Electrical Heating Patents (Class 366/146)
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Patent number: 7566164Abstract: The present invention provides an agitation device, comprising a motor for supplying rotational power, an outer shaft operatively connected to the motor, an extendible inner shaft positioned within the outer shaft and operatively connected thereto, an agitator positioned on the extendible inner shaft, and a floatation device positioned on the extendible inner shaft distal to the agitator from the motor for providing a buoyant force to the extendible inner shaft and the agitator for immersing the agitator at a predetermined level in a liquid. The present invention also provides a device for agitating and heating a liquid.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2006Date of Patent: July 28, 2009Inventor: Rony Zarom
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Publication number: 20090068331Abstract: Proposed is a milk frother including a milk feed conduit (2), means (6) for heating the milk, as well as a blender element (1) provided with a main passageway (15) for blending the milk flowing through the main passageway (15). The blender element (1) comprises a base body (14) with a plurality of perforations porting into the main passageway (15). Via these perforations the frothing air is jetted into the throughflow of milk.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 2, 2008Publication date: March 12, 2009Applicant: Cafina AGInventor: Christian Muheim
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Publication number: 20080239867Abstract: In combination with a stove having a plurality of burners on an upper surface thereof and a control panel, the improvement comprises a magnetic stir device disposed in a central portion of and beneath at least one burner of the stove. The magnetic stir device includes a T-shaped attachment having a rotating rod and a magnetic bar disposed at the top of the rotating rod and a motor means engageable with a base portion of the T-shaped attachment. A control means is in electrical communication with the magnetic stir device and is disposed in close proximity to the stove's control knobs. The control means provides a plurality of stirring speeds. A power means is connected to the motor means and the control means for providing power. A stir bar having a predetermined size is disposed in a bottom of cookware, containing material to be stirred, that is disposed on the at least one burner having the magnetic stir device disposed therein.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2008Publication date: October 2, 2008Inventor: Donna J. Gilbert
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Patent number: 7231872Abstract: A chocolate tempering machine is digitally programmable for controlling the heating, cooling and rotation within the machine. The machine may be programmed to enable agitated, liquid chocolate to retain its proper viscosity for extended periods of time as well as minimizing the amount of porosity in the final product and by controlling bowl rotation length of time, as well as automatically increasing heat at given timed intervals. The machine includes a menu program, whereby a user can adjust and save up to twenty-six different temperature menus or more. This menu program can also be accessed to set and save desired cool down temperatures. Sensors are located such that ambient air and relative humidity can be sensed and audio/visual warnings are provided to the user when these conditions must be altered. A wear-resistant ring for leveling purposes for the machine's bowl also serves to prevent contamination of the interior of the machine.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2003Date of Patent: June 19, 2007Assignee: Choco Vision CorporationInventor: Jeffrey M. Babicz
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Patent number: 7172335Abstract: An automatic mashed potato system for efficiently and automatically creating seasoned mashed potatoes. The automatic mashed potato system includes a housing unit having an upper cavity with a closure, a seasoning unit within the closure, a fluid collection tray removably positioned within the housing unit, a heating container positioned within the housing unit, a mixing container removably positioned within the heating container, and a mashing apparatus extending from the closure. Potatoes and water are placed within the mixing container and the heating container heats the potatoes until the potatoes are softened. An automated drain within the mixing container drains the water, then the seasoning unit inputs seasons into the mixing container and the mashing apparatus thereafter mashes the potatoes.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2003Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Inventor: Carmina F. O'Connor
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Patent number: 6951166Abstract: A unit heats water to a specified temperature and then alerts a user or automatically mixes the heated water with dry baby formula and dispenses the mixture into a baby bottle.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2004Date of Patent: October 4, 2005Inventor: Gary C. Sickels
