Abstract: A cooking hob with random positioning of pans or the like, comprising a plurality of electrical heating elements disposed within a cooking area and individually powered under the control of a control circuit, the heating elements also being used as position sensors for the pan or pans placed on the cooking area, in which a user interface is present, provided with a touch screen reproducing the cooking area and on which, for each pan placed on the cooking area, there is displayed an activatable region substantially representative of the position of the pan on the cooking area, this position being obtained from data provided by the electrical heating elements in their function as position sensors.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus includes a cooking cavity to accommodate food to be cooked therein and a rotating unit to rotate while supporting the food. The rotating unit is installed within the cooking cavity to rotate by at least one roller which is in rolling contact with a bottom surface of the cooking cavity. A weight sensor is installed at a portion of the cooking cavity on a movement path of the roller to be temporarily pressurized by the roller when the rotating unit rotates. The weight sensor generates a load output signal according to a pressurized degree when the weight sensor is pressured by the roller, and generates a no-load output signal when the weight sensor is not pressurized by the roller. A control unit calculates a difference between the load output signal and the no-load output signal, and converts the difference to a weight of the food.

Abstract: A weight detecting device for microwave ovens is used to detect a weight of food placed on an exterior casing to minimize a space to install a weight sensor and to prevent heat from being transmitted from an interior casing through a top plate of the interior casing to the weight sensor. The weight detecting device includes a weight detecting unit and a support unit. The weight detecting unit is supported at an end thereof, and detects a weight according to a force applied to a free end thereof. The support unit supports the weight detecting unit at a position spaced apart from a top plate of an interior casing of a microwave oven.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a parenteral fluid warming system. The system has at least first and second fluid warming bags and a warmer device. Each of the at least first and second fluid warming bags have an inlet, an outlet, a top surface, a bottom surface, and a fluid path extending between the inlet and the outlet. In a first embodiment of the present invention, the outlet from the first bag directs the fluid into the inlet of the second bag. In an alternative version of the first embodiment, the first bag and the second bag are a interconnected to each other. The warmer device has at least first and second energy reservoirs that correspond with the number of fluid warming bags. Each energy reservoir also has at least one heater unit.

Abstract: An electric cooking hob having a plurality of heating elements distributed in matrix formation below a heat-resistant surface on which one or more cooking utensils can be located in random manner. The cooking hob can determine the location, form and dimensions of one or more cooking utensils positioned on the cooking hob. The cooking hob uses a signal source to determine which heating elements lie under the cooking utensil. The cooking hob can heat the elements lying below the cooking utensil by a power source. Each heating element being able to be energized with a polarity opposite to the polarity of the current used to perform the determination, so that the power source and the signal source can be applied at the same time to different heating elements.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a microwave oven and method for controlling the same. The microwave oven is used to heat and cook food using high frequency waves generated by high frequency generating means provided in an oven body. The microwave oven includes body sensing means for detecting the presence of a user in a sensing area extended over a certain area in front of the oven body, first operating means for operating the high frequency generating means, and control means for controlling the first operating means to selectively start, stop and resume the operation of the high frequency wave generating means according to the presence of a user in the sensing area.

Abstract: An induction heating device prevents an object to be heated from being displaced and buoyed from a mounting surface due to an mutual action of repulsive forces between the object to be heated and an induction heating coil. The induction heating device includes a source-current detector for detecting a source current input to a high-frequency inverter including the induction heating coil and an inverter circuit, a source-current change detector for measuring a change against time of a magnitude of the source current to detect a displacement and buoying of the object to be heated, such as a cooking pot, and a change examining unit. The controller controls an output of the high-frequency inverter in response to a detection result of the change examining unit. The induction heating device prevents the cooking pot from being displaced and buoyed even if the pot is not touched by a user at startup of heating or during the heating operation, and is inexpensive and safe.

