical heating elements connected in series in one voltage position of a dual-voltage switch and in parallel in the other voltage position with the output wattage being the same in both voltage positions of the switch.

Abstract: An ultrasonic flowmeter for accurately measuring the flow rate of clean or dirty industrial process fluids passing through a pipe provided with upstream and downstream transducers. A transmission signal produced by a high-frequency generator acts to energize the transducers which are alternately excited at a relatively low switching rate whereby a beam emitted by the excited transducer is propagated through the fluid at an angle to the flow axis of the pipe and is intercepted by the other transducer to yield a received signal that is displaced in phase from the transmission signal to an extent depending on the transit time of the beam which reverses direction during each switching cycle. The received signals from the transducers are converted into a square wave that is compared to a wave derived from the transmission signal to produce a comparison output which is fed through a low-pass filter to exclude the high frequency content thereof.

Abstract: A lightweight pressing and steaming iron having a soleplate with a heating element and steam passages in communication with steam ports including a first plastic housing member mounted on the soleplate and defining the bottom wall of a water reservoir and a second plastic housing member disposed over and secured to the first plastic housing member by a suitable sealant and defining the top and side walls of the water reservoir. The second plastic housing member also defines a tower-like structure at the forward end of the iron and a handle projecting rearwardly from the upper end of the tower-like structure. A valve located between the water reservoir and the soleplate steam passages includes an orifice adapted, when the valve is open, to provide a predetermined flow of water from the reservoir to the steam passages for normal steam ironing.

Abstract: A coffeemaker in which heated water infuses coffee grounds held in a basket, includes a spreader, which is associated with the basket, and which is adjustable so as to enable relative proportions of the water bypassing and not bypassing the grounds to be adjusted. None of the water bypasses the grounds at one selected position, for four dry measures of coffee grounds and four liquid measures of heated water, whereas a small portion of the water bypasses the grounds at another selected position, for more dry measures of coffee grounds and more liquid measures of heated water.

Abstract: Apparatus for brewing small quantities of coffee in a receptacle which may be used for a drinking mug or serving vessel, the brewing portion of the apparatus being detachably mounted so that a portion thereof extends within the mug and including a brewing basket and liner adapted to utilize a disposable paper filter. The liner having a capacity substantially equal to the portion of the receptacle below the brewing apparatus and being provided with a spreader plate at its bottom which limits the expansion of the coffee grounds when the liner and basket are locked together.