Utensil (e.g., Pot, Pan, Etc.) Patents (Class 219/621)
  • Publication number: 20040149736
    Abstract: A system and method for providing multiple cooking modes and an ability to automatically heat cooking vessels and other objects using RFID technology, and an ability to read and write heating instructions and to interactively assist in their execution. An induction heating range is provided with two antennas per hob, and includes a user interface display and input mechanism. The vessel includes an RFID tag and a temperature sensor. In a first cooking mode, a recipe is read by the range and the range assists a user in executing the recipe by automatically heating the vessel to specified temperatures and by prompting the user to add ingredients. The recipe is written to the RFID tag so that if the vessel is moved to another hob, into which the recipe has not been read, the new hob can read the recipe from the RFID tag and continue in its execution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Applicant: THERMAL SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Brian L. Clothier
  • Publication number: 20040098888
    Abstract: An appliance or equipment utilizing water includes an operation section provided on top or side of a main body of the appliance and an outer member. The outer member includes a transparent member, a transparent film formed thereon, and a colored decoration provided on a surface of the transparent member opposite to the transparent film. The operation section is comprised of only the transparent film. In accordance with the appliance of the present invention, a transparent texture quality in outer appearance as well as a depth and classic texture quality in design can be obtained and at the same time a stereovision of characters or figures on an outer surface of the appliance can be provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2003
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Applicant: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Ukida, Tadafumi Kubo, Haruo Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 6702140
    Abstract: A process for the manufacture of cooking vessels, in particular pots and/or pans in a relatively soft metallic material, with a plate in a metallic material of high hardness applied to the bottom of the vessel, performs a stable connection among said parts with no mechanical and/or thermal trauma for the materials and comprises the steps of: providing a plate (1) provided with a plurality of points (6) projecting from a surface (4) thereof; inducing, by compression, the penetration of said points (6) and the adhering of said surface (4) at the bottom (20); and stretching said bottom (20), thereby causing the deformation and the clutching of said points (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Societa Italiana Pentole-SIP S.p.A.
    Inventor: Giovanni Sollo
  • Publication number: 20040004072
    Abstract: An induction heatable body (22) that quickly heats to a desired temperature, retains heat long enough to be used in almost any application, and develops no “hot spots” even when heated by a heating source having an uneven magnetic field distribution. The induction-heatable body (22) achieves the foregoing while remaining relatively lightweight, inexpensive and easy to manufacture. The induction-heatable body (22) includes a plurality of induction-heatable layers (32a, b, c) each sandwiched between alternating layers of heat retentive material (34a, b, c). The induction-heatable layers (32a, b, c) consist of sheets of graphite material that can be inductively heated at magnetic field frequencies between 20 and 50 kHz. The heat-retentive layers (34a, b, c) consist of solid-to-solid phase change material such as radiation cross-linked polyethylene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Inventor: Brian L. Clothier
  • Publication number: 20040004073
    Abstract: An RFID-based induction heating/vending system for quickly and efficiently heating, vending, and recollecting stadium seats (10) or other objects. The system includes a plurality of objects each including an induction-heatable body (22), a charging/vending station (12) for heating and vending the objects; a self-serve warming station (14) that may be used by consumers to reheat their objects; and a check-out station (16) that automatically collects objects from consumers after use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Inventor: Brian L. Clothier
  • Patent number: 6670589
    Abstract: A heat retentive tray system is provided that has a tray containing a heat storage member adapted to be heated by electrical induction with a cover disposed in insulating contact with a flat upper surface of the tray, thereby substantially increasing the heat retentive properties of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Aladdin Temp-Rite, LLC
    Inventor: Burk Wyatt
  • Patent number: 6635855
    Abstract: A system is provided for heating by induction in a receptacle (17) of non-ferrous materials such as aluminum, PFTE, earthenware and others, of an insert (18) consisting of a thin body of ferromagnetic material, such as wire gauze, which is deeply embedded in the base (21) of the receptacle (17). The base is subsequently ground and polished to render the external surface of the thin body (18) of ferromagnetic material perfectly coplanar with the material surrounding it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Inventors: Marino Scaburri, Carlo Scaburri, Bruno Bertuzzi
  • Patent number: 6636143
