With Temperature Or Current Control Means Patents (Class 219/441)
  • Publication number: 20020175161
    Abstract: A paraffin bath apparatus for melting paraffin used in therapeutic applications is disclosed. The paraffin bath apparatus comprises a housing having a base, a sidewall and upper opening. An inner tub is formed of a temperature resistant polymeric material is a generally cup shaped member having a bottom wall, an upstanding wall and an open top. The inner tub is received within the upper opening of the housing with the bottom wall of the inner tub overlying the base of the housing. The heating element is located between the inner tub and the housing for providing heat to the inner tub sufficient to melt the paraffin but below the temperature that would adversely affect the polymeric material forming inner tub. A thermostatic sensor is disposed between the inner tub and the housing and is electrically connected to the heating element to control the heat provided to the inner tub. A temperature indicating element may be provided in the inner tub and placed in contact with paraffin melted in the inner tub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2002
    Publication date: November 28, 2002
    Applicant: HoMedics, Inc.
    Inventor: Dov Glucksman
  • Patent number: 6486446
    Abstract: A combination of a bottom of a pan and a heating device comprises a pan, an aluminum alloy plate and an electric heating member welded to a bottom of the pan by means of instantaneous welding, a thermostatic circuit fixed to the bottom of the pan for keeping the pan at a constant temperature when energized, a mounting plate integrally formed with the aluminum alloy plate, and a temperature-control switch fixed to the mounting plate. A switch is mounted to a rear of the temperature-control switch to thereby switch the temperature-control switch between the electric heating member and the thermostatic circuit. An activating member is operably connected to the switch in a manner that the electric heating member is turned on when the activating member is manually activated and that the electric heating member is turned off and the thermostatic circuit is energized when a food in the pan is well cooked or heated to a predetermined temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Inventor: Yao-Tsung Kao
  • Publication number: 20020088791
    Abstract: Apparatus for melting a solid mass of wax is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a housing having abase and a sidewall. A heating element is disposed inside the housing and positioned near the base for generating heat. A heat conducting plate is positioned above the heating element for conducting the heat from the heating element to melt a bottom surface of the solid mass of wax. A control circuit is provided for automatically controlling a temperature of the heating element. In operation, the apparatus performs a fast and efficient method for melting wax. A bottom surface of the solid wax mass is melted into a bottom layer of melted wax using the heating element. The heating element is shut off once the bottom layer of melted wax reaches a desired volume. A portion of the bottom layer of melted wax is transferred to a top surface of the solid wax mass to create a top layer of melted wax, so that a remaining core of solid wax mass is disposed between the top and bottom layers of melted wax.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2001
    Publication date: July 11, 2002
    Inventors: Zheng Qing Yang, Yuan Kun Zhang
  • Patent number: 6399526
    Abstract: A quartz glass which would not become a source for the contamination even if it contains metallic impurities. This quartz glass includes a region where a concentration of E′ center as measured by means of an. electron spin resonance analysis is 3×1019 cm−3 or more. This quartz glass can be manufactured by a method including the steps of forming an initial quartz glass by melting and quenching a raw material for quartz glass, and implanting therein an ion, which is capable of entering into an SiO2 network of the initial quartz glass and substantially incapable of externally diffusing, to increase a concentration of E′ center in at least part of the initial quartz glass. This quartz glass can be manufactured by a method making use of a quartz glass raw material containing 0.01 to 0.1% by weight of-silicon, by a method of irradiating ultraviolet ray to the initial quartz glass, or by a method of giving an abrasion damage to the surface of the initial quartz glass by means of sand blast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Ceramics, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Tomita, Tsuneo Ishii, Chie Hongo
  • Publication number: 20020047003
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for processing sample materials. The sample materials may be located in a plurality of process chambers in the device, which is rotated during heating of the sample materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Inventors: William Bedingham, Raj Rajagopal, Barry W. Robole, Kannan Seshadri
  • Patent number: 6369364
    Abstract: An electric thermo pot provided with a coating layer formed on the inner surface of the vessel containing powdered charcoal. Electric thermo pot of the present invention improves quality of liquid kept therein. It is generally believed that the liquid quality is improved presumably by infrared ray radiated from the powdered charcoal contained in the layer. Presumable causes for the improvement also include a very small amount of certain elements dissolving out of the powdered charcoal into the liquid and an effect of absorption pertinent to the powdered charcoal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Oe, Satoshi Shimizu, Hidekata Kawanishi
  • Patent number: 6363216
