Oven Performs Plural Diverse Functions Patents (Class 219/393)
  • Patent number: 6455815
    Abstract: An oven for magnetic annealing of magnetic media, along with methods for using the same. The oven has a vacuum chamber with vacuum port for loading and unloading magnetic media. The vacuum port is sealed by a vacuum seal or door adapted for movement between open and closed positions. A vacuum pump is connected to the chamber to provide a vacuum within the chamber. The oven includes a heat exchanger adapted to receive magnetic media and a heat transfer gas unit connected to the heat exchanger to form a closed, hermetically sealed heat transfer gas circuit for heating and cooling magnetic media loaded in the heat exchanger. A magnet located exterior to the vacuum chamber provides the magnetic field to magnetic media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Despatch Industries, L.L.P.
    Inventors: Hans L. Melgaard, Paul J. Haas
  • Patent number: 6437294
    Abstract: A pyrolytic self-cleaning oven having a catalytic composition positioned in the oven cavity or exhaust gas passage in order to complete the combustion and/or the oxidation of gases produced by a process carried out inside the oven. The catalytic composition is supported by a ceramic coating on a metal wire. The metal wire is electrically connected to a control system of the oven for controlling the cooking and/or pyrolytic cleaning process. The catalytic composition carried on the metal wire may be part of a net-shaped catalytic element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Riccardo Allera, Maurizio Beghi, Adriano Scaburri, Andrea Corda
  • Publication number: 20020092841
    Abstract: A system and method for quickly heating a shrinkable casing around a relatively non-shrinkable object. The system may be referred to as a sleeve shrinking quick dip heat system. As one example, the present invention may be used to shrink a sleeve around a strand, such as fiber or copper. In the electrical and electronic fields, the present invention may be used to shrink sleeves or tubing around, for example, copper strands, wires, connectors, or components. 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. Ramp-up time is eliminated by use of a heater block that remains near or at heat shrinking temperatures, while selectively transferring heat to the sleeve according to the desired temperature profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2001
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Inventor: Carmine J. Vetrano
  • Patent number: 6393969
    Abstract: An egg roaster for roasting eggs using an electric heater is disclosed. An internal air circulator is provided in an insulation chamber in which is mounted guide shelves for egg loading and forcing circulation and diffusion of an internal air to evenly roast the eggs. An air discharge unit forceably discharges the internal air to prevent egg burning and dewing from moisture. An external air influx member administers the supply of external air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Inventor: Gab Soon Kim
  • Patent number: 6396406
    Abstract: An improved self-cleaning oven (10) is provided having an assembly (12) to control the cleaning cycle time of the oven (10) depending upon the degree of oven contamination and soil present therein. The assembly (12) includes a measuring chamber (16) as well as a passageway (18) communicating the interior (14) of the oven (10) and the chamber (16). A smoke detector (32) (preferably an infrared smoke detector) is associated with the chamber (16) and is coupled with a controller (20) so as to measure a parameter of smoke passing through the chamber during at least a portion of the cleaning cycle. This parameter is then used to determine the proper duration of the cleaning cycle. In preferred forms, measuring chamber (16a) is equipped with an ambient air inlet (52) and outlet (54) so as to draw an ambient air stream through the chamber (16a) between the smoke detector (32) and the oven gas stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: SPX Corporation
    Inventor: Andrian Kouznetsov
  • Patent number: 6392202
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a bump-bonding heating apparatus, a bump bonding method and a bump forming apparatus which do not involve large-sized apparatus configuration and which are easy to handle, and a semiconductor wafer in which bumps are formed by using the bump bonding method. The bump-bonding heating apparatus has a wafer turning member, a turning unit and a wafer heating unit. The turning member is turned by the turning unit without turning the wafer heating unit, whereby a semiconductor wafer mounted on the turning member is turned. Like this, since the wafer heating unit is not turned, the apparatus configuration can be made compact. Since the turning member is turned directly by the turning unit, the turning angle of the semiconductor wafer can be implemented with higher precision as compared with the conventional gas floating type turning method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoriki Narita, Makoto Imanishi, Takaharu Mae, Nobuhisa Watanabe, Shinji Kanayama
  • Patent number: 6382084