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Patent number: 6935224Abstract: A bread maker including a main body divided into an oven compartment and an electric component compartment; a pair of parallel kneading drums spaced apart from each other inside the oven compartment, each kneading drum having a holding part holding opposite ends of a mixing bag containing ingredients for bread, and reversing rotary direction periodically; a drum driving part in the electric component compartment rotating the kneading drums in clockwise and counterclockwise directions; a kneading drum control part allowing a user to control rotation of the kneading drums as desired; and a controller controlling the drum driving part to rotate the kneading drums according to user control of the kneading drum control part.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2003Date of Patent: August 30, 2005Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jang-woo Lee, Yong-hyun Kwon, Dong-bin Lim
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Patent number: 6933484Abstract: A stirring device for use in combination with a microwave oven and a carousel device either integral or portable having a base member with an integral attachment device for attachment to said microwave. A shaft depends from the base member, terminating in a blade member.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2004Date of Patent: August 23, 2005Inventors: Jeffrey A. Lindley, Martha C. Lindley
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Patent number: 6916114Abstract: An apparatus for the addition of a compound or compound mixture to another which includes a primary vessel adapted having at least one receptacle adapted to contain at least one primary substance. At least one secondary vessel is provided. Each secondary vessel is adapted to contain at least one secondary substance. Each secondary vessel is movably mounted within the primary vessel for movement between a stored position and at least one mixing position. In the stored position, a peripheral edge of each secondary vessel is above a level of the at least one primary substance. In each mixing position the peripheral edge of the secondary vessel is moved below the level of the at least one receptacle containing the at least one primary substance, thereby permitting the at least one primary substance to overflow the peripheral edge into the secondary vessel with the at least one secondary substance.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2002Date of Patent: July 12, 2005Inventor: Udo Hendrick Verkerk
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Patent number: 6910797Abstract: A mixing device includes a mixing chamber, inlet and outlet paths, and circulators adapted to change shape or temperature in response to electric current. The change in shape or temperature causes substances to circulate within the mixing chamber to form a mixture. The circulators include heating elements such as resistors, and/or piezoelectric devices or other devices. Mixing systems and methods also are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2002Date of Patent: June 28, 2005Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development, L.P.Inventor: Roberto Falcon
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Patent number: 6895776Abstract: An anti-stratification-delivery system comprises a multi-zone-refrigeration unit having at least first and second zone temperature controllers, the first and second zone temperature controllers are capable of being set at different temperatures to establish a temperature gradient in a liquid, the temperature gradient being sufficient to cause natural-thermal convention within the liquid to stir a colloid suspended in the liquid to an approximately uniform-colloidal suspension; and a delivery system configured to dispense the approximately uniform-colloidal suspension.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2003Date of Patent: May 24, 2005Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Jun Zhao, Rick J. Roberts
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Patent number: 6860193Abstract: Reinforcing device for household bean milk and bean curd makers reinforces a structure for fastening a drive motor to a main body using a bracket, thus reducing vibration and noise. The reinforcing device is constructed such that a body cap extends to a predetermined length, thus preventing a lower portion of the main body from being thermally deformed, and for reducing vibration and noise. The reinforcing device may include a first bracket provided at a predetermined position between the body cap and the main body to increase a force to fasten the drive motor to the main body, and the reinforcing device may include a locking element for assembling the body cap, the first bracket, and the drive motor with the main body into a single or unitary body.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2004Date of Patent: March 1, 2005Inventor: Hong-bae Kim
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Patent number: 6796220Abstract: An automatic bean curd manufacturing apparatus includes a main body provided with a bean grinding chamber and a bean juice heating chamber, a driving motor installed in the main body, a rotational container removably and rotatably installed in the grinding chamber of the main body and provided at an inner bottom with a grinding blade, a rotation suppressing member for selectively suppressing a rotation of the rotational container, a clutch installed on a bottom of the rotational container to rotatably support the grinding blade, a rotational container cover for closing an opened top of the rotational container, a grinding container removably installed in the rotational container to grind the beans, a rotational container fixing member for preventing the rotational container from moving, a heating container removably installed in the heating chamber to heat the bean juice dispensed from the rotational container through a bean juice guide, and a heating container cover for closing an opened top of the heating cType: GrantFiled: January 22, 2004Date of Patent: September 28, 2004Inventor: Jane Lee
