Abstract: A liquid heating vessel, such as a kettle, enables user selection of the temperature to which the liquid is to be heated. A thermal sensor is provided which is responsive to the temperature of the heating element. During the heating cycle, the operation of the heating element is interrupted, and temperature samples are obtained as the element cools. Analysis of the temperature decay function of the heating element during the interruption enables the liquid volume to be estimated, as well as the time required to heat the liquid to the selected temperature.

Abstract: Electric toaster with a first heating element arranged at one side of a toasting compartment and a second heating element arranged at an opposed side of the toasting compartment. The first heating element is divided into two sub-elements. Two diodes and a switch provide the possibility to switch over from a normal two-sided toasting mode to an asymmetric single-sided toasting mode. In the normal mode the switch is closed and the sub-elements receive power only during different half-waves of the mains supply voltage, so that the effective radiant power of the sub-divided first element is equal to the radiant power of the second heating element. In the asymmetric mode the switch is opened and the resistance of the first heating element is greater than the resistance of the second element, as a consequence of which relatively more radiant power is emitted by the first heating element than by the second heating element.

Abstract: A switching power supply with synchronous rectification by means of a diode and a parallel-connected electronic switch. By means of a one-shot circuit the electronic switch is driven into conduction during a fixed portion of the time period during which the diode would be conductive without the electronic switch.

Abstract: A Toaster having heating elements whose heating area depends on the slice size. A toaster has heating elements (H1, H2) divided into sub-elements (H1A, H1B; H2A, H2B) which can be activated individually. The size of the product to be toasted (5) is detected by means of a sensor, for example a mechanical sensor (2) or an optical sensor device with a photo-emitter and a photo-receiver. The sub-elements are activated selectively in dependence on the detected size. Thus, the power consumption of the toaster is adapted to the size of the product to be toasted and overheating of the product in the proximity of the unused heating area of the heating elements is avoided.

Abstract: A toaster has electrical parts which are energized from a mains voltage. The bread is conveyed to a toasting chamber (4) by means of a lift (6) and a handle (12). In the end position of the handle (12) a main switch (SW5) is turned on, as a result of which the electrical parts can be powered from the mains voltage. The heating elements receive mains voltage via triacs controlled by a microcontroller. After completion of the toasting cycle the microcontroller turns off the heating elements, which precludes burning of the bread, even if the main switch remains in its on-position as a result of a mechanical defect. Subsequently, the microcontroller checks the presence of the mains voltage. In that case a signalling device is activated to warn the user that the mains voltage supply to the toaster has not yet been turned off.