Portable (e.g., With Handle) Patents (Class 219/533)
  • Patent number: 11819605
    Abstract: An electronic cigarette assembly, which includes a housing with a top cover, a cigarette body which includes a battery, an atomizer, a cartridge, and a mouthpiece supported by a cigarette housing, an opener unit which includes a pair of first track member at the housing, a pair of second rack member at the cigarette housing, pair of gear communicating between the pair of first rack member and the pair of second rack member respectively, an elongated bar member communicating with the top cover to control the top cover to an open position or a close position, an atomizer control unit which comprises a control bar member, a position guiding member, and a guiding groove for turning on and off the atomizer simultaneously when moving to the open position and the closed position respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Inventor: Yushui Chen
  • Patent number: 11723412
    Abstract: Provided is a device including: a battery configured to supply power; a heater configured to heat an aerosol generating material by receiving power from the battery; a sensor; at least one output unit; and a controller, wherein the controller detects a user's puff by using the sensor and controls at least one output unit based on puff characteristic data based on a result of the detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: KT&G CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hun Il Lim, Jong Sub Lee, Dae Nam Han, Jang Uk Lee, Jung Ho Han, Jin Young Yoon, Young Lea Kim, Ji Soo Soo Jang, Wang Seop Lim, Moon Bong Lee, Soung Ho Ju, Du Jin Park, Seong Won Yoon
  • Patent number: 11058834
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for use with a vaporizer that vaporizes at least one active ingredient of a plant material. In response to receiving a first input to the vaporizer, the plant material is heated, in a first heating step. An indication of the temperature of the plant material is detected, and, in response to detecting an indication that the temperature of the plant material is at a first temperature, the first heating step is terminated, by withholding causing further temperature increase of the plant material. The first temperature is less than 95 percent of the vaporization temperature of the active ingredient. Subsequently, a second input is received at the vaporizer. In response thereto, the plant material is heated to the vaporization temperature, in a second heating step. Other applications are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventor: Yossef Raichman
  • Patent number: 11058835
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for use with a vaporizer that vaporizes at least one active ingredient of a plant material. In response to receiving a first input to the vaporizer, the plant material is heated, in a first heating step. An indication of the temperature of the plant material is detected, and, in response to detecting an indication that the temperature of the plant material is at a first temperature, the first heating step is terminated, by withholding causing further temperature increase of the plant material. The first temperature is less than 95 percent of the vaporization temperature of the active ingredient. Subsequently, a second input is received at the vaporizer. In response thereto, the plant material is heated to the vaporization temperature, in a second heating step. Other applications are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventor: Yossef Raichman
  • Patent number: 10695510
    Abstract: A novel aromatherapy vaporization device is disclosed having a first and second housing with a heating chamber for receiving of phyto material. The heating chamber has an ambient air input port that receives ambient air that does not flow past hot electrical components when entering the heating chamber. An inhalation tube is coupled with the heating chamber for receiving of phyto material vapor therein in a second mode of operation and in a first mode of operation the inhalation tube is uncoupled from the heating chamber to allow for loading of phyto material therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Vapium Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Trzecieski
  • Patent number: 10258499
    Abstract: The present invention is to provide a kneading moxibustion device, which includes a base having one end provided with a receiving cavity; a contact element made of an insulting material for sealing the cavity; a control circuit mounted inside the cavity for generating a driving signal according to electricity received; a coil tube positioned inside the cavity and including a heating coil with a plurality of turns wound around a hollow insulating member for receiving the driving signal; and a conducting element formed of metal and including an induction portion inserted into the insulating member and a conduction portion having one end connected to the induction portion and an opposite end against the contact element; so that the heating coil can generate a precise thermal energy in response to the driving signal and then transfer the thermal energy to a user's body through the conducting element and contact element sequentially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Inventor: Kuang-Hou Chen
