Abstract: A boiling water heater incorporating a tank with electrical heating element and water level control wherein the supply of current to the element is controlled by the temperature in an inclined condenser tube extending upwardly from the top of the tank. The condenser tube incorporates a steam exhaust flue, a temperature sensing bulb and a cold water inlet. The temperature sensing bulb is located with its lower end adjacent the cold water inlet into the condenser tube but below the steam exhaust flue outlet from that tube. The thermostat controls the operation of the heating element and the water level control valve so that the element is disconnected from the electricity supply and the control valve opened in response to the temperature in the condenser tube being above a predetermined lower limit when the water level in the tank as sensed by the water level control is above a predetermined lower limit.

Abstract: An AC power source is coupled with a heater circuit containing a series circuit including a cover switch for a coffee maker, a thermal switch for controlling the temperature of a heating unit and a control switch for turning on and off a heater of the heating unit. A detecting circuit is connected between a signal take-out node as a juction point between the heater and the thermal switch and one end of the AC power source. The detecting circuit responds to a given on-off states of each of the switches to receive a detection current from the signal take-out node, and produces a detection signal for controlling a control apparatus for the coffee maker.

Abstract: A unit for independently storing liquids and heating and cooling in separate liquid containers that is adaptable for mounting in a vehicle, and preferably shaped to fit over the transmission hump of a vehicle floor. The heating and/or cooling means is a separate thermoelectric junction unit mounted to each container and powered by the electric supply of a built-in battery of the vehicle. The spigot of each container is connected to the outlet of a separate pump so that the spigot may be located above the bottom of the container. The thermoelectric junction of two tanks may be connected so that the passage of electricity through the connected junctions serves to cool one tank and heat the other. Alternatively, each junction may be fitted with a separate heat sink or cold sink.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser in which a sensor provides an output corresponding to the level of the beverage in a storage reservoir from which the beverage is dispensed. In response to user actuation a dispensing valve is enabled for such a time interval, determined in accordance with the output of the sensor, as to compensate for variations in flow rate due to variations in the beverage level in the reservoir. The level sensor output is also used to control a level-indicating display and to disable the reservoir heater when the reservoir is empty. Preferably the sensor is a strain gauge adhered to the surface of a relatively thin resilient beam which supports a portion of the reservoir.

Abstract: An electrically heated container for boiling liquids is provided with a thermally sensitive electrical control including a switch-on-dry protector switch unit directly connected with the cold leads of an electric heating element located externally of the container and in contact with the bottom wall thereof. The protector switch unit includes a thermally sensitive switch means enclosed in a protective housing having projecting terminal pins engageable by a female socket connector. The protector switch unit is mounted on a thermally conductive mounting plate located externally of the container and in contact with the heating element. The plate is enclosed by a detachable base member on the container. A steam-sensitive switch unit is mounted on the protector switch unit and includes a thermally sensitive element arranged to be impinged by steam produced by liquid boiling in the container and mechanically coupled to the switch means of the protector switch unit for deenergizing the heating element.

Abstract: An electric single-pass drip-type coffeemaker includes a plastic base having an upper half with an opening surrounded by a downward lip. A metal warming plate closes the opening and is laterally immobilized by downwardly projecting spaced bosses around the opening. A central upward protuberance on the lower half of the base terminates in a high temperature silicone pad which engages the underside of the warming plate and presses the plate up against a gasket seated in a groove in the lip to vertically immobilize the warming plate between the lip and the silicone pad when the upper and lower base halves are secured together. A U-shaped metallic extrusion is welded or soldered to the underside of the warming plate and includes an upper passage containing an electric heating element controlled by an adjustable thermostat secured to the extrusion and a lower water heating passage connected to the cold water reservoir and hot water discharge spout of the coffeemaker.

