Patents by Inventor William D. Starr
William D. Starr 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).
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Publication number: 20220007888Abstract: A multi-functional oven includes: a housing having a floor, a rear wall, a ceiling, and first and second side walls; a door that serves as a front wall of the housing; an internal side wall that divides the housing into a cooking cavity and an control cavity; a removable cooking rack that defines a cooking surface; a lower heating element positioned in a lower region of the cooking cavity beneath the cooking surface; an upper heating element positioned in an upper region of the cooking cavity above the cooking surface; and a fan residing in a recirculation duct in the control cavity configured to draw air from the cooking cavity through lower vents located in a lower area of the internal side wall, thereby creating an airstream above and below the cooking surface that flows into the lower vents, and to force air from the control cavity through upper vents into the cooking cavity.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2020Publication date: January 13, 2022Inventors: William D. Starr, Lynda Musante
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Patent number: 11019961Abstract: A shut-off mechanism for a toaster includes a damper arm pivotally mounted on a frame that includes a damper unit. The damper unit including (a) a cavity in which a viscous fluid is stored, (b) a rotor that resides partially in the cavity and partially outside of the cavity, the viscous fluid resisting rotation of the rotor relative to the cavity, and (c) an engagement member attached to the rotor that engages a track on the frame. The damper arm is movable between a deactivated position and an activated position. An electrical switch configured to engage an electrical contact when the damper arm is in the activated position and to disengage from the electrical contact when the damper arm is in the deactivated position.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2019Date of Patent: June 1, 2021Assignee: Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc.Inventor: William D Starr
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Publication number: 20200329911Abstract: A shut-off mechanism for a toaster includes: a frame having a base, a vertical wall and a track with opposed first and second ends; a damper arm pivotally mounted on the frame that includes a damper unit attached to one end of the damper arm, the damper unit including (a) a cavity in which a viscous fluid is stored, (b) a rotor that resides partially in the cavity and partially outside of the cavity, the viscous fluid resisting rotation of the rotor relative to the cavity, and (c) an engagement member attached to the rotor that engages the track on the frame, wherein the damper arm is movable between a deactivated position, in which the damper unit is adjacent the first end of the track, and an activated position, in which the damper unit is adjacent the second end of the track; a first biasing member that biases the damper arm toward the deactivated position; a cocking member pivotally attached to the frame and positioned between the damper arm and the vertical wall of the frame, the cocking member movable bType: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2019Publication date: October 22, 2020Inventor: William D. Starr
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Patent number: 10660343Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for automatically making a pocket sandwich. The apparatus includes a platform configured to support a wrap (such as pita bread, tortillas, or the like) and a rotatable food pocket arranged at a center of the platform. A folding paddle is configured to rotate toward and away from the center of the platform, being placed at a location with respect to the platform such that motion of the folding paddle toward the center of the platform folds a portion of the wrap. The holding arm has a tip at a free end thereof, being movable in a vertical direction toward and away from the center of the platform. The holding arm is configured to contact the wrap and hold the folded pleat in place while the food pocket rotates with respect to the platform to permit the folding paddle to generate a successive pleat.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2017Date of Patent: May 26, 2020Assignee: Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc.Inventors: William D Starr, Amy Hollister, Drew Carlson
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Patent number: 10327591Abstract: A toaster oven comprising a housing defining a food cavity, an opening defined in the housing, a door movably affixed to the housing, a cooking grid selectively mountable within the housing, one or more heating elements within the housing, a timer controlling activation of the heating elements, and a timer control knob engaged with the timer. The timer control knob is selectively rotatable in a second direction from the off position to a third position to activate at least one of the one or more heating elements until the timer control knob is selectively rotated in the first direction back to the off position. The timer control knob has a selectively movable button, such that the timer control knob is only selectively rotatable in the second direction from the off position to the third position when the button is moved from a first position to a second position.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2016Date of Patent: June 25, 2019Assignee: Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc.Inventor: William D Starr
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Patent number: 10307014Abstract: A kitchen appliance includes a first reservoir for receiving a liquid to be used for preparing a beverage. A hot water generator (‘HWG’) has an inlet end, an outlet end and a passageway extending therebetween. The inlet end of the HWG is connected to the first reservoir. Liquid from the first reservoir flows into the HWG through the inlet end. A selector valve is connected to the outlet end of the HWG. At least a portion of the selector valve is movable by a user between a first valve position and a second valve position.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2016Date of Patent: June 4, 2019Assignee: Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc.Inventors: William D Starr, Patrick T Mulvaney, Adam Hanes, Larry Olson
