Abstract: A food warming apparatus includes a heating compartment that can hold one or more trays containing previously cooked food portions. A cover for a tray has a horizontal section and a vertical section extending downwardly from one side of the horizontal section. A rack in the heating compartment includes a channel and a stop that blocks the front end of the channel. The vertical section of the cover fits securely in the channel behind the stop such that the rack supports the cover substantially only through the vertical section. When a tray is inserted into the receiving space cooperatively defined by the cover and rack, the cover is lifted up so that the horizontal section rests on the tray and at least partially blocks the open top of the tray, thereby restricting evaporation of liquids from the previously cooked food portions contained in the tray.

Abstract: In a toaster, a toasting carriage is latched during toasting by an electromagnet actuated by a timer control circuit, and released when toasting time has elapsed. One of two rectifying circuits is always live and supplies a DC current to the timer control circuit and another, separate rectifying circuit supplies a DC current to energise the electromagnet when the toasting cycle is initiated. A first switching module switches a current flow through the heating element, while a second switching module isolates the always live rectifying circuit from the heating element. Switches of the first and second switching modules are disposed in an array and are closed by movement of the toasting carriage to the toasting position. More responsive and stable electromagnetic latching contributes to reducing risks associated with a fire that could occur during use of the toaster.

Abstract: The brewing device for coffee comprises a brewing unit for the brewing of coffee, a crema valve and a coffee outlet. The brewing unit, the crema valve and the coffee outlet are connected with one another so that in the brewing unit brewed coffee can be directed through the crema valve to the coffee outlet and the crema valve is designed so that the brewed coffee can be swirled through in a crema chamber of the crema valve and a crema is created. The brewing device comprises an injection device for injecting a gas into the crema chamber and a dosing device for dosing the quantity of the gas injected into the crema chamber. With each injection of the gas, a preset quantity of the gas is injected, the preset quantity of the gas being a parameter that can be changed.

Abstract: A machine (10) for the preparation and distribution of cold food products that is used in the production of soft ice-cream, that has a cylindrical chamber (12) equipped at one end with an inlet mouth (14) for a liquid food mixture and at an opposite end with an extraction tap (18) for the distribution of the cold food product through at least one distribution nozzle (36), wherein said cylindrical chamber (12) is enveloped by an evaporation chamber (20) for the cooling of said liquid food mixture and contains in its interior a mixer (24) wherein underneath said distribution nozzle (36) there is a protection door (62) for said nozzle (36). The machine includes at least one ultraviolet-ray lamp (48) positioned on the math body of the machine (10) in correspondence with a distribution nozzle (36) where the ultraviolet-ray lamp (48) functions to sterilize the distribution nozzle (36).

Abstract: An induction heating cooker including a top plate where a pan is placed; a heating coil for induction heating the pan; an inverter circuit for supplying a high frequency current to the heating coil; an infrared sensor, which is arranged under the heating coil and detects an infrared light radiated from the pan; a light guiding part including an upper opening formed at an upper end facing the top plate and a lower opening formed at a lower end, and guiding the infrared light from the pan to the infrared sensor; and a control unit for controlling an output of the inverter circuit according to an output from the infrared sensor; wherein the light guiding part includes a nonmetallic material part in which the upper opening is formed upper than a lower surface of the heating coil.

Abstract: A system for heat-treatment of large metallic samples including a microwave heating apparatus with a wave guide, means for monitoring and measuring temperature, holding means for holding the metallic sample. The holding means comprises a casket configuration made of low density alumina fiber board and wrapped with low density alumina fiber material to define a cavity and provided with susceptors along the inner walls of the cavity.

Abstract: A reusable self-supporting field director for use in heating an article in a microwave oven is characterized by a plurality of vanes, each vane extending radially outwardly from a central axis and being angularly adjacent to two other vanes. The vanes are attached to each other at their inner ends. Each vane has a substrate formed from an electrically non-conductive material, and an electrically conductive sheath encasing the substrate so that a portion of the first and second major surfaces are covered by an electrically conductive material. The sheath is arranged on the substrate in a laterally symmetric fashion so that thermal expansion effects due to heating are equalized across the thickness of each vane.

Abstract: A reusable self-supporting field director for use in heating an article in a microwave oven is characterized by a plurality of vanes, each vane extending radially outwardly from a central axis and being angularly adjacent to two other vanes. The vanes are attached to each other at their inner ends. Each vane has a substrate formed from an electrically non-conductive material and an electrically conductive wrapper that wraps the substrate so that a portion of the first and second major surfaces are covered and the radially outer end of each vane is wrapped by an electrically conductive material. The wrapper and the substrate are arranged in a laterally symmetric fashion so that thermal expansion effects due to heating are equalized across the thickness of each vane.

Abstract: An induction heating cooking device includes a heating coil (8) that induction-heats a cooking container, an infrared sensor (10) that detects infrared radiation which is emitted from a bottom surface of the cooking container and that outputs a detection signal based on the quantity of energy of the detected infrared radiation, and a heating control section (9) that controls supply of electric power to the heating coil based on the detection signal. When the temperature of the bottom surface of the cooking container is equal to or higher than a first predetermined temperature which is higher than 230 degrees C., the infrared sensor (10) outputs the detection signal, and when the bottom-surface temperature is lower than the first predetermined temperature, the infrared sensor (10) does not output the detection signal substantially.

