Comprising Hinged Or Separable Compartment (e.g., Waffle Iron Type) Patents (Class 219/524)
  • Patent number: 4931625
    Abstract: A device for shielding an electrically powered resistive heating means so as to block and contain the electromagnetic radiation emitted thereby is disclosed. The device includes a cover constructed and arranged to enclose the heating means, the cover having a layer of electrically conductive material and a ground connection for electrically grounding the electrically conductive layer to either system ground or earth potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1990
    Inventor: Edward J. Marlinski
  • Patent number: 4927999
    Abstract: Apparatus for fusion joining first and second axially abutted thermo-plastic piping system component connection ends that are in axial and circumferential alignment including apparatus for enabling the heating of a melt region in the proximity of the interface of the first and second piping system component connection ends at least to the material softening point of the thermo-plastic material of the melt region, and further including vacuummetric apparatus for vacuummetrically inducing outward translation of the melted material of the melt region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1990
    Assignee: Georg Fischer AG
    Inventor: Reinhard Hanselka
  • Patent number: 4855573
    Abstract: A heating apparatus for use in binding, which apparatus includes a base and a cover member hingedly connected to each other. The cover member includes a binding-receiving compartment positioned above a portion of the base. A pair of spaced electrical contacts are positioned in the base below the binder-receiving compartment for receiving and connecting to the binder-receiving contact. The base includes an electric circuit compartment for housing an electric circuit adapted to apply a current to said conductors upon contact with the book for a predetermined length of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1989
    Assignee: General Binding Corporation
    Inventors: Alfredo J. Vercillo, Nicholas M. Nanos
  • Patent number: 4803918
    Abstract: A two cavity baker for confectionery items such as waffles and pancakes having a pair of outer shell members hinge-connected to a double faced single inner shell member. The two outer shell members and the inner shell member are mutually hinged together at one side of the baker with the two outer shell members each including a handle protruding from the opposite side of the baker. The three shell members are supported upon a base adjacent the handle and hinged sides of the baker which enables to two outer shell members to be reversed with respect to their upper and lower positions upon pivotal movement about a generally horizontal axis. The pivot connection of the shell members to the base accommodates biaxial rotational movement of the shell members so as to enable the shell members to assume a vertical orientation relative to the base to enable the outer shell members to be opened relative to the inner shell member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1989
    Inventors: Fred S. Carbon, deceased, by Donald A. Carbon, executor
  • Patent number: 4762058
    Abstract: A grilling appliance having a lower housing section containing a lower grill plate and an upper housing section containing an upper grill plate. The upper section is movable between an open position for placing a food article to be grilled on the lower grill plate, and a closed position defining with the lower housing section a heating chamber containing the two grill plates for grilling therebetween food articles. A water container is included in one of the housing sections for receiving water to saturate the heating chamber with water vapor during the grilling of the food article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1988
    Assignee: Ruben Masel
    Inventors: Ruben Masel, George Valdshtein
  • Patent number: 4715357
    Abstract: An apparatus for cooking food includes two plates, a heating device for heating the plates, a drive for driving one of the plates relative to the other so as to apply heat and pressure to an initial food material, and the drive is formed so that the one plate moves in a stepped manner. One of the plates can be movable or even removable in a different direction to provide for easy handling. A protective element can be placed between the plates and the initial food material during cooking, and withdrawn thereafter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1987
    Inventors: Victor Sherman, Ilya Zborovsky, William Sanchez
  • Patent number: 4694146
    Abstract: A cabinet for heating cloth material such as towels, is provided, capable of mounting on a towel rack or other support. The cabinet of the invention, which is capable of warming or drying towels or other cloth materials, includes a pair of opposed covers which are hingedly attached along one edge, a metal plate for supporting a towel, the metal plate being surrounded by resistance heating elements and being hingedly attached intermediate the two covers, associated circuitry for providing power to the resistance heating elements and brackets for mounting the cabinet on a wall-mounted towel rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1987
    Inventor: Robert A. DeMars
