Abstract: A water filter cartridge (10) has a two-piece housing (14, 18) internally configured with inlet and outlet openings (12, 16), a diffuser (42), and a plurality of diverter plates (56, 32) to optimize liquid flow and to regulate even flow through a charcoal filter medium (40) located inside of the housing.

Abstract: There is provided a stand mixer comprising a housing (12) with a top portion (14), a base (16) and a mixing bowl (18). A motor within the housing rotates one or more output shafts to spin various attachments such as mixing whisks and dough hooks. The preferred embodiment features a control panel (30) located on the housing in a limited amount of surface area for efficient use of space. The control panel (30) comprises a power/speed control section (32) and a time control section (34). The power/speed control section (32) is preferably in the form of a dial (36) and can be rotated to be set to one of a multitude of speed settings. The power/speed control section (32) contains an “ON/OFF” button (40) to control the main power to the stand mixer and a “Pulse/Fold” button (42), which when pressed, causes the attachments to rotate approximately 1.5 to 2.5 revolutions and then come to a complete stop.

Abstract: A water filter cartridge (10) has a two-piece housing (14, 18) internally configured with inlet and outlet openings (12, 16), a diffuser (42), and a plurality of diverter plates (56, 32) to optimize liquid flow and to regulate even flow through a charcoal filter medium (40) located inside of the housing.

Abstract: An optical safety interlock is provided for operating a control circuit or control switch that enables operator activation of an electrical appliance such as a food processor. The optical interlock has an emitter for emitting a signal, a detector for detecting the emitted signal, a reflector for relaying the emitted signal to the detector, and an actuator for selectively positioning the reflector in two or more positions. The emitter, detector, and reflector cooperate to close the control switch when the safety interlock is satisfied. The actuator cooperates with the reflector to selectively satisfy the safety interlock.

Abstract: A grind and brew coffee making apparatus for providing freshly brewed coffee and having a number of features for easy cleaning, more efficient maintenance and improved safety. The coffee making apparatus has a housing assembly with an upper separable top cover, a grinding assembly with a removable grinding chamber and separable grinding chamber cover, a brewing assembly with a removable brew basket and separable brew basket cover, a control assembly with a safety lock mechanism and a control panel for providing a user with control over the various operations of the coffee making apparatus.

Abstract: A container is provided. The container has a cover that remains thermally, sealingly engaged with the container during the filling and dispensing of the container, and has filling and dispensing channels that are thermally sealed when not in use.

Abstract: A coffee grinder having a grinder bin for containing an amount of coffee beans therein, a grinder base for supporting the grinder bin disposed on an upper surface area of the grinder base, and a grinder lid for covering the grinder bin disposed on the grinder base is provided. The grinder bin is removably connected to the grinder base.

Abstract: A container is provided. The container has a cover that remains thermally, sealingly engaged with the container during the filling and dispensing of the container, and has filling and dispensing channels that are thermally sealed when not in use.

Abstract: A grind and brew coffee making apparatus for providing freshly brewed coffee and having a number of features for easy cleaning, more efficient maintenance and improved safety. The coffee making apparatus has a housing assembly with an upper separable top cover, a grinding assembly with a removable grinding chamber and separable grinding chamber cover, a brewing assembly with a removable brew basket and separable brew basket cover, a control assembly with a safety lock mechanism and a control panel for providing a user with control over the various operations of the coffee making apparatus.

Abstract: A food processor that is operable in a dough mixing mode and in at least one other mixing mode. When in the dough mixing mode, the mixing impeller is driven at a continuous speed in the range of about 1,400 to about 1,600 rpm and preferably form about 1,400 rpm to about 1,550 rpm. When in the other mixing mode, the impeller is driven at a speed in excess of 1,600 rpm. The impeller has a blade assembly with an upper blade and a lower blade that are offset vertically and sloped toward one another to thereby slice a relatively wide swath of the dough ball during mixing.

