Portable Or Mobile Patents (Class 219/386)
  • Patent number: 7743506
    Abstract: Razors and systems for wet shaving are provided. The razors include a heating element and a heating material that may be heated by the heating element. Some systems include a holder for the razor, comprising contacts positioned to engage electrical contacts of the razor and deliver power from a power source to the heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: Andrew Szczepanowski, Robert A. Trotta
  • Patent number: 7732737
    Abstract: A warming dispenser includes a housing having a compartment. The compartment holds a plurality of sheets. A heating device is located adjacent the plurality of sheets. A micro power source is connected to the heating device to generate energy from a fuel source, wherein the heating device uses the energy to warm at least one of the sheets. The micropower source may be, for example, a micro fuel cell adapted to deliver electricity for resistive heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Lindsay, Fung-Jou Chen, Sheng-Hsin Hu, Walter Reade
  • Patent number: 7732738
    Abstract: A banquet cart includes a heater received in an opening in the bottom panel of the banquet cart. Plates of food are loaded into the interior compartment of the banquet cart in the kitchen. The heater includes a central heater unit and two heat retention material heating panels. The central heater unit heats the interior compartment of the banquet cart for twenty minutes. The central heater unit is turned off, and smaller heaters are turned on to heat the heat retention material heating panels for forty minutes. The smaller heaters are turned off and the banquet cart is rolled from the kitchen to a hallway proximate to the dining area for serving the plates of food to guests. The heated heat retention material heating panels can maintain the temperature of the air in the interior compartment of the banquet cart warm for approximately two hours and forty minutes, keeping the food in the banquet cart warm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Carter Hoffman, LLC
    Inventor: Robert C. Fortmann
  • Publication number: 20100133254
    Abstract: A compact portable heating device adapted to heat multiple food products simultaneously is provided. The heating device includes at least one heating element positioned opposite at least one other heating element to form a slot between heating surfaces of the elements for receiving food product. One heating element is mounted to move linearly along a longitudinal axis substantially perpendicular to the heating surfaces. Preferably, a first set of movable heating elements are meshed with a second set of heating elements to form an alternating arrangement. One or more heat generators, e.g. steam generators, are positioned to provide heat while minimizing the size of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Inventors: Lon LEHMAN, Eugene TIPPMANN, JR.
  • Patent number: 7718924
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a multiple-compartment insulated food tray and lid for storage and service. The insulated food trays allow for two or more stacked strays to be mechanically unified using the weight of the top tray on the bottom tray in any orientation where the weight of the second tray remains on the first tray. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a polymer with foam and blowing agents are used during the molding process to create in a first phase a hard shell in contact with the mold. In a second phase, insulation is created in the hard shell by thermal treatment and expansion of the residual polymer inserted in the mold. In a third embodiment of the present disclosure, the insulated food trays, when stacked, can be placed in a nondiscriminatory arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Inventor: Joseph Claffy
  • Publication number: 20100051599
    Abstract: An insulated bag uses heating elements to heat golf balls contained in an insulated compartment. Another compartment contains a small battery pack to power the heating elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Inventor: Louis DeNitto
  • Publication number: 20100032424
    Abstract: A portable heater (100) is provided. The portable heater (100) comprises an air inlet (108) and an air outlet (118). The portable heater (100) also comprises a heating chamber (115) including one or more heating elements (230). A preheating chamber (114) is provided that is located between the air inlet (108) and a heating chamber inlet (116).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2009
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Applicant: Reliable Products International, LLC
    Inventors: Norman Cameron, Dennis Cook
  • Publication number: 20090321409
    Abstract: A chip warming device (10, 1000, 2000) is provided with a support structure (15) and a heating device. The support structure (15) has a first door (100) that selectively seals a first opening (60), a second door (110) that selectively seals a second opening (70) and a chip tray (120) that selectively seals a third opening (80). The heating device is positioned in the support structure (15) that supplies heat to the chips. The first and second openings (60, 70) are adjacent to each other. The second door (110) can be at an angle with respect to vertical when in a closed position. The chip tray (120) can be at an angle with respect to vertical when in a closed position. The support structure (15) can have a floor that is at an angle with respect to horizontal. An antimicrobial coating or treatment can be used on at least a portion of the support structure (15) for suppression of microbe growth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2006
