Vessel Separable From Stand Patents (Class 219/432)
  • Patent number: 6056160
    Abstract: A dispenser for heating and dispensing, to a user through an outlet, a foaming liquid, such as shaving cream from a pressurized can of such cream. The foaming liquid, when initially heated in the dispenser's heat chamber may undesirably produce steam and or a runny liquid that would be dangerous or at least undesirable to a user. In accordance with the invention, a trap is placed near the outlet to capture the steam or runny liquid. Since shaving cream cans come in two lengths, in accordance with another aspect of the invention, a reversible end cap is disclosed which will retain either of two sizes of shaving cream in the dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: Conair Corporation
    Inventors: Vito James Carlucci, Harold R. Taylor
  • Patent number: 6037570
    Abstract: A new PORTABLE BREWING POT FOR USE IN VEHICLES for BREWING COFFEE AND HOT BEVERAGES WHILE IN A VEHICLE. The inventive device includes a container having a spout extending upwardly from a lower portion thereof. The spout has an open lower end in communication with a hollow interior of the container. The container has a recess formed therein disposed upwardly of a closed lower end thereof. A heating coil is positioned within the hollow interior of the container and is secured to the closed lower end. The heating coil has a pair of female contacts extending outwardly of the closed lower end. A heating plate is provided having a generally cylindrical configuration. The heating plate has an open upper end, a closed lower end and a cylindrical side wall therebetween. The open upper end of the heating plate is dimensioned for receiving the closed lower end of the container therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Inventor: Terry T. Noles
  • Patent number: 6028293
    Abstract: A temperature-controlled container for transporting biologic tissue and human skin is set out wherein an outer insulated container houses a power source, a thermostat means, a heating means, a power source and interior container along with a retention means for holding the sample in place and a lid that interlocks with the open annular area by a T-shaped friction plug. The thermostat means may be a microchip and heating element so that the sample and interior temperature does not vary from a given temperature parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: TCP Reliable Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Nagle, Edward J. Beldowicz
  • Patent number: 6025576
    Abstract: A skid with built-in heating elements for heating and supporting a compressed-gas dispensing bulk vessel, or cylinder, while allowing for manipulation and transportation of the cylinder and skid assembly. The skid incorporates all of the features necessary for handling a cylinder while also providing a means for heating the cylinder in a controlled manner. The heater skid comprises a framework for receiving the cylinder and one or more heaters coupled to the framework so that the received cylinder is proximate to the heaters, thus, allowing the heaters to heat the cylinder. A control system for the heaters is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Inventors: Anthony J. Beck, John C Daderko, Lawrence P Jarrett, Bruce H Greenawald, Aric K Plumley
  • Patent number: 6020575
    Abstract: A temperature-controlled container for transporting biologic tissue and human skin is set out wherein an outer insulated container houses a power source, a thermostat means, a heating means, a power source and interior container along with a retention means for holding the sample in place and a lid that interlocks with the open elongated chamber area by a T-shaped friction plug. The thermostat means may be a microchip and heating element so that the sample and interior temperature does not vary from a given temperature parameter. A eutectic pack which is a solid at room temperature and experiences a phase change to the liquid state at temperatures exceeding room temperature is provided to insure that a minimal super-ambient temperature is maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: TCP/Reliable Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Nagle, Edward J.. Beldowicz
  • Patent number: 6013901
    Abstract: A heated container includes a cup with a heating coil for heating the cup upon the receipt of power. Further included is a timer that is adapted to transmit an activation signal for a predetermined amount of time upon at least the instantaneous receipt thereof. Connected to the timer is a motion sensor for transmitting the activation signal thereto upon the detection of movement of the base and cup. A relay is connected between the timer, heating coil and a battery. The relay is adapted to allow the transmission of power from the battery to the heating coil only during the receipt of the activation signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Inventor: Manon Lavoie
  • Patent number: 5990456
    Abstract: A syrup warming system for warming syrups and the like contained within a container that includes a mechanism for varying the amount of heat provided to a syrup container without varying the amount of heat supplied by a heating element. The heating element is powerable by a battery. The mechanism is a removable, adjustable height pitcher support basket including a tubular top member and a cup-shaped bottom member. The syrup warming system may include a number of interconnectable warming units that are securable together if desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Inventor: Herbert F. Kilbride
  • Patent number: 5990455
    Abstract: A heater for use with a chafing dish having water and food pans with complemental peripheral flanges is disclosed. The heater includes a spacer sized to be interposed between such flanges to maintain at least portions of the flanges in spaced relationship. An immersible heater assembly including an upstanding arm is connected to and depends from the spacer. The heater assembly includes an encased electrical resistance heater loop having end portions connected to the arm. The arm and loop are sized to position the loop near a bottom of the water pan and immersed in water when the chafing dish is in use. A temperature sensitive switch is connected to the heater unit for interrupting a power supply when the temperature of the heater unit exceeds a predetermined temperature. A power supply cord extends from the spacer outwardly from the dish when the heater is in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Chesterfield Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Chester B. Scott, Chester Scott, III