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Patent number: 6792849Abstract: A household soybean milk maker including a main body defining a space for receiving water, a cover element openably installed on an upper end of the main body, a drive motor disposed in the cover element to generate rotating force, a drive shaft for outputting rotating force of the drive motor, a blade connected to the drive shaft, a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of the inside of the main body, and a sieve-like container which accommodates soybeans therein and is detachably attached to the cover element. A water vessel is coupled to a lower end of the main body. A steam generator is arranged in the water vessel to generate steam. Guide tubes are formed in the main body so that steam generated by the steam generator can be supplied through the guide tubes to soybean juice produced when the blade breaks the soybeans.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2003Date of Patent: September 21, 2004Inventor: Hong-bae Kim
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Patent number: 6761107Abstract: A bread baking machine of the invention has a gasket for sealing and a magnetic metal fitting A constituting a locking means, both provided on a container cover which opens and closes an opening above a lid container placed in an outer cover for storing supplementary ingredient of bread and for entering it automatically. The bread baking machine can thus lock the lid container and the container cover while keeping the gasket depressed against a sealing surface. Since this structure ensures the gasket to seal a space between the lid container and the container cover, it can prevent dew condensation and thermal deformation of components due to leakage of hot steam.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2003Date of Patent: July 13, 2004Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takahiro Oshita, Shigeru Yamaguchi, Toru Hanada
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Patent number: 6736535Abstract: The act of heating water within a contained vessel that is common to most buildings, whether residential or commercial or located in recreational vehicles, mobile homes, aircraft, ships or marine pleasure craft, causes calcium carbonate to precipitate out and settle to the bottom of a heating or fluid containing vessel. The use of ultrasonic transmission within the vessel will agitate the water held within, preventing the normally stagnant hot water from producing calcium carbonate. Other benefits are the cleaning properties of ultrasonic transmission. Thus the internal parts of hot water heaters will enjoy a longer life. This benefit of agitation will also be found when applied to vessels that contain fluids that share similar problems as hot water heaters.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2002Date of Patent: May 18, 2004Inventors: Richard W. Halsall, Robert M. Miller
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Patent number: 6640692Abstract: A food processor (1) with a mixing vessel (12) and a drive (21) for an agitator (11) in the mixing vessel (12), the mixing vessel (12) being heatable in its lower region and having on a bottom a dome (24) which has a securing mount for the agitator, wherein a resistance heating element (10) with printed conductors (23) applied to a dielectric (22) is fitted on a base (16) of the mixing vessel (12), the heating element (10) having a central recess (25) which is adapted to the dome (24), said heating element (10) being generally circular and disk-shaped.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2003Date of Patent: November 4, 2003Assignee: Vorwerk & Co. Interholding GmbHInventors: Stefan Hilgers, Klaus-Martin Weber, Stefan Dörner
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Patent number: 6635492Abstract: A method and apparatus for heating specimens in wells of a metallic specimen carrier. The specimen carrier is heated by applying resistive heating directly to the carrier. An AC source and transformer may be used where the specimen carrier is in series with a single turn secondary winding of the transformer. A magnet may be placed in each well and excited by the heating current to provided a stirring effect.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2001Date of Patent: October 21, 2003Assignee: BJS Company Ltd.Inventor: Ian Alan Gunter
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Patent number: 6629491Abstract: A cooking appliance includes a cooking vessel to receive ingredients to be heated, stirred and cooked, an electric heater associated with the cooking vessel to heat the ingredients, and a drive motor and stirring blade. The appliance also includes provision for maintaining a tilted configuration of the cooking vessel during cooking and stirring. The appliance is particularly suited to unattended cooking of stir-fry and also for stirring of sauces and soup.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2002Date of Patent: October 7, 2003Assignee: Chiaphua Industries LimitedInventor: Wing-Po Chan
