Abstract: An espresso coffee making system includes an unpressurized boiler vessel with an electric heating element arranged outside the boiler vessel for heating water in the boiler vessel for delivery to a perforated filter holder of the espresso coffee maker. A tube is provided between the electric heating element and the boiler vessel that is in thermal contact with both the heating element and the boiler vessel. A valve allows water from the boiler vessel to be recirculated by a pump through the tube to generate steam, without overheating the water contained in the boiler vessel.

Abstract: An electrically heated continuous flow heater control system includes an electric switching element that has an open and a closed switching position and is electrically connected in series to a thermostat. Switching element (26) is always closed in the brewing process while it can be opened and closed again in the keep-warm process by a control circuit. The control circuit includes a temperature sensor which is in good heat contact with the infusion beverage. When in the initial phase of the keep-warm process the sensor temperature is in excess of a definable switching temperature, the control circuit keeps the switching element in its open position for as long as the sensor temperature remains higher than the switching temperature in the course of the consequently occurring cooling of the infusion beverage.

Abstract: A coffee or tea maker includes a base shell including a vertically-oriented connecting sleeve; a flow heater accommodated in the base shell and having a vertically-oriented inlet nipple received in the connecting sleeve; a mains cable connection situated in the base shell; a machine switch situated in the base shell; an electric circuit board connected to the mains cable connection and to the machine switch and having plug-in pins; and a bottom closing off the base shell and locked thereto by a detent joint. All the plug-in and detent connections define a vertical joining direction for relative movement toward one another into a locked state during an assembling operation.

Abstract: The container which can be inserted into a power-supply unit (17, 18) and is intended for the preparation of hot drinks, with a liquid-storage container (4), an electric heating element (7) arranged therein and a collecting container (1) for the drink prepared, the liquid-storage container (4) having a closure (9, 10) which is arranged in the bottom (8) of the liquid-storage container (4) and opens in a manner not automatically reversible at a predetermined internal pressure of the container, due to the arching outwards of the bottom (8), which is provided with contacts (6) for the supply of electrical power and which can be inserted or is inserted into the collecting container (1) in such a way that, in the operating position, the collecting space is essentially below the storage container (4), and the power supply to the heating element (7) being designed in such a way that it is interrupted when the closure (9, 10) is opened, is distinguished by the fact that the closure (9, 10) is formed by an annular pro

Abstract: A low wattage two-four cup displacement water heating apparatus includes a fill basin positioned above a thermostatically controlled electrically heated water reservoir and communicating therewith through a fill tube extending downwardly from the basin to the lower portion of the reservoir. A dome in communication with the reservoir protrudes upwardly therefrom into the basin. A discharge tube having an entry end located in the dome and positioned approximately the bottom level of the basin extends downwardly through the reservoir to an external discharge end. The dome and a venting tube associated with the discharge tube minimize evaporative water loss from the reservoir through the discharge tube.

Abstract: A device for making and warming coffee comprising, a first reservoir for holding a liquid, a second reservoir for holding brewed coffee, a microwave heating device for heating the liquid or coffee, a device for selectively pumping the liquid or coffee from the respective reservoir into the microwave oven, a receptacle for holding coffee grounds, a container for holding liquid, and a device for selectively pumping the heated liquid or coffee from the microwave heating device into the receptacle or container.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed herein for extracting a flavor from a natural leaf, powder of the like, such as tea leaves into a heated substance as a carrier such as a quantity of water. The apparatus employs a container with a heater for the water which will controllably bring the water to a boil. A tank is submerged in the water and includes a perforated strainer holding a quantity of loose tea leaves for wetting by the surrounding water. A dispensing nozzle is included, having a supply line from the water and a second supply line from the tea leaf tank. A valve arrangement selectively combines the supply lines to produce a desired flavor strength of the dispensed flavored liquid. A manually operable valve selectively intercommunicates the boiled water with the tea leaf tank and controls regulate the heater and temperature.

Abstract: An automatic food vending machine comprises: a cooking means for cooking food materials; a first storage means for preserving food materials for a long period; a second storage means for preserving food materials in a condition that they can be instantly cooked by said cooking means; a first transport means for transporting food materials from said first storage means to said second storage means; and a second transport means for transporting food materials from said second storage means to said cooking means. A large quantity of food materials may be stored in the first storage means and transported to the second storage means by the first transport means as required. In the second storage means the food materials are stored so that they may be instantly cooked. The apparatus permits on one hand preservation of a large amount of food materials without deterioration and on the other hand prepare them for quick heat treatment for sale.

