Vessel Separable From Stand Patents (Class 219/432)
  • Patent number: 11219231
    Abstract: A heated air popcorn popper and related methods of popping popcorn in which unpopped kernels are retained in a heating zone and are prevented from being expelled before they have been exposed to a heated air stream for sufficient time to result in popping of the kernels. The popcorn popper can have a popping portion including a retention mechanism capable of moving in response to physical contact with popped kernels that experience a dramatic volumetric increase in size following popping. As the number of popped kernels within the popping portion increases, the level of the popped kernels rises until they physically contact the retention mechanism, whereby the retention mechanism is forced to transition from a covering disposition to an open disposition in which popped kernels are allowed to exit the heating zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: National Presto Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Seth Rooney, Michael R. Berge
  • Patent number: 10712206
    Abstract: The invention concerns a belt for measuring temperature of an object, the belt comprising: at least one measurement sensor, a strip having a circumference intended to surround the object, a device for clamping the strip around the object, characterized in that the temperature sensor is mounted on an individual heat-insulating support displaceable in a guiding direction toward the object between at least two heat-insulating pads which are intended to abut against the object, the pads being attached to the strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Electricite de France
    Inventors: Marc Petit, Sylvain Blairon
  • Patent number: 10647238
    Abstract: A tumbler for use in a car cup holder may include a top-open, bottom-closed, pipe-like internal body for accommodating a beverage; an external body, surrounding the wall of the internal body at a distance to form an internal gap between the external body and the internal body; and a magnetic, metallic heating element disposed at a lower side of the internal body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jae Woo Park, Sang Shin Lee, So Yoon Park, Man Ju Oh, Jae Woong Kim, So La Chung
  • Patent number: 10578338
    Abstract: A cordless liquid heating device (1000) is provided and includes an implement part (100) and a base part (200). The implement part (100) includes a liquid heating container and a temperature measuring device (110); the base part (200) is configured to supply electric energy to the implement part (100) through a cordless electric connector, the cordless electric connector achieves an electric connection when the implement part (100) is placed on the base part (200); the base part (200) includes an electronic control device configured to control an electric heater and a signal electric connection configured to transmit a temperature measured by the temperature measuring device (110) to the electronic control device in the base part (200); the signal electric connection and the cordless electric connector are separate components. The cordless liquid heating device (1000) facilitates maintenance thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Inventors: Weijie Chen, Guojun Zhu
  • Patent number: 10512888
    Abstract: Systems and methods provide automated parameter assurance features and results for consumables used in bioprocessing and particularly for purifying, filtering, harvesting and collecting bioprocessing fluids. Consumables having these features are sized, shaped, configured and constructed to interface with and be a component of such a bioprocessing system that includes a multi-use component or device with which it operatively engages such as by docking, engagement with a connector or other approach that allows for insertion and removal of the consumable. The consumable may be a component having a single-use life or a limited life. Each consumable has a median by which information, which can include use limits and specifications, is associated with that specific consumable, and those limits and specifications are communicated to the multi-use component which indicates any inappropriateness for use with the multi-use component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Dean James Pighin, Richard Krmit Bergs, Donald Robert Beers, Peter Anthony D'Antonio, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10473242
    Abstract: A coupler for use in a liquid heater includes a male connector and a female socket connector. The male connector includes a connecting wall and an annular cylindrical wall formed around the connecting wall. The female socket connector comprises an end wall joined with the connecting wall of the male connector and a peripheral wall formed around the end wall and arranged perpendicularly to the end wall. The surface of the end wall joined with the connecting wall is gradually lowered from the center towards the periphery and is convex-hull shaped. The peripheral wall includes arced sections and gapped sections connected between two arced sections. When the male connector is coupled with the female socket connector, this allows the arced sections to be coupled with the annular cylindrical wall and forms no coupling between the gapped sections and the annular cylindrical wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Guangdong Xinbao Electrical Appliances Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jiangang Guo
  • Patent number: 10405698