    Abstract: In an otherwise well-known electric pop-up toaster, an auxiliary power switch is provided and is arranged to be opened by a timer after each toasting cycle. This ensures, in contrast to the well-known toaster arrangements, that power is interrupted to heating elements even if a carriage supporting slices of toast fails to move up at the end of a toasting cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Simatelex Manufactory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Stephen Wai-Kin Chan, Wing Chung Li
  • Patent number: 6373029
    Abstract: An enclosed cooking system including a housing having a top wall, a bottom wall, a back wall, opposed side walls, and an open front. The bottom wall has a stove burner element positioned thereon. The stove burner element has a corresponding heating element. A ventilation fan is disposed within the top wall of the housing. The ventilation fan includes a replaceable filter slidably disposed within the top wall of the housing. A control panel is secured within the open front of the housing. The control panel is in communication with the heating element and the ventilation fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Inventor: Guylaine R Aragona
  • Publication number: 20020011479
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a bump-bonding heating apparatus, a bump bonding method and a bump forming apparatus which do not involve large-sized apparatus configuration and which are easy to handle, and a semiconductor wafer in which bumps are formed by using the bump bonding method. The bump-bonding heating apparatus has a wafer turning member, a turning unit and a wafer heating unit. The turning member is turned by the turning unit without turning the wafer heating unit, whereby a semiconductor wafer mounted on the turning member is turned. Like this, since the wafer heating unit is not turned, the apparatus configuration can be made compact. Since the turning member is turned directly by the turning unit, the turning angle of the semiconductor wafer can be implemented with higher precision as compared with the conventional gas floating type turning method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2001
    Publication date: January 31, 2002
    Inventors: Shoriki Narita, Makoto Imanishi, Takaharu Mae, Nobuhisa Watanabe, Shinji Kanayama
  • Publication number: 20020005401
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for operating a self-cleaning oven in which a gas sensor, such as for measuring concentrations of CO gas, is located remote from, yet in gas communication with, an exhaust flue of the oven. The gas sensor is located at the end of an outlet tube which extends from the exhaust flue. A sample gas flow is provided to the gas sensor through the outlet tube to isolate the sensor from the heat of the oven and a filter device is located in the outlet tube for filtering the sample gas flow. A valve may be provided at the inlet to the outlet tube. The rate of change (slope) of successive readings of gas concentrations may be used to determine when the combustion of food material is complete, in order to terminate a self-cleaning cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2001
    Publication date: January 17, 2002
    Inventors: Robert William Meyer, Paul Karl Krueger, Erin M. May, Richard L. Baker, Steven T. Baas, Anthony E. Jenkins, M. Reza Ghassemzadeh, Matthew T. Wizeman
  • Patent number: 6333491
    Abstract: Circuit chips, such as known good die (KGD) chips, are removed from an assembly including a plurality of circuit chips attached to at least one chip carrier, or substrate. The substrate is held within a top plate with the circuit chips positioned within successive chip cavities within a bottom plate. Each chip cavity includes a load surface separated by a cascade effect pitch with respect to adjacent chip cavities. A cascade effect shear force is sequentially applied to the circuit chips to remove them from the substrate. The chips may be heated to a temperature facilitating shear within a temperature range at which solder connections are solid, and the chips further heated following disassembly to a temperature at which the solder is liquid to facilitate reforming the solder for subsequent attachment of the chip into an electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Christian Bergeron, Raymond Lord, Mario Racicot
  • Publication number: 20010052852
    Abstract: A control device and method provides control of at least one operating feature of a cooking device in response to measured smoke and/or gas produced by item(s) being cooked. The device and method may control the temperature and cooking time of the device, and may also shut off the device or provide a fire alarm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2001
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Inventors: Andrian Kouznetsov, Anthony Jenkins
  • Publication number: 20010052853
    Abstract: An improved self-cleaning oven (10) is provided having an assembly (12) to control the cleaning cycle time of the oven (10) depending upon the degree of oven contamination and soil present therein. The assembly (12) includes a measuring chamber (16) as well as a passageway (18) communicating the interior (14) of the oven (10) and the chamber (16). A smoke detector (32) (preferably an infrared smoke detector) is associated with the chamber (16) and is coupled with a controller (20) so as to measure a parameter of smoke passing through the chamber during at least a portion of the cleaning cycle. This parameter is then used to determine the proper duration of the cleaning cycle. In preferred forms, measuring chamber (16a) is equipped with an ambient air inlet (52) and outlet (54) so as to draw an ambient air stream through the chamber (16a) between the smoke detector (32) and the oven gas stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Inventor: Andrian Kouznetsov
