Portable Or Mobile Patents (Class 219/386)
  • Publication number: 20080035630
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cooking device comprising a coupling housing having a detachable vessel with a detachable pulverizing blade, a screen formed on its lateral surface, a handle grip with a coupling point of contact, a sensor and a plate type of a heater on which a plurality of heat bands are installed to adjust the caloric value; a base coupled to the lower part of the coupling housing with a motor and a controller; a coupling part coupled to the handle grip with the coupling groove which has an electric point of contact to be connected the coupling point of contact; and a sensor control circuit having an input circuit to receive electric signals generated from two electrodes, a control circuit to control the operation of electric devices connected to an output circuit with the electric signals from the input circuit, and a safety circuit to check the operation of the control circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventor: Hong-Bae Kim
  • Patent number: 7328654
    Abstract: In general, one embodiment of the invention is directed to apparatus for warming pre-cooked sandwich buns and the like to a desired holding temperature and then holding the buns at such holding temperature. The apparatus comprises a cabinet having at least one compartment with a bottom wall, a top wall and opposite side walls. Adjacent the bottom of the compartment is at least one heat source for delivering heat to buns in the compartment. A control mechanism controls the heat source to deliver heat to the buns to warm the buns to the desired holding temperature and then to vary the amount of heat delivered to the buns to hold the buns at the desired holding temperature. A related method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Duke Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Steven M. Shei
  • Patent number: 7326884
    Abstract: A butter heating and dispensing system for facilitating dispersal of melted butter. The system includes a container assembly, a spray assembly, and a heating assembly. The container assembly includes an interior space for receiving a quantity of butter to be melted and dispensed. The spray assembly is operationally coupleable to the container assembly. The spray assembly includes an intake for liquid butter, and a spray nozzle for dispersing the liquid butter. The heating assembly is for providing thermal energy to melt the butter received by the container assembly. The heating assembly is thermally coupleable with the container assembly. Most preferably, the container assembly has a sloped bottom wall, which slopes downwardly towards the intake of the spray assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Inventors: William Arthur Anderson, Mary-Lynn Anderson
  • Patent number: 7312424
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for use in cooking bulbs of garlic are described. The apparatus (100) includes a bowl (102) and a top (104). An insert (122) that releases moisture during cooking is supported on a bottom (108) of the bowl (102). A holder (124), which is capable of holding garlic, is supported on the insert (122). A cooking chamber (118) is formed when the top (104) is positioned on the bowl (102). The escape of heat and vapor from the cooking chamber (118) are resisted by the engagement of a top rim (116) to a complementary bowl rim (112). A heating element (120) that is disposed near an outside surface of the bowl (102) provides the heat to cook garlic when the heating element (120) is connected to a power source by a cord (134).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Inventors: Todd J. Hannon, Georgia A. Hannon
  • Publication number: 20070284358
    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: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2006
    Publication date: December 13, 2007
    Inventor: Joseph Claffy
  • Patent number: 7301127
    Abstract: The cooking device of the present invention operates in the 100 to 250 volt AC range acting as either, a grill, a smoker, an oven or a rotisserie. The cooking device is compact, being portable or fixed so as to allow the user to maximize limited space such as on a balcony or patio. A digital microprocessor-based temperature controller with LED readout is used for the set temperature and the process temperature. The shell is made of stainless steel which retains maximum heat and has a removable grease tray. The device is approximately 23? wide by 14? high by 21? deep and has stainless steel round rods for the cooking grates and warming rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Inventor: Richard K. Derridinger, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7285752
    Abstract: A merchandiser for elongate loaves of bread includes at least one rack having a rear wall, a front wall spaced apart from the rear wall, a pair of sidewalls disposed between the rear wall and the front wall along opposite sides thereof, and a bottom wall disposed between the rear wall, the sidewalls and the front wall along lower portions thereof. The walls support the bread loaves in a generally vertical, freestanding, side-by-side relationship. At least one heater is disposed along at least one of the rear wall or the front wall of the rack with the heater selectively heating the air disposed therein, such that air heated in the interior of the rack heats the vertically stacked bread loaves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Inventor: Rick A. Barker