  • Patent number: 5968390
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for melting glycerine soap base in a kettle having a top opening, upright side walls, and a funnel-shaped bottom with a drain at its center. The kettle is surrounded with a thermally insulated jacket having a floor spaced below the bottom of the kettle to define a hollow, thermally insulated, air filled heating cavity beneath the bottom of the kettle. The kettle is supported completely externally relative to the heating cavity to hold the kettle above the floor of the jacket. Preferably, the supporting structure includes a cart or carriage by means of which the apparatus may be moved. A plurality of infrared lamps, preferably operated at 110 volts and consuming no more than two hundred fifty watts of power each, are mounted atop the floor of the jacket and directed upwardly toward the bottom of the kettle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Inventor: Stephen Lister
  • Patent number: 5928542
    Abstract: A new solar power beverage warmer for heating a beverage contained therein. The inventive device includes a container having a bottom and a perimeter side wall. The inner surface of the container defines a reservoir adapted for holding a liquid and a heating element is provided on the inner surface of the container to heat liquids in the reservoir. The device also includes a base having a plurality of photovoltaic cells. The base has a recess adapted for receiving the bottom of the container therein so that the container is electrically connectable to the photovoltaic cells of the base when the container is inserted into the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Inventor: Florante M. Miguelino
  • Patent number: 5895595
    Abstract: The apparatus for making beverages comprises a kettle 15, a stand 10 and separable electrical connector means 16a,b to automatically connect the kettle with an electrical power supply connector in the stand when the kettle is placed on the stand; the stand is extended and provides a platform for a pot 13 and an electric heating member 14 is provided to heat a vessel on the platform alongside the kettle, and is provided with switch means to selectively energize the heating member and/or the kettle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Assignee: D. H. Haden PLC
    Inventor: John Denis Haden
  • Patent number: 5892204
    Abstract: A vacuum coffee maker has a starved electric heating arrangement having a solid body providing a reservoir. The chamber is covered by a circular lid that prevents flow of steam directly vertically up a tube from the chamber. At the end of a normal heating cycle, the temperature of the body rises rapidly and power supplied to a heating element is automatically turned off under the control of a thermostat. The heating arrangement is used without alteration (e.g. to the setting of the thermostat) to keep-warm hot coffee in a lower container after the end of the normal heating coffee-making cycle. The effect of having the lid is that during a keep-warm function, the reservoir is generally starved of liquid because any liquid entering the reservoir is immediately evaporated and this restricts flow of more liquid into the reservoir and hence starves the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: Chiaphua Industries Limited
    Inventor: John Duncan McNair
  • Patent number: 5865098
    Abstract: A multiple container slow cooker device that includes a manual disabling mechanism for manually disabling the cooking element of one of the food cooking containers and an automatic cooking element disabling mechanism for disconnecting the cooking element of any cooking container not at least partially filled. The multiple container slow cooker device includes a cooker housing having at least two cooking container insertion cavities formed therein each defined by a housing cavity portion, at least two cooking element circuits installed within the cooker housing; and at least two cooking container assemblies each including a lower container member sized to fit into one of the at least two cooking container insertion cavities and a transparent lid member sized to cover an opening of the lower container member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Inventor: Deborah J. Anelli
  • Patent number: 5842353
    Abstract: An liquid heating and cooling apparatus for heating or cooling liquid such as drinks is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a cup-shaped container for loading the liquid, a thermo device installed in the container for heating or cooling the liquid, and a base removably attached to the lower end of the container for supplying DC power to the thermo device and controlling the cooling or heating of the liquid by controlling the direction of the DC power supplied to the thermo device when the container is attached to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Inventor: Lin Kuo-Liang
  • Patent number: 5811766
    Abstract: A heater for conventional shaving cream containers comprises a dome- or ring-shaped heating element. The ring-shaped heating element can be either a donut-shaped heater that fits around the outer surface at the upper region of the shaving cream container, or it can be a dome or inverted dome-shaped heating element permitting the weight of the container to rest on the heating element. Also, the ring-shaped heater may include an inner ring which allows the heater to hang from an upper edge of the shaving cream container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Inventors: Marvin Fabrikant, Patricia Fabrikant
  • Patent number: 5794522
    Abstract: Electric cooking apparatus comprising an insulating enclosure (12) which has spaced inner and outer shells (13, 14). A cooking vessel (22) is mounted removably in the enclosure at a distance from the inner shell (14). An electric heating device (30) comprising a sheathed heating resistance (26) extends flat and in direct contact with the bottom (24) of the vessel (22). The heating device comprises a heat reflector (38) mounted fixedly on the inner shell (14) and disposed at a small distance (d) below the resistance (26) so as to concentrate the thermal radiation of the resistance over all the bottom of the vessel. The apparatus is of particular utility when embodied in an electric deep fat fryer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: Moulinex S.A.