    Abstract: A water heater having a water tank and multiple electric resistance heating elements extending into the water tank for heating water in the tank. The water heater includes a proportional band temperature controller for conducting electric power to the electric resistance heating elements in bursts. Each burst of electric power is followed by a period during which the temperature controller does not conduct power to the electric resistance heating element. In one embodiment, each burst of electrical power lasts for about 95% or less of a cycle comprised of one burst of electric power followed by the period during which the temperature controller does not conduct electric power. Further, activation of the heating elements by the controller is carried out in a sequential or other timed or controlled fashion to permit uniform heating of the water in the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Inventor: Kenneth A. Bradenbaugh
  • Patent number: 6341555
    Abstract: A protective device for power supply of frying pan comprises a control lever disposed by side of a plurality of heat-source terminals; a power-supply unit laid on a base, having a power-supply chamber and a slot partitioned inside; a protective shield disposed on an inner top face of the power-supply unit, wherein a resilient device is disposed at a rear end of the protective shield to push the latter forward. When the frying pan is out of use, the protective shield is operated to cover an opening of the power-supply chamber, or when the frying pan is put to use, a user is supposed to place a pan casing on the base, then plug the control lever in the slot to push the protective shield backward to thereby open the opening of the power-supply chamber and allow the heat-source terminals to enter a power-supply jack and turn the power on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Assignee: Lyu Jan Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Li-Chen Chang
  • Patent number: 6283014
    Abstract: A dual-voltage, energy saving, electric pressure cooker is designed with a thermally insulated cooking pot, spaced-apart support on the bottom of the pot to prevent food from sticking to the bottom, a unique, hinged, sauce-pan style handle for sealing and unsealing the pot using one hand, a built-in modem that supports the remote operation of manual or preprogrammed cooking controls by telephone or computer. The energy saving is accomplished in a two-mode pressure cooking process. Cooking mode one is active heating or steaming for a short, but controlled period of time, as the liquid inside the pot reaches a temperature of approximately 120° C. (250° F.). Heating is then discontinued and foodstuffs are subsequently cooked to perfection in a second cooking mode wherein latent heat from the first cooking mode completes the cooking process without additional heat being added.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Inventors: Andrew Ng, Wing Tong Ng
  • Patent number: 6283015
    Abstract: A steam exhaust system of an electric pressurizing device which can control the pressure in a cooking vessel and simultaneously can prevent the pressure in the cooking vessel from excessively increasing during the cooking operation. In the steam exhaust system, a steam exhaust pipe penetrates a lid of the electric pressurizing device, and has a steam exhaust channel formed therein. A valve assembly is provided which includes a frame and a pressurizing plate. The valve assembly opens and closes the steam exhaust channel of the steam exhaust pipe by the pivoting of the pressurizing plate. A pressure control device actuates the valve assembly by way of a magnetic force to control the blocking pressure in the steam exhaust pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyung-Ahn Kwon, Yong-Ho Lee
  • Publication number: 20010015351
    Abstract: A rotary nozzle device has
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2001
    Publication date: August 23, 2001
    Inventors: Hiroyoshi Nomura, Noboru Wakami, Kazuyuki Aihara
  • Patent number: 6274850
    Abstract: The invention is directed to an apparatus for identifying a subject medium from several possible subject media within a cooking device, such as deep fat fryer. The apparatus contains one subject medium within the cooking device and has a controller, which includes a timer, and generates a conductivity signal. The apparatus also includes a conductivity measuring device which receives the conductivity signal and measures a conductivity value device in response to the conductivity signal. The controller determines the subject medium's composition by comparing the measured conductivity value to predetermined conductivity values for the known group of subject media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Henny Penny Corporation
    Inventor: Gary L. Mercer
  • Patent number: 6268591
    Abstract: A safety and/or control device for an electric cooking appliance, the appliance having a case defining a cooking enclosure and a component for heating the enclosure. The device includes: at least one switch arranged to close a circuit for supplying current to the heating component, this switch including a case and an actuating button, at least one sensing element which is movable between a safe position, corresponding to a predetermined configuration for placing the appliance into operation, and an unsafe position, corresponding to another configuration in which the appliance should not be placed into operation, and, optionally, a control unit accessible from outside the case and movable between an on position and an off position. The switch can be operated to close the current supply circuit in response to the sensing element and the control unit, or in response to two sensing elements, when the element and the control unit or both sensing elements are each in a defined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignee: SEB S.A.
