Patents Examined by Daniel Robinson
  • Patent number: 7920777
    Abstract: The present invention concerns capillary force vaporizers for use in vaporizing liquids and emitting pressurized vapors. In one embodiment, the inventive capillary force vaporizer includes a porous member, a heater component to convey heat to the porous member, and a vapor containment region. The porous member further includes a capillary network, a surface for receiving liquid and a vaporization area in which vapor is produced from the liquid. The vapor is collected and pressurized within the vapor containment region, which includes one or more openings for the release of vapor at a velocity greater than zero. Several different embodiments for capillary force vaporizers and systems comprising capillary force vaporizers are disclosed along with methods for their use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Vapore, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry Hal Rabin, Charles Howard Sellers, Warren Saul Breslau, Erick Matthew Davidson
  • Patent number: 7912359
    Abstract: A heating device of the light irradiation type having an article to be heated, a guard ring located on the periphery of that article, multiple lamps located above the article to be heated and the guard ring, and a reflecting mirror located above the lamps, in which a light diffusion part is located in the upper region corresponding to the article to be heated so that the diffused light projects onto the entire surface of the article to be heated. The light diffusion part can be formed, for example, on a reflecting mirror, an optically transparent window part located between the article to be heated and the lamps or a light diffusion area formed on the light-emitting bulbs of the lamps. The size of the region occupied by the light diffusion part is such that diffused light is not projected to the guard ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Ushiodenki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinji Suzuki, Tetsuya Kitagawa, Kyohei Seki
  • Patent number: 7907835
    Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid heating device, in particular for household application, mainly, for preparing hot beverages comprising a body provided with a liquid flow channel which comprises a liquid inlet and outlet and is connected to at least one electrical heating body whose feeding is controlled by switching means connected to control means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Christophe S. Boussemart, Jean-Bernard Pulzer
  • Patent number: 7903957
    Abstract: A liquid warming device for heating sterile fluids in a removable basin is described with emphasis on the properties of the basin interaction with the liquid warming device and with a drape that works with the basin to maintain a sterile field above the drape and the top of the basin. The interactions between a temperature sensor and a temperature well integrated in the removable basin are disclosed. Also disclosed are various desirable aspects for a control system for a liquid warming device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: C Change Surgical LLC
    Inventors: Patrick Kammer, Kevin Joseph Rackers
  • Patent number: 7903958
    Abstract: A hanging water heater includes a machine body installed inside with plural quartz heating tubes respectively composed of a quartz external tube having its opposite ends sealed, and a quartz internal tube positioned in the quartz external tube, installed therein with a remote-infrared-ray heating member and having one end connected with an electrode terminal. Each quartz external tube has its lower sidewall bored with water intakes and its upper wall bored with a vapor vent. The machine body is further provided with a water inlet and a water outlet communicating with a circulating tube. The circulating tube communicates with the vapor vent of the quartz external tube, having its wall bored with lots of through holes. The hanging water heater performs heat conduction by vapor, and light and heat radiation, impossible to produce water stains and able to economize energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Inventor: Hua-Hsin Tsai
  • Patent number: 7894712
    Abstract: A heater for an electrical fireplace comprises a heating element (1) and a blower fan (2), the blower fan (2) being releasably attached to the heating element (1). Interacting members (9a1-3, 9a2?, 9b1-3, 9b1?, 9b3?, 14a1-3, 14b1) are provided on the heating element (1) and on the blower fan (2), which members (9a1-3, 9a2?, 9b1-3, 9b1?, 9b3?, 14a1-3, 14b1) are designed to be, engaged with one another to hold the heating element (1) in position relative the blower fan (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Fergas AB
    Inventors: Hans Karlsson, Rikard Wallman
  • Patent number: 7889979
    Abstract: A radiant device (1) comprises a supporting frame (2) and at least a radiant element (4) having two mutually opposed ends (4a), each being provided with electrical connection terminals (7). The radiant element (4) engages hooking groups (3) of the supporting frame (2) by means of suitable electrical connection elements (9) placed between the ends (4a) and the hooking assemblies (3). The elastic connection elements (9) dampen collisions and/or vibrations, if present, and insulate at the same time the electrical parts of the device (1) both from fluid seepages and from overheating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Mo-El S.r.L
    Inventors: Andrea Trevisan, Stefano Nasi
  • Patent number: 7885520