Abstract: A coffeemaker is provided with a power circuit and a control circuit. The power circuit is connected to a household source of electric power and it is activated by a relay switch. The control circuit includes a relay coil for the switch, and a triac that may be triggered into conduction when a turn on signal from an electronic timer module is applied to the control terminal of the triac simultaneously with the application of direct current control circuit voltage across the triac. Thereafter, the triac remains in its conductive state so long as the direct current flowing through the triac remains above a minimum level. Subsequent removal of the turn on signal from the control terminal of the triac has no effect on the operation of the power circuit which includes the coffeemaker heating means so long as the direct current flowing through the triac remains above a minimum level.

Abstract: An automatic drip coffee maker makes drip coffee by providing a relatively small water reservoir that holds less than the total quantity of water. The coffee maker automatically transfers the remainder of the total quantity of water to the beverage storage container. The coffee maker also automatically heats the water in the reservoir and transfers it to a basket of ground coffee to make a concentrated brew which drips into the storage space which already contains a quantity of water sufficient to dilute the concentrated brew to a desired drinking strength. The same beverage strength is produced over a narrow range of brewing times for a wide range of cups brewed. The coffee maker is significantly smaller overall than conventionally configured drip coffee makers. The convenience of conventional coffee makers is maintained, e.g. structural components to be handled by the user do not exceed those of a conventional percolator. Other than one or more bimetal thermostats, there are no moving parts.

Abstract: An electric heating appliance such as a coffeemaker, has a metallic base with an upper exposed surface and an electric heater on its lower side for heating the surface by conduction. A thermostat comprising a plastic-walled packaged unit with an opening through which an internal bimetal sensor is exposed is provided for controlling the heater and is mounted in a depressed niche formed in the surface of the heater. A detachable U-shaped metallic cover covers the opening and includes a heat-conducting projection extending through the opening very closely adjacent the sensor. The thermostat is positioned so that the cover faces and abuts the surface of the niche and a flexible clamp secures the thermostat in the niche and biases the projection and sensor closely together for fast thermostat response. The base may be an aluminum casting with the heater comprising a cast-in circular sheathed electric heating element.

Abstract: A coffee brewing device of the percolator type. Fundamentally, the invention comprises a pot for receiving liquid therein and having positioned at the bottom thereof a cylindrical pump member characterized by an essentially flat top and by a tubular pump chamber of greater radial length than the vertical depth of the pump chamber at the top of the pump member. Six to ten uniform holes or orifices of a total area of between about 0.0258 and 0.043 square inches are provided in uniformly spaced relationship about the bottom of the pump assembly. Received within the pump is a dual element fat-topped heater consisting of a core having two heating element wires wrapped thereabout in a parallel spiraling fashion. The flat top of the pump member is spaced from between 1/16" and 1/8" from the flat top of the heater.

Abstract: The invention relates to a coffee brewing machine which is particularly suitable for family use and for a small commercial establishment, such as a refreshment room. The machine extracts the coffee beverage from a pod which contains ground coffee and is housed in a chamber defined by an upper block and by a removable lower box, between a jet-forming member fixed to the upper block and a filter housed in the removable lower box. It includes a water container, a heater and a pump which supplies the water to the chamber at the proper temperature and pressure. In the chamber the water penetrates the pod and extracts the coffee beverage therefrom and then the coffee beverage flows out of the machine.

Abstract: There is provided a coffeemaker comprising a water reservoir, a quartz-glass tubular heating chamber having an external electrical heating element in contact therewith, an inlet tube for conducting water from the reservoir through the chamber, and an outlet tube for discharging the heated water over ground coffee. Associated therewith is a switch responsive to the temperature of the heating chamber wall for automatically de-energizing the heating element. When the flow of water through the heating chamber ceases, the heat capacity of the heating chamber, the electrical power consumption of the heating element, and the location and the adjustment of the temperature-responsive switch are so related to each other that the heating chamber walls will be rapidly heated to a temperature of at least about 450.degree. C. before the heating element is de-energized by the temperature-responsive switch. The result is that any scale on the heating chamber walls is thereby thermally decomposed and removed.