Abstract: A flow heater is provided for water in a machine which produces hot water. The machine includes a water tube having an inflow end for receiving water and an outflow end for dispensing hot water, and a heating tube connected to the water tube in a heat conductive manner. The heating tube is divided over its extent into a plurality of regions of different heating outputs for, respectively, intensely heating the water to below the boiling point in a first zone of the water tube adjacent the inflow end, followed by a less intense heating of the water to attain the boiling point in a second zone of the water tube, followed by an intense heating of the water until a vigorous formation of vapor bubbles occurs in a third zone of the water tube, and finally followed by a less intense heating of the water for reheating the water in a fourth zone of the water tube adjacent the outflow end.

Abstract: A coffee making machine for automatically producing coffee solution from unroasted coffee beans comprises a roaster for holding coffee beans and roasting the dried coffee beans into roasted coffee beans, a milling/extracting unit for grinding the roasted coffee beans into ground coffee and extracting coffee solution from the ground coffee, a blower for blowing air into the milling/extracting unit to cool the roasted coffee beans before they are ground, a pouring unit for pouring hot water onto the ground coffee and extracting the coffee solution therefrom, a coffee server for receiving the coffee solution from the milling/extracting unit, and means for supplying the coffee solution from the milling/extracting unit to the coffee server. The operation of the roaster, the supply of roasted coffee beans from the roaster to the milling/extracting unit, and the operation of the milling/extracting unit, the blower and the pouring unit are automatically performed at predetermined timings.

Abstract: A machine for brewing coffee or other hot beverages has a hollow base which is open at the underside and has a top portion provided with an opening for a warming plate. The warming plate is assembled with a ring-shaped insulator, an electric heater and a bridge into a unit which is thereupon inserted into the base by way of the open underside before the underside is closed by a detachable bottom. The bridge biases the heater against the warming plate, and its ends are received in openings of the insulator. The central section of the bridge has elastic fingers which engage the toothed peripheral surface of a post at the underside of the warming plate to ensure that the bias of the bridge upon the heater remains unchanged. The base has integral coupling members which extend into openings of the insulator, and the latter has prong-like detent members which engage the marginal portion of the warming plate.

Abstract: A device for preparing hot drinks is disclosed having a liquid-storage vessel 3, an electric heating element 14 arranged therein, a current supply circuit 17 and a collecting vessel 1 for the prepared drink. This device can be used very advantageously, particularly in vehicles. It is characterized in that the storage vessel 3 is designed as a unit separate from the current supply circuit 17 and closed by valve 10-13 which opens irreversibly at a predetermined pressure inside the storage vessel 3, and is provided with contacts 16 for the supply of electrical current which are connected to the heating element 14 via an electric line 15 which is interrupted when the valve 10-13 is opened. The storage vessel 3 is insertable into the collecting vessel 1 in such a way that in an operative position of the storage vessel 3, a collecting space of the collecting vessel 1 is situated essentially below the storage vessel 3.

Abstract: An electrical continuous flow water heater for an infusion beverage making appliance includes a hot plate serving to keep hot a beverage receptacle and which is located above and in heat exchange relationship with a heater element and water supply pipe disposed in a horse-shoe configuration. The temperature controller for controlling the temperature of the hot plate is mounted on one of a plurality of ribs provided on a support device thermally coupled to at least one of the supply pipe and heater element. Each rib is so sized and shaped and so located relative to the supply pipe and/or heater element to deliver solely through the rib a different amount of heat to a temperature controller mounted thereon. The temperature sensed by the controller is determined by the particularly rib on which the controller is mounted, thus permitting one type of continuous flow heater to keep hot flasks of different fill capacities place on the hot plate.

Abstract: A beverage maker includes a continuous flow electric heater assembly of tubular construction adapted to be connected to a source of fresh water and is arranged for guiding fresh water therethrough for heating the fresh water to brewing temperatures, and a filtering vessel and pipe arrangement to introduce heated fresh water from the heater assembly to the filtering vessel. The heater assembly comprises at least two tubular continuous flow electric heaters each being bent into a U-shaped configuration. The heaters are arranged in a generally horizontally juxtaposed mutually nested relationship and each has a metal heater tube containing an electric heating element, a metal water pipe extending adjacent the metal heater tube parallel therewith and a heat conducting flat web connecting the heater tube with the water pipe for transferring heat from the heater tube to the water pipe. There is further provided a tubular connector coupling the water pipes of the heater assemblies to one another.

