Abstract: There is provided a cooking device capable of preventing heating operations from being unintentionally turned on and off and the setting of heating operations from being changed even when water droplets are scattered around touch switches or the vicinity of the touch switches is wiped with a damp cloth or the like. Left and right cancel electrodes (5a, 5b) are provided near the key electrodes between the positions of left and right heating coils (3a, 3b) and the positions of the key electrodes (4a1, 4a2, 4a3, 4b1, 4b2, 4b3). A control unit (6) changes over between validity and invalidity of inputting through the key electrodes based on whether or not a change of capacitances of the left and right cancel electrodes (5a, 5b) is equal to or more than a predetermined amount.

Abstract: An appliance warning system comprises a floor pad for location on or adjacent a device such that a user must stand on the floor pad in order to normally use the device. The floor pad has at least one switch movable between an open position when no weight pressure is detected on the floor pad and a closed position when the switch is activated by weight pressure detected on the floor pad. A control circuit is connected operational between a ready state before the switch is activated to the closed position and a monitoring state after the switch is activated to the closed position. A warning device connected to the control circuit is activated when the control circuit determines that the switch has been in the open position for a preselected period of time after having been in the closed position.

Abstract: Regulator assembly (3) which comprises a housing (5) for accommodating at least two regulators (6), wherein the housing (5) has receptacles (8) formed therein, into which the regulators (6) can be inserted from an open side (9) of the housing (5), where each receptacle (8) has associated thereto retaining elements (10), which are positioned to elastically engage side faces of the regulator (6) to be inserted into the receptacle (8), so that the regulator (6) is positioned and/or fixed in the receptacle (8).

Abstract: In a heating cooker, an object to be heated is placed on a top plate and is heated by a heating unit located below the top plate. The top plate is translucent and a fluorescent display tube is located below the top plate. The top plate is configured to have spectral transmission characteristics in a visible light range such that the spectral transmission at a wavelength of approximately 500 nm corresponding to blue or green is substantially one third of a spectral transmission at a wavelength of approximately 700 nm corresponding to red such that the spectral transmission is gradually rendered larger as the wavelength is increased from approximately 500 nm to approximately 700 nm.

Abstract: A power control system has a controller housing, a power switch disposed within the controller housing for selectively providing power from a power supply to a power load, a limiter disposed within the controller housing configured for providing a limit switching function in response to a threshold limit, and a controller disposed within the controller housing and configured for controlling one or more operations of the control system.

Abstract: A touch responsive capacitive control for a smooth surfaced ceramic cooktop provides a continuously variable control voltage which indicates the last touched position on an elongated control surface. An alternating current potential is applied between a transmitter plate and a pair of receiver plates all of which are positioned below the surface of the cooktop. The relative area of overlap between the touching finger and the two receiver plates varies along the length of the control surface, and the resulting change in the relative currents flowing to the two receiver plates is sensed to provide a position indication used to control the cooktop.

Abstract: A domestic appliance device with a light signal unit, a control unit, which is designed to interact with the light signal unit for outputting information by means of a light signal, and a carrier unit for supporting the light signal unit.

Abstract: Device operation sensing and control apparatus for use in combination with a wireless security panel which communicates with a remote operations center, to facilitate independent at-home living of, for example, semi-autonomous elderly persons. One apparatus embodiment includes a remotely controlled AC power receptacle module controllable by signals from the wireless security panel and into which a device such as a microwave oven is plugged. An AC current sensor is connected to an alarm system transmitter for transmitting a signal when the device is in use. Another apparatus embodiment senses operation of and allows remote control of power to an electric range. First and second timers and associated alarm system transmitters transmit a “RANGE ON” signal to the wireless security panel when the electric range is in use, and a “RANGE ON FOR X TIME” signal when the electric range has been use for a predetermined length of time.

Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and a method for monitoring a hot surface of a cook top. The apparatus includes a display unit, a temperature detecting sensor, and a microprocessor. The display unit displays a state of a hot surface and an operation error of a hot plate as a heater operates. The temperature detecting sensor is installed closely to the heater to detect heater temperature greater than set temperature. The microprocessor compares the heater temperature greater than the set temperature that is detected by the temperature detecting sensor with heater temperature greater than the set temperature that is expected by an elapse of an operating time of the heater to judge one of a hot surface and an operation error of the hot plate, and controls the judgment results to be displayed using the display unit.

