Electric Patents (Class 126/275E)
  • Patent number: 6166353
    Abstract: A free-standing warming appliance includes an outer enclosure and an inner liner which cooperate together to form a heating chamber. A warmer drawer forming a receptacle for precooked food stuffs is selectively inserted into and withdrawn out of the heating chamber. A heating element is secured to the inner liner within the heating chamber to warm the food stuffs within the warmer drawer receptacle. A control panel has an indicator light and infinite switch for controlling the heating element. The control panel is located within the enclosure and covered by a front panel of the warmer drawer so that access to the control components of the control panel is provided only when the warmer drawer is withdrawn from the heating chamber. Oven support members are secured to the outer enclosure to support a cooking appliance, such as a built-in oven, above the free-standing warming appliance. The cooking appliance rests directly on the oven support members of the warming appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: White Consolidated Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Fran.cedilla.ois Senneville, Serge Laprade, Gilbert Archambault, Stephane Labadens
  • Patent number: 6157011
    Abstract: An electromagnetic stove structure, particularly an electromagnetic stove having a face panel on which an independent type heating plate that can be separated from the electromagnetic stove is disposed. The bottom portion of the heating plate is provided with a protective hood accommodating induction coils, a temperature sensor and iron powder cores. The electromagnetic stove has disposed thereon a positioning post that can be adjusted to extend or retract and to rotate and that is connected to a securing frame on a pot. The heating plate can be removed together with the pot by means of electromagnets adhering to the bottom side of the pot. The pot can swing about a suitable angle by using the positioning post as center of rotation, and can be in contact with the heating pot all the time to be heated thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Inventor: Hui-Wen Lai
  • Patent number: 5938967
    Abstract: A microwave oven includes inner and outer casings, the inner casing forming a cooking chamber, and the outer chamber encompassing a portion of the inner casing. The inner casing includes a front plate which forms an access opening for the cooking chamber. The front plate fits into the outer casing and includes flanges extending along an inside surface of the outer casing. The outer casing includes bent portions which form slits into which the flanges of the front plate are inserted. The inner and outer casings form a stop structure which positions the inner and outer casings in a predetermined relationship. The stop structure comprises tabs formed on the bent portions, the tabs abutted by the flanges of the inner casing. Alternatively, the stop structure could be formed by bent ends of the flanges which engage respective ends of the bent portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wha Gyu Reo, Jong Hoi An, Yun Ic Hwang
  • Patent number: 5828041
    Abstract: A microwave oven includes a housing formed by relatively separable first and second panels. Electric switches are mounted on the first panel and are connected to respective wires of the power cord by the oven. Each switch includes a movable contact which moves away from a respective fixed contact when the panels are separated from one another, in order to automatically cut off the supply of electric power to the oven in the event that the worker forgets to unplug the power cord. When the panels are reconnected, the switches are automatically closed. Such automatic closing can be caused by magnetic force produced by magnets carried by the second panel. Alternatively, the automatic closing can be caused by screws carried by the second housing and which physically push respective movable contacts against their associated fixed contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung-Eui Hoh, Young-Won Cho, Hong-Kil Choe
  • Patent number: 5767492
    Abstract: A connection device for two successive segments (1A, 1B) of a tunnel oven for cooking food, comprises a first sleeve (16A) fixed to the frame (18) of the tunnel and second sleeve (17) secured to the tunnel segments (1A, 1B). The second sleeve (17) is mounted axially slidable relative to the first sleeve (16A). Seals (25) are disposed between the first and second sleeves, within the thickness of these latter, so as to permit sliding without loss of sealing. The device also comprises, in series, a quarter wave trap (26) and a body (31) that absorbs microwaves, also disposed within the thickness of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: Cidelcem Industries
    Inventor: Didier Pinceloup
  • Patent number: 5720273
    Abstract: An oven for receiving and heating cooking vessels including a plurality of heating units for generating heat and which are arranged in different horizontal planes. A respective cooking vessel is positionable in association with each heating unit. The oven may include a support structure such as connected rods for supporting the cooking vessels in association with the respective heating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: Positron Investimentos E Servicos Loa.
