Including Or Comprising Holding Or Support Means For Material To Be Heated Patents (Class 219/521)
  • Patent number: 6397730
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sandwich consisting of two toasted slices of bread and an edible filling placed between said slices. According to the invention, the filling is essentially arranged in the inner region of the surfaces of the slices of bread and the slices of bread are pressed together in a peripheral edge area with greater force than in the inner region so that the slices of bread adhere to each other and form a cohesive sandwich arrangement, whereby the filling is packed between the slices of bread. The invention also relates to a method for the production of a toasted sandwich that consists of two slices of bread and an edible filling placed between said slices. According to the invention, the filling is initially and essentially arranged in the inner region of the surface of a first underlying slice of bread. A second slice of bread is subsequently placed thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Inventors: Ortwin Steinbach, Marion Ferstl
  • Patent number: 6397733
    Abstract: A food roasting apparatus has a roasting main body and an upholding device is mounted on the roasting main body at the far end with respect to the oil-collected hole. The upholding device includes an upholding element and a covering body, which can shield the upholding element and can be locked at a bottom of the roasting main body. The upholding element has a pulling rod part. Two ends of the pulling rod part are forwardly bent to form a crossing part. The end of the crossing part is again inwardly bent to form a stopping part. With respect to the crossing part, the roasting main body and the cover body both has indentations for crossing over.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Uni-Splendor Corp.
    Inventor: Yu-Yuan Lin
  • Patent number: 6392200
    Abstract: A wet tissue warmer has a case having an open end, a lid removably put on the case so as to cover the open end of the case and internally provided with a heater, and a lifting plate placed in the case and biased upward. When the lid is closed, a wet tissue package mounted on the lifting plate is kept in contact with the lid to heat the wet tissue package. Lifting plate locking devices are disposed in the case. The lifting plate is locked at the present position by the lifting plate locking devices when the lid is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Combi Corporation
    Inventors: Keiichi Nakamura, Tomihisa Kaneko, Kazunao Ogura
  • Patent number: 6389959
    Abstract: A multipurpose grill for grilling food items anywhere standard electricity is available. The multipurpose grill includes a lower housing member that has plurality of grilling sections, each thermostatically controlled, and a plurality of upper housing members for grilling the top sides of the food being cooked. The upper and lower housing members are pivotally connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Inventor: Harold E. Robertson
  • Patent number: 6382084
    Abstract: In an otherwise well-known electric pop-up toaster, an auxiliary power switch is provided and is arranged to be opened by a timer after each toasting cycle. This ensures, in contrast to the well-known toaster arrangements, that power is interrupted to heating elements even if a carriage supporting slices of toast fails to move up at the end of a toasting cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Simatelex Manufactory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Stephen Wai-Kin Chan, Wing Chung Li
  • Publication number: 20020038798
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for forming points on the ends of wires having receiving means for receiving a wire, a heating device, as well as means for stretching the wire, in addition to a procedure for forming points on the ends of wires.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2001
    Publication date: April 4, 2002
    Inventor: Josef Leipold
  • Patent number: 6362460
    Abstract: A warmer-holder for use with body applied liquids has a small volume open topped receptacle able to receive a few ounces of the liquid, the receptacle supported by prongs inserted into a wall outlet. A low power heater element is energized when the holder is plugged in to heat the liquid to temperature comfortable when applied to the person's body. A cover can be provided as well as an on-off switch for the heater element. The receptacle can have a simulated shape such as a seashell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Inventor: Andrea Fraker
  • Patent number: 6358473
    Abstract: A microscope slide stainer includes a waste bin with an open top, and supporting notches arranged on the top edges of opposite sides. A slide supporting rack is supported in a horizontal position across the top of the bin in the supporting notches. The rack includes a pair of rails extending along a horizontal base. Brackets arranged on top of the rails define a plurality of spaced-apart slide holding positions. A hot plate is positioned between the rails and spaced above the horizontal base. A control box is attached to the hot plate for temperature control. Pins extending from opposite sides of the hot plate ride in direction-changing slots in the rails to enable the hot plate to be moved between a raised position engaged against the bottom of the slides, and a lowered position disengaged from the slides. Grooves are arranged on top surface of the hot plate to prevent the wet slides from sticking to it. A cover is removably positioned over the rack to define a heating and humidity chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Inventors: Albert Coello, John Johnson, David Tacha