    Inventors: Bernard Bois, Guy Collas
  • Patent number: 5786573
    Abstract: A heater for conventional shaving cream containers is described which includes a dome- or ring-shaped heating element. The ring-shaped heating element can be either a donut-shaped heater that fits around the outer surface at the upper region of the shaving cream container, or it can be a dome or inverted dome-shaped heating element permitting the weight of the container to rest on the heating element. Also, the ring-shaped heater may include an inner ring which allows the heater to hang from an upper edge of the shaving cream container or it may be made without an inner ring so that it can be slidably adjusted up and down the length of the shaving cream container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Inventors: Marvin Fabrikant, Patricia Fabrikant
  • Patent number: 5782165
    Abstract: A multi-purpose cooking appliance comprising: a self-supporting base, a lid mountable on the base, a cooking chamber defined between the base and the lid, a heat conductive pan within the cooking chamber, a heat source connected to the heat conductive pan, removable, elongated skewers for supporting food within said cooking chamber, the skewers being formed of a heat conductive material and having a length sufficient to span the length of the conductive pan and rest thereon, and at least one tray including a surface engageable with a surface on said pan to locate the tray within the cooking chamber, the tray being dimensioned to be spaced from the pan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Assignee: Ever Splendor Enterprises Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Daniel T. Glenboski, Mark Cartellone, Stanley E. Grzywna
  • Patent number: 5780819
    Abstract: A heater for conventional shaving cream containers is described which includes a dome- or ring-shaped heating element. The ring-shaped heating element can be either a donut-shaped heater that fits around the outer surface at the upper region of the shaving cream container, or it can be a dome or inverted dome-shaped heating element permitting the weight of the container to rest on the heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Inventors: Marvin Fabrikant, Patricia Fabrikant
  • Patent number: 5761988
    Abstract: A rice cooker is placed on a turntable, and uncooked rice is poured thereinto. As the uncooked rice is poured-in, a motor rotates the turntable alternately clockwise and counterclockwise to cause the rice to be evenly distributed therein. The cooker carries a signal emitter which is received by a receiver that is connected to the motor for controlling the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jae-Bong Lee
  • Patent number: 5727448
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electric rice cooker including an adiabatic vacuum device having an adiabatic function of repressing an outside loss of a heat generated by a hot plate at a minimum and a keeping warm function of continuously maintaining a heat warmly therein. In the electric rice cooker, an outer case has an inner case disposed therein. A cooking kettle disposed inside the inner case for containing water and rice to be cooked. An hot plate mounted adjacent an outside surface of the cooking kettle for heating the cooking kettle. A lid removably covers a top of said cooking kettle. An adiabatic vacuum member mounted between the outer case and the cooking kettle for preventing a heat from being emitting from the cooking kettle to an outside. The electric rice cooker can repress a loss of an internal heat in a cooking kettle at a minimum by means of an adiabatic vacuum member so that a thermal efficiency can increase, and can continuously maintain the internal heat warmly at a keeping warm process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: Daewoo Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yong-Jae Sa
  • Patent number: 5716537
    Abstract: An electric cooker includes a unitary cast metal cooking vessel and a generally cylindrical base ring sized to mate with a perimeter flange of the cooking vessel. The base ring includes a number of support legs integrally molded therein for support of the cooker as well as a receptacle opening into a first side opening in the base ring for accommodating a pair of power terminal pins via a removable pin attachment block. A base plate, preferably made of metal, includes a center hole positioned to mate with a center boss formed in the cooking vessel bottom and a number of slots are formed in the periphery of the plate to accommodate the molded legs of the base ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: The Rival Company
    Inventors: Foster L. Talge, III, Jay L. Howard, David E. Keepper, Timothy L. Sparks
  • Patent number: 5700991
    Abstract: A device for heating a gel used in physical examinations or on the instruments therefor, e.g. a pelvic examination, comprises a heat reservoir in communication with a flue which receivably receives the gel container therein. The container presents a valve operable by the physician's elbow to preclude the need to manipulate the device in order to dispense the gel. Rotation of the container in the flue is precluded by a ridge array restraining movement between the container and flue. The flue/reservoir combination design prevents toppling of the device during use. Hygienical dispensing of a warmed gel onto the user's hands is provided without user manipulation required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1997
    Inventor: Lida N. Osbern
  • Patent number: 5637280
    Abstract: A sterilizer including a head and a detachable container sealingly engageable therewith to provide a pressure-resistant chamber. The head has a heating element mounted therein. The head is pivotably mounted to a frame such that the sterilizer may be selectively moved between a horizontal inoperative position and a vertical operative position with the container extending upwardly from the head. The water or sterilizer fluid are brought into contact with the heating element when the sterilizer is moved to the operative position so as to cause the fluid to vaporize and pressurize the chamber resulting in articles positioned in the chamber being sterilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Assignee: Blixta Griffiths Pty. Limited c/o Econolodge
    Inventors: Vincent J. Nevell, Theresa M. Nevell
  • Patent number: 5512730
    Abstract: A disposable thermoplastic hypodermic syringe having a hollow metallic needle and thermoplastic body portions at least part of which are formed of temperature calibrated thermoplastic having a full flow liquefaction temperature corresponding to point on the time-death curve for microbial life at which the most resistant spore forms are killed within the time the thermoplastic can be liquefied and resolidified. Heat resistant indicia can be applied to the syringe in a manner to reappear on the solidified thermoplastic mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Assignee: Spintech Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald P. Spinello
  • Patent number: 5504295
    Abstract: Electric cooking apparatus having a base (1) in the shape of a frame with an open bottom, a removable pan (2) adapted to rest on the base, a cooking grille (3) for food disposed above the pan (2), and an electric heating resistance (4) disposed below the grille (3) on a support (5) and including a handle (6) adapted to rest in a recess (8) of the base (1). The handle (6) comprises a control switch (9) for the supply of electricity to the resistance (4) whose closing is subordinated, on the one hand, to the correct positioning of the handle (6) in the recess (8), and, on the other hand, to the actuation of an actuator or a transmitter (10) fixed to the base and adapted to detect the presence of the pan (2) on the base (1). The transmitter (10) is a member mounted movably on the base (1) whose one end (11) is adapted to come into contact with the pan (2) and whose other end (12) is adapted to control the switch (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1996
    Assignee: Moulinex S.A.