  • Patent number: 4669373
    Abstract: A compact two-sided cooking device is disclosed for use with an existing grill to permit two-sided cooking of food products, such as hamburger patties, on a relatively limited basis. The device includes a cooking assembly having an electrically-powered cooking platen which can be selectively positioned on food products on the grill for effecting accelerated two-sided cooking thereof. The present cooking device has been particularly configured for use in conjunction with, and for rocking movement on, a commercially-sized restaurant grill, and provides greatly reduced cooking times so that a customer's order can be freshly and efficiently prepared even during relatively slow business hours.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1987
    Assignee: Restaurant Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph Weimer, Thaddeus J. Kalowski, Richard W. Dorr, Robert A. Novy
  • Patent number: 4662273
    Abstract: A device for cooking fatty foods such as meat balls or other foods which are characterized by the production of liquid fat during the cooking process is disclosed. A pan having a bottom and upstanding side walls is provided. A removable heat-conductive tray is adapted to be supported in spaced relationship above the bottom of the pan. The tray includes a plurality of food supporting cavities and the bottom of each cavity is provided with a drain for permitting liquids removed from the food during cooking to drain into the bottom of the pan. Removable electric resistance heating means is adapted to be supported beneath the tray in heat conductive relation therewith for conducting heat to and throughout the tray sufficient to cook the food in the cavities, the heating means underlying the tray and positioned above the level of the drains so as to provide unrestricted passage of liquids emanating from food being cooked in the cavities for the drains to the bottom of the pan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1987
    Inventor: Barbara K. Marchioni
  • Patent number: 4651634
    Abstract: A custom cone machine for the use on or off the place of dispersement for use of edible containers to serve varying types of food, such as dairy products, salads, etc. fresh and of varying ingredients commensurate with the type of food served. The machine is fully automatic in the timing, cooking and ejection of the finished cone. The injection of the batter requiring approximately 3 seconds, is with a hand held batter injector that does not require any particular skill in its use. Due to is being automatic in all phases of the cooking and ejection cycle, eliminates the handling of hot cones and equipment by the operator and is a distinct safety advantage over the present on-site cone making machines.Due to its unique injection and cycling action varying shapes, designs and sizes of food or dairy products, edible serving containers can be produced in a like manner as of the cones by the design and shape of the cooking heads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1987
    Inventor: Sherwin L. Barton
  • Patent number: 4627335
    Abstract: An apparatus for cooking food includes two solid plates which subject an initial food material to high heat and pressure, and the pressure is adjusted in dependence upon the nature of the initial food material by an adjusting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1986
    Inventors: Victor Sherman, Ilya Zborovsky, William Sanchez
  • Patent number: 4612710
    Abstract: An apparatus for drying gel slabs supplies heat to a horizontal gel slab from a heating plate above the slab, while drawing a vacuum beneath. The heating plate is weighted and has a flat lower surface at least coextensive with the gel slab. The slab itself is placed on a porous support pad in a vacuum chamber enclosed at the top with a flexible cover which clings to the gel and seals to the perimeter of the chamber when a vacuum is applied from below. The heating plate rests on top of the cover under gravitational force, providing even heating across the entire expanse of the gel slab and for the entire duration of the drying process, resulting in a continuous and uniform vapor flow downward from the gel slab, a minimization of internal stresses, and reduced susceptibility of the gel to cracking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1986
    Assignee: Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: George G. Fernwood, Samuel Burd
  • Patent number: 4532414
    Abstract: An in-line fluid warmer for heating parenteral fluids, particularly blood, supplied from a fluid container through a flexible supply conduit. The fluid warmer includes a box-like enclosure containing a heated plate having a sinuously-shaped groove configured to accept and hold a length of the supply conduit in heat transfer relationship with the plate. A pair of temperature sensors monitor the actual temperature of the plate. One of the temperature sensors controls a voltage controlled oscillator, while the other is used to determine maximum permissible plate temperature. The voltage controlled oscillator supplies proportional control to the heated plate up to a predetermined temperature of 37.degree. C. for warming blood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1985
    Assignee: Data Chem., Inc.