Abstract: In the case of a circuit for several inductive pot or saucepan detection coils a control and evaluation circuit is provided. Using switches in the form of MOSFETs, the control or evaluating circuit is in each case connected to one coil in multiplex operation. The MOSFETs have a low drain-source resistance in order to avoid off-resonancing of resonant circuit frequencies due to the overcoupling of several leads to the coils.

Abstract: An electric radiant heater (11, 111) is provided having an active sensor (21, 121) for detecting the position of a cooking vessel on a glass ceramic plate over the radiant heater (11, 111). The sensor (21, 121) is mad from electrically conductive material and is part of an inductive resonant circuit of a control operating by resonant circuit detuning. It also covers a heating zone (17, 117) of the radiant heater (11, 111). The sensor (21, 121) runs substantially linearly and, unlike conventional sensor coils, has a loopless construction. It is e.g. possible to stretch a wire (121) or also to use the tube (21) of a rod regulator.

Abstract: A weight detecting device for microwave ovens is used to detect a weight of food placed on an exterior casing to minimize a space to install a weight sensor and to prevent heat from being transmitted from an interior casing through a top plate of the interior casing to the weight sensor. The weight detecting device includes a weight detecting unit and a support unit. The weight detecting unit is supported at an end thereof, and detects a weight according to a force applied to a free end thereof. The support unit supports the weight detecting unit at a position spaced apart from a top plate of an interior casing of a microwave oven.

Abstract: A microwave oven, and method of controlling the same, stores a weight of food in an external memory of the microwave oven through a simple manipulation of pressing a hold key, and applies the stored weight of the food for calculation of a cooking time. The microwave oven of the present invention may perform cooking by calculating a cooking time based on the weight of the food temporarily stored in an internal memory even if a setting operation using the hold key is not performed. Further, the present invention is advantageous in that it calibrates a zero point to calculate the cooking time, increasing a cooking performance. The microwave oven performs initialization by deleting the stored weight of the food if a cooking start key is not pressed within a set time after the weight of food is measured, thus preventing a malfunction of the microwave oven.

Abstract: Methods and Apparatus for detecting the presence of a conductor near an inductive coupling loop are disclosed. The method includes supplying an excitation to the coupling loop, measuring the signal distortion induced by the excitation signal, and monitoring the distortion in the signal for a change in harmonic content.

Abstract: A cooking hob comprising a glass ceramic plate and an underlying plurality of electrical heating elements disposed in matrix configuration and controlled by static switches in order to be able to use at will any region of said hob for heating the contents of one or more cooking utensils, in which a diode is present in series with each electrical heating element.

Abstract: A surgical warming system includes at least one and generally two or more compartments, whereby each compartment is separately heatable and controllable over its own range of temperatures. The compartments may be implemented as separate warmer units in stacked relation. Alternatively, the compartments may be constructed into a single cabinet structure. The heat within each compartment is provided by forcing air through a heating chamber and into the compartment whereby the forced air is recycled and mixed with make-up air. Each individually controllable compartment enables an operator to simultaneously maintain the individual compartments of the same warming system at different desired temperatures. In addition, the warming system further includes for each compartment a display and a tray or drawer with individual receptacles and corresponding monitoring assemblies in order to indicate the temperature and residence time of each item heated within that compartment.

Abstract: A cooktop includes a cooktop panel, in particular, of glass ceramic material, associated with at least one heating element for heating a cooking vessel that can be set down on the cooktop panel and a weighing unit having a detection unit through which it is possible to determine a deformation of the cooktop panel as a result of weight-induced loading. The cooktop panel has a defined subregion, and the detection unit can sense lowering of the subregion as a result of weight-induced loading.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device that heats food quickly by using more than one power level during a heating cycle.

Abstract: A counter-top electric oven includes a base, an oven housing supported on the base, and a power head detachably connected to the oven housing. The power head includes a heating unit for generating and directing heat into the oven housing. At least one handle is formed on the power head, and a power interrupting device is operatively provided in the handle for disconnecting power to the power head. The power interrupting device is activated when the handle is grasped by a user.