  • Patent number: 6329640
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a bump-bonding heating apparatus, a bump bonding method and a bump forming apparatus which do not involve large-sized apparatus configuration and which are easy to handle, and a semiconductor wafer in which bumps are formed by using the bump bonding method. The bump-bonding heating apparatus has a wafer turning member, a turning unit and a wafer heating unit. The turning member is turned by the turning unit without turning the wafer heating unit, whereby a semiconductor wafer mounted on the turning member is turned. Like this, since the wafer heating unit is not turned, the apparatus configuration can be made compact. Since the turning member is turned directly by the turning unit, the turning angle of the semiconductor wafer can be implemented with higher precision as compared with the conventional gas floating type turning method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoriki Narita, Makoto Imanishi, Takaharu Mae, Nobuhisa Watanabe, Shinji Kanayama
  • Patent number: 6320163
    Abstract: Circuit chips, such as known good die (KGD) chips, are removed from an assembly including a plurality of circuit chips attached to at least one chip carrier, or substrate. The substrate is held within a top plate with the circuit chips positioned within successive chip cavities within a bottom plate. Each chip cavity includes a load surface separated by a cascade effect pitch with respect to adjacent chip cavities. A cascade effect shear force is sequentially applied to the circuit chips to remove them from the substrate. The chips may be heated to a temperature facilitating shear within a temperature range at which solder connections are solid, and the chips further heated following disassembly to a temperature at which the solder is liquid to facilitate reforming the solder for subsequent attachment of the chip into an electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Christian Bergeron, Raymond Lord, Mario Racicot
  • Patent number: 6285290
    Abstract: An improved self-cleaning oven (10) is provided having an assembly (12) to control the cleaning cycle time of the oven (10) depending upon the degree of oven contamination and soil present therein. The assembly (12) includes a measuring chamber (16) as well as a passageway (18) communicating the interior (14) of the oven (10) and the chamber (16). A smoke detector (32) (preferably an infrared smoke detector) is associated with the chamber (16) and is coupled with a controller (20) so as to measure a parameter of smoke passing through the chamber during at least a portion of the cleaning cycle. This parameter is then used to determine the proper duration of the cleaning cycle. In preferred forms, measuring chamber (16a) is equipped with an ambient air inlet (52) and outlet (54) so as to draw an ambient air stream through the chamber (16a) between the smoke detector (32) and the oven gas stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: SPX Corporation
    Inventor: Andrian Kouznetsov
  • Publication number: 20010017295
    Abstract: An oven particularly suitable for dental materials is provided with a firing plate on which a calibration apparatus can be removably located. The calibration apparatus includes a meltable element whose melting is detectable by a detecting device. The calibration apparatus is additionally provided with a control device. The firing plate includes a device for receiving therein the calibration apparatus including a non-electrically conducting support for supporting two electrically conducting contact posts of the calibration apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2001
    Publication date: August 30, 2001
    Applicant: Ivoclar AG
    Inventors: Gottfried Rohner, Johannes Lorunser, Horst Ulbricht
  • Patent number: 6232584
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for operating a self cleaning oven wherein the monitoring of exothermic chemical reactions within a catalyst can be used to determine when the combustion of food material is complete, in order to terminate a self cleaning cycle. During a self clean cycle, an oven cavity is heated to and maintained at an oven clean temperature suitable for oven cleaning. A catalyst is disposed within an exhaust passage of an oven cavity and the amount of heat generated within the catalyst is sensed. The self clean cycle is terminated a predetermined time after heat generation within the catalyst ceases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Robert William Meyer
  • Patent number: 6180922
    Abstract: A muffle furnace for producing dental prosthesis has a muffle into which dental material is placed and a drive to which a piston is connected. The piston is moveable by the drive into the muffle to apply pressure onto the dental material. A pressure sensing device for measuring pressure applied to the dental material is provided. The pressure sensing device has a pressure sensor and a deformation member having a first side and a second side. The first side of the deformation member is subjected to a counter force of the piston and the second side of the deformation member is fixedly attached to the muffle furnace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Ivoclar A.G.