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a cooking system for cooking food, the system including a housing defining a hollow chamber configured to receive a food container. The housing has an upper portion defining an opening to the hollow chamber. A lid is movably attached to the housing. The lid is moveable about a hinged axis between an open position and a closed position. A foot for supporting the housing is substantially vertically aligned with the hinge axis to stabilize the housing when the housing is oriented at a 15 degree angle and the lid is in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: SHARKNINJA OPERATING LLC
    Inventors: Aaron Michael Gill, Ross Richardson, Naomi Kalia Williams Zabel, Da Deng, Mete Gursel, Andrew John Roy Tattersfield, Niall Christopher Denham, Roger Neil Jackson, Ronan Patrick Leahy, Evan James White, Thomas Guerin, Chris Martin, Nathaniel R. Lavins, Mackenzie Lee Swanhart, Samuel Andrew Ferguson, Scott James Stewart
  • Patent number: 10390656
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a cooking system for cooking food, the system including a housing defining a hollow chamber configured to receive a food container. The housing has an upper portion defining an opening to the hollow chamber. A food container having a hollow container interior is positionable within the hollow chamber. An end of the food container extends above the upper portion of the housing when the container is installed within the hollow chamber. A lid is moveably attached to the housing and is moveable between a first position that covers the upper portion of the housing and the opening to the hollow chamber when the food container is installed within the hollow chamber and a second position where the lid does not cover the opening to the hollow chamber. At least one heating element is associated with at least one of said lid and said housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: SHARKNINJA OPERATING LLC
    Inventors: Aaron Michael Gill, Ross Richardson, Naomi Kalia Williams Zabel, Da Deng, Mete Gursel, Andrew John Roy Tattersfield, Niall Christopher Denham, Roger Neil Jackson, Ronan Patrick Leahy, Evan James White, Thomas Guerin, Chris Martin, Nathaniel R. Lavins, Mackenzie Lee Swanhart, Samuel Andrew Ferguson, Scott James Stewart
  • Patent number: 10373787
    Abstract: A temperature control apparatus has a housing and at least one thermosensitive protective action component. The thermosensitive protective action component has a metal actuator, an acting mechanism, a support frame, and a switch contact set. The metal actuator and the acting mechanism are both arranged on the support frame. The acting mechanism controls the on-off state of the switch contact set. The switch contact set is connected between the housing and the support frame. The switch contact set has a movable contact piece and a fixed contact piece. The temperature control apparatus also has a connecting component. The housing and the thermosensitive protective action component are flexibly connected therebetween via the connecting component. When the liquid heater is deformed as a result of a thermal shock, a great thermal contact can be maintained between the thermosensitive protective action component and a temperature sensing surface of the liquid heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Guangdong Xinbao Electrical Appliances Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jiangang Guo
  • Patent number: 10360812
    Abstract: Control system, method, and computer program product for partitioning machine readable recipe programs to control one or more multi-function cooking apparatuses for processing one or more food products. The system may include recipe program interface configured to receive one or more separate recipe programs for preparing food products. A partitioning module is configured to identify, in accordance with predefined partitioning rules, subsets of recipe program instructions in the one or more recipe programs. A first subset includes recipe program instructions for executing food processing steps with compatible ingredient information at temperatures below a predefined temperature threshold and a second subset includes recipe program instructions for executing food processing steps with compatible ingredient information at temperatures equal to or above the predefined temperature threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Vorwerk & Co. Interholding GmbH
    Inventors: Maximilian Koennings, Maria Jose Resende, Georg Hackert, Julius Ganns, Stefan Hilgers
  • Patent number: 10178924
    Abstract: A cooking system includes a housing and a liner with a bottom heating element and a side circumferential heating element in a plurality of segments electrically connected. A control subsystem includes a selector for the user switchable between slow cook and stove top modes. Both the bottom heating element and the side circumferential heating element are energized and in the stove top mode. Only the side circumferential heating element is energized in the slow cook mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: SHARKNINJA OPERATING LLC
    Inventors: Jon French, Aric Jennings, Jamie Paul Gagnon, Brian McGee, David M. Audette, Michael Joseph Smith, John Cheung, Joyce Chien Tu
  • Patent number: 9927333