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Publication number: 20030128626Abstract: An apparatus for the addition of a compound or compound mixture to another which includes a primary vessel adapted having at least one receptacle adapted to contain at least one primary substance. At least one secondary vessel is provided. Each secondary vessel is adapted to contain at least one secondary substance. Each secondary vessel is movably mounted within the primary vessel for movement between a stored position and at least one mixing position,. In the stored position, a peripheral edge of each secondary vessel is above a level of the at least one primary substance. In each mixing position the peripheral edge of the secondary vessel is moved below the level of the at least one receptacle containing the at least one primary substance, thereby permitting the at least one primary substance to overflow the peripheral edge into the secondary vessel with the at least one secondary substance.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2002Publication date: July 10, 2003Inventor: Udo Hendrick Verkerk
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Patent number: 6578468Abstract: An apparatus for continuously mixing food products or for continuous high temperature frying on a heat exchange surface. The rotation of an agitator (12) pushes the food product toward the discharge outlet (26) of the apparatus when the agitator is rotated in one direction, and toward the inlet (24) when rotated in the opposite direction. By rotating the agitator slightly longer in the discharge direction than in the inlet direction the product is conveyed gradually and continuously toward the outlet. During the rotation of the agitator in each direction the product is tossed and mixed to promote even frying.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2002Date of Patent: June 17, 2003Inventor: Darrell C. Horn
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Patent number: 6508164Abstract: The invention relates to a mixing kneader for kneading and providing thermal regulation of pasty products. The kneader includes a vessel, temperature regulators for selectively cooling and heating the vessel, a rotating tool for agitating products in the vessel and for exchanging heat with the products, a non-rotating tool for diffusing gas to the products and a controller with display. The invention enables precise regulation of temperature of the products in a scalable production process. In one instance, the invention may be extended to function as a sourdough fermenter for the production and preservation of sourdough.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2001Date of Patent: January 21, 2003Assignee: Lambert EquipementsInventor: Michel Loiselet
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Patent number: 6505545Abstract: A food preparation system and method, including a base housing, a container detachably engagable with the base housing in which the container is adapted to receive food products. The system also includes a heater within the base housing and/or the container for converting a liquid into a cooking vapor, and a blade rotatably mounted in the container in which the blade supports the food products during a cooking step and processes the food products during a processing step. The system can also have positioning structure within the base housing and/or the container for positioning the blade in a cooking position during the cooking step, and for positioning the blade in a processing position during the processing step.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2001Date of Patent: January 14, 2003Inventors: Melvin R. Kennedy, Jose Longoria, Robert G. Robbins
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Patent number: 6491423Abstract: An apparatus for mixing particles in a liquid or semi-liquid medium, such as ceramic reinforcing particles in a molten metal or metal alloy matrix for the production of stir-cast metal matrix composite (MMC) materials. The particles can be introduced under the surface of the matrix by feeding the particles through the inner passage of a rotatable hollow impeller tube. The impeller tube is terminated at its lower end by an impeller head that includes teeth positioned proximate to an impeller base. The particles enter the matrix through a shear region in and around the volume between the impeller base and the impeller head. The rotating impeller and the high shear force thereby created wet the particles in the composite matrix and effect homogenization of the composite matrix. The present invention may be practiced either under vacuum or atmospheric pressure.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 1998Date of Patent: December 10, 2002Assignee: MC21, IncorporatedInventors: Michael D. Skibo, David M. Schuster
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Patent number: 6484623Abstract: A baking apparatus with a toaster comprises a main body; a baking part disposed at one side of the main body, and having a lid mounted at an upper portion thereof so as to be opened and closed by a hinge, a pot mounting portion for receiving a pot, a first heat generator formed at an inside wall of the pot mounting portion, and a rotational shaft protruded at a lower center portion of the pot mounting portion so that a stirring wing is inserted thereon; a toasting part disposed at the other side of the main body, and having a toasting chamber for receiving a slice of bread, a second heat generator formed at an inside wall of the toasting chamber, a lever for applying power source to the second heat generator and guiding the slice of bread, a crumb tray for removing bread crumbs, a driving motor for driving the rotational shaft of the baking part, and an operating portion for applying the power source to the driving motor and the first heat generator.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2002Date of Patent: November 26, 2002Assignee: Kaiser Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Chong-Man Yoon, Jong-Deuk Jeong, Jin-Kook Park