  • Patent number: 7285753
    Abstract: For use on board a mobile means of transport (eg. aircraft, bus, ship), a heating system and method are described which lead to a reduction of peak demand in the on-board kitchen energy supply system relating to the integrated heating appliances for the warming or heating of food. For this, latent or thermochemical heat storage units are used which are fully integrated into the structural elements of the heating appliance in question and heats the product in such a way that there is sufficient heat output, while at the same time, the absolute temperature is limited by means of an appropriate choice of heat storage material for product enhancement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Airbus Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Merle Hoehne, Joachim Hoehne, Hans-Juergen Heinrich
  • Patent number: 7285751
    Abstract: An automatic electric muffin maker for baking muffins and related foodstuffs is disclosed. The present muffin maker comprises a housing assembly enclosing a bottom heating plate having an integrated heating element and a top heating element for browning (i.e. to scorch slightly in cooking). Advantageously, the heating plate includes a plurality of integrally formed, internally tapered heating wells which receive a mating baking pan having tapered cylindrical mold cups configured to provide complementary surface-to-surface engagement within the heating wells and efficient heat transfer therebetween. The heating elements are electrically interconnected to a heat control thermostat, which regulates the baking cycle. In an alternative embodiment the baking functions are carried out by electronic controls including a timed cooking cycle which changes to a warming mode upon completion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Inventor: George T. C. Li
  • Patent number: 7282671
    Abstract: A spatula device operable for handling heated foodstuffs and manipulate a baking pan or container providing a unique and convenient integrally operable cooling chamber for receiving, cooling, and removing the baking pan or container from a complementary toy oven. The spatula device automatically retains the baking pan or container in the cooling chamber when the baking pan or container is removed from the toy oven used in combination and is operable to manually release the baking pan or container from the cooling chamber when the device is manipulated by a user. The spatula device includes a handle and a cooling chamber coupled to a first end with the chamber having an access opening defined in a wall, and the chamber manufactured from a thermochromic material capable of changing color corresponding to the temperature of the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Hasbro, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas P. Hamilton
  • Publication number: 20070221650
    Abstract: Constructive arrangement applied to vessel for heating, which comprises the use of an outer wall, integrated in a non-hermetic form, in such a way to create a spacr between the inner and outer walls of said vessel, where the heat originated from the heat source, e.g. the burner of a gas-fired stove, remains enclosed within such spacr, increasing heating efficiency in the heating of the vessel by preventing heat losses in the sides that are not provided with such double wall for retention. Comprise a vessel for heating 1 having an adequate form, provided with an outer wall 2 and an inner wall 3, in such a way that there is a space 4 defined between such two walls, being the outer wall 2 open in its base 5, in such a way that the heat generated by a proper source 6, after reaching the inner wal next to its base 7, propagates along the sides 8, remaining contained between the two walls 2 and 3 in such defined space 4.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Publication date: September 27, 2007
    Inventor: Acacio Neimar De Oliveira
  • Patent number: 7264961
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for carrying out a thermal cycling reaction, wherein a succession of samples is conveyed through a series of sequentially arranged temperature control sites, each of the sites comprising means for supplying an electric current to, or inducing an electric current in, sample-containing vessels passing through it so as to induce temperature changes in the samples. Also provided is a sample support and its production, the support comprising a succession of sample vessels arranged sequentially one behind the next, preferably in the form of a linked chain, the support comprising an electrically conducting, preferably plastics, material which beats when an electric current passes through it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: The Secretary of State for Defence in Her Britannic Majesty's Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
    Inventors: David James Squirrell, Martin Alan Lee
  • Patent number: 7250588
    Abstract: A combination bread toaster and steamer device includes a pair of vertically oriented bread slots extending into a housing from a top of the housing; means for elevating and lowering bread in the bread slots; a steamer compartment, disposed on the housing, including a heater pan configured to receive water; and at least one heating element associated with the bread slots and the steamer compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Back To Basics Products, LLC
    Inventors: David Ely, Brian K. Beesley, Alan Parkinson, Claude Brandt
  • Patent number: 7250587