Abstract: A stirring hot plate for simultaneously heating and stirring a mixture includes a phase controlled motor that spins magnets which couple to, and thereby spin, a stir bar within the mixture. In addition to spinning the magnets, the motor includes an operational mode in which the motor is rapidly braked thereby quickly spinning down the stir bar. The stirring hot plate also includes a visual indicator to the user that the platform is hot-to-the-touch that is especially effective when the stirring hot plate is not in use.

Abstract: The present invention generally concerns a Combination Urn and Hot Plate for supplying heat to both liquids and solids, typically beverages and food, for heating or keeping same warm.

Abstract: A ceramic heater according to the present invention includes a heating portion made of ceramics, and a cooling plate portion. In the heating portion, a belt like printed electrode is formed continuously in a spiral shape along a circumferential direction, and in the printed electrode, slits extended in a width direction of the printed electrode are provided. In such a way, a ceramic heater in which uniform heating performance in the heating surface is high can be obtained.

Abstract: A ceramic hob includes a cooking surface for positioning a cooking pot, a housing, an electronic circuit carrier mounted in the housing beneath the cooking surface, and a positioning element on a lower side of the cooking element engaging a recess of the electronic circuit carrier.

Abstract: A control panel for controlling the operation of hotplates situated on a cooking appliance. The control panel has a translucent plate that permits the location of operating elements to be visually displayed on a top surface thereof only when lighting elements associated with the operating elements are energized. The lighting elements are selectively energized and/or de-energized so that only the operating elements of a particular hotplate are visible on the top surface of the translucent plate while a user is in the process of selecting or otherwise altering an operating parameter of the particular hot plate.

Abstract: Method for heating a container (Ri) placed on a cooktop including heating elements which are associated respectively with inductors which form elements for detecting the presence of the container and are distributed along a frame which is embodied such that it is two-dimensional in a cooking area. The method includes searching (E20) a heating area (Zi) consisting of the heating elements arrangement which are at least partially covered by the container and computing (E60) a power supplied by each heating element of the heating area (Zi) according to a total specified power (Pi) associated thereto and the degree of coverage of each detection element associated to heating element by the container (Ri). The invention can be used, in particular for an inductive cooktop.

Abstract: A cooking device that is easy to use in terms of key operation is provided. A cooking device includes an operation unit (7a, 8a) and a display unit (7b, 8b) provided on an upper surface of the cooking device. The operation unit (7a, 8a) includes a mode selection key (21) for selecting any one of a plurality of control modes, output increasing/decreasing keys (22, 23) for increasing and decreasing a set output and a set temperature, and time increasing/decreasing keys (24, 25) for increasing and decreasing time for heating according to a timer. The mode selection key (21) is separated from the time increasing/decreasing keys (24, 25) on the opposite side of the output increasing/decreasing keys (22, 23).

Abstract: An appliance warning system comprises a floor pad for location adjacent an appliance such that a user must stand on the floor pad in order to normally use the appliance. The floor pad has at least one switch movable between an open position when no weight pressure is detected on the floor pad and a closed position when the switch is activated by weight pressure detected on the floor pad. A transmitter is provided for transmitting a signal depending upon whether the switch is in the open or closed position. A module is located remote from the floor pad, and has a receiver for receiving the signal from the transmitter, and a control circuit connected operational between a ready state before the switch is activated to the closed position and a monitoring state after the switch is activated to the closed position.

Abstract: A panel arrangement for a domestic appliance, having a panel which can be fitted to the domestic appliance such that it is visible from the outside. Indicator and/or operator controls are provided which are mounted on the panel. A printed circuit board comprises control and possibly power electronics and can be arranged in the interior of the domestic appliance. The indicator and/or operator controls are connected to the printed circuit board. At least some of the indicator and/or operator controls are mounted on the panel substantially independently of the layout of the printed circuit board and are connected to the printed circuit board via at least one flexible supply line.