Abstract: A device for determining the location of cooking utensils on a cooking hob comprising a plurality of thermal cells distributed in matrix formation below a heat-resistant surface on which the cooking utensil can be located in random manner, the determination of its location, form and dimensions enabling those thermal cells lying below the utensil to be energized, the same thermal cells being also individually used for this determination.

Abstract: A cooking configuration includes a cooker having at least one control unit for controlling heat output of the cooker, an operating unit and a display unit each connected to the control unit, and a cooking space. The configuration also includes a cooktop having a sensor unit for weighing articles set down on the cooktop and establishing a weight measurement and a data line connecting the cooker to the cooktop. The sensor unit is connected to the control unit and communicates the weight measurement to the control unit. The cooker or the cooktop has an operating element for transferring the weight measurement from the sensor unit to the control unit. The operating element is connected to the control unit and the sensor unit and is disposed in the cooker or the cooktop.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining at least one property of a cooktop is provided. The cooktop includes a cooktop surface and a vessel selectively positioned on the cooktop surface. The apparatus comprises an ultrasound transducer contacting the cooktop surface. The ultrasound transducer includes an ultrasound transmitter that contacts the cooktop surface and provides an ultrasound waveform to the cooktop surface creating an excitation in the cooktop surface. The ultrasonic transducer also includes an ultrasound receiver contacting the cooktop surface. The ultrasound receiver receives a resultant ultrasound waveform in response to the excitation and produces a receiver output signal in response to the resultant ultrasound waveform. A processor is connected to the ultrasound transducer. The processor receives the receiver output signal and produces a processor output signal corresponding to the at least one property of the cooktop.

Abstract: A cooktop includes a cooktop panel, at least one heating element for heating a cooking vessel placed upon the cooktop panel, and a weighing unit for detecting a deformation of the cooktop panel as a result of weight-induced loading by the cooking vessel and for determining the corresponding weight-induced loading. The weighing unit is disposed at the underside of the cooktop panel and has an actuating element connected to the cooktop panel and a displacement sensor connected to the actuating element and the cooktop panel. The displacement sensor determines the weight-induced loading from an amount that the actuating element is displaced relative to the displacement sensor as a result of the deformation of the cooktop panel.

Abstract: The water heater has a built-in float switch working in conjunction with an external relay to prevent electrical power from being supplied to the heating element when there is no water in the tank. The heating element draws 6.5 amps of current and has an adjustable thermostat to heat the water to anywhere between 105° F. to 190° F. (41° C. to 85° C.). The water tank is made up of material such as polypropylene that will not burst when the water inside the tank is subjected to freezing temperatures over an extended period of time.

Abstract: The device for controlling a cooking area on a glass-ceramic cooking surface includes an inductive cooking utensil detection device for detecting a cooking utensil on the cooking area and a temperature measurement device for measuring a temperature of the cooking surface. The cooking utensil detection device includes an outer conductor track (1) and an inner conductor track (3) nested within said outer conductor track. The temperature measurement device also includes the same outer conductor track (1) and the inner conductor track (3), so that the total number of device components is minimized. The outer conductor track (1) includes, or is supplemented by, a conductor track section (2) extending from it into a center part of the cooking area (4). The cooking utensil detection device and the temperature measurement device can operate utilizing the same outer and inner conductor tracks by time-lagged interrogation or with detection signals at different frequencies.

Abstract: The present invention provides a control system for a heating unit in a cooktop that is capable of detecting the presence (or absence) of a cooking pan or utensil. The heating unit has a spirally wound ribbon heater element and may be mounted below a glass-ceramic cooking surface. The control system includes a pan detection unit electrically connected to the heater element. The pan detection unit generates a high frequency signal through the heater element to determine whether a pan is present on the cooktop. The pan detection unit may have an oscillation circuit to generate the high frequency signal through the heater element. In one embodiment, the control system further includes at least one switch device that is connected between the heater element and a power source. The switch device is opened to remove the heater element from the power source when the pan detection unit generates the high frequency signal through the heater element.

