Abstract: In a milk steamer, a changeover valve and a vent valve are connected to the inlet and the outlet of a steam-generating thermoblock to provide ready draining of water, and to mitigate condensation of steam that draws milk into the steam nozzle. In an automatic milk steamer, the height of the steam nozzle above the milk level is automatically set by interaction between a drive mechanism and a liquid level sensor.

Abstract: A beverage maker, such as a pump espresso machine, comprises a noise attenuator reducing pump noise. The noise attenuator has a housing with an inlet chamber receiving inlet flow from an inlet port, the inlet chamber having compliant walls permitting volumetric expansion. An outlet chamber in the noise attenuator housing has an outlet port and spheroidal walls. A flow-restrictor is disposed between the inlet and outlet chambers. An elastomeric insert in the housing forms the inlet chamber and at least part of the outlet chamber.

Abstract: A beverage maker, such as a pump espresso machine, comprises a noise attenuator reducing pump noise. The noise attenuator has a housing with an inlet chamber receiving inlet flow from an inlet port, the inlet chamber having compliant walls permitting volumetric expansion. An outlet chamber in the noise attenuator housing has an outlet port and spheroidal walls. A flow-restrictor is disposed between the inlet and outlet chambers. An elastomeric insert in the housing forms the inlet chamber and at least part of the outlet chamber.

Abstract: An electric toaster with a toasting carriage which is automatically raised from a toasting position to a first ejection position has a manually-operated mechanism for raising the carriage above the first ejection position to assist in removing smaller items from the toasting carnage. The carriage is slidably supported on an upright rail together with, and moveable independently of an actuating member, to which a handle is fixed, and a support member urged by a spring to an uppermost position. The actuating member abuts the carriage to move the carriage, the actuating member, and the support member simultaneously, both when the handle is moved downwards towards the toasting position and when the carriage, the actuating member and the support member are released by a hold-down mechanism to return the carriage to the first ejection position.

Abstract: An electric toaster with a toasting carriage which is automatically raised from a toasting position to a first ejection position has a manually-operated mechanism for raising the carriage above the first ejection position to assist in removing smaller items from the toasting carriage. The carriage is slidably supported on an upright rail together with, and moveable independently of, an actuating member, to which a handle is fixed, and a support member urged by a spring to an uppermost position. The actuating member abuts the carriage to move the carriage, the actuating member, and the support member simultaneously, both when the handle is moved downwards towards the toasting position and when the carriage, the actuating member and the support member are released by a hold-down mechanism to return the carriage to the first ejection position.