Patents Assigned to SEB
  • Pressure-cooking appliance having a single control member for decompression and for locking/unlocking
    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
  • COOKING APPLIANCE AND PIVOTAL DEVICE FOR RAISING AND LOWERING A BASKET FOR DRAINING COOKED FOOD
    Publication number: 20080110349
    Abstract: A device for raising and lowering a basket out of and into the tank of a cooking appliance. The device has a support adapted to rest on the cooking appliance and to be coupled to the basket for moving the basket with respect to the support between a raised position and a lowered position, and a handle mounted for movement between a first position to place the basket in the raised position, and a second position to place the basket in the lowered position. The support includes a hub mounted to have a certain degree of rotational freedom, together with the basket, with respect to the appliance about an axis extending in the direction of the basket, and the handle is connected to the hub for movement between the first position and the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Applicant: SEB S.A.
    Inventors: Olivier MATHEY, Pascal DIRAND
  • Mixer foot and hand held mixer equipped with the foot
    Patent number: 7371003
    Abstract: A foot component of a hand mixer or blender, the hand mixer or blender having a case that houses a motor and the foot component being constructed to be coupled to the case. The foot component is composed of: a tube having a lower end; a bell made of a first material connected to the lower end of the tube, the bell having a lower edge; and a protection element covering the lower edge of the bell and made of a material that is softer than the first material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: SEB S.A.
    Inventor: Franck Hamelin
  • Method for the Electrical Protection of an Electrical Household Appliance
    Publication number: 20080092750
    Abstract: A method is provided for the electrical protection of an electrical household appliance that is used to prepare food. The appliance includes an electric pump which is supplied with alternating current in order to convey a liquid through a conduit and a heating element in order to raise the temperature of the liquid. The instantaneous value of the current I supplied to the pump is measured at regular time intervals. The method includes calculating the average value ?n of the current I measurements m taken over a pre-determined time period T; comparing the average value ?n with a reference value ?ref calculated as the average value of the current I measurements taken over an earlier period of the same length; and opening the pump supply circuit when the difference between the average values ?ref and ?n exceeds a pre-determined threshold value ?1 for at least two successive time periods T.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Applicant: SEB S.A.
    Inventor: Patrick Leveque
  • Automatic coffeemaker
    Patent number: 7357071
    Abstract: An automatic coffeemaker having, at the interior of a housing: an infusion group that includes an infusion chamber arranged to receive a pressing piston and means for actuating a relative sliding movement, between the pressing piston and the infusion chamber, between a rest position in which the piston is outside of the infusion chamber and a working position in which the piston is inside the infusion chamber; and a ground coffee distributor having a distribution orifice that communicates with a chute arranged to channel ground coffee toward the infusion chamber, wherein a drawer for collecting ground coffee grains is disposed under the chute and covers the periphery of the infusion chamber, the drawer being mounted in a manner to allow it to be directly withdrawn from the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: SEB S.A.
    Inventors: Marc Geroult, Séverine Mih
  • EASY-TO-CLEAN COOKING SURFACE AND ELECTRICAL HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE COMPRISING SUCH A SURFACE
    Publication number: 20080081211
    Abstract: Food cooking surface for a kitchen utensil or cooking appliance, constituted by the surface of a compound fabricated starting from an alloy whose two principal components are zirconium and cobalt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2007
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Applicant: SEB S.A.
    Inventors: Stephane Tuffe, Alain Coudurier
  • Espresso coffeemaker with removable water reservoir
    Patent number: 7347137
    Abstract: The invention concerns an espresso coffeemaker having a removable water reservoir (4) connected to a main hydraulic circuit including a pump which sucks up water from the reservoir (4) and sends it into a heating unit and hence through the ground coffee contained in a filter-holder, said reservoir (4) being also connected to a return water hydraulic circuit exiting from the heating unit. The invention is characterized in that the device (28) connecting said reservoir (4) to said hydraulic circuits comprises means for expanding (49) the water jet returning through the hydraulic circuit to the reservoir and means for directing (44) said jet to a storage zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: SEB S.A.