    Inventors: Guy J. Collas, Jean Lereverend
  • Patent number: 5466912
    Abstract: A convection oven includes a frame having a base member and two upright members which extend upwardly from the base member. A cooking chamber is removably supported by the frame and includes an upper enclosure member and a lower enclosure member. A housing attached to the upper enclosure member is configured so that cool air flows from a peripheral portion of an arm into a central portion of the housing and then is expelled from the arm over the upper surface of the upper enclosure member. A passive hinge connects the housing to the frame such that the housing and upper enclosure member may be both separated from the frame and lower enclosure member by lifting the housing vertically and pivoted relative to the frame and lower enclosure member. An extension ring selectively enlarges the size of the cooking chamber. A holster may hold the upper enclosure member and the housing when they are separated from the lower enclosure member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Assignee: American Harvest, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Dornbush, Chad S. Erickson, Troy M. Iverson, Jeffrey E. Sandahl, Kevin B. Moore, Neal P. Barnes, James B. Easley, Richard C. Jackson, Andrew L. Von Duyke
  • Patent number: 5397875
    Abstract: A portable appliance for heating towels and for dispensing heated fluid such as body oil has a suitcase-like housing with hinge-connected base and lid components that define a plurality of compartments for heating towels and liquid when the housing is "open" and the appliance is "set up" for operation, and for receiving components of the appliance so that the appliance can be conveniently stored and transported when the housing is "closed." When the housing is open, a support structure such as a set of legs is removable from the housing for use in supporting at least a base portion of the housing at an a convenient access height above a floor or other substantially horizontal surface. A relatively large main compartment is defined by the housing for receiving and suitably heating towels therein for use in concert with the administration of a massage. "Wet" or "dry" towel heating can be carried out within the main heating compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1995
    Inventor: Joseph A. Bechtold, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5345062
    Abstract: A concept for a support stand adapts an Asian WOK to a Western kitchen range. The stand provides an upper ring to receive a round bottomed WOK; the ring has sufficient diameter to accommodate the WOK securely in the stand. The base of the stand adapts to prior art drip pans placed in heating wells, where the well has gas or electrical heating elements located according to the type of range, and thus anchors the stand to the kitchen range top.A second concept modifies existing drip pans to provide both the functions of drip pan and support stand in a single, combined support stand. This stand replaces existing stands and drip pans and anchors the WOK to the kitchen range top.A third concept converts a prior WOK fire ring into a trivet allowing use of the WOK at a dinner table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1994
    Inventor: Inge Maudal
  • Patent number: 5283854
    Abstract: An electrically heated continuous flow heater control system includes an electric switching element that has an open and a closed switching position and is electrically connected in series to a thermostat. Switching element (26) is always closed in the brewing process while it can be opened and closed again in the keep-warm process by a control circuit. The control circuit includes a temperature sensor which is in good heat contact with the infusion beverage. When in the initial phase of the keep-warm process the sensor temperature is in excess of a definable switching temperature, the control circuit keeps the switching element in its open position for as long as the sensor temperature remains higher than the switching temperature in the course of the consequently occurring cooling of the infusion beverage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 1, 1994
    Assignee: Braun Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Heinz Schiebelhuth
  • Patent number: 5283420