    Inventor: Jean-Marie Thevenin
  • Patent number: 6259068
    Abstract: A food-heating appliance has a heating unit with a bottom and at least one upstanding sidewall, a heating chamber with an annular lip, and a heating element. A cooking unit is also provided with a bottom and at least one upstanding sidewall, a cooking chamber adapted to be at least partially received within the heating chamber, and a medial wall upstanding from the bottom wall defining at least a first and second cooking subchamber. The heating element supplies heat to the cooking unit via the heating chamber to heat the first and second cooking subchambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: The Rival Company
    Inventor: Mary Kathleen Barrow
  • Patent number: 6188046
    Abstract: A food-heating appliance has a heating unit with a bottom and at least one upstanding sidewall, a heating chamber with an annular lip, and a heating element. A cooking unit is also provided with a bottom and at least one upstanding sidewall, a cooking chamber adapted to be at least partially received within the heating chamber, and a medial wall upstanding from the bottom wall defining at least a first and second cooking subchamber. The heating element supplies heat to the cooking unit via the heating chamber to heat the first and second cooking subchambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: The Rival Company
    Inventor: Mary Kathleen Barrow
  • Patent number: 6180925
    Abstract: A heating element for a liquid heating vessel, comprises a metal substrate, an insulating layer provided over the substrate, and an electrically conductive heating track provided over the insulating layer. The heating track comprises a path extending between two contact pads, the heating track defining regions of relatively high density of track portions and regions of relatively low density of track portions. The contact pads are located in regions of relatively low density, and the layout of the heating track is designed such that in the event of thermal overheating of the element, the heating track ruptures at one of a predetermined set of locations in high density regions of the heating track. The heating track itself thereby functions as a thermal fuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Robin K. Moore, Sander Slegt
  • Patent number: 6172341
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a water kettle (1) including at the junction between the handle (18) and the housing (2) a safety arrangement (64) comprised of a button, an actuating element (44) and a detent lever, which allows operation of the water kettle (1) only when the lid (26) closes the opening (48) of the water kettle (1). Opening of the lid (26) automatically turns off the water kettle (1). The risk of an operator being scalded is thereby essentially eliminated. Manipulation of the water kettle (1) is also facilitated by the automatic shutoff feature of the water kettle (1) when the lid (26) is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: G{umlaut over (u)}nter Hoffmann, Ralph Neuh{umlaut over (a)}user
  • Patent number: 6169273
    Abstract: A dynamic recirculation system for heating and storing emulsified fuel oil includes: a recirculative heater provided on a feed pipe for feeding emulsified fuel oil into a daily storage tank, and a feedback pipe connected to an outlet pipe of the tank for directing a returning oil streamflow to be heated and warmed by the recirculatvie heater at a predetermined optimum temperature for recirculating and storing the warm emulsified fuel oil for preventing overheating of the emulsified fuel oil and preventing separation of water from emulsified fuel oil, thereby maintaining a stable homogeneous emulsified fuel oil for a better combustion in a furnace or boiler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Fueltec Energy Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Jen-Lian Liou
  • Patent number: 6155159
    Abstract: A safety device for an electric cooking appliance, the appliance having a case forming a housing provided to receive a removable bowl and a unit for heating the bowl. The safety device is composed of an element for sensing the presence of the bowl in the housing, the element being mounted to be movable against a restoring member between a first position which the element assumes when the bowl is present in the housing, and a second position which the element assumes when the bowl is not present in the housing or is not correctly positioned in the housing, the second position corresponding to a position to which the element is urged by the restoring member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: SEB S.A.
