Abstract: A stove automatic shut off control for boiling a liquid which has a hinged platform (20) for holding a liquid container (22) held horizontally by a compression spring (24) which is axially urged downward when the container includes a liquid. Spring tension is changed by manual rotation of a shaft (38) modifying the spring compressive force displaced on the hinged platform by the spring. A contact switch (50) is energized when the weight of the liquid in the container changes from a pre-set level raising the spring. A reset timer (52) and an enunciator (54) communicate with the contact switch and force the control shaft to be pulled inward in a linear direction and also audibly indicate that the stove automatic shut off control is to shut down. To pre-set the apparatus the shaft is rotated with a hand knob (46) to raise the platform and then the shaft is pulled out.

Abstract: An induction heater having an induction coil (26) for heating a metallic substance (4) hidden by a membrane (2), the metallic substance being coated with a heat activated adhesive on its side adjacent the membrane (2). The heater having four location sensor coils (36) for detecting the position of the hidden metallic substance and means to facilitate the placement of the induction coil (26) over the hidden metallic substance (4), based on information from the sensors. Once the induction coil (26) is over the metallic substance (4) it is used to heat the adhesive thereby adhering the metallic substance (4) to the membrane (2). The sensors (36) are adjacent the inductor coil (26) and are insulated therefrom by an air gap (38).

Abstract: A toaster broiler oven with an NTC temperature probe located within the oven chamber and a controller that controls the heater of the oven in a thermostat operation for non-toasting modes and in a variable toasting interval length operation in the toasting mode. When the toaster start switch is activated in the toast mode, the controller determines if the oven chamber temperature is greater than a predetermined temperature, such as room temperature. If not, a first toast interval is selected. If so, a second shorter toast interval is selected. The length of the second interval is chosen so that the toaster oven consistently produces toast of a selected color from one toast cycle to the next, regardless of the elapsed time between consecutive toast cycles.

Abstract: A system for detecting the presence of a cooking vessel positioned over a heating element of a cooking hob comprises a drive loop for generating a time varying magnetic field upon the application of an alternating current thereto a sensor loop proximal to said drive loop wherein in the absence of a cooking vessel said time varying magnetic field generates a sensor signal in said sensor loop and said sensor signal is reduced in magnitude when a metallic cooking vessel is placed vicinal to said drive loop; a current supply for supplying said alternating current to said drive loop; and a controller connected to said current supply and said sensor loop for monitoring said sensor signal to determine the presence of said cooking vessel and for controlling said heating element in response thereto, said drive loop and said sensor loop being electrically connected to each other. Drive loops and sensor loops of more than one detection element may also be connected together by a common connection.

Abstract: A microwave apparatus and system that monitors the amount of food products within a cavity and adjust the microwave power provided to the cavity. The apparatus and system uses a product sensor system and a movement sensor system to accurately determine the product load in the microwave cavity. A computer controller, based on the product load information provided by the product sensor system and the movement sensor system, operates to adjust the amount of power provide to the microwave cavities by the microwave transmitters.

Abstract: An automatic, dynamic window anti freezing system for the windshield and the rear window of a motor vehicles parked in cold weather, connected to a battery, comprises a temperature range control-switch unit, an optic frost-monitor, and a sweeping time (frequency)- control to drive a wiper system to work for preventing frost accumulating on the window glass. The temperature unit sets up a certain working range to turn on the system, covering the real freezing stage of the windows. The sweeping time control sets up predetermined sweeping timely manner for the wipers to sweep. The monitor emits light signals to monitor the frost accumulating on the window glass, and actuates the sweeping control to drive wipers to sweep it off when detecting it. The energy consumption is generally exceptional low due to that working is effectively controlled and easily done. Thus a related window is substantially able to avoid freezing on.

Abstract: A toast oven is controlled by a microprocessor that is programmed to selectively determine each toasting time in accordance with a user selected toasting requirement and with an initial oven temperature. In this way the toasting time is automatically adjusted to take into account the oven temperature at the beginning of each toasting cycle. The user therefore does not have to make subjective manual adjustments to produce consistent toasting results. A time display on a panel, controlled by the microprocessor, indicates the remaining toasting time during each toasting cycle.

