Abstract: Food heaters for heating food such as hot dogs, sausage links, bratwurst, and the like, and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a food heater can include a roller assembly pivotally coupled to a base. The roller assembly can include a drive unit, a plurality of elongate heaters extending outwardly therefrom and generally parallel to one another, and a plurality of rollers removably positioned over corresponding ones of the heaters. The drive unit can include a drive system configured to rotate the rollers to rotate food placed thereon, while the heaters heat the rollers to heat the food. The roller assembly can be rotated away from the base to facilitate removal and cleaning of the rollers.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention comprises, a play kitchen toy body in which toy cooking tools form one set, a playhouse set, which is a set of toy tools to be used for cooking in a play kitchen by using the play kitchen toy body, a user terminal by which a user uses a play kitchen through the play kitchen toy body and the playhouse set, and in which a play kitchen assistant application is installed, the application extracting a unique toy number of the toy tools of the playhouse set so as to transmit same together with a play kitchen type to a play kitchen assistant server, and receiving, from the play kitchen assistant server, play kitchen assistant content matched to the unique toy number and outputting same, the play kitchen assistant server extracting play kitchen guide content matched to the play kitchen type and the unique toy number received from the user terminal so as to provide same to the user terminal, and a mirror coupled to a toy sink included in the play kitchen toy body, wherein the use

Abstract: A collapsible toy kitchen apparatus and method, an embodiment including a back support including a backsplash, a kitchen counter including a countertop and a range and being pivotably connected to the back support, a base pivotably connected to the back support, and two side walls that are each foldable. The pivotable connections and foldable side walls allow the toy kitchen to collapse, such as for storage.

Abstract: A collapsible toy kitchen apparatus and method, an embodiment including a back support including a backsplash, a kitchen counter including a countertop and a range and being pivotably connected to the back support, a base pivotably connected to the back support, and two side walls that are each foldable. The pivotable connections and foldable side walls allow the toy kitchen to collapse, such as for storage.

Abstract: The invention relates to a toy grilling apparatus. The apparatus includes a grill base, a grill lid, and a reservoir. The grill base has a grilling surface. The grill lid and the grill base are movable relative to one another to be brought together into a grilling arrangement. The reservoir is capable of retaining fluid. When the grill base and the grill lid are in the grilling arrangement, fluid is able to be expelled from the reservoir to flow on the grilling surface.

Abstract: A toy grilling apparatus including a grill base having a grilling surface; a grill lid, the grill lid and grill base being movable relative to one another to be brought together into a grilling arrangement; and a reservoir capable of retaining fluid; wherein when the grill base and grill lid are in the grilling arrangement fluid is able to be expelled from the reservoir to flow on the grilling surface.

Abstract: The electronic toy of the present invention utilizes numerous switches to detect (1) the actuation of the toy, (2) the identity of a theme card (containing distinct indicia) inserted into the toy, and (3) the position of an indicia selector in relation to the indicia on the theme card inserted in the toy to produce, card specific, and more specifically, card and indicia specific sensory output.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an activity play set including an upper cabinet portion telescopically movable with respect to a lower cabinet portion. The play set is reconfigurable between a collapsed, lower configuration and an extended, higher configuration. A latch mechanism secures the upper cabinet portion in position relative to the lower cabinet portion. The latch mechanism is fixed to the lower cabinet portion and includes outwardly-biased slide members. As the upper cabinet portion and lower cabinet portion slide relative to each other, the outwardly-biased slide member ends contact and slide along slide walls of the upper cabinet portion. Furthermore, the slide walls of the upper cabinet portion include lock openings to receive the slide member ends. To release the latch mechanism to permit the upper cabinet portion to slide relative to the lower cabinet portion, the slide members are compressed inward to retract the slide member ends from the lock openings in the slide walls.

Abstract: A spatula device operable for handling heated foodstuffs and manipulate a baking pan or container providing a unique and convenient integrally operable cooling chamber for receiving, cooling, and removing the baking pan or container from a complementary toy oven. The spatula device automatically retains the baking pan or container in the cooling chamber when the baking pan or container is removed from the toy oven used in combination and is operable to manually release the baking pan or container from the cooling chamber when the device is manipulated by a user. The spatula device includes a handle and a cooling chamber coupled to a first end with the chamber having an access opening defined in a wall, and the chamber manufactured from a thermochromic material capable of changing color corresponding to the temperature of the chamber.

Abstract: A toy kitchen including a main unit and at least one island. Each island is removably coupled to the main unit in one of at least two positions. The island includes a frame and a coupling mechanism attached to the frame. The coupling mechanism is configured to removably couple the island to the toy kitchen in at least one position. A repositionable toy kitchen includes a first unit extending along a first longitudinal plane and a second unit extending along a second longitudinal plane. The second unit is positionable adjacent to the first unit in a first position, in which the first longitudinal plane is angled with respect to the second substantially vertical longitudinal plane, and a second position, in which the first and second longitudinal planes are substantially coplanar. A toy kitchen also may include a main unit and at least two countertop sections coupled to the main unit.