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a resistor and a manufacturing method of the same. The invention aims at providing the resistor and the manufacturing method thereof that can reduce a soldering area that occupies a mount area, when the resistor is mounted on a mount board. In order to achieve the foregoing object, a resistor comprises a substrate (21), a pair of first upper surface electrode layers (22), each provided on a side portion of an upper surface toward a portion of a side surface of the substrate (21), a pair of second upper surface electrode layers (23) provided in a manner to make electrical connections with the first upper surface electrode layers (22), a resistance layer (24) provided in a manner to make electrical connections with the second surface electrode layers (23), and a protective layer (25) provided to cover at least an upper surface of the resistance layer (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masato Hashimoto, Hiroyuki Yamada, Seiji Tsuda
  • Publication number: 20030178416
    Abstract: When a pan made of a non-magnetic material, such as aluminum, is used for cooking while the temperature is being controlled, a notice is made to the user to the effect that the temperature control function has been stopped and that the temperature should be manually adjusted, when the material detection section detects that the pan is made of a non-magnetic material or a pan floating phenomenon has occurred, in order to prevent abnormal increase in the temperature of the pan due to incorrect temperature detection caused by the pan floating phenomenon, a set temperature is lowered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2003
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Inventors: Yuji Fujii, Kouji Niiyama, Izuo Hirota, Takahiro Miyauchi, Atsushi Fujita, Hirofumi Inui
  • Patent number: 6606937
    Abstract: A self-heating urn (10) is provided with a warmer packs (18) which are rapidly heated during the brewing process and then gradually release their heat to the brewed beverage within the urn after it is removed from the brewing location to a serving location at which electrical powered for heating is not available. The warmer pack (18) are formed of ceramic materials, high density liquids, PCM's or the like which are capable of being rapidly heated during the brewing process but then gradually release their heat to the beverage in the urn. Alternatively, the warmer packs (18) are removably mounted within a compartment (68) within the self-heating urn (10) and are heated apart from the brewing process and then inserted into the self-heating urn (10) when it is moved to a serving location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Food Equipment Technologies Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Zbigniew G. Lassota
  • Publication number: 20030121907
    Abstract: A heat retentive tray system is provided that has a tray containing a heat storage member adapted to be heated by electrical induction with a cover disposed in insulating contact with a flat upper surface of the tray, thereby substantially increasing the heat retentive properties of the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2002
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Inventor: Burk Wyatt
  • Publication number: 20030116560
    Abstract: A heat retentive food server system is provided, having an insulated tray and cover, the tray containing an induction insert with a heat storage member having a top surface with a coating, wherein the heat storage member is adapted to be heated by electrical induction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2002
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventor: Burk Wyatt
  • Publication number: 20030106889
    Abstract: A delivery apparatus is provided by the invention. The delivery apparatus includes a container for holding an article to be delivered and a heater. The container includes a housing forming an interior area and an opening. The opening is provided with a size sufficient to allow movement of the article from outside the container to within the interior area, and from within the interior area to outside the container. The heater is provided for placement within the interior area for heating the article. The heater includes an electrically conductive coil for providing an electric current when exposed to a magnetic field, and an electrical resistance heating element for generating heat. The electrical resistance heating element is provided in electrical connectivity with the electrically conductive coil. A delivery apparatus assembly is provided which includes an induction range for generating a magnetic field. A heater and a method for delivering food are provided by the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2002
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Applicant: Vesture Corporation
    Inventors: Byron C. Owens, Mark E. Van Hoy, William M. Bostic
  • Patent number: 6576876
    Abstract: The stainless steel cooking utensil (10; 10A) with a capsular base having a stainless steel cap (20) and also at least one additional metal cap (24; 24, 28). At least one of the caps (20, 24; 20, 24, 28) is of a metal of high magnetic permeability, the one additional cap (24) being drawn over the traditional cap (20), each of the other additional caps (28) being drawn at least over that adjacent additional cap (24) closer to the traditional cap (20). The additional caps (24, 28) can be permanently fixed to each other and to the traditional cap (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Inoxia, S.r.l.