  • Publication number: 20020030044
    Abstract: An apparatus for thermally cycling samples of a biological material. The apparatus in its preferred embodiment includes: a thermal block assembly including a plurality of sample holders for receiving samples of biological material; a heat sink thermally coupled to the thermal block assembly, the heat sink transferring heat away from the thermal block assembly to ambient air in contact with the heat sink; a first heat source thermally coupled to the thermal block assembly to provide heat to the thermal block assembly; and a second heat source thermally coupled to the first heat source and configured to provide heat to a portion of the first heat source. The arrangement of the heat sink, first heat source and second heat source can provide substantial temperature uniformity among the plurality of sample holders. The invention also includes a method for thermally cycling samples of biological material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 1999
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Applicant: STRATAGENE
    Inventor: LARRY R. BROWN
  • Publication number: 20020030045
    Abstract: A wet tissue warmer includes: a case (2) having an open end (2a), a lid (3) removably put on the case (2) so as to cover the open end (2a) of the case (2) and internally provided with a heater, and a lifting plate (9) placed in the case (2)and biased upward. When the lid (3) is closed, a wet tissue package (A) mounted on the lifting plate (9) is kept in contact with the lid (3) to heat the wet tissue package (A). Lifting plate locking devices (11) are disposed in the case (2). The lifting plate (9) is locked at the present position by the lifting plate locking devices (11) when the lid (3) is opened.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2001
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Inventors: Keiichi Nakamura, Tomihisa Kaneko, Kazunao Ogura
  • Patent number: 6350970
    Abstract: A switching mechanism is utilized in a heating appliance, such as a toaster, that includes a bread support that supports a food item to insert and remove the food item from a cooking cavity of the appliance. The appliance includes an electronic circuit that controls operation during a heating cycle. The switching mechanism includes a switch having a first terminal adapted to receive a power signal and a second terminal coupled to the electronic circuit. The switch operates responsive to an applied switching force to couple the first terminal to the second terminal and thereby apply power to the electronic circuit. A switch actuator has a first end, a second end, and a retaining member near the second end. The second end is attached to the appliance to rotate about an axis. The switch actuator operates responsive to a force being applied to the bread support to rotate about the axis to a first position and apply the switching force to the switch so power is applied to the electronic circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: Salton, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Huggler
  • Publication number: 20020014485
    Abstract: A dissolution testing system comprises a vessel plate on which a plurality of vessels are mounted. Each vessel includes a lateral wall having an outer surface around which a plurality of flexible heater elements are attached. Each heater element includes a transparent surface area, a heat conductive element extending along the transparent surface area, a temperature sensing element extending along the transparent surface area, and an electrical contact element connected to the heat conductive element and the temperature sensing element. The heater element can have more than one heating zone, with at least one of the heating zones being selectively energizable. The transparent heater element allows unobstructed view into the interior of its vessel, and reduces the time required to achieve a stabilized set point temperature in the vessel. A heater control system communicates with each heat conductive element and each temperature sensing element through a corresponding one of the electrical contact elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2001
    Publication date: February 7, 2002
    Inventors: C.J. Anthony Fernando, James E. Swon, Michael F. Haw
  • Publication number: 20020014484
    Abstract: A device and method for the storage and retrieval of a variety of cooking utensils is disclosed. The invention may include a sleeve, can or tracking system that is capable of receiving and storing and dispensing a stand alone appliance, or a kitchen utensil that is to be used on another kitchen appliance such as a stovetop/hob. The device may also include a latching system for securing the appliance/appliance carrier or utensil in its stored position. The device may be used with existing appliances and utensils as an appliance/utensil carrier or incorporate its own proprietary appliance(s) or utensil(s). This new and novel product or system for the storage and retrieval of food preparation appliances, allows the workplace to remain uncluttered, and at the same time allows the user ready access to the appliances, devices or utensils when desired. Additionally, the appliances are stored in a more efficient manner than is currently available.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2001
    Publication date: February 7, 2002
    Inventor: Steven Jerome Caruso
  • Patent number: 6343543
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Hamilton Beach/Proctor-Silex, Inc.