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Publication number: 20190053503Abstract: An apparatus is provided for automatically making a pocket sandwich, and methods for making and using the same. The apparatus includes a platform configured to support a wrap (such as pita bread, tortillas, or the like) and a rotatable food pocket arranged at a center of the platform. A folding paddle is configured to rotate toward and away from the center of the platform, being placed at a location with respect to the platform such that motion of the folding paddle toward the center of the platform folds a portion of the wrap. The holding arm has a tip at a free end thereof, being movable in a vertical direction toward and away from the center of the platform. The holding arm is configured to contact the wrap and hold the folded pleat in place while the food pocket rotates with respect to the platform to permit the folding paddle to generate a successive pleat.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2017Publication date: February 21, 2019Inventors: William D. Starr, Amy Hollister, Drew Carlson
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Patent number: 10051996Abstract: A toaster oven comprising a housing defining a food cavity, an opening defined in the housing, a door movably affixed to the housing, a cooking grid selectively mountable within the housing, one or more heating elements within the housing, a timer controlling activation of the heating elements, and a timer control knob engaged with the timer. The timer control knob is selectively rotatable in a second direction from the off position to a third position to activate at least one of the one or more heating elements until the timer control knob is selectively rotated in the first direction back to the off position. The timer control knob is only selectively rotatable in the second direction from the off position to the third rotational position when a main body of the timer control knob is moved longitudinally from a first longitudinal position to a second longitudinal position.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2016Date of Patent: August 21, 2018Assignee: Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc.Inventor: William D Starr
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Patent number: 9888807Abstract: A kitchen appliance includes a first reservoir for receiving a liquid to be used for preparing a beverage. A hot water generator (‘HWG’) has an inlet end, an outlet end and a passageway extending therebetween. The inlet end of the HWG is connected to the first reservoir. Liquid from the first reservoir flows into the HWG through the inlet end. A second reservoir is connected to the outlet end of the HWG. The second reservoir includes a discharge port, a gas vent and a skirt extending from a wall of the second reservoir further than the gas vent. The skirt at least partially surrounds the gas vent. At least a portion of the skirt is spaced laterally inwardly from an outer sidewall of the second reservoir.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2016Date of Patent: February 13, 2018Assignee: Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc.Inventors: William D Starr, Patrick T Mulvaney, Adam Hanes, Larry Olson
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Publication number: 20170059174Abstract: A toaster oven comprising a housing defining a food cavity, an opening defined in the housing, a door movably affixed to the housing, a cooking grid selectively mountable within the housing, one or more heating elements within the housing, a timer controlling activation of the heating elements, and a timer control knob engaged with the timer. The timer control knob is selectively rotatable in a second direction from the off position to a third position to activate at least one of the one or more heating elements until the timer control knob is selectively rotated in the first direction back to the off position. The timer control knob has a selectively depressible pushbutton, such that the timer control knob is only selectively rotatable in the second direction from the off position to the third position when the pushbutton is depressed.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2016Publication date: March 2, 2017Inventors: Drew Carlson, William D. Starr
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Publication number: 20170060170Abstract: A toaster oven comprising a housing defining a food cavity, an opening defined in the housing, a door movably affixed to the housing, a cooking grid selectively mountable within the housing, one or more heating elements within the housing, a timer controlling activation of the heating elements, and a timer control knob engaged with the timer. The timer control knob is selectively rotatable in a second direction from the off position to a third position to activate at least one of the one or more heating elements until the timer control knob is selectively rotated in the first direction back to the off position. The timer control knob has a selectively movable button, such that the timer control knob is only selectively rotatable in the second direction from the off position to the third position when the button is moved from a first position to a second position.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2016Publication date: March 2, 2017Inventor: William D. Starr
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Publication number: 20170059173Abstract: A toaster oven comprising a housing defining a food cavity, an opening defined in the housing, a door movably affixed to the housing, a cooking grid selectively mountable within the housing, one or more heating elements within the housing, a timer controlling activation of the heating elements, and a timer control knob engaged with the timer. The timer control knob is selectively rotatable in a second direction from the off position to a third position to activate at least one of the one or more heating elements until the timer control knob is selectively rotated in the first direction back to the off position. The timer control knob is only selectively rotatable in the second direction from the off position to the third rotational position when a main body of the timer control knob is moved longitudinally from a first longitudinal position to a second longitudinal position.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2016Publication date: March 2, 2017Inventor: William D. Starr
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Publication number: 20170035241Abstract: A kitchen appliance includes a first reservoir for receiving a liquid to be used for preparing a beverage. A hot water generator (‘HWG’) has an inlet end, an outlet end and a passageway extending therebetween. The inlet end of the HWG is connected to the first reservoir. Liquid from the first reservoir flows into the HWG through the inlet end. A selector valve is connected to the outlet end of the HWG. At least a portion of the selector valve is movable by a user between a first valve position and a second valve position.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2016Publication date: February 9, 2017Inventors: William D. Starr, Patrick T. Mulvaney, Adam Hanes, Larry Olson
