Abstract: A system of intelligent appliances coupled by common household power lines or wireless links. In particular, the system includes one of more of a kitchen console, a breadmaker, a slow cooker, and a rice cooker/steamer. One or more of the appliances serves as a system controller and may include a further communications interface for coupling to an external communications network, such as the telephone network. The system can thus be accessed and controlled remotely. The system can also communicate with and obtain information from remote sources such as Internet-based facilities.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 29, 2000
Date of Patent:
July 1, 2003
Assignee:
Sunbeam Products, Inc.
Inventors:
Vincent D. Abrams, Alexander Edwin Izzard, III, Glen Cunningham, Kenneth R. Parker, Timothy E. Woods
Abstract: A scale with a transiently visible display includes: an enclosure having an upper surface; a measurement device disposed in the enclosure; and a display coupled to the measurement device and attached to the enclosure beneath the upper surface, the display displaying a measurement value only when the display is an active state. Activation of the measurement device places the display in the active state whereas deactivation removes the display from the active state. The enclosure obscures the display from visibility when the display is not in the active state. Optionally, the scale may include a facade beneath the upper surface and a shutter adjacent the facade and covering the display, the shutter being coupled to the measurement device. The shutter opens to reveal the display during activation. The enclosure obscures the facade and the shutter from recognition when the measurement device is not in the active state.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 10, 2001
Date of Patent:
June 24, 2003
Assignee:
Sunbeam Products, Inc.
Inventors:
James G. Montagnino, Anson Wong, Ricardo Murguia, Monique Chatterjee, Elliott Hsu, Greg Holderfield, Randall Bell, Dan Peterson
Abstract: A brew basket is provided that is dimensioned to be received within the brew basket support member of an associated brewing machine such as a coffee maker. The brew basket includes an anti-drip valve mounted within a lower cavity and to the lower surface of the bottom wall. The brew basket is provided with an overflow return for diverting brewing water from the brew basket to the brewing machine carafe or other beverage receptacle if the brewing water reaches a level presenting potential overflow from the brew basket.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 9, 2001
Date of Patent:
June 3, 2003
Assignee:
Sunbeam Products, Inc.
Inventors:
Darren Riley, Alan Burton, Jeffrey T. Stout, Peter A. Pickett, II
Abstract: A rechargeable electric toothbrush 10 to recede within a charger 11. The toothbrush 10 includes an outer body 12 that receives a toothbrush assembly 13. Within the body 12, there is located a secondary electric circuit 22 including a secondary coil 23. Upon the secondary coil 23 being energised, DC electric power id delivered to the batteries 21 for charging purposes. The socket 25 includes a primary circuit including a primary coil 31 that upon being energised causes the secondary coil 23 to produce an AC current, subsequently converted into a DC current for the purposes of charging the battery 21.
Abstract: A device intended to produce a fragrant vapour. The device 10 has a plug portion 11 with electric connection pins 12 to engage a wall mounted power supply. The device 10 engages the power supply to receive electric energy therefrom as well as to be supported by the wall. The device 10 has heating elements 17 and 18 of which element 17 is mounted for angular movement so that the heat applied to a wick 15 may be varied. The device 10 has an electric circuit 30 with a timer sub-circuit 33 so that the heating elements 17 and 18 will provide heat to the wick 15 for a predetermined period of time so that a vapour is produced from the liquid contained in this wick 15.
Abstract: A body weigh scale that is formed of a fiber-filled, polyester thermosetting polymer material that is sufficiently rigid so that it may house strain-gauge load cells therein, and yet not significantly deflect under load. The fiber-filled, polyester thermosetting polymer material provides an attractive surface after molding. The fiber-filled, polyester thermosetting polymer material has extremely low shrinkage rates so that the outer pattern and shape of the scale is not affected by the forming of very thin cross sections adjacent to thick cross-sections. In addition, the fiber-filled, polyester thermosetting polymer material is sufficiently rigid to permit a body weigh scale to be constructed having a low profile with integral load-receiving platform and strain-gauge load cell receptacles. The rigidity of the fiber-filled, polyester thermosetting polymer material provides sufficient structural support for operation of the strain-gauge load cells without deflection of material at the receptacles.
Type:
Application
Filed:
November 9, 2001
Publication date:
May 15, 2003
Applicant:
Sunbeam Products, Inc.
Inventors:
James G. Montagnino, Ricardo Murguia, Anson Wong
Abstract: A coffee carafe with a hidden handle support. The handle support is an annular band that extends around a rim of a glass jar for the coffee carafe. An annular collar fits over the annular band, hiding the handle support from view. The annular collar includes a pour spout and an annular flange that extends against an inside surface of the rim of the glass jar. A silicon adhesive or other suitable bonding agent is used to hold the annular collar in place. The use of the annular collar provides strong support for the handle. In addition, because the bonding agent that holds the annular flange in position against the glass jar does not have to support the handle, materials other than acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) plastic may be used for the annular collar and the handle. For example, polypropylene may be used as the material for these two components.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 17, 2001
Date of Patent:
May 13, 2003
Assignee:
Sunbeam Products, Inc.
Inventors:
C. Laron Boyte, Donald R. Ivy, Mahmoud F. Ismail