Abstract: A substrate for a heating pad, blanket or throw includes one or more heating elements and one or more securing loops disposed at a securing end of the substrate. Each of the securing loops is of sufficient diameter to encircle and secure the substrate in a scrolled configuration.
Abstract: A humidifier has a first sealable reservoir feeding water to a second reservoir communicating with ambient atmosphere. A blower is adapted to blow a stream of air through the humidifier to ambient atmosphere, such that the stream of air picks up water vapor from any water that may be in the second reservoir. A feeder valve feeds a quickly-evaporable quantity of water from the first reservoir into the second reservoir. The quickly-evaporable quantity of water in the second reservoir is substantially smaller than the water capacity of the first reservoir. A dry-out mechanism shuts off the feeder valve upon a user command and continues to run the blower at least until the quickly-evaporable quantity of water has evaporated to an extent effective in inhibiting the growth of microorganisms in the microorganism-vulnerable reservoir.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 25, 2003
Date of Patent:
September 20, 2005
Assignee:
Sunbeam Products, Inc.
Inventors:
Kenneth R. Parker, Michael E. Docherty, Gabriel S. Kohn
Abstract: A hair dryer, includes a casing, an electric blower adapted to draw air into the casing from an intake port and blow the air out an exhaust port, one or more electric heating elements disposed to heat the air as it passes through the casing, a power selector switch having two or more wattage settings and adapted to adjust the electrical power supplied to the heating elements, and wherein the power selector switch is designed to be substantially inaccessible to the user.
Abstract: A control circuit for a heating pad. The control circuit includes a two-pole, four-position slide switch. The four positions of the two-pole, four-position slide switch include off and three different heat settings of the heating pad. The control circuit also includes three heat setting indicators that are alternatively illuminated when the switch is in the three different heat settings. Diodes are used to direct electrical currents through the indicators as appropriate. The diodes and the two-pole, four-position slide switch are arranged so that current may be appropriately flow through, or may be blocked from flowing through, the indicators when the two-pole, four-position slide switch is in each of the three heating settings.
Abstract: A juice extractor (10) having a base (11) upon which there is mounted an electric motor (13). The electric motor (13) drives a grating disc (32). Extending upwardly from the disc (32) is a delivery chute (24) via which food is delivered to the disc (32). A food engaging member is pivotally mounted in a lower portion of the chute (24) and is movable between an extended position projecting into the passage (25) of the chute (24), and a retracted position clearing the passage (25). The member (34) inhibits at least larger pieces of food such as fruit and vegetables, from engaging the disc (23) until the plunger (33) engages the food to move the food towards the disc (32).
Abstract: A drip coffee maker having a horizontal spray of heated water into a brew basket. Much of the effect of gravity is removed and the spread of heated water may be increased. The horizontal spray shower head may be used to expose the top layer of coffee grinds in the brew basket to an equal amount of hot water within a few seconds of brewing start time. By immersing the coffee grinds in hot water at the same level, the coffee grinds are all subjected to the same water pressure. The water then filters down evenly over the coffee grinds in the brew basket. Thus, the coffee grinds within the brew basket are given maximum exposure to the heated water. This exposure allows more coffee to be extracted from fewer grinds, thus conserving coffee and avoiding overcooking of the grinds.