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preparing a sample for chromatographic separation processes, in which a sample vessel (1) is partially filled with a substance to be examined and is closed, the substance to be examined is subjected to a thermo-chemical reaction in which at least one sample component is converted into another substance, and in which by means of a removing device samples are removed from the sample vessel (1) for analytical examination, characterized in that the sample vessel (1) forms a cavity, into which the substance to be examined is introduced as a core and a heating section for indirect heat transfer is applied along the filling of substance to be examined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Gerstel Systemtechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Patrick Sandra, Bart Tienpont, Frank David, Tom Sandra, Koen Sandra
  • Patent number: 9920392
    Abstract: An apparatus for magnetic induction hardening of a workpiece includes a magnetic tool having a body portion formed of a generally non-magnetic material. The body portion has a surface configured to be positioned in close proximity to the workpiece being hardened. The apparatus further includes a magnetic arrangement coupled to the body portion at or adjacent the surface of the body portion and configured to provide regions of alternating polarity. A workpiece holder is configured to support the workpiece in close proximity to the surface of the magnetic tool. A drive arrangement for rotating the magnetic tool relative to the workpiece holder about an axis of rotation is provided to induce heating of the workpiece to achieve a temperature in the austenitic range of the workpiece resulting in hardening of the workpiece through a microstructural transformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: The Timken Company
    Inventors: Stephen B. Fitch, Jerry Mills, William Stuehr, John Gadus, Stephen P. Johnson
  • Patent number: 9848727
    Abstract: Appliances comprising a base unit and a plug connector coupled to the base unit. The plug connector is configured to electrically couple the appliance to a first socket connector of an electrical receptacle. A channel is formed on or in a first sidewall of the base unit. The plug connector is disposed in the channel when in an engaged position. A defines a channel wall of the channel. The lever is configured to facilitate a transition of the plug connector between the engaged position and a disengaged position. The lever engages the plug connector when in the engaged position and does not engage the plug connector when in the disengaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Sunbeam Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam Day, Phetsouvanh Kounlavong, Daniel Juhyung Lee, Dov Glucksman, Gary P. McGonagle, Joseph C. Spencer, Jr., George T. Hardin, Jr., Laura Nickerson
  • Patent number: 9507399
    Abstract: An accelerometer or other motion sensor is used to provide power to an entire processor system such that the processor does not need to be powered to process the motion signals for initial power-on control. After the processor system is powered on, the processor system may receive and process motion signals as normal, including, for example, performing various power-control functions such as power-down of certain components or the entire system upon detection of a lack of motion for a predetermined amount of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Yu-Tsun Chien
  • Patent number: 9485806
    Abstract: A stabilized beverage container warming device holds and warms a beverage container or the like in a stable upright position. The device includes a housing coupled to a warming plate. The housing comprises a peripheral wall extending upwardly and around the warming plate defining an enclosure configured for receiving a cup therein resting on the warming plate. A base is coupled to the housing and configured for engaging a supporting surface wherein the enclosure is supported in an upright position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Inventor: Christopher L. McClendon
  • Patent number: 9422849
    Abstract: A reservoir for holding a quantity of fluid within a tank, the reservoir including a first resistive element for heating a first part of the tank and a second resistive element for heating a second part of the tank, the second resistive element having a positive temperature coefficient. The reservoir further includes a third resistive element for heating the second part of the tank, the second resistive element and the third resistive element forming a parallel circuit, and the first resistive element being connected in series with the parallel circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: INERGY AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS RESEARCH (Societe Anonyme)
    Inventor: Jae Sik Choi
  • Patent number: 9414707
    Abstract: Disclosed are cooking devices and assemblies that employ infrared radiant energy to cook food. One cooking assembly includes a cooker including a body having a cooker lid configured to engage a top of the body, an inner layer arranged within the body and defining a heating cavity within the cooker, a heating element arranged within the heating cavity and configured to heat the heating cavity, and a cooking vessel made of a transmissive material and configured to be arranged within the heating cavity, the cooking vessel defines a cooking cavity configured to receive food therein, wherein the heating element convectively heats the cooking vessel and infrared radiant energy is thereby emitted from interior surfaces of the cooking vessel into the cooking cavity to cook the food.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: WKI HOLDING COMPANY, INC.