Abstract: A toy play set comprises: a body portion comprising: sound reproduction means; processing means comprising an integrated circuit comprising pre-programmed data adapted to be converted to audible sounds by said sound reproduction means; a source of electrical power to power said integrated circuit and said sound reproduction means; a base comprising first location means and sensor means; said sensor means adapted for electromagnetic communication with said integrated circuit; a play item comprising: second location means; status means adapted to be sensed by the sensor means; said first location means adapted to cooperate with said second location means to locate the play item adjacent the base; such that when the play item is located adjacent the base and its status means is sensed by the sensor means, said sensor means generates a signal which is particular to said play item, said signal is transmitted to said integrated circuit, said integrated circuit generates a data segment from said pre-programmed data,

Abstract: The toy kitchen of the invention has a variety of play features, including a countertop, a stove top arrangement, a sink, an answering machine and telephone, and a cookbook. The toy kitchen includes a control system that receives and processes inputs from several switches associated with the various play features. The disclosed stove top arrangement includes a pair of simulated burners on which a child may place a utensil. A switch is placed beneath each burner to sense an object that has been placed on a burner. A simulated cookbook is mounted on the countertop. The cookbook includes a page that is pivotally mounted to the cookbook base so that it can be turned by the child user. When the page is turned to either side of the cookbook, it engages a switch on the cookbook base. When an object is placed on one of the burners, the sound output by the control system varies depending on which side of the page engages the switch.

Abstract: Provided is an audio or image processing system capable of realizing virtual cooking such that a child may comprehensively enjoy and learn cooking in general while following the cooking steps. The audio or image processing system to be used for playing a game of virtual cooking comprises a plurality of input devices for respectively conducting different forms of virtual cooking, and an audio or image processing device for performing audio or image processing corresponding to the respective input devices based on data input therefrom and outputting the result thereof to an output playback device.

Abstract: A toy or novelty article including an image located thereon, having a reflective "mirror" mode and a transmissive mode, such that a generally opaque material is viewable in the transmissive mode. One preferred embodiment includes a generally opaque material, a first polarizer and a second polarizer. In another aspect, a preferred embodiment, in a first orientation, the first and second polarizers interact to be reflective, and in a second orientation, the first and second polarizers are collectively translucent such that the generally opaque material is viewable therethrough.

Abstract: A miniature toy cooking oven having a conveyor belt for movement of a simulated food product through the oven mimicing the cooking process. The toy oven is provided with a oven cavity and a storage cavity and hinged doors in a side wall to provide access to the cavities. The toy conveyor oven is useful for pretend cooking and delivering of pizzas as well as other foods and the playset includes the oven, miniature play pizzas, miniature pizza delivery pouch and a delivery pizza cap.

Abstract: A play material container includes a base having an interior cavity, a sidewall and a cookie-cutter edge defining a predetermined shape. A lid is configured to be snap-fitted upon the base to provide container closure. An extrusion die is formed in the container base sidewall which is capped by a resiliently supported cap secured to the container lid. The container lid defines an upper surface supporting a plurality of open face press molds. The cookie-cutter shape, the press mold elements, and the extrusion die aperture are preferably coordinated in accordance with a common theme such as a food article or the like.

Abstract: The present invention provides a thermally color-changeable toy constituted by a thermally color-changeable article, and a color-changing device in which the color-changeable article is stored in a air cooling chamber so that the color of the thermally color-changeable article is thermally changed by cool air. The color-changing device is constituted by a cooling source chamber for storing therein a plurality of piled up cool blocks, the air Cooling chamber communicating with the cooling source chamber so as to circulate air, and an air blower disposed in a communication path between the cooling source chamber and the air cooling chamber. Air flow gaps are formed among the cool blocks so as to improve the cooling efficiency.

Abstract: A toy oven has a heating compartment accessible through an aperture in a front wall of a housing of the oven. A door is provided which is manually movable to close off the aperture. IN one embodiment, the door is slidably mounted and in another embodiment it is pivotally mounted. A mechanical interlock engages the door to prevent it from opening if the electrical power switch is on. Another mechanical interlock prevents the door from opening when the heating compartment is at a high temperature. The oven is thus safe to use by children in normal play. A fan may be provided to cool the heating compartment when the power switch is turned off and is thereafter automatically turned off after a predetermined time or when the temperature in the heating compartment falls to a safe level. A timer may also be provided to automatically switch power off after a predetermined time of inactivity.

Abstract: By providing a fully integrated timer controlled actuation and locking system that automatically prevents access to the heating chamber whenever the system is engaged, a unique multi-purpose, automatic toy oven is achieved. In the preferred embodiment, the toy oven incorporates a forced air cooling assembly for substantially reducing the time period required for cooling of the heating chamber and product. In addition, the locking system of the present invention preferably prevents access to the heating chamber until both the desired heating and cooling time have expired and both the heating chamber and the heated product can be safely accessed. In addition, the actuation system automatically engages and sequentially times the heating and cooling cycles, to provide an oven which is easy to use and enjoy.

