Patents by Inventor Hirofumi Nakakura

Hirofumi Nakakura has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8426782
    Abstract: An induction heating device has an accurate sensing of the temperature of a to-be-heated object and is user-friendly. The induction heating device includes a sensor for sensing the temperature of the to-be-heated object and can carry out a heating operation only when it is determined that the to-be-heated object exists above the sensor. A display having a circular design and characters, for example, that shows the position of this sensor is provided on a top plate of the induction heating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Toshihiro Keishima, Akira Kataoka, Hirofumi Nakakura, Izuo Hirota
  • Publication number: 20090134149
    Abstract: An induction heating device is provided that can realize an accrete sensing of the temperature of a to-be-heated object and that is user-friendly. To realize this, the induction heating device includes a sensor for sensing the temperature of the to-be-heated object and can carry out a heating operation only when it is determined that the to-be-heated object exists above the sensor. A display having a circular design and characters for example that shows the position of this sensor is provided on a top plate of the induction heating device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2006
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Applicant: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshihiro Keishima, Akira Kataoka, Hirofumi Nakakura, Izuo Hirota
  • Patent number: 7041945
    Abstract: An induction-heating cooking device includes a light-transmissive cooking board on which a cooking container to be heated is to be placed; a heating coil for heating the cooking container; light emission means for emitting a light beam; and light-transmissive light conducting means for allowing the light beam emitted by the light emission means to be propagated therethrough. The light beam lights up an outer peripheral portion of the light conducting means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuyuki Aihara, Hirofumi Nakakura, Kazuichi Okada, Kouichi Hosoi, Shigezou Oonishi
  • Publication number: 20030164370
    Abstract: An induction-heating cooking device includes a light-transmissive cooking board on which a cooking container to be heated is to be placed; a heating coil for heating the cooking container; light emission means for emitting a light beam; and light-transmissive light conducting means for allowing the light beam emitted by the light emission means to be propagated therethrough. The light beam lights up an outer peripheral portion of the light conducting means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2003
    Publication date: September 4, 2003
    Inventors: Katsuyuki Aihara, Hirofumi Nakakura, Kazuichi Okada, Kouichi Hosoi, Shigezou Oonishi
  • Patent number: 4957040
    Abstract: An automatic bread making apparatus comprises a housing, a baking container disposed in the housing and being provided with an opening and a source of heat, a kneading container which is detachably mounted in the baking container, a lid assembly for covering the kneading container, a kneading blade which is movably disposed in the kneading container, a motor for operating the blade to form the dough, means for detecting temperature in the kneading container, a yeast charger and a control unit for operating the apparatus. This apparatus provides for the automatic addition of yeast to the kneaded dough without manual intervention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 18, 1990
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirofumi Nakakura, Morio Shibata, Haruo Ishikawa, Akihisa Nakano, Hiromi Hirota, Hajime Oyabu
  • Patent number: 4951559
    Abstract: A bread producing machine comprises a baking case for accommodating bread materials, a baking chamber for accommodating the baking case, a mixing, kneading means for mixing, kneading the bread materials within the baking case, a heating means for heating the baking case, an air inlet route and an exhaust route including the baking chamber a fan for compulsory blast use is disposed in the course of the exhaust rate. The exhaust route is located at its one end above the baking case so as to confront the upper portion side wall of the baking chamber as an air inlet port, and confronts at its other end an outer side exhaust port provided in an outer cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1990
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuzuru Arao, Morio Shibata, shigeru Yamaguchi, Hirofumi Nakakura, Tsuneo Shibata, Yukitoshi Kunihiro
  • Patent number: 4885176
    Abstract: Bread ingredients and water are kneaded at the start of a bread making process, and the dough is rested. Susequently, dry yeast is added to the dough, and the dough with the added dry yeast is kneaded again. The dough is then allowed to ferment during which time a gas is released from the dough several times, the fermentation stage being followed by baking the dough. An automatic bread making apparatus has a yeast charger for charging dry yeast into a kneading container. Thus, dry yeast can automatically be added to the kneaded dough without manual intervention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1989
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirofumi Nakakura, Morio Shibata, Haruo Ishikawa, Akihisa Nakano, Hiromi Hiroto, Hajime Oyabu
  • Patent number: 4762057
    Abstract: A controlling apparatus controls a series of processes such as a kneading process, a fermenting process, a breathing process and a baking process of material within a bread baking mold based on the temperature of the bread baking mold detected within the baking chamber. The controlling apparatus controls a series of process of at least two types or more and is adapted to select either of the subsequent series of processes in accordance with one temperature input or two temperature inputs each respectively sensed at the kneading start time-point, during the kneading process, or at the kneading completion time-point. Fresh-baked bread which is superior may be provided independent from the changing influences of the seasons or of the material temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1988
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiromi Hirota, Hirofumi Nakakura, Haruo Ishikawa, Hajime Oyabu, Akihisa Nakano, Toshiichiro Tanaka
  • Patent number: 4410280
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electric food preparation apparatus such as a food processor, juicer or the like. An annular cavity is formed in the fitting portion between the container body and the container lid. The annular cavity is communicated with the interior of the container body through communication passages. Fluid guiding members are disposed at the upstream side of respective communication passages to generate negative pressure in the respective communication passages. The liquid leaking outside is induced back into the container body through the communication passages so that external leaking of the liquid is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1983
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Terukazu Yamauchi, Hirofumi Nakakura