Abstract: Quantitative cooking device including an electronic scale, a heater disposed on the electronic scale and a container to be heated by the heater. The heater is electrically connected with the electronic scale which controls powering on/off of the heater. The electronic scale compares the measured actual weight with the preset value. When the measured actual weight is equal to the preset value, the heater is powered off to stop heating the container. Therefore, the cooking will be stopped in accordance with the preset value and a quantitative cooking effect is achieved.

Abstract: A method and a device are described for detecting the contact between hands and a steering wheel, which assures that the driver of a vehicle has his hands on the steering wheel.

Abstract: An apparatus that determines properties of a cooktop is provided. The cooktop includes a cooktop surface and a vessel that is selectively placed on the cooktop surface. The apparatus comprises a radiation sensor positioned below the cooktop surface. The radiation sensor senses at least a portion of, at least one of reflected radiation and ambient radiation that are provided above the cooktop surface and that pass through the cooktop surface. The radiation sensor also generates a detected radiation signal based on the sensed radiation. A processor is connected to the radiation sensor, and the processor determines properties of the cooktop from analyzing the detected radiation signal.

Abstract: A timer control system for operating an electric or gas cooktop stove with an oven and broiler. Automatic shut off weight sensitive sensors for shutting off the stove top heating elements and the oven and broiler elements after a prescribed interval of time are integrated with the stove top heating elements, the oven element and the broiler element. If a weight, i.e., food in a utensil, is placed on any active burner element, the timer control is negated and the heating will continue. Push button controls are located on a rear panel on top of the stove.

Abstract: A warming chamber defining a heated internal cavity is presented having a door that may be opened or closed to provide access to the cavity for the storage of, for example, food products. The chamber includes a temperature sensor that sends signals to a control regarding the sensed temperature within the cavity. The control then activates heating elements when necessary to maintain the cavity at a predetermined temperature. The control further senses when the door has been opened, and supplies a power boost to the heating elements in anticipation of a cooling effect even though a temperature drop within the cavity has not yet been sensed.

Abstract: A toaster having an electronic circuit including a chip-on-board ASIC that controls the operation of toaster heating elements and an electromagnet to which relatively high voltage is applied to hold an armature carried by a bread carriage and toaster-operating assembly. The armature is freely suspended from a bread carriage and toaster-operating assembly and accurately guided onto the electromagnet when the bread carriage is lowered. The toaster has a one-piece main frame that includes both a base frame plate and a rear frame plate. Several economies are obtained by virtue the construction of the toaster. A one-piece control support member is mounted on the base frame plate that supports both mechanical and electronic assemblies for controlling the operation of the toaster in predetermined relative positions.

Abstract: A cooking configuration includes a cooker having at least one control unit for controlling heat output of the cooker, an operating unit and a display unit each connected to the control unit, and a cooking space. The configuration also includes a cooktop having a sensor unit for weighing articles set down on the cooktop and establishing a weight measurement and a data line connecting the cooker to the cooktop. The sensor unit is connected to the control unit and communicates the weight measurement to the control unit. The cooker or the cooktop has an operating element for transferring the weight measurement from the sensor unit to the control unit. The operating element is connected to the control unit and the sensor unit and is disposed in the cooker or the cooktop.

Abstract: Quantitative cooking device including an electronic scale, a heater disposed on the electronic scale and a container to be heated by the heater. The heater is electrically connected with the electronic scale which controls powering on/off of the heater. The electronic scale compares the measured actual weight with the preset value. When the measured actual weight is equal to the preset value, the heater is powered off to stop heating the container Therefore, the cooking will be stopped in accordance with the preset value and a quantitative cooking effect is achieved.

Abstract: A cooktop includes a cooktop panel, at least one heating element for heating a cooking vessel placed upon the cooktop panel, and a weighing unit for detecting a deformation of the cooktop panel as a result of weight-induced loading by the cooking vessel and for determining the corresponding weight-induced loading. The weighing unit is disposed at the underside of the cooktop panel and has an actuating element connected to the cooktop panel and a displacement sensor connected to the actuating element and the cooktop panel. The displacment sensor determines the weight-induced loading from an amount that the actuating element is displaced relative to the displacement sensor as a result of the deformation of the cooktop panel.

