Portable Or Mobile Patents (Class 219/386)
  • Patent number: 6657168
    Abstract: This toaster consists of a casing (1) that is essentially parallelepiped in shape and thermally insulated, and at least one electrical resistor (6) which constitutes a radiant heating element and is enclosed in the casing. The side walls (3, 4) of the casing (1) are transparent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Hameur S.A.
    Inventor: Jean-Pierre Lazzer
  • Patent number: 6653602
    Abstract: A food serving set for use in combination with a roasting oven or other similar deep well cooker is disclosed. The present food serving set is comprised of a plurality of individual containers with sealable lids for maintaining food items in a ready-to-eat condition. The individual food containers are suitable for refrigeration of food items. The present serving set features a collapsible supporting rack, which positions such individual containers within the deep well cooker while in use. In one embodiment the supporting rack is foldable for convenient storage or packaging of the serving set within the interior space of the roasting oven. In an alternative embodiment the supporting rack may be easily disassembled for storage using a latching mechanism or other suitable quick connect/disconnect fasteners. In alternative embodiments the food containers include integral peripheral flanges, which are fitted to the inner edge of the cooking vessel and the supporting rack is unnecessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Acerne Enterprises, LLC
    Inventor: George T. C. Li
  • Publication number: 20030213791
    Abstract: A safety mechanism for a toaster that permits breaking of the circuit to the heating elements of the toaster even when a piece of toast is jammed within one of the slots of the toaster. A support surface is provided upon which a piece of bread rests as the bread carrier moves downward in the toaster. The support surface is arranged so that the bread carrier may continue to move downward after the bread is resting on the support surface. The vertical separation between the bread carrier in its lowermost position and the bottom of the bread that is resting on the support surface permits the bread carrier to move a sufficient amount to release the contact or contacts prior to the bread carrier engaging the bread.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2002
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Applicant: Sunbeam Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas G. Guyett, Paul A. Disalvo
  • Patent number: 6649877
    Abstract: The invention concerns a toaster comprising a frame arranged in a casing, at least a vertical grill chamber open at the top part of the casing, a peripheral roof at the opening of the grill chamber and integral with the toaster, having a top edge provided with openings for receiving rolls, heating elements located in the proximity of the grill chamber. The invention is characterized in that at least part of the edge of the rood is raised relative to the top part of the casing. Said integrated device for heating bread is associated with specially shaped grills for holding rolls, said grills comprising atop edge substantially perpendicular to said grills and oriented outwards of the chamber, so as to partially close the heating chamber, when they are brought closer to each other, thereby deflecting the ascending hot air flow generated by the heating elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: SEB S.A.
    Inventors: Guy Mauffrey, Claude Loukachine
  • Patent number: 6649886
    Abstract: A highly flexible and reliable electric heating cloth and method for providing a stable elevated temperature to an environmental site. The heating cloth is comprised of conductive resistive threads which are interwoven with non-conductive threads. One characterizing feature of the cloth is that the diameters of the threads are less than 0.7 mm. Another distinguishing feature is that the conducting resistive threads have thin outer shells containing a matrix of a thermally stable, elastomeric, high temperature polymer and dispersed particles of carbon formed from acetylene and colloidal graphite. A third distinguishing feature is that an arrangement of conductive bus bars and conductive distributing bars in the heating cloth make it possible to divide the cloth into multiple heating zones. A method is disclosed for producing the heating cloth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Inventor: David Kleshchik
  • Patent number: 6646234
    Abstract: Cooking eggs in an electric egg cooker involves the risk of egg contents escaping through openings in the shell and soiling the cooker. To make the egg cooker easy to care for, it is important, in such a situation, for the soiled parts to be easily cleaned. However, this is generally not the case for the electrical components. An egg cooker includes having all of the electrical components disposed above a position of the eggs that are to be cooked so that substantially only the mechanical components that lie next to or below the eggs are affected by soiling. These mechanical components, advantageously, can be removed and may also be dishwasher-safe. As such, caring for an electric egg cooker is made significantly easier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgerate GmbH
    Inventor: Joachim Damrath
  • Publication number: 20030205568
    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 housing 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: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2002
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Inventors: Thomas E. McConnell, Francois Hacquard, Michael E. Henley, Gary L. Smith
  • Patent number: 6642486
