Including Or Comprising Holding Or Support Means For Material To Be Heated Patents (Class 219/521)
  • Patent number: 6123012
    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: September 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: Sunbeam Products, Inc.
    Inventors: George Hardin, Cliff Spencer
  • Patent number: 6125234
    Abstract: Electrical apparatus for thermal processing of food includes a casing which has a transparent portion for viewing the food disposed within the casing. At least one heating element is mounted within the casing for heating the food, the heating element including a heat resistant and mechanically rigid transparent first substrate having a first surface which faces the food and a second opposite facing surface. At least one electrical resistance element is disposed on the second surface, the at least one electrical resistance element being connected to a source of electrical current. At least one second transparent substrate is disposed adjacent the second surface, the at least one second transparent substrate including a transparent infrared reflective coating. Thus, the food disposed within the casing is viewable from the exterior of the casing through at least the first substrate while the food is being heated by the first substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: Robot-Coupe(S.N.C.)
    Inventor: Pascal de Jenlis
  • Patent number: 6121586
    Abstract: The base (10) of a plastics liquid heating vessel (2) is formed by a heated stainless steel plate having a peripheral channel (16) engaging over a bead (32) lower end portion (22) of the vessel wall. A silicone rubber sealing ring (19) is clamped between two vessel wall and the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Strix Limited
    Inventors: John Crawshaw Taylor, Keith Barrie Doyle
  • Patent number: 6119583
    Abstract: A cooking appliance includes a trough-shaped container arrangement (2) formed of frangible material and supported and arranged for receiving at least one food item to be thermally processed. At least one electric heater (5) is supported underneath the container arrangement and incorporates at least one heating element (8). At least one apertured member (11) is provided between the at least one heater and the underside of the container arrangement and covers the at least one heater. With this configuration, in the event of breakage of the container arrangement (2) the apertured member (11) remains intact and user contact with the heating element (8) in the heater (5) is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Ceramaspeed Limited
    Inventor: Peter Ravenscroft Wilkins
  • Patent number: 6116150
    Abstract: A vertically extending, cylindrical toaster having a plurality of modules which may be integrally joined together in a single housing or may be separably stacked one upon the other. Each module comprises at least one individual heating unit having a horizontally oriented aperture opening into the unit. Each heating unit is separated from its vertical neighbors by a heat insulating layer and includes a food receiving grill, an upper heating element located above the grill, a lower heating element located below the grill, and a removable tray below the lower heating element for catching crumbs or other food particles which fall from the grill. The grill may also be movable and/or removable for easy access to the food thereon or for cleaning. Master controls for all the modules and individual controls for each separate module are contemplated to provide versatile control of the cooking processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Inventor: Walter Greenfield, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6116149
    Abstract: A toaster has a guide mechanism for a slice support (7), which mechanism comprises a substantially U-shaped rod (15) having a central portion (16) parallel to the longitudinal direction of the slice support and having two arms (17, 18) which are each supported in the respective ends (8, 9) of the slice support as well as in a frame (1) of the toaster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Jan H. Benedictus, Klaas Kooijker
  • Patent number: 6109169
    Abstract: A grilling appliance includes a housing having a vertical food compartment for receiving a food article in a vertical position, a heated first grill plate mounted in a vertical position in one side of the food compartment, a heated second grill plate mounted in a vertical position in the opposite side of the food compartment, and a non-electrical drive for driving the second grill plate to an extended position towards the first grill pate, or to a retracted position away from the first grill plate. In one disclosed embodiment, the drive is pneumatically actuated, and in a second disclosed embodiment, the drive employs a screw, gear, and electromagnetic clutch mechanism. Also described are food holders particularly useful with such grilling appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: The Dime Group Corp.