    Abstract: A method for toasting bread and simultaneously cooking or warming another food with a single device, comprising the steps of: inserting at least one piece of bread into a vertically oriented bread slot of a combination bread toaster and steamer device; placing water into a heater pan of a steamer compartment on the combination bread toaster and steamer device; placing another food into the steamer compartment; and activating at least one heating element associated with the bread slot and the steamer compartment
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Back to Basics Products, LLC
    Inventors: David Ely, Brian K. Beesley, Alan Parkinson, Claude Brandt
  • Patent number: 7238920
    Abstract: Disclosed is a baseball and/or softball bat warmer system. Each individual bat heater includes an elongated outer tubular member having a closed bottom surface. An inner tubular member is spaced inwardly from the outer tubular member forming a space therebetween. A radiation type heating element is positioned between the inner and outer members so that it extends around the barrel portion of the bat for even heating thereof. The system also utilizes a heat seal positioned on the upper portion of the outer tubular member to protect the handle and grip portion of the bat from excessive heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Inventors: Fernando Prieto, David Prieto
  • Patent number: 7238921
    Abstract: A combination bread toaster and steamer device and method includes inserting at least one piece of bread into a bread slot of a combination bread toaster and steamer device; placing water into a heater pan of a steamer compartment on the combination bread toaster and steamer device; placing another food into the steamer compartment; activating at least one bread heating element disposed adjacent the bread slot and a steamer heating element disposed adjacent the steamer compartment; and activation of the steamer heating element reducing wattage to the bread heating element that would be used by the bread heating element when operating alone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Back to Basics Products, LLC
    Inventors: Brian K. Beesley, Eric Hales
  • Patent number: 7230212
    Abstract: A golf ball heating appliance for heating 4 or more golf balls to an average temperature of between 40° C. and 55° C. during an active heating period of 30 minutes or less has a lower thermally conductive and an upper non-thermally conductive receptacle for receiving a plurality of golf balls and includes an electrical heating element capable of delivering at least 4 watts of power per ball during the active heating period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Rocky Research
    Inventors: Paul Sarkisian, Uwe Rockenfeller
  • Patent number: 7227100
    Abstract: A warmer includes: a main casing adapted for storing a wiper box therein; a drawer casing slidably engaged in the main casing and operatively withdrawn outwardly for storing a fluid container including nursing bottle or beverage cup in the drawer casing; and a heating device provided in the casing for warming a wet tissue or wiper in the wiper box stored in the main casing and for warming the fluid container in the drawer casing; whereby when the warming of the fluid container is unnecessary, the drawer casing may be pushed inwardly into the main casing just for warming the wiper box only and also for saving the volume of the complete warmer device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Inventor: Tsang-Hung Hsu
  • Patent number: 7217906
    Abstract: A dual function heating and toasting apparatus is provided for radiantly heating or surface toasting bread-type food products. The apparatus includes a housing defining a heating/toasting chamber. A generally vertically oriented, center fixed heating platen is disposed in the chamber. A pair of generally vertically oriented, movable heating platens are disposed on opposite sides of the center fixed platen. A gate is movably mounted on the housing near the bottoms of the platens for movement between a closed position to hold a product between the platens and an open position allowing a finished product to exit the chamber. A product such as a bagel can be placed into the chamber onto the gate between one of the movable platens and the fixed platen and spaced therefrom to heat the bagel by radiant heat. Alternatively, a product such as a bun can be placed in the chamber onto the gate and the movable platen moved to bias the bun against the fixed platen to surface toast the bun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Prince Castle Inc
    Inventors: Loren J. Veltrop, Michael M. Maciejewski, Henry Villegas
  • Patent number: 7217392
    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: June 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: CytoLogix Corporation
    Inventors: Steven A. Bogen, Herbert H. Loeffler, John A. Purbrick
  • Patent number: 7208700
    Abstract: A construction box includes a power connector for connection to a power source and a heater constructed for generating heat within the construction box when connected to the power source. The construction box also functioning as a warmed seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Hotboxx LLC
    Inventors: Briston Peterson, Ronnie Bryant
  • Patent number: 7205508
