Abstract: A toothbrush comprises a head including a plurality of cleaning elements attached to the head, a handle, a neck extending between the head and the handle, a motor unit including a motor and a manual winder for manually energizing the motor, and a force sensor configured to detect a user-applied force exceeding a predetermined threshold force, wherein the force sensor causes the toothbrush to produce at least one of an audible signal and a tactile signal when the user-applied force exceeds a predetermined threshold force. An audible signal and a tactile signal may comprise, respectively, muting of the motor and interruption of vibration of the toothbrush.

Abstract: A toothbrush comprises a head including a plurality of cleaning elements attached to the head, a handle, a neck extending between the head and the handle, a motor unit including a motor and a manual winder for manually energizing the motor, and a force sensor configured to detect a user-applied force exceeding a predetermined threshold force, wherein the force sensor causes the toothbrush to produce at least one of an audible signal and a tactile signal when the user-applied force exceeds a predetermined threshold force. An audible signal and a tactile signal may comprise, respectively, muting of the motor and interruption of vibration of the toothbrush.

Abstract: The water heater has an upright water tank (1), an exhaust flue (3) extending through the water tank, a combustion chamber (2) arranged under the water tank, an atmospheric gas burner (5) in the combustion chamber and a complete pre-mixing gas/air supply system with outside gas and air intakes. The gas burner has a burner mat (7) with a pressure drop less than 5 to up to 45 Pa. The combustion chamber (2) is provided with an opening (2b), which is not sealed, but enclosed in a flame-blocking manner. The gas burner (5) is attached to a wall section (2a), which is mounted releasably on the: combustion chamber wall (W) over opening (2b) so that a gap of predetermined width is formed between the wall section and wall (W), which prevents backfire of flames into the surroundings but admits secondary air.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a danger of damage to a cooking surface for cooling devices, having at least one cooking zone which is heatable by an electrically operated heating device and is arranged on the cooking surface, wherein damage to the cooking surface is monitored on a basis of or as a function of heat effects. The thermally induced mechanical stresses in the cooking surface are directly detected. The method can also be used with viewing windows for an oven.

Abstract: A lighting installation for household appliances having an interior in which a bracket for receiving support shelves is arranged. The lighting arrangement includes an illuminating device integrated into at least a partial area of the bracket or entirely into the bracket. The illuminating device can include a fluorescent tube or an arrangement of a plurality of light-emitting diodes. Alternatively, at least a partial area of the bracket can be embodied as an optical waveguide, into which the light from a light source not arranged in the interior can be introduced.

Abstract: The pleasing metal appearance of glass/glass ceramic panels (1) is typically produced by a metal foil/plate (6) on the side of the plate facing away or remote from the observer. According to the state of the art these foils/plates are glued to the glass/glass ceramic panel by means of a transparent adhesive. Because of the different thermal expansion coefficients of the metal foil/plate (6) and the glass/glass ceramic panel (1) this leads to mechanical stress. According to the invention the mechanical stress can be avoided when the metal foil/plate (6) is attached to the glass/glass ceramic panel in a force-locking manner without adhesive. In a preferred embodiment this attachment is made by a clamping joint, e.g. provided by springs. Also it is beneficial to provide a gap between the joined partners, which is filled by a heat conducting compensating mass (8), e.g. silicone oil.

Abstract: A bracket for support bases in household appliances, for example refrigerators or freezers or stoves, having at least one profiled rail which is mounted, extending substantially vertically, in a reception chamber of the household appliance, and having at least one support element, to which a support base is attached and which can be selectively displaced along the profiled rail or fixed in place on the profiled rail. In accordance with this invention, the support element can be substantially positively fixed in place on the profiled rail against a movement along the profiled rail, preferably in the form of a frictional locking mechanism, or a clamp. The result is a simply embodied and easy to clean bracket for support bases in household appliances, which permits a more flexible adjustment of the height of the support bases than the prior art.

Abstract: A composite structure (1) includes a solid carrier (2), which is at least partially covered by a first adhesive layer (3). This first adhesive layer (3) is strengthened by strengthening material (4) arranged on said first adhesive layer (3). The invention further relates to a method of making such a composite structure. This composite structure may be in the form of a bowl-shaped structure to receive a bowl-shaped cooking pan in a heating device.

Abstract: In the method according to the invention cold or unheated hardened glass and/or glass-ceramic parts are bonded together with a metallic ductile joining material, preferably silver, copper, aluminum or an alloy of those metals, to form a brittle article. The parts to be joined in an initial unheated state are placed with the metallic ductile joining material between them in a high frequency alternating field with frequencies preferably from 100 to 500 kHz. Then the joining material is inductively heated locally to melt it by means of the alternating field and the parts are pressed together to form a sufficiently strong bond between the parts.

Abstract: A building for containing occupants, with at least one covering element to provide at least one roof portion, at least one wall portion, and at least one floor portion, to provide an interior space to contain and protect occupants from an adverse environment about the building or other structures. The building has an opening to permit occupants to ingress and egress, a window comprising at least one pane, comprising at least an outer pane disposed to contact the adverse environment about the building and at least one inner pane disposed toward the interior space of the building. The pane exposed to the environment about the building or structure comprises a glass material that has a minimized coefficient of thermal expansion. The building also has an insulation to protect occupants from adverse temperature and environmental conditions about the building and a heating apparatus to provide heat to the space provided by the at least one covering element, the window, and the insulation.

