Abstract: A hob includes a cooking surface with a glass ceramic defining a cutout in an outside edge of the glass ceramic, and an insert in the cutout including a material that is different from the glass ceramic and which is permeable to light in a blue spectral range.

Abstract: Ironing appliance comprising a heating element (1) controlled by means of a thermostat (2), the appliance having a safety device comprising motion detection means (5) and a safety relay (3) connected in series with the heating element (1) to interrupt the supply to said heating element (1) when the appliance is left stationary for too long, said appliance being characterized in that said safety device comprises means (2a) for determining the state of opening of the thermostat (2) and in that the safety device opens said safety relay (3) when, simultaneously, the determining means (2a) indicate that the thermostat (2) is open and the motion detection means (5) detect that the appliance has not been moved for a time t greater than a warning threshold t1.

Abstract: Device for detecting, monitoring and controlling the operating status of an electric iron which is provided with at least one electric heating circuit having a heating element and a first power switch of the iron connected in series to the heating element. The device includes a control unit being provided as an integrated circuit, a second power switch which is controlled by the control unit depending on the operating status of the electric iron and which is connected in series with the electric heating circuit. An indicator unit having at least one indicator element indicates the heating status of the electric iron. A low voltage power supply for energizing at least one of the control unit, indicating unit, and second power switch. A low-impedance measuring resistance is connected in series with the second power switch, and provides an indirect detection means of the switching status of both power switches.

Abstract: An iron comprises a sole plate heated by an electrical resistance and a heat-regulating system, wherein a control member indicates the temperature set value, a sensor displays the sole plate temperature, and a management system controls the electrical resistance power supply circuit to be opened or closed, on the basis of the difference between the set value and the measurement. The iron comprises a safety system comprising an electronic module, which: a) receives from the management system information for closing the electrical resistance power supply circuit; b) produces over a fixed time interval the total supply times; and c) opens the electrical resistance power supply circuit if the resulting value is less than a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: Device for detecting, monitoring and controlling the operating status of an electric iron which is provided with at least one electric heating circuit having a heating element and a first power switch of the iron connected in series to the heating element. The device includes a control unit being provided as an integrated circuit, a second power switch which is controlled by the control unit depending on the operating status of the electric iron and which is connected in series with the electric heating circuit. An indicator unit having at least one indicator element indicates the heating status of the electric iron. A low voltage power supply for energizing at least one of the control unit, indicating unit, and second power switch. A low-impedance measuring resistance is connected in series with the second power switch, and provides an indirect detection means of the switching status of both power switches.

Abstract: A protective device for an iron having an iron surface and a thermostatically controlled heating device for heating the iron surface.

Abstract: An electric iron having a microprocessor-controlled relay which automatically connects an iron to and disconnects an iron from a source of electrical power based upon whether a user is grasping the handle of the iron and the position of the iron. The microprocessor is coupled to a proximity sensor comprised of a conductive sheet disposed within the iron handle, as well as a conventional orientation sensor. To determine whether a user is grasping the iron handle, the microprocessor detects the amount of time required to charge the proximity sensor to a predetermined voltage level, and compares the charge time to predetermined setpoints. The charge time will be greater than the setpoints when a user is grasping the iron handle due to the effective capacitance created by the conductive sheet, the iron handle, and the user's hand. To determine the position of the iron, the microprocessor detects whether the orientation sensor circuit is open or closed.

Abstract: An electric steam iron for pressing fabrics, which iron includes an ironing sole plate, an electrically operated heating element disposed for heating the sole plate by converting an electric current to heat, and a switch unit for automatically reducing flow of electric current to the heating element when the iron is not in use. The sole plate is formed to have a low heat capacity, and the iron is further provided with a stiffening structure via which the sole plate is fixed in position in the iron, the stiffening structure being permeable to steam and being made of a thermally insulating material.