    Abstract: A showcase including an electric heater in a rack. The rack can be inexpensively constituted to be light in weight, and processing of an electric heater leader line can be facilitated. The showcase includes the electric heater in the rack for displaying commercial goods. The rack includes a metal main body and edge members made of resins. The edge members are mounted to front and rear parts of the main body. An insertion hole for mounting a partition member to partition the rack is formed in the edge member. An insertion hole for mounting a guard to prevent falling of the commercial goods is formed in the edge member mounted to a front edge of the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Sakanoue, Kouji Hayase, Kazuo Tetsukawa
  • Patent number: 7193190
    Abstract: Disclosed is a plate warming apparatus for use in keeping food warm in a restaurant. The invention has four primary components: a serving plate; a heater assembly; a plate adapter for coupling the plate and heater assembly; and a base fixture that enables the adapter to be selectively coupled to the heater assembly. These elements allow the heater assembly to heat the underside of a serving plate and, thereby, keep food warm as it is delivered to and consumed at a user's table. The invention allows the heater assembly to be uncoupled from the underside of the plate and recharged as necessary for reuse on other serving plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Inventor: Waldemar F. Kissel, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7189945
    Abstract: A toaster for heating foodstuffs includes a chassis having a cavity therein and having at least one chassis opening for accessing the cavity. A door is movable with respect to the chassis between a closed position in which the door substantially covers the chassis opening, and an open position in which the cavity is accessible through the chassis opening. A carriage with at least one slot is movable between a first position disposed completely within the cavity and a second position extending at least partially from the cavity through the chassis opening. The toaster has a heating configuration in which the carriage is in the first position and the door is in the closed position to confine the foodstuff being heated and create a generally enclosed chamber within the cavity in which heat and moisture loss is controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Hamilton Beach/Proctor-Silex, Inc.
    Inventors: William D. Starr, Nhiem V. Nguyen, Terry L. Myers, Paul M. Blankenship, Adam D. Steinman
  • Patent number: 7180034
    Abstract: The electrically powered omelet former and cooker has a base defining the cookers footprint and supporting a clamshell type cooking apparatus having two cooking halves that are independently pivotable vertically, and together are horizontally and vertically pivotable, within the footprint of the base. Each half having a hot plate and a heating element for heating the hot plate to the desired temperature. The lower half provides one or more vessel type recesses to accept the mixture to be cooked while the top half has a corresponding set of raised convex chamber caps each designed to nest with the other creating a form and cooking chamber. When in use the cooking unit is initially opened with the two halves at ninety degree angles from each other with the lower half resting on the base, the chamber vessels facing upward to be filled. The egg mixture is poured into the vessel chamber/s and then any ingredients of the omelet are added.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Inventor: Jerry Oppenheimer
  • Patent number: 7170035
    Abstract: A heated construction box includes a power connector for connection to a power source and a heater constructed for generating heat within the construction box when connected to the power source. The construction box may function as a warmed seat, heated office, heated workbench, for example, and may attach to a vehicle such as a bed of a pick-up truck. In one embodiment, the power source for the construction box may provide 12V and be removed for remote recharging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Hottboxx LLC
    Inventors: Briston Peterson, Ronnie Bryant
  • Patent number: 7166820
    Abstract: The rotating-type oven includes a driving device, electrothermal pipes, rollers, holders and a box. The electrothermal pipe is installed in the roller, and the electrothermal pipe is connected with the roller via a porcelain base and a plug. The porcelain base is fastened on the holder. The rotating-type oven of the present invention has the characteristics of being able to bake food rapidly, having a stable operation, and being easy to disassemble for cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Henco & Top Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Nai-En Chen
  • Patent number: 7161120
    Abstract: There is disclosed a garment warming device providing a portable electrically-heated insulated water resistant and weather resistant clothing warmer having a clamshell design that warms clothing, robes, slippers, towels, blankets or other cloth-like materials placed inside it. The device further comprises a liquid tight seal preventing moisture from entering the device, as well as safety features to ensure cloth materials placed inside the device do not become dangerously hot. The device may easily stand due to a neutral center of gravity and may comprise latches and a handle capable of folding flush against the outer surface of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Inventors: Michael Maurice Stroud, Veronica Viloria Stroud
  • Patent number: 7138613
