With Internal Pressure-condition Release Patents (Class 220/316)
  • Patent number: 7373874
    Abstract: The invention relates to an appliance for cooking food under pressure, the appliance comprising: a bowl and a lid; locking/unlocking means suitable for going between a locking position in which the lid (2) is locked relative to the bowl and an unlocking position; and decompression means (6) for decompressing the vessel; wherein said locking/unlocking means and said decompression means (6) are connected functionally to a single, common control member (7A), said control member (7A) being designed to be suitable for finding itself in a locking and decompression position in which the locking/unlocking means find themselves in their locking position, while the decompression means are activated. The invention is applicable to household appliances for cooking under pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Seb S.A.
    Inventors: Claire Marie-Aurore Seurat Guiochet, Daniel Jean-Marie Anota, Eric Chameroy
  • Patent number: 7322279
    Abstract: The present application relates to a lid (4) for a pressure cooking appliance (1) the lid designed to be placed and locked on a cooking vessel (2). The lid (4) comprises at least one jaw (5) mounted to move radially between a locking position and unlocking position. Said at least one jaw (5) is substantially of channel section, with a top face (10) for bearing on the lid (4), a front face (11), and a folded-under bottom face (12) designed, when in the locking position, to come into contact with the underside of a rim (3) of the cooking vessel (2). The at least one jaw (5) includes a substantially central setback (15) extending in the front and bottom faces (11, 12) thereof so as to define two locking wings (16, 17). The invention also provides a pressure cooking appliance fitted with the lid (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: SEB S.A.
    Inventors: Michel Pierre Cartigny, Yvan Marcel Georges Piguet, Eric Christian Jacques Rhetat
  • Patent number: 7322280
    Abstract: A domestic appliance for cooking under pressure. The appliance includes a cooking bowl and a lid. The lid is configured to be fit and locked onto the bowl to form a substantially leaktight cooking enclosure. The appliance further includes: means for locking and unlocking the lid relative to the bowl; pressure regulator means arranged to maintain a relative pressure inside the enclosure at a substantially constant predetermined cooking pressure value; and activatable and deactivatable decompression means arranged, when activated, to allow the pressure that exists inside the enclosure to drop. The pressure regulator means may be configured to maintain the cooking pressure substantially in the range of 10 kPa to 30 kPa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: SEB S.A.
    Inventors: Claire Marie-Aurore Seurat Guiochet, Daniel Jean-Marie Anota
  • Patent number: 7306111
    Abstract: A filter housing having radial sealing means is disclosed herein. Push-button actuated clamps can be used to attach the head to the sump for easy opening and closing the filter housing when replacing the filter cartridge. The filter housing of the present invention provides simplified filter cartridge changes to minimize process downtime and without recourse to tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: KX Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Evan E. Koslow
  • Patent number: 7082871
    Abstract: The invention relates to a closing device for a container with an opening, in particular for a cooking pot with an outwardly protruding pouring edge, said closing device comprising a lid for closing the opening of the container, a closing element arrangement with at least a first closing element, and a movement device for moving the first closing element, said first closing element being able to be moved in an inward direction upon actuation of the movement device and moving upward at least in parts during the inwardly directed movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Synkrona AG
    Inventor: Horst Schultz
  • Patent number: 6886709
    Abstract: A closure apparatus comprises a collar 2 having a collar periphery and having a collar inner surface defining an opening 3, a closure 10, having a closure periphery, said closure 10 being for closing said opening 3, a bearing structure 7 being located around said collar periphery or said closure periphery, a locking ring 18 being mounted for rotation with respect to said closure 10 and said opening 3 on said bearing structure 7, so that said locking ring 18 is rotatable between a locking position for locking said closure 10 to said opening 3 and an unlocked position for permitting said closure 10 to be moved away from said opening 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: General Signal UK Limited
    Inventor: Brian Smith
  • Patent number: 6877633
    Abstract: A steam pressure cooker includes a pot having an outwardly directed horizontal pouring rim and formed with a V-shaped circumferential depression which points inwardly to define a conical surface in an upper rim area. A lid can be placed upon the pot for closing and includes a circumferential groove. Positioned between pot and lid is a rubberized elastic sealing element which is held in the circumferential groove. The sealing element has a sealing body of substantially U-shaped configuration to define two sealing lips in coaxial parallel relationship to the vertical pot axis. One sealing lip bears against an inner wall of the pot and interacts with the conical surface of the pot, when the lid is placed upon the pot. A locking mechanism embraces and thereby clamps the lid and the pouring rim, when the steam pressure cooker is closed, and clears the pouring rim, when the steam pressure cooker is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Inventor: Ursula Niese
