Abstract: A toasting apparatus for bread products (15), consisting of a frame (2) provided with an insertion slot (3) communicating with a toasting chamber (3a) that receives the products and is located between heating elements (10) combined with heat reflectors (6) for directing the thermal energy generated by the heating elements (10) at the products, particularly in the form of radiation. The apparatus is provided with an observation system for visually monitoring the degree of toasting of the products (15) in the toasting chamber (3a). The observation system includes a lighting device (11) for illuminating the toasting chamber (3a) in such a way that an accurate indication of the color of the products (15) being prepared is provided. The toasting apparatus may be in the form of a toaster.

Abstract: A force-measuring apparatus is provided having a first plate, a second plate disposed above the first plate and spaced apart from the first plate, an optical sensor having at least one optical fiber disposed between the first plate and the second plate, and a clamp for moving the first plate and the second plate together to compress the optical fiber, thereby applying a prestressing force to the fiber to reduce eccentricity effects.

Abstract: In a toaster having a housing, a bread-supporting carriage movably mounted in the housing for movement between a toasting position, a temperature-maintaining position, a rest position and a supplementary raised position, and a spring coupled with the carriage to apply a force which urges the carriage in a direction from the toasting position toward the supplementary raised position, a manually operable control element is operatively associated with the carriage and is movable to a selected one of a plurality of control positions for retaining the carriage at a selected one of the temperature-maintaining position and the rest position.

Abstract: The present invention concerns steam generators and a heating unit consisting of a tube (21) for circulating water in a connecting column (3) arranged below a reservoir (1). The heating unit is characterized by having two parts (A, B) each including a portion of the circulating tube (21) to form two heating areas, the first part (A) being slightly angled and extending downwards from the connecting column (3) in the direction of the water flow, the second part (B) extending upwards to convey water to the dispensing member (10). Application to coffee machine boilers.

Abstract: A sensor for measuring the temperature of the utensil is an infrared sensor arranged at a location of the utensil such that it can receive the infrared radiation emitted by the heating surface, the sensor being connected to an electronic circuit capable of converting the variation in the infrared radiation caused by the heating of the utensil into an electrical signal.

Abstract: An oven door for closing a cooking chamber of an oven, the door being composed of: a frame on the oven; an inner wall and an outer wall both supported by the frame so that the inner wall is located between the cooking chamber and the outer wall, the inner wall and outer wall being positioned relative to one another to delimit an air space; and ventilation elements for establishing a flow of air between the inner wall and the outer wall in order to maintain the outer wall at a low temperature during a cooking operation, wherein the inner wall is made of glass, and the outer wall is removable from the frame and is made of a plastic material selected to withstand the temperatures to which it will be exposed during any cooking operation.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of making connections by gluing terminals or like components to a resistive track for a heating plate. A terminal for use in this method is also disclosed. Fine lamellae are cut out from one or more areas of the base of the terminal, which is coated with a conductive resin. The conductive resin is then dried and cross-linked to glue the terminal to the resistive track. During this step, the lamellae serve as drains to evacuate the bubbles of gas that form. Applications include heating plates for kettles or similar heating receptacles.

Abstract: Cooking apparatus having a removable vessel (3) intended to contain a cooking medium (9) and food to be cooked, comprising a frame (1) in which is provided a housing (2) intended to receive the vessel (3), heating device (4) disposed at the bottom of said housing (2), control device (5) in thermal communication with the vessel (3) permitting control of the level of temperature of the vessel (3), overheating protection device (6) and thermal communication with the vessel (3) permitting to avoid that the level of temperature of the vessel (3) exceeding a pre-established safety threshold, device (7) for detecting the presence of the vessel (3), characterized in that the control device (5) are capable of provoking an interruption of the feed circuit of the heating device (4) before the overheating protection device (6) are activated, when the vessel (3) comprises less cooking medium (9) than minimum quantity indicated.

Abstract: An electric kettle includes a plastics material tank side wall structure for liquid to be heated and a heating arrangement including an electrical element associated with a metal heater plate mounted at the bottom of the side wall structure with its top face in direct contact with the liquid to be heated. The side wall structure includes shoulders to support a peripheral rim of the metal heater plate. A seal is disposed between the side walls and the peripheral rim of the heater plate. The kettle has a base including a skirt which fits around the side walls of the tank. A fixing arrangement attaches the base to the tank side wall structure.

Abstract: A bread toaster comprising: a frame; a bread-supporting carriage mounted in the frame for vertical movement between a toasting portion and a first bread discharge position, the carriage having an extension; first cushioning means for cushioning arrival of the carriage at the first bread discharge position; return means mounted between the frame and the extension of the carriage; and a control means having an abutment and being movable in the frame for limiting ascent of the carriage to a second position by interaction of the abutment with a part of the carriage, wherein: the second position is a second bread discharge position for discharging bread having a first size and the first bread discharge position is a position for discharging bread having a size smaller than the first size; and one of the abutment and the part of the carriage which interacts with the abutment is provided with second cushioning means for cushioning arrival of the carriage at the second position.

Abstract: A mechanical hair-removing device includes at least a vibrating part, drivers for providing a periodic alternative movement of the vibrating part and of a roller on which are located the hair-removing devices. The drivers of the hair-removing devices and the vibrating part are actuated simultaneously during a hair-removing session to cause a vibration of the hairy surface.