Abstract: An assembly is provided for heating a liquid, such as coffee. The assembly includes a container in which the liquid is retained, first and second electrodes associated with the container, an energy source with which the container can be engaged such that the first electrode comes into contact with the energy source, and a control circuit for supplying voltage from the energy source to the first electrode so that current will pass from the first electrode through the liquid and to the second electrode. Liquid in the container contacts the first and second electrodes and provides an electrical path from the first electrode to the second electrode.

Abstract: A support including a plate having a top surface and a receiving hole, a lift element having a contacting end disposed through the receiving hole, a sensor disposed in a bore in the contacting end of the lift element, and a support member adjacent the top surface.

Abstract: An electric clothes iron with circuitry for automatically disabling power to the iron when the iron is left unattended for a certain period of time. The circuitry includes a circuit for controlling two timing periods, one for controlling the shut off when the iron is in the horizontal position, and one for controlling the shut off when the iron is in the vertical position. When the user grasps the handle of the iron, the timing circuits are disabled. However, once the user removes his hand from the iron, one of the two timer periods starts to expire. If the timer reaches its prescribed limit before the handle is again grasped, the iron will automatically shut off. If the user grasps the iron during the timing process, the timer will be disabled, and will start the counting from zero the next time the hand is removed from the handled.

Abstract: An appliance includes a housing defining an air inlet and an air outlet facing opposite to the air inlet, an inlet detector for detecting objects in an inlet zone projecting away from the inlet and an outlet detector for detecting objects in an outlet zone projecting away from the outlet. Also included is a control for deactivating the appliance in response to detection of objects in either of the inlet or outlet zones.

Abstract: A weight sensing device for a microwave oven. The device has a fixing bracket having a bottom wall defined by a depress portion and a pair of protuberance portions which are provided at both ends of the depress portion and vertically ascending therefrom, and a pair of side walls which are integrally formed with side ends of the pair of protuberance portions and upwardly extending therefrom, a printed circuit board rested on the depress portion of the fixing bracket and provided at an upper surface thereof with a fixed electrode plate, an elastically movable electrode plate which is supported on the protuberance portions in a form of a fixed beam such that a predetermined gap is formed between the fixed electrode plate and the elastically movable electrode plate, a motor assembly which is mounted on an upper portion of the fixing bracket and is rotatably supporting a tray in which articles are placed, and a microcomputer determining the weight of articles based on the capacitance value.

Abstract: In an apparatus for wirelessly transmitting the temperature and an identifying characteristic of a cooking pot placed on one of the cooking zones of a stove to an electronic transmitting-receiving arrangement of the stove, the aim is to make it unnecessary to produce an operating voltage on the cooking pot. An antenna arrangement 4 of an electronic transmitting-receiving arrangement 14 is arranged under a cooking zone 2. A surface wave sensor 6 is exposed to the temperature of the cooking pot 5 and carries an identifying characteristic in the arrangement of its reflectors 11.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for the localization or focusing of heating in a tempering furnace for glass panels. Glass panels are carried and supported in a furnace (2) by rollers (11). The furnace is provided with upper and lower nozzle boxes (4, 14), including nozzle heads (5, 15) for blasting hot convection air to heat the glass panels to a tempering temperature. The arrival of a load in the furnace is preceded by reading a load picture and by controlling radiation heat resistances (10) present in the furnace in such a way that radiation heating can be focused on the central areas of critical glass panels to provide extra heating therefor.

Abstract: An integrated circuit constructed to provide control functions to a toaster oven cooking appliance. Said control functions including compensation for input voltage fluctuations, compensation for residual heat due to recycling, audible signal generation, multiple mode selection, safety shut off and others. The integrated circuit also provides flexibility to accommodate multiple models of an appliance in a product line.

Abstract: Electric toaster with a first heating element arranged at one side of a toasting compartment and a second heating element arranged at an opposed side of the toasting compartment. The first heating element is divided into two sub-elements. Two diodes and a switch provide the possibility to switch over from a normal two-sided toasting mode to an asymmetric single-sided toasting mode. In the normal mode the switch is closed and the sub-elements receive power only during different half-waves of the mains supply voltage, so that the effective radiant power of the sub-divided first element is equal to the radiant power of the second heating element. In the asymmetric mode the switch is opened and the resistance of the first heating element is greater than the resistance of the second element, as a consequence of which relatively more radiant power is emitted by the first heating element than by the second heating element.