Abstract: Apparatus for adjusting the temperature of a plurality of liquids which includes temperature adjusting means having a corresponding plurality of separate flow paths, a pump arrangement for circulating the liquids through said separate paths and means for maintaining predetermined temperature differences between the liquids, wherein the temperature adjusting means includes a single temperature controlling member and a number of pipes which correspond in number to the number of separate flow paths for the liquids of which the temperatures are to be adjusted. The temperature controlling member and the pipes are interconnected in heat conducting so that the total thermal impedance between the first of said pipes and the temperature controlling member integrated from the inlet end to the outlet end of said first pipe differs from the corresponding total thermal impedance of at least a second of said pipes.

Abstract: In an electrical continuous flow heater for an appliance such as a coffee machine, a tubular heater member has a jacket tube in heat conducting contact with a pipe for carrying the fluid to be heated, with the pipe and jacket tube disposed in horizontal side-by-side relationship. The jacket tube or the pipe, or both, have a wall thickness which varies over the periphery thereof, the thickest portion of the pipe wall being lowest in the horizontal position during use and the thickest portion of the jacket tube contacting the pipe. In one arrangement, the thickest portion of the tubular jacket and/or pipe is provided by a strip of sheet metal attached to such pipe or tubular jacket. In another arrangement, the pipe and jacket tube are constructed as a unitary extruded member.

Abstract: A fixedly positioned hot plate, particularly for use with a coffee maker, has an upper surface for receiving a container of liquid to be maintained at a constant temperature. An electric heating device arranged underneath the hot plate includes a plate member movable between a first position in biased engagement with the underside of the hot plate and a second position spaced therefrom to vary the heat exchange rate therebetween. Secured to the underside of the plate member is a metallic sheathed heating having a water heating pipe soldered to the periphery thereof. A temperature sensitive element, e.g. U-shaped bimetal, thermally coupled to the heating device has a first portion connected to a downwardly dependent stud secured to the underside of the hot plate and extending freely through a bore in the plate member an a second portion secured to the plate member.

Abstract: An electric coffee maker has an electric flow-through brewing water heater with a heating resistor controlled by a temperature dependent regulating switch responsive to the temperature of the heating resistor, and a warming plate heated by the heating resistor for maintaining the prepared coffee at a desired drinking temperature. Apparatus for adjustably prolonging the interruption of heating current 2 to 5 times the normal cooling time of the regulating switch is connected in circuit with the heating resistor and the regulating switch, and a manually actuated small quantity control means connects the heating current interruption prolonging apparatus in circuit with the heating resistor and the regulating switch. The prolonging apparatus may be an adjustable auxiliary electric heater in parallel with the regulating switch and thermally coupled thereto or an adjustable timer in series with the heating resistor and regulation switch and triggered by the opening of the regulating switch.

Abstract: A drip-type hot water feeder of a coffee maker incudes an electric heater for heating and boiling water fed from a water reservoir, and a timer for controlling the time for supplying an electric current to the heater to regulate the hot-water supply to a brewer. The timer has a manually movable control member for continuously variably setting the current supply time and a scale indicating the quantity of hot-water supply corresponding to the time set by the control member. Each mark of the scale has a predetermined width in the setting movement direction of the control member and includes a plurality of compensating indexes indicative of the adjustment of the control member necessary to compensate the set current supply time and thus the quantity of hot water to be supplied indicated by each mark for variations in cold water conditions influencing the time required for supplying a desired quantity of a hot water.

Abstract: The hot water container of a beverage-making device is provided with a removable cover sealed thereto and has arranged therein, an electric immersion coil-type heating element controlled by a running thermostat and a safety thermostat for heating a volume of cold water admitted into the container through an inlet tube extending through the cover and controlled by a timed inlet valve, the hot water being discharged from the container at a brewing station through a siphon tube also extending through the cover. An improved running thermostat, sensing tube and mounting system is provided for sensing temperature variations in a range of less than 6.degree. F. whereby to be quickly responsive to temperature changes and thereby activate and de-activate the heating element, which is arranged in electric communication therewith. The improved running thermostat system includes a thin, elongate generally self-supporting sensing tube having a diameter no greater than about 0.