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a golf ball heater comprising a rectangular container, the interior of which is outfitted with at least one heating element and rails for holding golf balls. One end of the container includes a sliding door for retrieving a heated golf ball. On one side of the container, a control box is outfitted with circuitry to cooperatively work with sensors in the container for purposes of selectively activating the heating element(s) according to whether or not the sliding door is open or shut and whether or not the temperature inside the container is within the optimal temperature range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Inventors: Scott Michael Walsh, George Matthew White, James Joshua Nichols
  • Patent number: 7135657
    Abstract: A food treating apparatus and method wherein a reducing DC electric current is provided by a DC electric circuit, the food treating apparatus including a vessel and a handle, and wherein at least part of the electric circuit is integral with the handle and is operative to provide electrons to food in the vessel. Further, the added electrons inhibit and/or reduce the formation of acrylamides in the food prepared in the food treating apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Inventors: Branimir Simic-Glavaski, Michael G. Simic
  • Patent number: 7122763
    Abstract: The present invention provides a thermos bag, which includes a container bag and an built-in thermos device. The thermos device includes a frame, a conductive plate, a printed electrothermal plate, an automatic temperature control device, an insulating lining and a bottom plate as a cover unit. After placing it inside the container bag, with the fixation ring sleeve, foot mount and bolts, it is positioned between the thermos device and container bag. The thermos bag made of this structure provide provides the traveler with a thermos bag that is easy to assemble, easy to carry, energy saving and easy to take off for cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: J Sheng Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Hsiang Liu, Shu-Fen Li
  • Patent number: 7109442
    Abstract: A grill is provided that has an upper housing having a first heating plate removably connected thereto, a lower housing having a second heating plate removably connected thereto, and an arm FOR connecting to the upper housing at a first pivot point and connecting to the lower housing at a second pivot point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Conair Corporation
    Inventors: Howard I. Steinberg, Michelle Carillo, Jill Kreutzer Orent, Amy Geiger, Maria Aljoburi, Erica Petrow, Amy Risinit
  • Patent number: 7105778
    Abstract: A combination toaster oven and toaster appliance for cooking and heating foodstuff including a housing defining a food cavity therein and a heating element mounted in the housing for heating the food cavity. The housing includes a top wall and a front wall. A slot is located in the top wall and a door is movably mounted to the front wall. A toaster oven opening is located in the front wall and provides access to the food cavity. The door is movable between a closed position wherein the door covers the toaster oven opening and an open position wherein the door exposes the toaster oven opening and food cavity. A slot cover is movable between an extended position covering the slot and a retracted position exposing the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Hamilton Beach/Proctor-Silex, Inc
    Inventors: Derwood S. DeLong, Michael Garman, Jim Gaynor
  • Patent number: 7102106
    Abstract: A kettle is described having a pair of heating elements each connected to a cable with a plug at its end. The two plugs can be inserted into two separate sockets of a wall plug so that each heating element separately receives power from the sockets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Inventor: Edward Joseph Khoury
  • Patent number: 7102103
    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 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Carrier Commercial Refrigeration, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert C. Fortmann
  • Patent number: 7094992
    Abstract: A portable apparatus for storing and warming a plurality of stacked flexible wipes includes a heater coil, electrical circuitry controlling operation of the heater coil and a cover closing the housing interior and having a cover opening selectively opened or closed by a closure to allow access to wipes even when the cover is in closed position. Projections in the housing interior support the wipes in elevated condition to promote even heat distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Inventors: Anton Wray, Joan Wray
  • Patent number: 7094991
    Abstract: A device is disclosed for warming tortillas and other foods. The device operates with a standard electric alternating current ranging from 110 to 120 volts in the US and 220v–240v in other countries. This appliance is to be used in homes or in businesses for the purpose of warming either corn or flour tortillas in quantities ranging from one up to six at a time. The electric current provides energy to heater elements located within the unit and thus provide the heat necessary to warm the tortillas placed on a plurality of circular loading trays. The loading trays are specially designed to lock-in-place in the open and closed positions and are designed to work with a vertical pivot tube which allows the loading trays a pivot-swivel action for efficiency in the loading and unloading of tortillas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: IJN International, Inc.