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Patent number: 6401599Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatic bread maker for home use, and particularly relates to methods of displaying during the bread making cycle. The automatic bread maker of the present invention comprises: a baking chamber with a heater, a baking pan disposed inside the baking chamber, a kneading blade disposed in the baking pan, a motor which drives the kneading blade, a controller which controls the heater and the motor, an input means for inputting cooking conditions, and a display which displays a time remaining before the time to add additional ingredients and the actual time to add the ingredients. The display shows the remaining time or the actual time to add the ingredients. Therefore, the user can clearly confirm when to add additional ingredients, and can prepare the ingredients accordingly.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2001Date of Patent: June 11, 2002Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Toshikatsu Maeda, Akihisa Nakano
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Patent number: 6375345Abstract: Apparatus for transferring and heat-treating divided solids comprises at least one transfer member (2) having a longitudinal axis (3) and a helical portion (4) mounted to rotate about its own longitudinal axis in a tubular case (1) and connected to the outlet shaft of a rotary drive motor (12). At least the helical portion (4) of the transfer member (2) is made in its bulk of an electrically conductive material, and the transfer member (2) has means (11) for connecting it to an electricity power supply so as to constitute heater means.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2000Date of Patent: April 23, 2002Assignee: E.T.T.A. Evaluation Technologique Ingenierie et ApplicationsInventors: Olivier Lepez, Philippe Sajet
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Patent number: 6367371Abstract: A food processing device for automatically cooking and processing food is shown. The device has a cylindrical cooking vessel positioned in a sloping manner and rotatably supported on rotary wheels. Variable heater elements are provided at the cooking vessel to subject the food to selected cooking heat patterns. The food advances through the cooking vessel by gravitational force and the rotational movement of the vessel and it is also being tossed and turned continuously to ensure even cooking and from adhering to the inner side wall of the vessel. A pre-cleaning unit is provided for cleaning the food thoroughly prior to cooking and a cooling unit cools the cooked food to a desired temperature for packaging.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2001Date of Patent: April 9, 2002Inventor: Jian-Ming Ni
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Patent number: 6345572Abstract: A soybean milk maker comprises a main body having an upper opening and a cover releasably mounted to the upper opening of the main body. The cover includes a passage having an upper end communicated with outside and a lower end. A filter/receiver is mounted in the main body and attached to the cover. The lower end of the passage is communicated with the filter/receiver. The passage is provided for adding soybeans and water into the filter/receiver. A power device mounted in the cover. A driving shaft is mounted in the filter/receiver and has an upper end operably connected to and thus driven by the power device and a lower end to which several blades are attached. A heating element is provided for heating soybean juice as a result of breaking the soybeans by the blades.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2001Date of Patent: February 12, 2002Inventor: Young-Tsung Kao
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Patent number: 6338570Abstract: A thermoelectric stirrer for cooling a substance includes a housing formed of thermoelectric material for absorbing heat from the substance and includes a conduit 38 between an input port 18 and an output port 20. A fan 36 is positioned adjacent the input port and is adapted to draw air into the conduit. The air carries heat absorbed by the housing through the output port. A switch 26 is provided for selectively controlling power to the stirrer. A clip 22 is provided to engage the rim of a container and another clip 58 is provided to secure the stirrer to the clothing of a user.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2000Date of Patent: January 15, 2002Inventor: Cesar Santacruz-Olivares
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Patent number: 6318247Abstract: An appliance for preparation of heated and stirred beverages and foods has a vessel and a base, with a mixing element rotationally driven within the vessel by magnetic coupling with a driving magnet array attached to an electric motor and covered by a cap. The mixing element is mounted on a rolling contact bearing assembly which fits upon a pin which extends from the cap through an opening in the vessel bottom. The vessel bottom is preferably a cast metal piece with internal cavities in which one or more heating elements are mounted whereby a liquid in the vessel is simultaneously heated and stirred or whipped. Electrical power to a mixing motor and heating elements is controlled either by a manually resettable thermostat, or by a self-latching relay controlled switching circuit which includes a blocking diode to supply rectified AC current to the motor for low torque start ups which will not decouple the magnetic flux drive of the mixing element.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 1998Date of Patent: November 20, 2001Assignee: Sunbeam Products, Inc.Inventors: David Di Nunzio, Timothy E. Lint