    Inventors: Gottfried Rohner, Johannes Lorunser, Horst Ulbricht
  • Patent number: 6163014
    Abstract: Circuit chips, such as known good die (KGD) chips, are removed from an assembly including a plurality of circuit chips attached to at least one chip carrier, or substrate. The substrate is held within a top plate with the circuit chips positioned within successive chip cavities within a bottom plate. Each chip cavity includes a load surface separated by a cascade effect pitch with respect to adjacent chip cavities. A cascade effect shear force is sequentially applied to the circuit chips to remove them from the substrate. The chips may be heated to a temperature facilitating shear within a temperature range at which solder connections are solid, and the chips further heated following disassembly to a temperature at which the solder is liquid to facilitate reforming the solder for subsequent attachment of the chip into an electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Christian Bergeron, Raymond Lord, Mario Racicot
  • Patent number: 6129256
    Abstract: The invention provides a reflow furnace for an electronic assembly. The electronic assembly comprises a printed circuit board and a device on the printed circuit board. The printed circuit board has solder at a first area near the device and a metallic surface at second area distant from the device. The furnace comprises a frame, a support, a heater, and a shield. The support is secured to the frame and is capable of holding the printed circuit board. The heater is secured to the frame and is capable of heating the printed circuit board while being held by the support. The shield is secured to the frame and is positioned to prevent solder from migrating from the first area to the metallic surface at the second area while the printed circuit board is being heated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Watson, Kiet M. Van, Steven B. Roach
  • Patent number: 6111226
    Abstract: An electric oven includes a front door, upper and lower heating tubes mounted in the oven near a top and a bottom thereof, respectively, an oven rack fixed between the upper and the lower heating tubes, a grease drip tray removably fixed below the lower heating tubes for catching dropped grease drips, a frying pan fixed above the upper heating tubes, and a top lid that may be pivotally and upward turned open for access to the frying pan. The top lid is provided on an inner surface along outer edges thereof with a perpendicular and continuous flange, such that when the top lid is in a closed position, the flange tightly contacts with top edges of the frying pan to seal the same. The oven is further provided on two lateral inner wall surfaces with two sliding channels, so that the grease drip tray may be removed from its lower position in the oven to fix in and between the two sliding channels for catching grease drips dropped from the frying pan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Inventor: Wen-Ching Lee
  • Patent number: 6070517
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for removing dampness form a cooking space (3) of a steam cooking device or a pressure cooker (1). The cooking space is at least partially filled with steam. The steam or the mixture of hot air and steam, respectively, is circulated in the cooking space (3) by means of a ventilating wheel (9) or a radial fan. The gas mixture to be circulated is sucked in substantially axially in the central area (10) of the ventilating wheel (9) and is drawn off to the outside substantially radially, with superfluous steam or superfluous mixture of hot air and steam, respectively, being removed from the cooking space (3) through a waste air opening (11) and dry fresh air being supplied from the outside for removing dampness. The dry fresh air is supplied at the rear, is sucked in through an opening (27) provided in the rear front end (25) of the ventilating wheel (9) and is deflected to the outside of the ventilating wheel (9) by way of a deflecting device (29).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Eloma GmbH Grobkuchentechnik
    Inventor: Peter Helm
  • Patent number: 6008475
    Abstract: An enclosure for electronic components which is provided with a heater mounted to an exterior wall to maintain a minimum operating temperature for the electronic components without utilizing space within the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Nandakumar G. Aakalu, Peter Giannoglou, Woodly Maurice
  • Patent number: 5998766
    Abstract: This invention relates to a processing apparatus having an object holding means for holding an object to be processed, a processing chamber for housing the object to be processed and the object holding means, an ultraviolet irradiation means for irradiating ultraviolet rays on the object to be processed, an ultraviolet irradiation means chamber incorporating the ultraviolet irradiation means, an opening/closing means for opening/closing an opening for allowing the processing chamber to communicate with the ultraviolet irradiation means chamber, a first exhaust means for exhausting ozone which is produced upon irradiation of the ultraviolet ray by the ultraviolet irradiation means and present in the processing chamber, and a second exhaust means for exhausting ozone produced in the ultraviolet irradiation means chamber, and a processing method using the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Kengo Mizosaki, Masaaki Yoshida