Abstract: A coffee brewing apparatus has a hot water reservoir which sets, unconnected, on a housing above a grounds basket. The carafe rests upon a warming plate below the basket. The control unit is attached to the reservoir and the control unit is held by two screws to the housing so that the control unit and the reservoir may be readily removed as a unit from the housing for maintenance. The pouring tray is clamped to the top of the reservoir to form a vapor seal between the hot water reservoir and pouring tray. The vapor seal prevents the machines "boiling dry" by preventing vapors from escaping to condense on the apparatus.

Abstract: Calcification sufficient to cause material impairment of heat transfer is indicated in a water heater in an electric appliance, such as a coffee maker. The water heater has a first and a second temperature-dependent switch thermally coupled thereto. The first switch serves as a final interrupter or temperature control. The switching temperature of the second switch is below that of the first one in the range of temperatures which occur in the water heating operation if excessive calcification is present. A time delay member after a predetermined time actuates an indicating signal. The time delay member is in operation when only the second temperature-dependent switch is in responded condition. The time delay member ceases operation and returns to its original state when both temperature-dependent switches are in the responded state or the original condition.

Abstract: A beverage brewer housing structure cooperatively defined by a water heating tank, a portion of a basin overlying the heating tank for receiving poured-in cold water and delivering the water to the heating tank, and a cover overlying the basin. A pour-in drawer may be provided in the cover to be selectively disposable in a retracted disposition within the cover and a pour-in position wherein at least a portion of the drawer is exposed. The cover may be removably secured in the housing structure and in the illustrated embodiment, is secured to the tank.

Abstract: A coffee machine comprising a pressure-tight boiler having a hot water tank and a cold water tank having a volume at least about half the volume of said hot water tank, a heater located in the hot water tank, a filter chamber, a discharge line connected to the filter chamber, an ascending tube running from the bottom of the hot water tank to the inlet end of said discharge line, hot water being forced up through said ascending tube after heating of the water by a buildup of pressure in said boiler, the hot water passing into the discharge line and to the filter chamber, said cold water tank communicating with said hot water tank in an upper region of said boiler and also through a connection near the bottom thereof so that as the hot water is forced out of the hot water tank, cold water will flow into the hot water tank from the cold water tank, the connection controlling the quantity of cold water supplied to thereby controlling the maximum temperature of the hot water and substantially preventing heat from

Abstract: A cantilevered instantaneous heating brewer for brewing beverages, such as coffee, wherein the heat transfer structure includes a heavy heat transfer mass. Cold water is supplied to the heat transfer mass to have heat transfer association therewith and thereby be heated to the desired brewing temperature. The mass is disposed in overlying relationship to a rear upright portion of the brewer housing so as to provide a stable arrangement of the brewer as against undesirable forward tipping. To further minimize the tendency for tipping of the cantilevered arrangement, the brewing cartridge normally carried on the front portion of the cantilevered head is made to be relatively lightweight. In the illustrated embodiment, the heat transfer structure includes a plurality of stacked relatively heavy massive elements with the stack being disposed at the rear of the head overlying the rear upright portion of the housing.

Abstract: A coffee or tea maker has a freshwater receptacle which is connected with a continuous flow heater by a freshwater intake. Heated water leaves the continuous flow heater through a riser. The freshwater intake and the riser are coupled by a conduit in which cold freshwater and heated water admix and in which a thermostat switch is disposed. The latter controls the energization of the heater as a function of the temperature changes of the water mixture in the conduit. An additional heating means arranged in heat exchange relationship with the thermostat switch maintains the heater in a deenergized state after completion of the brewing process. An adjustable throttle valve may be provided for regulating the admission of fresh water into the conduit.