    Inventor: Walter Cartossi
  • Publication number: 20030029862
    Abstract: An RFID-based induction heating/vending system for quickly and efficiently heating, vending, and recollecting stadium seats (10) or other objects. The system includes a plurality of objects each including an induction-heatable body (22), a charging/vending station (12) for heating and vending the objects; a self-serve warming station (14) that may be used by consumers to reheat their objects; and a check-out station (16) that automatically collects objects from consumers after use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2002
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Applicant: THERMAL SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Brian L. Clothier
  • Patent number: 6512211
    Abstract: A pouch is provided for use in transporting packaged hot foodstuff such as pizza. The pouch has front and back walls, and a peripheral wall attached to the front and back walls. An induction heating element is retained in a location structure attached to the back wall for induction heating with the pouch positioned on a surface such that the wall carrying the heating element is on the surface. The element is then positioned relative to the surface for efficient induction heating to create a source of heat while the foodstuff is transported.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignees: Covertex Corporation, Thermal Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Edward A. Lockhart, Joseph S. Moyer
  • Patent number: 6504135
    Abstract: A magnetic induction heating assembly is provided which comprises a heater circuit and an induction heatable device including a continuous coil formed of electrically conductive material; the coil has terminal ends, and a conductive assembly including a switch component is connected between the terminal ends. The heater circuit includes a magnetic field generator, a detector operable to detect a heater circuit parameter related to the impedance presented to the heater by the induction heatable device, and control circuitry capable of altering the magnitude of the magnetic field generator in response to detection of the parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Thermal Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian L. Clothier, Amil J. Ablah
  • Patent number: 6501057
    Abstract: A food carrier having inner and outer walls with insulation therebetween and ledges on the interior walls for receipt of a heated food container. A heating unit is provided which is adapted for placement on the ledges in the same manner as the food containers. The heating unit can be provided with a heating element that can be heated inductively, in an oven, or by other suitable heating. The heating element can be formed of a solid to solid phase change material or a solid to liquid phase change material or other heat retentive compositions or compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Cambro Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Charles W. Jarvis
  • Patent number: 6483089
    Abstract: A system for heating food delivery containers which comprises: a container for delivering heated food which comprises at least one food compartment having at least one self-regulating heat storage member disposed therein, wherein the self-regulating heat storage member comprising a magnetic material and, optionally, a heat storage material; and an induction generating source which is capable of heating the heat storage material to a predetermined temperature. The system further comprises an automatic shut-off mechanism which is capable of turning off the induction generating source when the heat storage member reaches the predetermined temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Aladdin Temp-Rite, LLC
    Inventors: David Gregg Wright, Jack Wendell LaFevor
  • Publication number: 20020096513
    Abstract: A delivery apparatus is provided by the invention. The delivery apparatus includes a container for holding an article to be delivered and a heater. The container includes a housing forming an interior area and an opening. The opening is provided with a size sufficient to allow movement of the article from outside the container to within the interior area, and from within the interior area to outside the container. The heater is provided for placement within the interior area for heating the article. The heater includes an electrically conductive coil for providing an electric current when exposed to a magnetic field, and an electrical resistance heating element for generating heat. The electrical resistance heating element is provided in electrical connectivity with the electrically conductive coil. A delivery apparatus assembly is provided which includes an induction range for generating a magnetic field. A heater and a method for delivering food are provided by the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2002
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Applicant: Vesture Corporation
    Inventors: Byron C. Owens, Mark E. Van Hoy, William M. Bostic
  • Patent number: 6384387