Abstract: A toy food processor and oven includes a generally rectangular housing supporting a slidable tray above an internal simulated baking chamber. The housing includes a frontal opening which receives the tray in a sliding insertion. A food grinder including a pair of parallel rollers and handle crank mechanism is supported by a generally cylindrical housing above the food tray. The food grinder receives a brittle food material such as crackers or the like which is converted or crushed to a particulate material as the rollers are rotated and the food article is inserted between the rollers. The crushed particulate food material is accumulated upon the tray. The tray and food grinder are separated and the particulate food material is formed into a plurality of shaped food articles or patties upon the tray surface. The tray is then inserted into the baking chamber through the frontal opening.

Abstract: A simulated toy hamburger maker includes a mixer grinder, a simulated cooking station, a condiment dispenser apparatus and a hamburger bun storage and dispenser. A mixture of edible food materials such as ground cereal and peanut butter together with edible colorant materials such as chocolate powder is combined and mixed within the grinder mixer station to form a simulated hamburger mixture. The simulated cooking station includes a hamburger press which conforms a quantity of the hamburger mixture into a realistic hamburger patty. The simulated hamburger patty is then placed upon simulated hamburger buns such as conventional vanilla wafer cookies or the like and positioned within a condiment dispensing station. Condiment dispensers are provided which receive a quantity of colored edible material such as cake frosting or the like to extrude upon the simulated hamburger patties.

Abstract: A toy in the shape of a dollhouse which can be opened to reveal a furnished house containing diminutive appliances, fixtures and furniture. Some of the diminutive applicances, fixtures and furniture may also be opened to reveal rooms having even more diminutive appliances, furniture and fixtures, with the decor of the rooms being related to the appliance, fixture or item of furniture which contains the room.

Abstract: A toy rotatable grill kabob is disclosed for simultanously rotatably driving a skewer onto which simulated food chunks are mounted, and a pair of spaced support rods for supporting a simulated wiener or the like. The skewer and support rods are driven by a common drive.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a toy toaster oven that simulates real toaster ovens used by adults. The toy toaster oven has a turn-on knob which uncovers a skylight for illuminating light-reflecting material in the oven with ambient light to simulate a glowing electrical heating element for initiation of a heating cycle. To turn off the toy toaster oven, a drive motor latch on-off button is depressed to its "off" position, causing the drive motor to close the skylight, the simulated glowing heating element to cease glowing and a bell to ring indicating that the simulated food item placed in the oven has been fully toasted or baked.

Abstract: A child's toy oven comprises a housing having a baking chamber therein. An access opening is provided in a wall of the housing for communicating with the baking chamber. A slidable access door is positioned on a wall of the housing to open and close the access opening. A latch cooperates with the access door to prevent inadvertent opening of the slidable access door. The latch is pivotally secured on the access door and a stop shoulder on the housing is adapted to engage the latch to retain the access door in position closing the access opening. A spring is positioned between the latch and the access door for biasing the latch into position for engagement with the stop shoulder to preclude movement of the access door to unblock the access opening. A tray actuator external of the housing is provided to engage the latch to release it from engagement with the stop shoulder to permit movement of the access door by the tray to open the access opening and allow the tray to enter the baking chamber.

Abstract: A toy tea kettle or the like has a spout and whistling means to simulate the sound made by steam escaping from a boiling kettle. The spout has a lid, and the kettle has a toothed rack coupled to the lid for oscillating the lid to simulate the action of an actual kettle lid in response to steam escaping from the spout. The kettle further has a reciprocally movable plunger coupled to the toothed rack for moving the lid to a fully opened position upon depression of the plunger to prepare the kettle for pouring.

Abstract: A toy frying pan is disclosed for simulating a real frying pan in the process of frying bacon or the like. The frying pan has a noise maker comprising a roughened surface formed by outwardly extending filaments or the like on a movable member in rubbing engagement with fixed flexible fins on a fixed member.

Abstract: A toy stove with an enclosure having a rotatable vertical threaded shaft therein, with a bell carrier threadedly received thereon, the carrier having a bell attached thereto. A hinged door mechanism is provided with an actuating lever, which upon opening of the door, elevates the bell carrier by first lifting the shaft to allow it to rotate during lifting of the bell insert member. After closing of the door, the shaft drops and oscillates with the bell descending thereon until contact by the bell with a striker member for emitting a sound simulating completion of the timing cycle.

Abstract: A toy kitchen play center device is disclosed which includes, in a unitary structure, a simulated stove, cooking range, kitchen sink, cabinet/refrigerator, telephone, kitchen canopy and ventilation unit, and further includes a folding table which is pivotably connected to one side of the stove and pivotable between an upright and raised position into a folded position parallel to the side of the stove. The kitchen play center has an upright wall panel structure which serves to support the canopy at one end, the canopy being carried at the other end by a vertical upright such that the canopy extends over the stove top. The toy kitchen play center is particularly designed to be compact in form to facilitate storage and shipping thereof.

Abstract: A cooking toy having a motor-driven magnet beneath a simulated cooking element is disclosed. Various food preparation devices having magnets therein can be placed on the simulated cooking element that provide motions indicative of food preparation in response to the rotation of the motor-driven magnet. Simulated food members having a magnetic portion is also provided.