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Publication number: 20160220063Abstract: A kitchen appliance includes a first reservoir for receiving a liquid to be used for preparing a beverage. A hot water generator (‘HWG’) has an inlet end, an outlet end and a passageway extending therebetween. The inlet end of the HWG is connected to the first reservoir. Liquid from the first reservoir flows into the HWG through the inlet end. A second reservoir is connected to the outlet end of the HWG. The second reservoir includes a discharge port, a gas vent and a skirt extending from a wall of the second reservoir further than the gas vent. The skirt at least partially surrounds the gas vent. At least a portion of the skirt is spaced laterally inwardly from an outer sidewall of the second reservoir.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2016Publication date: August 4, 2016Inventors: William D. Starr, Patrick T. Mulvaney, Adam Hanes, Larry Olson
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Patent number: 9332876Abstract: A kitchen appliance includes a first reservoir for receiving a liquid to be used for preparing a beverage. A hot water generator (‘HWG’) has an inlet end, an outlet end and a passageway extending therebetween. The inlet end of the HWG is connected to the first reservoir. Liquid from the first reservoir flows into the HWG through the inlet end. A second reservoir is connected to the outlet end of the HWG. The second reservoir includes a discharge port, a gas vent and a skirt extending from a wall of the second reservoir further than the gas vent. The skirt at least partially surrounds the gas vent. At least a portion of the skirt is spaced laterally inwardly from an outer sidewall of the second reservoir.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2013Date of Patent: May 10, 2016Assignee: Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc.Inventors: William D Starr, Patrick T Mulvaney, Adam Hanes, Larry Olson
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Publication number: 20150040772Abstract: An apparatus including a removable filter carrier and a beverage maker is disclosed with a receiver for the removable filter carrier, a showerhead, and sealing surface. The filter carrier is linearly inserted into the receiver via a front face of the beverage maker. The receiver may also include the locking mechanism. The locking mechanism includes a lever that is actuated to operate the locking mechanism. Actuation of the lever is translated to lift and clamp the filter carrier against the seal surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2014Publication date: February 12, 2015Inventors: William D Starr, Mark K Romandy
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Publication number: 20140314926Abstract: A kitchen appliance includes a first reservoir for receiving a liquid to be used for preparing a beverage and a hot water generator (‘HWG’) which has an inlet end, an outlet end and a passageway therebetween. The inlet end of the HWG is connected to the first reservoir. Liquid from the first reservoir flows into the HWG through the inlet end. A second reservoir is connected to the outlet end of the HWG. The second reservoir includes a discharge port. A fluid path connects the first and second reservoirs and bypasses the HWG. The kitchen appliance is operable for both pressurized brew/heat cycles and un-pressurized brew/heat cycles.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2014Publication date: October 23, 2014Inventors: Adam Hanes, Patrick T. Mulvaney, William D. Starr
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Publication number: 20140208954Abstract: A kitchen appliance includes a first reservoir for receiving a liquid to be used for preparing a beverage. A hot water generator (‘HWG’) has an inlet end, an outlet end and a passageway extending therebetween. The inlet end of the HWG is connected to the first reservoir. Liquid from the first reservoir flows into the HWG through the inlet end. A second reservoir is connected to the outlet end of the HWG. The second reservoir includes a discharge port, a gas vent and a skirt extending from a wall of the second reservoir further than the gas vent. The skirt at least partially surrounds the gas vent. At least a portion of the skirt is spaced laterally inwardly from an outer sidewall of the second reservoir.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2013Publication date: July 31, 2014Applicant: Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc.Inventors: William D. Starr, Patrick T. Mulvaney, Adam Hanes, Larry Olson
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Publication number: 20140208952Abstract: A kitchen appliance includes a first reservoir for receiving a liquid to be used for preparing a beverage. A hot water generator (‘HWG’) has an inlet end, an outlet end and a passageway extending therebetween. The inlet end of the HWG is connected to the first reservoir. Liquid from the first reservoir flows into the HWG through the inlet end. A selector valve is connected to the outlet end of the HWG. At least a portion of the selector valve is movable by a user between a first valve position and a second valve position.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2013Publication date: July 31, 2014Applicant: Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc.Inventors: William D. Starr, Adam Hanes, Patrick T. Mulvaney
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Publication number: 20130239817Abstract: A kitchen appliance includes a first reservoir for receiving a liquid to be used for preparing a beverage and a hot water generator (‘HWG’) which has an inlet end, an outlet end and a passageway therebetween. The inlet end of the HWG is connected to the first reservoir. Liquid from the first reservoir flows into the HWG through the inlet end. A second reservoir is connected to the outlet end of the HWG. The second reservoir includes a discharge port. A fluid path connects the first and second reservoirs and bypasses the HWG. The kitchen appliance is operable for both pressurized brew/heat cycles and un-pressurized brew/heat cycles.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2013Publication date: September 19, 2013Applicant: Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc.Inventors: William D. Starr, Adam Hanes, Patrick T. Mulvaney