    Abstract: A system and method for developing a heat treatment process using a model radiative-heating oven, which repeatably and accurately simulates an industrial heat treatment system. In order to simulate the industrial heat treatment system, the model radiative-heating oven uses a variety of scaling factors, such as heating density parameters. The model radiative-heating oven also may have a quickly openable and closable object carrier, which facilitates a timely start and end of a desired heat treatment process. An oven temperature stabilizer also may be provided for thermally stabilizing the model radiative-heating oven prior to the desired heat treatment process. The present technique also may utilize a variety of heat profile controls, such as time, temperature, and power levels, to provide the desired heat profile in the heat treatment process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott J. Anderson, James S. Nelson, Frank S. Villella, Matthew H. Yackel, Richard A. Ganyo, Thomas M. Sorensen
  • Patent number: 6639185
    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 housing 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: May 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Prince Lionheart, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas E. McConnell, Francois Hacquard, Michael E. Henley, Gary L. Smith
  • Patent number: 6639187
    Abstract: A vertical toaster comprising a housing, heating elements, a food support and a drive. The heating elements are connected to the housing and comprise at least one calrod. The calrod comprises an electric wire surrounded by heat conductive electrical insulation and a metal cover. The food support is movably mounted to the housing for up and down motion. The drive is for moving the food support relative to the housing. The drive comprises a motor and a linkage between the motor and the food support for moving the food support both down and up such that food on the food support passes by the calrod. The calrod prevents an electrical shock to a user if the user accidentally contacts the calrod with an electrically conductive member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: HP Intellectual Corp.
    Inventors: Robert W. Arel, Joseph Gelb, Jr., Charles Z. Krasznai, James A. Sandor
  • Publication number: 20030197003
    Abstract: A system for controlling the heating and temperature monitoring of infant incubators and infant warmers is provided with an incubator or infant warmer space, a heater for heating the space as well as a first temperature sensor and a second temperature sensor. An input device for input of one or more control setting works in conjunction with a control device connected to the heater and to the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor. The control device forms a control temperature from an input first skin temperature target control setting for a first patient and an input of a second skin temperature target control setting for a second patient and further patients if present and controls the heater based on a difference between the control temperature and an actual temperature value based on a first actual temperature sensed by the first temperature sensor and a second actual temperature sensed by the second temperature sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2002
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Inventor: Harald Alexander Kneuer
  • Patent number: 6635471
    Abstract: The use of incubation means for the controlled heating of biological materials, said means comprising an electrically conducting polymer connectable to a power supply, said polymer being either contiguous or integral with an incubation vessel, or adapted to be in thermal contact with an incubation vessel. Incubation apparatus including such means and a method for culturing biological materials using them are also described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: The Secretary of State for Defence in Her Britannic Majesty's Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
    Inventors: Martin A Lee, Dario L Leslie, Paul Moore
  • Patent number: 6625900
    Abstract: A hearing aid drying device for receiving and heat-drying one or more hearing aids. The device includes an electrical outlet-supported and electrically actuated wall light having a base with electrical contacts for operative engagement into an electrical outlet and an electric light bulb operatively supported in the base. A support member is connected to the base and a container is connected to the support member in a position directly above and in close proximity to the light bulb. The container preferably includes a closeable lid and defines an interior volume adapted to receive at least one hearing aid placed therein whereby moisture in the hearing aid accumulated. during use thereof is heated sufficiently by the light bulb to cause the moisture to evaporate. Apertures formed through the lid and bottom of the container facilitate circulation of heated air through the interior volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Inventor: Stewart W. Tobias
  • Publication number: 20030178404
    Abstract: A heater device for orthopedic splints is organized in a portable container to preheat plastic splint sheets for immediate use in forming various shapes to fit and to stabilize the injured body portion of the patient. The heater is incorporated in a container having heating elements, a temperature controller, a cut-out sensor, and a supply of plastic orthopedic splint sheets inside. A control panel outside contains a power-on indicator lamp, a heater-on indicator lamp, and a temperature dial control or a toggle switch having multiple preset temperature settings. An AC power input element is on one side of the container. A supply of plastic splint sheets are contained in a separate inner compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2002