Abstract: The hot water storing container of a beverage making device is provided with a high wattage electric immersion heating element having a plurality of coil loops located in the lower portion of the container and extending around the interior of the container near the side wall thereof. A running thermostat controls the heating element to maintain the stored water at a predetermined temperature. A manually resettable safety thermostat in series with the running thermostat is resiliently biased against the exterior of the container side wall at or below the midpoint height thereof and close to the upper coil loop of the heating element for deactivating the heating element upon sensing of an excessive container side wall temperature.

Abstract: An electric coffee percolator is provided with a fresh water container located above a water heating chamber sized to receive and retain about 30-60% of the volumetric amount of fresh water required for a complete coffee infusion. The heating chamber is separated by a common wall from the water container and receives fresh water therefrom through a non-return value located in the common wall. A ventilating pipe in the water container is slidably amounted in the common wall to project a selected distance into the heating chamber so that the water level in the heating chamber can be adjusted. A check valve in the ventilating tube prevents expulsion of water from the heating chamber into the water container. The bottom wall of the heating chamber is provided with an electric heating element surrounding a well from which a riser pipe through which the hot water is expelled extends upwardly to a water outlet chamber having a cross-sectional area which increase in size from its inlet end to its outlet end.

Abstract: A compact appliance for rapidly electrically heating small quantities of water and dispensing the heated water into vessel includes a housing enclosing a water heating reservoir provided with an electric heating element and connected to a manually actuated water dispensing valve. The housing is provided with a single manually operable lever which is movable in a first direction to close a normally open, manually closed, thermostatic switch is series with the heating element and responsive to the temperature of the reservoir to initiate the water heating operation. After the water is heated, the lever is movable in the opposite direction to actuate the valve to dispense heated water. The valve is integrated with the wall of the housing to minimize the number of parts and simplify the design.

Abstract: An electric automatic water heating apparatus for drip type beverage, e.g., coffee makers has a housing provided with a reservoir composed of a material of low thermal conductivity arranged to supply water by gravity to a sealed heating chamber having an inlet communicating with the reservoir and an outlet for discharging heated water for use. The sealed heating chamber includes an open top, cup-shaped, metallic casting having an electric rod-type resistance heating element embedded therein, and a metallic cover member closing the open top of the casting for confining steam generated during heating to the heating chamber. The cover is secured to and forms a bottom surface portion of the reservoir exposed to the water in therein. The cover serves as a support for a bimetallic member which controls the flow of water through the inlet into the heating chamber in response to the temperature in the heating chamber.

Abstract: A continuous flow heater assembly for an electrically heated apparatus for producing an infusion beverage comprises a generally dish-like mounting plate carrying a tubular heater of generally annular configuration and, inside that annular configuration, a water pipe which is also of a generally annular configuration. The underside of the tubular heater and the water pipe are in heat-conducting contact with the mounting plate while the underside of a support plate for supporting a container containing a beverage bears against the tubular heater but not against the water pipe. A raised edge portion of the dish shape of the mounting plate extends at a small spacing from the adjacent side wall of the tubular heater, to a position close to the underside of the support plate. Alternatively, a guard ring may be fitted onto the space between the mounting plate and the support plate outwardly of the tubular heater to partially close the space between the plates.

Abstract: An electric continuous flow water heater for domestic appliances, such as coffeemaking machines, has a water heating assembly comprising a tubular electric resistance heating element disposed in side-by-side heat exchange relation with a water flow pipe. The assembly is bent into a generally horseshoe-shaped configuration and a heat conductive bridge member extends across the heating element and water pipe substantially centrally of the length thereof and is in contact therewith. A temperature dependent switching means, such as a thermostat or a PTC element, and a thermal safety fuse are electrically connected in series with each other and the heating element are carried on the bridge member with the switching element secured on one side of the heating element-water pipe assembly and the safety fuse secured on the other side of the assembly.

Abstract: A beverage brewing apparatus includes a hot water reservoir from which heated water is dispensed in predetermined serving volumes through a beverage filter to a serving beaker. A volume of cold water equal to a predetermined serving volume is admitted to a lower inlet zone of the reservoir, heated by an electric resistance heating element within the reservoir and dispensed in a volume equal to the serving volume from an upper outlet zone of the reservoir coincident with the introduction of cold water into the inlet zone. The reservoir has a volume greater than twice the predetermined serving volume so that a volume of resident heated water is contained in the central brew zone thereof. A temperature sensing element, e.g., thermistor, is disposed within the lumen of a hollow heat conductive tubing extending to a predetermined location in the brew zone at or near the center of the reservoir and produces a temperature control signal continuously indicative only of the temperature of the water in the brew zone.