Abstract: A decorative film having an excellent decorative effect, excellent three-dimensional curvature emulating properties, three-dimensional curvature formability, long-term weather resistance and stain resistance. The decorative film comprises one or more transparent layers and a decorative metal layer. The transparent layer has an adhered side for being adhered to a substrate. The transparent layer comprises a copolymer of a tetrafluoroethylene, a hexafluoropropylene and a vinylidene fluoride. The decorative metal layer is on the adhered side of the transparent layer. A substrate can be bonded to the metal layer of the decorative film. The substrate can be a complex three-dimensional shaped substrate. The substrate can also be an injection molded substrate. An adhesive can be disposed on the metal layer of the decorative film, and the adhesive layer can be disposed between the metal layer and the substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus that determines properties of a cooktop is provided. The cooktop includes a cooktop surface and a vessel that is selectively placed on the cooktop surface. The apparatus comprises a radiation sensor positioned below the cooktop surface. The radiation sensor senses at least a portion of, at least one of reflected radiation and ambient radiation that are provided above the cooktop surface and that pass through the cooktop surface. The radiation sensor also generates a detected radiation signal based on the sensed radiation. A processor is connected to the radiation sensor, and the processor determines properties of the cooktop from analyzing the detected radiation signal.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for detecting movement of a vessel positioned on a cooktop surface. The apparatus includes a resonant circuit that has at least an inductive loop positioned proximate to the cooktop surface. A signal conditioner is connected to the resonant circuit for conditioning signals received from the resonant circuit. A processor is connected to the signal conditioner and compares the conditioned signals received from the signal conditioner to a reference signal whereby detecting movement of the vessel.

Abstract: On an electric cooker the sensor circuit (1) detects the presence of a pan (2) on each heater (F1-F4) and comprises a microcontroller (4) and a generator (6,7) that supply a high-frequency current (Ig) to a respective sensor loop (E1-E4) of each heater which generates a magnetic field, and two maximum and minimum reference signals (Vr0,Vr1) for all the heaters (F1-F4) obtained in the working temperature condition and a circuit (9-13) for measuring and evaluating the voltage (Vs) produced in each sensor loop, with a circuit part (11,11′) for demodulation into low frequency of the measuring and reference signals (Vs,Vr0,Vr1), and their differential amplification (Vm,Vrr).

Abstract: A low cost toaster having a metal body and plastic end panels. The end panels have cooling inlet vents near their lower ends and the top wall of the metal body has air outlet vents. Ambient air admitted through the inlet vents flows upwardly through the toaster and outwardly through the outlet vents to provide a cooling effect sufficient to allow the use of inexpensive plastic material for molding the end panels. The toaster has a bread lifter made entirely from a wire rod, a bread lifter extension made entirely from a wire rod, and a toast color cam made entirely from a single piece of sheet metal.

Abstract: A chafing or warming dish construction typically used for buffet serving of comestibles having user sensing means which automatically opens and closes an overlying cover depending upon the presence of the user at a serving table. In a disclosed embodiment, the cover is arranged for pivotal rotation about a pair of aligned pintles.

Abstract: The device for controlling cooking areas of glass-ceramic cooking surfaces includes a combined device or conductor track structure consisting of a temperature measurement device for measuring cooking area temperatures and a cooking utensil detection device for detecting the presence of cooking utensils on the cooking areas. The temperature measurement device includes two conductor tracks, a conductor track arranged in the glass-ceramic surface in an edge region of the cooking area and another conductor track, in a central region. The temperature measurement device is part of the cooking utensil device so that fewer cooking area leads are required than in the prior art. The temperature of the glass-ceramic cooking surface located between the at least two conductor tracks is measured.