  • Publication number: 20150101316
    Abstract: Heater assemblies and other electrical components are provided having protective coatings that allow for use in high temperature and highly corrosive environments. Methods for applying protective coatings are also provided. In one embodiment, a component is provided and includes a protective coating that encapsulates at least a portion thereof. The component can be, for example, a heating assembly that includes a heating element and at least one lead operably coupled to the heating element, or a component that is disposed within a dosing tank in a selective catalyst reduction system having an engine that is configured to emit an exhaust stream. Methods for coating components are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2013
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: John David Seaton
  • Patent number: 8794131
    Abstract: A grill with improved-configuration grease collecting box comprising feet, a pan mounted on the feet and a heating device on the backside of the pan, the feet form an opening to contain the grease collecting box, both sides of the opening have supports, the opening mounted a grease collecting box inside, and the grease collecting box mounted on the supports, said pan has grease outlet orifices on the top of grease collecting box. The grease collecting box of the present invention located below the pan, it does not occupy the additional space and uneasy to be turn overed by incaution, which add the security; Mounting the grease collecting box on the feet does not need any additional fitting device, and the simple configuration is advantageous to be carried; The grease collecting box being hidden in the feet make the appearance of the grill to be more aesthetic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Tsann Kuen (China) Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Qisheng Lai, Youming Yang
  • Patent number: 8723086
    Abstract: A heating device of a portable nature is disclosed. The heating device of a portable nature includes a heating element, a hinged coupled to the heating element, and an arm coupled to the hinge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Let's Gel, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L. McMahan
  • Patent number: 8650760
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus of reducing current requirements by increasing resistance of the blade structure by reducing the cross sectional area of at least one section of the blade so that the electrical current requirements for heating of the blade to cutting temperature are reduced wherein the power supply and substantially entire unit may be mounted within a hand held unit. Methods of shaping blades to perform various heat distributions for specialty blades for custom cutting are disclosed. Further, an improved blade mounting structure is provided which includes structure for maintaining the legs of the blade parallel to the direction of cut and provides for easy insertion of new blades by maintaining a slotted blade cradle stable and in alignment with the blades and a clamp member away from the blade when the clamp mounting structure is loosened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Inventor: Guy A. Van Alstine
  • Publication number: 20140021193
    Abstract: The present invention provides a heating module attachable to an external object, comprising a heat insulation layer, at least one heat generating layer and a heat conductive layer. The heat generating layer is provided between the heat insulation layer and the heat conductive layer, and the heat generating layer is attached to a waterproof power connector box provided for ensuring a safe connection therebetween such that the heat from the heat generating layer generates can be controlled via the controller by users. As the heat conductive layer of the heating module is attached to the external object, the heat generated by the heat generating layer is transferred to the heat conductive, capable of uniformly distributing the heat further to the object, including such as floor, wall, outdoor roof and others, and such that the surface temperature of the object is maintained and the room temperature in the surrounding is increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Inventors: SHU-CHIEN CHAO, YUN-JOU CHANG
  • Patent number: 8487221
    Abstract: A portable combined heating and lighting unit comprising a first element and a second element for generating thermal or light energy, and a component to convert thermal or light energy into electricity. The first element generates thermal or light energy from combustion of fuel. The second element generates thermal or light energy from electricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Enerco Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian S. Vandrak, Donald C. Haney