    Inventor: Brian L. Coleman
  • Patent number: 9417616
    Abstract: A network system is provided. The network includes: at least one component selected from an energy receiving unit receiving energy and an energy management unit managing the energy receiving unit. The energy receiving unit or the energy management unit receives energy rate related information; an energy usage amount or a usage rate of when the component is controlled on the basis of at least the energy rate related information is less than that of when the component is controlled without the basis of at least energy rate related information; and if the energy rate related information is high cost information, a function of one component constituting the energy receiving unit is limited and a function of another component constituting the energy receiving unit is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Junho Ahn, Yanghwan Kim, Hoonbong Lee, Koonseok Lee, Seogho Go, Jonghee Han, Donghyun Kim, Woonghyun Lee
  • Patent number: 9391603
    Abstract: A semiconductor device has a first chip and a second chip sealed in a single package. The first chip includes a regulator which generates an internal voltage from a supply voltage, a reset circuit which monitors the supply voltage and the internal voltage to generate a reset signal, and a controlled circuit which operates by being supplied with the supply voltage. The second chip includes a controlling circuit which generates a control signal for the controlled circuit by being supplied with the internal voltage. The reset signal is fed to both the controlling circuit and the controlled circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Fujimura, Muga Imamura, Hirofumi Yuki
  • Patent number: 9279599
    Abstract: A heating system is disclosed, which includes a main body having a duct formed therein, an air flowing guiding member, and a heating unit. The duct has an air inlet and an air outlet. The air flowing guiding member is disposed in the duct. The heating unit includes a substrate and a plurality of electronic components disposed on the substrate in a matrix form and embossed from a surface of the substrate, wherein each of the electronic components is capable of individually producing heat to directly heat up the air flowing in the duct. Also a heating system using the heating unit is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Lite-On Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Yung-Lung Lee
  • Patent number: 9247841
    Abstract: An anti-oxidation food preparation device includes a food preparation vessel having an electrically conductive body and a separate power supplying base. The base generates high frequency AC power that is transferred by a primary coil to as secondary coil maintained by the vessel. A rectification circuit converts the high frequency AC power into a rippled, rectified AC current that is supplied to the electrically conductive body of the vessel so as to create a reducing environment of available electrons for absorption by the food as it is prepared.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Inventors: Steven L. Maupin, Lance P. Johnson
  • Patent number: 9242598
    Abstract: A cup-holder arrangement for a vehicle includes a cup-holder, a lighting unit; and a control unit for controlling a color gradient of the lighting unit as a function of a temperature setting of the cup-holder or of a temperature in or on the cup-holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Michael Mayer, Marcus Pfeil
  • Patent number: 9168530
    Abstract: A microplate for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) comprises a substrate having a metallic material for heating PCR samples, and a barrier layer disposed adjacent to the substrate. In some cases, the barrier layer is formed of a first polymeric material. The microplate includes one or more wells for containing PCR samples. The one or more wells are formed of a second polymeric material sealed to the barrier layer. In some cases, the substrate can provide a PCR ramp rate of at least about 5° C./second.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: BJS IP LTD.