Abstract: This is an apparatus for producing prepared food by electrical conduction automatically as disclosed. A control circuit senses the rate of change of current conducted through food as a function of its cooked condition, stops the current to the electrodes in response to a decline in current value through the food as measured against a predetermined value, and automatically retracts the cooking electrodes and any hot plates which may be used in the cooking process by pneumatic means.

Abstract: A simple, low-cost, reliable thermoactuator device is described, being capable of taking a plurality of stable working position besides its rest position. One and the same body is associated with at least two thermoactuators whose arrangement is such as to make a movable actuation element capable of taking at least three stable working positions, which are obtained as a function of an electric signal to the supply terminals of either one or the other or both of the thermoactuators.

Abstract: Cooktops with a glass or glass ceramic cooking surface include the usual multiple cooking zones and functional elements, like operating elements, display, etc. The cooking surface exhibits recesses, in which the operational zones, assigned to the elements, are mounted flush with the cooking surface. The operational zones are formed preferably by a glass or glass ceramic part, which is embedded in the cooking surface by means of a temperature stable, sealing connection. The cooking surface exhibits operational zones in the form of weighing, display and operating element zones.

Abstract: An integrated circuit constructed to provide control functions to a toaster oven cooking appliance. The control functions including compensation for input voltage fluctuations, compensation for residual heat due to recycling, audible signal generation, multiple mode selection, safety shut off and others. The integrated circuit also provides flexibility to accommodate multiple models of an appliance in a product line.

Abstract: A temperature control apparatus for a bed includes at least one heating element, mounted in a resting surface on a mattress of the bed for warming at least a first are(a of the resting area. A temperature sensor is located to detect the temperature of the first area of the resting area, and transmits the information to a central control unit. The central control unit includes a central processing unit which is interconnected with both the heating element and the temperature sensor to adjust the temperature in the first, area of the resting area as desired. The central control unit is also connected to a timer to permit programming of temperature changes as desired. An occupant sensor in the resting surface of the mattress will detect the presence and absence of an occupant, and transmit this information to the central control unit for processing.

Abstract: Most residential fires originated in the kitchen areas and were the results of negligence during cooking. As the least regulated cooking appliance in a kitchen, stove-top burners were often the culprits. Burners were left on without user presence and caused utensil melt down, igniting fire. It is the objective of this invention to minimize such risks. An electric or gas burner can be improved by the installation of an automated fire safety device that first determines whether the burner is being attended to and if not, senses the temperature of the cooking utensil on it and automatically shuts off the flow of electricity or gas to the burner when the temperature of the cooking utensil begins to exceed a predetermined temperature range.A motion detector is integrated into the safety device and serves as the front-end to a temperature sensor switch. The switch is designed to trigger a power shut-off mechanism when high utensil temperature is encountered.

Abstract: An RC oscillator having an oscillation frequency which is controllable by supplying a step voltage signal to a series arrangement of a capacitor and a resistor, the oscillation frequency being dependent on the time for the capacitor to be charged to a given voltage level. In order to vary the frequency, the amplitude of the supplied step voltage is varied instead of the resistance of the resistor via which the capacitor is charged. The amplitude variation can be provided, for example, by a potentiometer which acts as a voltage divider for the step voltage. The tolerance of the potentiometer in regard to its resistance value will not be relevant, because it is only the ratio between different portions thereof which is determinative. The step voltage, and consequently the oscillation frequency, will be proportional to the setting of the potentiometer regardless of the resistance tolerance thereof.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting a characteristic of a product undergoing heating senses a parameter of reflected light from the product and determines a point at which the sensed parameter reaches a certain level to detect the characteristic.

Abstract: An automatic circuit controller for cooking food interposed between electrodes connected with a source of AC by electrical resistance in which the resistance increases until the food is cooked and rapidly declines is formed by a current switching element in series in one wire of the AC source and a current sensing element in series in another wire of the AC source. The sensed current is rectified, reduced in voltage, converted from analog to digital and applied to a microprocessor connected with the switching element for controlling the current applied to the food by delaying the time into every half cycle in response to current measuring circuitry and a zero crossing detector for triggering the switching element on. The microprocessor detects the current peak of electrical resistance of the food and stops the cooking action when the current declines to a predetermined percent of the peak.

