Plural Functions Simultaneously Or Convertible Patents (Class 219/472)
  • Patent number: 11022341
    Abstract: A storage type electric water heater provides hot water and hot air. A large amount of hot water can be instantaneously tapped by a hot water generating means, and hot air can be generated by a hot air generating means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Inventor: Young-Hwan Choi
  • Patent number: 9833121
    Abstract: A vent fan for use with the dishwasher and providing a vent door covering the opening associated with a motorized fan employs a mechanical coupling between the fan motor and vent door to eliminate the need for a separate vent door actuator by using energy of the fan motor to accomplish the actuation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael K. Hintz, Jeffrey J. Krieger, Kenyon A. Hapke
  • Patent number: 8925445
    Abstract: Provided is a cooking appliance. Steam generated in a steam generation part is selectively supplied into a cooktop part or a steam cooking part. The steam supplied into the cooktop part is used for cleaning a top plate. Also, the steam supplied into the steam cooking part is used for cooking a food. Thus, the steam may be used in a lot of uses, e.g., for cooking the food and cleaning the top plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jae-Hyoun Park, Young-Soo Kim
  • Publication number: 20140263278
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for making a highly efficient and inexpensive solar selective coating. Coating consists of various carbon nanotube sheets composite layers, each performing a specific function by incorporating functional materials and components with proper structure. Joule heating of the described solar selective coating allows for efficient functionality even when solar energy is not available.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicants: Solarno, Inc., The Board of Regents of the University of Texas System
    Inventors: Anvar A. Zakhidov, Vladimir A. Pozdin, Fatemeh Hassanipour, Sergey Darmanyan, Alexios Papadimitratos
  • Patent number: 8079302
    Abstract: Described here is a rectangular, parallelepiped shaped, portable cooking device that consists of a rigid Stand, with attached lid and flaps, that supports multiple food heating containers. A dual purpose transport case/cooking cover, made of heat resistant materials, is a key feature to the design utility by securely transporting the device and acting as a heat efficiency Cover during the food heating process. When used in conjunction with the Stand flaps and lids, this Cover provides many innovations over prior art by preventing heat escape and weather intrusion. Various burner and fuel devices (i.e.: Sterno, Propane, Electric, Coal, Wood . . . ) can be used to provide the heat for this device. The combination of these multi-functional components, in a single compact, portable, modular unit provide significant improvements over current conventional devices by offering multiple options for food heating and serving with increased efficiency in space usage, heat efficiency and transportability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Inventors: Steven Giangrasso, Paul Giangrasso
  • Patent number: 8035060
    Abstract: The invention provides for an inkjet printhead having a plurality of micro-electromechanical vapor bubble generators. Each bubble generator includes a nozzle in fluid communication with an ink chamber, and a heater positioned in thermal contact with ink in the chamber. Each generator also includes drive circuitry configured to provide a modulated pulse to the heater to generate a vapor bubble in the ink in said chamber, the pulse comprising a pre-heat series of a predetermined number of pulses separated by a predetermined period, followed by a trigger pulse of a period twice that of said predetermined period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Angus John North, Samuel James Myers, Kia Silverbrook
  • Publication number: 20110068095
    Abstract: A heating device includes: a housing configured with an accommodating space having a plurality of space parts; a heating unit disposed in the accommodating space in the housing and operable to generate heat so that temperature of air in each of the space parts of the accommodating space in the housing is maintained to a respective predetermined temperature; a casing configured with an inner receiving space for receiving an object to be heated therein; and a driving unit mounted to the housing for driving the casing to move back and forth in the accommodating space in the housing such that the casing received with the object therein circularly passes through the space parts, thereby circularly heating the object received in the casing at the predetermined temperatures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Inventor: Jyh-Jian Chen
  • Publication number: 20100270292