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Erber, Kimberly B. Aaron
  • Publication number: 20090321290
    Abstract: A golf ball bag includes a main housing for receiving one or more golf balls in the receiving cavity, and a temperature controlling device. The temperature controlling device includes a heating plate disposed within the receiving cavity to substantially align with the hitting surface of the golf balls, and a power source supported by the main housing to electrically connect with the heating plate. When the power source is activated, the heating plate is arranged to generate heat and to transfer to the hitting surfaces of the golf balls so as to heat up and maintain the hitting surfaces of the golf balls at an elevated temperature for achieving an optimal performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Inventor: KuangHung Kuo
  • Publication number: 20090302023
    Abstract: A heating unit for use in heating pallets full of materials includes wall modules and a lid module. The modules include cover layers. Each module may include a heating component disposed between the cover layers and which is configured to convert electrical energy to heat energy and to distribute the heat energy. The heating component includes a heat generating element for converting electrical current to heat energy and a heat spreading element comprising carbon thermally coupled to the heat generating element. The modules may further include a thermal insulation layer. The modules may also include a receiving power connector electrically connected to the heat generating element. The modules may include a seam or hinge formed in a fashion that facilitates folding of the modules in a fashion which allows support members to support a module on an edge of the module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2009
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Inventors: Thomas Caterina, David Naylor
  • Publication number: 20090289050
    Abstract: Embodiments of apparatus for thermally conditioning probe cards prior to use in a testing system are provided herein. In some embodiments, a probe card thermal conditioning system may include an enclosure configured to support a probe card and a heat transfer element disposed proximate a bottom of the enclosure for thermally conditioning the probe card prior to installation in a prober. The heat transfer element may be a heating and/or cooling element. A controller may be provided for controlling operation of the heat transfer element, optionally with temperature feedback. Multiple enclosures may be provided for independently conditioning multiple probe cards. The enclosure may be contained in a cart or may be part of shipping container for shipping a probe card. A fan may be provided for circulating air within the enclosure. The fan may facilitate providing a dry purge gas to prevent condensate from forming on the probe card.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Applicant: FORMFACTOR, INC.
    Inventor: DOUGLAS S. ONDRICEK
  • Patent number: 7622695
    Abstract: A multi-layered carrier comprising: a first layer; a jacket; a laminated fabric heater disposed between the first layer and the jacket, wherein the heater comprises a consolidated electrically conductive fabric layer, a plurality of bus bars, a first thermoplastic layer, and a second thermoplastic layer, wherein the first and second thermoplastic layers sandwich the consolidated electrically conductive fabric layer and the plurality of bus bars to form a fused single sheet; and a cavity formed from the assembly of the first layer, the jacket, and the heater; wherein the multi-layer carrier provides for the even distribution of heat throughout the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Inventors: Jay DiPucchio, Thomas J. Luck
  • Patent number: 7605349
    Abstract: A cooking appliance for cooking a foodstuff over a period of time including a shell having a heating cavity and a heating element to heat the heating cavity. A container is removably positionable within the heating cavity and includes a food cavity for receiving the foodstuff. A temperature probe is removably insertable into the foodstuff and a controller is mounted to the shell. The controller controls operation of the cooking appliance in a probe mode wherein the temperature probe is inserted into the foodstuff and transmits foodstuff temperatures to the controller for controlling the heating of the foodstuff, a program mode wherein the controller actuates the heating element to heat the container at a temperature for a selected amount of time and subsequently at a lower temperature and a manual mode wherein the controller actuates the heating element to heat the container at a selected temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Jim Gaynor, Yvonne Olson, Adam Steinman
  • Publication number: 20090255917
    Abstract: An electrically-heated insulated warming bag, in which the handheld unit of an ignition interlock device can be stored while not in use so that the handheld unit can be used on cold days without experiencing condensation problems, plugs into a cigarette lighter receptacle. The warming bag, which has resistive wire pattern sandwiched between an insulation layer and an inner lining layer, also has an outer cover which overlies the insulation layer. The stack, consisting of the outer cover, the insulation layer, the resistive wire pattern, and the inner lining layer, is folded over and sewn around the resulting perimeter to create the bag. One side, which is left open to provide entry to the interior of the bag, is sealable by means of hook and loop fastener strips, which are sewn to inside opposite edges of the opening. The bag may incorporate a thermostat to minimize power consumption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2008