  • Patent number: 6857536
    Abstract: A closure arrangement comprises a hub 314, a head 320 adapted to be disengage able from the hub 314. A davit arm 300 is mounted on a swivel mount 316 provided on the hub 314, and the swivel mount 316 is arranged to allow the davit arm 300 to swivel in a plane. The davit arm is free to move in a longitudinal direction in the plane, and to rotate about the longitudinal direction. The closure arrangement is further provided with an adjustment device adapted to adjust the position of the head 320 relative to the hub 314 in a direction perpendicular to the plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: General Signal UK Limited
    Inventor: Brian Smith
  • Publication number: 20040164078
    Abstract: A closure apparatus comprises a collar 2 having a collar periphery and having a collar inner surface defining an opening 3, a closure 10, having a closure periphery, said closure 10 being for closing said opening 3, a bearing structure 7 being located around said collar periphery or said closure periphery, a locking ring 18 being mounted for rotation with respect to said closure 10 and said opening 3 on said bearing structure 7, so that said locking ring 18 is rotatable between a locking position for locking said closure 10 to said opening 3 and an unlocked position for permitting said closure 10 to be moved away from said opening 3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Inventor: Brian Smith
  • Publication number: 20040129705
    Abstract: A safety cap made of a mesh casing body and attachment frame and attached by snap-fitting or screw engagement to the pressure release valve of a pressure cooker or to the inner surface of the lid of the cooker so as to cover the pressure release valve, thus allowing no food particles to reach the pressure release valve and preventing the pressure release valve from being clogged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventor: Tom Hiroshi Hasegawa
  • Publication number: 20040124197
    Abstract: This is a safety cap made of a mesh casing body and attachment frame that covers the pressure release valve of a pressure cooker. The stainless steel wavy mesh has openings of equal size or smaller than the air intake apertures of the pressure release valve. The mesh catches food and prevents the pressure release valve from clogging. There are three main ways to install the safety cap to the pressure cooker: directly attaching it to the pressure release valve via the attachment frame; directly attaching it to the lid; and attaching it to a specialized lid chamber. If the pressure cooker is made of aluminum or other materials, then the safety cap can be snap-fitted or screw-mounted for each installation method. If the pressure cooker is made of carbon core stainless steel, in addition to the snap-fit and screw-mount, it can also be magnetically attached for each installation method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventor: Tom Hiroshi Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 6708837
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for locking a lug-type rotary closure assembly in a closed position. The locking arrangement includes a pressure warning device, which may also release internal pressure. The system cannot be unlocked and hence the closure cannot be opened, until the pressure warning device has been moved to a position where it will warn of internal pressure and/or release internal pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: General Signal UK Limited
    Inventor: Brian Smith
  • Patent number: 6705209
    Abstract: A pressure cooker includes a cooking pot (22) and a lid (23) removably attachable thereto by interlocking radially-extending circumferentially-spaced locking flanges on the cooking pot and lid. The lid and cooking pot further include handles to facilitate application of the lid to the cooking pot, and safety interlocks which vent the interior of the cooking pot to the atmosphere at all times except when the lid is securely locked to the cooking pot, and also prevent opening the lid when the interior of the cooking pot is pressurized. The lid further includes a manual pushbutton (73) to produce a rapid-release of the pressure within the cooking pot when the lid is to be removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Inventors: Bing Yang, Jingran Fu, Shiliang Llang
  • Publication number: 20040004081
    Abstract: A closure assembly 10 contains positive and/or vacuum pressure within a pressure vessel 16 having a neck 12. A circumferential locking member 22 supported on a door 20 locks the door to the neck, and is radially moveable between an open position and a closed position. A seal 26 between the neck and the door maintains fluid-tight integrity. A lever or other hand powered operator may be used for moving the locking member between the open position and the closed position. The locking member may include locking segments interconnected to form the circumferential locking member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Inventor: Doughlas J. McGuire