    Abstract: A cooker includes: a heating chamber on which a first object to be heated is placed; a two-stage cooking dedicated member on which a second object to be heated is placed; an upper heat source provided on an upper side of the heating chamber, and a lower heat source provided on a lower side of the heating chamber and including at least a high-frequency heat source; an operation unit configured to receive an input of information on a heating treatment; and a control unit configured to individually control the upper heat source and the lower heat source, based on the information on the heating treatment. The two-stage cooking dedicated member can hold the second object to be heated and can supply high-frequency waves supplied from the lower heat source as the high-frequency heat source to an upper side of the two-stage cooking dedicated member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Satomi Uchiyama
  • Patent number: 7608803
    Abstract: An appliance having an input device, a control, a motor, and an analog display is provided. The input device is employed to input a set point temperature. The control is operably coupled to the input device and receives the set point temperature from the input device. The motor is operably coupled to the control and receives instructions from the control based on the set point temperature. The analog display is operably coupled to the motor. The analog display is driven by the motor to temporarily display the set point temperature and then to display a current temperature as the current temperature increases toward the set point temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventor: David Alan Jerovsek
  • Patent number: 7285749
    Abstract: A tube sealing device for sealing a resilient thermoplastic tube. The tube sealing device includes a base that supports a resilient thermoplastic tube in a fixed position relative to the base. The heating tool and the cooling tool are coupled to the base for movement relative to each other. Relative movement between the heating tool and the base aligns the heating tool with a portion of the resilient thermoplastic tube. The heating tool operates to contact, pinch and heat the portion of the resilient thermoplastic tube. Relative movement between the cooling tool and the base aligns the cooling tool with the same portion of the resilient thermoplastic tube. The cooling tool operates to contact, pinch and cool the resilient thermoplastic tube to form a seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: PDC Facilities, Inc.
    Inventors: Elmer B. Woods, Bruce A. Bliefnick, Robert M. Slemin
  • 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: 5928544
    Abstract: A cooking appliance having a hob surface is provided with a hob heating element provided in the top surface of a base unit. The base unit is arranged to be capable of being raised above the level of the hob surface in order to expose a further heating element provided in the bottom surface of the base unit whereby to permit food to be cooked with heat from above or below. The heating elements may be of gas or electrical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: The Range Cooker Company PLC,
    Inventor: Peter Bennett
  • Patent number: 5567458
    Abstract: The energy conserving automatic insulated thermal cooker comprises an inner pot having a cover, and an outer insulated container having an insulated cover. The outer container also houses an electric heater, a thermal sensor, a microprocessor control and timer unit, an electric power plug, and a front control panel. Operation of the cooking apparatus is fully automatic with clear display of boiling time, cooking time and the active heating and adiabatic cooking modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Inventor: James M. Wu
  • Patent number: 5552577
    Abstract: A multi-purpose cooker for steaming, drying or boiling foodstuffs includes a base having a switch, an electric heater mounted on the base, a bottom plate mounted on the electric heater, a water container mounted on the bottom plate, a water collector mounted on the water container, a plurality of drying pans mounted on the water container, a steaming pan mounted on the drying pans, a cooking pan mounted on the steaming pan, a cover mounted on the cooking pan and formed on a top with a recess having a center hole, and a plurality of ventilating perforations, and a lid formed with a recess at a center and a plurality of slots thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Inventor: Yung-Sen Su
  • Patent number: 5525182
    Abstract: An apparatus having a self contained heat source and water supply enables the wet removal of adhesively secured floor tile upon application of heat. The apparatus includes an infrared heater fed by a propane fuel tank and a water supply fed by a pressurizing water system. The method of removing floor tiles upon application of heat in a wet environment minimizes airborne asbestos dust or other contaminants. The self contained infrared heater eliminates any potential of electrical shock hazard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Inventor: Joseph P. Miller
  • Patent number: 5380986
    Abstract: A portable multi-purpose electric fast cooking apparatus for use in cooking a variety of foods by various methods. The apparatus includes a pair of hinged pan-shaped housing members having a bottom wall and a side wall which can be pivoted between a closed position superposed one above the other in opposed facing relation and an open position laterally adjacent one another, and each housing has a laterally extending handle to serve as a carrying handle when the housing members are in the closed position. A heating plate is carried by each housing member and each plate has a heating element secured to its underside and an outward facing side with a central depressed flat surface surrounded by a raised side wall and shoulder at the top thereof. Each heating element is individually controlled by a separate thermostat. In the closed position, the depressed flat surfaces, surrounding raised side walls and shoulders define a central cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1995