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Inventors: Stefan Blair Feichko, William Scott Thompson
  • Publication number: 20090255647
    Abstract: An infant care ensemble includes a storage device including a first housing having at least one of a cooling mechanism, a first heating mechanism, and a combination thereof for at least one of cooling an interior portion thereof, warming an interior portion of thereof, cooling predetermined items therein, warming predetermined items therein, and a combination thereof. A first power source is connected to at least one of such cooling mechanism, such first heating mechanism, and a combination thereof. A bottle warming device is releasably engageable with such storage device and includes a second housing for housing a predetermined baby bottle. A second heating mechanism heats at least one of an interior portion of such second housing, such baby bottle, and a combination thereof. A second power source supplies power to such second heating mechanism. First and second switch mechanisms turn on and off such first and second power sources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Inventor: LYNINN LIM
  • Publication number: 20090238939
    Abstract: A defrosting device includes a substantially hollow liquid impervious housing having a predetermined size and a predetermined shape for receiving at least one of a predetermined frozen item, a predetermined amount of a predetermined liquid, and a combination thereof in an interior thereof. An access mechanism is disposed on such housing at a first predetermined location thereon for accessing such interior of such housing. A securing mechanism is operably disposed on such housing at a second predetermined location thereon closely adjacent such access mechanism for securing such access mechanism in a closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventor: ITZEL MACHADO
  • Patent number: 7565903
    Abstract: The invention aims at reducing the beating noise generated from motors of equipments placed in a galley unit of an aircraft. A galley unit 1 of an aircraft includes a cabinet 10 formed of honeycomb panels and the like. The cabinet 10 has a counter 50 for cooking, and a compartment 20 formed under the counter 50 for storing service carts 30. A plurality of ovens 100 for heating warm dishes are provided above the counter 50. Each oven 100 has a fan motor for making the inner heat even. If all the fan motors of the ovens are driven at the same rotation frequency, a beating noise will be generated from the motor and amplified through the compartment 20. Therefore, the rotation frequencies of the fan motors are slightly varied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Jamco Corporation
    Inventors: Shuichi Sasaki, Shigeo Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7553672
    Abstract: An automated slide stainer with slides mounted in a horizontal position on a rotary carousel. Reagents and rinse liquids are automatically dispensed onto tissue sections or cells mounted on slides for the purpose of performing chemical or immunohistochemical stains. The rinse liquids are removed by an aspiration head connected to a source of vacuum. Individual slides or groups of slides are supported on flat heating stations for heating to individual temperatures. Temperature control electronics on the carousel are controlled by a user interface off of the carousel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Dako Denmark A/S
    Inventors: Steven A. Bogen, Herbert H. Loeffler, John A. Purbrick
  • Publication number: 20090120925
    Abstract: A heater with 360° rotation of a heated air stream is provided. The device includes a housing, a motor, an impeller, a heating element, an air stream deflector and a rotational engine. More specifically, the device is directed toward a portable space heater having an outward radial projection of a heated air stream in combination with 360° rotational movement for reducing air temperature stratification and uneven heating problems in a room.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: LASKO HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventor: William E. LASKO
  • Publication number: 20090095728
    Abstract: A domestic equipment group includes a plurality of free standing domestic electrical appliances, at least two of which are for the preparation of foodstuffs. Each of the appliances has a different respective function and has an outer housing having a flat upper surface, side surfaces extending downwardly from the upper surface and a flat front surface extending between the side surfaces. Each housing is shaped so that the appliances can be juxtaposed with contiguous side surfaces on a horizontal support surface with substantially flush upper surfaces and substantially flush front surfaces. This enables the surfaces of the surfaces of the housings which are exposed to dirt and grease to be quickly and easily wiped clean.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Applicant: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: James DYSON, Peter David Gammack, David Campbell
  • Publication number: 20090095729
    Abstract: A domestic equipment group includes a plurality of free standing domestic electrical appliances, at least two of which are for the preparation of foodstuffs. Each appliance has a different respective function and comprises an outer housing generally in the shape of a cuboid having two side surfaces and flat upper, front, and rear surfaces each extending between the side surfaces. The housings are substantially of equal height and equal depth, which enables the appliances to be juxtaposed on a work counter or a shelf, either with contiguous side surfaces or with contiguous rear surfaces, with no wasted space between the appliances. The flat surfaces of the appliances enables the exposed surfaces of the housings to be quickly and easily wiped clean.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Applicant: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: James DYSON, Peter David Gammack, David Campbell