    Inventors: Ian Gunter, Richard Lewis
  • Patent number: 9035222
    Abstract: An actively heated mug, travel mug, baby bottle, water bottle or liquid container is provided. The mug, travel mug, baby bottle, water bottle or liquid container can include a body that receives a liquid therein and a heating or cooling system at least partially disposed in the body. The heating or cooling system can include one or more heating or cooling elements that heat a surface of the receiving portion of the body and one or more energy storage devices. The mug, travel mug, baby bottle, water bottle or liquid container can include a wireless power receiver that wirelessly receives power from a power source and control circuitry configured to charge one or more power storage elements and to control the delivery of electricity from the one or more power storage elements to the one or more heating or cooling elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Oromo Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Clayton Alexander
  • Publication number: 20150122796
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a heating device for a kettle, comprising an enclosure, a radiator fan, a rack, a core PCB, a wire coil, and a temperature sensor in the enclosure. A heating platform which has a housing cavity is arranged on the upper part of the enclosure. The radiator fan is mounted at the bottom of the enclosure. The rack is fixed inside the enclosure. The core PCB is configured in the lower part of the rack and above the radiator fan. The wire coil which is provided with a heat coil is installed on the rack, and the temperature sensor is electrically connected with the core PCB.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: STUDIO CQ (GUANGZHOU) LTD
    Inventor: Pot Matthijs
  • Publication number: 20150108108
    Abstract: The disclosure discloses a liquid heater with a movable base assembly, comprising a body portion and a chassis portion. The chassis portion has the movable base assembly which is overlapped with the chassis portion and can be protruded out of the chassis portion. The liquid heater with the movable base assembly according to the disclosure has the receiving function, wherein the movable base assembly can be received on the chassis portion. Thereby, the liquid heater with the movable base assembly of the application has the advantages of a compacted structure, having the receiving function, convenient use and great utility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: Ningbo SMAL Electrics Co., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuejun DONG, Shuaikui HE
  • Publication number: 20150041452
    Abstract: A food plate warming device warms a plate prior to serving so that food on the plate remains heated when served and throughout a meal. The device includes a shelf coupled to a rack such that the shelf extends between lateral sides of the shelf. Electrical contacts are coupled to the shelf. Respective heating elements extending into and through plates such that the heating element heats a surface of the plate when the heating element is actuated. The heating element of each plate is engageable to an associated pair of the electrical contacts when the plate is positioned on the shelf wherein the heating element is actuated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventor: Polete Buard
  • Patent number: 8952301
    Abstract: The grounded modular heated cover is disclosed with a first pliable outer layer and a second pliable outer layer, an electrical heating element between the first and the second outer layers, a heat spreading layer, and a thermal insulation layer positioned above the active electrical heating element. Beneficially, such a device provides radiant heat, weather isolation, temperature insulation, and solar heat absorption efficiently and cost effectively. The modular heated cover quickly and efficiently removes ice, snow, and frost from surfaces, and penetrates soil and other material to thaw the material to a suitable depth. A plurality of modular heated covers can be connected on a single 120 Volt circuit protected by a 20 Amp breaker. The modular heated covers are grounded for safety using the conductive heat spreading layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: 417 and 7/8, LLC
    Inventors: David Naylor, Thomas Caterina
  • Patent number: 8931293
    Abstract: A temperature controlled food serving having at least one channel of thermally conductive material for receiving at least one food-holding pan. The at least one channel defines an elongate pan receiving cavity for placement of the at least one food-holding pan at any desired location along the cavity. A temperature control system comprises at least one heating element for heating the at least one channel to maintain food products held in the food-holding pans at a food holding temperature. The at least one channel has at least two different temperature zones along a length of the channel so that food products in different temperature zones can be held at different food holding temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Duke Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Steven M. Shei, Dennis Headberg
  • Patent number: 8916803
    Abstract: The apparatus of this invention relates to a device for heating or cooking food or liquids such as soup, water, roast, etc. A downwardly curved visor-like deflector is selectively removably positioned outwardly of the upper end of the radiation disk of an infrared heater so as to extend outwardly therefrom. The deflector has an upwardly presented cooking utensil opening formed therein and a horizontally disposed cooking utensil support secured to the deflector at the inner surface thereof below the cooking utensil opening. The cooking utensil support dwells in a plane below the upper end of the radiation disk whereby infrared rays emitted from the radiation disk will impinge upon the cooking utensil support and a cooking utensil positioned on the cooking utensil support to cook or heat the contents thereof. Other accessories may also be attached to the heater such as a protective grill or a cooking basket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Inventor: James Zoucha