Abstract: A heating vessel is described that includes a contact plate having a contact surface configured to be in direct thermal communication with the contents located in a heating chamber of the vessel and a heat distribution plate in thermal communication with the contact plate. The heat distribution plate is configured to be remote from the contact plate in at least one region to define a thermally insulating zone. There is a heat source in thermal communication with the heat distribution plate and an electronic temperature sensor located in the thermally insulating zone, in thermal communication with the contact plate. The electronic temperature sensor is thermally insulated from the heat distribution plate by the thermally insulating zone. The measured temperature may be used to control the heating of the kettle to bring the contents lo the boil or to maintain the measured temperature within a specified range.

Abstract: In one aspect, a cooktop heating system that include a first cooktop heating element, a second cooktop heating element, and an interface device. The system also includes a controller for selectively associating the interface device with any one or both of the first cooktop heating element and the second cooktop heating element. In another aspect, the system includes at least one cooktop heating element, a potentiometer, and controller arrangement operatively connected between the potentiometer and the at least one cooktop heating element to determine heating of the at least one cooktop heating element responsive to the input provided by the potentiometer and control power provision to the at least one cooktop heating element responsive to the determination.

Abstract: A household appliance is provided that includes a functional element that a user can see and includes as well as display elements or control elements for actuating or monitoring the functional element. The display elements and the control elements are disposed where the associated functional element is located.

Abstract: A heater unit includes power failure management to detect disruptions in the electrical power supply, such as the AC supply, for the unit. The heater unit emits an audible alarm in response to detection of such a disruption, and may shut down the heater(s) and visuals display(s). The heater unit advantageously includes a power storage device, such as a super-capacitor, to temporarily power the electronic circuitry of the heater unit. Operating parameters, such as of a processor of the electronic circuitry, may be stored in a non-volatile memory response to the disruption, and recalled if the disruption terminates before the level of power has gotten too low to sustain reliable operation of the processor.

Abstract: A cooking stove that prevents the execution of a process such as ignition of a burner when a touch switch changes from a non-sensing state to a sensing state. In STEP201, when a first touch switch, which is one of the touch switches provided in an operation, is turned on from off, the process advances to STEP202, where a controller provided in a cooking stove main body starts a 1-second timer. The controller executes a loop composed of STEP203 and STEP210. When a second touch switch, which is one of the touch switches and is different from the first touch switch, is turned on from off in STEP210 before the 1-second timer times up in STEP203, the process advances from STEP210 to STEP211. The controller performs “error reporting” by blinking a display portion and activating a buzzer.

Abstract: A cooking stove that prevents a burner from being ignited when a touch switch shifts from a non-sensing to a sensing state. An operation portion having a touch switch is provided on a glass top plate of a cooking stove main body which accommodates burners. The touch switch allowing a user to give instruction on actuation and stoppage of the burners and sensing an object that contacts or approaches the top surface of the glass to plate. Heating control means for determining whether the touch switch is on (a sensing state) or off (a non-sensing state) to control actuation of the heating means. While the burner is at a stop, when the touch switch is turned on and then off again, the heating control means ignites the burner. While the burner is in operation, when the touch switch is turned on, the heating control means extinguishes the burner.

Abstract: A manufacturing method for a substrate heating device comprises forming a base plate having a substrate heating surface in which a resistance heating element is buried, forming a tubular member, joining the tubular member to the base plate, measuring temperature distribution in the substrate heating surface by supplying power to the resistance heating element, and grinding the tubular member according to a grinding condition based on a measurement result of the temperature distribution.

Abstract: A cooking appliance includes a plurality of heating elements and a plurality of user interface devices for receiving heating element settings. An input device for allows a user to arbitrarily selectively associate any one or more of the heating elements with any one or more of the user interface devices.

Abstract: A touch switch which prohibits a child from actuating heating means, while permitting a child to deactivate heating means. A cooking stove including an electrical capacitance operation switch 10 which switches the cooking stove between an operation state in which an ignition instruction is enabled and a standby state in which the ignition instruction is disabled; the operation switch is used to instruct the cooking stove to be extinguished. When the cooking stove is inactive, a switch circuit 63 selects a resistance element 61 offering a higher resistance to set the cooking stove in a “lower sensitivity set state” in which the operation switch 10 has a sensitivity sl. When the cooking stove is active, the switch circuit 63 selects a resistance element 62 offering a lower resistance to set the cooking stove in a “higher sensitivity set state” in which the operation switch 10 has a sensitivity sh (>sl).

