Patents Examined by Joseph Pelham
  • Patent number: 7026578
    Abstract: A heat roller having a cylindrical sheet-like heating element having a resistance member embedded into an insulating member. The sheet-like heating element is arranged between an inner tube and an outer tube. The resistance member is formed such that a heating density of the sheet-like heating element is changed in an axial direction of the heat roller. The heating density of the sheet-like heating element at its edge section is greater than that at a center in the axial direction of the heat roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Mori, Koichi Sanpei, Masatoshi Kimura, Masao Konishi
  • Patent number: 7026579
    Abstract: Food is heated in an oven using multiple planar, electrically-heated quartz heaters. A variable speed conveyor controls the time that the food is exposed to the infrared energy. A controllable power supply adjusts heat output from the heaters by controlling the duty cycle delivered to the planar quartz heaters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Q-Matic Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Constantin Burtea
  • Patent number: 7022946
    Abstract: An electronic drinking mug includes a mug having an outer surface, a heating element in thermal communication with the mug for heating a liquid disposed in the mug, and a temperature sensor in communication with the heating element. The mug has a controller in communication with the heating element for selectively activating and deactivating the heating element for heating the liquid in the mug to a desired temperature, and a user interface attached to the outer surface of the mug and being in communication with the controller for establishing the desired temperature of the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Solar Wide Industrial Ltd.
    Inventors: Hughes Sanoner, Jacob Rothman
  • Patent number: 7022944
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a fixing device that has a rotatable endless belt, a contacting member to contact the rotatable endless belt, a rotatable pressing member contacting the contacting member via the rotatable endless belt to form a nip region, a heating member to heat the rotatable endless belt, a detecting device to detect a temperature of the heating member, a controlling device to control a temperature of the heating member based on a detection result of the detecting device, and a determining device to determine that the sheet-like recording medium has passed through the fixing device. The controlling device controls such that the temperature of the heating member set for the fixing operation is decreased to a temperature set when the sheet-like recording medium has passed through the fixing device, immediately after a last sheet-like recording medium in a series of a job has passed through the fixing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Yoshinaga, Motokazu Yasui, Hideo Furukawa, Masanao Ehara, Hirofumi Ogawa
  • Patent number: 7022945
    Abstract: A portable baby wipe warmer and container comprising a container for storing baby wipes, a heat source thermally coupled to the container, and a temperature regulating component coupled to the heat source for regulating the heat provided to the container by the heat source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Inventor: Stephanie Western
  • Patent number: 7019264
    Abstract: This invention relates to a system and a method for the heat treatment of substrates, incorporating an annular heat-treatment section with a rotary table designed to accept substrate holders, at least two of which substrate holders are positioned one behind the other in heat-treatment zones that extend in a radial spoke pattern around the center of the rotary table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Unaxis Balzers Ltd.
    Inventors: Thomas Eisenhammer, Thomas Matt, Gebhard Stittmatter, Klaus Zapf
  • Patent number: 7019266
    Abstract: A method of heating an optical member includes providing the optical member, directing heat from a heat source toward the optical member, and distributing the heat about the optical member through a high-thermal-conductivity apparatus disposed between the heat source and the optical member such that a surface of the apparatus defining a volume for receiving the optical member will have a substantially uniform temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Cape Simulations, Inc.
    Inventors: Shariar Motakef, Serhat Yesilyurt
  • Patent number: 7019265
    Abstract: A turntable (19) for an oven comprising a surface for heating a food item (27, 75) placed on the turntable (19), wherein the turntable (19) is provided with integral heating means (29). The turntable may be incorporated into an oven cavity (17, 67) of an oven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Ceramaspeed Limited
    Inventor: Gavin John Coleman
  • Patent number: 7015429
    Abstract: A deep fryer has an outer housing (4) closed by a lid (14) and an immersed type heating element (28) extending into an oil containing receptacle (22), the housing having an upper rim at which the lid (14) is supported, with the underside of the lid (14) having an upwardly domed shape and the rim formed with a channel (44) arranged beneath the periphery of the underside of lid (14) to receive droplets of moisture condensing on the underside of the lid during use, a sensor (31) being provided which includes a thermal use and temperature sensing element (56) disposed in a single tubular housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Eastern Sources Housewares (Hong Kong) Limited
    Inventors: Joseph Wing Chung Lau, Wallace Lai
  • Patent number: 7015424
    Abstract: A heat generator includes a heat generating member including a heat flow output face, a heat flow insulative member attachably surrounding the heat generating member except the heat flow output face for insulating the heat generating member except the heat flow output face, a heat flow compensating member attachably surrounding the heat flow insulative member but exposing the heat flow output face to allow it contacting with a specimen, and a heat flow compensating circuit connected between the heat flow insulative member and the heat flow compensating member. The circuit is capable of controlling heat generated by the heat flow compensating member to cause no heat flow flowing between the heat flow compensating member and the heat flow insulative member whereby the heat energy of the heat flow outputing from the heat flow output face of the heat generating member is equal to the heat energy of heat generated by the heat generating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jhy-Chain Lin, Ga-Lane Chen
  • Patent number: 7015425
    Abstract: A gas cylinder includes a cylindrically-shaped main wall having a liner, a facing and insulation located between the liner and the facing. First and second electric, self-regulating heating elements are positioned between the liner and the insulation. The liner is provided with first and second pockets and the first and second heating elements are located within the pockets. The first heating element has a higher wattage density than the second heating element and the first heating element is located below the second heating element. A sealed conduit enclosure contains a terminal block connecting a power input cable to the first and second heating elements. A planar top wall is located at the top of the main wall and has an opening for passage of a regulator of the gas cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: B H Thermal Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Neal, Doug Dietz, Daniel R. Smith