Abstract: A compact self-contained travel kit for brewing a beverage, such as tea, coffee, or the like, includes an open top container which is adapted to receive a small quantity of water to be heated by means of an electric heater element contained in the bottom of the container. A removable insert assembly is received within the container through the open top and provides upwardly open storage compartments for containing the ingredients for making tea or coffee, such as sugar, powdered cream material, coffee, tea or the like, which compartments are closable by lids so that either individual packets or bulk material may be stored. The insert includes a downwardly depending semi-conical portion which is proportioned and adapted to be telescopically received in the uppermost one of a pair of nested drinking cups storable within the container. The nested drinking cups are thus retained in place in a compact manner and are accessible by removal of the insert from the container.

Abstract: A flow-through instantaneous electric water heater for coffee percolators has a metal casting with a substantially flat bottom portion formed with a U-shaped trough receiving therein a U-shaped electric heating element. A semi-annular boiling water chamber is formed in the casting between the arms of the U-shaped heating element adjacent the base region of the U and has an inlet and an outlet opening connected, respectively, to water inflow and outflow conduits located adjacent the legs of the heating element. The water inflow conduit has a length at least 1.3 times the length of the average flow path of water flowing through the boiling water chamber or about twice the diameter of the boiling water chamber and is thermally insulated over a major portion of its length from the adjacent heating element leg by an air gap to insure that the temperature of the fresh water flowing into the chamber from the inlet conduit is below the boiling temperature.

Abstract: A spacer for positioning intermediate the bottom of a beverage container and a planar heating surface of an electrically heated hot plate of a coffee maker is formed as a continuous heat conductive wire element positioned to rest immediately above and in contact with the planar surface to support a beverage container and to space said container a small distance above the heat source. The spacer may be fabricated of a stainless steel wire of suitable dimension such as one of approximately 1/16 of an inch in diameter, and may be bent in a form which provides uniform support for a coffee pot over the surface of the hot plate. The spacer is secured in place by means of lateral arms which are attached by means of a hinge to the base of the apparatus so that the spacer can be made to swivel upwardly about the hinge and out of the way to facilitate cleaning or to permit the option of nonuse of the spacer if so desired.

Abstract: An electric thermostatically controlled drip coffeemaker has a generally upright C-shaped housing with a lower horizontal leg having a heated carafe support, an upper horizontal leg having a water spreader, and a vertical leg enclosing an accessible water reservoir. An electrically heated hot water generator in the lower leg has an inlet connected to the water reservoir and an outlet connected to the spreader by tubes through a separate definitive condenser located in the vertical leg entirely below the reservoir. The condenser includes an elongated generally cylindrical member larger in cross section than the connecting tubes and having an off-center radially directed water inlet from the hot water generator at the bottom thereof. Shaped and aligned baffle and flow directing means are disposed in the member to impart a non-swirling, vortex preventing, upward flow to the heated water. A captured, limited travel ball check valve disposed in an outlet at the top of the member permits vertical outflow only.

Abstract: An electric drip coffeemaker has a generally upright C-shaped housing with a lower horizontal leg having a heated carafe support, an upper horizontal leg having a water spreader, and a vertical leg enclosing an accessible water reservoir. An electrically heated hot water generator in the lower leg below the carafe support has an inlet connected to the reservoir through a one-way inlet valve and an outlet connected to the spreader by tubes through an interposed separate definitive steam condenser located in the vertical leg entirely below the reservoir. The condenser includes a plenum chamber larger in cross section than the connecting tubes and has a single inlet for water from the hot water generator at its bottom and a single outlet to the spreader at its top. A check valve in the chamber outlet permits only unidirectional water outflow from the condenser to create a "scrubbing" effect cleansing the passages of mineral deposits and preventing clogging.

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: An electrical resistance water heating device, particularly intended for use in coffee or other beverage preparation machines, includes a solid metal heating plate having planar upper and lower surfaces. A fluid throughflow duct is formed between the upper and lower surfaces and includes at least two elongated, spaced, side-by-side branches having corresponding ends interconnected by a connecting conduit to form a continuous fluid flow path from a water inlet to a water outlet. An elongated slot is formed between each pair of side-by-side branches and at least one plate-shaped planar PTC heating element is accomodated within each elongated slot with each of the opposing surfaces thereof directed toward a respective one of the pair of side-by-side branches between which the duct is formed. The spaces between the heating element and walls of the slot are filled with a hardenable electrically insulative filling of good heat conductivity.