  • Patent number: 8399813
    Abstract: Devices, apparatus, systems and methods of using a portable heating unit that does not use a separate compressor or blower or vacuum. The unit can be attached to an inlet of a piping system or section and be used to dry the interior walls of the piping system or section, and/or heat coatings passing through the piping system or section, etc. The portable heating unit includes a heater attached to an inlet end of a manifold, where the manifold can include alternative inlet end and two outlet ends. The inlet and outlet ends of the manifold can have quick connect fittings that allow similar fittings to be easily mateably attached thereto by rotating the fittings with one another. A quick connect/disconnect air pressure regulator with similar quick connect fitting can be attached to anyone of the inlet and outlet ends of the manifold. A quick connect/disconnect plug or plugs with similar quick connect fitting can close off any of the inlet and outlet ends of the manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Pipe Restoration Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Larry Gillanders
  • Patent number: 8286369
    Abstract: A device for determining the conductance of laundry in a drier. The device comprises at least two electrodes and means for dissipating heat from at least one part of at least one of said electrodes. The invention further relates to a drier comprising at least one area for receiving laundry and at least two electrodes for measuring the conductance of the laundry, at least one of the electrodes at least partly bordering said receiving area. Means for cooling at least one part of at least one of the electrodes are also provided inside the drier. Also disclosed is a method for preventing the formation of layers on electrodes used for measuring conductance in a drier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Lothar Dittmer, Harald Moschütz, Thomas Nawrot, Andreas Ziemann
  • Patent number: 8278606
    Abstract: A pocketable body warmer includes: a metallic exterior casing with a metal plate being formed in the shape of a tube having a closed bottom end and an open opposite end; and a plastic interior casing with an outer contour being formed to be inserted in the metallic exterior casing. The interior casing is provided with a battery storage portion and a battery is loaded in the battery storage portion. Also, a heater is thermally connected to the metallic exterior casing for heating the metallic exterior casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoichi Toya, Toshiki Nakasho, Takuo Nomi
  • Patent number: 8258439
    Abstract: A portable heating and cooling apparatus and method of using the same wherein a temperature-set material is secured in a housing with both rigid and expandable sides. The housing is placed within a container which is so configured such that there is little or no disruption of the contact between the rigid surface and an object to be heated or cooled, whether such contact is direct or via some thermal conductive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Top Creation (Asia) Ltd.
    Inventors: Gregory Mak, Per Johan Maurits Persson
  • Patent number: 8245630
    Abstract: The invention relates to a portable cordless hand held device and method for heating or reheating food directly in a dish such as a plate, bowl, cup, platter or serving bowl with steam, hot air or their mix and applying this steam and/or heat to foods conveniently and at anytime needed or desired after the food has been served to the consumer at the table or otherwise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Inventor: F. William Houraney
  • Publication number: 20120145699
    Abstract: A heating device of a portable nature is disclosed. The heating device of a portable nature includes a heating element, a hinged coupled to the heating element, and an arm coupled to the hinge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventor: Robert L. McMahan
  • Patent number: 8053709
    Abstract: A portable heating or lighting unit may comprise a housing, a handle, a shield or grid, a source of electric energy, a rectifier, an electrical device adapted to use electrical energy from the source of electric energy, and a control system comprising control hardware and embedded software, where the control system may be adapted to automatically control the electric heating element. A source of electric energy may comprise a battery adapted to store energy and to output stored energy as electrical energy, a fuel cell, a thermoelectric component, or a plug adapted to draw electrical energy from a wall outlet or other source of electrical energy. A battery may be at least partially enclosed by the housing. A thermoelectric component may comprise a thermoelectric material or a thermoelectric generator. An electrical device may comprise a resistive heating element adapted to emit thermal energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Enerco Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian S. Vandrak, Donald C. Haney