Abstract: A power control device for a pressing iron includes a position sensor that has a casing, an optical coupler and a shielding plate. The optical coupler is mounted in a lower part of the casing, and has a photoemitter and a photoreceiver that faces the photoemitter and that forms a clearance therewith. The shielding plate is received in the casing, and has an upper plate portion pivoted to an upper part of the casing, and a lower plate portion that extends into the clearance of the optical coupler. The lower plate portion is formed with a notch to permit light transmission between the photoemitter and the photoreceiver when the pressing iron is in an ironing position. The shielding plate pivots by virtue of gravity such that the notch is moved out of alignment with the photoemitter and the photoreceiver, and such that the lower plate portion blocks the light transmission between the photoemitter and the photoreceiver when the pressing iron is in a resting position.

Abstract: A clothes iron comprises an automatic shut off system that is controlled by multiple switches. A first switch located on the iron's handle is closed when the iron is held by a user. A second switch located on the iron's heel is closed when the iron stands in the upright position. The switch on the handle prevents the automatic shut off from functioning when the iron is in use. The switch on the heel determines which of two fixed timing periods are used.

Abstract: A detection device associated with an electrical apparatus for detecting by contact the presence of a user, composed of an electronic circuit for detecting a presence of a user by detecting a leakage current traversing, at least partially, a portion of the body of the user using the electric apparatus when the body portion comes into contact with an electric contact providing for the transmission of the leakage current from the electronic circuit to the portion of the user's body.

Abstract: An output voltage of a commercial power source 1 is rectified through a diode 2, and partially dropped at a voltage drop element 19. Electric power supply to a heater 8 is controlled by a heater controller 7, which is activated in response to an output of a heater control actuator 4. A timer 5 counts time. When a predetermined period of time has passed, heater control actuator 4 causes heater controller 7 to open the power supply circuit of heater 8 so as to forcibly stop the power supply to heater 8. An output terminal of voltage drop element 19 is connected in series with at least two of heater control actuator 4, timer 5 and sensor 20.

Abstract: A sheathed element for a heater plug for diesel engines includes a hollow metal sheath that is open at one end, has a closed opposite end, and defines a cavity. A heating element is positioned in the cavity and the cavity is filled with insulating powder. An elastomeric seal is positioned in the open end of the sheath. The seal has an annular projection that projects from a surface of the seal and establishes a sealing contact with a respective seat of the sheath so that, when the seal is inserted into the seat, the projection removes particles present on an internal wall of the seat.

Abstract: A flat-iron (5) comprises a fixed soleplate (10) against which a movable soleplate (14) is engageable in order to guarantee a safe use both for the user and for the fabric to be ironed. The soleplate (14) can be brought into contact with the fixed soleplate (10) with the aid of an electromagnet (12), which is controlled by a state-of-use detector (11) and/or a nature-of-fabric detector (27) coupled to the thermostat.

Abstract: A safety circuit for an electrical iron is provided comprising a double through position sensitive switch having a common contact that is connectable to connect a horizontal position sensing contact and a vertical position sensing contact. When the iron is in use, the common contact will continually shift its contact between the two position sensing contacts, which enables the coupling of power to the heating circuit of the iron. When the iron is placed either horizontally or vertically, a delay timer of a control unit will start to count passage of time. When a preset time has elapsed, the control unit will deactivate the coupling of power to the iron's heating circuit. However, during this period when time is being counted or subsequent to the deactivation of power, if use of the iron is resumed, the control unit delay timer will start to count from the very beginning and the power will be activated again.

Abstract: An automatic switching apparatus for a hand held electrically operated appliance, such as a pressing iron, is provided within a circuit board located within the housing of the iron. The automatic switching apparatus includes a first timing circuit and a touch sensitive switch which function in conjunction with one another such that when the user breaks contact with the touch sensitive switch, located on the handle portion of the iron, the first timing circuit is enabled to de-energize the heating element of the iron after contact has been broken with the touch sensitive switch for a predetermined period of time. A second timing circuit is provided to disable the first timing circuit for a second predetermined period of time when the iron is initially plugged into the wall outlet so as to permit the heating element to reach a temperature level suitable for ironing without necessitating the user to contact the touch sensitive switch when the heating element is initially energized.