  • Patent number: 5990452
    Abstract: An oven includes a front door, a pivotable product support platform, and a back opening. There is a ramp connected to the back of the oven at the back opening, so that, when the platform pivots downwardly to eject product from the oven, the product slides down the platform and onto the ramp. The oven includes a control system, including a timer, which controls a solenoid that causes the platform to drop down when it is time to remove the product from the oven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Carton Drive Enterprises LLC
    Inventor: Winston L. Shelton
  • Patent number: 5945016
    Abstract: An improved vapor degreaser with a tank having a conventional lower portion with a solvent which is heated and cooling coils which largely combine the solvent vapor zone to a solvent vapor level. An upper tank portion rests above the conventional tank and has a second set of cooling coils. A first cover is placeable between the conventional tank and the upper tank portion. A second cover is placeable over the upper tank portion to provide a vapor degreaser with a much lower chance of any vapors escaping the degreaser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: D.I.S., Inc., dba Delta Industries
    Inventor: Roberg G. Cormack
  • Patent number: 5892203
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing laminated integrated circuit cubes includes a hermetically sealable oven chamber. At least one conductive heating device is used to heat the cube to a cure temperature. A vacuum source is connected to the oven chamber to remove gas from between the integrated circuit layers prior to curing. A press device applies pressure to the cube while it is heated under vacuum. A cooling gas is circulated through the oven chamber after curing. A cooling fluid can also be circulated through cooling channels in at least one wall of the oven chamber to cool the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Stanley Robert Jordan, Gary Leon Stewart, Ralph Trollinger
  • Patent number: 5824995
    Abstract: Apparatus for use in the transportation of fluid materials or particulate matter Apparatus for use in the transportation of fluid materials or particulate matter in a container for use with container handling equipment, such as an ISO 20 foot container (50). The apparatus comprises body means (52) removably fittable in such a container (50) for defining a volume for containing a fluid material or particulate matter when fitted in such a container. The body means is provided with adjusting means (66) for selectively varying said volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Crestbury Limited
    Inventor: John Richard Wise
  • Patent number: 5676870
    Abstract: A convectively-enhanced radiant heat oven includes an elongated cooking chamber with first and second ends positioned opposite each other. A removable holder is positioned in the chamber to hold food items for cooking. One or more heating devices are placed in the chamber to create radiant heat. An air circulating device for circulating heated air within the chamber is positioned within the chamber on the first end. A vent, positioned along a wall of the internal chamber nearest the second end is used to adjust cooking characteristics of the oven. The oven cooks a wide range of foods quickly and efficiently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1997
    Assignee: UltraVection International, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis Wassman, Gerald Loveless
  • Patent number: 5387258
    Abstract: Self-cleaning oven including a cooking compartment, a hinged door and a venting assembly. The venting assembly includes a fan connected to an aspiration duct which is in turn connected to an interspace provided in the door. The fan is also connected to a venting duct arranged parallel to the aspiration duct and has an outlet arranged above the door. The interspace of the door has an inlet for drawing air from the outside, and an outlet connected to the aspiration duct. The fan is adapted to draw air from the outside, through the interspace, and to discharge the air through said outlet of the venting duct. A venting device is provided connecting the cooking compartment to the venting duct and an auxiliary venting duct is provided inside the venting duct, at the venting device. A tray is provided at the end of the auxiliary venting device to prevent moisture from being discharged at the venting duct outlet in the form of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1995
    Assignee: Fulgor S.p.A.
    Inventor: Orio Puricelli
  • Patent number: 5170039
    Abstract: The toaster comprises a housing for receiving the pieces of bread to be toasted or to be reheated and on both sides of this housing an electric heating element having an electric resistor (R.sub.1, R.sub.2) wound on an elongated support made of insulating material (10, 11).On both sides of the housing there is provided at least one second electric resistor (R.sub.3, R.sub.4), commutation being provided to connect to the mains, as desired, one or both of the abovementioned resistors.Use: to permit a plurality of heating modes in toasters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1992
    Assignee: SeB S.A.