Abstract: The coffee maker includes a reservoir and a heating chamber, having a vent tube, connected to the reservoir for receiving water therefrom, a heater for the heating chamber, and a coffee making area connected to the heating chamber. A control means is operated by a limited rise of temperature in the heating chamber to close the vent tube. A starter switch to control power supply to the coffee maker and a thermostatically controlled shut-off means is provided to open the starter switch and shut off power to the coffee maker when the heating chamber has no water therein and excessive temperatures are being realized in such heating chamber.A modified coffee maker eliminates the vent tube closure and provides for releasing a small quantity of water to a heating area and repeatedly heating small volumes of water for pumping action to discharge to a coffee making area, the invention also covering such method of making coffee by repeated heatings of small confined volumes of water to steam producing temperatures.

Abstract: A percolator is provided with a preassembled partition plate heater assembly wherein a one-piece non-corrosive metal partition plate has a centrally located pump well. An annular heat distribution plate surrounds the well and is fixedly connected to a bottom surface of said plate. A main heater coil surrounds said well and is mechanically coupled to said heat distribution plate. An auxiliary heater coil is radially outwardly from said main heater coil and is mechanically coupled to said heat distribution plate. A thermostat is in direct contact with a bottom surface of said partition plate and is releasably supported by said heat distribution plate.

Abstract: A household coffee machine of the type including a thermostatically controlled electric flow heater coupled to cold water supply and having a hot water outflow is provided with a calcification indicator connected electrically in parallel with the heater thermostat. The calcification indicator includes an indicator, such as a buzzer or glow lamp, in series with a thermal cut-out switch which is disposed in thermally responsive association with the line coupling the cold water supply to the flow heater. The series connected thermal cut-out switch and indicator have a high impedance in order to insure that the calcification indicator does not respond when the heater thermostat is closed.

Abstract: A cooking appliance wherein a unique U-shaped bracket is provided for connecting an outer housing, an inner cooking vessel, a thermostat assembly and a bottom cover to each other. One of the arms of the bracket is inserted through a downwardly extending tab of the cooking vessel, the other arm of the bracket is connected to a screw for mounting a stack thermostat, and the central portion of the bracket is connected to a screw for urging the vessel downwardly and the bottom cover upwardly to economically hold the parts in assembled position on the outer insulated housing.

Abstract: A coffee making machine having a calcification indicator system which turns an indicator device on and off to warn of the presence of calcine deposits in the water flow path of a flow heater is disclosed. The coffee machine calcification indicator system includes a glow lamp in a circuit arrangement with a signal flasher circuit. At least a portion of the calcification indicator system is connected in a parallel circuit arrangement with a heater thermostat switch. A calcification indicator switch is actuated at a time dependent upon the conclusion of the coffee making process to disable the operation of the calcification indicator device.

Abstract: A container or reservoir for liquid to be heated, has a pump well and heater assembly secured to and depending from the bottom wall of the container, and a pump and pump tube assembly can be positively locked on the well for pumping function but is easily and quickly removable for cleaning or replacement. The assembly is locked on the well by a retainer plate fixed to an outer pump tube and having locking portions coactive with locking portions on the side wall of the well, with said outer tube being telescopically slidable and rotatable on an inner pump tube which carries a pump plate to seat in the well and a valve disk co-operative with said valve plate. A compression spring is disposed between the retainer plate and the pump plate locking portions to hold the retainer plate interlocked with the well locking portions and to hold the pump plate seated in the well.

Abstract: The invention relates to a coffee maker of the type consisting of a water tank at the top, a discharge device at the bottom, connected via a pipe to an electrically heated heat exchanger which has a riser pipe with an outlet nozzle connected to its opposite end, plus a warming plate for a coffeepot to be placed under the outlet nozzle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a coffee maker assembly which has a heat exchanger having inlet and outlet pipes. Heat for the heat exchanger is supplied by an electrical heating element. In one embodiment a PTC resistor is in series with the heating element and thermal connections are provided between the resistor and other parts of the system. This allows thermal conditions to be sensed which alter the resistance of the PTC resistor to effect a temperature control by varying the magnitude of current supplied to the heating element. Another embodiment illustrates the heating element itself being formed by an annularly shaped PTC resistor.