  • Patent number: 6669047
    Abstract: A pressure cooker handle assembly that relieves pressure in the cooker and unlocks the lid by pushing a single button twice. The button includes a tab that directly activates a pressure relief valve to release the pressure and a leg that depresses a stopbar to unlock the lid. Pressing of the button a first time releases the pressure in the cooker, but does not unlock the lid. A latch system prevents the cooker from again building pressure once the button is pressed. When the button is pressed a second time the leg depresses the stopbar to unlock the lid from the cooker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Innovation IP Holding Co
    Inventors: Blaise M. Wooderson, Frederick A. Rose
  • Patent number: 6648162
    Abstract: A pressure cooker handle assembly that relieves pressure in the cooker and unlocks the lid by pushing a single button twice. The button includes a tab that directly activates a pressure relief valve to release the pressure and a leg that depresses a stopbar to unlock the lid. Pressing of the button a first time releases the pressure in the cooker, but does not unlock the lid. A latch system prevents the cooker from again building pressure once the button is pressed. When the button is pressed a second time the leg depresses the stopbar to unlock the lid from the cooker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Innovation IP Holding Co.
    Inventors: Blaise M. Wooderson, Frederick A. Rose
  • Patent number: 6604453
    Abstract: A steam pressure cooker, includes a pot with a horizontal pouring rim, a lid for closing the pot, and an elastic seal positioned between the lid and the pot. At least two moveable clamps are arranged peripherally in even spaced-apart relationship, for clamping the lid and the pouring rim, when the steam pressure cooker is closed, and clearing the pouring rim, when the steam pressure cooker is opened. The clamps and the lid are covered by a cap which supports a handle comprised of two handle parts, which are respectively connected to the cap and the lid. Actuation of the handle effects a coaxial rotation of the cap relative to the lid between two end positions, whereby in one end position the clamps are moved outwards, until the pouring rim is cleared. A tip clamping mechanism secures the cap relative to the lid in the end positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Inventor: Ursula Niese
  • Patent number: 6588323
    Abstract: A self-locking device for positioning an opened container lid disposed at the jointing area of a container body and the container lid includes a transmission shaft, a positioning shaft, a heavy hammer and a rod thereof, an upper connecting piece and a lower connecting piece are respectively disposed on the lateral sides of the container lid and the container body; at one end of the positioning shaft, an arcuate concave slot matching with an arcuate opening port is disposed at a position corresponding to the arcuate opening port; when the container lid is opened, the arcuate opening port of the upper connecting piece and the arcuate concave slot on the positioning shaft overlap and lock each other to prevent the container from falling so as to facilitate the user's access to the object inside the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Inventor: Tian-Jyue Cheng
  • Patent number: 6568554
    Abstract: A pressure vessel in accordance with the present invention comprises a cover, movable between an open position and a closed position, and a clamp for releasably clamping the cover in its closed position. The clamp includes a handle for manually operating the clamp. The handle is movable between a first position, in which the clamp releasably holds the cover in its closed position, and a second position, in which the cover is free to be moved to its open position. The pressure vessel further comprises locking means, including a latch pin for releasably locking the handle in its first position upon actuation of the latch pin, and actuating means, including a flexible diaphragm which is responsive to an increase in pressure within the pressure vessel, for actuating the latch pin when the pressure within the vessel has reached a predetermined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: H-Tech, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter A. Booth, Leonard Falcone
  • Patent number: 6523459
    Abstract: Pressure cookers are disclosed comprising a pan having a pan ramp, a lid having a handle and a lid ramp cooperative with the pan ramp to provide a bayonet closure, such that the pan and lid ramps can be cooperatively engaged in the closed position, an abutment for preventing further rotation of the lid, a lock mechanism for locking the lid relative to the pan, a controller to control the lock mechanism to move it an unlocking and locking positions in which the lid cannot be removed from the pan, a pressure indicator mounted with respect to the lid movable between positions in which the pressure within the pressure cooker cannot leak therethrough and is permitted to leak therethrough, and a unitary assembly mounted on the lid independent of the handle in which the pressure indicator, the controller and the lock mechanism are mounted on the unitary assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: SEB S.A.