    Inventors: Ivan J. Naranjo, Pedro M. Ojeda
  • Patent number: 7089850
    Abstract: A holding cabinet assembly for holding pre-processed food products and a process for maintaining the product appearance of a pre-processed food product for a predetermined amount of time includes a steamer assembly and a cabinet housing coupled to the steamer assembly. As a result of controlling and maintaining the temperature of the water in the steamer assembly and air in the food cabinet housing, the relative humidity of the food cabinet housing is maintained at a substantially fixed value. In this holding cabinet assembly, compartments are arranged in the housing with each compartment including an openable and closeable drawer. A carrier insert is adapted to be removably supported in each of the drawers with each carrier insert being capable of holding pre-processed food products whereby the food products in the carrier inserts can be conditioned at the fixed relative humidity of the food cabinet housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Burger King Corporation
    Inventors: Myong J. Lee, Duane Crisp
  • Patent number: 7064297
    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: September 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Hamilton Beach/Proctor-Silex, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott Tidey
  • Patent number: 7060942
    Abstract: An apparatus for cooking a food item therein has a housing defining an interior and includes at least first and second opposed walls. A rotating member is positioned between the first and second walls of the housing, and the rotating member is capable of engaging and rotating the food item. A drive mechanism is mounted on the apparatus for rotating the rotating member. A heating element is positioned adjacent the second wall of the housing, and a blackbody radiator is positioned between the rotating member and the heating element. The heating element heats a first side of the blackbody radiator and a second side of the blackbody radiator emits radiation in a highly effective wavelength spectrum toward the food item. The apparatus also includes a self cleaning system for cleaning the interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Hardt Equipment Manufacturing Inc.
    Inventors: David Friedl, Nitai Friedman, Kenneth M. Buckley
  • Patent number: 7053337
    Abstract: A roaster includes an upper pan including an upper side wall and an upper pan heating element inside the upper tub. The roaster further includes a lower pan connected to the upper tub, the lower pan including a lower side wall and a lower pan heating element inside the lower tub. An upper pan fixed temperature regulator and a lower pan fixed temperature regulator may be preset to different selected temperatures. The roaster may also include a grease drain opening through the lower tub. Temperature and timer control logic are provided for the upper pan heating element and the lower pan heating element. In order to set cooking time, the roaster includes a control interface that includes, in one embodiment, a time increment button and a time decrement button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Salton, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Ragan, John Duncan McNair
  • Patent number: 7038171
    Abstract: A household electric appliance including a heating part and titanium oxide particles to be activated by heating, the heating part being a heating device inherently possessed by the household electric appliance and/or an additional heating device not inherently possessed by the household electric appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignees: Osada Giken Co., Ltd., Hideharu Osada
    Inventors: Hideharu Osada, Hironobu Shibamoto, Shoma Osada
  • Patent number: 7022945
    Abstract: A portable baby wipe warmer and container comprising a container for storing baby wipes, a heat source thermally coupled to the container, and a temperature regulating component coupled to the heat source for regulating the heat provided to the container by the heat source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Inventor: Stephanie Western
  • Patent number: 7015423
    Abstract: A heating device into which a compule of dental material can be inserted to elevate the temperature of the dental material to above ambient temperature prior to clinical use having a base for housing a heating element, a temperature control mechanism for controlling the temperature of the heating element, a power connection for electrically connecting the temperature control mechanism to a source of power and a heating receptacle removably mounted on the base. The heating receptacle comprises a heating tray composed of a conductive material and an upstanding section extending from the heating tray and having a heating chamber open to the atmosphere which is adapted to receive one end of a conventional dispenser in which the compule of dental material is stored for raising the temperature of said dental material in said compule to an elevated temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Inventor: Joshua Friedman