    Inventors: Jean Marie Lafond, Patrick Charles, Alexandre Rouches
  • Pressing iron having an improved cord guide device
    Patent number: 7343703
    Abstract: A pressing iron composed of a case provided with an opening and a power cord that extends from the opening, and a cord guide device mounted to the case and disposed in the opening for reinforcing the cord in a region adjacent to the case in order to limit flexural of the cord. The cord guide device includes a body enveloping a portion of the cord and a mobile guide member for permitting the extent of the cord that is reinforced by the cord guide device to be varied. The mobile guide member is supported by the body and is adapted to occupy a folded up position in which the mobile guide member is substantially integrated into the body and a deployed position in which the mobile guide member projects outside of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: SEB S.A.
    Inventors: Christian Giovalle, Sylvain Maudhuit, Amar Djeroro
  • IRONING APPLIANCE HAVING A CORD STORAGE CAVITY
    Publication number: 20080052971
    Abstract: An apparatus composed of: a steam generating base delimited by a periphery; a fabric smoothing appliance; and a cord connecting the base to the appliance, the cord having a length, a transverse width and a transverse height, the base being provided with a cavity for storing the cord, the cavity having an elongated form and extending in length along the periphery of the base, and the cavity being provided with at least one opening for the introduction of the cord into the cavity. The cavity is defined by a sheath extending in length as a prolongation of the opening for receiving the cord, and the cavity has a transverse cross section adapted to permit passage and maintenance of the cord in the form of a single loop extending along the length of the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2007
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Applicant: SEB S.A.
    Inventors: Christian Giovalle, Christophe Turck
  • Heating device coated with a self-cleaning coating
    Patent number: 7339142
    Abstract: The invention relates to a heating device (1) comprising a metallic substrate (2) whose at least one part is coated with a self-cleaning coating. The inventive coating consists of an external layer (4) contacting ambient air and comprising at least one type of oxidation catalyst selected from platinoid oxides, at least one internal layer (3) which is arranged between the metallic substrate and the external layer and comprises at least one type of oxidation catalyst selected from transition elements oxides of 1b group. The inventive heating device can be embodied, for instance in the form of an iron soleplate consisting of a heating base (6) provided with heating elements (7) or a cooking appliance. Said metallic substrate can be covered with an intermediary enamel layer (5). A method for coating the metallic substrate of a heating device with said coating is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: SEB S.A.
    Inventors: Stéphanie Pessayre, Henry Boulud
  • Household food preparation appliance for preparing liquid products
    Patent number: 7338001
    Abstract: A food processing appliance having: a drive shaft coupled to a motor; a bowl having a hollow sleeve that extends upwardly from its bottom; a lid for closing the bowl; and a processing tool that includes a hub having an opening that extends from its lower end, and arranged to be fitted over the sleeve. The tool has a drive element coupleable to the drive shaft to be rotated by the motor. The lid is constructed to be placed on the bowl in a manner that leads to a reduction in the volume enclosed between the bowl and the lid while maintaining a degree of fluid tightness. The hub is provided with a vent and encloses a passage that is distinct from the lower drive element and that extends between the vent and the opening to allow escape of air from the volume to a region outside of the bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: SEB S.A.
    Inventors: Rémi Galban, Marc Suberbie
  • Automatic distributor for infused or brewed beverages
    Patent number: 7328649
    Abstract: An automatic unit for preparing infused or brewed beverages from a powdered or ground product, including: an infusion group that includes an infusion chamber, a pressing piston and an actuating mechanism that produce a relative sliding movement between the pressing piston and the infusion chamber along a travel path, from a rest position in which the pressing piston is located outside the chamber to a work position in which the pressing piston is within the chamber; a product distributor having an opening and a chute defining a flow path disposed to channel the product from the distributor toward the infusion chamber; and a cleaning device arranged to contact the chute and to be driven by the pressing piston or by the infusion chamber over at least a part of the travel path in order to remove residual product from the chute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: SEB S.A.