Abstract: A method is described of processing an electrical signal output from a sensor coil located in an electric heater for use under a cook top in a cooking appliance. The sensor coil is employed to operate a switch to switch on and off a heating element in the heater in accordance with placement and removal of a cooking utensil on and from the cook top. The sensor coil is arranged in the heater within magnetic influence of the electrical heating element, the heating element comprising a material which is ferromagnetic below and substantially non-ferromagnetic above a predetermined temperature within an operating temperature range of the heater. The occurrence of an increase in output signal level from the sensor coil is detected and closure of the switch is effected. Subsequently, the occurrence of a decrease in output signal level from the sensor coil is detected and opening of the switch is effected.

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.

Abstract: An electric radiant heater is constructed with a pot detection system for switching on one or more heating areas. The pot detection system operates inductively according to the resonant circuit detuning principle. The sensor consists of a single-turn loop made from thick wire and which in the vicinity of the heating areas is positioned above the latter and just below a glass ceramic plate. In the case of a two-circuit heater, the sensor loop is shaped with clearly defined circumferential areas in said heating areas, so that the signal has a stepped transition between these areas and consequently a pot size detection in adaptation to the heating areas is possible.

Abstract: A steam sterilization apparatus (10) includes an electronic control system having a main control circuit (C) including a central processing unit (68), an input device (36), and output devices (24,28) provided on a single circuit board (22) which is attached to a front bezel (16) of the sterilizer (10). The sterilizer (10) includes a flash steam generator (56). The main control circuit (C) implements an over-temperature feedback circuit (160) that disconnects the heating elements (162) in the steam generator (56) from electrical power when an over-temperature condition is detected. Isolated feedback is provided to the central processing unit (68) confirming the heating element disconnection operation. The control system includes error switches (82, 86, 88) that detect various error conditions. Upon an error condition being detected, the steam supply to the steam sterilization chamber (12) and/or to the pressurized steam seal (42) of the apparatus (10) is halted.

Abstract: A microwave oven prevents an overcooking of small food portions. The oven includes a weight sensing device for sensing the weight of food to be cooked. If the sensed food weight is greater than a reference weight, then a cooking time is set, e.g., manually or automatically on the basis of a selected cooking mode and/or the sensed food weight. If the sensed food weight is less than the reference weight, then a maximum cooking time is automatically set which is the same, regardless of the amount by which the food weight is less than the reference weight. The cooking time cannot exceed that maximum time period, thereby ensuring that the food will not be overcooked.

Abstract: A power control device for a pressing iron includes a position sensor that has a casing, an optical coupler and a shielding plate. The optical coupler is mounted in a lower part of the casing, and has a photoemitter and a photoreceiver that faces the photoemitter and that forms a clearance therewith. The shielding plate is received in the casing, and has an upper plate portion pivoted to an upper part of the casing, and a lower plate portion that extends into the clearance of the optical coupler. The lower plate portion is formed with a notch to permit light transmission between the photoemitter and the photoreceiver when the pressing iron is in an ironing position. The shielding plate pivots by virtue of gravity such that the notch is moved out of alignment with the photoemitter and the photoreceiver, and such that the lower plate portion blocks the light transmission between the photoemitter and the photoreceiver when the pressing iron is in a resting position.

Abstract: A control for an electric heating device for adjusting the duration of the device's heating cycle in order to effectively compensate for variations in the operating voltage supplied to the device. The control includes a means for adjusting the duration of the heating cycle, wherein the adjustment means generates a control voltage for controlling the duration of the heating cycle that is a dynamic function of the magnitude of the operating voltage.

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.

Abstract: An improved coffee maker is disclosed. The coffee maker shuts off automatically when the level of coffee in the decanter drops below a certain point, or when the decanter is removed. A housing is provided with the conventional elements used to brew coffee. The invention further comprises a decanter platform biased upward by a helical spring, the platform engaging switches which control the flow of electrical current to the brewing and heating elements of the coffee maker. When the decanter is at least partially full, the decanter platform is depressed and the switches are biased to the "on" position. When the decanter is almost empty, the upward travel of the decanter platform shuts off the heating element switch. When the decanter is removed from the platform, the brewing mechanism is shut off.