Abstract: An electric cooking appliance is provided. The electric cooking appliance includes a plurality of surface heating elements and a plurality of sensors configured to monitor an operational status of a corresponding surface heating element. The electric cooking appliance also includes a first cooking unit, a second cooking unit and an electronic control to facilitate sharing power between the first cooking unit and the second cooking unit based on the operational status of the plurality of surface heating elements.

Abstract: A manual control mechanism for a heating unit of a domestic cooker (1) having a front face is in the form of a twist grip (11, 12, 13) operable by rotation about a substantially horizontal axis parallel to the front face of the cooker. A plurality of such control mechanisms are provided in a rail (7) mounted on the front of the cooker.

Abstract: An electric cooking assembly includes a cooking surface having supported under the surface an electric heater incorporating an electric heating element and a temperature limiter including a thermally responsive assembly incorporating only a single switch, the switch being adapted to open at a predetermined sensed temperature. A control is provided, adapted to energise the electric heater from a power supply through the switch of the temperature limiter. A modular electronic monitoring device is provided, separate from the control, adapted to monitor energising of the electric heater and to activate a signal device when the cooking surface is too hot to touch.

Abstract: A cooking device containing a housing with a cooking chamber and a door to close off the cooking chamber and at least one control and display panel with an optical luminous display. The control and display panel can display the different operation modes of the cooking chamber and the on and/or off modes of the cooking chamber.

Abstract: A device warns that a surface is temperature excessive. A light guide receiving light from a light source sufficiently distant from the surface to avoid becoming dangerously hot or cold is oriented so that the light guide is in the path of the light beam and transmits the light beam through the light guide to a point outside the light guide. The light source is controlled by a controller. A predetermined warning symbol typically outside the light guide is illuminated when the surface is dangerously temperature excessive because a sensor connected to the controller ascertains and transmits the surface temperature to the controller controlling the light source and an observer sees that the surface is temperature excessive. In certain embodiments, the light guide is flexible and/or its second end movable. The symbol can illuminate a border to warn against entry into an area in which the surface is located.

Abstract: An electric cooker having an enhanced heat insulating property to improve heat efficiency. The electric cooker includes a cabinet, a cooking plate disposed at a top portion of the cabinet, a heating member to heat the cooking plate, at least one heat insulating member disposed below the heating member to prevent heat generated by the heating member from being transmitted downward, and a reflecting member to reflect thermal infrared lights generated from the heating member towards the heat insulating member.

Abstract: A disc-type unit 10 adjusts temperature of a control face 14 by means of a heater 12 and coolant, with a hollow plate 11 to which the heater 12 is secured, a cavity 13 formed in the hollow plate 11 and a piping 20 for supplying the coolant to the cavity 13, the piping 20 opening in the cavity 13, and the coolant being jetted to a portion to which the heater 12 is secured or a portion in proximity thereto and which shows high temperature rise when energizing the heater 12.

Abstract: A hot-button type heat alert safety device attachable to a surface, such as metal or glass, for warning individuals that the surface is hot, comprising a thermochromic composition, a button-shaped container for housing the composition, having a convex face, the convex face overlying said composition and the container being transparent in at least a portion of the container overlying the thermochromic composition. The thermochromic composition is designed to undergo and maintain a readily perceptible color change whenever the temperature of the hot surface exceeds a predetermined temperature and reveal a heat warning symbol underneath the thermochromic composition which communicates that the surface is dangerously hot, the heat warning symbol being substantially visible through the convex face of the container.