    Inventor: Roger Eisenberg
  • Patent number: 4954694
    Abstract: A self-cleaning type cooking oven with a cooking chamber which has a function to pyrolytically eliminate food soils accumulated on walls of the cooking chamber. The cooking oven includes a heater for supplying heat into the cooking chamber so as to allow to pyrolytically degrade the food soils and an exhausting passage coupled to the cooking chamber to exhaust gases generated due to the pyrolytical degradation to an ambient atmosphere. In the exhausting passage is provided an oxidizing catalyst which oxidizes the gases introduced thereinto for exhausting and also provided a gas sensor to detect a gas component therearound. Also included in the cooking oven is a heat control unit electrically connected to the heater for controlling heat supply into the cooking chamber, the heat control unit being responsive to a gas signal therefrom to determine a heating time period for chamber cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1990
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Nagai, Hiroshi Fukuda, Masahiko Itoh, Takao Shitaya
  • Patent number: 4897528
    Abstract: A contaminant elimination system is disclosed which eliminates (or dramatically reduces) the contaminating components in, for example, exhaust gas from a kiln by enclosing the kiln gas venting channel and processing the exhaust gas by the contaminant eliminator system. This system includes a heating element which is disposed adjacent to the gas venting channel. The heating element is controlled to heat the kiln exhaust gas to a temperature (e.g., 1800.degree.) at which many of the contaminating gases change to a less harmful state. The heated exhaust gas is directed along a winding cooling path where metallic particles in contaminated exhaust gas compounds are plated on relatively cold condensing plates. The cooled exhaust gas is then filtered to trap substantially all remaining airborne metallic or other contaminating particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1990
    Inventor: Frank H. Anthony
  • Patent number: 4852516
    Abstract: A self-contained modular processing apparatus is disclosed for processing workpieces, and in particular, silicon wafers. The apparatus is constructed of framed modules which plug into a service facility docking subassembly and interlock therewith to make up a complete modular processing system for wafer processing. Each module may be provided with its own wafer transporting mechanism and includes a built-in CPU such that each module is an independent, stand-alone processing unit. Each processing unit, by being capable of independent operation, functions as a building block to configure a modular processing system capable of handling wafer flow in multiple directions while performing a multitude of processing functions or operations. Individual modules are arranged along a line of single fold symmetry such that a single transport mechanism may be employed for transferring wafers among adjacent modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1989
    Assignee: Machine Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard H. Rubin, Benjamin J. Petrone, Richard C. Heim, Scott M. Pawenski
  • Patent number: 4757181
    Abstract: A heating oven has a weighing apparatus, and a weight of a food material placed on a tray in a heating cavity is conveyed by Roberval mechanism. The conveyed weight is measured by the weighing apparatus, and the heating oven controls heating time, heating power and the like responding to the measured weight of the food stuff.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1988
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuho Sakamoto, Takao Shitaya, Makoto Mihara
  • Patent number: 4641015
    Abstract: A portable cooking appliance for the main purpose of cooking food in an oven or grilling food on a hotplate (4) includes a chamber (1) having an oven in which extends an electric resistance-heating element (14). There is placed at the top of the oven chamber (1) a cooking hotplate (4) beneath which extends an electric resistance-heating element (5). The element (5) is located within a compartment (6) which is separated from the oven chamber by a metal plate (7). The resistance-heating element (5) is connected to an adjustable thermostat (9) associated with a temperature probe (13). The electric resistance-heating element (14) is connected directly to the line supply by a switch (16) for interrupting the supply of current to the element (14) independently of the current supply to the resistance-heating element (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1987
    Assignee: SEB S.A.