    Inventors: Ruben Masel, George Valdshtein
  • Patent number: 6104001
    Abstract: A springless adjustable bread guard for a heating appliance requires no springs for returning the guard to a desired position. The heating appliance includes a fixed structure relative to the bread guard, and the bread guard includes a resilient bread guard arm having a longitudinal axis and at least one cross member. Each cross member is attached to the bread guard arm spaced apart from a first end of the cross member and at a point along the longitudinal axis of the bread guard arm. The bread guard arm is attached to the fixed structure to rotate about the longitudinal axis. The bread guard operates responsive to a force applied to the arm to rotate a first direction about the longitudinal axis so that one of the cross members contacts a portion of the fixed structure and thereby applies a force to the cross member that causes the arm to bow placing the bread guard in an inward position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Salton, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Huggler
  • Patent number: 6089144
    Abstract: A household electric flat bread making appliance has a heated lower pressure plate fixed to a frame, an upwardly biased upper heated pressure plate pivotally mounted on the frame, and a heated skillet mounted on the frame in general vertical alignment with the pressure plates. A handle is connected to the upper pressure plate to enable the upper pressure plate to be manually pivoted downwardly toward the lower pressure plate to flatten a mass of dough between the two pressure plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Hamilton Beach/Proctor-Silex, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan M. Garber, Timothy E. Covington, Phillip L. Brookshire, David L. Slayton
  • Patent number: 6084210
    Abstract: A hair curler set for heating a plurality of hair curling rollers includes an electric heater assembly. The set includes a housing having a rotatable shaft mounted therewithin. The longitudinal axis of the rotatable shaft is disposed substantially horizontally. The heater assembly comprises a generally circular disc and is mounted on the rotatable shaft at substantially the longitudinal mid-point thereof. A pair of mounting members are spaced at either end of the shaft. Each mounting member has a surface facing towards an opposed surface of the heater assembly. A plurality of rollers are mounted between the opposed surfaces of the mounting members and the heater assembly in a generally circular array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Windmere Corporation
    Inventor: Dov Z. Glucksman
  • Patent number: 6084211
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for heating hairdressing scissors, forming a unit (3) comprising openings (2, 2') which can be used as holders (7, 7') into which pairs of scissors (5, 5') can be inserted, and heating devices (6, 6'), each of the heating devices (6, 6') encircling the space into which the pair of scissors is to be inserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Inventor: Rudolf Bauer
  • Patent number: 6076359
    Abstract: Provided is a novel system and method for delivery of a gas from a liquified state. The system includes: (a) a compressed liquified gas cylinder having a gas line connected thereto through which the gas is withdrawn; (b) a gas cylinder cabinet in which the gas cylinder is housed; and (c) means for increasing the heat transfer rate between ambient and the gas cylinder without increasing the temperature of the liquid in the gas cylinder above ambient temperature. The apparatus and method allow for the controlled delivery of liquified gases from gas cabinets at high flowrates. Particular applicability is found in the delivery of gases to semiconductor process tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: American Air Liquide Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Jurcik, Richard Udischas, Hwa-Chi Wang
  • Patent number: 6072157
    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: December 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: EUV LLC
    Inventors: Leonard Elliott Klebanoff, Daniel John Rader
  • Patent number: 6069343
    Abstract: A warmer for fluid filled containers includes a cabinet with an interior chamber at face with an opening providing access to the interior chamber. The interior chamber is designed to receive and store multiple fluid filled containers and has an inner surface with a top and a bottom. The exterior surface of the cabinet is separated from the inner surface of the interior chamber by an insulated inner layer. A door is provided for covering the access opening and a rack is provided for supporting fluid filled containers in the interior chamber. A sheathing device, a temperature sensor, and a thermal energy distributor are all located in the interior chamber. The heating device is designed to alter the interior air temperature of the chamber, the sensor is designed to sense the interior temperature, and the energy distributor is designed to distribute thermal energy from the heating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Inventor: J. Bruce Kolowich
  • Patent number: 6062130
    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: April 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Hamilton Beach/Proctor-Silex, Inc.