    Inventor: Jean-Claude Bizard
  • Patent number: 6153859
    Abstract: A liquid heating vessel (6) has a heated base (8) and a thermally sensitive control mounted to the base (8). The control comprises a boiling control for interrupting the supply of energy to the vessel element (12) when liquid in the vessel boils. It is responsive to the liquid temperature in a sump (18) in the vessel base, and comprises a bimetallic actuator (100) in thermal contact with the sump (18) through a C-shaped copper conductor member (110). The vessel also comprises a simmer control operable to maintain the liquid in the vessel at a predetermined temperature after boiling. This control comprises a snap-acting bimetallic actuator through which the current to the element flows to rapidly heat the actuator after a set of contacts is closed, so as to supply energy to the element in short bursts to prevent an audible heating sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Strix Limited
    Inventors: John Crawshaw Taylor, Keith Barrie Doyle
  • Patent number: 6150640
    Abstract: A temperature controller for electric cooking appliances includes a activating button movably provided on an outer surface and a temperature controller fixed inside an electric cooking appliance. The temperature controller has a shaft and a gear fixed on an end of the shaft. The activating button has a connect member extending in the electric cooking appliance, and a base connected to the connect member, which has a rack formed under an upper wall to engage the gear. The rack has a width at least equal to the linear moving distance of the shaft. Then the activating button is moved rightward and leftward, letting the base with the rack move also so that the gear is rotated by the rack, with the shaft rotating to move forward or backward so as to set the wide range of temperature with many stages to be got for heating the electric cooking appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Ya Horng Electronic Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jin Yi Huang
  • Patent number: 6140614
    Abstract: An electric drinking cup for use while driving a vehicle comprised of a plastic inner liner, a metal outer shell, and an insulation-filled space therebetween. A heating element is associated with the bottom portion of the inner liner, and is electrically connected to a vehicle's electrical system. The plastic inner liner curves around the upper edge of the outer metal shell providing a cup lip, which does not get hot when containing a hot liquid. The plastic inner liner and heating element further provide a diffuse heat that heats liquid, such as coffee or hot chocolate, slowly to the desired temperature such that, when heated, the liquid does not become burned and distasteful. The outer metal shell provides durability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Global Sales, Inc.
    Inventor: Riaz A. Padamsee
  • Patent number: 6140615
    Abstract: A heater apparatus includes a flat-shaped heater portion attachable to a vessel such as a water tank, and a controller for controlling the heater portion. The heater portion includes a flat heater, a first temperature sensor for detecting temperature of the flat heater, and a second temperature sensor for detecting temperature of what is contained in the vessel or water tank. The controller keeps the temperature constant inside the vessel in accordance with the temperature detected by the second temperature sensor. If the rate of rise in temperature detected by the first temperature sensor is faster than is deemed normal, the controller stops current flowing to the flat heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Sanki Consys Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masahide Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 6107607
    Abstract: The present invention relates to drinks dispense equipment having an ice dispensing capability. A drip tray is secured to such a dispenser and the drip tray has an electrical heating element secured directly to a bottom surface thereof. The heating element consists of a specialized printed circuit having a flexible plastic base having a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) electrical heating element printed on one surface thereof. The PTC element's resistance to the flow of electrical current decreases as its temperature decreases. Thus, the cooler the circuit the more current is allowed to flow there through, whereas the warmer the circuit the less current flows through the heating element thereof. In operation, as ice accumulates on the drip tray, the heating element is cooled causing an increase in the heat output thereof, thereby melting the ice. Once the ice has melted the heating element will reduce the flow of current as the temperature thereof warms to ambient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: IMI Cornelius Inc.