    Inventor: Jacques Mayeur
  • Patent number: 4601279
    Abstract: An oven, particularly a household cooking/baking oven which has a pyrolytic-type self-cleaning mode of operation, is provided with a ventilation system for preventing the temperature of the oven controls, particularly electronic controls, which are provided out near the front on the cabinet, from being subjected to too high, possibly or probably degrading or disabling temperatures, e.g. while the pyrolytic self-cleaning operation is taking place. In particular, a forced air ducting system is provided between the exterior of the oven cavity and the interior of the oven cabinet. The fresh air intake for this system is interposed between the controls and the exhaust, in such a way as to bathe much of the peripheric of the controls with cool air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1986
    Assignee: Societe de Dietrich
    Inventor: Jacky Guerin
  • Patent number: 4587946
    Abstract: A baking oven comprising a housing having a proofer compartment and a baking compartment. Doors are provided for access to the compartment. Support racks are disposed in the compartments for supporting dough products therein. A heating element and conduit are associated with the proofer compartment for recirculating hot humid air therein. The baking compartment has a rear wall supported in spaced relationship to interior surfaces of the baking compartment to define an outer circumferential convection opening thereabout. An air intake port is provided in the rear wall and an impeller fan draws air through the intake port and directs it through heating elements and then expels it through the circumferential opening forwardly of the rear wall creating a recirculated heated air flow distributed through the baking compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1986
    Inventors: Jacques Doyon, Maurice Doyon
  • Patent number: 4481404
    Abstract: In a cooking oven which is cleaned by pyrolyzation of soil within the oven cavity and has a smoke eliminator duct extending through the oven wall, with a smoke eliminator heater disposed adjacent to the duct inlet, a reducing gas sensor is mounted either adjacent to the oven end of the smoke eliminator duct or within the smoke eliminator duct near its discharge end. An electrical relay or microcomputer control is coupled between the gas sensor and the heater to initially heat the oven interior and to later deenergize the heater when the reducing gas sensor output indicates a desired oven condition. The oven heaters are temporarily deenergized when the gas sensor output indicate a smoke eliminator overload. If the gas sensor is mounted in the smoke eliminator duct, the smoke eliminator heater may be deenergized toward the end of the cleaning cycle, so that the effluent is not affected by the smoke eliminator heater before reaching the gas sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1984
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Charles E. Thomas, Robert J. Wojnarowski
  • Patent number: 4415799
    Abstract: This invention relates to a cooking appliance for heating a heating load (22) with a hot air as heated by a heater unit (17) and circulated in a heating chamber (2) by a fan unit (18). The temperature in the heating chamber (2) is detected by a temperature detector (26) to control the heater (17) and fan unit (18), whereby the fermentation necessary for breadmaking is performed satisfactorily to yield a neatly baked bread.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1983
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junzo Tanaka, Toshio Kai, Yoshitomo Fujitani
  • Patent number: 4355570
    Abstract: A barbecue oven is provided for cooking and smoking food. The oven includes a grease control system for the door of the oven comprising an inset portion and a door grease deflector cooperating to direct grease and moisture deposited on the inner door surface during cooking to the bottom interior surface of the oven. The oven also includes an electrical heating element support and wood tray assembly. An electrical heating element is supported within the assembly and protected from contact with grease or moisture within the oven. The heating element support confines heat generated by the heating element to create an area beneath the top surface of the heating element support having a relatively elevated temperature. This elevated temperature enhances the natural convection within the oven to uniformly heat the cooking area and also causes the wood within the wood tray assembly to smoulder. Multiple apertures in the assembly aid the convection flow for efficient heat transfer to the oven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1982
    Assignee: Fred B. Bearden, Jr.
