Abstract: An iron includes: a housing; a handle attached to an upper portion of the housing; a sole plate attached to a lower portion of the housing; a heating element positioned within the housing to heat the sole plate; a controller operatively connected with the heating element to regulate heat produced by the heating element; and a display mounted on one of the housing and the handle, the display operatively connected with the controller, the display configured such that manipulation of the display selects a heat level associated with the sole plate.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for providing network route redundancy through Layer 2 devices, such as a loop free Layer 2 network having a plurality of switching devices. A virtual switch is coupled to the loop free Layer 2 network, the virtual switch having two or more switches configured to transition between master and backup modes to provide redundant support for the loop free Layer 2 network, the switches communicating their status through use of a plurality of redundancy control packets. The system also includes means for allowing the redundancy control packets to be flooded through the Layer 2 network. The means may include time-to-live data attached to the redundancy control packet which is decremented only when the packets are transferred through devices which are configured to recognize the protocol used in redundancy control packets.

Abstract: The invention concerns a cooking apparatus (1) which includes a base (3) and a receptacle (2) that rests upon the base (3). According to the invention, the apparatus includes a skirt (14) that has a closed side wall (15) surrounding the receptacle (2) and extending vertically from the base (3) up to at least the free top end (16) of the side wall (5) of the receptacle (2).

Abstract: A carpet seaming iron has two heating elements to maintain the iron at desired temperature with a minimum of temperature oscillation. One element remains energized as long as the iron is switched on, while the other is controlled by a thermostat. With proper selection of the power of the first heating element, the iron achieves a very steady, minimally-oscillating temperature by cycling the second element on and off in response to actual iron temperature during use, supplementing the first element as needed. Larger oscillations such as exhibited with single-element thermostat-controlled irons are avoided by the relatively smaller power of the second element, the only element cycled on and off, even when the thermostat is mechanical.

Abstract: A power control device is to be used with a pressing iron which includes a soleplate, a housing mounted on the soleplate and provided with a handle, a heating device disposed in the housing and operable so as to heat the soleplate, and a power supplying unit for supplying electric power to the heating device. The power control device includes a switch circuit adapted to connect electrically the heating device and the power supplying unit, an optical sensor unit adapted to be mounted on the handle of the housing, the optical sensor unit generating a first control signal when the handle is released and a second control signal when the handle is gripped, and a timer circuit connected electrically to the switch circuit and the optical sensor unit.

Abstract: An electrical steam iron having a soleplate, a housing, a thermostat and a temperature control knob connected to a shaft of the thermostat by an adapter. A spring is directly mounted to the adapter and has a deflectable portion between the adapter and the thermostat. The spring is a single wire that has a U-shaped center and crisscrossed L-shaped legs.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for identifying a diffusely-reflecting material, such as a textile fabric. A light source transmits radiation onto the unknown material, and a detector receives radiation diffusely reflected by the unknown material, and generates signals indicative of diffuse-reflection characteristics of the unknown material. A processor is coupled to the detector, and includes diffuse-reflection data on a plurality of reference materials. The processor compares the diffuse-reflection characteristics of the unknown material based on the signals of the detector to the reference data, and by a process of elimination, identifies the unknown material.

Abstract: An automatic switching apparatus for a hand held electrically operated appliance, such as a pressing iron. The automatic switching apparatus is provided within a circuit board located within the housing of the iron. The automatic switching apparatus includes a first timing circuit and a photosensitive switch which function in conjunction with one another such that when the user breaks contact with the photosensitive switch located on the handle portion of the iron, the first timing circuit is enabled to de-energize the heating element of the iron after contact has been broken with the photo-sensitive switch for a predetermined period of time. A second timing circuit is provided to disable the first timing circuit for a second predetermined period of time when the iron is initially plugged into the wall outlet so as to permit the heating element to reach a temperature level suitable for ironing without necessitating the user to contact the photosensitive switch when the heating element is initially energized.

Abstract: Method and circuitry is disclosed for controlling and stabilizing temperature of a resistance heat sealing element used in packaging operations. Temperature of the heat sealing element is measured by monitoring its resistance by means of a current sensing resistor placed in series with the heat sealing element. The resistivity of the heat sealing element is a function of temperature and current measurement, assuming substantially constant applied voltage, is an accurate measure of sealing element temperature. The circuitry reduces application of electric power to the sealing element in response to current in the sealing element dropping below a predetermined level. The circuit either continues application of electric power, or increases it, in response to the current being above the predetermined level. Circuitry is also provided for compensating for undesirable line voltage changes to maintain the heating element at a constant temperature.

Abstract: A fabric press comprises a press with a heating element (1) a temperature sensor (17), and a microprocessor based controller programmed to apply electrical power initially to the element for a boost period during which the press temperature is limited to a boost temperature, and then at the end of the boost period, to reduce the applied power and thereafter to control the power to maintain the press temperature substantially at a lower normal temperature. The controller comprises microprocessor (14) which supplied signals to a triac (12), the signals being timed to be applied at the zeros of the a.c. supply voltage and to switch the heater power for complete cycles of the supply voltage.

Abstract: Automatic switching apparatus for a hand held electrically operated appliance such as a pressing iron. A motion sensor and an electronic timer cooperate to automatically shut off the iron if the iron remains stationary for a predetermined period of time. A simplified mechanism is manually operable in the event the user desires to reactivate the iron. A circuit board mounting simplified electronic circuitry is located within the handle of the iron. An appropriate indicator informs the user whether the iron is in the active mode or in the inactive mode.