    Inventor: Francesc Seuba Trullas
  • Patent number: 5682873
    Abstract: A new Camping Stove Baking Attachment Device for offering an apparatus that can be used in conjunction with a camping stove to provide an oven for baking food. The inventive device includes an attachment housing, a lid, a plurality of lid vents, a food plate, a base plate and an elongated exhaust tube aperture. In use the attachment housing (16) is placed on a camping stove (2) allowing it to come to rest against a bottom side of the base plate (30). Food (4) is then placed on an upper side of the food plate (20). Finally, the lid (12) is placed upon the attachment housing (16). Combustion exhaust flow (24) is routed up through the base plate flame vents 32, the elongated exhaust tube aperture (22), and the lid vents (15). Consequently, the food (4) is baked without ever coming into contact with a flame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Inventor: Harold Chambers
  • Patent number: 5520096
    Abstract: A handle adapted for replacing a heater and blower system removably located in a central opening defined a top enclosure of a countertop oven. The handle comprises a mounting system for removably attaching the handle to the top enclosure in order to replace the heater and blower system when the heater and blower system is removed. The handle enables a user to remove the top enclosure from the bottom enclosure by lifting up on the handle when the handle is installed in the top enclosure. In this manner, the countertop oven may be converted to a food server comprising the handle, the top enclosure, and the bottom enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Assignee: American Harvest, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Dornbush, Chad S. Erickson, Steven Alseth, N. Philip Sked, Robert T. Lee, Theodore H. Rehmeyer
  • Patent number: 5422458
    Abstract: By providing a fully integrated timer controlled actuation and locking system that automatically prevents access to the heating chamber whenever the system is engaged, a unique multi-purpose, automatic toy oven is achieved. In the preferred embodiment, the toy oven incorporates a forced air cooling assembly for substantially reducing the time period required for cooling of the heating chamber and product. In addition, the locking system of the present invention preferably prevents access to the heating chamber until both the desired heating and cooling time have expired and both the heating chamber and the heated product can be safely accessed. In addition, the actuation system automatically engages and sequentially times the heating and cooling cycles, to provide an oven which is easy to use and enjoy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1995
    Inventor: Thomas L. Simmel
  • Patent number: 5416950
    Abstract: A handle adapted for replacing a heater and blower system removably located in a central opening defined a top enclosure of a countertop oven. The handle comprises a mounting system for removably attaching the handle to the top enclosure in order to replace the heater and blower system when the heater and blower system is removed. The handle enables a user to remove the top enclosure from the bottom enclosure by lifting up on the handle when the handle is installed in the top enclosure. In this manner, the countertop oven may be converted to a food server comprising the handle, the top enclosure, and the bottom enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1995
    Assignee: American Harvest, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Dornbush, Chad S. Erickson, Steven Alseth
  • Patent number: 5379685
    Abstract: An electric toaster is suspended from the lower surface of a kitchen cabinet. The electric toaster has a horizontally disposed toasting compartment. An inner wall defines the toasting compartment and is spaced from an outer housing wall. A partition extends in the space between the inner and outer housing walls to separate the space into inner and outer air paths. An air inlet is in fluid flow communication with the inner air path to obtain convective cooling of the inner air path. The air in the outer air path provides an insulating barrier to minimize the transfer of heat from the toasting compartment to the housing wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1995
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventor: Charles Z. Krasznai
  • Patent number: 5329919
    Abstract: An expansible cyclone stove includes an expansible mount fastened to a stove body thereof to hold a lid for permitting the lid to be adjusted upwards from the stove body to increase the holding space for holding a cooking container inside the stove body. The expansible mount is consisted of an angle frame fastened to the stove body, and a connecting block pivoted to a handle on the lid and having a bottom extension inserted in a chamber on the angle frame and locked in either upper limit or lower limit position by a screw and a locknut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1994
    Inventor: Kwei T. Chang
  • Patent number: 5176067
    Abstract: An apparatus for grilling food includes a base, a reflector positioned within the base, a heating element mounted upon the base and spaced above the reflector, and a food-supporting grill. The reflector includes a downwardly sloped bottom surface having a central region shaped to define a flavor well and a plurality of perforations disposed outside of the flavor well to direct drippings away from the flavor well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1993
    Assignee: Rival Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: David T. Higgins