    Inventors: Eric Chameroy, Eric Christian Jacques Rhetat, Eric Laurent Baraille
  • Patent number: 6513420
    Abstract: A device for coupling a lid to pot, which includes two clip plates for clipping a portion where a lid body and a pressure pot are engaged with each other, a handle body for accommodating a part of the clip plates thereinside, tension springs each being fixed to the handle body on one end thereof and to the clip plates on the other end thereof to constantly pull the clip plates to a second direction, namely, a central direction of the lid body, a grip lever being set to a first position to release the sealed lid body and pressure pot by being moved due to an external force by as far as a predetermined distance and thus pushing the clip plates to a first direction, namely, a peripheral direction of the lid body, and a push button for pushing the grip lever to a second position to seal the lid body and the pressure pot by moving the grip lever and forcing the clip plates to be moved to a second direction due to a force of the tension spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Inventor: Jong Peter Park
  • Patent number: 6450361
    Abstract: A low pressure cooker is disclosed having a pan and a pressurizable lid. Latch handles that pivot about a generally vertical axis are provided for latching the pressurizable lid in position relative to the pan. The cooker may also include a non-pressurizable lid that cannot be latched in position using the latch handles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Inventors: Lewis A. Mendelson, Blaise M. Wooderson
  • Publication number: 20020117502
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for locking a lug-type rotary closure assembly in a closed position. The locking arrangement includes a pressure warning device, which may also release internal pressure. The system cannot be unlocked and hence the closure cannot be opened, until the pressure warning device has been moved to a position where it will warn of internal pressure and/or release internal pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2002
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Inventor: Brian Smith
  • Patent number: 6378717
    Abstract: A closure cap which can screw onto the fixed neck of a cooling system expansion tank. The closure cap is provided with a screw cap and a threaded section in which a combination pressure-vacuum valve is mounted concentrically and in such a way that it can rotate in relation to the screw cap. The valve is provided with a sealing element which comes into tight contact with the fixed neck when the closure is screwed. To endure that the closure cap can be unscrewed only when the excess heat in the cooling system has been completely dissipated, it is proposed that the closure cap when screwed onto the fixed neck would be prevented from unscrewing means of a temperature-dependent control element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Inventor: Heinrich Reutter
  • Publication number: 20020008110
    Abstract: A pressure vessel in accordance with the present invention comprises a cover, movable between an open position and a closed position, and a clamp for releasably clamping the cover in its closed position. The clamp includes a handle for manually operating the clamp. The handle is movable between a first position, in which the clamp releasably holds the cover in its closed position, and a second position, in which the cover is free to be moved to its open position. The pressure vessel further comprises locking means, including a latch pin for releasably locking the handle in its first position upon actuation of the latch pin, and actuating means, including a flexible diaphragm which is responsive to an increase in pressure within the pressure vessel, for actuating the latch pin when the pressure within the vessel has reached a predetermined level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2001
    Publication date: January 24, 2002
    Inventors: Walter A. Booth, Leonard Falcone
  • Patent number: 6298773
    Abstract: A compound cover made up of a pair of cover parts of a diameter substantially the same as the kettle. The cover parts rest on the kettle in stacked arrangement, and are rotatable relative to each other. The parts have hole, therethrough in a common pattern, and can be rotated to put the holes in complete register, and out of register where all the holes are completely blocked. The cover parts are of inverted conical shape to facilitate drainage of condensed water back into the kettle. In a modified form, the parts have stepped formation at the periphery for fitting any of a series of different sized kettles within a wide range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Inventor: Frank C. Cali