    Inventor: Thaddeus M. Jablonski
  • Patent number: 6080968
    Abstract: A control for engagement with the external base of a liquid heating vessel comprises a carrier mounting two bimetallic actuators at opposite ends thereof. The actuators operate at the same temperature. Attached to the carrier is a moulding which provides a cordless electrical connector for the vessel, as well as mounting switch means operable by the actuators through push rods. The push rod acts on a leaf spring to open the contacts, and upon further movement engages an arm of a trip lever, so tripping the lever and causing a further arm of the lever to engage the leaf spring open the contacts fully.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Strix Limited
    Inventor: John Crawshaw Taylor
  • Patent number: 6058245
    Abstract: A fryer system having a vat containing shortening, a first heater for supplying heat to the shortening, and a second heater for supplying heat to the shortening. The second heater is preferably activated only when the temperature of the shortening falls below a predetermined minimum temperature and disabled when the temperature of the shortening reaches a predetermined maximum temperature. In one preferred embodiment, the first heater is a heat exchanger with a gas burner while the second heater is an electric heating element. In another preferred embodiment, the first heater is an electric heating element and the second heater is an autotransformer supplying an overvoltage to the electric heating element. A method for operating a heating system for a fryer is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: AFC Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Albert Charles McNamara, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6051819
    Abstract: A method and a device for controlling the temperature of hot tap-water, which is heated on the secondary side of a heat exchanger. In order to achieve a quick response and a good temperature stability, the changes of the temperature and the flow of the hot tap-water are sensed on the secondary side of the heat exchanger, these sensed variations controlling a regulator which in turn controls a setting device regulating the flow on the primary side of the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Inventor: Alf Ottosson
  • Patent number: 6046438
    Abstract: A heating element 2 comprises a substantially planar substrate 4 having a heating track or tracks 8 and a thermal sensor 10, in the form of a track or discrete component, disposed on one side of the substrate 4. The thermal sensor 10 is separated from the heating track 8 by a locally thinner portion 12 of the substrate 4. The sensor 10 may be located in, or surrounded by, the thinner portion 12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventor: Sander Slegt
  • Patent number: 6018150
    Abstract: A method for heating a medium in a heating apparatus comprising establishing a setpoint temperature for the medium, determining thermal characteristics of the heating apparatus and the medium during a first mode of operation, the thermal characteristics establishing an idle-on pulse duration for raising the temperature of the medium a first amount, generating at a move-to-idle temperature a move-to-idle pulse of heat having a move-to-idle pulse duration, the move-to-idle pulse duration being sufficient to raise the temperature of the medium to a temperature above the setpoint temperature, wherein the move-to-idle pulse duration is derived from the idle-on pulse duration and the deviation between the setpoint temperature and the move-to-idle temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: Tridelta Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles A. Maher, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5973297
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cooking device including a vessel for heating a cooking substance. The cooking substance is divided between a heating zone, a transition zone, and a cold zone. A first heating element is used to heat the cooking substance in the heating zone, and a transition zone heating device is used to heat the cooking substance in the transition zone. The transition zone heating device may be a pump for introducing a mixing medium into the cooking substance in the transition zone whereby the cooking substance in the heating zone mixes with the cooking substance in the transition zone. The mixing medium may be air, whereby the cooking substance in the heating zone is turbulently mixed with the cooking substance in the transition zone. The mixing medium also may be a portion of the cooking substance withdrawn by the pump from the transition zone and then reintroduced to the transition zone, thereby creating turbulence in the transition zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Henny Penny Corporation