Abstract: A valve system for attachment to a food cooking vat. The valve system includes a valve body and stem, with the stem including a valve head having a sealing member connected thereto. The valve body has an outlet configured to be in fluid communication with the food cooking vat, and the sealing member is in fluid communication with the outlet and the chamber and is selectively operable between a discharge position, for allowing the food to drain from the chamber, and a closed position, for allowing the food to remain in the chamber. The sealing member preferably includes polymer and has a first portion of generally frusto-conical shape and a second portion of generally frusto-conical shape generally co-axial with the first portion.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing so-called soft ice cream comprising a refrigerated feeding tank (12) for a liquid mixture (11) suitable for the preparation of soft ice cream, a group for pasteurising the mixture and a whipping cylinder (50). According to the invention, said group for pasteurising the mixture comprises a heating device (20) for an amount of mixture equal to at least one portion of product, a pre-cooling device (30, 30?) for said amount of heated mixture and a storage tank (40, 40?) for storing the pasteurised mixture at a constant temperature.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for removing fat floating on hot soup. A thermally conducting plate 14 having a flat underside is cooled to a temperature below that at which the flat solidifies and lowered onto the floating fat to cause the fat to congeal and adhere to its underside. The plate 14 is then raised to remove the adhering fat from the soup, and the fat adhering to the underside is scraped off by dragging the underside across a straight edge 22.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus comprising a top end having a generally concave cooking surface adapted to also act as a base stand; and a bottom end comprising a plurality of posts adapted to also act as a food preparation device holder upon vertically rotating the apparatus.

Abstract: An indicator system for use with a popcorn popping machine providing a sensory perceptible signal to a user that ventilation filters should be cleaned. The indicator system may automatically track an interval based on a prior filter cleaning or usage of the popcorn popping machine.

Abstract: An ovenable cooking apparatus for facilitating the cooking of food components while maintaining the separateness thereof may include a first container for holding a first food component, and a second container for holding a second food component. The separation of the first food component from the second food component maintains the surface area for the first and second food components to facilitate heating of the first and second food components. The first food component may have a liquid based content for producing steam when heated, and one or both of the first container and the second container may define a passage for providing airflow and steam flow for contacting the second container and/or the second foodstuff and heating or steaming the second food component. Additionally, the second container may be steam impermeable for cooking bread and the like.

Abstract: In a microwave irradiation apparatus, an applicator portion has an interior space for housing an object to be irradiated. A first microwave irradiation system outputs a first microwave to the interior space in a first mode so as to generate a large electric field and a small magnetic field at a specific place of the interior space. A second microwave irradiation system outputs a second microwave having a polarization plane crossing a polarization plane of the first microwave to the interior space in a second mode so as to generate a large magnetic field and small electric field at the specific place of the interior space.

Abstract: A heated element includes a thermally and electrically conductive polymer in a shaped or spaced arrangement. The spaced arrangement has at least one string of material with ends that are configured to be electrically connected to a power source. A first end is connected to a positive terminal of the power source while the other end is connected to a negative terminal of the power source. A hand grip includes the heating element disposed on an inner layer, and may include an outer layer. The spaced arrangement may be disposed between the inner and outer layer for indirect heating applications. Alternatively, portions of the spaced arrangement may protrude from either the inner layer or the outer layer for direct heating applications. The heated element may be used with a number of devices, including but not limited to, golf club grips, hand grips, heating pads, blankets, or other applications.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus having a waste heat recovery system for incorporation into broilers, ovens, and toasters, the apparatus including a cooking chamber having a cooking platform, at least one air plenum disposed in the upper portion of the cooking chamber and having a plurality of air outlets for producing a focused forced air, a low pressure air source connected to the air plenums, a heating element or burner disposed under each of said air plenums, such that said curtain of focused forced air guides and directs heat from said heating element toward food product being cooked, and heat exchange pipes disposed between at least two of said air plenums. Radiant heat generated from the heating elements or burners rises in the cooking chamber and is retained between the air plenums to maximize heat transfer from the heated air to the heat transfer pipes, and thus to the low pressure air in the low pressure air system. The recycled heat enhances cooking.

Abstract: A pad holder of a coffee maker for making coffee with a foam layer on top includes a stud plate having studs for supporting a coffee pad containing ground coffee beans and an outlet opening for delivering coffee extract. Studs in the direct vicinity of the outlet opening are arranged in a circle, where surfaces of the studs form a circular directing surface. During operation of the coffee maker, a flow of coffee extract enters a space encompassed by the studs via channels between the studs, and is put into rotation as a result of interaction with the directing surface. Consequently, the coffee flow enters the outlet opening in a rotating condition, causing the outlet opening to deliver the coffee as a spray of fine droplets, from which the foam is created.

Abstract: A citrus juice apparatus may include at least one citrus juice processing device. The at least one juice processing device may include at least one juice output having a flow of juice therethrough. The at least one juice processing device upon a malfunction may cause an undesired material release along with the flow of juice into the at least one juice output. An undesired material release detector may be coupled to the at least one juice output for detecting the undesired material release. The detector may operate based upon magnetic proximity sensing of a moving filter plate within a housing of the detector. Alternatively, the detector may operate using a filter plate, and based upon pressure.