    Inventors: Ramesh M. Shah, Thomas H. Ridgway
  • Patent number: 4481410
    Abstract: A fail safe sterilizing apparatus for simultaneously sterilizing lenses contained in a lens case and a bottle of rinse solution comprising a housing having a lid displaceable between an open position and a closed position; a first heat member displaceably mounted in said housing and including a first recess for receiving a first container therein; a second heat member displaceably mounted in said housing and including a second recess for receiving a second container therein; said first and second heat members being displaced when said first and second containers are positioned in said first and second recesses and said lid is in said closed position; switch means operable only when said first and second heat members have been displaced for permitting energizing of said first and second heat members; and, control means operably associated with said switch means for simultaneously energizing said first and second heat members is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1984
    Inventor: Kenneth A. Bortnick
  • Patent number: 4476379
    Abstract: An easily cleaned and serviced belgian style waffle iron has a cast aluminum base provided with a hollow interior opening downwardly between support legs of the base, an electrical power source component including a housing which is removably secured within the base cavity and includes a pair of electrical conduit plug receiving receptacles, a power line for connection to a source of electrical power, electrical conduit means for electrically connecting the receptacles to the power line and fasteners for holding the housing in the base cavity, a pair of waffle grid providing members are pivotally mounted on the base by a support shaft extending between spaced journal blocks which in turn are removably mounted to the waffle iron base in such a manner to allow easy removal of the blocks, shaft and grid providing members for cleaning or servicing thereof and a pair of detachable thermostat-electrical conduit members are provided to supply electrical power from the electrical power source component to heating ele
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1984
    Assignee: Belle Gem Waffle Co.
    Inventor: Sheldon Andrizzi
  • Patent number: 4420678
    Abstract: A lunch bucket or box includes an elongated three-sided container having an L-shaped top cover and a side wall door pivotally attached to the container walls to form a closed container. The container is compartmented with a series of food compartments exposed through the sidewall door, and at least one of which has a vertical divider to define beverage can compartments. The upper end of the container is constructed to releasably receive an integrated hot plate and bowl unit for heating of food products. The container is exposed by opening the top cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1983
    Inventor: Frank H. Kalb
  • Patent number: 4356383
    Abstract: Heating apparatus for heating of a fluid. The heating apparatus comprises a conduit having a fluid passage therethrough for conduction of a fluid to be heated, a heating device, such as for example electrical heating plates, in heat transfer contact with a portion of the conduit for heating the fluid being conducted therethrough, and a temperature sensing device positioned in engagement with the conduit at a predetermined location along the conduit external to the conduit for sensing the temperature of the fluid to be conducted therepast. A contact member is arranged to engage the flexible conduit at the predetermined location for compressing the flexible conduit to constrict the cross sectional area of the flow passage thereat when the flow rate of the fluid is below a predetermined flow rate. Preferably, the contact member is spring biased towards the flow passage constricting position, and is movable away from such position when the flow rate exceeds a predetermined flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1982
    Assignee: Gambro AB
    Inventors: Bengt A. G. Dahlberg, Bengt M. Holmberg, Lennart O. E. Nilsson
  • Patent number: 4297941
    Abstract: A sandwich oven comprising, a base plate having a first plurality of sandwich sized mold indentations therein, a top plate pivotally mounted to said base plate having a second plurality of sandwich sized mold indentations therein, corresponding to said first plurality of indentations in said base plate, and a heating device connected to said top and base plates. The first and second indentations define a plurality of sandwich molds when the top plate is pivoted into its closed position with the base plate. The heating device heats the plurality of sandwich molds causing a sandwich construction therein to be cooked. A timer is connected to the heat means for determining the duration of heating of the molds and a resistive heating element with a selected configuration is provided in the base of each indentation in at least one of the top and base plates. The resistance heating element is energized, causing a branding or marking of the sandwich with the selected configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1981
    Inventor: Denise Gallina
  • Patent number: 4262189
    Abstract: The insulation jacket is intended to be fitted over the heater platen of a heat transfer machine such as a machine used for impressing insignia on clothing articles. The jacket includes upper and lower walls, side walls and a rear wall of insulation material connected to form an open-ended box receivable by the heater platen. The interior of the box is provided with a foil lining and the exterior is provided with a fabric sheath. The upper wall includes a cut-out portion to avoid machine elements projecting above the heater platen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1979
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1981
    Inventor: Joseph T. Eisenhoffer
  • Patent number: 4244771
    Abstract: A thermoplastic sheet strip heater assembly (9), for heating a strip of a sheet of plastic material, comprises a heater housing (10) including a heat development channel (22) with a heat escape flue (25) defined in a bed of insulation (20), a sheet support surface (33, 34) located above the channel with a central opening (39) aligned with the flue, a protective grid (28) covering the flue, strip insulation (30,31) between the bed of insulation and the sheet support surface, strips of shielding material (40) for varying the width of the flue, and an adjustable positioning device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1981
    Inventor: Larry L. Pierce
  • Patent number: 4219724
