Abstract: A blooming candle is described as an ornamental candle that transforms between different appearances as the candle burns. The candle has a tapered body that extends along a longitudinal axis from a top portion to a bottom portion, where the top portion has a larger diameter than the bottom portion. Vertical grooves are cut into the outside surface of the tapered body to form segments. When the candle is burned, the center portion of the candle about the wick melts according to the candles defined heat radius. As the candle continues to burn, the wax material begins to soften and the segments between the vertical grooves will begin to separate away from the tapered body. As melting continues, the segments continue to separate in an outward and downward direction, resembling petals from a blooming flower. The described candle structures have a predictable ornamental change in shape during the burning process.

Abstract: A solar tracking system for mounting on a roof having one or more rooftop planar surfaces includes an array of solar tracking assemblies for at least one of the one or more rooftop planar surfaces, each array of solar tracking assemblies mountable at substantially the same orientation on the rooftop planar surface, each solar tracking assembly including a mounting structure, a steering mechanism, and one or more energy converting units that convert solar energy into electrical energy, the steering mechanism supported at least in part by the mounting structure and the one or more energy converting units steered by the steering mechanism; a drive mechanism that drives multiple steering mechanisms of the array of solar tracking assemblies; and a control processor that controls the drive mechanism so that the one or more energy converting units follow the sun.

Abstract: A direct flame impingement burner including a metal block with a fuel inlet and an oxidant inlet and at least two outlet nozzles having a set of identical nozzle outlet openings. The oxidant inlet is connected with an oxidant chamber within the block that is connected with at least one oxidant outlet opening in the set of nozzle outlet openings by passageways of identical length and cross-sectional area. The fuel inlet is connected with a fuel chamber within the block that is connected with at least one fuel outlet opening in the set of nozzle outlet openings by passageways of identical length and cross-sectional area. The fuel gas pressure is equal over all corresponding fuel outlet openings in the set of openings in each nozzle, and the oxidant gas pressure is equal over all corresponding oxidant outlet openings in the set of openings in each nozzle.

Abstract: A household appliance includes a storage compartment and a useful storage volume that is closable by a door. The door is able to slide into the storage compartment with a guiding system during opening. To simplify the assembly of the household appliance, the useful storage volume is provided in a useful storage volume module while the storage compartment is provided in a storage compartment module. The two modules represent two separate components that are assembled so as to form the household appliance.

Abstract: A superheated stream grill includes a heating tray to serve as a heat source for heating and cooking the food materials. In addition, it also provides a function of heating food materials by using a superheated stream. The grill has a heating system for generating the superheated stream. The heating system atomizes the water molecules to form mist by means of the supersonic vibration, and then the mist is heated and converted into the superheated stream. The superheated stream is injected and sprayed onto the food materials. In this way, the mouth feeling of the food materials after cooking is much better and the time for cooking is also reduced.

Abstract: A steamer cooks individual serving portions of food such as oysters and shellfish by direct contact with steam at atmospheric pressure. The steamer uses a boiler and valved piping system including a manifold to deliver steam on demand to each one of plural cooking stations. Each station has a container such as a bucket that receives the steam through a nozzle extending through a hole in the bucket's bottom. The user controls the flow of steam to each cooking station independently, thus allowing multiple serving portions of food to be steamed independently of each other, that is, separately, in parallel, and without regard for the start times and end times of the other serving portions. Preferably individual steam valves, timers and on/off indicators allow the user complete control over cooking times at each cooking station. The steam exiting the buckets and condensate are collected and carried off.

Abstract: An edge guard for use adjacent an edge. The edge guard comprises a cushion member and an edge attachment. The cushion member includes a first face, a second face, and a cushion edge portion disposed between them. Both faces have inner portions extending away from the cushion edge portion towards end portions. The inner portions are positioned adjacent surfaces surrounding the edge. The edge attachment includes an upper surface, an attached end, and a distal end. The attached end is attached to one of the end portions of the cushion member. The edge attachment is stiffer than the cushion member. The upper surface of the edge attachment is separated a distance from the surface it is positioned adjacent that tapers from a larger distance at the attached end to a smaller distance at the distal end.

Abstract: A cooking grid assembly includes a frame having first and second frame portions. The first and second frame portions each have one of a plurality of notches and a plurality of holes formed therein. A plurality of rods have first and second ends, such that the first end of each rod is disposed in one of the notches and holes of the first frame portion. The second end of each rod is disposed in one of the notches and holes of the second frame portion. A locking bar is removably attached to one of the first and second frame portions. The locking bar is movable between a closed position wherein the rods are retained in the one of the notches and holes, and an open position wherein the rods may be inserted and removed from the one of the notches and holes. An extension member is provided that is fixed to and outwardly movable relative to the frame to provide support to the frame.

Abstract: A device and method of preheating oil for use in a multi oil burner that uses a heated liquid to convey heat energy to oil. The device is made of a thermally conductive material which has a passageway for oil and a passageway for a heated liquid. Heat energy from the heated liquid conductively transfers to the oil within the device. This method of preheating oil for combustion eliminates carbon creation and minimizes oil preheat temperature fluctuations thereby significantly lowering the cost and maintenance to operate a multi oil combustion system.