    Inventor: Charles F. Mullen
  • Patent number: 5293583
    Abstract: A compact low power water heater and food product warming unit especially designed for military vehicles which includes a sturdy and selectively sealed tank having uninsulated thermally conductive in which water may be heated by conduction by way of a heating element secured exteriorly of the tank. The tank is enclosed by a thermally insulated cover in such a manner that a plurality readily accessible pockets are provided between the cover and tank walls into which a plurality of field ration (MRE) or food packets may be inserted to thereby utilize the hot water in the tank as a source of heat for heating the packets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1994
    Assignee: K.C. Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Kiran J. Chudgar
  • Patent number: 5203252
    Abstract: A toaster with multi-function has a heating plate including two recess one of which is sized to receive a coffee cup thereon to warm up while the other recess is sized to receive an egg broiler which has a plurality of holes adapted two receive eggs thereon, a plurality of stands to support the broiler to stand on the recess, and a handle extending upwardly from the center portion thereof. A steam pot being formed by two half-rounded plates for frying egg each having a recess at center portion therreof adapted to receive an egg yellow while the flat portion surrounding the recess is adapted to receive egg white. A cap of a dome shape being sized to cover the egg broiler and the steam pot therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1993
    Inventor: Tung-Chiang Hsieh
  • Patent number: 4889972
    Abstract: A multi-functional electrically activated stove which includes a stove housing (10) defining an upper concave housing (11) and a similarly formed concave housing above and below a heat conducting board (12) having mounted thereon an electrical heating tube (13). The heat conducting board includes a plurality of apertures (121) to allow radiant heat to pass to the lower housing chamber in an efficient manner. The stove housing (10) includes an opening (17) formed in a frontal wall for reversible insert of a lower grill member (20) having webs (21) formed thereon for positioning foodstuffs. Insertable within the upper concave housing (11) is an upper baking member (30), a flat pan member (40), and a steam plate (50) which is mountable within the flat pan member (40). A stove cover (60) is mountable over the stove housing (10) to provide for a closed internal chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1989
    Inventor: Chia C. Chang
  • Patent number: 4737616
    Abstract: A multifunction portable electric room heater has an outer housing provided with an air inlet and air outlet and encloses a removable unit including a hollow base containing electrical power supply circuitry and supporting on its upper side a heating cartridge holder and a fan having an electrical motor connected for energization to the power supply circuitry. A heating cartridge carrying a PTC electric resistance heating element is removably inserted into the holder through registering slots in the housing wall and holder for heating the air circulated by fan through the holder and the heating cartridge from the air inlet to the air outlet. Cooperating electrical connectors are provided on the base and heating cartridge for detachably connecting the heating element to the power supply circuitry in the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1988
    Inventor: Lee Wen-Ying
  • Patent number: 4700049
    Abstract: A wall-mounted hair dryer has a casing which contains a heating element, a motor, an impeller and associated electrical circuitry. There is a flexible air hose terminating in a handle having an outlet for directing hot air onto the person of a user. The handle can be secured detachably magnetically against the casing, and a switch is provided to switch on the hair dryer when the handle is detached from the casing and to switch it off when the handle is replaced. A electronic timer circuit is also provided to switch off the hair dryer after a predetermined period of operation. Two shaver outlets are mounted on the casing and are connected to a dual-voltage current-limited transformer supplying one of the outlets with mains voltage (e.g., 110 volts) and the other outlet with twice the mains voltage (e.g., 220 volts), with the current to the outlets being limited to 0.1 ampere by a current limiting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1987
    Assignee: Panache Promotions (Proprietary) Limited
    Inventor: Richard H. Rubin
  • Patent number: 4641014