  • Patent number: 5076257
    Abstract: A decorative pop-in front panel provides the barbecue grill with a more finished appearance by hiding the fuel tank and its associated fuel lines. The panel is installed and held in place without the need for tools or separate fasteners. Pins secure the panel along the bottom edge and a detachable condiment rack holds the upper edge of the panel in place next to the control panel. The condiment rack is similarly installed without requiring tools or other fasteners by a bracket which allows the condiment rack to be hung and locked in place on the grill frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1991
    Assignee: The Thermos Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Doyle Raymer, Dale Peacock, Joseph J. Hanagan
  • Patent number: 5016608
    Abstract: An apparatus including a planar glass ceramic plate formed with a continuous peripheral wall directed upwardly therefrom about the plate, with a drainage aperture directed adjacent an intersection of the plate and an elongate side wall to direct excss fluids into an underlying container. The plate includes spaced handles at each end thereof, and a thermostat control operatively associated with configured heating coil to direct heat underlying the plate in a predetermined arrangement. The apparatus further includes a modified plate including a planar web bisecting orthogonally a surrounding wall, wherein the wall permits reversing of the plate with the bottom of the wall defining a pocket to assist in heat retention with an upper pocket for accommodating food positioned therewithin for heating thereof. Further, a modified heating coil permits gradient heating by compaction of the coil at one end of the plate, and a greater spacing of coiled members at a further end of the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1991
    Inventor: Brenda C. Evans
  • Patent number: 4935593
    Abstract: A cabinet for containing cooking appliances such as a microwave oven having a cooking chamber having a front opening, a door for closing the front opening of the cooking chamber, a locking mechanism for locking the door at a closed position, and a manually operated member mounted in the vicinity of the front opening of the microwave oven for manually unlocking the door locked by the locking mechanism is disclosed. The cabinet includes a compartment for containing the cooking appliance, a cover for concealing a space between the front inner periphery of the compartment and the front outer periphery of the cooking appliance, the cover having a recess formed therein so as to correspond to the manually operated member so that the manually operated member is positioned in the recess, the recess having a front opening, and a closure member rotatably mounted on the cover member so as to close and open the front opening of the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1990
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 4880952
    Abstract: This invention relates to a heat cooking apparatus having a flat heater firmly attached to an outside surface of the wall surface of the heating chamber the flat surface being composed of flatly configured heating elements with a heat-proof insulator therebetween. Also, by forming a non-metallic layer on the inner surface of the metallic wall surface facing the heating elements, heat from the heater is efficiently and uniformly conducted so as to perform uniform heating and high heat-cooking efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1989
    Assignee: Matsushita Electrical Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazumi Hirai, Mitsuo Akiyoshi, Yoshio Mitsumoto, Ichiroh Hori
  • Patent number: 4675507
    Abstract: A heat cooking apparatus is provided with a heater comprising a plurality of metal, electric heating wires and a plurality of mica to insulate said wires, which is formed as a flat shape to provide on the outside of the heating chamber with substantially the same area as the ceiling of heating chamber, and which is firmly mounted onto said ceiling of the heating chamber by a heat resistant insulator and a metal keep plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1987
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuo Akiyoshi, Kazumi Hirai, Yoshio Mitsumoto, Ichiroh Hori
  • Patent number: 4659908
    Abstract: An electric oven has a number of heating elements for heating the cooking chamber. A multi-position switch is arranged to couple power to all of the heating elements, such that the chamber can be used as an oven, or to only selected heating elements such that a grilling operation can be performed. However, when grilling it is best if the door of the cooking chamber is at least partially open so that air can circulate.The invention provides a mechanical linkage between the door and the switch such that if the switch is moved into its grill operating position, the door is automatically opened. In addition, if the door of the cooking chamber is closed, the switch is automatically moved into its oven operating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1987
    Assignee: Moulinex, Societe Anonyme
    Inventor: Andre Bouillet
  • Patent number: 4656337
    Abstract: A toaster oven of variable volume, including a box-like structure having a top oven portion and a bottom oven portion in telescoping relationship, forming a cavity and a front opening, a pin carried by the top portion, offset from and manually rotatable about an axis, a slot carried by the bottom portion adapted to receive the pin to telescope the top portion and the bottom portion, a door carried by the bottom portion adapted to cover the oven opening in all telescoped positions of the top and bottom, and a system of lever arms connected between the door and the food support rack adapted to slide a portion of the rack through the front opening when the door is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1987