    Abstract: A dual heater element for heating a liquid for use in a vending apparatus is provided. The heater element includes two elements. A first heating element is operable for use at a conventional first operating voltage or range (e.g., 120 VAC) while a separate second heating element is operable for use with a conventional second operating voltage or range (e.g., 230 VAC). A first pair of terminals coupled to the first heating element and a second pair of terminals coupled to the second heating element are selectively and/or interchangeably connected to a pair of line voltage terminals. The configuration of the line voltage electrical system and the use of a heater element with dual elements each operating (normal operation) at different voltages or voltage ranges allows the vending apparatus to be manufactured without variation in components and enables dual voltage source operation for two different line voltages (e.g., line voltage supply is either 120 VAC or 230 VAC).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Crane Merchandising Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory G. Stettes
  • Patent number: 7881594
    Abstract: An integrated semiconductor heating assembly includes a semiconductor substrate, a chamber formed therein, and an exit port in fluid communication with the chamber, allowing fluid to exit the chamber in response to heating the chamber. The integrated heating assembly includes a first heating element adjacent the chamber, which can generate heat above a selected threshold and bias fluid in the chamber toward the exit port. A second heating element is positioned adjacent the exit port to generate heat above a selected threshold, facilitating movement of the fluid through the exit port away from the chamber. Addition of the second heating element reduces the amount of heat emitted per heating element and minimizes thickness of a heat absorption material toward an open end of the exit port. Since such material is expensive, this reduces the manufacturing cost and retail price of the assembly while improving efficiency and longevity thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: STMicroeletronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Ming Fang, Fuchao Wang
  • Patent number: 7881593
    Abstract: A gas cooking appliance for use with at least one removable burner, the cooking appliance including a structural housing supporting a cooktop surface having at least one convertible area for use with the at least one removable burner. When the at least one removable burner is operable with the cooking appliance, it resides above the convertible area and is supplied a fuel mixture from the cooking appliance by a gas-to-air type fuel supplier. According to various preferred embodiments there are provided a gas shutoff device for stopping the flow of gaseous fuel to the removable gas burner when the burner is relocated or not properly installed to the appliance proper; and an interlock so that during cooking, the removable burner does not move about in an unsafe way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: CFOM Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Grassi, Anne C. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 7875836
    Abstract: Components for use in a temperature controlled heatable object are provided in which a temperature sensor is connected to a transmitter such as a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag. The RFID tag is encased in a protective overmolding and connected to the temperature sensor via a mineral insulated cable. An end cap containing a potting material (such as silicone or ceramic) is placed over the temperature sensor and laser welded to a sheathing of the mineral insulated cable. A potting material for use in a heatable object is also provided comprising a silicone-based material that is modified by adding bauxite to increase thermal conductivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Inventors: Mamoru Imura, Michael F. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7865071
    Abstract: An inductively power heating system includes an inductive power source for supplying power to an inductive heater. The inductive heater may include a resistive heater and a multiple coil secondary. A heater control within the inductive heater may control the power supplied to the resistive heater, and thereby control the temperature of the resistive heater. The inductive heater may encapsulate the resistive heater, the multiple coil secondary and the heater control, thereby providing a sealed, inductive heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Access Business Group International LLC
    Inventor: David W. Baarman
  • Patent number: 7865074
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a rotary-type heat recovery ventilation apparatus, which is constructed to perform heat exchange between inlet air and exhaust air. The apparatus includes a main body having an intake duct and a discharge duct therein, a plurality of electric heating plates passing through a space in the intake duct and the discharge duct of the main body to transfer heat, and rotating about a main shaft, with a plurality of pores being formed on each of the electric heating plates, a pair of blowing fans mounted to a surface of the intake duct and a surface of the discharge duct, thus blowing and exhausting air, and a motor to rotate the main shaft. The ventilation apparatus transfers heat, recovered from air exhausted from a room during ventilation, to inlet air, and filters various impurities from the passing air, thus circulating fresh air without the energy loss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignees: TMT Engineering Co., Ltd., Kyung Woo Systech Inc.