Abstract: A combined water heating and vessel support plate for supporting the vessel of a beverage preparation device includes a heating slab having a water flow-through duct constituted by longitudinal apertures in a plurality of prismatic (preferably rectangular) heating-plate segments which are clamped together side-by-side with PTC ceramic electrical resistance heating elements interposed between them. The duct is completed by connecting the apertures externally by tubes or by duct-incorporating end caps on the heating plate to form a continuous flow path from an inlet to an outlet. Various clamping arrangements, preferably with some resilience, are described, as are the use of inter-segment filling materials and electrically insulating materials with good heat-conducting properties, also the selection and positioning of the heating elements to achieve a desired heating effect. The top surfaces of the segments are coplanar and form a flat vessel support surface for heating a vessel placed thereon.

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: A system is disclosed for indicating when a flow heater used for vaporization of water and heated by PTC resistors as heating elements therein must be decalcified. Within the flow heater a PTC resistor element is located at a water entry and also at a water exit region. A main PTC heater element is also provided between the entry and exit elements. Separate power supply lines are run to the exit and entry heating elements and an electronic circuit is provided which determines when a difference in current flow in the exit heating element compared to the entry heating element exceeds a given value indicative of the need for decalcification. The circuit connects with an indicator which is triggered when decalcification is required.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing warm or hot beverages (tea or coffee) in which cold or luke-warm water is passed to a container and caused to flow through the apparatus in order to be heated. The water passes through a warm spreader, causing the water to be preheated before the latter is passed through the actual heating means.

Abstract: A water heater for a domestic coffee maker comprises a hot plate which is heated by an electrical resistance heater. A cavity is formed within the hot plate. The cavity extends substantially parallel to the top and bottom surfaces of the plate and has a closed end within the plate and an open end in the peripheral surface of the plate. The cavity is divided transversely by a partition which defines together with the internal walls of the cavity, a substantially U-shaped water circulation passage within the cavity. Water flowing through the U-shaped passage is thus heated by the heater.

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: 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: An adjustable temperature warming plate for an electric coffee maker in which a fixedly positioned metal hot plate has an electric heating element disposed beneath and adjacent the hot plate with the supporting means for the electric heating element permitting the heating element to pivot about a contact point near the edge of the hot plate for varying the thermal coupling of the heating element to the hot plate by changing the spacing between the heating element and the hot plate. A pressure element is provided to urge the heater toward the contact point and a setting element is provided to adjust the spacing between the heating element and the hot plate. This provides a simple and reliable means for varying the thermal coupling of the heating element to the hot plate and consequently the temperature of the warming plate. The heating element includes a tube unitary therewith forming a continuous flow water heating tube for the coffee maker.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises: a container of a generally cylindrical shape or in the shape of a truncated cone capable of receiving small quantities of unroasted coffee and which can be closed by a lid and which is carried by a casing forming a base; a shaft inside the container extending in the axial direction and coupled to the output shaft of an electric motor disposed in the casing; at least one stirring means mounted on said shaft inside the container; a heating plate forming the bottom of the container and in which is embedded an electric resistance; and a timer disposed in said casing and having at least two controlled switches, one of which is in series with the current supply circuit for said motor and the other is in series with said heating resistance, this timer being adapted to determine, particularly with respect to the quantity of coffee to be roasted and with the degree of roasting desired, the heating time of the heating plate and the time during which said stirring member is driven.

Abstract: A beverage brewer structure wherein a pour-in basin is provided with an overlying wall member for preventing liquid which may inadvertently pass downwardly through the top wall of the brewer housing from falling into the basin so as to avoid contamination of the water to be used in the brewing operation. The housing may include a top wall having an opening in which is mounted a warming station and the protective structure is arranged to prevent water or liquid from passing downwardly from the warming station opening into the basin. The wall member may be inclined toward an edge portion of the basin so as to cause the undesirable liquid to flow away from the basin. The wall member may be suitably heated as by heat transfer association with the water heating tank of the beverage brewer so as to cause evaporation of the undesirable liquid which may fall thereonto.

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: 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 beverage brewer structure wherein a warmer station is selectively utilizable separately or in mounted association with the beverage brewing apparatus. The brewing apparatus may include a removable cover which may be secured to the brewing apparatus by a suitable securing structure. When the warmer station is mounted to the brewing apparatus, the securing structure is utilized to jointly secure the warming station to the cover and the cover to the beverage brewing apparatus. When so installed, the securing structure is hidden within the warming station by a removable portion of the warming station.

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.