Abstract: An improved coffee maker that prevents leakage of water between the cover for the water reservoir at the top of the device because of steam pressure that may cause a "short" in the electrical system or cause other damage; prevents the wall of the paper filter within the basket to collapse; prevents shooting of the hot water directly into the basket containing the coffee; permits the lower part of the basket containing the silk screen to be removed for cleaning and easy replacement if the silk screen within such lower part is punctured or otherwise damaged; permits the water spreader of the basket to be easily removed for cleaning; prevents water or coffee from leaking to or through the warming unit at the base of the coffee maker upon which the carafe rests which may interfere with the electrical wiring in the warming unit and possibly cause a short and do other damage; and provide certain shields for parts against excessive heat and hot water that may cause injury to the user of the device.

Abstract: A container of evacuated double wall construction has an open neck for receiving a beverage after the beverage has been heated to a desired temperature. A stopper member receivable in the open neck incorporates an evacuated electric light bulb covering a major portion of the cross sectional area of the neck to provide further heat insulation and also radiate heat onto beverage within the container. Regulation of the heat to maintain the beverage at a desired constant temperature is accomplished by a pressure actuated switch incorporated in the stopper member. When water is used as the beverage, the heated water can be passed from the container through an outlet spout to a cartridge housing including pay out and take up spools for a series of packets connected together to form a ribbon. Successive packets may be positioned under the spout and include coffee beans, the cartridge including a cup receiving area so that coffee can be brewed directly into a cup.

Abstract: A heater unit for heating a quantity of water in a reservoir. The flow of water from the reservoir to the heating unit is controlled by thermally responsive means disposed to be exposed to vapors from the water as it is heated by the heating unit. The temperature sensing means comprises a flat bimetallic member for operating a valve to control flow between the reservoir and heating unit. A pan-like heating unit structure is a well in which a spiral heating element is positioned and a sandpipe forms the outlet for the heating unit and operates to back-water over the heating element. A generally horizontal flow channel receives water from the reservoir and leads the water to the top of the well.

Abstract: A coffee-making apparatus of the pour-over type wherein the liquid for brewing coffee is contained in an electrically heated state within an upright container and is siphoned out when cold liquid is introduced into the container; the apparatus having a hot water container, the cover of which covers and seals the same while at the same time providing a support for a water inlet, a siphon outlet, a vent, and all the electrical components necessary for heating the liquid.

Abstract: A liquid heating device is used to heat a liquid at a preselected time for a predetermined length of time such as in percolating coffee. The device broadly consists of a cylindrical container having a closed bottom base, a removal top lid cover, a pouring spout affixed to the sidewall of the container as well as a U-shaped handle affixed to the sidewall of the container. A transparent tube is provided as a means of indicating the liquid level within the container. A control panel on the bottom outside periphery of the sidewall of the container has an inlet electrical receptacle, an indicator light unit, a two way switch assembly, and a timer assembly.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improvement in electric kettles and in particular to the temperature controls for such kettles. The temperature control is adjustable to provide a variation in operating temperature of the heating element of the kettle and thus control the wattage input to the kettle. By this means it is possible to control the rate at which water is boiled or evaporated from the kettle. By setting the temperature control to its highest heat position, full wattage is supplied to the heater element to bring the water in the vessel to a boil and vapourize the contents thereof in the shortest possible time. If the temperature controller is left in the high heat position the kettle will evaporate at an approximate rate of two quarts of water in one hour. If the control is set to the low end of the range the contents will be brought up to a boil condition in the same time as if the thermostat were set on the high heat position, but the same amount of water will be evaporated in 12 to 15 hours.