  • Patent number: 7015425
    Abstract: A gas cylinder includes a cylindrically-shaped main wall having a liner, a facing and insulation located between the liner and the facing. First and second electric, self-regulating heating elements are positioned between the liner and the insulation. The liner is provided with first and second pockets and the first and second heating elements are located within the pockets. The first heating element has a higher wattage density than the second heating element and the first heating element is located below the second heating element. A sealed conduit enclosure contains a terminal block connecting a power input cable to the first and second heating elements. A planar top wall is located at the top of the main wall and has an opening for passage of a regulator of the gas cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: B H Thermal Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Neal, Doug Dietz, Daniel R. Smith
  • Patent number: 7012221
    Abstract: A roasting oven having a large capacity heating well including a wrap-around heating element for heating the side walls thereof and a top heating element for browning is disclosed. A function control panel featuring a touch-film interface and digital display of cooking modes is provided for the user's convenience. In an alternative embodiments standard electromechanical switches and rheostatic temperature controls provide the functions of the present oven. The heating elements are also fabricated in alternative embodiments to provide single-sided or double-sided configurations for particular heating applications. A lid member including the top heating element is attached to the present oven by electrically conductive supporting structures, which incorporate the electrical circuit for the top heating element and also provide for convenient disconnection thereof for cleaning and storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Inventor: George T. C. Li
  • Patent number: 7005616
    Abstract: A cooking apparatus includes an electric heating plate having a heat source therein transmitting heat from the heat source to food, and a cabinet supporting the electric heating plate. The electric heating plate is electrically connected to the cabinet, and is removable from the cabinet. The present invention also provides a cooking apparatus, which allows food to be rapidly heated and cooked using a heat source installed in an electric heating plate, thus shortening cooking time and reducing power consumption. The present invention is also designed such that the electric heating plate is removable from a cabinet, thus allowing the electric heating plate to be conveniently cleaned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chul Kim, Sung Ho Lee
  • Patent number: 6995340
    Abstract: A portable oven includes a foldable cooker and a chassis, and the foldable cooker has two symmetric sets of heating boxes, each having an electric heater installed therein and connected to an external power supply for producing heat, and a replaceable cooking utensil placed above the electric heater, so that when the electric heater is on, different ways of cooking can be accomplished. An axle is installed between the two heating boxes; the two heating boxes can be folded together for an easy carry after its use; a lock device is installed above the chassis and below the cooker to secure the opened oven onto the chassis for cooking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Inventor: Wei-The Ho
  • Patent number: 6988446
    Abstract: The present invention provides a novel constitutive nitric oxide synthase (NOS) that utilizes both L-arginine and arginine-rich peptides, oligopeptides or proteins, e.g., bradykinin (BK), as substrates in the synthesis of nitric oxide (NO). Also provided are methods of controlling, regulating or modulating NO synthesis in a subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: University of Iowa Research Foundation
    Inventors: John P.N. Rosazza, Yijun Chen
  • Patent number: RE39551
    Abstract: A method of dispensing food whereby food prepared at a first location is transported to a second location for dispensing in a working cycle characterized by the steps of apportioning the food onto a plurality of trays (20A, 20B) at the first location, loading the plurality of trays (20A, 20B) into a rack (15) to give, in combination, a spaced array of loaded trays; the spaced array having predetermined overall dimensions; transporting the spaced array to an intermediate location, placing the loaded rack into a containment (11) with an internal volume (12) of sufficient size to receive at least one spaced array; transporting the containment along with its spaced array or arrays to the second location; regenerating food in the spaced array while within the containment; dispensing loaded trays (20A, 20B) from the spaced array; and returning the racks (15) back to the first or some other location for re-use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Burlodge Limited
    Inventor: Angelo Speranza