    Inventor: Hyoung Deog Seo
  • Patent number: 7865073
    Abstract: A heating module is provided for integrating into an electrical appliance, for example in a household appliance such as a coffee machine, or in a laboratory apparatus. Said module includes at least one heating surface formed from a body, at least one heating element that comprises at least one PTC element and is fixed in the body, and a flow heater that is integrated into the heating module. The heating module is configured to be easy to mount and have a wide range of applications. In one embodiment, the body is embodied as an extruded shape having at least one tube receiving element and a tube through which a fluid flows arranged on or in the tube receiving element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: DBK David + Baader GmbH
    Inventors: Friedrich Von Der Lühe, William Muirhead
  • Patent number: 7860379
    Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for achieving uniform heating to a substrate during a rapid thermal process. More particularly, the present invention provides apparatus and methods for controlling the temperature of an edge ring supporting a substrate during a rapid thermal process to improve temperature uniformity across the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron Muir Hunter, Bruce E. Adams, Mehran Behdjat, Rajesh S. Ramanujam, Joseph M. Ranish
  • Patent number: 7860381
    Abstract: The invention relates to a heating device for diesel fuel comprising at least one PTC heating element (8), at least two contact sheets (7) each comprising a front face (10) by means of which they contact the PTC heating element (8) electrically, wherein the PTC heating element (8) is provided between the front faces (10) of the two contact sheets (7); a plastic housing (2) enclosing an interior space through which the diesel fuel to be heated can flow and in which the PTC heating element (8) and the contact sheets (7) are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Eichenauer Heizelemente GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Kai Wallhaeusser, Gerhard Thome, Willi Arnold
  • Patent number: 7860378
    Abstract: In a baffle device 20 fixedly provided in an air passage of a mechanism for blowing out hot air to a solder treatment portion, vanes inclined with a predetermined inclination angle with respect to an air flow are provided substantially radially with a predetermined interval. Also, in a nozzle to be attached to the hot air blower for solder treatment, the baffle device 20 is fixedly provided in an in-nozzle air passage. Moreover, in the hot air blower for solder treatment which blows out hot air to the solder treatment portion, the baffle device 20 is fixedly provided in an in-blower air passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Hakko Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshitomo Teraoka
  • Patent number: 7856170
    Abstract: A heatable housing and a device such as a cooking appliance including a heatable housing for producing steam includes at least one wall that delimits an interior space, which is enclosed by the housing at least in areas and which serves to hold a liquid to be vaporized. The wall has at least one hollow for accommodating at least one heating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Rational AG
    Inventors: Stefan Rusche, Thomas Schreiner, Thomas Garner, Manfred Bucher, Paul Linseisen, Bruno Maas, Peter Kohlstrung
  • Patent number: 7853128
    Abstract: A toaster uses radiant heat at infrared wavelengths optimized for producing rapid and uniform toasting of a food product. The infrared wavelengths of the radiated heat are selected for optimum speed and quality (browning and moisture content) of the food product. The selected infrared wavelengths of the radiated heat may also effectively defrost a food product. Defrosting of the food product by the infrared radiated heat adds very little time in obtaining a desired toast color to the food product. A plurality of infrared wavelengths of radiated heat may also be used, wherein the plurality of infrared wavelengths are selected for optimal heat penetration and surface browning of the food product. Shorter wavelengths for browning and slightly longer wavelengths to penetrate the food product for evaporating the moisture therein to allow surface browning by the shorter wavelengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Applica Consumer Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Luis Cavada, Charles Krasznai
  • Patent number: 7853130
    Abstract: A steam generator includes a heating chamber for holding water. The heating chamber has a water inlet, a steam outlet, and a water draining outlet. A nozzle is in communication with the water inlet and is positioned to direct incoming water into the water draining outlet. A heating system is associated with the heating chamber for heating water to generate steam and a control system is operable to control filling and draining of the heating chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Premark FEG L.L.C.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Frock, Atul Saksena, Richard E. Chitwood