    Inventor: Martin Brady
  • Patent number: 6053094
    Abstract: An Apparatus for baking pita bread dough utilizing a source of electrical power. A pair of heat resistant elements are each fitted with an electrical heating element. The pair of heat resistant elements so constructed are mated to one another to form an oven chamber. A heat conductoring screen is supported midway between the heat resistant elements within the chamber and permits cooking of the pita bread dough in uniform manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Inventor: Dimitri Cados
  • Patent number: 6044755
    Abstract: Prior ice cream cone baking machines were manually raised and lowered, causing the cone to be sometimes overcooked or burnt. The present invention automatically raises the upper cooking plate after a pre-set cooking time, and maintains the baked cake at a warm temperature until removed from the lower cooking plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Inventor: Vincenzo Misceo
  • Patent number: 6033213
    Abstract: An apparatus for heating plastic pipe includes an outer housing having distal first and second open ends and a diffuser plate mounted inside of and spaced apart from the top of the outer housing. An inlet extending through the housing is positioned for directing heated air to impinge on the diffuser plate. A mount positions the diffuser plate within the housing such that when the plastic pipe is disposed in the housing through the open ends of the diffuser plate does not contact the pipe. First and second end caps are disposed at the distal first and second open ends respectively. The end caps have first and second apertures therethrough for supporting and centering the plastic pipe such that the diffuser plate does not contact the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Inventor: Leif A. Halvorsen, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6025576
    Abstract: A skid with built-in heating elements for heating and supporting a compressed-gas dispensing bulk vessel, or cylinder, while allowing for manipulation and transportation of the cylinder and skid assembly. The skid incorporates all of the features necessary for handling a cylinder while also providing a means for heating the cylinder in a controlled manner. The heater skid comprises a framework for receiving the cylinder and one or more heaters coupled to the framework so that the received cylinder is proximate to the heaters, thus, allowing the heaters to heat the cylinder. A control system for the heaters is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Inventors: Anthony J. Beck, John C Daderko, Lawrence P Jarrett, Bruce H Greenawald, Aric K Plumley
  • Patent number: 6018145
    Abstract: A steamer is provided including a housing having a base and a hood mounted on the base and extending upwardly therefrom to define an interior space and an opening. The housing further includes a lid hingably coupled to the hood to selectively close the opening thereof. A horizontally oriented plate is mounted to a central extent of the hood for defining an upper compartment and a lower compartment within the interior space of the hood. Also included is a steam assembly mounted on the top face of the base of the housing within the lower compartment for imparting steam to the upper compartment through the plate to moisten and heat towels or a face of a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Inventor: Roger Moreno
  • Patent number: 6014925
    Abstract: A toaster comprises a housing (1) enclosing a toasting chamber (2) in which is movably mounted a bread carrier (4) between an ejection position and a toasting position in which it is retained by an electromagnetic actuating device (5) comprising a control winding (6) with a hollow support (7) which is secured to a plate (20) carrying electrical connection members (22), and which surrounds a magnetic core (8), as well as a movable armature (9) adapted to retain the bread carrier (4) in its toasting position. The magnetic core (8) is mechanically mounted independently of the support (7) of the winding (6) and of the plate (20), and is secured to a member (24) on the housing (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Moulinex S.A.
    Inventors: Sanjuan Antonio Basora, Julian Arnedo
  • Patent number: 6006656
    Abstract: A toaster has heating elements (H1, H2) arranged at opposite sides of a product (5) to be toasted. The size of the product to be toasted (5) is detected by a sensor, for example a mechanical sensor (2.1, 2.2, 2.3) or an optical sensor device with a photo-emitter and a photo-receiver. The power delivered by the heating elements (H1, H2) is controlled in dependence on the detected size. Thus, the power consumption of the toaster is adapted to the size of the product to be toasted and overheating of the product is avoided and a constant toasting time is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Klaas J. Lulofs, Roelf Van Der Wal
  • Patent number: 6004512
    Abstract: A sample cartridge block that includes a first plate, a second plate and a third plate. The third plate is thermally connected to the first plate and the second plate. In some embodiments, the block is capable of holding a relatively high density of sample cartridges. In certain embodiments, the block provides good sample temperature stability while the sample temperature is held constant or while the sample temperature is being changed. According to the invention, a sample block may include one material or more than one material. Preferably, a sample cartridge block has a relatively low thermal mass. In some embodiments, the first plate of a sample cartridge block may have a larger surface area than the surface area of the third plate. According to the present invention, the first plate of the sample cartridge block may be thermally connected to a temperature controller. In certain embodiments, a sample cartridge block may have a relatively large surface area in contact with a temperature controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: MJ Research