    Abstract: A manually operable device for pressing fabric comprising two triangular-shaped jaws, each of which has a flat surface portion. These surface portions face each other and constitute the working surfaces of the device. The two jaws are each secured to a handle. These handles are pivotally joined by a hinge so disposed that the two flat surface portions are separated from each other or are in parallel pressure engagement. The separated position of the surface portions constitutes the loading position of the device for inserting fabric between the two jaws and the other position constitutes the pressing position for pressing fabric inserted between the two jaws. Springs coacting with the handles bias the same into one or the other of the two positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1977
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1980
    Inventor: Bertil Allvin
  • Patent number: 4206345
    Abstract: An electrically heatable broiler, browner and waffle maker comprises a base part including a hot plate and a top part also including a hot plate, the two parts being interconnected by an articulated hinge joint including an extendable linking member and a plurality of stop surfaces permitting different angular positions of the top part relative to the base part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1978
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1980
    Assignee: Robert Krups
    Inventors: Rudolf Maass, Hans-Jurgen Mehnert
  • Patent number: 4178500
    Abstract: The electrically heatable household appliance is assembled of a stationary lower part and a swingable upper part connected to the former by an adjustable hinge joint, each part supporting an electrically heated plate and at least one part comprising a protective plate of ceramic material transparent to infrared radiation. The protective plate is preferably removably connected to a supporting frame which is disconnectably mounted to the assigned part to facilitate cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1979
    Assignee: Robert Krups
    Inventor: Dieter Brindopke
  • Patent number: 4173179
    Abstract: A cooking assembly includes a heating plate and two identical outer plates each fabricated of heat conductive material and each including a handle. The outer plates and the heating plate each include a hinge to allow the outer plates to be coupled to opposite sides of the heating plate. Each of the first and second outer plates when coupled to the heating plate define a cooking chamber within which food may be cooked. The assembly further includes an insulating drip tray for insulating the cooking assembly from means upon which it is supported and for catching drippings from the food being cooked by the heating plate. The tray includes means for supporting the cooking plate and the first and second outer plates in either a horizontal or a vertical position relative to the bottom of the tray to permit different selective cooking operations depending upon the nature of the material cooked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1977
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1979
    Assignee: Sunbeam Corporation
    Inventor: Richard P. Arthur
  • Patent number: 4165682
    Abstract: An individually heated top griddle plate for a sandwich griddle which is attachable to standard flat griddles to convert the same to a two-sided sandwich griddle. The top griddle is attachable to a back or side splash wall and has a projecting hinged arm which carries a floating heated griddle plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1979
    Assignee: Mid-Continent Metal Products Co.
    Inventor: Frank F. Weiss
  • Patent number: 4159411
    Abstract: A portable radiant heating apparatus includes a pair of linearly extending members pivotally attached to one another adjacent a first end thereof and pivotal about the pivotal attachment to be generally parallel to one another. A lamp receiving electrical socket supported on the other end of each of the members receives a high intensity infrared lamp electrically arranged to receive power from its socket via means for connecting each of the sockets to an electrical power source. A concave infrared reflective shield is provided about each of the lamps and shaped to direct the light from each of the lamps generally uni-directionally. Thermal insulation means are also provided to protect the members and shields from the heat generated by the lamps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1976
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1979
    Inventor: Russell R. Ellersick
  • Patent number: 4142094
    Abstract: An electrical frying pan comprises a metallic cooking pan having a flat base against the undersurface of which there is held in close thermal contact a wire or foil type heating element by a body of thermally insulating material disposed above a metal plate. A fastening bolt secured centrally to the base of the pan extends downwardly through the metal plate and the insulation thereabove, then receives a first nut to hold the various parts in their assembled positions, then extends downwardly through a base housing and then receives a second nut to secure the cooking pan to the base housing. A handle is usefully integrally formed with the base housing to extend outwardly therefrom and a mating cover can also be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1977
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1979
    Inventor: George Barradas
  • Patent number: 4103147
    Abstract: A device for heating a breast prosthesis which comprises a base on which a liquid filled flexible bag is placed for supporting a breast prothesis. A hinged cover for the base that carries another liquid filled flexible bag on its in surface so that a closing of the cover will cause the under surface of the bag to contact with and conform to the irregular contour of the upper surface of the breast prosthesis. An electric heating element is submerged in the liquid in each bag and a switch and thermostat for the heating elements controls the degreee of heat applied to the breast prothesis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1976
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1978
    Inventor: Birttie L. Carvalho
  • Patent number: 4091720
    Abstract: A sandwich toasting apparatus having two mould halves which form at least one cavity between them when brought together to receive and compress the peripheral edges of a sandwich consisting of two slices of bread having a filling therebetween, and an electric heater associated with said mould halves to heat said sandwich and toast the exterior thereof. Each mould half has at least one transverse rib extending into the mould cavity with a flat face which is positioned so as to be adjacent the flat face of the rib in the other mould half when the mould halves are closed, whereby said ribs act as scissor blades to progressively sever the sandwich and seal the severed edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1978
    Assignee: Breville Holdings Pty. Ltd.