    Abstract: A plastic drinking container and holding stand for maintaining a heated beverage at a suitable elevated drinking temperature includes a thin metallic cup-shaped insert having a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) ceramic heater affixed to the bottom wall thereof. An electrically non-conductive plastic sleeve encapsulates the insert and ceramic heater and has a thick outer shell with a thick bottom providing good thermal insulation characteristics and a film-like inner shell permitting rapid heat transfer from the metal insert to the beverage in the container. A pair of electrical contact pins extend into a linear groove on the bottom of the container for mating with spring contacts located between a pair of linear guides at the top of the holding stand and adapted to be received in the linear container groove. An upstanding tab on the stand engages a recess in the container groove to positively restrain the container against movement when mounted on the stand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 1, 1994
    Inventor: Bartolino P. Montalto
  • Patent number: 5239916
    Abstract: A watercool electromagnetic induction heating wok comprises a power control unit connecting to an outlet of power, an induction coil composed of a hollow tube encircled to connect to the power control unit, of which cool water is filled, a cyclic watercooling system connecting to the outlet of the induction coil, and a water supply apparatus including a storage tank connecting to cyclic watercooling system and a pump connecting to the inlet of the induction coil, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1993
    Inventor: Lungchiang Hu
  • Patent number: 5208896
    Abstract: An electrically warmed baby bottle and recharging system are provided. The baby bottle is a container made of an electrically non-conductive material with a heating wire embedded in its walls. Mounted below the container is a temperature regulation system including a thermostat, a rechargeable battery and an on-off switch enclosed within a water-tight housing. The electrically warmed baby bottle fits into a battery charger which is designed with plug prongs which enter the water-tight housing through self-sealing ports so as to recharge the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1993
    Inventor: Alexander Katayev
  • Patent number: 5196677
    Abstract: An apparatus arranged in combination with a coffee pot structure to provide for a spacer disc to space a coffee pot relative to an associated burner unit to minimize undue heating and moderate associated over-heating of a coffee pot structure. Further, the spacer unit is arranged with various lifting and adjustment structure, as well as an alarm apparatus to signal the relative quantity of fluid contained within an associated coffee pot structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1993
    Inventor: John G. Stasyshyn
  • Patent number: 5183995
    Abstract: A heat reduction volume compensator for use with a drip coffee maker in which the temperature applied by a hot plate to a coffee pot is reduced as the amount of liquid in the pot decreases by means of resilient segments that lift the pot away from the hot plate as the weight of the liquid in the coffee pot decreases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1993
    Inventors: F. Clark Addison, Peder J. Thorstensen
  • Patent number: 5129314
    Abstract: An electric wok includes a bowl-shaped pan which has a bottom side with a receiving space and a support frame supporting the bowl-shaped pan. The support frame has an induction coil unit provided with a heat conductive, electric insulating upper plate and an electric insulating lower plate. The induction coil unit is received in the receiving space of the bowl-shaped pan. The induction coil is connected to an external power source. During a cooking operation, a retaining unit engages the bowl-shaped pan to the support frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1992
    Inventor: Loong-Chiang Hu
  • Patent number: 5095812
    Abstract: Domestic food cooking apparatus including a container for holding a food product to be prepared and defining a heating surface and electrical resistance heating apparatus fixedly associated with the container in electrically insulated touching relationship with the heating surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1992
    Assignee: Lancet S.A.