  • Publication number: 20110006054
    Abstract: A cooking apparatus and method of assembling the same includes an outer shell including a base, a heating element positioned inside the outer shell, and a thermally conducting liner removably located inside the outer shell over the heating element. The liner includes an annular flange, and a first integral handle including a first latch. The apparatus and method further includes a lid configured to be placed over the liner, the lid including a sealing ring at an outer edge of the lid, and a top surface, wherein the first latch is configured to contact the top surface of the lid to secure the lid to the annular flange of the liner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
    Inventor: Jorge B. Garcia
  • Patent number: 7800020
    Abstract: A heating plate for a hair straightening iron and a method for its manufacture are provided. The heating plate consists of a case comprising two laminates made of insulating ceramic material; one of them holds a band made of electrical conductor material with outer connections, while one of the laminates has a surface coated with a polished layer of material; the case of the heating plate has features to adapt to the base structure of the iron. The manufacturing process comprises: 1) preparing a ceramic powder which comprises the milling of dispersants and adding solvents, mixing with a binding agent and adding plasticizer to control viscosity of the result, 2) moulding and corresponding drying; 3) cuffing plates and screen-printing the resistor; 4) laminating the whole by pressure and cutting; 5) burning the binding agent and sintering; and 6) welding contact terminals, and coating with a polished layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Inventor: Carlos José Ceva
  • Patent number: 7791003
    Abstract: An insulated bag has generally flat top and bottom walls connected by foldable back and opposite side walls which cooperate to define a chamber having a front opening for receiving a food product. Flexible closure flaps extend from the bottom wall and opposite side walls and have releasable fasteners for closing the front opening. Each wall has an outer fabric covering and a porous inner liner and also inner and outer layers of flexible thermal insulation material. A vapor barrier film separates the inner and outer layers of insulation material in each wall and provides for moisture absorption by the inner layers. The top and bottom walls each have a compartment with an edge opening closed by a releasable fastener, and a vacuum insulation panel is confined within each compartment. The top and bottom walls move between a collapsed storage position and an expanded position to receive the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: CoverTex Corporation
    Inventors: Edward A. Lockhart, Mervin S. Ozechowsky
  • Patent number: 7777157
    Abstract: A blanket warmer is disclosed. The blanket warmer is lightweight, portable, and consumes minimal power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Life Gear LLC
    Inventor: Casey Jenkins
  • Patent number: 7737385
    Abstract: A customizable chamber spectral response is described which can be used at least to tailor chamber performance for wafer heating, wafer cooling, temperature measurement, and stray light. In one aspect, a system is described for processing a treatment object having a given emission spectrum at a treatment object temperature which causes the treatment object to produce a treatment object radiated energy. The chamber responds in a first way to the heating arrangement radiated energy and in a second way to the treatment object radiated energy that is incident thereon. The chamber may respond in the first way by reflecting the majority of the heat source radiated energy and in the second way by absorbing the majority of the treatment object radiated energy. Different portions of the chamber may be treated with selectively reflectivity based on design considerations to achieve objectives with respect to a particular chamber performance parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Mattson Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul J. Timans, Daniel J. Devine, Young Jai Lee, Yao Zhi Hu, Peter C. Bordiga
  • Publication number: 20100096384
    Abstract: Devices, apparatus, systems and methods of using a portable heating unit that does not use a separate compressor or blower or vacuum. The unit can be attached to an inlet of a piping system or section and be used to dry the interior walls of the piping system or section, and/or heat coatings passing through the piping system or section, etc. The portable heating unit includes a heater attached to an inlet end of a manifold, where the manifold can include alternative inlet end and two outlet ends. The inlet and outlet ends of the manifold can have quick connect fittings that allow similar fittings to be easily mateably attached thereto by rotating the fittings with one another. A quick connect/disconnect air pressure regulator with similar quick connect fitting can be attached to anyone of the inlet and outlet ends of the manifold. A quick connect/disconnect plug or plugs with similar quick connect fitting can close off any of the inlet and outlet ends of the manifold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Applicant: PIPE RESTORATION TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Larry Gillanders