  • Patent number: 8881717
    Abstract: A built-in cooking appliance includes a top plate, a main body provided under the top plate and receiving a heat source, a cabinet on which the top plate is installed, a top cover covering a space defined between a side cover of the top plate and the cabinet, an air outlet formed on the main body, a cover airflow hole provided on the top corner and providing a path along which the air discharged through the air outlet is discharged to an external side, and a storage space provided on a path an airflow path between the air outlet and the cover airflow hole and storing water introduced through the cover airflow hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Soo Cheol Yi
  • Publication number: 20140311226
    Abstract: A rheometer instrument with radiant heating of sample fluid with use of emissive/absorbing spaced surfaces of a sample container and an interior surface and of a chamber surrounding the sample container in part that is in a heating unit and controls for reliably reaching and maintaining target sample temperatures. The sample fluid can be pressurized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: Brookfield Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J Murray, James A Salomon
  • Patent number: 8866050
    Abstract: A warmer, for a baby bottle, includes a warming chamber configured to hold the bottle and to place water received in the chamber in contact with the bottle; a heater, in thermal communication with the water, that heats the water to a temperature below its boiling point; and a water disposal system that automatically causes displacement of water relative to the bottle so as to substantially remove water from contacting the bottle, after the bottle has been warmed by the water. Other embodiments of the warmer are provided, along with related methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Kiinde, LLC
    Inventors: John M. McBean, Kailas N. Narendran
  • Publication number: 20140263270
    Abstract: A control assembly for a cordless liquid heating apparatus comprises a control for mounting to the liquid heating apparatus and a cordless base connector adapted to supply electrical power to the control. The control assembly comprises a switch arrangement for making or breaking an electrical circuit for supplying power to the liquid heating apparatus. The switch arrangement comprises a fixed contact member provided on the cordless base connector, a moveable contact member mounted on a switch lever provided on the control, and resilient means, separate from and acting on the switch lever, so as to bias the moveable contact member into electrical contact with the fixed contact member. The control comprises one or more temperature-sensitive actuators arranged to act on the switch levers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Strix Limited
    Inventor: Vincent Joseph Garvey
  • Publication number: 20140203009
    Abstract: A kettle comprising a base and a frame pivotally mounted relative to the base. The frame includes first electrical contacts connectable to a power source and a vessel is receivable in and removable from the frame. The vessel includes an internal element in connection with second electrical contacts and an opening from which liquid can be poured. When the vessel is received in the frame the first electrical contacts make connection with the second electrical contacts such that power is supplied to the internal element to heat water within the vessel. Pivoting of the vessel and frame relative to the base allows pouring of liquid, from the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: NANGALA PTY LTD
    Inventors: Andy De Petra, Edward Joseph Khoury
  • Patent number: 8759721
    Abstract: An actively heated mug or travel mug is provided. The mug or travel mug can include a body that receives a liquid therein and a heating system at least partially disposed in the body. The heating system can include one or more heating elements that heat a surface of the receiving portion of the body and one or more energy storage devices. The mug or travel mug can include a wireless power receiver that wirelessly receives power from a power source and control circuitry configured to charge one or more power storage elements and to control the delivery of electricity from the one or more power storage elements to the one or more heating elements. The mug or travel mug also can have one or more sensors that sense a parameter of the liquid or sense a parameter of the heating system and communicates the sensed information to the control circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Piatto Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Clayton Alexander
  • Patent number: 8759722
    Abstract: A baby feeding apparatus for the preparation and warming of infant formula with audio instructions includes a baby bottle having a well and an electrical probe for insertion into the well for heating the contents of the bottle. The apparatus also includes a reservoir for containing a supply of heated fluids such as water for maintaining the temperature of the infant formula and a visual and audio indicator to advise an individual when the temperature of the formula is appropriate for feeding a child. A brush for cleaning the bottle and a cover for the apparatus are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Inventor: Abeer Abdullah Bolbanat