Abstract: A food processor that is operable in a dough mixing mode and in at least one other mixing mode. When in the dough mixing mode, the mixing impeller is driven at a continuous speed in the range of about 1,400 to about 1,600 rpm and preferably form about 1,400 rpm to about 1,550 rpm. When i8n the other mixing mode, the impeller is driven at a speed in excess of 1,600 rpm. The impeller has a blade assembly with an upper blade and a lower blade that are offset vertically and sloped toward one another to thereby slice a relatively wide swath of the dough ball during mixing.

Abstract: A food processor with a motor control that disables speed regulation during motor start operation and high torque operation. Whenever motor speed is less than a set speed, both a motor starter winding and a main winding are energized without speed regulation. When the motor speed is equal to or greater than the set speed, the starter winding is disconnected and a voltage controller is enabled to control motor speed. During high torque conditions, the motor speed oscillates between set speed and a lower speed as the starter winding and the voltage controller are alternately switched in and out of the motor control circuit.

Abstract: A toaster broiler oven with an NTC temperature probe located within the oven chamber and a controller that controls the heater of the oven in a thermostat operation for non-toasting modes and in a variable toasting interval length operation in the toasting mode. When the toaster start switch is activated in the toast mode, the controller determines if the oven chamber temperature is greater than a predetermined temperature, such as room temperature. If not, a first toast interval is selected. If so, a second shorter toast interval is selected. The length of the second interval is chosen so that the toaster oven consistently produces toast of a selected color from one toast cycle to the next, regardless of the elapsed time between consecutive toast cycles.

Abstract: A coffee mill providing for mixing of coffee beans in different ratios includes a bin partitioned in the middle to form two chambers holding two different types of coffee beans. An outlet in the bottom center of the bin leads to a coffee grinder. This central outlet is surrounded by a base cylinder having a side opening leading to each chamber of the bin. The cylinder is covered by a cylindrical closure cap, also partially open on the side. The cap can block both chambers of the bin, one chamber, or provide partial blocking to one side and none to the other, thus allowing the user to adjust the ratio of different coffee beans by rotating the cap. The bin interlocks with the housing of the grinder, but can be disengaged for removal. The cylindrical closure cap is positioned to block the outlet from both section of the bin when the bin is to be removed.

Abstract: A coffee mill providing of coffee beans in different ratios includes a bin partitioned in the middle to form two chambers holding two different types of coffee beans. An outlet in the bottom center of the bin leads to a coffee grinder. This central outlet is surrounded by a base cylinder having a side opening leading to each chamber of the bin. The cylinder is covered by a cylindrical closure cap, also partially open on the side. The cap can block both chambers of the bin, one chamber, or provide partial blocking to one side and none to the other, thus allowing the user to adjust the ratio of different coffee beans by rotating the cap. The bin interlocks with the housing of the grinder, but can be disengaged for removal. The cylindrical closure cap is positioned to block the outlet from both section of the bin when the bin is to be removed.

Abstract: A cappuccino maker having a housing, a steam source, a coffee filter and holder for making coffee using water from the steam source, a coffee dispensing spout for dispensing the coffee, a milk frother and a milk dispensing spout for dispensing the frothed milk, wherein the milk dispensing spout and the coffee dispensing spout are capable of dispensing milk and coffee over a single container-receiving location, thus permitting milk and coffee to be dispensed into a container without having to move the container, and also having a milk receptacle having a valve, and a first base for the milk receptacle having a valve actuator for engaging the valve and a raised lip for receiving the milk receptacle or, in the absence of the receptacle, a cleaning fluid, the lip forming a reservoir on the first base.

Abstract: A separate, removable milk container is provided which can be attached to and detached from a cappucino coffee maker. Alternatively, it can be attached to a modified espresso maker, converting it to making cappucino. The container has make and break connections for a milk delivery tube, so that, when the unit is not in use, the milk container can be removed from the unit and stored in a refrigerator to prevent spoiling of the milk. The cappucino maker includes a steam line to heat the coffee and milk. This line runs through a venturi, drawing milk into it, and then forces the steamed and frothed milk to a steamed milk outlet proximate to the coffee dispensing spout. The separate milk container includes means for attaching it to the unit and a milk tube which runs to the venturi. Thus, in use, the venturi draws milk from the container into the steam line and to the frothed milk outlet.