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Inventors: Arthur DiMartino, William A. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20030168438
    Abstract: A food preparation device such as toaster includes a chassis, a heating element, and a carriage for directly or indirectly supporting a food item. The carriage is movable with respect to the chassis to move the food item to or from a cooking position adjacent to the heating element. A shape Memory Alloy resistance member is connected between the carriage and the chassis. Electric circuitry controls voltage/current to the Shape Memory Alloy resistance member to selectively heat the resistance member and alter its shape to move the carriage to or from the cooking position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2002
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Applicant: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
    Inventor: Li Min Zhou
  • Patent number: 6617552
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a system for warming infant feedings includes a housing having a lower chamber, a middle chamber, and an upper chamber, a plurality of apertures associated with a first partition separating the lower chamber from the middle chamber, and a plurality of portals associated with a second partition separating the upper chamber from the middle chamber. Each portal is positioned above a respective aperture and adapted to position an infant feeding over the respective aperture. A false feeding is coupled to an underside of the second partition and disposed above a respective aperture and a surface heat sensor probe is coupled to the false feeding. The surface heat sensor probe is operable to detect a temperature of the false feeding, and a heating unit is coupled to the heat sensor probe. The heating unit includes a fan operable to continuously circulate air through the lower chamber and into the middle chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Inventor: Randall Wade Taylor
  • Patent number: 6610966
    Abstract: A holder for a dispenser package having a resealable cap assembly with an outer perimeter includes a front wall, a rear wall and a bottom wall interconnecting lower ends of the front and rear walls, the front, rear and bottom walls defining a receiving area for the dispenser package, the front wall including an aperture defined by inner peripheral edges of the front wall. The holder also includes a heating element in thermal communication with at least one of the front, rear and bottom walls, a power source connected with the heating element, and at least one actuator provided at the inner peripheral edges of the front wall aperture, the at least one actuator being in communication with the heating element. The at least one actuator is movable between a first position for activating the heating element and a second position for deactivating the heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Nice-Pak Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert P. Julius
  • Publication number: 20030155343
    Abstract: A towel and garment warmer is provided. The warmer includes a top-opening cabinet having a upper section that is provided with a rack for holding the items to be warmed, and a lower heating section. The two sections are separated one from the other by means of a removable, air permeable grid or screen. Heating is accomplished using an electrical resistance heater such as one or more incandescent light bulbs. An interval timer controls the degree of warming imparted to the items within the cabinet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2003
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Inventor: Rene L. Ibanez
  • Patent number: 6606937
    Abstract: A self-heating urn (10) is provided with a warmer packs (18) which are rapidly heated during the brewing process and then gradually release their heat to the brewed beverage within the urn after it is removed from the brewing location to a serving location at which electrical powered for heating is not available. The warmer pack (18) are formed of ceramic materials, high density liquids, PCM's or the like which are capable of being rapidly heated during the brewing process but then gradually release their heat to the beverage in the urn. Alternatively, the warmer packs (18) are removably mounted within a compartment (68) within the self-heating urn (10) and are heated apart from the brewing process and then inserted into the self-heating urn (10) when it is moved to a serving location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Food Equipment Technologies Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Zbigniew G. Lassota
  • Patent number: 6595111
    Abstract: In an electric toaster, a power switch unit is switched by a actuator provided on a support seat, which is movable together with a carriage, from an OFF-mode, where power to an electric heating unit is cut-off, to an ON-mode, where power is supplied to the heating unit, when the carriage is moved from an upper limit position to a lower limit position. A control unit energizes an electromagnet when the switch unit is switched to the ON-mode to attract a magnetically-attracted plate on the seat so that, once a force to move the carriage to the lower limit position is relieved, a biasing device biases the carriage to move from the lower limit position to a toasting position, thereby holding the seat in a lower retaining position against biasing action of a biasing member and thereby holding the carriage in the toasting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Tsann Kuen USA Inc.