    Inventors: Lee J. Belknap, John W. Foster
  • Patent number: 6341554
    Abstract: A toaster having a base and at least two substantially vertical heating elements defining a cooking space that is open at least at the upper part of the toaster, the heating elements being in the form of transparent glass walls composed of a glass substrate covered, on one of its faces, with a layer of metal oxide or oxides, the layer being connected to an electric supply circuit for supplying heating current. At least two of the glass walls have an upper rim, or lip, the rim or lip being made of a transparent material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Assignee: .SEB S.A.
    Inventor: Sylvain Thiriat
  • Patent number: 6331696
    Abstract: A wet tissue warmer includes: a case (2) having an open end (2a), a lid (3) removably put on the case (2) so as to cover the open end (2a) of the case (2) and internally provided with a heater, and a lifting plate (9) placed in the case (2) and biased upward. When the lid (3) is closed, a wet tissue package (A) mounted on the lifting plate (9) is kept in contact with the lid (3) to heat the wet tissue package (A). Lifting plate locking devices (11) are disposed in the case (2). The lifting plate (9) is locked at the present position by the lifting plate locking devices (11) when the lid (3) is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: Combi Corporation
    Inventors: Keiichi Nakamura, Tomihisa Kaneko, Kazunao Ogura
  • Patent number: 6329640
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a bump-bonding heating apparatus, a bump bonding method and a bump forming apparatus which do not involve large-sized apparatus configuration and which are easy to handle, and a semiconductor wafer in which bumps are formed by using the bump bonding method. The bump-bonding heating apparatus has a wafer turning member, a turning unit and a wafer heating unit. The turning member is turned by the turning unit without turning the wafer heating unit, whereby a semiconductor wafer mounted on the turning member is turned. Like this, since the wafer heating unit is not turned, the apparatus configuration can be made compact. Since the turning member is turned directly by the turning unit, the turning angle of the semiconductor wafer can be implemented with higher precision as compared with the conventional gas floating type turning method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoriki Narita, Makoto Imanishi, Takaharu Mae, Nobuhisa Watanabe, Shinji Kanayama
  • Patent number: 6323467
    Abstract: A heating apparatus having a heating grid array wherein individual elements of the heating grid array may by selected, thereby producing a heating/browning effect from the selected elements. Groups of the individual elements may be selected such that a desired heating/browning pattern is achieved. Elements of the grid array are selected for a duration of time such that a desired heating/browning pattern is produced. The heating apparatus contains an addressing circuit for addressing the grid array and a memory for storing heating/browning patterns. The heating device also contains a timing element for controlling the duration of time that the heating/browning pattern is applied. The memory contains duration data corresponding to all, or portions of the selected elements of the grid array. The duration data varies over the selected elements of the grid array so that different selected elements of the grid array are selected for different durations of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Philips Electronics North America Corp.