    Abstract: A delivery apparatus is provided by the invention. The delivery apparatus includes a container for holding an article to be delivered and a heater. The container includes a housing forming an interior area and an opening. The opening is provided with a size sufficient to allow movement of the article from outside the container to within the interior area, and from within the interior area to outside the container. The heater is provided for placement within the interior area for heating the article. The heater includes an electrically conductive coil for providing an electric current when exposed to a magnetic field, and an electrical resistance heating element for generating heat. The electrical resistance heating element is provided in electrical connectivity with the electrically conductive coil. A delivery apparatus assembly is provided which includes an induction range for generating a magnetic field. A heater and a method for delivering food are provided by the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Vesture Corporation
    Inventors: Byron C. Owens, Mark E. Van Hoy, William M. Bostic
  • Patent number: 6377750
    Abstract: A heating apparatus comprises a plastic body and a planar heating element, together defining a liquid heating vessel. The heating element is clamped between a portion of the body and a retaining ring, the body and the retaining ring being fixed together by an induction weld. Uniform compression of a seal is obtained during the welding process. The weld provides a reliable seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Gerald R. F. Scott, David V. Hefford
  • Patent number: 6369370
    Abstract: A kitchen cooktop surface in a material of nature, such as marble may be fitted with induction heating elements providing higher efficiency than mere placing in contact with the lower side of the cooktop. According to the invention the cooktop is hollowed out from the lower side, leaving only a thin partition which is reinforced by means of casting in situ of a ferromagnetic particle loaded material. Alternatively, the top surface may be penetrated, and a central circular piece of the cooktop material may be retained by means of similar casting in situ.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget Electrolux
    Inventor: Christian Eskildsen
  • Publication number: 20020027147
    Abstract: A medium dispensing apparatus, a stirring and heat-retaining apparatus, and a dispensing method are provided which enable a medium to be surely supplied at an adequate temperature while variation of the dispensation amount of the medium, liquid dripping which produces air bubbles, and pulsated ejection are prevented from occurring, and local gelation of the medium and contamination due to various kinds of bacteria are prevented from occurring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Publication date: March 7, 2002
    Applicant: NITTETSU MINING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Inaba, Toshiyuki Wakasa, Mamoru Shiratori, Masato Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 6350972
    Abstract: A system for heating food delivery containers which comprises: a container for delivering heated food which comprises at least one food compartment having at least one self-regulating heat storage member disposed therein, wherein the self-regulating heat storage member comprising a magnetic material and, optionally, a heat storage material; and an induction generating source which is capable of heating the self-regulating material to a predetermined temperature. The system further comprises an automatic shut-off mechanism which is capable of turning off the induction generating source when the heat storage member reaches the predetermined temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: Aladdin Temp-Rite, LLC
    Inventors: David Gregg Wright, Jack Wendell LaFevor
  • Patent number: 6347576
    Abstract: An electric cooker includes a rounded bottom member including a flat surface for defining a food receiving space, a thermal transmission member coupled on an outer bottom surface of the rounded bottom member, an insulating member for insulating the rounded bottom member from the thermal transmission member, a base coupled between the heating member and the insulating member for supporting the cooker, and a coupling device for coupling the insulating member, the base and the thermal transmission member to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Inventor: Rok Chung
  • Publication number: 20020017516
    Abstract: The invention provides an electrically heated cooking device having an electrically heated surface for cooking or heating food and a disposable insert of metal foil substrate coated with a nonstick polymer resin. The insert is replaceably affixed to the electrically heated surface so that the nonstick polymer coating on the metal foil substrate is in intimate contact with food being cooked or heated. The invention further provides a method for cooking a meat patty using the cooking device to produce a product with aesthetic appeal and desirable taste in an economic system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2001
    Publication date: February 14, 2002
    Inventors: Laurence W. McKeen, W. Douglas Obal, Richard C. Albert
  • Publication number: 20010042747