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Patent number: 6289793Abstract: A cooking appliance that facilitates preparation of dry packaged foods includes a base and a removable pot on the base. The base is adapted to rest upon a horizontal countertop surface as a support for other components of the cooking appliance. The base includes an electric line adapted to be plugged into a source of household electricity and an electric motor connected to the electric line. The pot is adapted to be placed removably upon the base for food preparation purposes and to be used apart from the base as a serving dish. An electric heating element is included for heating the pot when the pot is on the base using electric power from the electric line. A stirring mechanism on the pot is adapted to connect to the motor when the pot is placed on the base and to stir packaged foods within the pot using rotational power from the electric motor.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2001Date of Patent: September 18, 2001Assignee: Tsann Kuen USA, Inc.Inventors: Michael G. Hu, Simon Ming-Jen Huang
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Patent number: 6283625Abstract: The invention includes an apparatus to automatically heat and froth milk for beverages. The apparatus includes a container, a lower paddle group and upper paddle group located above the container bottom. Each paddle group includes at least two paddles. The lower paddle group is adapted to rotate in a direction that is counter to the rotation of the upper paddle group. The apparatus further includes a heater disposed firmly against and below the container bottom.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 1999Date of Patent: September 4, 2001Inventors: Stephen W. Frankel, Robert M. Fey
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Patent number: 6279463Abstract: A cooking apparatus has a cooking vessel (1), a bottom heater (3) for heating the bottom (13) of the cooking vessel, a heat exchanging jacket (5) for passing steam to exchange heat with the body of the cooking vessel, a fluid source (7) for supplying and draining the steam to and from the heat exchanging jacket, a weighing unit (9) for detecting the gross weight of the cooking vessel and heat exchanging jacket, a memory (11) for storing a reference weight change corresponding to a water-content change, and a controller (11) for controlling the bottom heater and fluid source to attain the reference weight change.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2000Date of Patent: August 28, 2001Assignee: Kajiwara Kogyo Co., Ltd.Inventor: Tokuji Kajiwara
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Patent number: 6247393Abstract: The present invention proposes an apparatus for making soybean milk, wherein a cover body is connected to the opening of a container, and a fixing tank is extended form the cover body toward the inside of the container. A motor is installed in the fixing tank. A reaming blade is extended from the motor. A through passage is installed downwards from a position away from the center of the cover through the fixing tank to a cup-shaped component. A fixedly-joining device is installed at the inner edge of the opening of the cup-shaped component to be correspondingly joined with a fixedly-joined device installed at the bottom end of the peripheral surface of the fixing tank. The reaming blade is placed in the cup-shaped component. The periphery of the cup-shaped component is formed to be a filtering net. An electro-thermal tube is connected from the bottom edge of the cover into the container.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2000Date of Patent: June 19, 2001Inventor: Kwei Tang Chang
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Publication number: 20010002891Abstract: The invention relates to an automatic beverage frother. The beverage frother includes a lower housing assembly having a motor coupled to a gear train. The gear train may be removeably coupled to an upper paddle group and a lower paddle group disposed within a container. Each paddle group rotates about the longitudinal axis of the container in opposite directions. Within each paddle group is at least one paddle where each paddle is formed of a frame having mesh disposed within the frame. Other embodiments are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 1999Publication date: June 7, 2001Applicant: STEPHEN W. FRANKELInventors: STEPHEN W. FRANKEL, ROBERT M. FEY
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Patent number: 6213007Abstract: A kitchen appliance for preparing yogurt, soft frozen yogurt and ice cream, hard frozen yogurt and ice cream, and cheese. The appliance includes a housing having a base and side walls defining an open top. A motor-driven paddle device is rotationally journaled with respect to the cover and base and the motor therefor is adapted to be driven either continuously or with a predetermined duty cycle, dependent upon the product being made. Also mounted on either the cover or the base is a vent hole occluder that is normally positioned to block the vent holes in the cover or base, but which shifts to a second position uncovering those vent holes when the consistency of the product being produced, as tested by the paddle motion or other apparatus reveals that a predetermined cultured state has been reached. Shifting of the occluding device from the covering position to the open position also actuates a switch to shut off the drive motor and a warming element.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2000Date of Patent: April 10, 2001Inventor: Arnold J. Lande