    Assignee: Dart Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Paul A. Lastofka, M. James Wondergem
  • Patent number: 4635615
    Abstract: The device for mounting a cooking apparatus of the present invention on a wall and the like in a kitchen comprises a wall fixing member to be fixedly mounted on the wall and provided with reinforcing members projecting forward; a supporting member rotatable up-and downwardly and provided with grooves in which the legs of the cooking apparatus are to be put; and a stopper member for preventing the legs of the cooking apparatus from coming off the grooves of the supporting member in case that the cooking apparatus is supported by said supporting member. Accordingly, the cooking apparatus can be easily mounted on the wall and the like in the kitchen without any extra members to be mounted on the cooking apparatus, so that a cooking apparatus of such a type originally used by being placed on a cooking counter and the like can be easily mounted on a wall in a kitchen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1987
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric
    Inventors: Fumihiko Itoh, Tatumi Usagawa, Ryo Sakai, Yasakao Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 4455763
    Abstract: Roaster for green coffee beans and other beans and nuts comprising a dish or tray, preferably of lightweight, disposable construction having a rim of sufficient height to contain the beans or nuts during roasting and a bottom which is formed with openings, the number, size and pattern of openings being such as to support the beans or nuts yet to allow free and uniform flow of hot air and gases from below the roaster through a mass of beans or nuts on the bottom. The tray bottom is preferably formed with downward extensions of the material, e.g., material resulting from piercing the tray bottom. Also, the same roaster but with a downwardly extending rim or legs to support the bottom above an open source of heat and a cover fitting the upper edge of the rim with an opening permitting escape of air and gases. Also, such roasters with a supply of green beans or nuts to be roasted and a disposable cover or enclosure enclosing the roaster and beans. The roaster is preferably made of metal, e.g., aluminum foil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1984
    Inventor: Franklin R. Elevitch
  • Patent number: 4245613
    Abstract: A tunnel oven includes a framework forming an elongated cooking tunnel with an entrance at one end for ingress of products to be heated in the tunnel during traverse through the tunnel and an exit at the opposite end for egress of heated products. A conveyor of either in-line type with over-and-under reaches or a return type with coplanar reaches conveys products from the entrance to the exit. The tunnel floor is a plate constituting a hearth. Infrared radiant heater panels along the tunnel length above and below the hearth provide heat. Pairs of thermocouples arranged in two sets, each set having an upper and lower thermocouple, to provide sensing of the temperatures of the hearth and the upper heating elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1981
    Assignee: Black Body Corporation
    Inventors: Harold D. Wells, Kelly J. Wells, Dennis M. Weinberg
  • Patent number: 4171478
    Abstract: A circulating air oven having a power portion which provides heat which is sent through its open front. The power portion is permanently mounted onto a pedestal which can detachably receive an oven portion. The oven portion includes a removable rear wall so that the entire rear of the oven portion can be opened up and matingly engaged with the power portion to receive the heated air. The oven portion can be detached and the rear covered whereby a heat insulating container is provided. The oven portion includes handles and other means to permit transportation of the oven portion away from the pedestal to transport and distribute food prepared in the oven portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1979
    Assignee: Kopal Oy
    Inventor: Niilo Naykki
  • Patent number: 4044226
    Abstract: Process and apparatus for disinfection of hydrophilic contact lenses by controlled exposure of the lenses to heat. In the apparatus is a compartment formed by a heat storage-transfer combination. The compartment forming combination is heated by means of a heating element. The heat is transferred to a contact lens carrying case received in the compartment. The heat is maintained at temperatures and for a period of time sufficient to disinfect hydrophilic contact lenses contained in the carrying case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1977
    Assignee: Bausch & Lomb Incorporated
    Inventors: John Kadlecik, Wayne R. Manning
  • Patent number: 3983362
    Abstract: A combination comprising a push button switch or other switching means disposed in a cover of a contact lens disinfecting apparatus whereby the switching means can actuate the heating means included in the apparatus only when the cover of the apparatus is in a completely closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1975
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1976
    Assignee: Bausch & Lomb Incorporated
    Inventors: Paul A. Hoogesteger, John Kadlecik
  • Patent number: D412807
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kensaku Noda, Yasunori Kusachi, Masatoshi Okuda