    Inventors: Gilles Morin, Didier Brodin, Luc Morcel
  • CULINARY ITEM PRESENTING IMPROVED HYDROPHOBIC PROPERTIES AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SUCH AN ITEM
    Publication number: 20080032122
    Abstract: The invention concerns a culinary item presenting improved hydrophobic properties, notably an improved resistance to detergents used in dishwashers, said culinary item including a support (1) and one first coating (2), said first coating (2) being deposited on at least a first face (1a) of the support (1) and being obtained by the application, then the baking, of at least one coat (2a, 2b) of a sol-gel composition, characterised in that it also includes at least one second coating (3) deposited on the first coating (2), said second coating (3) being obtained by the application, then the baking, of at least one coat of a silicone-based composition. The invention also involves a method of manufacturing such a culinary item.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Publication date: February 7, 2008
    Applicant: SEB S.A.
    Inventors: Aurelien BERRUX, Pierre-Jean MULLER, Jean-Luc PERILLON
  • Cartridge-operated coffee-machine
    Patent number: 7325479
    Abstract: The invention concerns a cartridge-operated coffee-machine, comprising means for supplying hot water to an infusion head adapted to receive at least two different cartridges (2, 2?) including each at least one planar seat surface, means for communicating said supply means with the product contained inside the cartridges so as to obtain a beverage, and means for directing said beverage exiting from the cartridge towards a beverage collecting receptacle, where the infusion head comprises a support (11) having at least one pocket (29) forming a housing for at least two different cartridges (2, 2?). The invention is characterized in that said pocket (29) comprises a single peripheral seat (35) common to several cartridges (2, 2?) of different seat diameters, one or more portions of the outer rim of said peripheral seat 835 forming an indexing vertical wall common to said cartridges (2, 2?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: SEB S.A.
    Inventors: Gilles Laigneau, Christian Jouatel
  • Device for separation of waste in a vacuum cleaner
    Patent number: 7326267
    Abstract: A device for separating and collecting waste entrained by an air flow generated by a suction group in a vacuum cleaner, the device having an air inlet tube opening in a tangential direction into a waste separation chamber, a conduit having a plurality of openings being located in a central part of said chamber, the conduit being in communication with the suction group, and the chamber being connected to a tank for collecting waste. According to the invention, the conduit has inclined walls directed toward the separation chamber, in the direction of circular movement of the air flow in the separation chamber, and the end of each wall has a substantially flat opening that is parallel to the underlying and adjacent conduit. The openings in the conduit are situated in line with the openings in the walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: SEB S.A.
    Inventor: Fabien David
  • Lid for pressure cooking vessel with lightened jaws and cooking apparatus comprising
    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
  • Appliance for cooking food under pressure
    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
  • Toaster with removable base
    Patent number: 7314000
    Abstract: A toaster composed of a case having lateral walls that constitute the outer cover of the toaster, the case containing a frame forming a toasting chamber having an opening at an upper part of the case and an opening at a lower part of the case, a base removably connectable to the case and facing the opening at the lower part of the case, and a heating unit for the chamber having heating elements situated in proximity to the chamber and connected to a device for supplying electric power and for controlling the heating elements. The base is completely removable from the case, and the base and the case have respective elements that interact with one another when the case is disposed on the base, such that withdrawal of the case from the base suppresses the interaction to prevent the supply of electric power to the heating elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: SEB S.A.
    Inventor: Jean-Pierre Houel
  • Cooking appliance with a vessel comprising a draining device with a thermal safety valve
    Patent number: 7314001
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cooking appliance comprising a case (1) and a vessel (2). Said vessel is intended to receive a cooking bath and is equipped with a draining device (10) which is used to drain the contents of the vessel (2) into a draining container (3), said container being removably-disposed in relation to the case (1). According to the invention, the draining device (10) comprises a thermostatic valve (16) consisting of a heat-sensitive mechanical element which moves according to the temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: SEB S.A.
    Inventors: Bernard Beugnot, Dominique Federico, Jean-Claude Bizard
  • Baking pan
    Patent number: D569676
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignees: SEB S.A., Groupe SEB USA
    Inventors: André David Millsap, Paul Metaxatos