Abstract: A cover particularly adapted to extend over outdoor recreational fire pits when not in use includes a circular perforated center plate. Attached to an outer edge of this center plate is an angle-shaped rim having a downward extending vertical flange. Then, attached to a bottom side of the center plate is a centering ring. For use, a pair of spaced apart handles attached to a top side of the center plate may be used to remove the cover so that a fire may be built in the pit and then used to replaced the cover after pit use. In this latter case, the cover is positioned over the pit so that the centering ring extends into the pit next to a vertical sidewall of the pit. Any inadvertent cover movement is inhibited by an interference fit between the cover ring and the pit sidewall.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting and storing cooked food and one-course meals includes a box-shaped, upright container with wheels and at least one pivoting front door. The container can be closed by the front door in an air-tight manner. The container has at least one air valve toward the outside that can be closed and opened, in addition to a device for measuring and storing and displaying the temperature and pressure inside the closed container, so that temperature and pressure can be read from outside of the container. Data can be read by a personal computer and presented in the form of diagrams, as a function of time, over a period of at least 14 days. The cooked food is, initially, cooled at a temperature of between 2° C. and 4° C., and is then exposed to a vacuum for enabling the cooked food to be kept fresh for up to 14 days.

Abstract: A speed cooking oven is disclosed comprising a cooking cavity, a controller, thermal heating source, blower assembly, air directing means and a vent assembly. Hot air is circulated by the blower motor assembly into the oven cavity where the hot air is directed in a manner wherein a conflicting, colliding turbulent gas flow is directed at a food product providing for the rapid cooking of food products.

Abstract: A speed cooking oven is disclosed comprising a cooking cavity, a controller, thermal heating source, blower assembly, air directing means and a vent assembly. Hot air is circulated by the blower motor assembly into the oven cavity where the hot air is directed in a manner wherein a conflicting, colliding turbulent gas flow is directed at a food product providing for the rapid cooking of food products.

Abstract: A gas valve (14) control system (10) uses a control signal (16) to enable a valve (14) and a validation signal (22) to validate the control signal (16). The system (10) includes a valve (14) connected to a burner (12). A receiver (18) is electrically connected to the valve (14) and provides the valve (14) with the control signal (16). A controller (20) has a control transmitter (24) in wireless communication with the receiver (18) to transmit the control signal (16) to the receiver (18) at a speed of light. The controller (20) further includes a validation transmitter (26) to transmit a validation signal (22) to the receiver (18) at a speed of sound. The valve (14) is enabled by the control signal (16) if a time delay between the receiver (18) receiving the control signal (16) and the validation signal (22) is shorter than a maximum delay period. The control signal (16) is discarded if the time delay is longer than the maximum delay period.

Abstract: A kitchen range that includes a front panel, a rear panel, and a pair of opposed side panels. Each of the panels is connected to the front panel at a respective front corner. The range also includes a conduit configured to transport an airflow within the range. The opposed side panels can also include a front flange defining a channel. A channel wall is attached to each front flange. The channel wall is configured to enclose the sides of the channel to form a conduit. The conduit is configured to transport an airflow through the conduit.

Abstract: A cooking unit includes a base pan, a can positioned on the base pan, and a cooking drum located on the base pan and within the can. The cooking unit also includes a heat source positioned outside the can.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cooking grate for use within a barbecue grill assembly. The cooking grate is located within a cooking chamber of the barbecue grill and adjacent the heat source. The cooking grate has an energy receptor portion and cooking members depending therefrom. The energy reception portion of the cooking grate receives energy from the heat source. The energy received by the energy reception portion of the cooking grate is then conducted through the cooking grate to cooking members to cook food thereon. The present invention also provides a grease control structure for the grate to assist in directing the flow of grease away from the burners.

Abstract: An electric oven includes a cavity, a door rotatably installed at a front surface and including an air suction hole formed at one side of the outside thereof and an air discharge hole formed at one side of the inside thereof; and an air suction/discharge member mounted outside the cavity and allowing the indoor air to be sucked through the air suction hole and to be discharged to a lower side of the cavity.

Abstract: A safety apparatus of a piezoelectric lighter includes a pressure absorbing device disposed in a cap cavity of a casing of the piezoelectric lighter, a holding means integrally affixed to an interior surface of a thumb-push cap for rigidly holding one end of the pressure absorbing device in position, and a receiving means provided in the cap cavity for receiving and supporting another end of the pressure absorbing device in position. Therefore the pressure absorbing device is vertically held between the thumb-push cap and the ceiling of the casing for urging the thumb-push cap at an upper normal position thereof and providing an additional press resistance to the thumb-push cap, so as to resist a downwardly press force applied by an under age child on the thumb-push cap while an adult is capable of pushing down the thumb-push cap easily.

Abstract: A conveyor oven has a modulating gas valve which raises and lowers the thermal output of a burner that heats the oven. A bypass line passes a minimum amount of gas to prevent the burner from completely shutting down during periods while the oven remains above a threshold demand for more heat. Electrical isolation is provided between temperature controlling devices to prevent an electrical feed back which might otherwise prevent a complete shut down of the oven during hazardous conditions.