    Abstract: Temperature self-regulating food delivery systems are provided having a magnetic induction heater (32, 126) and an associated food container (76, 124) equipped with an essentially permanent ferromagnetic heating element (82, 100, 128). The heater (32, 126) and heating elements (82, 100, 128) are designed so as to heat the element (82, 100, 128) to a user-selected regulation temperature when the elements (82, 100, 128) are coupled with the heater's magnetic field, and to maintain the temperature in the vicinity of the regulation temperature indefinitely temperature regulation is a heating achieved by periodically determining at least two parameters of the heaters resonant circuits related to the amplitude of the resonant current passing therethrough during heating and responsively altering the field strength of the magnetic field. Preferably, the value of the resonant circuit amplitude and the rate of change of the amplitude are determine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Publication date: November 22, 2001
    Inventors: Brian L. Clothier, Amil J. Ablah
  • Patent number: 6316753
    Abstract: Temperature self-regulating food delivery systems are provided having a magnetic induction heater (32, 126) and an associated food container (76, 124) equipped with an essentially permanent ferromagnetic heating element (82, 100, 128). The heater (32, 126) and heating elements (82, 100, 128) are designed so as to heat the element (82, 100, 128) to a user-selected regulation temperature when the elements (82, 100, 128) are coupled with the heater's magnetic field, and to maintain the temperature in the vicinity of the regulation temperature indefinitely temperature regulation is a heating achieved by periodically determining at least two parameters of the heaters resonant circuits related to the amplitude of the resonant current passing therethrough during heating and responsively altering the field strength of the magnetic field. Preferably, the value of the resonant circuit amplitude and the rate of change of the amplitude are determine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Thermal Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian L. Clothier, Amil J. Ablah, Robert E. Wolters, Jr., William W. Heine, David E. May
  • Patent number: 6291805
    Abstract: A device for heating a cooling vessel for keeping warm the food contained in the vessel. A mobile support is provided for the vessel in which are arranged a supply module comprising a source of live electric energy including a high frequency voltage selector supplied by the source and at least a flat inductor of fine thickness supplied by the voltage selector. The source of electric energy generating an electromagnetic field perpendicular to the support plane and a flat armature of fine thickness made up of completely closed spires and placed under the vessel parallel to the supporting table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Inventors: Janick Simeray, Yves May
  • Patent number: 6288374
    Abstract: Cooking ranges using heating by eddy currents caused by induction of high frequency energy are known, but they have losses caused by leakage fields. The invention provides heating unit in which the magnet coils are integrated into magnetic circuit where the field is collected due to the disposition of the core. A preferred embodiment utilizes magnetic concrete for core parts with chambers for the coils. There may advantageously be cast a covering layer which is thin and wear resistant but still strong, because it is everywhere supported by the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: A/S Ernst Voss Fabrik
    Inventors: Christian Eskildsen, Keld Christensen, Bent Alvsten
  • Patent number: 6281483
    Abstract: A compact rice cooker with excellent rice cooking performance while preventing boiling-over is presented. This rice cooker includes a main body 31, a lid for covering the top of the main body, an inner pan detachably accommodated in the main body, a bottom heating coil for induction heating of the inner pan, a control unit for controlling high frequency power to be supplied to the bottom heating coil, and a rice gruel detecting unit disposed in a steam tube of the lid, and therefore electric power supply is controlled by the control unit depending on the detection state by the rice gruel detecting unit. The rice gruel detecting unit makes use of movement of the float due to the rise of rice gruel, and the lid is formed in a compact size, and boiling-over is prevented, so that tasty rice can be cooked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masatoshi Yagi, Atsushi Korai, Masahiro Koyama, Hironori Hamada, Kazuhiro Ukida
  • Patent number: 6279470
    Abstract: A food heating and cooling device including a tray, at least one main dish plate in the tray, at least one secondary dish plate in the tray, a cover associated with the tray for maintaining the food hot or cold, an inducer for heating, reheating or maintaining heat and powered by an electronic generator circuit which induces currents in an armature located on or under the plates, a thermoelectric exchanger for maintaining the food cold or cool by extracting residual heat from the plates and compensates for thermal insulation leaks from the tray and cover, and rechargeable batteries connected to the inducer and the thermoelectric exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Biontronics S.A.
