Removably Inserted Through Fill Opening Patents (Class 392/448)
  • Patent number: 11582835
    Abstract: A portable food and beverage heating device including an elongated heating element designed to be immersed in a substance and to radiate heat to increase the temperature of the substance. The device further including a removable cap designed to act as an intermediary between a power supply and the elongated heating element, such that in one embodiment the heating element can only receive power from the power supply when the removable cap is secured to a second end of a housing. Additionally, the device includes several safety features like a non-conductive heat-resistant tip, a burn guard, a non-conductive fastener, and optional foldability or removability of the heating element all of which are designed to safeguard against personal injury to a user, or damage to a container holding the substance being heated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Inventor: Rennie West
  • Patent number: 10765033
    Abstract: Immersion cooling enclosures with insulating liners and associated computing facilities are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an immersion cooling enclosure includes a well formed in a substrate material, a lid in contact with and fastened to the well to enclose an internal space configured to contain a dielectric coolant submerging one or more computing devices in the internal space, and an insulating liner on the internal surfaces of the well. The insulating liner has a first side in contact with the dielectric coolant and a second side in contact with the substrate material of the well. The insulating liner is non-permeable to the dielectric coolant, thereby preventing the dielectric coolant from passing through the insulating liner to the substrate material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas Keehn, Eric Clarence Peterson, Winston Saunders, Husam Alissa
  • Patent number: 9002185
    Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods directed to using renewable energy sources with hot water heating systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Inventor: David Kreutzman
  • Patent number: 8909033
    Abstract: A method is provided for interconnecting a single electrical heating element of a hot water heater to first and second AC electrical power sources. Typically, these first and second AC electrical power sources include a utility provided electrical power source and a renewable power source that generates AC power from DC power. The method includes operating a controller that selectively connects and disconnects the first and second power sources. If sufficient electrical power is available from the renewable power source, the utility provided electrical power source may be disconnected to preferentially utilize renewable energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Inventor: David Kreutzman
  • Patent number: 8755681
    Abstract: A urea feed or return line (2) that comprises a hollow coupling (1) enabling it to be connected to a urea tank and that comprises a passage for the urea, this coupling being, in addition, equipped with a heating filament (9), at least one part of which extends freely inside the passage provided for the urea, this part having the shape of a loop or a spiral capable of also extending at least partly into the tank and/or into a tube attached thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Inergy Automotive Systems Research (S.A.)
    Inventors: Stephane Leonard, Joel Op De Beeck, Vincent Potier
  • Patent number: 8674268
    Abstract: The heated water bucket includes a rubber bodied bucket with an integrated heating unit fitted to the bottom of the bucket. The heating unit covers the entire bottom of the bucket acting as a false “bottom” so that the heating unit does not appear as a foreign object within the bucket. The heating unit is held to the bottom of the bucket by a peripheral flange that extends radially around the inside of the bucket sidewall. The rubber construction of the bucket itself makes the invention more durable, but also improves the bucket's thermal insulation properties, making it more efficient than conventional heated plastic buckets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Inventor: Benjamin T. Clark, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8515268
    Abstract: The invention relates to a boiler for heating water in a coffee or espresso machine, comprising a boiler housing (1), a cold water inlet (7), a hot water outlet (8) and an electric heating device (5). Said boiler housing (1) is cylindrical and comprises a boiler cover (2), a boiler top (4) and a boiler base (3) having a cylinder axis (A) that is horizontal when in operation. The cold water inlet (7) and the hot water outlet (8) and the electric heating device (5) are mounted on the boiler base (3) of the boiler housing (1), that extends vertically, and the heating device (5) is configured in such a manner that each point inside the container volume is at a normal distance from the heating device (5) that is less than 40% of the container diameter (D).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Egro Coffee Systems AG
    Inventor: Markus Anliker
  • Patent number: 8121466
    Abstract: A system for preventing a deicer from being removed from a liquid receptacle includes a deicer, an anchoring assembly and a tether. The deicer includes a main body and a heating element. The heating element is configured to heat liquid within the liquid receptacle. The anchoring assembly is configured to be secured to or within the liquid receptacle. The tether has first and second ends. The first end is securely fastened to a portion of the deicer. The second end is securely fastened to the anchoring assembly. The anchoring assembly is configured to ensure that the deicer remains within the liquid receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Allied Precision Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas K. Reusche, Philip E. Chumbley
  • Patent number: 8106337
    Abstract: A modular water heating assembly containing two heating elements (1, 2), each having a thermostat module (5, 6) inserted into a sensing tube (3, 4) and attached to the same threaded boss (7). The heating elements are therefor contained in a single assembly with the elements having a fixed temperature set point differential such that the elements are switched on or off to maintain a constant temperature and reduce energy consumption by minimizing temperature overshoot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Inventors: Raoul Steenekamp, Vadim Kozyrkov
  • Patent number: 8094998
    Abstract: A device for making a predetermined quantity of a hot beverage includes a boiler chamber for heating water and a tubular heating element inside the boiler chamber near the bottom of the boiler chamber. A main portion of the tubular heating element extends along a helical line around a horizontal axis. The bottom of the boiler chamber includes a wall substantially having the shape of a part of cylindrical surface around the horizontal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Peter Rijskamp, Johan Kuiper, Hendrik Post, Henk Smitt, Edwin Wilco Drost
  • Patent number: 6917753