Abstract: A securing apparatus for a glass plate in a recess, especially a glass-ceramic cooking surface, is provided with easily removable components. The apparatus comprises a sealing frame; a holding frame connected to the sealing frame; a circumferential, permanently elastic sealing strip; and bonding. The sealing frame has an edge and is adapted to be positioned in the recess, lying on its edge. The holding frame is connected to the sealing frame and has an arm which supports the plate. The plate lies loosely without a secure connection to the holding frame with the permanently elastic sealing strip positioned therebetween. The sealing frame is connected non-positively, securely, and durably to the front surfaces or edge of the plate, and the sealing strip permanently prevents adhesive from leaking between the holding frame and the plate.

Abstract: Modern cooking ranges have a glass-ceramic panel (1) providing a cooking surface with at least one cooking zone, which typically is associated with a radiating heated body. To indicate the cooking zone and, if necessary, the residual heat, it is known to associate an externally lighted annular glass with the heated body, which is observable from above as a lighted ring. A structured lighted cooking zone indicating device is provided according to the present invention by a structured light-impermeable coating layer (2) applied directly to the underside of the glass-ceramic panel (1) having transparent regions forming a predetermined or desired structure or pattern within the cooking zone indicating device. This cooking zone indicating device is made by a screen printing technique in which a heat-resistant light-impermeable varnish is applied to the underside of the glass-ceramic panel to form the structured coating layer (2).

Abstract: The wok is made from hardened glass or glass-ceramic material so that it has a cooking surface that is easier to clean than prior art metal woks. Furthermore when it is heated a better temperature distribution for cooking is produced and it can be universally heated, either by a radiantly heated body or an atmospheric gas burner. The method of making the wok starts with a glass blank or piece of borosilicate glass, which is heated until it softens and then is shaped or formed into the shape of the wok, optionally ceramicized and cooled.

Abstract: A building for containing occupants, with at least one covering element to provide at least one roof portion, at least one wall portion, and at least one floor portion, to provide an interior space to contain and protect occupants from an adverse environment about the building or other structures. The building has an opening to permit occupants to ingress and egress, a window comprising at least one pane, comprising at least an outer pane disposed to contact the adverse environment about the building and at least one inner pane disposed toward the interior space of the building. The pane exposed to the environment about the building or structure comprises a glass material that has a minimized coefficient of thermal expansion. The building also has an insulation to protect occupants from adverse temperature and environmental conditions about the building and a heating apparatus to provide heat to the space provided by the at least one covering element, the window, and the insulation.

Abstract: An arrangement of a one-piece molded part made of glass ceramic, glass or ceramic is used as the cooking surface of a cooking unit in a cutout of a sill plate. The molded part has an elevated, encircling outer peripheral region that is different from the level of the inner main level of the one-piece molded part, in which at least one cooking zone is located. The one-piece molded part is inserted substantially flush into the cutout of the sill plate or is laid by means of its encircling peripheral area on the edge of the cutout of the sill plate.

Abstract: Gas cooking appliances having glass or glass-ceramic plates for cooking surfaces also having gas-radiation burners that are positioned below the plate or atmospheric burners that are recessed in the plate. With gas radiation burners, care must be taken to ensure a thermally advantageous discharge of exhaust gases that are produced and with atmospheric burners, care must be taken to ensure an adequate supply of primary air. Accordingly, the glass or glass-ceramic plate forming the cooking surface is partially bent out of the cooking surface plane to form an adhesive-free exhaust air duct or fresh air opening in the bent area. The exhaust air duct and fresh air opening are free of ventilation lattices.

Abstract: In order to provide a mounting device for light guides which is pre-mountable on a heating element or on a cooking surface and which can be equipped with the light guides in a simple way, several receptacles (20) for the light guide ends are arranged beside each other on a common receptacle support (1). The receptacle support (1) can itself be formed as an attaching element or can be provided with at least one attaching element. The receptacles are sleeves (24) under tension or crimped sockets in which the light guide ends are inserted and gripped under tension.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for clasp the rims of openings in shaped bodies made of glass ceramic, glass or ceramic, especially openings for the passage of atmospheric gas burners on cooking hobs or stovetops, from mechanical damage and for preventing soiling and damage to arrangements situated underneath the shaped body owing to the ingress of liquids through the openings in the shaped body. The clasp reaches over the rim of the respective opening and extends onto both the top and bottom sides of the shaped body. A sealing and/or heat-insulating material is advantageously inserted between the shaped body and the clasp.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus includes at least one atmospheric gas burner and mutually adjacent first and second component assemblies. A frame holds the first and second component assemblies and the first component assembly includes a continuous glass-ceramic cook plate defining a planar surface and having a breakthrough formed therein for holding the gas burner in the cook plate. The cook plate has a boundary edge facing toward the second component assembly. The cook plate and the second component assembly conjointly define a gap therebetween at the boundary edge sufficiently wide to permit an adequate supply of primary air to pass from the ambient to below the cook plate and to the gas burner. A device is mounted in the gap for guiding the primary air into the gap. The device is attached seal-tight to at least one of the component assemblies and extends above the planar surface to prevent liquid on the planar surface from entering the frame through the gap.

Abstract: A process for forming a permanently elastic adhesive connection, easily detachable in the case of disassembly, especially adhesive connections made of temperature-stable silicone compounds, between a plate made of glass, glass ceramic or a similar material, from a holding frame on which the plate rests. In particular, the process can be used to provide such an adhesive connection between a cooking surface in a recess of a working surface, wherein a sealing frame, supported by its edge, is arranged in the recess, and a holding frame connected with the sealing frame, on which the plate rests. The adhesive strength between the permanently elastic adhesive connection and the parts of the plate in contact therewith is adjusted by the use of separating agents.