  • Publication number: 20100028514
    Abstract: The invention relates to an appliance (1) for cooking food, the appliance comprising firstly a receptacle (2) for containing the food and secondly a blade (8) placed within the receptacle (2), said receptacle (2) and blade (8) being designed to be driven with relative rotary motion so as to stir the food in the receptacle (2), the appliance being characterized in that the blade (8) includes turnover means (13) shaped to act under the effect of the relative rotary motion to cause at least a fraction of the food to turn over in a turnover direction (D) that presents, in the plane of the rotary motion, a majority component that is radial.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2007
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Inventors: Arnaud Goderiaux, Jean-Claude Bizard
  • Patent number: 7618588
    Abstract: An integrate device includes a heater thermally coupled to a plurality of flow-through tubes to perform thermally-driven chemical reactions. A wire mesh heater is wrapped around each of multiple flow-through tubes, thereby creating a thermal interface between the mesh and the tubes. Each end of the wire mesh is coupled to an electrical contact. The electrical contacts are preferable positioned at an exterior portion of the integrated device to be easily placed in electrical contact with a voltage source. As current passes through the mesh, heat is produced. The heat passes from the mesh to each of the flow-through tubes via the thermal interface. The flow-through tubes can be fluidically coupled to a sample preparation module. The sample preparation module, the flow-through tubes, and the heater can be integrated within a single integrated device that provides automated sample preparation and thermally-driven chemical reactions for a variety of applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Microfluidic Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Chun-Wah (Phil) Lin, Bob Yuan
  • Publication number: 20090014436
    Abstract: The pocketable body warmer includes: a metallic exterior casing with a metal plate being formed to a tube having a closed bottom end and an open opposite end; a plastic-made interior casing with an outer contour being formed to be inserted in the metallic exterior casing, the interior casing being provided with a battery storage portion; a battery loaded in the interior casing; and a heater thermally connected to the metallic exterior casing for heating the metallic exterior casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2008
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Inventors: Shoichi Toya, Toshiki Nakasho, Takuo Nomi
  • Publication number: 20080264925
    Abstract: An insulated bag has generally flat top and bottom walls connected by foldable back and opposite side walls which cooperate to define a chamber having a front opening for receiving a food product. Flexible closure flaps extend from the bottom wall and opposite side walls and have releasable fasteners for closing the front opening. Each wall has an outer fabric covering and a porous inner liner and also inner and outer layers of flexible thermal insulation material. A vapor barrier film separates the inner and outer layers of insulation material in each wall and provides for moisture absorption by the inner layers. The top and bottom walls each have a compartment with an edge opening closed by a releasable fastener, and a vacuum insulation panel is confined within each compartment. The top and bottom walls move between a collapsed storage position and an expanded position to receive the product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventors: Edward A. Lockhart, Mervin S. Ozechowsky
  • Patent number: 7355147
    Abstract: A floating ice removal device with a disk shaped upper cover, a disk shaped lower cover and a heat emitting cup. An electric circuit board is mounted on an inner bottom of the lower cover, and a helical heat emitting wire is mounted on the inner top surface of the upper cover in a contact mode, and the cup having a heat emitting source is mounted on the outer bottom surface of the lower cover. An electric power line is extended in from the bottom of the heat emitting cup to connect the circuit board to supply electric power, so that the helical heat emitting wire keeps the surface temperature of the upper cover above 5 degrees Celsius, so that the surface of the entire ice removal will not be covered by snow or ice, while the heat emitting cup can emit heat under the water for removing ice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Eiko Electric Products Corp.