    Inventors: Janick Simeray, Pierre Le Blevennec, Pascal Laligant
  • Patent number: 6278093
    Abstract: An industrial apparatus to heat foodstuffs, particularly meat-products, including a generator of voltage oscillating at a predetermined radio frequency and an application system to generate an electromagnetic field oscillating at a predetermined radio frequency. The electromagnetic field includes electric and magnetic components which combine, both involving a food product, also a large-size one, to heat at a uniform temperature the entire mass of the food product (P) itself. The application system includes a first application device (12) connected with the generator of oscillating voltage and having the shape of a tunnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignees: Cesare Fiorucci S.p.A., Stalam S.p.A.
    Inventors: Vittorio Iacovacci, Manlio Ernesto Cavestro
  • Publication number: 20010007323
    Abstract: Temperature self-regulating food delivery systems are provided having a magnetic induction heater (32, 126) and an associated food container (76, 124) equipped with an essentially permanent ferromagnetic heating element (82, 100, 128). The heater (32, 126) and heating elements (82, 100, 128) are designed so as to heat the element (82, 100, 128) to a user-selected regulation temperature when the elements (82, 100, 128) are coupled with the heater's magnetic field, and to maintain the temperature in the vicinity of the regulation temperature indefinitely temperature regulation is a heating achieved by periodically determining at least two parameters of the heaters resonant circuits related to the amplitude of the resonant current passing therethrough during heating and responsively altering the field strength of the magnetic field. Preferably, the value of the resonant circuit amplitude and the rate of change of the amplitude are determine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2001
    Publication date: July 12, 2001
    Inventors: Brian L. Clothier, Amil J. Ablah, Robert E. Wolters, William W. Heine, David E. May
  • Patent number: 6232585
    Abstract: Temperature self-regulating food delivery systems are provided having a magnetic induction heater (32, 126) and an associated food container (76, 124) equipped with an essentially permanent ferromagnetic heating element (82, 100, 128). The heater (32, 126) and heating elements (82,100, 128) are designed so as to heat the element (82, 100, 128) to a user-selected regulation temperature when the elements (82, 100, 128) are coupled with the heater's magnetic field, and to maintain the temperature in the vicinity of the regulation temperature indefinitely temperature regulation is a heating achieved by periodically determining at least two parameters of the heaters resonant circuits related to the amplitude of the resonant current passing therethrough during heating and responsively altering the field strength of the magnetic field. Preferably, the value of the resonant circuit amplitude and the rate of change of the amplitude are determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Thermal Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian L. Clothier, Amil J. Ablah
  • Patent number: 6214401
    Abstract: Cooking vessel intended to be induction heated, comprising a heating part made of a ferromagnetic alloy having a Curie temperature of between 150° C. and 370° C. and a magnetostriction coefficient &lgr;s≦5×10−6 in absolute value. FeNiCuX ferromagnetic alloy for the manufacture of the cooking vessel, the chemical composition of which comprises from 50% to 85% of Ni, less than 50% of Cu, less than 12% of X=Cr+Mo+Mn+Si+Al+W+Nb+V+Ti, the balance being iron and impurities; the composition satisfies the relationships (35/25)×(75−Ni)≦Cu≦(50/35)×(85−Ni) and (7/20)×(Ni−65)≦X≦(12/35)×(Ni−50). Production method and method of use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Imphy Ugine Precision
    Inventors: Laurent Chaput, Lucien Coutu, Marc Leroy, Yves Grosbety
  • Publication number: 20010000106
    Abstract: A compact rice cooker with excellent rice cooking performance while preventing boiling-over is presented. This rice cooker comprises a main body 31, a lid 36 for covering the top of the main body 31, an inner pan 32 detachably accommodated in the main body 31, a bottom heating coil 33a for induction heating of the inner pan 32, control means for controlling high frequency power to be supplied to the bottom heating coil 33a, and rice gruel detecting means disposed in a steam tube 47 of the lid 36, and therefore electric power supply is controlled by the control means depending on the detection state by the rice gruel detecting means. The rice gruel detecting means makes use of move of the float 48 due to rice gruel, and the lid 36 is formed in a compact size, boiling-over is prevented, so that tasty rice can be cooked.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2000
    Publication date: April 5, 2001
    Inventors: Masatoshi Yagi, Atsushi Korai, Masahiro Koyama, Hironori Hamada, Kazuhiro Ukida
  • Patent number: 6191401