  • Patent number: 8698050
    Abstract: The present invention provides a heating device capable of dispensing heated personal care product while containers thereof are being heated. For example, there could be a base having multiple wells with a heating system associated with each well. There could be separate control of the heat in each well. The wells have an upper opening for permitting insertion of a container in them (in inverted fashion), and a side opening for permitting heated material in a container to be dispensed from the container while a portion of the container is being heated in the well. In another form, the invention provides a temperature sensor at the bottom of a heating well that projects into a heat conductive head of a container being warmed in the well. Methods for using such devices are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen B. Leonard, Thomas P. Gasper
  • Patent number: 8648282
    Abstract: A cooking apparatus and method of assembling the same includes an outer shell including a base, a heating element positioned inside the outer shell, and a thermally conducting liner removably located inside the outer shell over the heating element. The liner includes an annular flange, and a first integral handle including a first latch. The apparatus and method further includes a lid configured to be placed over the liner, the lid including a sealing ring at an outer edge of the lid, and a top surface, wherein the first latch is configured to contact the top surface of the lid to secure the lid to the annular flange of the liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
    Inventor: Jorge Garcia
  • Patent number: 8640606
    Abstract: A cooking device and method heats a removable vessel with heaters of a cooking capsule, which includes a separator wall between the heaters and vessel. The heaters mount to the separator wall. The capsule is fixed in a housing, which also mounts a motor that rotates the vessel. The housing tiltably mounts on a base. Accessories can be fixed to the vessel or a lid secured to the housing, so the accessories can rotate with the vessel or remain stationary with respect to the vessel as it rotates. A locking mechanism that secures the lid to the housing prevents lid detachment when the vessel counter-rotates and an accessory is fixed to the lid. A heat sink wall reflects heat toward the vessel and fins draw heat from the heat sink wall away from the housing and out vent holes. Computer hardware and software control power to the motor and heaters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Inventor: Amy Wolfe
  • Patent number: 8618447
    Abstract: The fryer (1) for cooking a food product, comprises a main body (2) for housing a tilted container (3) adapted to receive the cooking oil, a tilted basket for containing the food product, positioned in an extractable manner in the container, first (30, 31) and second heating means (49), a selector for selecting a first cooking mode in a first volume of oil with the first heating means or a second cooking mode in a second volume of oil greater than the first volume of oil with the second heating means, and rotation means (17) adapted to operate in rotation the basket (11) or at least a mixing paddle (13) present or positionable inside the basket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Inventor: Giuseppe De' Longhi
  • Patent number: 8618448
    Abstract: An actively heated mug or travel mug is provided. The mug or travel mug can include a body that receives a liquid therein and a heating system at least partially disposed in the body. The heating system can include one or more heating elements that heat a surface of the receiving portion of the body and one or more energy storage devices. The mug or travel mug can include a wireless power receiver that wirelessly receives power from a power source and control circuitry configured to charge one or more power storage elements and to control the delivery of electricity from the one or more power storage elements to the one or more heating elements. The mug or travel mug also can have one or more sensors that sense a parameter of the liquid or sense a parameter of the heating system and communicates the sensed information to the control circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Piatto Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Clayton Alexander
  • Patent number: 8536490
    Abstract: An electric kettle includes a kettle body, a base, a heating element and a wireless signal transmission device. The wireless signal transmission device includes a controller circuitry, a first wireless transceiver, a second wireless transceiver, and a light reflection arrangement. The light reflection arrangement includes a first reflective mechanism provided on the kettle body, and a second reflective mechanism provided on the base, wherein when the kettle body is rotatably and detachably coupled with the base through a lower and an upper connector, wherein when one of the first and the second wireless transceiver is activated to generate a wireless signal toward another of the wireless transceiver, the wireless signal is subject to multiple reflections by the first and the second reflective mechanism until the wireless signal reaches the corresponding first and the second wireless transceiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Crastal Technology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: George Mohan Zhang, Bei Zhang, Tianliang Wang
  • Patent number: 8525081