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Patent number: 6196113Abstract: A versatile food appliance includes a set of hardware components common to a plurality of single-purpose food appliances. The set of hardware components is controlled by a microcontroller executing a program from a repertoire thereof stored in the general-purpose food appliance. Many processing programs are stored for operating the appliance in different modes and for processing different kinds of food by using different ingredients. Each processing program is assigned a code and can be selected by specifying the code associated with it from a control panel. The programs may be further modified parametrically by a group of process parameters. Ingredients to be used in each of the programs may be in a premixed form in a package with the code optionally labeled thereon. The repertoire of programs is updatable by the user. In the preferred embodiment, a memory card interface allows updated programs to be introduced via a removable flash memory card.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 1999Date of Patent: March 6, 2001Inventor: Simon K. C. Yung
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Patent number: 6186053Abstract: In an automatic bread maker, after the temperature of temperature control means (7) reaches a predetermined temperature, the rate of energization of a heater (2) is fixed by control means (14), and by doing so, bread, having a predetermined baking color, can be stably prepared.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2000Date of Patent: February 13, 2001Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Akihisa Nakano, Kouji Noda, Tosikatu Maeda
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Patent number: 6155161Abstract: A soya milk processing apparatus includes a container and a grinding element that fits to a top of the container. An electric motor 18 having a drive coupling is supported above the grinding element so that the drive coupling of the grinding element can be engaged as required. The motor is supported on a bracket that allows the motor and its drive coupling to move downwards and upwards so that the container and the grinding element can be removed when a processing cycle has been completed.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 1999Date of Patent: December 5, 2000Assignee: Chiaphua Industries LimitedInventor: Jackson Chak Sang Chan
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Patent number: 6089143Abstract: A machine that is set up with the required potatoes, milk, butter and other seasonings for mashed potatoes and that when turned on proceeds to boil the potatoes, add the flavoring ingredients and whip the potatoes to a degree set by the user.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 1999Date of Patent: July 18, 2000Inventor: Carmina B. Figueroa
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Patent number: 6029564Abstract: A combined baker and ice cream maker includes a base plate, a barrel-receiving container, and a bread baking unit and an ice cream making unit which are to be selectively received in the container. Each of the bread baking unit and the ice cream making unit has a bottom mounting portion. A heater is disposed inside the container. A barrel seat is mounted on the base plate for selectively seating the bread baking unit and the ice cream making unit thereon. A shaft extends through the base plate into the barrel seat. A driving unit is mounted on the base plate, and is connected to the shaft. A switch is mounted on the base plate, and is connected to the heater. A lever is pivotally mounted on the base plate and has opposite first and second ends. The first end extends to the switch, while the second end extends to the barrel seat.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 1999Date of Patent: February 29, 2000Inventor: Olivia Huang
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Patent number: 6029563Abstract: A cooking machine which has: a cooking vessel removably provided in a case cavity and having an open top; a rotary shaft extending through a bottom of the cooking vessel and having an upper end to be fitted with an agitator blade; a driving mechanism provided below the cooking vessel for rotatively driving the rotary shaft of the cooking vessel; a heater provided in the case cavity for adjusting an ambient temperature within the case cavity; and a steam generating mechanism for supplying steam into the cooking vessel. The cooking machine selectively performs a kneading process for kneading an ingredient put in the cooking vessel, a shaping/fermenting process for allowing an ingredient to expand to a predetermined level in the cooking vessel, a baking process for baking an ingredient, and a steaming process for steaming an ingredient in the cooking vessel.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 1999Date of Patent: February 29, 2000Assignees: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd., Sanyo Home Tech Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yoshiyuki Nakagawa, Shunji Shiono, Tatsuhisa Fukuda