  • Patent number: 7514655
    Abstract: An electric grill for use to create healthier meals is disclosed. The electric grill comprises a support structure which holds a top heating section and a bottom heating section connected by a hinge. The hinge allows for a wide range of movement whereby the top heating section may be face to face with the bottom heating section, may be perpendicular, or may be at a 180 degree angle. Moreover, the top and bottom heating sections may be tilted such that excess grease, oils and juices may be separated from the food being cooked. The electric grill disclosed herein also may include a digital read-out display and a user input keypad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignees: Products of Tomorrow, Inc., South Asia International
    Inventors: Juan Fernandez, Paul Mc Grath, Raymond Hoi Tak Lam
  • Patent number: 7491912
    Abstract: A portable food delivery container includes a food storage compartment, a control compartment, and a temperature control source. A control compartment lies adjacent to and in thermal conductivity with the food storage compartment. A modular removable temperature control source is disposed within the control compartment, where the temperature control source effects transfer of thermal energy between the food storage compartment and the control compartment to maintain the food storage compartment at a temperature other than the ambient temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Check Corporation
    Inventor: Robert Check
  • Patent number: 7467583
    Abstract: A compact combined toaster and cooker includes in a single housing a toaster and a cooker that has first and second food-heating locations. The toaster is in most ways conventional, having at least one slot and at least one electrical heating element. The cooker has a separate electrical heating element. The first food-heating location of the cooker is recessed within the housing above the cooker's heating element. This first food-heating location opens upwardly from the housing to receive a cooking pan. The first food-heating location also opens through an opening in a face of the housing. The cooking pan has a handle that projects through this opening. The second food-heating location is within the housing and below the heating element. The second food-heating location receives a warming receptacle through a slot in the wall of the housing. The cooking pan handle is pivotally attached to the pan and locks in either an outwardly extended position or in a downwardly pivoted, contracted storage position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: South Asia International
    Inventor: Raymond Hoi-Tak Lam
  • Patent number: 7442901
    Abstract: An electric oven includes an oven body, a first convection system having a first convection heater and a first convection fan that are installed in the oven body to operate for a first space in the oven body, and a second convection system having a second convection heater and a second convection fan that are installed in the oven body to operate for a second space in the oven body. Further, the first and second convection fans are driven by a single common driving unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Yang Kyeong Kim, Jae Kyung Yang, Dong Seong Kwag
  • Publication number: 20080257170
    Abstract: An electromagnetic induction heating grill toaster that includes a first casing body, a first baking tray, a second casing body, and a second baking tray. The first casing body has a first electromagnetic induction element, a first micro-crystal plate, and a control element. The first baking tray is detachably disposed on the first casing body. The second casing body has one side pivoted on one side of the first casing body and has a second electromagnetic induction element and a second micro-crystal plate. The second baking tray is detachably disposed on the second casing body. The present invention utilizes the advantage of quick heating of electromagnetic induction, in order to reduce the amount of time users need to wait for the grill toast to preheat. Hence, the present invention not only reduces power use, but also saves time for the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2008
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Inventors: Ching-Ching Ho, Shih-Wei Tung, Yi-Hao Lin, Jr-Ren Ji
  • Publication number: 20080223847
    Abstract: An electric grill includes at least one grill pan having a first heating member, a second heating member, and a temperature sensing member for measuring the temperature of the grill pan; and the first heating member, the second heating member and the temperature sensing member connect with a control circuit. The temperature sensing member provides a temperature signal for the control circuit, and the control circuit controls the power on/off of the first heating member and the second heating member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Inventor: Po-Chun Kuo
  • Publication number: 20080223845
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to heating systems. In various embodiments, a tray may be supported adjacent a housing having a plurality of heating compartments configured to provide heat to food items within each of the heating compartments. In other embodiments, a vessel may be configured to be disposed in a housing having a plurality of heating compartments configured to provide heat within each of the heating compartments. In further embodiments, a housing may have a plurality of heating compartments configured to provide heat within each of the heating compartments, and the heating compartment may have open ends arranged around a circumference of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Inventor: Daniel Garr