    Inventors: Chin-Cheng Chiu, Po-Wen Hsiao
  • Publication number: 20030132215
    Abstract: A food serving set for use in combination with a roasting oven or other similar deep well cooker is disclosed. The present food serving set is comprised of a plurality of individual containers with sealable lids for maintaining food items in a ready-to-eat condition. The individual food containers are suitable for refrigeration of food items. The present serving set features a collapsible supporting rack, which positions such individual containers within the deep well cooker while in use. In one embodiment the supporting rack is foldable for convenient storage or packaging of the serving set within the interior space of the roasting oven. In an alternative embodiment the supporting rack may be easily disassembled for storage using a latching mechanism or other suitable quick connect/disconnect fasteners.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2002
    Publication date: July 17, 2003
    Inventor: George T. C. Li
  • Patent number: 6593552
    Abstract: A food serving set for use in combination with a roasting oven or other similar deep well cooker is disclosed. The present food serving set is comprised of a plurality of individual containers with sealable lids for maintaining food items in a ready-to-eat condition. The individual food containers are suitable for refrigeration of food items. The present serving set features a collapsible supporting rack, which positions such individual containers within the deep well cooker while in use. In one embodiment the supporting rack is foldable for convenient storage or packaging of the serving set within the interior space of the roasting oven. In an alternative embodiment the supporting rack may be easily disassembled for storage using a latching mechanism or other suitable quick connect/disconnect fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Inventor: George T. C. Li
  • Patent number: 6593551
    Abstract: A chafing or warming dish construction typically used for buffet serving of comestibles having user sensing means which automatically opens and closes an overlying cover depending upon the presence of the user at a serving table. In a disclosed embodiment, the cover is arranged for pivotal rotation about a pair of aligned pintles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Inventor: Robert Haber
  • Patent number: 6584889
    Abstract: An electric baking oven includes an open mesh vertically oriented baking basket to hold food while the food is baked in air by a programmed combination of radiant and convective and conductive energy transfer. An electrical programming control controls the energy from vertically oriented toaster heating elements located juxtaposed to the large vertical faces of the basket and from at least one elongated heating member located below the vertical baking basket with the axis of the elongated heating member oriented nominally horizontal and parallel to the longer horizontal axis of the vertically oriented baking basket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Edgecraft Corporation
    Inventor: Daniel D. Friel, Sr.