Abstract: Heat alert safety device for warning individuals that a surface is hot wherein a fiber optic cable runs from an electric light source to a heat warning symbol. The cable has a plurality of fibers connected at a first end thereof to the light source and transmits light from the light source beginning from the first end to the second end of the cable and shines light out of the second end of the cable to a predetermined symbol adjacent the second end of the cable. The symbol is readily visible when illuminated to an observer who can also readily see the surface and the symbol communicates that the surface of the stove, in particular, the heating element, is dangerously hot. A controller controls the light source Whenever a specified surface temperature is reached, the symbol is lit and remains lit as long as said specified surface temperature is maintained.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hot plate warming apparatus adapted to warm a candle or other object resting thereon, as well as to provide illumination that simulates the effects of a lighted burning candle. The apparatus may include an adjustable cord apparatus, a light source, and/or a component enabling attachment of other peripheral components. The light source is positioned proximal to the hot plate for providing illumination to an object or substance resting on the hot plate or housing. The adjustable cord apparatus provides electricity to the warming apparatus while allowing a user to alter the length of the cord that is extending from the warming apparatus. The apparatus also comprises a blower to facilitate heating of a candle placed thereon, as well as to cause scented particles emanating from the melted wax or wax-like substance to be better dispersed or dissipated into the surrounding air.

Abstract: An induction-heating cooking device includes a light-transmissive cooking board on which a cooking container to be heated is to be placed; a heating coil for heating the cooking container; light emission means for emitting a light beam; and light-transmissive light conducting means for allowing the light beam emitted by the light emission means to be propagated therethrough. The light beam lights up an outer peripheral portion of the light conducting means.

Abstract: A burner sensor is electrically interconnected with a control circuit, the burner sensor enabled for detection of burner operation, the control circuit providing a timing feature enabled, during burner operation, for continuous repetitive timing cycles each for a fixed selected time interval and for activating at least one of an audio, i.e., buzzer, and a visual alarms for a fixed duration, at the completion of each of the timing cycles. Thus the operator is alerted to the fact that a heating coil is hot so that a significant burn and fire hazard is avoided.

Abstract: A cooktop with a ceramic glass panel has a panel portion with a first indicia set for selection of a burner and a second indicia set for selection of a power level to the selected burner. Each set of indicia is associated with switches for input to a control circuit in response to manipulation by a user. In addition, each indicia set includes a display interactive with the manipulation of the other indicia set. Preferably, the control circuit includes a processor for responding only to a sequential manipulation of an indicia from the first set indicia set and a sequential manipulation of an indicia from the second set within a predetermined time period.

Abstract: The invention provides according to one example a display device for a domestic electric heating appliance, such as for example a glass ceramic hob, the electric heating appliance having at least one heating device. The latter is subdivided into several flat heating areas, which can be activated at least partly independently of one another and/or singly for heating operation. The display device optically displays the heating operation or the activation of individual heating areas. For this purpose it has individually activatable illuminating devices. The illuminating devices are constructed as separate segments of a geometrical basic shape, such as a rectangle or preferably a circle. For each display device there are two basic shapes of the same nature, but different size and having a concentric arrangement.

Abstract: An operating device for an electrical and/or electronic apparatus is adapted to the operating behavior of a user. The apparatus has a plurality of operating states which can be chosen or set by way of the operating device. The selection and/or setting, by the user, of the operating states is stored in a memory. A number of how often a given user input is implemented is ascertained and, for the next selection and/or setting of an operating state, that one which is implemented most frequently is suggested. An operating device for carrying out the method has a memory for storage of the implemented selections and/or settings of operating states, a counter for ascertaining the number of how often a selection and/or a setting is implemented, a calculator for ascertaining the frequency of a selection and/or setting and a comparator for ascertaining the most frequently implemented selection and/or settings.

Abstract: Method of warning individuals about hot surfaces on stoves and related appliances containing multiple heating elements by installing a configuration of light emitting diodes (or organic LEDs) that comprises a heat warning symbol specific to that one heating element, the LEDs receiving electric power whenever a specified temperature of that heating element is exceeded in accordance with a controller that receives information from the heat sensor adjacent the heating element. The symbols are positioned so that an observer approaching a heating element of stove from any direction when the heating element is dangerously hot can understand the symbol for that heating element. The arrangement of LED's may form a perimeter around the heating element interrupted by the letters “HOT” or partially encircle the heating element in different embodiments and is positioned between the heating element and an observer. The symbols are adjustable for brightness and can incorporate sound and blinking.