    Inventors: Shimon Yahav, Yair Daar
  • Patent number: 5072095
    Abstract: Apparatus for warming coffee or other beverage includes a warmer plate on which a vessel holding the beverage to be warmed is set, a heater for heating the warmer plate, circuitry for controlling the time the warmer plate is in a heating condition and a weight sensitive switch for enabling the circuitry only when a vessel of pre-determined weight is on the warmer plate. The circuitry further includes components for reinitializing the time the warmer plate is in a heating condition after a vessel is removed from the warmer plate under predetermined time conditions and then replaced thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1991
    Assignee: Mr. Coffee, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald J. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 5050490
    Abstract: Domestic food cooking apparatus including a container for holding a food product to be prepared and defining a heating surface and electrical resistance heating apparatus fixedly associated with the container in electrically insulated touching relationship with the heating surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1991
    Assignee: Lancet S.A.
    Inventors: Shimon Yahav, Yair Daar
  • Patent number: 5045672
    Abstract: A chafing dish has a constantly energized, lift out immersion heater. The heater has a heat loop configured to permit concurrent use of flame from cans of fuel without the flame damaging the heater. The heat loop is positioned in a water pan. Cool arms project upwardly through notches in a food pan and lid in one embodiment and the water pan in another embodiment. In a method of operating a chafing dish predetermined amounts of water are supplied and the water is caused to function as a thermostat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1991
    Inventor: Chester B. Scott
  • Patent number: 5019691
    Abstract: An arrangement of components for constructing a heating device employing super thin conductive film (STCF) heating element includes the STCF heating element, in a layer, attached externally to a pan bottom by means of calcination through an aluminum monoxide film and a base device having terminal units for applying a suitable voltage to the STCF heating element when supporting the pan thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1991
    Inventor: Fute Lai
  • Patent number: 5003159
    Abstract: A food service system for serving meals that include hot foods. The system comprises at least one generally circular dish having a top surface for holding the foods that are to be served warm, and a bottom surface, an electrical heating element in the dish for heating the foods on the top surface of the dish, and first and second electrical contacts on the bottom surface of the dish for supplying electrical energy to the heating element. The system further comprises at least one tray, having at least one generally circular well therein for receiving one of the generally circular dishes, and at least one aperture in the well for exposing the first and second electrical contacts on the bottom surface of the dish when the dish is seated in the well. The dish includes at least one foot and the well in the tray includes at least one stop for orienting the dish in the tray to orient the first and second contacts with respect to the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1991
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Robert D. Thorson
  • Patent number: 4996410
    Abstract: An electric chafing pot having two heating coils positioned to heat different parts of a pan for containing food. A base unit providing the heating coils is configured with a roughly cylindrical convex structure in the center of the base unit, having one heating coil mounted at the top of the convex structure and another heating coil provided around the bottom of the convex structure. The pan is concavely shaped to closely fit over the convex structure and to contact the heating coils at two different surfaces. The result is an efficiently heated dual function electric chafing pot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1991
    Inventor: Chung-Kuo Ho
  • Patent number: 4994649
    Abstract: A temperature attenuator (32, 42 or 64) is provided for spacing a container, such as a coffee container (24), from a warming hot plate (14 or 14'). The temperature attenuator has a thermally insulating spacer (34, 66 or 66') which may be secured to the container or to the hot plate by an adhesive (70), by a harness (44) or any other suitable retainer. The spacer (34, 66 or 66') is of closed peripheral configuration, for example, it may be an O-ring or gasket ring, so that heated air is trapped in an enclosed space(s) sealed between the container bottom and the hot plate. Hot spots which otherwise would result from direct contact of the container (24) with the hot plate (14) are thus avoided and beverages such as coffee may be heated for protracted periods without developing an acrid taste. A method of heating the container contents includes spacing the container by means of the spacer about 1/32nd to 1/8th of an inch (about 0.8 to 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Inventors: Paul G. Roland, Sr., Paul G. Roland, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4980539