    Abstract: A hand-held hair dryer includes an elongated tubular barrel containing an electric heating element and extending from a hollow volute portion provided with a rotatable impeller producing a flow of air through the barrel. A tubular handle is secured to the volute portion by an elongated rectangular cross-section base portion extending generally transversely to the longitudinal axis of the barrel and having parallel opposed base-sides provided with mirror image C-shaped indentations. A conventional portable radio receiver provided with a speaker and controls is stably seated and cradled within the opposed indentations of the base-sides with the speaker and controls positioned in registry with windows formed in the base-sides to enable the user of the dryer to relieve the tedium of hair drying by listening to music or other entertainment from the housed radio receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1987
    Inventor: Todd A. Bland
  • Patent number: 4520862
    Abstract: There is disclosed storage apparatus for storage of energy in the form of heat or cold, preferably over a prolonged storage period. The apparatus comprises a container enclosing an energy storage zone and an insulating zone around the storage zone. The storage zone is filled with a mass of heatable or coolable storage material forming a storage core, and the insulating zone with a porous mass of granular or fibrous material forming a thermal insulating layer. Energy can be supplied to the storage core by, for example, a solar-powered electrical resistance heater and extracted from the core at a desired time by, for example, a heat exchanger. The insulating effect of the insulating layer is enhanced, particularly from the viewpoint of long-term energy storage, by creation of a vacuum in the cellular structure of the insulating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1985
    Inventor: Walter Helmbold
  • Patent number: 4495404
    Abstract: A compact self-contained travel kit for brewing a beverage, such as tea, coffee, or the like, includes an open top container which is adapted to receive a small quantity of water to be heated by means of an electric heater element contained in the bottom of the container. A removable insert assembly is received within the container through the open top and provides upwardly open storage compartments for containing the ingredients for making tea or coffee, such as sugar, powdered cream material, coffee, tea or the like, which compartments are closable by lids so that either individual packets or bulk material may be stored. The insert includes a downwardly depending semi-conical portion which is proportioned and adapted to be telescopically received in the uppermost one of a pair of nested drinking cups storable within the container. The nested drinking cups are thus retained in place in a compact manner and are accessible by removal of the insert from the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1985
    Inventor: Wayne E. Carmichael
  • Patent number: 4442343
    Abstract: A heater for cups and fluids therein having an adjustable heat selector, heating circuitry and temperature stabilization circuitry, comprising a base support, an electrical circuit enclosing housing, an opening in an upper substantially horizontal surface of the housing for a heating element plate and heat sensor, and an upright section of the housing enclosing additional circuitry having a vertical, substantially cylindrical surface facing the heating element plate, substantially rectangular vertical surfaces for the remaining three sides of the upright section, the vertical substantially cylindrical surface and the substantially rectangular vertical surfaces forming an open-topped receptacle having inner partitions and a closed bottom for receiving assorted personal articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1984
    Assignee: Koffee Keeper, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Genuit, Gary Cooper
  • Patent number: 4189631
    Abstract: A hamburger bun storage device has a supporting frame on which a bun-toasting and heating element is disposed. The heating element is preferably a planar member superposed above a parallel planar conveyor mounted on the frame to advance in a predetermined direction. The heating element is movable up and down; i.e. toward and away from the associated conveyor. A drawer enclosure is disposed on the heating element on the side thereof opposite the conveyor and is open only in a direction transverse to the predetermined direction and at the side of the frame. A drawer is slidable in the drawer enclosure between an open position and a closed position in which a drawer end plate is in abutment with the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1978
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1980
    Assignee: NPI Corporation
    Inventors: Edward D. Baker, Nils Lang-Ree
  • Patent number: 4011431
    Abstract: Electric cooker has cover containing electric heating element and base pan interposed by an invertible grill. Grill is formed with mating zones, preferably grooves, about either side to cooperate with a depending rib from the cover. Opposite faces of the grill present respectively a circular dam for hamburgers or the like, and a rectangular dam for sandwiches. Irrespective of which face is up and serving as a cooking surface, cooperation of rib and associated mating zone provide good heat transfer to grill from cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1976
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1977
    Inventor: Monte L. Levin