  • Publication number: 20080199164
    Abstract: A babycare heating apparatus comprising a vessel (2;102) for containing water and a heating element (15;115) for heating water held in the vessel, characterised by: a temperature sensor (22;42,123) for sensing a temperature rise effected by operation of the heating element (15); and control means (25;125) for controlling the energising of the heating element (15;115) in dependence on the output of the temperature sensor (22;42;123) and being configured to de-energise the heating element (15;115) if the change in the temperature, sensed by the sensor (22;42;123), meets a predetermined criterion. The apparatus can be used as a steriliser or a bottle warmer and its uses a measure of the rate of heating during operation to determine whether the apparatus has been correctly charged with water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2004
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicant: CANNON RUBBER LIMITED
    Inventor: Mark John Wortley
  • Patent number: 7394042
    Abstract: A banquet cart includes a heater received in an opening in the bottom panel of the banquet cart. Plates of food are loaded into the interior compartment of the banquet cart in the kitchen. The heater includes a central heater unit and two heat retention material heating panels. The central heater unit heats the interior compartment of the banquet cart for twenty minutes. The central heater unit is turned off, and smaller heaters are turned on to heat the heat retention material heating panels for forty minutes. The smaller heaters are turned off and the banquet cart is rolled from the kitchen to a hallway proximate to the dining area for serving the plates of food to guests. The heated heat retention material heating panels can maintain the temperature of the air in the interior compartment of the banquet cart warm for approximately two hours and forty minutes, keeping the food in the banquet cart warm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Carter Hoffman, LLC
    Inventor: Robert C. Fortmann
  • Publication number: 20080149645
    Abstract: A portable temperature controlled container having a body including an internal chamber with an opening into the internal chamber; and a temperature control unit coupled to the body and displaced to be thermally coupled with a first portion of the internal chamber, the temperature control unit configured to selectively alter the temperature in the internal chamber by releasing a thermally controlled material into the internal chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventor: IN JAE SHIN
  • Publication number: 20080149614
    Abstract: A blanket warmer is disclosed. The blanket warmer is lightweight, portable, and consumes minimal power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2006
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventor: Casey Jenkins
  • Patent number: 7387762
    Abstract: A sintering apparatus for silver clay wherein a silver clay composition can be readily and easily sintered by exposing a silver clay composition obtained by molding to a flame of a solid alcohol fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Materials Corporation
    Inventors: Juichi Hirasawa, Yasuo Ido
  • Patent number: 7388176
    Abstract: A heating device includes a case having a plurality of openings and a plurality of slits are defined in bars of the case so that a plurality of heating boards are engaged with the slits of the case at an equal distance. A power control device is connected to the case and includes a power line having a plurality of male connectors. Each heating board includes a heating layer sandwiched between two isolation plates. Two wires are connected to the heating layer and each wire has female connectors, which are connected with the male connectors of the power line. The heating layers of the heating boards dispense heat evenly from the openings of the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Inventor: Ching-Song Chen
  • Publication number: 20080135564
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for shipping temperature sensitive products at a temperature of two to eight degrees Celsius for long shipment durations with maximum reliability and minimum cost. The apparatus may include a first container and a second container. The first container may include one or more heating devices which direct heat into a first chamber. The first container may fit into a second chamber of the second container. The second container may include one or more liquid and/or frozen packets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventor: Benjamin Romero
  • Patent number: 7385160
    Abstract: A food holding cabinet having a housing defining a heating chamber for holding a covered food tray in a tray location has a pair of elongated rigid rods mounted to the housing for suspending a food tray cover thereon in a position above the tray location. A front rod extends across the opening to the heating chamber and supports the front end of the tray cover and a rear rod supports the rear of the cover. When a food tray is inserted into the tray location, it lifts and supports the cover. When the tray is removed, the front rod prevents removal of the cover along with the underlying tray. The front rod is spring-loaded to be pulled away from the housing to facilitate removal of the cover. A tray cover is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Merco/Savory, LLC.