    Inventors: Paul Titcomb, Michael J. Finney, David Cohen
  • Patent number: 5997678
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for imprinting a sublimation transfer onto a generally cup-shaped or tubular structure. The apparatus includes a support structure for holding of the structure. A blower is provided for providing a flow of heating air to the interior surface of the structure. A control device is provided for directing the flow of heating air in a uniform manner about the interior surface of the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Raymond E. Wess, Carlos F. Rezende, Daniel C. Davis
  • Patent number: 5994679
    Abstract: A housing for optical integrated circuits for protecting the circuit from temperature induced stresses has a base and cap and a thermal bed contained therein. The thermal bed has a region for containing the integrated circuit therein, suspended in a thermally conductive grease. At least one heater is affixed to the thermal bed for heating it, and temperature monitoring apparatus is included for supplying signals to a control apparatus for activating the heater when the temperature of the thermal bed falls outside of the operating temperature range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: George Frank DeVeau, Daren Li
  • Patent number: 5994661
    Abstract: The reservoir system includes a heater coil having electrical leads adapted to be coupled to a voltage source. The heater coil is adapted to generate heat in correspondence with a heater voltage provided by the voltage source. A reservoir material layer is adapted to regulate pressure of a gas disposed within the gaseous-discharge device in accordance with temperature of the reservoir material. Heat is transferred from the heater coil to the reservoir material through a series of thermally conductive layers in which each of the layers have different thermal conductivity and coefficients of expansion. As a result, the thermal path resistance between the heater coil and the reservoir material layer increases as temperature of the heater coil increases so that the reservoir material increases in temperature at a slower rate than the heater coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Ralph Dean Schafer
  • Patent number: 5990452
    Abstract: An oven includes a front door, a pivotable product support platform, and a back opening. There is a ramp connected to the back of the oven at the back opening, so that, when the platform pivots downwardly to eject product from the oven, the product slides down the platform and onto the ramp. The oven includes a control system, including a timer, which controls a solenoid that causes the platform to drop down when it is time to remove the product from the oven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Carton Drive Enterprises LLC
    Inventor: Winston L. Shelton
  • Patent number: 5981923
    Abstract: A moistened towelette heating device for providing a moist hot towel for washing a user's body. The moistened towelette heating device includes a housing with a depression in the top of the housing forming a chute. The chute has an opening into a passage in the housing which, in turn, is connected to microwave oven disposed in the housing. The housing has a main opening into the microwave oven and an access door substantially closing the main opening. A plurality of canisters each with a moistened towelette disposed therein are positioned in the chute to permit passage of each canister through the passage and into the microwave oven where the canister may be heated to heat the towelette therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Inventor: Walter F. Jackson
  • Patent number: 5981908
    Abstract: A hair roller heating apparatus for heating hair rollers, has a base and a plurality of heating rods of sufficient length to simultaneously hold and heat a plurality of hair rollers. The heating rods further have a distal portion and a proximal portion, the proximal portion attached to the base and the distal portion free for receiving hair rollers. The heating rods also have an outer casing and heating elements placed within the outer casing. An electrical cord provides electricity from an electrical source to the heating elements, Therefore, the heating rods impart sufficient heat to the hair rollers to heat the rollers to a desired temperature. In a preferred embodiment the heating rods are at least 10 inches in length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Kathleen Ruth McGuire
    Inventors: Kathleen Ruth McGuire, Matthew John Cullinane
  • Patent number: 5977518
    Abstract: A food warmer for sweet and salted products, comprising a base and a cover which are mutually articulated and contain heating and insulation devices for a first plate and a second plate. The peculiarity of the food warmer consists in that at least one of the plates has one or more seats provided with at least two regions having different depths; this allows to heat products being various in shape and thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Inventor: Katia Alessio
  • Patent number: 5970851
    Abstract: A grilling appliance includes a housing having a vertical food compartment for receiving a food article in a vertical position, a heated first grill plate mounted in a vertical position in one side of the food compartment, a heated second grill plate mounted in a vertical position in the opposite side of the food compartment, and a drive for driving the second grill plate to an extended position towards the first grill plate, or to a retracted position away from the first grill plate. Also described are food holders particularly useful with such grilling appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Dime Group Corp.