    Inventor: Yasser Alsafadi
  • Patent number: 6315039
    Abstract: A bedside rethermalization unit maintains food items placed on meal serving trays, including hot food items to be served at an elevated temperature, in a refrigerated state and rethermalizes hot food items at a desired time prior to meal serving. The unit is preferably in the form of a cart with castered wheels to enhance mobility. The cart includes a cabinet having an upper tray storage compartment for storing and rethermalizing a single day's worth of meals for a single individual, and a lower tray storage compartment for storage of soiled trays and eating utensils. Both compartments are refrigerated. A divider physically and atmospherically isolates the upper and lower tray storage compartments to inhibit contamination of uneaten meals in the upper compartment by soiled trays placed in the lower compartment. Rethermalization of hot food items in the upper compartment may be achieved by convection, conduction, induction, radiant heating, or any combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Standex International Corporation
    Inventors: John W. Westbrooks, Jr., Sara C. Hurt
  • Patent number: 6311608
    Abstract: A toaster includes a housing having an upper wall with bagel half shaped openings; toasting chambers in the housing accessible through the openings and having bagel half shapes; a bread rack in each toasting chamber; inner/outer heating coils surrounding each toasting chamber; electric contacts in the housing for activation of the heating coils; a raising/lowering mechanism connected with the bread racks for moving the bread racks up and down, and including first and second lateral portions connected to opposite ends of the bread racks; first and second guides mounted to the housing for guiding the first and second lateral portions with a small tolerance, a yoke housing connected with the first lateral portion and slidably movable relative to the housing, a lever slidably moving the yoke housing; a yoke slidably movable relative to the yoke housing and closing the electric contacts when the bread racks and yoke are lowered, and a first spring biasing the yoke upwardly; an electromagnet holding the yoke in the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Sunbeam Products, Inc.
    Inventors: George Hardin, Cliff Spencer
  • Patent number: 6311609
    Abstract: A food handling appliance particularly useful as a toaster, includes a food compartment for receiving a food article to be heated, at least one heating element (43b) located laterally of the food compartment for heating a food article therein, and a heat transfer-plate (44) located between the food article compartment and the heating element (43b). When the appliance is a toaster for toasting a slice of bread, there would be two heating elements and two heat-transfer plates for toasting the opposite side of a slice of bread mounted on a pop-up stand with the heat transfer plates being brought into contact with the slice of bread when the stand is in its lower position, and being moved out of contact therewith when the stand is in its upper position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Home Care Technologies Ltd.
    Inventor: Simon Dotan
  • Patent number: 6310322
    Abstract: A heated roller assembly includes a heating platform, a plurality of rollers disposed on the heating platform and a circuit for automatically controlling a surface temperature of each roller. The heated rollers of the heated roller assembly include an outer portion and an inner portion disposed within the outer portion. The inner portion is made of thermoset plastic and includes a groove and a heating element disposed within the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Raymond Industrial Limited
    Inventors: Zheng Qing Yang, Yuan Kun Zhang
  • Patent number: 6307186
    Abstract: The invention concerns a device for preparing hydrocolloids comprising means heating a container containing a hydrocolloid. The heating means consist of preferably low-power ceramic resistors, insulated on three surfaces transmitting heat only through the top surface in direct contact with a tube square in external cross section and circular in internal cross section of diameter adapted to the diameter of the hydrocolloid cartridges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Inventors: Jean-Luc Jouvin, Frédéric Jouvin
  • Patent number: 6298772
    Abstract: A toaster having a ferromagnetic armature movable between an engaged position adjacent to a solenoid and closing a switch and a disengaged position away from the solenoid and opening the switch. A displacement assembly is adapted to move from an up position through a toasting position to a down position, whereupon the displacement assembly displaces the armature from the disengaged position to the engaged position, closing the switch and energizing a heating element and the solenoid, thus retaining the armature in the engaged position. The armature engages the displacement assembly when the armature is in its engaged position to retain the displacement assembly in the intermediate toasting position. A timer de-energizes the solenoid upon completion of toasting, releasing the armature to return to the disengaged position, thus opening the switch and causing de-energization of the heating element independently of the displacement assembly returning to the up position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: Hamilton Beach/Proctor-Silex, Inc.
    Inventors: Nhiem Viet Nguyen, John J. Datovech
  • Patent number: 6294769
    Abstract: A device for maintaining food at a temperature within a selected range is disclosed, the device having a ceramic heating element with an electric element and a thermocouple contained therein. The device is maintained between approximately 200° F. and 650° F. and emits for infrared radiation within the range of approximately 7.91 to 4.7 microns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Inventor: David McCarter
  • Patent number: 6288366
    Abstract: A furnace for heating articles is provided with a housing containing a heating structure as well as a feed and a discharge between which a track extends for moving the articles through the furnace. The heating structure comprises at least one source which emits radiation having a wavelength located in the range of light radiation, such as an infrared source, and the track for moving the articles comprises a material transparent to light radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: OTB Group B.V.