    Abstract: A heat maintaining food container includes a container for depositing a food product therein and a ferrous material heated element, which has been heated to a selected temperature by electromagnetic induction heating, positioned in close proximity to the food product. The heated element comprises one or more substantially planar carbon steel sheets having a thickness of about 0.005″ to 0.030″ and having an insulative layer fixed to one side of the sheet. The sheet is preferably foldable to take the form of a U-shape or an O-shape for substantially surrounding the food product when placed in the container. Alternatively, the material of the food container may contain a ferrous material wherein the container itself is preheated to a selected temperature by electromagnetic induction heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Inventors: Mark Salerno, Roberta Salerno
  • Patent number: 6177659
    Abstract: A compact rice cooker with excellent rice cooking performance while preventing boiling-over is presented. This rice cooker comprises a main body, a lid for covering the top of the main body, an inner pan detachably accommodated in the main body, a bottom heating coil for induction heating of the inner pan, a control unit for controlling high frequency power to be supplied to the bottom heating coil, and a rice gruel detector disposed in a steam tube of the lid, and therefore electric power supply is controlled by the control unit depending on the detection state by the rice gruel detecting means. The rice gruel detector makes use of move of the float due to rice gruel, the lid is formed in a compact size, and boiling-over is prevented, so that tasty rice can be cooked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Masatoshi Yagi, Atsushi Korai, Masahiro Koyama, Hironori Hamada, Kazuhiro Ukida
  • Patent number: 6157011
    Abstract: An electromagnetic stove structure, particularly an electromagnetic stove having a face panel on which an independent type heating plate that can be separated from the electromagnetic stove is disposed. The bottom portion of the heating plate is provided with a protective hood accommodating induction coils, a temperature sensor and iron powder cores. The electromagnetic stove has disposed thereon a positioning post that can be adjusted to extend or retract and to rotate and that is connected to a securing frame on a pot. The heating plate can be removed together with the pot by means of electromagnets adhering to the bottom side of the pot. The pot can swing about a suitable angle by using the positioning post as center of rotation, and can be in contact with the heating pot all the time to be heated thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Inventor: Hui-Wen Lai
  • Patent number: 6097014
    Abstract: Apparatus and process for reheating a meal including a plurality of prepared foods, each food being placed on a dish and the dishes constituting the meal being placed on a tray. Those food dishes to be reheated are placed in insulated receptacles having a magnetic material adapted to be induction heated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Florinius-Investimentos E Servicos Internacionais LDA
    Inventor: Norbert Kirsch, deceased
  • Patent number: 6005233
    Abstract: A heat retentive server, comprising a central portion comprising a heat storage member formed of a material which is preferably susceptible to being heated by induction, is provided with one or more valves which are normally in closed positions, and are capable of opening to vent excess pressure in the central portion. In one preferred embodiment, a valve is placed so as to allow communication between the central portion and a different interior region of the server. In another embodiment, a valve is placed so as to allow communication between the central portion and the exterior of the server. In another embodiment, a server is provided with at least one valve of each type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Aladdin Synergetics, Inc.
    Inventor: W. Burk Wyatt
  • Patent number: 5954984
    Abstract: A heat retentive, temperature self-regulating, food retaining apparatus (10) includes a body (12), heat retentive core (14) and magnetic induction heating element (16). The body (12) includes a substantially rigid, heatable, food-contacting wall (18) defining a cavity (24). The core (14) is positioned in the cavity (24), and in thermal contact with the wall (18) for selective heating of the wall (18). The core (14) includes a solid state phase change material for storing latent heat during a solid-to-solid phase transformation at a phase transformation temperature. A resilient material is in contact with the phase change material to permit expansion of the phase change material during a phase transformation. The heating element (16) is in thermal contact with the core (14) for heating the core (14) to a temperature above the phase transformation temperature to effect a phase transformation in the phase change material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Thermal Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Amil J. Ablah, Brian L. Clothier
  • Patent number: 5928550
    Abstract: An improved popcorn popper includes a kettle and an induction heater for imparting heat to the kettle for popping popcorn therein. The kettle has no electrical heaters, conduits or connectors and can be immersed in water for cleaning. Methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Gold Medal Products Co.