    Inventor: Yu-Chin Wang
  • Patent number: 7312421
    Abstract: A detachable heat sealing apparatus includes a size-adjustable unitary externally-attached electric heating device and a power supplier, wherein the electric heating device is coupled to the external front side of a power supplier holding casing by means of a detachable coupling arrangement such that the electric heating device or the power supplier can be replaced when damaged or, a different model of electric heating device can be fastened to the casing to substitute the original electric heating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Inventors: Ammy Chou, Richard Chang
  • Publication number: 20070284364
    Abstract: Described is a device and system for heating an electronic mobile device. The system comprises a mobile electronic device including a power supply arrangement and a removable heating arrangement detachably coupled to the mobile electronic device. When the heating arrangement is coupled to the mobile electronic device, the arrangement draws power from the power supply arrangement to generate heat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2006
    Publication date: December 13, 2007
    Inventors: Alton Smith, Gregory Carras, Hayden Eastman, Keith Linker, Andrew M. Doorty
  • Patent number: 7190887
    Abstract: A portable room heater is provided comprising an upright enclosure defining an inlet at a lower end of the enclosure, an outlet at an upper end of the enclosure, and a passageway fluidly connecting the inlet and the outlet. The portable room heater further comprises a blower imparting an airflow through the passageway, and thereby creating an inlet airflow through the inlet and a noncoplanar outlet airflow through the outlet. A heat generating member in the passageway selectively heats air flowing through the passageway. A method is provided for warming a room comprising providing the portable electric heater, drawing air from a relatively lower horizontal plane of the room into the heater, heating the drawn air, and releasing the heated air in a substantially horizontal direction in a relatively higher horizontal plane of the room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Inventor: Stephan S. Compton
  • Patent number: 7186958
    Abstract: There is an apparatus having a housing, a heating element, a heating element switch, a heating chamber, a heating chamber cover, and a controller. The housing is handheld. The heating element is disposed within the housing. The heating element switch may be electrically coupled with the heating element. The heating chamber is disposed within the housing. The heating chamber cover may be adapted to at least partially eject the heating chamber from the housing when the heating chamber cover is displaced relative to the housing. The controller is electrically coupled with the heating element switch. The controller is adapted to control a transfer of energy to the heating element. The controller may be adapted to prevent the transfer of energy to the heating element if the heating chamber cover is not in a closed position relative to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Zhao Wei, LLC
    Inventor: Stephen G. Nelson
  • Patent number: 7175429
    Abstract: A device for controlling and dispensing wax for the creation of tracings and moulds comprising a spatula-like tip (3), which is mounted on a hollow handle (4), and a control unit (1). The hollow handle (4) has internally a housing (10) containing a block of solid wax; the housing (10) communicates with a channel (12) for conveying the wax into the vicinity of the spatula-like tip; and heating elements (9) are provided around the housing (10) for the wax. Preferably, the heating temperature may be regulated by the control unit (1) via a spirally wound electrical resistance. According to an advantageous embodiment, the spatula (3) is interchangeable depending on requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Inventor: Adriano Guidi
  • Patent number: 7091450
    Abstract: A grip heater has a tubular insulator that is designed to slip over a handlebar and has two interposed pairs of helical recesses. Each pair of helical recesses is formed by two parallel helical grooves and accommodates a heating element; the heating elements can have different resistances to provide differing degrees of heat when selectively connected to a voltage source. Preferably, the pairs of recesses overlap such that the heating elements reside in alternating grooves and cross over each other. The heating elements can be connected to a common ground to allow replacement of existing three-wire grip heaters. When a common ground is employed, the heating elements are preferably isolated where they cross.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Inventor: James M. Hollander
  • Patent number: 7034254
    Abstract: A heated delivery system for pizza and the like including a thermally insulated receptacle, an electrical resistance heating unit having a heat storing shell molded from thermosetting resin, and an electrical resistance heating member within the shell, the member having the capacity of being heated and maintained at a desired temperature. The heating member may be silicone rubber containing resistance heating elements, and its temperature may be regulated by a suitable temperature control, such as a thermostat or other means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: The Scott Fetzer Company
    Inventors: Brian M. Grabowski, Rao Atreyapurapu
  • Patent number: 6692692
    Abstract: The present invention involves a sterilization system for running high amperage current through a dental or medical handpiece to be sterilized thereby heating the handpiece to a point of sterilization. The system includes a controller, a high amperage current source, and a handpiece receptacle. The handpiece receptacle includes clamps to hold the handpiece in place and a temperature sensor to measure the temperature of the handpiece. The controller controls the amount of current supplied by the high amperage current source to the handpiece according to the temperature of the handpiece. After the handpiece has been at or above the sterilization temperature for the required period of time, the controller stops the flow of current to the handpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Inventor: Eric J. Stetzel
  • Patent number: 6686572
    Abstract: A handle includes a tubular member including two parallel helical recessed portions formed on an outer periphery thereof, a rubber jacket mounted around the tubular member, and two heating coils of different heating efficiency being respectively mounted in the parallel helical recessed portions for heating the rubber jacket. Two-stage control of heating for controlling the temperature of the rubber jacket in response to the temperature of the environment is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Inventor: Shih-Hsiung Wu
  • Patent number: 6654550
    Abstract: A hand held device is deployed adjacent to the inside surface of a window so as to remove ice from the outside surface of the window by employing infrared heat energy that melts the ice adjacent to the interface of the ice and the window. As the ice adjacent to that interface is melted, the remaining unmelted ice is free to slide away. The device is moved across the inside of the window, thereby removing the ice from substantially the entire outside surface of the window. The device may be closed for transportation, and opened for use. It also includes a normally “off” safety switch to activate the infrared heat energy source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Inventor: Michael Lemanski
  • Patent number: 6526873
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Hamilton Beach/Procter-Silex, Inc.