    Inventor: Douglas Scott Jones
  • Patent number: 7378619
    Abstract: A confectionary fountain assembly enables user to self-serve confectionary liquid, such as liquid chocolate. The fountain assembly comprises a base assembly, a conduit assembly, a functional sculpture, and an annular basin. The base assembly supports a bowl-shaped receptacle and houses a heating element and a motor assembly for respectively providing chocolate-liquefying thermal energy and rotational movement. The conduit assembly is coupled to the motor assembly and the receptacle and comprises a liquid chocolate lifting auger. The sculpture assembly receives the lifted chocolate and imparts pressure thereto for further directing the chocolate to a sculpture outlet. The chocolate, upon exiting the outlet, covers an outer decorative surface of the sculpture and returns to the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Inventor: William Rogers
  • Patent number: 7373876
    Abstract: A cook pot in which the lid acts as a supplementary heating device to heat the contents inside the pot quickly. The lid has a top and a long cylindrical piece which fits inside the pot body and extends all the way down to the bottom of the pot. A heating band is then located in the lower end of the cylindrical piece towards the bottom of the pot. This heating band heats the entire cylindrical piece, and thus the contents inside the pot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Inventor: Byung Doo Kim
  • Patent number: 7361864
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a combined toaster and microwave oven having a function to cook food by using microwave and a function to bake bread. Accordingly, the present invention provides a combined toaster and microwave oven comprising: a body forming an appearance thereof; a cavity formed in the body, for accommodating objects to be cooked by using microwave; an electronic chamber provided at a portion inside the body and in which electronic parts for applying microwave into the cavity are installed; and a toaster. The toaster comprises: a toaster case provided in the front of the electronic chamber and having slits on both sides thereof; at least one tray assembly having means for receiving and ejecting bread and preventing the bread from slanting; and a heater assembly installed inside the toaster case, for heating the bread.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jong Woog Lee, Young Choi
  • Publication number: 20080083725
    Abstract: A self-heating, deployable group meal assembly and method of using same that includes a delivery system having individual delivery tubes for conducting the activating liquid from a source of the liquid to each of a plurality of individual heater trays containing heater material. The heater trays are disposed in a stacked configuration, each heater tray including a heater pad comprising a conventional heater material that exhibits an exothermic reaction when contacted with an electrolyte activating liquid, and a food tray containing a quantity of food sufficient for multiple individuals. A source of activating liquid for each heater tray in the assembly ensures uniform and efficient flow of liquid to each such heater tray, the sources of liquid being easily installed in a single step to activate the heater material on demand. In one embodiment of the invention, the heater pads comprise Mg—Fe alloy and the activating liquid comprises saline-water solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Publication date: April 10, 2008
    Inventors: Robert Edward Stease, David Ferd Sillies
  • Patent number: 7351939
    Abstract: A toaster is provided having a base which may be interchangeable or integral with the toaster unit. The toaster also contains an angled heating chamber having manually moveable heating element assemblies, a centering carriage, and a toast lift that optimize the distance between the heating elements and the bread product. Furthermore, an angled top for viewing the bread product within the heating chamber, and including a user control interface for controlling the actions of the toaster, located on the top surface thereof are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth Boyle, Doug Drenten, Robert Brueckner, Gary Petersen, Kristi Lafrenz, Gary Schmitz, Keith Gausmann, Jeffrey DeBord, Michael Kopczewski, Robert Hayes, Sally Stark, Paul Hsu
  • Patent number: 7348519
    Abstract: A multi-zone griddle with an upper substantially continuous layer of metal adapted for cooking a food product thereon. The upper substantially continuous layer of metal is positioned adjacent to a first lower layer of metal and is displaced a predetermined distance relative to the upper substantially continuous layer of metal to form a space therebetween. A second lower layer of metal is displaced a predetermined distance relative to the upper substantially continuous layer of metal to form a space therebetween. At least one serpentine passageway is formed in the space between the first lower layer of metal and the upper substantially continuous layer of metal. The at least one serpentine passageway may be connected to a source of heated fluid for providing heat to a portion of the upper substantially continuous layer of metal that corresponds to the position adjacent to the at least one serpentine passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Thermodyne Foodservice Products, Inc.