    Inventor: Franciscus Cornelis Dings
  • Patent number: 6281475
    Abstract: A pipe stand instrument heater system for heating an instrument within an enclosure supported by a pipe stand. The heater system includes a housing mounted to the pipe stand and a heater unit in the housing. A bracket is provided for mounting the instrument to the housing. The heater unit can be powered by electric, steam or other fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Thermon Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Bryan J. Campbell, Roy E. Barth, W. Gregory Huff, Ronald W. Zaborowski, Charles M. Bonorden, David L. Schlameus
  • Patent number: 6279466
    Abstract: For an upright toaster, wire guards of spring material of inverted U-section with diverging arms are provided for defining the toaster slots. A toaster has a casing and one or more toaster slots for receiving bread, heating elements on each side of each slot and a plurality of wire guards defining the widths of the toaster slots. The widths of the slots are greater at the top than at the bottom with the base of the arm of the guard on at least one side of each of the slots being movable outwardly and restoring itself under the natural spring of its material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Dualit Limited
    Inventor: Leslie Alexander Gort-Barten
  • Patent number: 6281476
    Abstract: A device for applying heat to an adhesive of the type used to set an optical fibre in a termination therefor, the device including a portable housing, a heater disposed within the housing and a holder for holding the termination in operative relationship with the heater to promote curing of the adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: GKN Westland Helicopters Limited
    Inventor: Andrew Robert Voizey
  • Patent number: 6267044
    Abstract: A batch type toaster includes a cool remote waiting zone and an intrinsically controlled transport mechanism that retains the bread in said waiting zone while the toasting zone is heating to optimum toasting conditions and subsequently moves the bread into the preheated toasting zone until the desired browning is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignee: Edgecroft Corporation
    Inventor: Daniel D. Friel, Sr.
  • Patent number: 6263591
    Abstract: The portable sports equipment drying container comprised: a box shaped body; a cover for the body; the body having opposed side walls and opposed end walls; an input fan mounted in one of the walls; an output fan mounted in a another one of the walls; a heating pad in the box shaped body; perforated or porous insulating structure between the heating pad and clothing or equipment placed in the box shaped body; and electrical circuitry for energizing the fans and the heating pad for drying moist or wet clothing or equipment placed in said container and for circulating air through the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Inventor: Victor M. La Porte
  • Patent number: 6257880
    Abstract: A heater box to bend PVC conduit in the form of an elongated metal box, split into upper and lower portions and hinged along one side so as to be openable for insertion of a segment of a plastic conduit lengthwise through the box, the box having, at either end, cutout portions so as to allow the closure of the box around the pipe. In one embodiment, corresponding semicircles are cut from upper and lower end portions of the heating box so as to allow a pipe segment to fit when placed therein. A burner located within the lower box portion extends along the elongated box to provide uniform heating. A baffle extends over the burner along its length. The box bottom and lower sides are perforated to provide combustion air. The hot combustion gases are directed upward around the baffle and up to the conduit segment. Supports, spaced along the length of the elongated box support the heating pipe segment above the hot baffle. These supports run perpendicularly underneath the plastic pipe while heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Inventor: Edward K. Hirayama
  • Patent number: 6252202
    Abstract: A furnace is provided generally including an upper heating chamber and a lower work base or firing platform. The upper chamber provides the main source of heat to the materials to be heat-treated. The upper chamber contains a muffle within which is located a heater ring assembly. The heater ring assembly is located in the middle to upper half of the muffle and includes an annular heating element that is located between an outer insulation ring and an inner quartz sleeve. A cavity or channel extends through the muffle into which insulation materials and the heater ring assembly is located. The channel area in the muffle below the heater ring assembly allows for the placement of the firing platform therein. The firing platform includes insulation material and a heating element located in the upper portion thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Jeneric/Pentron, Inc.