Abstract: A microwave oven has a cooking chamber in which a tray is provided for supporting food to be cooked. The tray is rotatable and can be raised and lowered. Cooking can be performed by microwaves and/or an electric resistance heater disposed in the cooking chamber. A sensor disposed in the cooking chamber detects a condition wherein food on the rising tray is at a height corresponding to that of the heater. In response to the sensing of such a condition the heater is turned off, a mechanism for raising the tray is also turned off, and a warning is emitted.

Abstract: A beverage maker employs an electrically operated boiler having a hot water output and a cold water input. Electric power is supplied through a normally open micro switch to the boiler. The boiler is actuated to produce heat only when the switch is closed and is deactuated and produces no heat when the switch is open. A water reservoir is disposed above the boiler and above the switch. The reservoir has a water input port at the top of the reservoir and a water output port at the bottom of the reservoir. A water feed hose connects the output port of the reservoir through a one way valve to the cold water input of the boiler whereby water can flow by gravity out of the reservoir into the boiler but cannot flow out of the boiler into the reservoir. A counter balancing mechanism is secured to the reservoir to maintain the reservoir in raised position above the switch when the reservoir is empty whereby the switch is open and the boiler is deactuated.

Abstract: A heater, especially a portable electric space heater, that includes safety features selected from at least one of the following, which may turn off the heater or trigger an alarm or both: motion sensors for determining whether an object is within an unsafe distance of the heater; temperature sensors for determining whether the internal temperature of the heater is rising too fast, or is too much above ambient temperature so that it represents an unsafe condition, or is above a preset safe level.

Abstract: A method of achieving a comfortable temperature in the surroundings of a person, who is present in a room of low temperature, by means of a radiator is quickly reached and continuously maintained by continuously measuring the temperature in the surroundings of the radiator (18). While a direct thermal influence of the radiator is avoided, or the measurement is avoided, a required irradiation for the person is calculated from the temperature data by an electronic unit. The distance between the person and the radiator is measured, and the required power is provided to the radiator (18) in accordance with the calculated irradiation and the measured distance.

Abstract: A bake stuff cooker 10 includes: a main body case 1; a mount plate 2 attached on an upper surface of the main body case 1 for mounting a cook stuff; a heating plate 3 pivotally switchable between a facing position facing the mount plate 2 to form a gap corresponding to the thickness of the cook stuff above the mount plate 2 and a separating position separating from the facing position; the heating plate 3 forming a heating face on an upper surface and/or a lower surface thereof; a lid 5 for forming another gap corresponding to the thickness of another cook stuff above the heating plate 3 and for covering the heating face 31a on the upper surface of the heating plate 3; an induction heating coil 11 for heating the heating face; a control unit 9 for controlling to drive and stop the induction heating coil 11; and a thermistor 92 for detecting a temperature of the heating face, wherein the control unit 9 is provided with a drive time setting circuit 93 for setting a drive time of the induction heating coil 11 in

Abstract: A control system for use with a boiler and associated burner. In one embodiment, the system comprises a first control circuit for producing a signal having alternating first and second states, the first state activating the burner and having a first predetermined duration, the second state deactivating the burner and having a second predetermined duration that defines a time period that allows foam and surging fluid in the boiler to settle, and a relay responsive to the first control circuit signal and adapted for connection to a power source and the burner, when the first control circuit signal has the first state, the relay connects the power source to the burner to activate the burner, when the first control circuit signal has the second state, the relay disconnects the power source from the burner to deactivate the burner.

Abstract: A microwave oven has a food tray which can be both rotated and elevated. A weight sensing unit senses the weight of the tray and any food thereon, for controlling the operation of a tray elevation/rotation mechanism. The tray is not elevated if the weight of the food is detected to be greater than a predetermined elevation weight, in order to prevent excessive pressure from being applied to the elevation/rotation mechanism and the weight sensing unit. If the weight of the food is detected to be greater than a maximum possible cooking weight, no cooking is performed, and an error signal is displayed.