  • Patent number: 6583390
    Abstract: A system and method for quickly heating a shrinkable casing around a relatively non-shrinkable object. As one example, the present invention may be used to shrink a sleeve around a strand, such as fiber or copper. A contact approach to heating the a loaded sleeve is used wherein a predetermined temperature profile is applied to prevent the trapping of air during shrinking. The thermal profile may be selectively controlled by the application of a fluid to the junction where heat is applied to the loaded sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: 3SAE Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Carmine J. Vetrano, Robert G. Wiley, Mathew W. Reed
  • Patent number: 6584374
    Abstract: Disclosed is a cooking system comprising a cooking apparatus having a main body formed with a cooking chamber and a cooker driver cooking food within the cooking chamber; an aroma generator provided in the cooking apparatus, selectively diffusing at least one food aroma; an external unit connected to the cooking apparatus via an interface; and a controller controlling the aroma generator provided in the cooking apparatus, to allow the food aroma according to the selected cooking menu through the external unit to be diffused. With this configuration, if a cooking menu is selected through an external unit accessible to the Internet, data on the selected cooking menu is supplied to a cooking apparatus, and a food aroma and a smell remover are generated according to the selected cooking menu, thereby providing a user with complete information on a cooking menu.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Won-woo Lee, Young-min Hyun
  • Publication number: 20030106889
    Abstract: A delivery apparatus is provided by the invention. The delivery apparatus includes a container for holding an article to be delivered and a heater. The container includes a housing forming an interior area and an opening. The opening is provided with a size sufficient to allow movement of the article from outside the container to within the interior area, and from within the interior area to outside the container. The heater is provided for placement within the interior area for heating the article. The heater includes an electrically conductive coil for providing an electric current when exposed to a magnetic field, and an electrical resistance heating element for generating heat. The electrical resistance heating element is provided in electrical connectivity with the electrically conductive coil. A delivery apparatus assembly is provided which includes an induction range for generating a magnetic field. A heater and a method for delivering food are provided by the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2002
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Applicant: Vesture Corporation
    Inventors: Byron C. Owens, Mark E. Van Hoy, William M. Bostic
  • Patent number: 6566631
    Abstract: An intravenous solution bag includes a temperature sensing device in the form of a temperature sensing strip. The strip includes a temperature scale and corresponding temperature sensitive substances that change color or illuminate the scale indicators to visually indicate solution temperature. The strip may be formed integral with the bag, may be attached to the bag exterior surface, may be laminated to the bag exterior surface or may be encased with the bag within a solution bag liner. Further, the temperature sensing strip may be affixed to bottles containing intravenous or other solutions, where the strip is attached to the bottle exterior surface or to a label affixed to the bottle to measure and indicate temperature of fluid contained therein as described above. Moreover, the temperature sensing strip may be employed by a receptacle or delivery tube of an infusion apparatus to measure and indicate solution temperature prior to or during infusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Medical Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Durward I. Faries, Jr., Bruce R. Heymann, Calvin Blankenship
  • Patent number: 6564699
    Abstract: A proofer (10) is disclosed for making yeast-raised baked goods having an extended shelf life. The proofer includes a proofing chamber (12) in which heat, humidity, and airflow are more uniform. A process is provided for proofing the raw dough to provide an extended shelf life yeast-raised product Additionally, an extended shelf life product is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Dunkin' Donuts
    Inventors: Patricia A. Vincente, Michael D. Cataldo, Richard Golden, Melanie A. Reynolds, Wayne K. Spillner, Robert P. Pitts
  • Publication number: 20030085215
    Abstract: A heated transportation container is described. The container consists of at least a body and a lid, the body being generally cuboid and having one or more side walls and a base which together define an internal chamber over which the lid can be placed to close the container. Inside the chamber is disposed a pre-frozen or refrigerated cooling pack to keep the temperature low and in accordance with the invention, a laminar heating, panel is affixed, to at least a portion of the inner surface of one of the side walls and/or to base, said laminar panel comprising an electrically resistive component and electrical connections through which power can be delivered to said laminar panel. Battery powered control circuitry is also provided which communicates with a temperature measuring device disposed within the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2002
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Inventor: John Robert Rix
  • Patent number: 6559422
    Abstract: An expandable chamber support system for vehicle seat and mattress applications includes an expandable chamber constructed from facing sheets of flexible impermeable material that are sealed along their marginal edges. One of the sheets is formed of electrically conductive an elastomeric membrane that is electrically resistance heated while providing a source of pressure support for an occupant supported by the expandable chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Ctex Seat Comfort Limited
    Inventor: Steven Burt
  • Patent number: 6559423
    Abstract: An electric toaster includes a chassis with one or more toasting compartments. At least one electric heater is located in each compartment, and a cage is positioned in each compartment adjacent the heater. The cage includes lateral sides with a gap therebetween for receiving a food item and stationary supports that extend into the gap from the lateral sides for supporting the food item during a toasting operation. The electric toaster also includes a movable food support rod that is positioned in the toasting compartment for movement between an upper rest position and a lower toasting position below the stationary supports. The movable food support rod is adapted to support the food item above the stationary support and to transfer support of the food item to the stationary support when the movable food support rod travels below the stationary supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Hamilton Beach/Proctor-Silex, Inc.