Abstract: A hot plate for a semiconductor producing/examining device, in which hot plate, when an object to be heated such as a silicon wafer is heated in a state that the object is distanced by a certain distance from the heating face, air is less likely to stagnate between the silicon wafer and the heating face and thus the object to be heated can be evenly heated. Specifically, the hot plate for a semiconductor producing/examining device includes a resistance heating element formed on a surface of a ceramic substrate or inside the ceramic substrate, wherein the glossiness of the heating face of the ceramic substrate is 1.5% or more.

Abstract: Heat alert safety device for warning individuals that a surface is hot wherein a fiber optic cable runs from an electric light source to a heat warning symbol. The cable has a plurality of fibers connected at a first end thereof to the light source and transmits light from the light source beginning from the first end to the second end of the cable and shines light out of the second end of the cable to a predetermined symbol adjacent the second end of the cable. The symbol is readily visible when illuminated to an observer who can also readily see the surface and the symbol communicates that the surface of the stove, in particular, the heating element, is dangerously hot. A controller controls the light source. Whenever a specified surface temperature is reached, the symbol is lit and remains lit as long as said specified surface temperature is maintained.

Abstract: A versatile heat alert safety device is removably attachable to a hot surface. Liquid crystal or other thermochromic composition designed to undergo and maintain a readily perceptible color change at or above a specified temperature, such as 115 degrees Fahrenheit, is shaped in the outline of the word “HOT” or another heat warning symbol or is designed to change to a transparent color and thereby reveal underneath said composition a heat warning symbol shaped in such lettering or other warning symbol. The composition is embedded in a flat face of a container for housing the liquid crustal composition or on the top surface of the heating element of a gas or electric stove so that they instantly alert anyone that the heat element of the stove or the window is too hot to touch.

Abstract: An electrical cooking appliance has at least one cooktop with cooking zones becoming hot in a switched-on state, an optical residual heat indicator indicating hot cooking zones when line voltage is applied to the cooking appliance, a counter system switching off the residual heat indicator with a time delay after the switching-off of the cooking appliance connected to line voltage occurs, and a line voltage detector for detecting a presence of the line voltage at the cooking appliance. Information is stored in a memory of the counter system as long as a counter reading is greater than zero, and, after a line voltage interruption, the residual heat indicator remains activated for a certain period of time, in dependence on the inquired memory content, if the information in the memory indicates a counter value greater than zero.

Abstract: A status indicator (4) for a transparent ceramic glass cook top is disclosed which is able to display a range of colors. Typically such indications are used with red or smoked glass cooktops and are limited to red. The present invention is positioned directly underneath the transparent glass (22) which has an opaque layer (23) on the underside and wherein a portion (24) of the opaque layer has been removed thereby allowing the light source (2) to be visible directly above said cook top. The indicator may be used for a range of functions, including indicating the element is on and also that the heating region is too hot to be safely touched.

Abstract: A method of warning individuals about the top or side surface of an indoor counter top grill, panini maker or quesadilla maker involves applying to a portion a thermochromic composition that reveals a heat warning symbol to warn individuals that surface is too hot to touch. Liquid crystal or other thermochromic composition designed to undergo and maintain a readily perceptible color change at or above a specified temperature, the color change revealing a heat warning symbol. Thermochromic ink or epoxy is applied sprayed, stamped, stenciled, silk screened, embossed to the hot surfaces of appliances. The heat warning symbol is invisible when cold and is visible when a threshold temperature is reached. The method can also employ a plurality of heat warning symbols on multiple surfaces of the appliance to maximize the warning system's effectiveness and tailor it to children and adults.

Abstract: A method of warning individuals about the top surface of a stove being hot involves applying to a portion said top surface surrounding each heating element of the stove a ring element of thermochromic composition that reveals a heat warning symbol to warn individuals that the heating element or near by area is too hot to touch. Liquid crystal or other thermochromic composition designed to undergo and maintain a readily perceptible color change at or above a specified temperature, such as 115 degrees Fahrenheit, is shaped in the outline of the word “HOT” or another heat warning symbol or is designed to change to a transparent color and thereby reveal underneath said composition a heat warning symbol shaped in such lettering or other warning symbol. Ring element is defined to includes a ring, an arc or a line surrounding the heating element and an arrow pointing to the heating element.