  • Patent number: 6257124
    Abstract: A pressure vessel having a container, a cover and a control device for closing and opening of the cover of the container, wherein the control device consists of at least two driving arms movably mounted on the cover. A knob is pivotally mounted on a central axis of the cover, and a rotary plate is co-axially fixed at a lower end of the knob. The rotary plate is rotatably movable together with the knob and particularly formed with at least two rotary drivers corresponding to engagement posts formed on driving arms. Jaws fixed at outer ends of the driving arms driven by the rotary drivers of the rotary plate are movable in a radial direction relative to the central axis of the cover between a locking position in which the cover is locked to the container and an unlocking position in which the cover can be removed from the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Inventor: Chin-Tsai Chen
  • Patent number: 6230921
    Abstract: A closure system which provides a lubricated lock ring on a hinged door assembly rather than proximate a pressure vessel is provided. The configuration of this system removes lubricants from the region immediately adjacent a pressure vessel entrance to be sealed by the door assembly. A shorter entrance tunnel for access to the pressure vessel interior is also provided by this configuration. A clamp ring having radially extending lugs is rigidly affixed proximate to and partially defining the pressure vessel entrance. The door has a continuous thread about an outer circumferential surface thereof. A lock ring having a complementary interior continuous thread is in rotational communication with the threaded circumferential surface of the door. The lock ring also has plural, inwardly projecting lugs which are capable of passing between the clamp ring lugs when the door is swung toward the clamp ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Sail Star Limited
    Inventor: David N. Berglund
  • Patent number: 6178876
    Abstract: A pressure cooker has a hollow main body, a cover disposed on a top portion of the hollow main body, an upper joint disposed on the cover, a handle connected to the upper joint, and a heating device disposed on a bottom of the hollow main body. The heating device has a bottom casing, an upper casing engaging with the bottom casing, a thermal conducting plate disposed on the upper casing, and a thermal generating device disposed between the thermal conducting plate and the bottom casing. An electric circuit board is disposed in the bottom casing. An electric control board is disposed on the upper casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Inventor: Yan-Tzong Kao
  • Patent number: 6135012
    Abstract: A pressure cooker has a main body, a cover disposed on the main body, an air vent valve disposed on the cover, a base seat, an aluminum disk, an electric heating pipe, and a temperature control device. The base seat has a hollow interior, and a chamber. The electric heating pipe is disposed in the base seat. The aluminum disk is disposed on the electric heating pipe. The hollow interior of the base seat receives a bottom of the main body. The temperature control device is inserted in the chamber. The temperature control device has a first recess hole, a second recess hole, and a temperature sensing rod. The electric heating pipe has a first end inserted in the first recess hole, and a second end inserted in the second recess hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Inventor: Yao-Tzong Kao
  • Patent number: 6135013
    Abstract: A pressure cooker with a safety device to prevent the lid from turning includes a lid handle and a cooking pan handle. The safety device is built-in to the lid handle, and includes a locking mechanism, a vertical sliding pushbutton that actuates a locking member, a residual pressure valve, and a cooker closed condition indicator rod. The pushbutton exerts pressure on a rocker, which moves the locking member horizontally over two opposing slope ramps in the surface of the locking member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Fagor, S. Coop.