    Inventors: David B. Winter, James D. King, Robert W. Stirling
  • Patent number: 5968396
    Abstract: A compact, portable warmer which is insertable into a bottle for the purpose of warming and stirring contents of the bottle. The warmer has a projecting heating element having a stainless steel sheath configured similarly to a paddle, and a cap for protecting the heating element from contamination and for protecting external objects from heat from the heating element. The portable warmer includes a battery for powering the heating element, an on-off switch, and an electrical cable for recharging the battery from a socket of a cigarette lighter of a motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Inventor: Nancy Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 5948304
    Abstract: A water heater having a water tank and a electric resistance heating element extending into the water tank for heating water in the tank. The water heater includes a proportional band temperature controller for conducting electric power to the electric resistance heating element in bursts. Each burst of electric power is followed by a period during which the temperature controller does not conduct power to the electric resistance heating element. In one embodiment, each burst of electrical power lasts for about 95% or less of a cycle comprised of one burst of electric power followed by the period during which the temperature controller does not conduct electric power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Inventor: Kenneth A. Bradenbaugh
  • Patent number: 5927181
    Abstract: Cooking apparatus having a removable vessel (3) intended to contain a cooking medium (9) and food to be cooked, comprising a frame (1) in which is provided a housing (2) intended to receive the vessel (3), heating device (4) disposed at the bottom of said housing (2), control device (5) in thermal communication with the vessel (3) permitting control of the level of temperature of the vessel (3), overheating protection device (6) and thermal communication with the vessel (3) permitting to avoid that the level of temperature of the vessel (3) exceeding a pre-established safety threshold, device (7) for detecting the presence of the vessel (3), characterized in that the control device (5) are capable of provoking an interruption of the feed circuit of the heating device (4) before the overheating protection device (6) are activated, when the vessel (3) comprises less cooking medium (9) than minimum quantity indicated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: SEB S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Claude Desnoyers, Bernard Beugnot
  • Patent number: 5897805
    Abstract: A switch control mechanism in a liquid boiling apparatus employs the lifting force of bubbles formed in the boiling liquid to actuate a switching system which controls the application of energy to boil the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Assignee: Breville Pty Ltd
    Inventor: John William McClean
  • Patent number: 5866878
    Abstract: A kettle includes a water tank, an electrical element under the bottom of the tank, connecting members to be connected to an electrical power supply and arrangements for regulating the operation of the element. The regulator arrangements and the connecting members include pins to be inserted in a connection module. Electrical connecting wires for connecting the pins are accommodated inside the connection module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: SEB S.A.
    Inventor: Jacques Lacombe
  • Patent number: 5864119
    Abstract: An infrared conveyor furnace with controllable point source radiation elements incorporating a clean room internal environment. The conveyor transports moieties in an indexed manner through multiple heating zones heated by arrays of lamps. The lamps of each array are divided into a plurality of groups which are separately controlled to maintain a constant temperature across the surface of the moiety. The control of the lamp groups is accomplished through the use of a controller utilizing data from FTIR sensors mounted in a fused quartz barrier which is permeable by infrared radiation but which seals the lamp arrays from the heating zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Assignee: Radiant Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Lester H. Vogt, Douglas A. Bolton
  • Patent number: 5852281