    Inventor: Richard George Wheeler
  • Patent number: 4075940
    Abstract: A baker for waffles, pancakes and similar food items which includes a pair of hinged shell members in which the food item is baked. The shell members are supported upon a base and each includes an electrical heating element. The hinge connection between the shell members accommodates the wiring for the heating elements. Such wiring extends through a shaft member to an electrical power source, with the shaft member accommodating rotation of the shell members as a unit relative to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1977
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1978
    Inventor: Fred S. Carbon
  • Patent number: 4034205
    Abstract: An apparatus for rectilineal heating of a flat workpiece of thermoplastic material, so that the workpiece is bendable upon heating, includes first and second frame-shaped supports, the second support being positionable opposite the first support. The second support is pivotally mounted so that it can be swung upwardly away from the first support. The apparatus further includes first and second pairs of bars which are substantially juxtaposed with one another and displaceably disposed on the first and second supports, respectively, for gripping the workpiece, and at least one heating wire forming a heat source for contactless operation which is strung between at least one pair of the bars. The heating wire can be variably spaced on at least one side of and with respect to the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1975
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1977
    Inventor: Wilfried Reichel
  • Patent number: 4011431
    Abstract: Electric cooker has cover containing electric heating element and base pan interposed by an invertible grill. Grill is formed with mating zones, preferably grooves, about either side to cooperate with a depending rib from the cover. Opposite faces of the grill present respectively a circular dam for hamburgers or the like, and a rectangular dam for sandwiches. Irrespective of which face is up and serving as a cooking surface, cooperation of rib and associated mating zone provide good heat transfer to grill from cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1976
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1977
    Inventor: Monte L. Levin
  • Patent number: 4002112
    Abstract: An electric cooking appliance wherein a removable cooking grid is provided with a latch-receiving slot at its side to enable the cooking grid to be readily removably connected to a cooking appliance housing. A spring wire latch is uniquely shaped and rotatably mounted on a side wall of the appliance housing for cooperating with the slot for reliably retaining the cooking grid on the appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1975
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1977
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Paul V. Snyder
  • Patent number: 3999473
    Abstract: A baker for waffles, pancakes and similar food items which includes a pair of confronting shell members pivotally supported upon a base member. Each of the shell members has a heating element therein. The shell members are hinged to permit their opening and closing for the purpose of receiving a batter and discharging a baked food item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1975
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1976
    Inventor: Fred S. Carbon
  • Patent number: 3997978
    Abstract: An apparatus for conditioning flexible ropes which has a hollow housing adapted to receive a flexible rope in a coiled condition. The housing contains a heating element for heating the air which comes in contact with the rope, thereby removing excess moisture from the rope. A venting and air circulation system is provided to remove excess moisture from the housing. When the heating element is not in use, the housing may be used as a carrying case for the rope. Automatic and manual devices are provided for controlling the heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1975
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1976
    Inventor: Alfred R. Stuckey
  • Patent number: 3963898
    Abstract: An electric cooking appliance has a base which removably supports a lower cooking element in its open top. The appliance has a cover which is removably hinged to the base. This cover contains an upper cooking element provided with a depending rib which contains a heating element and interfits with a provided channel in the lower cooking element when the cover is closed against the base. The lower cooking element has a handle and is provided with apertures through which fluids from the cooking food can drain into the base. The base and cover also have recessed handles which engage about the handle of the lower cooking element and a bail is provided which releaseably locks the handles together to assure an effective transfer of heat through the conductive metal of the rib to the two cooking elements such that a hamburger or other food positioned between the two cooking elements can be simultaneously heated from both sides by the one heating element with the cover closed against the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1975
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1976
    Assignee: National Presto Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Clayton K. Tuckwell