    Inventor: Joseba Barrena
  • Patent number: 6116151
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pressure cooker with a container that can be airtightly closed with the aid of a cover, which can be placed upon a container edge and locked with it. A closing mechanism is provided on the cover. The closing mechanism includes a total of four arcuate closure members, acting distributively over the periphery of the cover and pivoted on the periphery of the cover. The closing mechanism can be moved by an actuating device from an open position, in which the cover can be removed from the container, into a locked position to extend underneath the container edge. In the locked position, the cover is pressed at its periphery against the container edge by interspacing an encircling ring. The total (for example four) closure members are combined into (for example two) groups of two closure members each of which are connected with hinges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Fissler GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Fickert, Bernhard Graziel, Arnold Thelen
  • Patent number: 6105808
    Abstract: Opening/closing safety device to be mounted on a bayonet pan, consisting of a body (1) to which a side handle is attached (11), and a lid (2) to which an upper body is attached (3), which consists of a lever (4) which, when it is in its initial position, guarantees that there is no pressure inside the pan and which, when it is locked (pressure cooker), prevents the pan from opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Cruzinox Industria Metalurgica, LDA
    Inventor: Fernando Jorge Mendonca
  • Patent number: 6070518
    Abstract: A pressure cooker has a main body, a cover disposed on a top portion of the main body, an exhaust steam valve disposed on the cover, a heat conductive disk disposed on a bottom of the main body, the heat conductive disk having a center hole receiving a temperature switch, the temperature switch disposed on a bottom center of the main body, an electric heating pipe disposed on a bottom of the heat conductive disk, and a base seat having a hollow interior receiving a lower portion of the main body, the heat conductive disk, the temperature switch, and the electric heating pipe. A timer switch and an electric source switch are disposed on the base seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Inventor: Yao-Tzong Kao
  • Patent number: 6067896
    Abstract: The pressure cooker with a system (3) for locking the closure of the lid (2) on the pan comprises an elastic locking collar housed in the recess (2b) in the lid, clamping the rim (1a) of the pan, a release trigger (5) and a transmission mechanism (7) from the trigger (5) to the collar (4), which has a dividing gap (4a), while its section is flat and angled. The transmission mechanism (7) is housed inside the handle (6) of the lid and it has a member (15), jointed to the trigger (5) and connected to the ends of the collar (4), for the expansion of said collar via a rack (15a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Fagor, S. Coop.
    Inventor: Joseba Barrena Elorza
  • Patent number: 6019029
    Abstract: A lid for a pressure cooker has two radially slidable jaws with upstanding lips, respectively. A locking plate can slide transversely outwards from the position shown so that the lips ride along limbs of apertures and are thereafter held, to prevent radial movement, by the plate. The plate is held in its transverse outward position by a plunger (not shown) of a locking valve that is engaged in an aperture in the plate. The plunger is released to fall from an uplifted locking position when pressure in the cooker falls below a predetermined level and to enable the plunger to become slidable along the aperture. This allows the plate to move and unlock the jaws so that the lid can be removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: Chiaphua Industries Limited
    Inventor: Wing Po Chan
  • Patent number: 6015968
    Abstract: A microwave distillation apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a microwave heating chamber having a plurality of walls. A vessel is located within the chamber for containing a liquid to be distilled. The vessel has a mouth for receiving the liquid. A connecting tube extends though an opening formed in one of the plurality of chamber walls. The connecting tube has a first end thereof for sealably engaging the mouth of the vessel, and a second end thereof extending outwardly from the chamber. A biasing assembly is located outside of the chamber, and engages the connecting tube with a biasing force to maintain the seal between the connecting tube and the mouth of the vessel. A distillate capture assembly is connected to the connecting tube for receiving vapors emitted from the liquid when heated, and for condensing the vapors into a liquid distillate for capture and storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Inventor: Bernard Armstrong
  • Patent number: 5941407
    Abstract: A safety cap for pressurized containers includes a closure member (2) of the aperture (3) of the container (4) and a grip member (5) having a connecting means (6) with the closure member for removing the closure member from the aperture only when the pressure inside the container is at a preset value. A safety device (7) is adapted to slide inside the closure member (2) from a first position to a second position and vice versa, for activating and disactivating the connecting means as the pressure varies, and seal means (8) between the closure member and at least a first and a second region of the safety device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: De' Longhi S.P.A.