Abstract: A stovetop burner has an electromagnet and safety control means for enabling burner operation only when the electromagnet is energized to hold a cooking utensil on the burner.

Abstract: On an electric cooker the sensor circuit (1) detects the presence of a pan (2) on each heater (F1-F4) and comprises a microcontroller (4) and a generator (6,7) that supply a high-frequency current (Ig) to a respective sensor loop (E1-E4) of each heater which generates a magnetic field, and two maximum and minimum reference signals (Vr0,Vr1) for all the heaters (F1-F4) obtained in the working temperature condition and a circuit (9-13) for measuring and evaluating the voltage (Vs) produced in each sensor loop, with a circuit part (11,11′) for demodulation into low frequency of the measuring and reference signals (Vs,Vr0,Vr1), and their differential amplification (Vm,Vrr).

Abstract: In order to ensure that a vehicle seat, having a supporting face and incorporating microcapsules of phase-change material having a phase transition temperature between 15 and 37° C., is comfortable to use in terms of temperature, the support face is heated or cooled before the seat is used so that the phase-change material is at its transition temperature when a user subsequently sits on the seat.

Abstract: A rotary nozzle device has

Abstract: A cooking apparatus including a housing having an interior which contains a heating device. A sensor is provided that is operatively connected to the heating device. The sensor having an actuated position, wherein the sensor affects a heat output generated by the heating device. A first and second cooking insert for containing the food to be cooked each being separately positionable within the housing interior. The first cooking insert actuating the sensor when positioned in the housing interior, and the second cooking insert not actuating the sensor when positioned in the housing interior.

Abstract: In a microwave oven, a turn table rotates once in a period TX. During one rotation of turn table, a control circuit usually detects six pulse signals. Control circuit detects a weight of food placed on turn table based on detected intervals TA, TB, and TC of pulse signals. Note that, if six pulse signals are not detected during one rotation of turn table, the control circuit retries detection of the pulse signals and detects the weight of food placed on turn table based on TA, TB, and TC for a subsequent rotation of turn table.

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.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting the presence and/or the size of a cooking vessel (6) on an electrically heatable hotplate, having a resistance heating element (1) which is disposed under the hotplate and which is connected to an electrical heating voltage supply, wherein the resistance heating element (1) is used as a capacitive sensor for pot detection. The capacitance of the resistance heating element (1) in relation to a reference potential, preferably earth, is connected into an electrical resonant circuit whose resonance frequency can be detected by an evaluation unit, whereby it is possible to ascertain the presence and/or the size of a cooking vessel (6) on the hotplate. The resistance heating element (1) is connected to the heating voltage supply by way of electrical switching means, preferably inductors (DR1, DR2), and is connected into the resonant circuit by way of a further electrical switching means, preferably a separating capacitor (CN).

Abstract: A sensing device for stoves including a gas stove having at least one burner and a gas supply conduit for supply gas to the burner. The burner has a control dial for controlling the flow of gas to the burner. A weight sensor is disposed below the burner of the gas stove. The weight sensor is in communication with the control dial. The weight sensor sends a first signal when a cooking utensil is disposed on the burner to allow for gas to be supplied to the burner and a second signal when a cooking utensil is not disposed on the burner to stop the gas from being supplied to the burner.

Abstract: The cooktop has a cooking zone (2), at least one electric heating unit (7, 7′) assigned to the cooking zone (2) and a device for detecting a metal pot on the cooking zone (2) and determining its size when the metal pot is resting on the cooking zone (2). The device for detecting the presence and advantageously the size of the metal pot includes a measuring sensor (3) arranged near the cooking zone (2) and one or more evaluation devices (5, 5″) communicating with the measuring sensor (3). The measuring sensor (3) includes a primary measuring coil (8) and one or more secondary measuring coils. The primary measuring coil terminals (8a,8b) are electrically connected with corresponding poles of an alternating voltage generator (4) for generating an alternating current in the measuring coil (8) and a magnetic alternating testing field that interacts with the one or more secondary measuring coils to induce a voltage in them.