    Inventors: Nhiem Viet Nguyen, John J. Datovech, James Gaynor
  • Patent number: 6539846
    Abstract: A device for delivering meals at an appropriate temperature comprising: a transport cart equipped with at least one electric energy source, a plurality of plates fastened to said transport cart, each plate comprising at least one thermal energy transfer device operatively connected to the electric energy source, and a plurality of trays, each tray being removably associated to a plate of said plurality of plates and having at least one seat for housing a container or dish containing a meal to be delivered, the device being characterised in that each plate of said plurality of plates comprises means for automatic measuring of the container or dish temperature, which are operatively connected to the processing means for automatic activation of said at least one thermal energy transfer device respectively for heating or cooling when the temperature measured in the container or dish is respectively higher than a maximum value or lower than a minimum value out of a predetermined temperature range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Tecnhos S.r.l.
    Inventors: Valter Citterio, Arturo Lesca
  • Patent number: 6530308
    Abstract: A steam grill includes a body, an upper lid, a water-storing member positioned on the upper lid, a beating section provided in the interior of the body, a dripping controller, and a grilling section under the heating section. The dripping controller is positioned within the water-storing member and controls the water volume dropping in the heating section. The heating section has a plurality of heating tubes for heating up water into steam to be supplied in the grilled section to moisten the food put on a grill plate therein to the proper degree so that the grilled food may have proper moisture and texture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Uni-Splendor Corp.
    Inventor: Yu-Yuan Lin
  • Patent number: 6528766
    Abstract: Combination Baby Bottle and Baby Wipes Container With integral Warmer with a lighter fluid powered heating element. A baby bottle is intimately associated with the heating element on one side. A baby wipes container is intimately associated with the heating element on the other side. A removably attachable lighter fluid container supplies fuel to the heating element. A piezoelectric push button starting mechanism activates the heating element and a push button stopping mechanism turns the heating element off. A preferred embodiment includes wherein said heating element is cylindrical in shape and said baby bottle has one surface consisting of a concave shape that intimately associates with one side of said heating element and said baby wipes container having a similar concave shape on one surface that intimately associates with the opposite side of said heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Inventors: Richard C. Parks, Kenneth Tarlow
  • Patent number: 6526873
    Abstract: A cooking appliance having an upper cooking unit pivotally mounted on a lower cooking unit for rotation substantially about a horizontal axis into three different positions, a first position in which the upper cooking unit is on top of the lower cooking unit to form a contact grill, a second position in which the upper cooking unit is substantially horizontally oriented with and parallel to the lower cooking unit to form therewith a double grooved griddle, and a third, generally upright, position intermediate the first and second positions to provide access to the lower cooking plate when the appliance is being used as a contact grill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Hamilton Beach/Procter-Silex, Inc.