    Abstract: A liquid heating system includes an electric current controller, a first container, and a second container. The first container includes a first liquid and a first electric heating system. The second container includes a second liquid and a second electric heating system. The electric current controller is connected to the first electric heating system and to the second electric heating system. The electric current controller is configured to automatically alternate between providing electric current to the first electric heating system and to the second electric heating system such that when the electric current controller is providing the current to the first electric heating system the electric current controller provides no electric current to the second electric heating system and when the electric current controller is providing the current to the second electric heating system the electric current controller provides no electric current to the first electric heating system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Wood Stone Ideas, LLC
    Inventors: Michael George Colburn, Stephen John Bogner, Gavin McCormick
  • Patent number: 8424448
    Abstract: A beverage apparatus has a portable liquid container having a ledge detail within a top open end; a removable infuser with an annular support flange; and a gasket about the infuser below the annular support flange, where in use the gasket forms a seal with the container ledge detail and the infuser body, and further spaces the infuser annular support flange from the container ledge detail to define a liquid access gap. At least one vertical channel is defined through the gasket to communicate liquid through the gasket between the liquid container and the liquid access gap. A support base has an opening to receive and hold a bottom end of the portable liquid container and a heating element to heat liquid within the portable container when the container bottom end is inserted within the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Ram Industrial Design, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert S. Englert, M. Bianca Leigh, Carlos A. Suarez
  • Patent number: 8403514
    Abstract: An exemplary lighting cup includes a cup body, a lighting module, and a power module. The cup body is for containing drink therein. The lighting module is mounted on the cup body and includes lighting elements. The power module supports the cup body and electrically connects with the lighting module to drive the lighting elements to emit light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Foxsemicon Integrated Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Kuo-Cheng Chang
  • Patent number: 8360279
    Abstract: An automatic home appliance that performs the preparation, mixing, and heating of infant formula bottles provides a reservoir on top that holds an amount of powdered formula. Connection to a household water supply provides a flow of water to an internal water heating reservoir. A central front opening is provided in which the infant bottle is placed. A digital display and a plurality of programming buttons are arranged upon a front panel to allow the user to select operating parameters. Once programmed, internal electronic controls perform dispensing and mixing of the necessary ingredients in the proper ratio and dispensing of mixed formula into the proper sized bottle. The mixture is also kept warm at the proper temperature by a hot plate. An indicator light then illuminates to communicate to a user that the bottle is ready to be removed and the mixture consumed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Inventor: Matthew L. Giles
  • Patent number: 8344290
    Abstract: A robust, insulated, double walled, trigger-type spray bottle having a heating element built-into the bottle to heat water. The bottle is received in a power base having pin/ring connections to provide power only when the bottle is on the base. Sensors control the temperature of water in the bottle and cut off power to the heater if it begins to overheat. A hot water/steam vapor condensate and recycle tube prevents steam build-up in the bottle, and the condensate is led through a drip tube to a collection tray in the base. The recycle tube includes a spring-biased valve so that when the bottle is picked-up there is no drip of hot water. The valve is actuated by a rib and gutter system that permits the bottle to be placed on the base in any orientation, yet will drain. The double wall of the bottle insulates the user's hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Inventors: Debra S. Hinton, Joshua W. Kinney
  • Patent number: 8309891
    Abstract: A liquid warming device for heating sterile fluids in a removable container is described with emphasis on the properties of the container interaction with the liquid warming device and with a drape that works with the container to maintain a sterile field above the drape and the top of the container. The interactions between a temperature sensor and a temperature well integrated in the removable container are disclosed. Also disclosed are various desirable aspects for a control system for a liquid warming device are provided. The liquid warming device can selectively employ a adapter in order to receive a container limited to a smaller diameter than the largest container diameter that can be accommodated by the liquid warming device. The small diameter container may receive a volume of sterile fluid so that the liquid warming device can maintain the sterile fluid in the small diameter container within a prescribed range of temperatures above ambient air temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: C Change Surgical LLC
    Inventors: Patrick Kammer, Kevin Joseph Rackers, Mark Martel, Todd Cassidy