    Inventors: William Federspiel, Timothy Tippmann
  • Patent number: 7342202
    Abstract: An electric cooking assembly includes a main body portion that defines a cooking area. First and second cooking surfaces are contained within the cooking area. A first electric heating element arranged to provide heat to at least a portion of the first cooking surface, and a second electric heating element is arranged to heat at least a portion of the second cooking surface. The main body portion may include first and second hood members. The first hood member defines the cooking area and the second hood member is positioned at least partially within the cooking area and configured to decrease heat lost from the cooking assembly during preparation of food products in the cooking area. The second hood member is configured for adjustment between an open position providing access to the cooking surface and a closed position covering at least a portion of the cooking surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: Fire Stone Home Products, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas J. Bachinski, Douglas Mark Holm, Daniel Curtis Shimek, Robert Samuel Waddell, Eric Paul Hawkinson
  • Patent number: 7339140
    Abstract: A roaster oven for the heating of foodstuffs includes an outer housing with an opening and a heating element disposed proximate an interior surface for heating thereof. A lid, removably positioned on the outer housing to at least partially cover the opening, has a stationary portion and a hinged portion pivotably mounted thereto. The hinged portion is pivotable with respect to the stationary portion about at least one hinge. The hinged portion has an open position in which at least a portion of the interior surface is accessible and a closed position in which the lid substantially covers the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott Tidey
  • Patent number: 7339136
    Abstract: The present invention features a cooking utensil for creating an elongated cavity in a bread item, wherein a meat item may be inserted. The cooking utensil comprises a bread-impaling spike supported by and extending from a base member, wherein the bread-impaling spike comprises an elongated body portion and a piercing end portion, each of which are configured to pierce the bread item and form a cavity therein, and wherein the elongated body portion has a shape configured to form at least two condiment receiving channels within the cavity of the bread item upon inserting the meat item. The condiment receiving channels are defined by at least one wall of the cavity and the inserted meat item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Hole-e-Cow Corp.
    Inventor: Donald W. Schmanski
  • Patent number: 7339137
    Abstract: A food heating appliance is disclosed that comprises a chamber portion and a lid portion that defines a heating chamber. The chamber portion has a perimeter wall extending about the heating chamber and an upper opening into the heating chamber. The perimeter wall is insulated to permit walls are A heating apparatus in the heating chamber comprises a heating element positioned in the heating chamber adjacent to the perimeter wall, and a shield positioned above the heating element to block debris from falling on the heating element. The shield may be sloped downwardly from the perimeter wall toward a center of the heating chamber. A holding tray for smoking material may be positioned adjacent to the heating element. A drip collection tray may be positioned at the bottom of the heating chamber that influences air flow into the heating chamber. Temperature control circuitry provides precise, predictive heating of the food.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Inventors: Wally B. Sorenson, Adam Sorenson
  • Patent number: 7335858
    Abstract: A toaster uses radiant heat at infrared wavelengths optimized for producing rapid and uniform toasting of a food product. The infrared wavelengths of the radiated heat are selected for optimum speed and quality (browning and moisture content) of the food product. The selected infrared wavelengths of the radiated heat may also effectively defrost a food product. Defrosting of the food product by the infrared radiated heat adds very little time in obtaining a desired toast color to the food product. A plurality of infrared wavelengths of radiated heat may also be used, wherein the plurality of infrared wavelengths are selected for optimal heat penetration and surface browning of the food product. Shorter wavelengths for browning and slightly longer wavelengths to penetrate the food product for evaporating the moisture therein to allow surface browning by the shorter wavelengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Applica Consumer Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Luis Cavada, Charles Krasznai
  • Patent number: 7335859
    Abstract: A combination toaster/caramelizer oven for treating food products comprising: a housing; at least one heating element; a removable platen; and at least one conveyor disposed opposite the platen for conveying the food products through the housing, wherein the platen is disposed between the heating element and the conveyor. Optionally, the caramelizer oven can further include at least one moisture injector that introduces moisture to the surface of the food product which is in contact with the platen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Lincoln Foodservice Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Roberto Nevarez
  • Patent number: RE40366
    Abstract: An oven with a spaying device for roasting meats is disclosed, comprising: a housing 11; an outer pot 12; an inner pot 10; a cover 4 of oven; electric heating elements 8 surrounding the outer surface of the outer pot 12; heat insulating materials 13 inserted between the housing 11 and the outer pot 12; and a control panel 16. Said oven is characterized in that it is equipped with a spraying device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Guangdong Elecpro Electric Appliance Holding Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wei-Wen Jian
  • Patent number: RE40408
    Abstract: There is provided a baby wipes warmer comprising a housing which defines an upper housing wall. It also comprises a liquid tank assembly that has an upper tank surface defining at least one vapor aperture therethrough. The tank assembly is disposed within the hosing in a manner as to form an inside compartment between the upper housing wall and the upper tank surface. The warmer further comprises a heating element which is disposed within the housing to provide heat to the tank assembly. In this regard, a portion of liquid within the tank assembly transitions into vapors when heated by the heating element and flow to the inside compartment through the vapor aperture(s). By providing the vapors, the moisture and coloration of the baby wipes supported therein can be maintained while warming them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Prince Lionheart, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas E. McConnell, Francois Hacquard, Michael E. Henley, Gary L. Smith