Abstract: A power control device is to be used with a pressing iron which includes a soleplate, a housing mounted on the soleplate and provided with a handle, a heating device disposed in the housing and operable so as to heat the soleplate, and a power supplying unit for supplying electric power to the heating device. The power control device includes a switch circuit adapted to connect electrically the heating device and the power supplying unit, an optical sensor unit adapted to be mounted on the handle of the housing, the optical sensor unit generating a first control signal when the handle is released and a second control signal when the handle is gripped, and a timer circuit connected electrically to the switch circuit and the optical sensor unit.

Abstract: An automatic countertop toaster and its control that divides the toasting cycle into three thermodynamic phases related to a change in the physical characteristics of the toaster and the item being toasted. The time of each of the three phases is adjusted according to the user inputs and current conditions to obtain the proper toasting time. The invention disclosed uses a microcomputer to interface with the user and control the toaster. The measured or estimated time since the last toasting cycle and the temperature inside the toaster are used by the microcomputer in table lookups to set the times for the three thermodynamic phases of the toasting cycle. Two of the phases are further modified by the toasting mode (normal, frozen, bagel, frozen bagel, reheat) and the toast darkness setting selected by the user. The sum of the three phases after modification is the total toasting time.

Abstract: A toaster control circuit is disclosed for correcting for toaster cavity temperature variations that occur as a function of the time between toaster heating cycles. This disclosed circuit produces the same toast color during consecutive cycles, regardless of variations in the interval between heating cycles.

Abstract: Apparatus (1a, 1b) for heating liquids has a receptacle (10)for receiving liquid to be heated, a heating element (30) in the form of a support (31) having an electrically insulating surface (32b) carrying a resistive track (33) for heating liquid within the receptacle (10) and a control arrangement (40) for controlling the supply of power to the heating element (30). The control arrangement (40) includes a detector (41) for detecting deflection of the heating element (30). during operation of the apparatus and for reducing the power supply to the heating element (30) when the deflection of the heating element (30) exceeds a predetermined amount so providing a simple, efficient way of switching off the apparatus if the heating element (30) overhears due to, for example, the apparatus being boiled dry or the vessel (2a, 2b) being tilted to expose the heating element out of the liquid being heated.

Abstract: In a toaster, a system is constructed to vary the duration of the toasting cycle. An RC network provides an oscillating signal to a counter, which upon the required number of oscillations being counted, triggers a transistor switch. The switch energizes the main solenoid switch which in turn deactivates the heating elements of the toaster. The RC network of the system comprises a variable resistor which may be manually operated, a heat sensitive resistor, and a light sensitive resistor.

Abstract: An automatic burner assembly is disclosed, which assembly is adapted to be automatically and selectively actuatable upon the placement of a given vessel thereon or in close proximity thereto, this assembly comprising a heating element operably coupled to a sensor assembly, where this assembly is capable of detecting the presence of a given vessel on or proximate to the heating element.

Abstract: A fire-preventing warning system for alerting an occupant leaving the premises that a stove burner is on, includes (a) a sensor to detect whether a gas or electric stove is "on", connected to (b) a warning indicator located by the exit door. If the stove burner is on, the warning indicator will light up, or, in the alternative, emit an audible warning, or both, as the door is opened. The sensor and the indicator circuitry may be connected by electrical conductors or by radio frequency transmission; the system may be battery-operated or powered from household current.

Abstract: A seal wire heat control system for sealing thermoplastic film as adapted to control the duration of heat impulses applied to the sealing wire by remembering the past history of the sealing machine. The application of power to the sealing wire is provided by a series of power impulses, the duration of which is shortened incrementally as the apparatus continues to run and is lengthened incrementally when the apparatus sits at rest.

Abstract: This invention comprises a towel warmer wherein the towel is removably mounted on a rack within a closed cabinet. The cabinet includes a heater blower mounted on the upper portion thereof and recirculating tubes on each side thereof to recirculate the warm air after it passes through the towel. The heater blower warms the circulated air and forces it downwardly into the hanging towel. The system is totally enclosed so that the operating noise is greatly reduced and the system uses only a fraction of the electric power conventionally required.