    Inventor: Martin Brady
  • Patent number: 6528768
    Abstract: A food treating apparatus and method wherein an electric current is provided by an 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Inventors: Branimir Simic-Glavaski, Michael G. Simic
  • Patent number: 6523458
    Abstract: A portable toast warmer apparatus is described having a lower part detachably coupled to an upper part. The lower part of the portable toast warmer is connectable to an external electric power supply and is capable of transmitting electromagnetic energy to the upper part when the upper part is coupled to the lower part. The upper part of the portable toast warmer comprises a means for receiving the transmitted electromagnetic energy so that foodstuff slices may be warmed with the plurality of heaters mounted on the walls of the upper part when the upper part is coupled to the lower part. The upper part of the portable toast warmer also comprises a battery so that the toasted foodstuff slices may continue to be heated when the upper part is decoupled from the lower part so that the upper part containing the toasted foodstuff slices may be conveniently delivered to any desired location such as a dining room table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Inventor: Neil Turner
  • Patent number: 6525298
    Abstract: A hot air towel warmer comprising a substantially air tight enclosure having an access door to enable placing a towel to be warmed in the enclosure and to enable removing the warmed towel therefrom; a shelf disposed within the enclosure having perforations therethrough to support the towel; a blower disposed within the enclosure adjacent to the shelf to create a stream of air and to continuously circulate the stream of air within the enclosure for passage through the perforations of the shelf and the towel; a resistance coil heater disposed within the enclosure adjacent the blower to heat the stream of air; an electrical control circuit disposed within the enclosure associated with the stream of air, the blower and the heater to automatically maintain the stream of air at a temperature within a predetermined temperature range for a given period of time or until the access door is open, whichever comes first and to prevent scorching of the towel should a short circuit occur in the parts of the electrical contr
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Inventor: Barney D. Hunts
  • Publication number: 20030034340
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating heat and applying same to tire(s). The body of the container is composed of a heat-resistent material of sufficient size to accommodate heating of one or more rubber tires. In addition, container includes a tire air pressure gauge (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2001
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Inventor: Frank E. Petersen
  • Patent number: 6518059
    Abstract: A laboratory microplate incubator (10) including a housing (12) having a specially-sized, enclosed incubation chamber (24) therein and a temperature control assembly (14) that uniformly maintains the temperature within the incubator in a desired range. The temperature control assembly includes a heater (34) positioned within the housing for heating the chamber, a temperature sensor (38) and a controller (36). Multiple incubation chambers can be electrically controlled by the temperature control assembly in a master incubator. Multiple incubation chambers can be stacked to conserve laboratory space. An externally fillable water reservoir is provided inside the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Kendro Laboratory Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles G. Butts
  • Publication number: 20030024921
    Abstract: A merchandiser system and method for thawing, displaying, and warming previously baked dough products, such as cookies, under controlled drying conditions, including a warming compartment and a merchandiser. The merchandiser controls the drying of moisture in the thawed, baked products to maintain the organoleptic and/or texture properties of the products at essentially the same level as those of freshly baked products for a period of at least about 2 hours.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Applicant: NESTEC S.A.
    Inventors: Balakrishna Reddy, Eileen Roehr, Antonio Gutierrez, Hua Zhang, Mark O. Foster, Mark A. Gaj, Giinping I. Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20030015513
    Abstract: A multi-functional cabinet for warming and adding fragrance to an infant's towel and clothing for a predetermined duration as well as providing soothing music. The cabinet is a box-shaped enclosure with a removable lid having an upper compartment for receiving towels and clothing with a sidewall pocket for receiving a fragrance such as baby powder or baby lotion, and a pair of lower compartments for housing a heating element/blower fan and a music source, such as a music box, a compact disc player or tape player. A timer is connected to the heating element, and may also be connected to the music source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2002
    Publication date: January 23, 2003
    Inventor: Renee S. Ellis
  • Patent number: 6509550
    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 embodiment 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 applications. The power supply circuit board is isolated from the heating elements in a ventilated compartment on an undersurface of the roasting oven to prevent damage thereto from exposure to the heat source. The present roasting oven is provided with an optional serving set conforming to the shape of the heating well to maintain food in a warmed condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Inventor: George T. C. Li
  • Patent number: 6509549
    Abstract: An electric oven having a frame; top heating elements connected to the frame; a control connected to the heating elements; a food support rack removably connected to the frame between the top heating elements and a bottom of the frame; a drive comprising a motor connected to the frame; and a rotisserie skewer removably connected to the drive. The rotisserie skewer is located between the top heating elements and the bottom of the frame. The control has an oven temperature and broil selector, and a timer selector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: HP Intellectual Corp.