  • Patent number: 7015428
    Abstract: A heater formed of multiple layers with at least two envelope layers sealed to each other to form a closed envelope and with at least one of the layers within the sealed envelope layers comprising a gas permeable internal ground member that permit one to heat seal the envelope layers to each other and prevents destruction of the heater if the heater accidentally exceeds a critical operating temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Longview Research & Development
    Inventor: Todd A. Kirkman
  • Patent number: 7015423
    Abstract: A heating device into which a compule of dental material can be inserted to elevate the temperature of the dental material to above ambient temperature prior to clinical use having a base for housing a heating element, a temperature control mechanism for controlling the temperature of the heating element, a power connection for electrically connecting the temperature control mechanism to a source of power and a heating receptacle removably mounted on the base. The heating receptacle comprises a heating tray composed of a conductive material and an upstanding section extending from the heating tray and having a heating chamber open to the atmosphere which is adapted to receive one end of a conventional dispenser in which the compule of dental material is stored for raising the temperature of said dental material in said compule to an elevated temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Inventor: Joshua Friedman
  • Patent number: 7014613
    Abstract: This patent relates to an apparatus and method for screening a subject's hearing by recording steady-state auditory evoked responses. The apparatus generates a steady-state auditory evoked potential stimulus having a plurality of stimulus components, presents the stimulus to the subject, senses potentials while simultaneously presenting the stimulus and determines whether the sensed potentials contain a plurality of responses to the stimulus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Inventors: Michael S. John, Terence W. Picton
  • Patent number: 7012218
    Abstract: A warmed display fixture includes a housing enclosing a tree step display compartment and having an opening providing access thereunto. A three step panel divides the display compartment into an upper air well above the three step panel and a lower air well below the three step panel. The three step panel has ceramic tile on both horizontal and vertical risers. An air recirculation passageway in the housing has an inlet in the upper air well of the display compartment and an outlet in the lower air well. Heaters mounted under the horizontal steps and in air passageway provide heat. Fans circulate the warmed air through the air passage ways and into the upper air well of the display compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Inventor: Gary L. Flinn
  • Patent number: 7012219
    Abstract: A cooking apparatus and a method of controlling the cooking apparatus allow a temperature distribution of hot air to be uniform in a cooking cavity so that food in the cooking cavity is uniformly cooked, and enables initial heating of the air in the cooking cavity to be rapidly accomplished so that a cooking time is reduced. The cooking apparatus includes a cooking cavity, and first and second convection modules. The cooking cavity cooks food contained therein. The first convection module heats air in the cooking cavity and circulates the heated air. The second convection module is placed to be opposite to the first convection module so as to heat the air and circulate the heated air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hyang Ki Kim
  • Patent number: 7012221
    Abstract: A roasting oven having a large capacity heating well including a wrap-around heating element for heating the side walls thereof and a top heating element for browning is disclosed. A function control panel featuring a touch-film interface and digital display of cooking modes is provided for the user's convenience. In an alternative embodiments standard electromechanical switches and rheostatic temperature controls provide the functions of the present oven. The heating elements are also fabricated in alternative embodiments to provide single-sided or double-sided configurations for particular heating applications. A lid member including the top heating element is attached to the present oven by electrically conductive supporting structures, which incorporate the electrical circuit for the top heating element and also provide for convenient disconnection thereof for cleaning and storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Inventor: George T. C. Li
  • Patent number: 7009147
    Abstract: A cooking appliance includes a controller for establishing a plurality of operating modes for heating an oven cavity. Specifically, the controller establishes one of a pre-heat mode, a ready mode, a first low power mode and a second low power mode for controlling a temperature of the oven cavity. Upon selecting a temperature for the oven cavity, the controller operates a radiant heating device, a convection fan and a convection heating device at full power to establish the selected temperature. After the selected temperature is achieved, the controller switches to a ready mode and reduces heat output of both the radiant heating device and the convection heating device, while also reducing fan speed. After respective periods of time in which a door of the appliance is not opened, the controller switches to first and second low power modes to conserve energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventor: Robert A. Schulte
  • Patent number: 7009149
    Abstract: A slow cooker is provided that includes a ceramic cooking vessel and a base for supporting and heating the cooking vessel. The cooking vessel preferably extends substantially the upper surface of the base when mounted thereto. A stand is provided for supporting the base, and is preferably secured to the base. The stand includes handles that allow the slow cooker to be carried. The top of the base is preferably defined by a heat resistant, polymeric lip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: JCS/THG, LLC
    Inventors: Kelly M. White, Richard McDuffie, David Bossa
  • Patent number: 7009154
    Abstract: The microreactor is completely integrated and is formed by a semiconductor body having a surface and housing at least one buried channel accessible from the surface of the semiconductor body through two trenches. A heating element extends above the surface over the channel and a resist region extends above the heating element and defines an inlet reservoir and an outlet reservoir. The reservoirs are connected to the trenches and have, in cross-section, a larger area than the trenches. The outlet reservoir has a larger area than the inlet reservoir. A sensing electrode extends above the surface and inside the outlet reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Flavio Villa, Ubaldo Mastromatteo, Gabriele Barlocchi, Mauro Cattaneo