    Inventors: Ruben Masel, George Valdshtein
  • Patent number: 5960702
    Abstract: A toasting apparatus for bread products (15), consisting of a frame (2) provided with an insertion slot (3) communicating with a toasting chamber (3a) that receives the products and is located between heating elements (10) combined with heat reflectors (6) for directing the thermal energy generated by the heating elements (10) at the products, particularly in the form of radiation. The apparatus is provided with an observation system for visually monitoring the degree of toasting of the products (15) in the toasting chamber (3a). The observation system includes a lighting device (11) for illuminating the toasting chamber (3a) in such a way that an accurate indication of the color of the products (15) being prepared is provided. The toasting apparatus may be in the form of a toaster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: SEB S.A.
    Inventors: Sylvain Thiriat, Michel Klinger
  • Patent number: 5924355
    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: October 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Hamilton Beach/Proctor-Silex, Inc.
    Inventors: Lee J. Belknap, John W. Foster
  • Patent number: 5918532
    Abstract: A toaster comprises a housing (1) enclosing a carriage (4) movable between an ejection position and a toasting position to which it can be brought by a handle (6) connected to one end (7) of the carriage (4) by a driver (8) secured to a finger (11) adapted to actuate a control switch (12) for the electrical supply of a heater (3). The driver (8) is movably mounted on the end (7) of the carriage (4) for movement along a vertical path (l) so as to permit the finger (11) to free the switch (12) when the carriage remains blocked in its toasting position after unlocking a retaining device (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: Moulinex S.A.
    Inventors: Julian Arnedo, Antonio San Juan Basora
  • Patent number: 5901638
    Abstract: A bread toaster comprising: a frame; a bread-supporting carriage mounted in the frame for vertical movement between a toasting portion and a first bread discharge position, the carriage having an extension; first cushioning means for cushioning arrival of the carriage at the first bread discharge position; return means mounted between the frame and the extension of the carriage; and a control means having an abutment and being movable in the frame for limiting ascent of the carriage to a second position by interaction of the abutment with a part of the carriage, wherein: the second position is a second bread discharge position for discharging bread having a first size and the first bread discharge position is a position for discharging bread having a size smaller than the first size; and one of the abutment and the part of the carriage which interacts with the abutment is provided with second cushioning means for cushioning arrival of the carriage at the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: SEB S.A.
    Inventor: Jean-Pierre Houel
  • Patent number: 5901639
    Abstract: A temperature sensitive timing assembly for a toaster appliance includes a single bimetallic element having a first portion connected to a support bracket, which in turn is mounted on a mounting bracket for pivotal movement relative to the mounting bracket. A spring is positioned between the mounting bracket and the support bracket to bias the support bracket toward the mounting bracket. A stop is mounted to the mounting bracket which locks the support bracket in a fixed position when actuated by the toaster carriage assembly at the beginning of a toasting cycle. The bimetallic element has a second portion which operatively activates the toaster lock release assembly at the end of a toasting cycle. The bimetallic element also has a third portion which operatively allows the support bracket to reposition at the end of a toasting cycle so as to provide virtually immediate initiation of the next toasting cycle providing substantially the same toast color as the previous toasting cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Toastmaster Inc.