    Inventor: George N. Zychek
  • Patent number: 6244166
    Abstract: A child proof toaster with touch pad controls including a housing having a generally rectangular configuration. The housing has a top wall, a bottom wall, a front wall, a back wall, opposed side walls and an interior. The top wall has a pair of slots formed therein. The slots are in communication with the interior. The slots receive toastable items therein. The interior has toasting elements disposed therein. The front wall has an opening therein in communication with the interior. A cover member is hingedly coupled with the top wall of the housing. The cover member has an open orientation exposing the pair of slots and a closed orientation covering the pair of slots. A tray portion is removably received within the opening in the front wall of the housing. The tray portion is positionable under the pair of slots in a closed orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Inventor: Rebecca Lebron
  • Patent number: 6240834
    Abstract: An electric cut-off device for a toaster is disclosed including a housing, a timer for setting a toasting time, the timer including a core and an armature attracted by the core upon its actuation, a slidable support mounted for slidable movement within the housing, a button for controlling the movement of the slidable support, a carrier carried by the slidable support for carrying the toast, a heater for heating the toast, a switch for actuating the heater, the switch juxtaposed with the armature whereby the switch is actuated when the armature is adjacent to the core and the heater, the core and the timer are deactivated after expiration of the toasting time, and the slidable support is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: SEB S.A.
    Inventors: Huajin Chen, Xiaoxing Shen
  • Publication number: 20010001461
    Abstract: A pipe stand instrument heater system for heating an instrument within an enclosure supported by a pipe stand. The heater system includes a housing mounted to the pipe stand and a heater unit in the housing. A bracket is provided for mounting the instrument to the housing. The heater unit can be powered by electric, steam or other fluids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Publication date: May 24, 2001
    Inventors: Bryan J. Campbell, Roy E. Barth, W. Gregory Huff, Ronald W. Zaborowski, Charles M. Bonorden, David L. Schlameus
  • Patent number: 6230611
    Abstract: A toaster is disclosed including a main frame with a toasting compartment including an electrical resistance heater, a carriage mounted for reciprocation within the toasting compartment so that the bread product to be toasted can be loaded when the carriage is in an upper position and the bread product can be toasted when the carriage is in the lower position, an electromagnet for holding the carriage in the lower position, and a safety assembly for interrupting the supply of electricity to the electrical resistance heater at the end of a toasting cycle independent of the position of the carriage with the subassembly and including a lock to lock the carriage in the lower position, an armature for carrying the lock mounted adjacent to the electromagnet, and a resilient contact to establish electrical contact with the electrical resistance heater when the assembly is in the active position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: SEB S.A.
    Inventor: Guy Mauffrey
  • Patent number: 6232578
    Abstract: A thermophoretic vacuum wand that is particularly suited for transporting articles in a cleanroom environment so that potential particle contaminants in the air do not become adhered to the surface of the article is described. The wand includes a housing having a platen with a front surface with suction port(s) through the platen; a vacuum source for applying a negative pressure to the suction port(s); and heating device for the object. Heating the article when it is held by the vacuum wand affords thermophoretic protection that effectively prevents particles in the air from depositing onto the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: BUV LLC
    Inventors: Leonard Elliott Klebanoff, Daniel John Rader
  • Patent number: 6209447
    Abstract: A cooked food staging device and method is provided. The cooked food staging device allows previously cooked food items, particularly sandwich fillings such as hamburger patties, fish fillets, biscuits, Canadian bacon, pork sausage, eggs, chicken patties, chicken fillets and nuggets, to be stored over extended periods of time at an elevated temperature without significant deleterious effects to the appearance, taste and texture of the food while avoiding risk of bacterial contamination. The food staging device is composed of a plurality of discrete compartments bounded by upper and lower heated compartment surfaces. Food can be stored within the compartments in trays having side walls of a height such that a gap is achieved between the top of the tray and the upper compartment heated surface to limit and control the evaporation of liquid from the food stored therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Restaurant Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Henry T. Ewald, Jimmie L. Coffey, Patricia A. Venetucci, Gerald A. Sus