    Abstract: A portable warming container having an electric heating element, a temperature sensor, a battery, a wire loop, and a control circuit. The wire loop is arranged to charge the battery through the control circuit, and the temperature sensor ultimately controls the current delivered to the heating element from the control circuit and battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1990
    Inventor: Charles A. Walton
  • Patent number: 4959528
    Abstract: A portable, self heating, container assembly for use in a motor vehicle includes an electrically heated double-walled insulated vessel having a lower end portion telescopically, rotatably and removably received in a tubular socket of a separate base unit. The socket bottom has a pair of electrical contacts connected through a power switch and fuse to a power cord adapted to be plugged into the vehicle cigarette lighter socket. The pair of contacts are engageable with cooperating electrical contacts on the vessel bottom for energization of the heating element upon the vessel being received in the recessed in the socket. The vessel bottom and socket have cooperating spaced, interengageable radial locking flanges arranged to securely lock the vessel and base unit together upon rotation of the vessel relative to the base unit after the lower end portion of the vessel is placed in to the socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1990
    Inventor: John R. Malloy
  • Patent number: 4936688
    Abstract: A food stirring apparatus is set forth wherein a pivotally mounted mixing head has releasably secured thereto a single rotatable axially aligned post having integrally secured thereto a plurality of mixing blades. An upper set of mixing blades comprises three equally spaced blades wherein each blade includes a plurality of openings. The openings comprise non-circular through-extending openings wherein each blade includes plural rows of openings and wherein the rows of openings are vertically offset with respect to adjacent blades. Further, the upper openings are axially offset relative to the lower openings to effect varying flow rates and flow directions of the mixing fluid passing therethrough to effect efficient mixing of a fluid mixture. A lower set of blades includes non-circular openings of equal pattern arrangement to the upper set of blades, but wherein the lower set of blades are rotatably offset sixty degrees relative to the upper set of blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1990
    Inventor: Kathy M. Cornell
  • Patent number: 4922079
    Abstract: A combination bake oven/steamer/broiler cartridge for cooking food on a cooktop. A heat source is placed on a pan within a cooktop frame. A cartridge is placed over the heat source and inserted into the pan. The heating device warms the cartridge. The cartridge can be selectively configured as a bake oven, steamer or broiler. To configure a bake oven, an adjustable rack is placed in the cartridge to hold the food. A cover is then placed over the cartridge to contain heat. To configure a steamer, water is added to the bottom of the cartridge. A steaming pan is then placed in the cartridge. The cartridge is then covered. The water is then heated to make steam. By substituting a ceramic or glass container for the steaming pan, the steamer functions as a warming device. To configure a broiler, a special cover containing heating elements is placed over the adjustable rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1990
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Robert F. Bowen, Joseph C. Maiellano, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4872821
    Abstract: A spinner assembly for a cotton candy machine. The spinner assembly includes a tubular wall member having an upright wall provided with slots. A tubular heater element is supported by the heater element in close proximity with the slots. The wall member is of aluminum material. A dielectric anodized coating on the wall member insulates the wall member from the heater element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1989
    Assignee: Gold Medal Products Co.
    Inventor: Ronald R. Weiss
  • Patent number: 4859833
    Abstract: A cooking pot of the waterless type has an electrical heating element in the thick base thereof. The heating element can be permanently embedded in the base. Alternatively the base can have a blind recess therein into which an electrical heating structure is inserted. This structure is removable from the recess. Various stands for supporting the pots and making electrical connections to the heating structures are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1989
    Inventor: Leonard M. Petersen