Abstract: A travel iron has a hollow handle defining a liquid reservoir which is pivotally mounted for movement between operative and stored positions. The handle is releasably secured in the operative position by a sliding latch. A conduit supplies liquid from the reservoir to the soleplate. A manually operated valve and a gravity operated valve control fluid flow through the conduit.

Abstract: An iron includes a heater, a thermostat, a temperature select knob, a READY indicator, a WAIT indicator, an audible transducer, a relay, a motion detector, and a microrprocessor-based electronic control circuit. Whenever the temperature select knob is moved, an interrupting signal is supplied to the microprocessor which causes the WAIT indicator to be illuminated and the READY indicator to be extinguished. Following this operation, the READY indicator is illuminated, the WAIT indicator extinguished and a single beep produced by the audible transducer whenever the thermostat deenergizes the heater. If the READY indicator is illuminated a total of ten minutes without the motion detector sensing movement of the iron, a ten-beep signal is produced by the transducer. If the READY indicator is illuminated for a total of twelve minutes without the iron being moved, the electronic control circuit deenergizes the relay to produce an automatic shut-off of the iron.

Abstract: A cordless flatiron includes a sole plate with an exposed bottom surface forming an ironing surface and a top surface including a number of projections extending upwardly therefrom. A protective hood attached to the periphery of the top surface of the sole plate forms an evacuated, sealed chamber thereabove and a heat storage element is positioned in the chamber so as to be movable toward and away from the projections of the sole plate. The heat storage element is heated by an electric heating rod extending therein. A temperature responsive regulator element positioned between the heat storage element and the top of the sole plate and responsive to the temperature of the sole plate is arranged by its configuration to position the heat storage with respect to the upper ends of the projections of the sole plate and thus determine whether or not heat is conducted from the heat storage element to the projections of the sole plate and to the ironing surface of the sole plate.

Abstract: A stacked snap-acting thermostat assembly in which a modification is provided of a single structural bracket extending over all the blades and mounted on and above the supported end with an enlarged integral portion having a bore therethrough to form an elongated bearing guide and support a control shaft rotatably in the bore contacting the tension part of the first element to position the upper spring blade.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an ironing device comprising an iron having an electrically heated and temperature regulated sole, at least one temperature sensor positioned in the vicinity of said sole, and a heater connected to an external electric supply. A temperature regulator is positioned remote from the iron for controlling the current supply to the heater and is responsive to the temperature sensor. The temperature sensor has at least one temperature-dependent resistor and at least one compensating resistor connected with the temperature-dependent resistor. An actual-valve input sets the desired temperature of the sole. The temperature-dependent resistor is also connected to the actual-value input.

Abstract: A stacked thermostat assemby includes a lower heat deformable blade, a conductive intermediate stiff spring blade, and a conductive upper less stiff spring blade with all the blades being supported, secured, and spaced apart at one end by interposed insulators. Electrical contacts on the conductive blades include structure for transmitting movement between the heat deformable blade to the upper blade to make and break an electric circuit and control heat to a medium sensed by the thermostat such as an iron soleplate on which the thermostat may be mounted. To this standard construction an improvement is provided in the temperature setting control mechanism of single structural integral bracket extending over the blades and mounted on and above the supported end, the bracket having an enlarged integral portion on its free end. A smooth unobstructed bore in the integral portion forms an elongated bearing guide between the ends of and over the blades.

Abstract: To a standard stacked thermostat assembly construction as used in an iron an improvement is provided in the temperature setting control mechanism of a single structural integral bracket extending over the blades and mounted on and above the supported end, the bracket having an enlarged integral portion on its free end. A smooth unobstructed bore in the integral portion forms an elongated bearing guide between the ends of and over the blades. In the bore a control shaft is rotatably supported and extends through an opening in the upper blade to position the intermediate blade and set temperature. An arcuate cam surface with end stops is formed directly on the integral portion facing the upper blade and a cam follower is provided on the control shaft and biased by the intermediate blade against the cam surface which extends over an arc of substantially 180.degree.-210.degree. and has a short arc angular rise at one end adjacent a stop.

Abstract: A manually operable device for pressing fabric comprising two triangular-shaped jaws, each of which has a flat surface portion. These surface portions face each other and constitute the working surfaces of the device. The two jaws are each secured to a handle. These handles are pivotally joined by a hinge so disposed that the two flat surface portions are separated from each other or are in parallel pressure engagement. The separated position of the surface portions constitutes the loading position of the device for inserting fabric between the two jaws and the other position constitutes the pressing position for pressing fabric inserted between the two jaws. Springs coacting with the handles bias the same into one or the other of the two positions.

Abstract: In an electric flatiron with a soleplate and central upstanding boss and having a handle having a temperature adjusting lever in the front of the handle, an improvement is provided in the temperature regulating assembly that comprises a snap action thermostat which is supported on the boss with a substantially vertically movable adjusting screw to vary the thermostat settings. An insulated cap is provided on the top of the screw and the cap has an outer splined surface. A rod is connected at one end to the temperature adjusting lever forward of the screw for rotation by lever movement for setting temperature. The rod has an offset portion at its other end loosely fitting in a driving engagement over the splined surface so the offset slides vertically over the splined surface forming a universal-like connection as the rod is rotated by the lever to turn the screw and vary the thermostat setting of the iron without undue backlash.