    Inventor: Martin Brady
  • Patent number: 6455812
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a portable flooring removal apparatus for the removal of flooring material such as tile, linoleum or the like that is secured to the under flooring by adhesive. The apparatus includes a heating element to melt the bonds and adapted to be connected to a power source, and a cutting element to permit the cutting of uniform sheets of adhered flooring material for easy removal. The apparatus further contains a cooling element to rapidly lower the temperature of the heating element after normal use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Inventor: Marcel Houle
  • Patent number: 6400898
    Abstract: A heater preferably having a plurality of equally spaced heating elements, such as heating lamps, provides a uniform heat radiation pattern for quickly and uniformly heating a large surface area using motor controlled wheels for translating the heater at a constant rate of speed across the surface of a structure in a desired pattern. The heater having a handle for operator manipulation for guiding and turning the heater in the desired pattern. The heater, having a wide lateral distance for radiating a wide uniform radiation pattern is suitable for thermographic application for imaging the heated surface and detecting subsurface defects in the structure, such as composite overwrapped concrete bridge and building structures subject where debonding of the composite/concrete interface is a concern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: The Aerospace Corporation
    Inventors: Gary F. Hawkins, Eric C. Johnson, James P. Nokes
  • 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: 6353207
    Abstract: An expandable chamber support system for vehicle seat and mattress applications includes an expandable chamber constructed from facing sheets of flexible impermeable material that are sealed along their marginal edges. An upper one of the sheets is formed of electrically conductive elastomeric membrane that is electrically resistance heated while cooperating with a lower one of the sheets to provide pressure support for an occupant supported by the expandable chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: Ctex Seat Comfort Ltd.
    Inventor: Steven John Burt
  • Patent number: 6353212
    Abstract: A snow melting attachment for a snow blower for preventing the building up of large snow piles includes a housing having a bottom wall and a peripheral wall. The peripheral wall has an upper edge defining an opening extending into the housing. The housing is mountable on the snow blower. A drainage pipe is fluidly coupled to the housing. A valve is in communication with the drainage pipe for selectively opening and closing the drainage pipe. A plurality of plates is mounted in the housing. Each of the plates has an upper side and a lower side. A plurality of heating elements is mounted in the housing. Each of the heating elements is positioned adjacent to one of the lower sides of the plates such that a plurality of heating elements is adjacent to each of the plates. The heating elements are each operationally coupled to a power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Inventor: Robert Smith
  • 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: 6320161
    Abstract: A hand warming device for use in ones jacket or pants pocket, being portable, and having controllable heating. Uses for the device include warming the hand before touching others as in handshakes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Inventor: Howard O. Hansen, Jr.
  • 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: 6130991
    Abstract: An electric hair dryer is connected to a portable housing having a plurality of angularly adjustable housing segments. The air passes through the segments and out spaced air outlet openings formed in the housing segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Inventor: Lilian E. Chapman