    Inventor: Ronald R. Weiss
  • Patent number: 5893996
    Abstract: An electric radiant heater is constructed with a pot detection system for switching on one or more heating areas. The pot detection system operates inductively according to the resonant circuit detuning principle. The sensor consists of a single-turn loop made from thick wire and which in the vicinity of the heating areas is positioned above the latter and just below a glass ceramic plate. In the case of a two-circuit heater, the sensor loop is shaped with clearly defined circumferential areas in said heating areas, so that the signal has a stepped transition between these areas and consequently a pot size detection in adaptation to the heating areas is possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1999
    Assignee: E.G.O. Elektro-Geratebau GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Gross, Nils Platt
  • Patent number: 5872351
    Abstract: A domed-shaped oven relies on induction technology to provide heat. In particular, the oven has a dome or igloo shape, preferably modeled as an Italian dome oven, for use in a commercial pizza facility. The dome is made of a heat conducting and holding material such as concrete or stone. In the bottom of the oven, a magnetically susceptible plate is interposed between two layers of concrete. Beneath the lower layer of concrete, an induction coil provides the energy necessary to inductively heat the plate sandwiched between the concrete layers. In alternative embodiments of the present invention, additional plates are interposed between layers of concrete throughout the dome. Additional induction coils are provided proximate each of those plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Assignee: Taco Bell Corporation
    Inventor: John C. Sowerby
  • Patent number: 5844212
    Abstract: A dual plate heater provides two parallel temperature self-regulating heater plates or wire mesh comprising ferromagnetic material with one or more electrically energized coils parallel to and located between the heater plates which coil(s) when energized by a constant current or by an otherwise controlled current heat the plates to their Curie temperature or temperatures. The coil may be a flat spiral of thin conductive (copper) wire embedded in a thin layer of a heat conductive, electrically non-conductive material between said plates whereby heat energy generated in the coil is supplied to the heater plates. The dual plate heater may be employed to heat plastic pipes to their butt welding temperatures after which the heater is removed to the ends of the pipes to be joined are brought into contact under pressure. The dual plate heaters may also be employed in other arrangements such as shelves in a dispensing machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: Gas Research Institute
    Inventors: David M. Dickens, James B. Ross, Joel D. Finegan
  • Patent number: 5786643
    Abstract: A heat retentive server adapted to the inductively heated comprises a central portion comprising a heat storage member comprising a material which is susceptible to being heated by induction; and an outer peripheral member connected to the central portion so that said outer peripheral member and the central portion are substantially thermally insulated from each other. Preferably, the server is provided with heat insulation constructed and arranged with respect to the heat storage member so that heat is caused to primarily flow upwardly from the heat storage member. Also preferably, the outer peripheral member and the central portion are substantially insulated from each other by means of a thermal break.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Aladdin Synergetics, Inc.
    Inventors: W. Burk Wyatt, Ray Russell Fox
  • Patent number: 5770837
    Abstract: A metal plate for electromagnetic heating is disclosed which includes a substrate comprising aluminum or aluminum alloys, an intermediate layer formed on at least a portion of one surface of the substrate and comprising zinc or zinc alloys and a conductive layer formed on the intermediate layer for serving as a heat generating body when eddy current induced by high-frequency magnetic flux flows therethrough. Methods of manufacturing a metal plate for electromagnetic heating and a metallic mold for electromagnetic heating are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Hatta, Fumio Matsuyama, Masaya Nishi, Taichiro Nishikawa, Shuzo Nagai, Kenji Miyazaki, Shinji Inazawa