    Abstract: A hollow body (2) defines a receptacle (3) for liquid to be heated. A heating element (4) for heating liquid within the receptacle (3) is controlled by a control device (6) located in a control chamber (5). The control device (6) carries and is responsive to a steam sensor (7). A steam passage arrangement (10) defines first and second steam passages (120 and 130). The first steam passage (120) communicates with and extends downwardly from the steam outlet (3a) of the receptacle (3) to an outlet (5a) positioned away from the control device (6). The second steam passage (130) branches from the first steam passage (120) at a branching location (14) below the steam outlet (3a) of the receptacle (3) and extends to a location (13a) higher than the branching location (14), the steam sensor (7) being provided adjacent a steam aperture (15a) within the second steam passage (130) above the branching location (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1998
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Klaus Melgaard, Michael J. Wenden
  • Patent number: 5842353
    Abstract: An liquid heating and cooling apparatus for heating or cooling liquid such as drinks is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a cup-shaped container for loading the liquid, a thermo device installed in the container for heating or cooling the liquid, and a base removably attached to the lower end of the container for supplying DC power to the thermo device and controlling the cooling or heating of the liquid by controlling the direction of the DC power supplied to the thermo device when the container is attached to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Inventor: Lin Kuo-Liang
  • Patent number: 5841108
    Abstract: A tubular electrical element lying substantially in a plane is fixed under a heater plate of an electrical appliance. The ends of the element are connected to a thermal limiter disposed near the middle of the element to measure at least the temperature of the element and to disconnect the electrical power supply from the element if the measured temperature exceeds a predetermined value. A portion of the element extends substantially along the peripheral contour of the plate and the ends of the element extend towards the middle of the element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: SEB S.A.
    Inventor: Jacques Lacombe
  • Patent number: 5830520
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for selectively controlling a rice cooking process of an electric rice cooking kettle which includes a state selecting key, a control section, a data storing section, an internal pot temperature sensor, and a heater. The method can selectively cook a rice to different states such as a medium rice, a hard-boiled rice, or a sticky rice, without adjusting a water amount during cooking, and can change the state of boiled rice during the cooking process prior to a heat-preserving point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Daewoo Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sang-Uk You
  • Patent number: 5809870
    Abstract: A domestic deep fat fryer comprising, in a housing (1), a vessel (2) adapted to contain a cooking bath (3). An electric heating resistance (4) heats the cooking bath. A thermal regulator (6) of high thermal inertia is mounted in series with the heating resistance and operates over a predetermined range of switching temperature. The fryer moreover comprises a thermostatic safety switch (8) mounted in series with the electric heating resistance and operating at a fixed switching temperature higher than the maximum temperature of the temperature range of the thermal regulator (6). This thermostatic safety switch has a thermal inertia less than that of the regulator (6) so as to detect abnormally rapid temperature increases and to cut off the electrical supply in such case to the electric heating resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Moulinex S.A.
    Inventor: Phillippe Louis Robert Baillieul
  • Patent number: 5794522
    Abstract: Electric cooking apparatus comprising an insulating enclosure (12) which has spaced inner and outer shells (13, 14). A cooking vessel (22) is mounted removably in the enclosure at a distance from the inner shell (14). An electric heating device (30) comprising a sheathed heating resistance (26) extends flat and in direct contact with the bottom (24) of the vessel (22). The heating device comprises a heat reflector (38) mounted fixedly on the inner shell (14) and disposed at a small distance (d) below the resistance (26) so as to concentrate the thermal radiation of the resistance over all the bottom of the vessel. The apparatus is of particular utility when embodied in an electric deep fat fryer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: Moulinex S.A.