  • Patent number: 6205910
    Abstract: A toaster/heater assembly for toasting and heating food products has a housing containing a frame, and a heating chamber having a toaster/heater ensemble which heats two compartments of the chamber. The ensemble has a middle unit and two side units, each of which are divided into two insulating boards having side edges with nibs separated by notches. A pair of lower terminals are spaced from each other and connected to ends of a heating element. For the side units, the heating element winds from a terminal around the nibs and notches of one board section to then cross to the other board section to likewise wind, so that almost all of the strands of the element face a heating compartment. The middle unit heating element winds through the notches and nibs and crosses to the other board section and likewise winds about it so that heat radiates from both of its sides to two different compartments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Star Manufacturing International Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Daro Vaughn
  • Patent number: 6202544
    Abstract: The flatbread maker includes a support structure which has a base portion, a short rear portion and an upper portion, wherein the upper portion angles upwardly as it extends forwardly from the rear portion, wherein the base portion includes a central track which extends inwardly from the front edge for receiving a roller element portion of an actuating arm. The actuating arm is generally L-shaped, having a roller element at the joining portion between vertical and lower leg portions thereof, the roller element being configured and arranged to slide along the track when the vertical leg portion of the arm is rotated downwardly, such that the roller element moves along the track and the free end of the lower leg moves upwardly, forcing a lower flatbread plate which is hinged to the rear portion of the support structure to rotate thereabout into a position adjacent an angled lower surface of the upper portion. This results in the pressing, heating and partial cooking of the flatbread.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Inventor: Marvin G. Martinez
  • Patent number: 6196297
    Abstract: A pipe stand instrument heater system heats an instrument within an enclosure supported by a pipe stand. The heater system includes a housing mounted to the pipe stand and a heater unit in the housing. A bracket is provided for mounting the instrument to the housing. The heater unit can be powered by electric, steam or other fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Thermon Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Bryan J. Campbell, Roy E. Barth, W. Gregory Huff, Ronald W. Zaborowski, Charles M. Bonorden, David L. Schlameus
  • Patent number: 6192788
    Abstract: A grilling appliance has two housing sections provided with heating plates and connected to each other by means of a pivotable/slidable hinge construction at both sides of the appliance. The housing sections can be positioned with respect to each other in several positions in which the heating plates should remain parallel to each other. In order to improve the hinge construction a parallel guiding mechanism has been provided, which mechanism comprises a U-shaped rod (9) having a central portion (10) which can slide in slots (7, 8) of the first housing section (1) and having arms (11, 12) carrying trunnions (13, 14) which are pivotable in the second housing section (2) and slidable in the first housing section (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Jan H. Benedictus, Klaas Kooyker
  • Patent number: 6192790
    Abstract: Appliance for grilling a flat slice of food, the appliance being composed of a housing with a slot permitting access to a parallelepiped grilling chamber in the opposite main faces of which are respectively arranged facing each other two heating subassemblies. At least one of the subassemblies having a substantially homogeneous radiation plate heated by heating elements. The radiation face of this plate may be completed by elements which maintain a predetermined spacing of less than 1 centimeter with the slice, this face or this slice being in contact with these spacing elements along surfaces less than 1 millimeter wide. At least one of the subassemblies may be mounted to be relatively displaceable farther and closer with respect to the other in order to be applied to one side and the other of the slice with a predetermined pressure. The plates may be of a material and have dimensions such that they constitute heat storage plates for heating by convection or by radiation at a short distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: SEB S.A.