    Inventor: Giuseppe De' Longhi
  • Patent number: 5927183
    Abstract: A pot having an automatic sealing function for heating and cooking food material is disclosed. In the pot having the construction that a lid (20) to which a knob (3) is assembled is installed on the upper part of a vessel (10) whose upper part is opened, it includes an elastic open seal part (40) installed between the lid (20) and the knob (30) so that high pressure generated in heating is automatically exhausted, simultaneously exterior air cannot flow in when the pot is cooled, and thereby the pot interior can be automatically sealed; a sealing part (50) installed between the vessel (10) and the lid (20); and an inverse outflow cut-off flange (60) installed on the lower part of the lid (20), for restraining an outflow of the food material to the exterior of the vessel when contents are boiled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Deuk-Man Kim
    Inventor: Won-Myung Lee
  • Patent number: 5850778
    Abstract: Cookers working with an increasing internal pressure require a pressure indicator which can also adjust the internal pressure to a certain extent and, especially in the event of excessively high internal pressure, to release it by pressure equalization with the environment. Such pressure indicators consist of many parts and are complicated and not easily handlable for cleaning purposes. The invention proposes a pressure indicator which may consist of only a single component (2) besides the pressure indicator pin (1), being made of an elastic material and is multifunctional.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1998
    Assignee: Heinrich Baumgarten KG
    Inventor: Wolfgang Fischbach
  • Patent number: 5839357
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electric pressure cooker. The electric pressure cooker's food container is locked to its lid by using a driving power of a motor. The inner pressure state of the container can be monitored from the outside, and is automatically discharged when it exceeds a predetermined pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong-Kyu Ha, In-Hwan Joo
  • Patent number: 5768976
    Abstract: A device for automatically locking or unlocking the pressure lid in electric pressure cookers is disclosed. In the above device, a drive gear which is fixed to the output shaft of a reversible motor gears into a spur gear of the lock ring. A contact protrusion which is provided on the peripheral edge of the lock ring selectively comes into contact with either lock or unlock sensing switches in accordance with a rotating motion of the lock ring, thereby turning on the switch and automatically locking or unlocking the inward protrusions of the lock ring relative to the outward protrusions of the pressure lid. The above device is thus convenient to the user. The device does not have any handle lever exposed outside the cooker, thus neither causing a difficulty in packing the cooker nor spoiling the appearance of the cooker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Inventor: Joong Kwang Suk
  • Patent number: 5730045
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cooking apparatus to facilitate straining requirements. The cooking apparatus includes a pot and lid that can be securely integrated to function as a strainer. The lid includes a circumferentially extending flange that is designed to slide into the pot and rest on the rim of the pot. The flange includes a pair of opposing perforation regions and a pair of opposing protrusion elements. The pot includes a corresponding pair of notches and channels to receiving the protrusion elements to secure the lid to the pot. In a straining position the lid is secured to the pot, with the protrusion elements positioned in the channels and with the perforations regions aligned with dipped outer edges in the rim of the pot to facilitate pouring and straining. In a non-straining position the lid is merely resting in the notches to permit easy removal of the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: Easy Strain Cookware
    Inventors: Michel Delaquis, Fred Coakes
  • Patent number: 5724884
    Abstract: A valve is needed in a cooking utensil operating with an increased internal pressure, which valve is at the same time also capable of regulating the internal pressure, and, in particular, takes care that a nonpermissibly high internal pressure is reduced through a pressure release with the outside. Such valves are designed with many parts and are complicated and are difficult to handle also during cleaning. The invention provides a valve, which is manufactured essentially of a single piece of a rubber-elastic material, and permits at the same time to carry out all of the necessary functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Assignee: Heinrich Baumgarten KG
    Inventor: Wolfgang Fischbach
  • Patent number: 5706967
    Abstract: In order to improve the security and ease of operation of a safety lock, especially for vehicle fuel tanks, comprising a plug (3) with a sealing section (3a) which can be fitted on the aperture of a connector nipple (2), a locking device (5), especially in the form of clamping jaws by means of which the plug (3) fitted on the connector nipple (2) can be releasably secured thereto, an actuating device (7), especially in the form of a push-on sleeve, and a vent (10) to release pressure which is connected to the connector nipple (2) in the region of the sealing section (3a). It is proposed that inside the safety lock (1) be fitted an axially movable piston (8) coupled to a locking component (9), for the actuating device (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Assignee: Weh GmbH, Verbindung Technik