Abstract: An automatic switching apparatus for a hand held electrically operated appliance, such as a pressing iron. The automatic switching apparatus is provided within a circuit board located within the housing of the iron. The automatic switching apparatus includes a first timing circuit and a photosensitive switch which function in conjunction with one another such that when the user breaks contact with the photosensitive switch located on the handle portion of the iron, the first timing circuit is enabled to de-energize the heating element of the iron after contact has been broken with the photo-sensitive switch for a predetermined period of time. A second timing circuit is provided to disable the first timing circuit for a second predetermined period of time when the iron is initially plugged into the wall outlet so as to permit the heating element to reach a temperature level suitable for ironing without necessitating the user to contact the photosensitive switch when the heating element is initially energized.

Abstract: An electric flat-iron safety device includes a magnet pivotally supported in a flat-iron and arranged to actuate a first magnetically operated switch only when the flat-iron is in a horizontal ironing position and to actuate a second magnetically operated switch only when the flat-iron as tilted to a vertical rest position. Should the flat-iron remain motionless in the horizontal ironing position for a first predetermined time interval shorter than the time necessary for the flat-iron to reach its normal operating temperature, closure of the first switch by the magnet causes a resettable dual interval timing circuit to interrupt the power supply to the flat-iron. If the flat-iron remains motionless in the vertical tilted rest position for a second predetermined time for a interval longer than the time necessary for the flat-iron to reach its normal operating temperature, closure of the second switch by the magnet causes the dual interval timing circuit to interrupt the power supply.

Abstract: An automatic-cutoff electric iron employs two timing cycles for turning off power to the electric iron upon the absence of motion for two different discrete time periods. A motion sensor includes an angle sensor to enable a short timing cycle for cutting off power to the electric iron after the electric iron is motionless with its sole plate in a horizontal orientation. The longer timing cycle is enabled when the electric iron is motionless with its sole plate tilted from the horizontal. The cutoff function is performed by a wedge-shaped actuator driven by a solenoid which releases a spring-urged shaft along with one of the electrical contacts feeding power to the electric iron. The power is turned on by mechanical actuation of the shaft whereby a latch member is engaged behind a cam boss. A manual cutoff is also disclosed.

Abstract: An electric pressing iron having a motion and attitude sensor including a mercury switch connected to a timer, and in conjunction therewith is adapted to disable the electric heater of the iron when the iron is oriented with the soleplate substantially horizontal and is not moving. The motion and attitude sensor and timer are also adapted to disable the electric heater when the iron is oriented with its soleplate vertical after the passage of a preselected period of time.

Abstract: An electronic safety device for automatically interrupting the supply of electric current to a heating resistor of an iron at the end of a predetermined interval of non-use, comprising a movable body adapted to control a position of contacts of an associated switch so that at least one opening-closing sequence of the switch contacts is obtained upon displacement of the movable body. Associated with the switch is a resistor bridge supplied with a rectified voltage E and comprising a first resistor R.sub.1 and a second resistor R.sub.2 in series with the switch contacts. A capacitor is connected to the terminals of resistor R.sub.2, a voltage V.sub.o being collected at the terminals of said resistor R.sub.1 and being applied to one input of a counter which is reset to zero each time voltage V.sub.o is higher than E/2, that is, upon closing of the contacts. The counter is connected to an input of a comparator for transmitting a voltage V.sub.1 when the counter attains a predetermined counting threshold.

Abstract: A sensor controlled device for interrupting electric power to a portable electric clothes iron. Two sensors are attached to the handle of the iron. These sense skin contact of the operator and horizontal orientation of the iron. The sensors control circuitry which controls a switching circuit which then controls a power connecting means, such as a relay, for shutting off power to the iron. The switching circuit may also control an electronic timer and an alarm.

Abstract: A torch for cutting metals and nonmetals underwater includes an electrode having a tube and a plurality of rods within the tube. Some of the rods are ferrous metal and a smaller number of them are a nonferrous metal selected from the group consisting of Al, Mg, Ti, or alloys thereof. Oxygen and electrical power are supplied through the electrode at least to start the cutting with an ionized gaseous cone. The cone persists when power is removed and is terminated by stopping oxygen flow. An independently portable apparatus using the torch is disclosed.

Abstract: A pressing iron contains a safety turn-off switch to prevent scorching if the iron is held stationary for too long.An acceleration sensor produces a signal in response to a predetermined acceleration of the iron and an actuating circuit turns off the iron if the iron is not sufficiently accelerated.