    Inventors: James E. Chasen, Charles Z. Krasznai, Michael J. Otterman, James A. Sandor, Paul F. Garneau
  • Publication number: 20030010771
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for preventing the formation of ice on a substrate exposed to an outdoor environment or for preventing condensation of moisture in a cabinet for electrical equipment. The apparatus includes a sensor for measuring the temperature of the ambient air around the substrate or around or in the cabinet, means for calculating the rate of change of the temperature of the ambient air, a sensor for measuring the temperature of the substrate or of a surface of or inside the cabinet, and a heater arranged to supply heat to the substrate or cabinet in response to pre-arranged conditions dependent on the outputs of the sensors and on the calculated rate of change of the temperature of the ambient air. The apparatus for preventing condensation may optionally omit the sensor for measuring the temperature of a surface of or inside the cabinet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2002
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Applicant: Tyco Electronics Raychem GmbH
    Inventor: Erwin Stanzel
  • Patent number: 6501057
    Abstract: A food carrier having inner and outer walls with insulation therebetween and ledges on the interior walls for receipt of a heated food container. A heating unit is provided which is adapted for placement on the ledges in the same manner as the food containers. The heating unit can be provided with a heating element that can be heated inductively, in an oven, or by other suitable heating. The heating element can be formed of a solid to solid phase change material or a solid to liquid phase change material or other heat retentive compositions or compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Cambro Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Charles W. Jarvis
  • Publication number: 20020190053
    Abstract: A toaster having an electronic circuit including a chip-on-board ASIC that controls the operation of toaster heating elements and an electromagnet to which relatively high voltage is applied to hold an armature carried by a bread carriage and toaster-operating assembly. The armature is freely suspended from a bread carriage and toaster-operating assembly and accurately guided onto the electromagnet when the bread carriage is lowered. The toaster has a one-piece main frame that includes both a base frame plate and a rear frame plate. Several economies are obtained by virtue the construction of the toaster. A one-piece control support member is mounted on the base frame plate that supports both mechanical and electronic assemblies for controlling the operation of the toaster in predetermined relative positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2002
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Inventors: Alan M. Garber, Paul M. Blankenship, James R. Gaynor, Derwood S. DeLong, Nhiem V. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 6486451
    Abstract: An electric toaster with a safety shut-off mechanism includes a carriage bracket with a user-manipulated knob that is movable between an upper rest position and a lower actuation position. A food support member is supported by the carriage bracket between the upper rest position and a lower toasting position. An electromagnet is connected to one of the chassis and the carriage bracket for holding the carriage bracket in the actuation position when the electromagnet is energized. A switch is movable to a closed position upon downward movement of the carriage bracket to the actuation position to energize the electromagnet and heating elements associated with the toaster. The carriage bracket is upwardly movable upon deenergization of the electromagnet to open the switch between the actuation position and the lower toasting position to deenergize the heating elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Hamilton Beach/Proctor-Silex, Inc.
    Inventors: Nhiem Viet Nguyen, John J. Datovech, Jim Gaynor
  • Patent number: 6476360
    Abstract: A unitary shell for a heating appliance is formed having first and second side panels and first and second end panels. The first end panel has first and second sub panels, each sub panel having a vertical edge and the vertical edges of the first and second sub panels being spaced apart to form an opening between the vertical edges. The first end panel allows the insertion of components through the opening during assembly of the heating appliance. An assembly for a heating appliance may also be formed including the unitary shell and a first heating element attached on the inside of the first side panel. A second heating element is attached on the inside of the second side panel. Each heating element includes at least one terminal adapted to receive a power signal and operates responsive to power being applied to the terminal to generate heat. Furthermore, a method of manufacturing an assembly for a toaster includes providing a shell having first and second side panels and first and second end panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Salton, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Huggler, Leon Gurevich