    Inventors: Edward W. Martin, Kenneth R. Meyers, Fred E. Tucker, III
  • Patent number: 4163894
    Abstract: The specification discloses a self-cleaning oven including an outer housing with an oven liner disposed within the housing in a spaced-apart relationship forming cavities between the housing and liner walls. A duct system is provided for directing air from the vicinity of the lower front and rear of the oven to the cavity between the top walls of the housing and liner. A heating element is mounted in a proximate relationship to a smoke eliminator panel mounted on the top liner wall. Smoke and gases emanating from the oven pass through apertures formed in the smoke eliminator panel to a vent tube. The vent tube discharges gases from the smoke eliminator panel into a discharge duct above the oven liner. A diluter tube encompassing the vent tube allows air to pass from the cavity between the top walls of the oven liner and the housing into the discharge duct. The air dilutes the smoke and gases from the oven liner, and the diluted smoke and gases are then exhausted from apertures in the front of the oven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1977
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1979
    Assignee: Chambers Corporation
    Inventor: Richard M. Scherer
  • Patent number: 4071739
    Abstract: Disclosed is an oven which may or may not be incorporated in a domestic cooking range. The oven is characterized by the presence of a fan inset in one side wall of the oven. A plate having upper and lower slots approximately aligned with the conventionally located upper and lower oven heating elements overlies the fan. The slots or openings in the plate provide discharge apertures for the fan so that the air streams from the fan sweep past the heating elements to provide forced circulation or "convected" mode operation. Since the oven heating elements are conventionally located, the oven may be operated in the conventional, radiant mode by halting operation of the fan. The oven is thus easily convertible to either radiant or convection mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1977
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1978
    Assignee: Jenn Air Corporation
    Inventors: Louis J. Jenn, Joseph J. Cerola
  • Patent number: 4071738
    Abstract: Disclosed is a domestic cooking range of the ventilated type having surface elements and an underlying oven characterized by an extension of the ventilating fan motor shaft carrying an auxiliary fan disposed within the oven which provides forced circulation of air in the oven. The oven may thus be selectively operated in the conventional radiant heating mode or in the forced circulation or "convected" mode depending upon whether the ventilating fan motor is in operation. The oven can be held at an elevated temperature (of the order of 550.degree. F) for a time interval to accelerate catalytic self-cleaning (catalyst added to the porcelain frit covering the oven surface) because of air circulation within the oven door and passages adjacent the door, this cooling air flow being induced by operation of the ventilating fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1976
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1978
    Assignee: Jenn Air Corporation
    Inventors: Louis J. Jenn, Joseph J. Cerola
  • Patent number: 4065658
    Abstract: An electric oven toaster construction wherein a unique manually operable lever, latch lever, and catch lever are provided for controlling operation of an oven toaster main switch and an oven toaster timer. The manually operable lever is provided with a lug for actuating the latch lever to release the catch lever to stop the operation of the toast timer and open the main switch without opening the oven toaster door. The manually operable lever is also provided with a pin which is uniquely positioned with respect to the catch lever for both operating the catch lever to start operation of the toast timer and being actuated by the catch lever at the end of a toasting cycle for moving the manually operable lever to open the main switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1976
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1977
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Robert E. Keim
  • Patent number: 4039292
    Abstract: A catalytic oxidation unit of the type used for oxidizing fumes from ovens and the like comprises a metallic housing providing a tubular body portion with spaced shoulders in the through passage and a block of cellular ceramic material therebetween. One of the spaced shoulders is provided by an apertured front wall on the housing, and the block of ceramic material is biased against this front wall shoulder by resiliently compressible means acting between the block and the other shoulder. The ceramic material block has an oxidation catalyst on the walls of the cells thereof which is effective to oxidize organic materials in the fumes passing through the metallic housing and the block of ceramic material therewithin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1977
    Assignee: The Stanley Works
    Inventors: Ralph E. Morini, Martin D. Turgeon
  • Patent number: 4020323
    Abstract: A broiling oven formed by an oven liner and an access door. Two electric radiant heating elements are located beneath the top wall of the oven liner. A hinged reflective plate is supported at each side of the innermost heating element. When these plates are lowered they form a miniature broiling compartment using the innermost heating element. When they are raised both heating elements may be operated together or separately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1975
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1977
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Raymond L. Dills
  • Patent number: 3962561
    Abstract: A pyrolytic self-cleaning oven includes means for heating a thermally insulated oven muffle to a temperature of about 400.degree. to 500.degree. C. to clean the walls thereof by pyrolysis. In order to facilitate the pyrolytic self cleaning action and to reduce the overall time of high heat application to the oven muffle to effect that cleaning, the coldest regions of the muffle, including the inner surface of the access door and narrow zones of the muffle walls immediately surrounding the muffle access opening and the air inlets to the muffle, are provided with a coating of catalytic enamel capable of withstanding the pyrolytic cleaning temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1974
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1976
    Assignee: Compagnie Europeenne pour l'Equipement Menager, CEPEM
    Inventor: Paul Maitenaz
  • Patent number: 3936659
    Abstract: An electrically heated high temperature oven for removing organic contaminants from glassware and metals, wherein preset timers and a temperature controller direct a three-stage pyrolysis-oxidation process continually monitored by combustion detection systems and applied within a high temperature oven incorporating additional safety devices for a protection of personnel and equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1974
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1976
    Inventor: Kenneth R. Mainord