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Patent number: 6026735Abstract: A self stirring cooking assembly includes a U-shaped housing having a motor driven sleeve protruding from a horizontal cooking surface. A plurality of utensils are also provided each having a stirring arm therein mounted to a tubular plug protruding through the bottom of the utensil dimensioned to be received within the motor driven sleeve. Accordingly, any one of a plurality of interchangeable utensils may be placed on the housing to automatically heat and stir food items placed therein.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 1998Date of Patent: February 22, 2000Inventor: Ann Waterworth
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Patent number: 6012383Abstract: A kitchen appliance for preparing yogurt, soft frozen yogurt and ice cream, hard frozen yogurt and ice cream, and cheese. The appliance includes a housing having a base and side walls defining an open top. A motor-driven paddle device is rotationally journaled with respect to the cover and base and the motor therefor is adapted to be driven either continuously or with a predetermined duty cycle, dependent upon the product being made. Also mounted on either the cover or the base is a vent hole occluder that is normally positioned to block the vent holes in the cover or base, but which shifts to a second position uncovering those vent holes when the consistency of the product being produced, as tested by the paddle motion or other apparatus reveals that a predetermined cultured state has been reached. Shifting of the occluding device from the covering position to the open position also actuates a switch to shut off the drive motor and a warming element.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 1998Date of Patent: January 11, 2000Inventor: Arnold J. Lande'
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Patent number: 5993053Abstract: Electrographic toner fluid (15), contained in a reservoir (10), is convectively stirred through the application of a non-uniform thermal gradient by a heater (20). Convective flow in fluid (15) entrains colloidal particles (35) and other dissolved agents and causes them to be uniformly dispersed in the fluid (15), thus rendering the fluid (15) homogeneous and capable of making uniform prints. The heater (20) may be inside or outside the reservoir (10) and may comprise separate heaters, alternately or simultaneously energized.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 1998Date of Patent: November 30, 1999Inventor: Lloyd Douglas Clark
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Patent number: 5970847Abstract: A baby formula preparation system is provided including a blender with a blade assembly for agitating fluid within the blender upon the actuation of an associated blending mechanism. Also included is a pump assembly situated adjacent to the blender for pumping fluid within the blender when actuated.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 1998Date of Patent: October 26, 1999Inventor: David L. Saltzman
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Patent number: 5967021Abstract: A versatile food appliance includes a set of hardware components common to a plurality of single-purpose food appliances. The set of hardware components is controlled by a microcontroller executing a program from a repertoire thereof stored in the general-purpose food appliance. Many processing programs are stored for operating the appliance in different modes and for processing different kinds of food by using different ingredients. Each processing program is assigned a code and can be selected by specifying the code associated with it from a control panel. The programs may be further modified parametrically by a group of process parameters. Ingredients to be used in each of the programs may be in a premixed form in a package with the code optionally labeled thereon. The repertoire of programs is updatable by the user. In the preferred embodiment, a memory card interface allows updated programs to be introduced via a removable flash memory card.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 1998Date of Patent: October 19, 1999Inventor: Simon K. C. Yung
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Patent number: 5937740Abstract: A bread maker wherein a bread vessel, having breadstuff charged therein, is mounted within an oven chamber having a heater, a kneader and a temperature sensor, and a kneading step, a fermentation step and a baking step are automatically effected, thereby making bread, comprises; a steaming plate for producing steam within the oven chamber; a cooking plate for supporting shaped dough pieces thereon can be removably mounted within the oven chamber in exchange for the bread vessel; and a fan device for convecting heat, generated by the heater, within the oven chamber.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 1998Date of Patent: August 17, 1999Assignee: MK Seiko Co., Ltd.Inventors: Ikuya Kubota, Takashi Oya
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Patent number: 5939120Abstract: A material processing apparatus and method for processing a solid feedstock material through a melt spin process including a spinner head having a spinner head chamber defined by a parametrical processing wall through which the solid feedstock material is processed. The apparatus includes a device for rotating the spinner head about an axis of rotation to cause the feedstock material to be repelled towards and through the processing walls. A heating source separate from and exterior to the spinner head is included for heating the feedstock material to an elevated temperature to cause the melt spin processing as the feedstock material is projected through the processing wall.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 1997Date of Patent: August 17, 1999Assignee: Fuisz Technologies Ltd.Inventors: B. Arlie Bogue, Steven E. Frisbee, William F. Rutkowski