    Inventors: Bernard Bois, Guy Collas
  • Patent number: 5793020
    Abstract: An electrically heated water boiling vessel has a planar heating element incorporated into the base of the vessel, the planar heating element comprising a stainless steel plate having a printed heating element formed on the underside thereof, the printed heated element being sandwiched between electrically-insulating layers of glass. A control for switching off the element in an overtemperature situation has a primary actuator in the form of a bimetal which directly accesses the printed heating element through a window formed in the outermost glass insulating layer, and the bimetal is held in a secondary actuator in the form of a thermally-collapsible carrier for the bimetal which contacts the glass insulation around the window; by this means the primary and secondary actuators are subjected to different temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: Otter Controls Limited
    Inventor: Robert Andrew O'Neill
  • Patent number: 5773795
    Abstract: An electrically heatable warming device for warming up substances contained in a receptacle having a housing whose upper part is constructed as a cup for receiving therein a water bath, the receptacle to be introduced in said water bath. The bottom of the cup is a metallic heating plate and a heating element is at least one PTC resistance element arranged directly below the heating plate. A thermostat switch is provided for controlling the temperature and is connected to a heat-conducting member arranged laterally on the cup wall, the thermostat switch being arranged at a location where it is subjected to the direct influence of the heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: David & Baader--DBK Spezialfabrik Elektrischer Apparate u. Heizwiderstande GmbH
    Inventor: Robert Messmer
  • Patent number: 5766661
    Abstract: A rice cooker is placed on a turntable, and uncooked rice is poured thereinto. As the uncooked rice is poured-in, a motor rotates the turntable alternately clockwise and counterclockwise to cause the rice to be evenly distributed therein. The cooker carries a signal emitter which is received by a receiver that is connected to the motor for controlling the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jae-Bong Lee
  • Patent number: 5761988
    Abstract: A rice cooker is placed on a turntable, and uncooked rice is poured thereinto. As the uncooked rice is poured-in, a motor rotates the turntable alternately clockwise and counterclockwise to cause the rice to be evenly distributed therein. The cooker carries a signal emitter which is received by a receiver that is connected to the motor for controlling the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jae-Bong Lee
  • Patent number: 5750963
    Abstract: The invention is an apparatus for controlling an electrical heating element to control a cooking temperature of a cooking pot and contents therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget Electrolux
    Inventors: Keld Christensen, Torben Jensen
  • Patent number: 5727448
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electric rice cooker including an adiabatic vacuum device having an adiabatic function of repressing an outside loss of a heat generated by a hot plate at a minimum and a keeping warm function of continuously maintaining a heat warmly therein. In the electric rice cooker, an outer case has an inner case disposed therein. A cooking kettle disposed inside the inner case for containing water and rice to be cooked. An hot plate mounted adjacent an outside surface of the cooking kettle for heating the cooking kettle. A lid removably covers a top of said cooking kettle. An adiabatic vacuum member mounted between the outer case and the cooking kettle for preventing a heat from being emitting from the cooking kettle to an outside. The electric rice cooker can repress a loss of an internal heat in a cooking kettle at a minimum by means of an adiabatic vacuum member so that a thermal efficiency can increase, and can continuously maintain the internal heat warmly at a keeping warm process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: Daewoo Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yong-Jae Sa
  • Patent number: 5706872
    Abstract: A collapsible container for facilitating the transportation and handling of heat meltable materials, such as, e.g., caprolactam, hexamethylene diamine (HMDA), dodecanedioic acid (DDDA), or any monomer and salt combinations used in the production and polymerization of polyamides. An expandable/collapsible container or bag is employed for holding and dispensing the bulk material. The bulk material is transported in a solid form, and converted to liquid form for removal from the container. The container includes heat tubing circulating a heat carrying medium or a heating element for heating and converting the bulk material to liquid form. The liquified material is then pumped from the container into a suitable storage facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Inventor: Sol Schlesinger
  • Patent number: 5701805
    Abstract: Disclosed is a steam pressure rice cooker with an auxiliary steam pressure exhausting device capable of completely exhausting a high temperature and high pressure steam which remains inside the steam pressure rice cooker immediately after a cooking of rice to an outside of the steam pressure rice cooker. In the inside of a lid for opening or shutting an upper portion of a cylindrical inner frame containing a desired quantity of water and rice to be cooked, an auxiliary steam pressure exhausting device is disposed between a handle of the lid and a weight of the lid. An exhaust button of the auxiliary steam pressure exhausting device is slideably disposed in a first opening which is formed through a center of the handle. A supporting member for elastically supporting the exhaust button is disposed in the exhaust button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1997
    Assignee: Daewoo Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yong-Jae Sa