    Inventor: Peter E. Huggler
  • Patent number: 5898817
    Abstract: An infant warmer for use in a Healthcare environment for the examination and treatment of newborn babies. A column supports an infra-red radiant heater above a support surface on which the baby is positioned. The support source is cantilevered from the column. The column is carried by a base section which is provided with wheels to allow the infant warmer to be easily transported. The base section includes an automated height adjustment mechanism which allows a user to easily adjust the height of the support surface by raising; or lowering the column. The infant warmer is made in a modular fashion to be easily customised for any particular environment or special requirement by constructing the column from a "U" shaped extrusion which allows various Healthcare modules to be inserted as required to suit particular requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Limited
    Inventors: Andrew Paul Maxwell Salmon, Christopher Peter Hutchinson
  • Patent number: 5896808
    Abstract: A portable electrically powered broiler including a base element connected to a source of power, and a lid element having a heating source which electrically communicates with the base element when the lid element is in position upon the base element. The base element includes selectively removable grill and pan members. In an alternate embodiment, the lid element is at least partially formed from electrically resistive tempered glass to form the heating source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Inventor: Walter Graur
  • Patent number: 5879516
    Abstract: Improved kugelrohr or apparatus for distilling or separating liquids. It includes a rugged, reliable air oven and drive unit with numerous safety features. One or more external guards eliminate burn hazard and risk of accidental contact. A thermal isolation support isolates the oven from its rest surface. A grounded heating element eliminates shock hazards. The oven is fitted with a grommet or bushing to support a flask connected to one or more additional flasks in a series. The outlet of the last flask in the series is connected to a drive tube via a flexible coupling. The drive tube is connected to a rotary bearing assembly mounted on a drive unit. The oven and the flasks may include impellers for circulating air to enhance heating efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Inventor: David H. Kasman
  • Patent number: 5854469
    Abstract: A thermal output device for heating therapeutic ultrasound transducer heads. Typically, a plastic non-conductive housing or case is provided a cutout receptacle which houses a molded tray insert to accommodate insertion therein of various shapes and sizes of ultrasound head transducers. The case is either wall mountable or may safely rest on a horizontal table or shelf. No connection is made either functionally or operationally to the ultrasound unit when it is in operation. The heating element consists in an insulated nichrome wire-wafer type element which is fixed in the receptacle bottom or bed. The element is regulated by an on/off switch and a trimmer component to control heating of the element. Provision is made in the invention to handle various sized and shaped ultrasound transducer instruments. The heating element does not directly contact the patient or the ultrasound head, while it's output is maximized (for safety) at about 5 watts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Inventor: David Gabay
  • Patent number: 5848567
    Abstract: A cooking device includes a base unit, an upper unit hinged to the base unit along a pivot axis, an oil accumulating tray, and slidably retaining device. The base unit defines a horizontal plane, and has a lower cooking plate disposed at an angle relative to the horizontal plane, a plurality of grilling members mounted on the lower cooking plate in heat conducting relationship, and a bottom wall disposed underneath the lower cooking plate. The upper unit has an upper cooking plate disposed therein and movable relative to the lower cooking plate. The lower cooking plate inclines gradually and downwardly from a proximate position relative to the pivot axis toward a distal position, and is formed with a fluid outlet at the distal position to communicate the lower cooking plate with the bottom wall. The base unit further has a pair of engagement portions disposed on the bottom wall and spaced apart from each other in a parallel manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Inventor: Hanh Chiang
  • Patent number: 5845562
    Abstract: A grill for cooking food is provided that has an inclined cooking surface with diagonally positioned ribs projecting therefrom. The ribs have a rounded elongated configuration that all point toward a liquid drain. The ribs have liquid flow channels there between to facilitate liquid flow down the incline into a collection vessel. The cooking surface is surrounded by a retaining wall for holding food in position during a cooking operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Keystone Mfg. Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Leonard A. Deni, Joseph A. Deni
  • Patent number: 5842287
    Abstract: An apparatus for warming towels, or other articles. The apparatus includes a cabinet having an internal vertical wall that divides the cabinet into a warming chamber and a second chamber. A tubular rack extends generally horizontally across the warming chamber and is adapted to support a towel, or other article to be warmed. An open inlet end of the rack extends through the interior wall. An integral air supply unit is located within the second chamber and includes a motor driven fan or blower and a pair of discharge channels are connected to the discharge side of the fan. The upper end of one channel registers with the inlet of the rack, while the open upper end of the other channel communicates with the upper end of the warming chamber. The air discharge unit is removably connected within the second chamber in a manner to cause registry of the upper end of the first channel with the inlet of the rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Inventor: Willard J. Murphy