    Abstract: A heater including an electrically insulative panel having a decorative image on a first side and a resistive heating layer on the second side. The resistive heating layer is preferably a graphite containing sol gel material. The invention can also include a surface or support for supporting an article such as a towel or piece of clothing adjacent to the heated surface to heat and/or dry the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Inventor: Richard Cooper
  • Patent number: 6900415
    Abstract: An electric cooking apparatus for easily converting a pot to a deep fryer or boiler includes a housing having an elongated heating element attached thereto. The heating element includes an upper portion with a cover mounted thereon. An adjustable bracket secures the device to the upper rim of the pot. A safety switch enables the heating element only when the device is properly mounted. The position of the heating element may be adjusted so that the device can be easily used with various sized pots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Inventors: Chris Roach, So Mo Wai Nicky
  • Patent number: 6830661
    Abstract: A compact, energy efficient, continuous-flow point of use distillation system utilizes stacked, vertically-arranged components to provide a compact and energy efficient distillation process and a device which is quick and easy to service and maintain. A housing contains a double-walled boiler vessel to which water is supplied from an external source through suitable filters. A heating source is provided to boil water in the vessel, producing steam which is supplied through a condenser to a storage container located below the boiler. A noninvasive liquid level sensor maintains the water level in the boiler and the controller is provided to activate the boiler when water is required for the storage reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Environmental Technology Enterprises, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Glenn E. Land
  • Patent number: 6810206
    Abstract: A water heater has a housing, a heating element, and an electric power cord secured to the housing and to a three-pronged plug configured for insertion into a standard electrical power outlet. The power cord is continuous from the housing to the three-pronged plug. A portion of the housing has a diameter which is less than approximately one inch and is configured to extend through a drain plug opening in the tank for securing the housing to the tank. The plug has a diameter which is substantially equal to, or less than, the diameter of that portion of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Farm Innovators, Inc.
    Inventor: Benjamin T. Clark, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6456785
    Abstract: A system for electrically heating a flow of liquid singularly passing over a heating element contained within a housing. Liquid is inserted into the housing and passes over a heating element, with the straight embedded resistance wire, which causes the liquid to be heated faster and with less energy than would be employed by a coiled heating element. The heating element is composed of resistance wire connected to a conductor lead by a transition splice, all surrounded by compacted magnesium oxide encased within a stainless steel sheath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Inventor: Robert Evans
  • Patent number: 6290819
    Abstract: A continuous-flow water distiller includes a housing having a removable heating vessel which receives water to be distilled A heater is immersed within the water in the vessel for producing steam. The housing includes an openable lid which, when closed, seals the heating vessel so that steam can be directed through an outlet into a condenser located in the housing. Raw water is supplied to the heating vessel through a heat exchanger to preheat the raw water by effectively utilizing thermal energy recovery to initiate cooling of the steam, and distillate is supplied through the condenser to enhance heat exchange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Environmental Technology Enterprises, LLC
    Inventor: Glenn E. Land
  • Patent number: 5990455
    Abstract: A heater for use with a chafing dish having water and food pans with complemental peripheral flanges is disclosed. The heater includes a spacer sized to be interposed between such flanges to maintain at least portions of the flanges in spaced relationship. An immersible heater assembly including an upstanding arm is connected to and depends from the spacer. The heater assembly includes an encased electrical resistance heater loop having end portions connected to the arm. The arm and loop are sized to position the loop near a bottom of the water pan and immersed in water when the chafing dish is in use. A temperature sensitive switch is connected to the heater unit for interrupting a power supply when the temperature of the heater unit exceeds a predetermined temperature. A power supply cord extends from the spacer outwardly from the dish when the heater is in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Chesterfield Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Chester B. Scott, Chester Scott, III
  • Patent number: 5318107
    Abstract: The bag has a frame of rigid pieces secured together in three-dimensional shape, and panels are secured thereto forming a bottom side wall, end wall, and a pair of top closure panels, the latter being angled forming a gable roof type top. The panels are of limited flexibility enabling them to be bent about long radii. A bottle cooler and an electric warmer are provided, a large central space accommodating a large quantity of diapers forming great heat insulation between the bottle cooler and bottle warmer. The bottle warmer includes and electric cord normally held in a pocket and extendible to the exterior for plugging into a house socket or cigar heater socket in an automobile. The top panels have small sections that can be opened without opening the complete top panels enabling the bottles to be withdrawn and inserted vertically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1994
    Inventor: Rebecca Bell
  • Patent number: 5138134
    Abstract: A wall hanging incorporating a heater is characterized by a low temperature thermostatically controlled heating panel being aesthetically concealed behind a decorative surface, and being configured to be hung on an ordinary wall. The device includes a safety shut-off switch activated by excessive temperature build-up, alarm systems to deter theft, and a wall mounting bracket which permits rapid and level mounting of the wall hanging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1992
    Inventor: Mearl E. Ellison
  • Patent number: 5109473
    Abstract: A heater assembly for heating a container of corrosive fluid includes a housing adapted to be located in a container of fluid to be heated, a sealed chamber located in the housing, a heater located in the chamber, an electrically conductive sleeve assembly secured to the housing, and a flexible conduit extending from the sleeve assembly and providing a passageway for conductors providing a source of power to the heater assembly. The flexible conduit includes an electrical conductor connected to ground which is located in the sleeve assembly and the sleeve assembly is swaged to compress the sleeve assembly into the electrical conductor to ground to the electrically conductive housing via the sleeve assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1992
    Assignee: Process Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis J. Rezabek, Richard A. Lokar