Abstract: A heating vessel is described that includes a contact plate having a contact surface configured to be in direct thermal communication with the contents located in a heating chamber of the vessel and a heat distribution plate in thermal communication with the contact plate. The heat distribution plate is configured to be remote from the contact plate in at least one region to define a thermally insulating zone. There is a heat source in thermal communication with the heat distribution plate and an electronic temperature sensor located in the thermally insulating zone, in thermal communication with the contact plate. The electronic temperature sensor is thermally insulated from the heat distribution plate by the thermally insulating zone. The measured temperature may be used to control the heating of the kettle to bring the contents lo the boil or to maintain the measured temperature within a specified range.
Abstract: A method for manufacturing a bag for use in vacuum packaging comprises forming a first panel having a plurality of baffles for evacuating air and/or other gases from inside the bag using a suction source, while preventing liquids from being drawn into the suction source, and a second panel. Each panel comprises a gas-impermeable base layer and a heat-sealable inner layer molded from melt-extruded resin. The first panel is overlapped with the second panel, and three of four edges of the panels are heated such that the inner layers bond at the heated edges. This description is not intended to be a complete description of, or limit the scope of, the invention. Other features, aspects, and objects of the invention can be obtained from a review of the specification, the figures, and the claims.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 30, 2006
Date of Patent:
December 1, 2009
Assignee:
Sunbeam Products, Inc.
Inventors:
Hongyu Wu, Charles Wade Albritton, David Brakes
Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for steaming and blending food products such as baby food. The apparatus includes a base including a steam chamber and a drive shaft. A container assembly can be mounted to the base in an inverted position for steaming the food and in an upright position for blending the food. The apparatus may further include a baby bottle sterilizing unit and a bottle warmer.
Abstract: An apparatus for brewing tea in accordance with an aspect of the invention includes a brew chamber that holds water. An infuser disposed in the chamber holds tea leaves and allows the water to contact the tea leaves. A heater heats the water in the brew chamber. A control sets a tea characteristic of the tea leaves. The tea characteristic can include one or both of tea format (loose or bagged) and tea type. The control can also set tea strength. A control circuit communicates with the heater. The control circuit controls power to the heater to heat the water to a steep temperature and then controls power to the heater to maintain the steep temperature for a steep time. The control circuit determines the steep temperature and the steep time based on the set tea characteristic or characteristics. It can further determine steep time based on the set tea strength. The tea leaves steep in the heated water until the expiration of the steep time to produce a brewed tea.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 9, 2006
Date of Patent:
September 29, 2009
Assignee:
Sunbeam Products, Inc.
Inventors:
Christian E. O'Connor, Augusto Picozza, Patricia Bassett
Abstract: One aspect of the invention is an apparatus that is selectively attachable to a vehicle, for transporting a device and positioning the device in an orientation that permits access to the vehicle. The apparatus may include a support arm defining a support arm longitudinal axis, wherein the support arm has a hitch collar hole. The apparatus may also include a primary swing arm defining a primary swing arm longitudinal axis. The apparatus may further include a primary hinge assembly coupled to the support arm and the primary swing arm.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 21, 2003
Date of Patent:
September 22, 2009
Assignee:
Sunbeam Products, Inc.
Inventors:
Ernest W. LeDuc, Scott C. Salter, Steven J. Caliguri