    Inventor: Jean-Marie Balandier
  • Patent number: 6191398
    Abstract: A dry bath with a heat conductive block having a plurality of bores adapted to receive tubes containing samples of material. The dry bath includes a heater and a temperature sensor mounted to the block. A heat controller executes a control cycle of initially operating the heater to heat the block in the absence of the tubes to a desired temperature. Next, the heat controller automatically detects a change in temperature of the block in response to tubes being placed in the bores, wherein the samples in the tubes have a temperature different, for example, less, than the desired temperature. In that case, the heat controller operates the heater to first automatically heat the block to a temperature greater than the desired temperature. Thereafter, the heat controller automatically reduces the heat being applied to the block while heat continues to transfer to the samples such that the block and samples simultaneously reach, and are maintained at, the desired temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Barnstead/Thermolyne Corporation
    Inventors: Steven C. Peake, Jason A. Harms
  • Patent number: 6180061
    Abstract: This invention describes a cartridge pump and dispensing assembly for applications where cartridges containing liquid reagents are interchanged often. The cartridge pump has a reagent reservoir which directly empties into a metering chamber. A valve is at each end of the metering chamber. The two valves are aligned in the same direction so as to allow unidirectional liquid flow. The metering chamber is made of a compressible material, such as flexible tubing, so that when an external compression is applied to the chamber, the liquid contained therein is forcibly expelled. As the compression is removed, the metering chamber resumes its former shape and draws liquid into the chamber from the reagent reservoir. A dispensing assembly with electromechanical actuators for compression of the metering chamber and a sensor for sensing the amount of liquid contained within the reagent reservoir are also shown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: CytoLogix Corporation
    Inventors: Steven A. Bogen, Herbert H. Loeffler
  • Patent number: 6175970
    Abstract: A spa enclosure for a spa tub is provided with a cabinet having at least one towel bar or towel hook and which at least partially recesses into the wall of the enclosure. The cabinet is provided with vent openings which permit heat cogenerated by a water pump used to pump water in the spa, an air blower, and/or a water heater to enter the cabinet by convection, heat towels provided on the bars or hooks, and exit through an upper portion of the cabinet. No additional dedicated heating element is provided to heat the towels. According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, the cabinet is hinged at a lower portion to the enclosure and pivots about the hinge to open. The front and sides of the cabinet are preferably insulated to retain heat within the cabinet, and likewise, the enclosure may be insulated. A supply of towels may be kept in the cabinet or towels may be placed in the cabinet just prior to entering the spa tub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Precision Design Concepts Ltd.
    Inventor: John Pinciaro
  • Patent number: 6170389
    Abstract: A cooking appliance having an upper cooking unit pivotally mounted on a lower cooking unit for rotation substantially about a horizontal axis into three different positions, a first position in which the upper cooking unit is on top of the lower cooking unit to form a contact grill, a second position in which the upper cooking unit is substantially horizontally oriented with and parallel to the lower cooking unit to form therewith a double grooved griddle, and a third, generally upright, position intermediate the first and second positions to provide access to the lower cooking plate when the appliance is being used as a contact grill. The cooking plates have elongate grooves which are generally parallel to an axis of the hinge that connects the upper and lower cooking units together and which grooves increase in depth from one side of the cooking appliance to the other for carrying liquid cooking byproducts away from the food being cooked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Hamilton Beach/Proctor-Silex, Inc.
    Inventor: Martin Brady
  • Patent number: 6153862
    Abstract: This invention discloses a device to warm and/or dry textiles to enhance comfort and to prevent prolonged dampness in articles of clothing or towels which could promote growth of mold or mildew. Consistent use of the invention for towels in bathrooms should have a positive impact on indoor air quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Inventor: Donald D. Job
  • Patent number: 6133548
    Abstract: In accordance with the apparatus of the invention, a preferably vertically upstanding housing is provided, internally thereof, with a rack structure having an upstanding series of shelves, or other microscope-slide-supporting members, spaced one above another providing multiple, substantially horizontal slots arranged alternatively with the shelves and leading into corresponding compartments between the shelves for receiving microscope slides to be heated, which preferably lie flatwise on and against the shelves so as to be heated by conduction from the shelves.The method of the invention constitutes the placing of the slides in the heating compartments, preferably with corresponding ends projecting therefrom so as to remain relatively cool for grasping during removal, and turning on the heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Inventors: Marilyn L. Grover, Patti A. Nelson, Gary D. Bradshaw, Barry O. Stokes, Dennis R. Briscoe, Carmelo G. Quirante