  • Patent number: 5819637
    Abstract: A Toaster having heating elements whose heating area depends on the slice size. A toaster has heating elements (H1, H2) divided into sub-elements (H1A, H1B; H2A, H2B) which can be activated individually. The size of the product to be toasted (5) is detected by means of a sensor, for example a mechanical sensor (2) or an optical sensor device with a photo-emitter and a photo-receiver. The sub-elements are activated selectively in dependence on the detected size. Thus, the power consumption of the toaster is adapted to the size of the product to be toasted and overheating of the product in the proximity of the unused heating area of the heating elements is avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Jacob H. Botma, Roelf Van Der Wal, Klaas J. Lulofs
  • Patent number: 5811766
    Abstract: A heater for conventional shaving cream containers comprises a dome- or ring-shaped heating element. The ring-shaped heating element can be either a donut-shaped heater that fits around the outer surface at the upper region of the shaving cream container, or it can be a dome or inverted dome-shaped heating element permitting the weight of the container to rest on the heating element. Also, the ring-shaped heater may include an inner ring which allows the heater to hang from an upper edge of the shaving cream container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Inventors: Marvin Fabrikant, Patricia Fabrikant
  • Patent number: 5802957
    Abstract: An improved toaster includes a user control panel for receiving and displaying user selections corresponding to a desired toast darkness setting. A toaster shade display displays a user selected toast darkness setting and includes a linear array of LEDs (LED bar), horizontally arranged on an exterior portion of the toaster body. The LEDs are sequentially turned on and off to indicate the user selected toast darkness setting, lighter or darker toast. The user control panel also contains preprogrammed custom settings for one-slice, two-slice, bagel, defrost and reheat mode of operation. A user can select a custom setting or any combination of custom settings thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Conair Corporation
    Inventors: David Wanat, Roger Letso
  • Patent number: 5798500
    Abstract: A stove for heating curling irons which is characterized by having an internal cavity member to receive irons, a case with an especially compact, attractive shape, a tubular heater (with controller) positioned therebelow to very efficiently heat irons placed in the cavity member, and insulation within the case sufficient to prevent the exterior thereof being hot enough to burn a user. The heater is essentially only adjacent to curling irons to be heated and remotely displaced from the outer surface areas of the case likely to be touched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Inventors: Ross I. Stillwagon, Jr., Fernando Fischbach
  • Patent number: 5793017
    Abstract: An apparatus for automatically a pair of welding tubular components made of a thermally fusible resin by abutting them to each other, includes a pair of clamp units for holding the pair of tubular components, an abut portion on which the end face of each of the tubular component abuts when the pair of the tubular components are held by the pair of clamp units, a cutting unit for cutting respective end faces of the pair of the tubular components held by the pair of the clamp units so that the cut end faces are normal to the axis of the pipes, and a fusing unit for fusing opposing end faces of the pipes which are cut by the cutting unit, to an equal fusing depth. The cutting unit, the abut portion and the fusing unit are spacedly disposed on a rotary disc in an angular moving direction. One of the tubular components is moved toward the other of the tubular components which are fused by said fusing unit for welding them to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: N.G.N. Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Nagamasa Yamada, Kaoru Onizuka
  • Patent number: 5783803
    Abstract: A food warming apparatus includes a housing defining at least one warming cavity having a ceiling. A heater warms food products within the cavity. A grate is provided within the cavity spaced below the ceiling of the cavity. At least one food tray is provided for containing food products and is supportable on the grate beneath the ceiling of the cavity. A seal is operatively associated between the top of the tray and the ceiling of the cavity. The grate includes a biasing portion for biasing the tray upwardly toward the ceiling to assure operability of the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Inventor: Chester F. Robards, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5780819
    Abstract: A heater for conventional shaving cream containers is described which includes a dome- or ring-shaped heating element. The ring-shaped heating element can be either a donut-shaped heater that fits around the outer surface at the upper region of the shaving cream container, or it can be a dome or inverted dome-shaped heating element permitting the weight of the container to rest on the heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Inventors: Marvin Fabrikant, Patricia Fabrikant