    Inventors: Wolfgang Weh, Erwin Weh
  • Patent number: 5687870
    Abstract: A pressure lock assembly for use between first and second independently pressurized areas and a pressure vessel incorporating such a lock assembly. The pressure lock assembly is automatically actuated when the first area has a substantially higher pressure than the second area and is automatically deactuated when the areas have substantially uniform pressures. The pressure lock assembly has first and second body members. The first body member has an inner surface bounding the first area, an outer surface bounding the second area, and a through-opening extending between the surfaces. The body members are displaceable between an open position in which the body members are at least partially disengaged and a closed position in which the body members are closely engaged. A flexure member is disposed adjacent the inner end of the through-opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Dana Andrew Carlile, David Edward Foeller, Kenneth Dean Corby
  • Patent number: 5678721
    Abstract: A device for locking/unlocking a lid (1) on a vessel (2) to form a pressure cooking vessel. The device has at least two radially movable jaws (15a, 15b) on the lid (1), a portion (50) for controlling the movement of the jaws (15a, 15b), actuating members (20a, 20b) connected to each of the jaws (15a, 15b) and provided with at least one locking aperture (25a, 25b, 250), and at least one locking valve (10) mounted on the lid (1) and movable into a raised position in which it engages the aperture(s) (25a, 25b, 250) and locks the jaws (15a, 15b). The device is characterized in that it comprises a locking valve (10) combined with two actuating arms (20a, 20b) positionable one above the other at least when the jaws are in the locking position, the actuating arms having respective locking apertures (25a, 25b) arranged to be in register in the locking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignee: SEB S.A.
    Inventors: Michel Cartigny, Eric Chameroy
  • Patent number: 5673737
    Abstract: A tap to a process fluid line includes a pressure sensitive cap. The force necessary to remove the cap on the tap is directly proportional to the pressure buildup inside the cap so that an operator can take safety measures before removing the cap. The tap includes a base having a first set of reusable threads thereon and a cap having a second set of reusable threads therein which engage with the first set of threads on the base. A hollow fill tube communicates fluid from the process fluid line through a ball valve to a sample bottle when the cap is removed. The resistance provided by the reusable threads is linear and consistent throughout the entire threading and unthreading procedure. In this manner the force necessary to remove the cap is proportional to the pressure buildup inside of the cap. A helical spring is attachable by an anchor to the fill tube and can be employed to steady the mouth of the sample bottle as it is filled by the fill tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Assignee: Elcehon, Inc.
    Inventors: Henry J. Behnke, III, A. Eric Jansen, Martin Bal
  • Patent number: 5613424
    Abstract: A device for controlling opening and closing of jaws mounted on a cover of a cooking vessel, the vessel having a central axis and the jaws being movable by drive arms over a radial path relative to the central axis between a locking position in which the cover is locked to a container of the vessel and an unlocking position in which the cover can be removed from the container, the device including a control element mounted on the cover for movement relative to the cover in a radial direction relative to the central axis, the element, during its movement relative to the cover, engaging the drive arms in a manner to control displacement of the drive arms over the radial path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Assignee: SEB S.A.
    Inventors: Eric Chameroy, Michel Cartigny
  • Patent number: 5575317
    Abstract: A tap to a process fluid line includes a pressure sensitive cap. The force necessary to remove the cap on the tap is directly proportional to the pressure buildup inside the cap so that an operator can take safety measures before removing the cap. The tap includes a base having a first set of reusable threads thereon and a cap having a second set of reusable threads therein which engage with the first set of threads on the base. A hollow fill tube communicates fluid from the process fluid line through a ball valve to a sample bottle when the cap is removed. The resistance provided by the reusable threads is linear and consistent throughout the entire threading and unthreading procedure. In this manner the force necessary to remove the cap is proportional to the pressure buildup inside of the cap. A helical spring is attachable by an anchor to the fill tube and can be employed to steady the mouth of the sample bottle as it is filled by the fill tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Inventors: Henry J. Behnke, III, A. Eric Jansen, Martin Bal