Abstract: A control system for a cooking appliance enables a consumer to selectively program a cooking appliance through a control panel in a conventional mode based on established cooking times and temperatures, as well as in a simplified mode incorporating a minimal number of programming steps. In the simplified mode, the consumer selects a first, non-temperature related special features button and inputs a cook time. Immediately following input of the cook time, the control system starts a cooking operation. If the selected time is greater than a predetermined value, the control system automatically operates the cooking appliance in a cold start mode. An override is provided to disable the cold start mode if so desired. In addition, the control system allows a consumer to input both minimum and maximum cook times for the cooking operation.

Abstract: A combined refrigerator-oven (20) includes an enclosed chamber (28) having a top wall (22), a bottom wall (24), and vertical side walls (26). The refrigerator-oven (20) further includes a heating unit (50) and a refrigeration unit (70). A controller (118) is in communication with the heating unit (50) and the refrigeration unit (70). When a cooling mode is selected, the controller (118) activates the refrigeration unit (70) to deliver cool air (62) into the enclosed chamber (28). When a heating mode is selected, the controller (118) activates the heating unit (50) to produce heat (66) in the enclosed chamber (28).

Abstract: Apparatus 10 for a toaster appliance having at least one circular-like carriage 14 forming a support element for food articles 12 such as tortillas, pita, naan and other flatbreads during a warming/toasting session. The support walls 16, 20 are comprised of wire mesh 18 with one side having a partial lower peripheral rim or lip 38 positioned flange extending thereinbetween acting as a carriage for the food article. Diametrically opposed is the other support wall that is spaced over the depending flange 38 extending from the other wall. Adjacent coplanar posts or pins 36 extend from the mesh-walls 16, 20 traveling in and through guide tracks 40 located at each end of the interior housing 24 with tensioning members 34 fastened to the post distal ends keeping the support walls compressed. One of the tracks 40 is of greater width thereby providing for variable thickness of the food article, which is held by the tensioned mesh walls 16, 20.

Abstract: An electric baking oven includes an open mesh vertically oriented baking basket to hold food while the food is baked in air by a programmed combination of radiant and convective and conductive energy transfer. An electrical programming control controls the energy from vertically oriented toaster heating elements located juxtaposed to the large vertical faces of the basket and from at least one elongated heating member located below the vertical baking basket with the axis of the elongated heating member oriented nominally horizontal and parallel to the longer horizontal axis of the vertically oriented baking basket.

Abstract: A cooking appliance employing rapid cook technology includes an electronic oven control system employing an alpha-numeric data entry and display arrangement. The cooking appliance includes a display which incorporates a series of vertically spaced information display zones, with each of the zones being capable of displaying both alpha and numeric data to a user of the appliance. Text and numeric data can be entered by the user through a ten-digit keypad provided on a control panel of the appliance. Each labeled numeric key (0–9) can be used to input a corresponding numeric data symbol, as well as additional text information. This arrangement advantageously makes purchasing and operating a sophisticated cooking appliance more appealing and less intimidating to a consumer.

Abstract: A rotisserie oven comprising a central heating section having a vertical orientation and dividing the cooking space into two equal, independent, and evenly heated roasting chambers; at least two rotisserie rods each driven by a motor; at least two removable basting troughs positioned above the rotisserie rods; at least two drip collection pans positioned below the rotisserie rods; an ash drawer positioned below the central heating section; and a control panel. By inserting a basting fluid in the basting trough, the roasting meat is automatically basted with the dripping basting fluid. The excess basting fluid and the meat juices is collected and can easily be recycled during the roasting process. By providing parts that are removable and have a simple mechanical design, cleaning and maintenance can be kept at a minimum. Mounting the rotisserie oven on top of a cabinet results in added convenience, accessibility, and flexibility.

Abstract: An electrical toaster includes a case unit having a laterally extending supporting wall and defining a heating chamber that is disposed below the supporting wall, at least a lower slot that is formed in the supporting wall and that is in spatial communication with the heating chamber, and a warming chamber that is disposed above the supporting wall and that is in fluid communication with the lower slot. An electrical heating unit is disposed in the heating chamber. A cover is mounted removably on the case unit for covering at least a top side of the warming chamber.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an improved device and method for automated cooking foods with a liquid such as water.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring carbon dioxide production during a dough leavening process to improve the efficiency and quality of the baking process. A yeast dough is placed in an oven for rising and baking. A carbon dioxide sensor is connected to the oven to sense the carbon dioxide in the oven atmosphere, and a monitoring device monitors the signal from the carbon dioxide sensor to provide an output indicative of the substantial end of the rising stage, and may automatically control the oven to begin baking.

Abstract: A horizontal axis rotisserie oven with versatile electronic controls. The rotisserie further includes: an improved spit for quick mounting of food, and a door which hides blemishes due to normal use, and easily referenced food cooking indexes, and means for keeping countertops clean.

Abstract: A toaster includes a toaster housing having a toaster slot for the bread slice disposing therein, a toasting device for toasting the bread slice in the toaster slot, and a toast racking arrangement including a bread supporting rack movably mounted in the toaster slot, a motor having a driving shaft for producing a rotational force, and a rack driving unit including a driving member having two ends respectively engaged with the driving shaft and the bread supporting rack to drive the bread supporting rack to slidably move along the toaster slot between an upper releasing position and a lower toasting position. At the releasing position, the driving member is driven to lift up the bread supporting rack along the toaster slot, and at the toasting position, the driving member is driven to lower the bread supporting rack for toasting the bread slice.

Abstract: An automatic cooking and vending machine, for preparing, dispensing, and vending a plate of cooked food to a paying customer, comprising a food storage compartment mounted to a rectangular housing. The food is prepared within the housing, under the direction of a computer. Additionally, the customer utilizes the computer to place an order for a particular plate of food. The food storage compartment has a plurality of different food storage containers. The housing encloses two movable cooking pots, a quantity measuring device for measuring and dispensing a precise quantity of different foods into one of the cooking pots, two movable gas burners for heating the food within the cooking pots, and a plate dispensing system for shuttling an empty plate underneath the cooking pot to receive the prepared dish and then, to the customer receiving platform extending from the housing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a toaster in which the housing (1) comprises: a toasting chamber (2); a toast rack (5), which can move vertically inside said chamber (2) between an eject position and a toasting position; a driver (6), which is linked to the toast rack (5), is slide mounted on a vertical column (7) and is used to lower the toast rack (5) from the eject position, in which the driver (6) is returned by an elastic means (9), to the toasting position, in which the driver (6) is held in place by an unlockable means (10); and a rising damping device comprising a piston (16) which can slide vertically along a determined path in a housing (17) that is solidly connected to the drive and the upper face of which can come into contact with a stop end (19) located in the top part of the housing (1).

Abstract: A toaster composed of a case having lateral walls that constitute the outer cover of the toaster, the case containing a frame forming a toasting chamber having an opening at an upper part of the case and an opening at a lower part of the case, a base removably connectable to the case and facing the opening at the lower part of the case, and a heating unit for the chamber having heating elements situated in proximity to the chamber and connected to a device for supplying electric power and for controlling the heating elements. The base is completely removable from the case, and the base and the case have respective elements that interact with one another when the case is disposed on the base, such that withdrawal of the case from the base suppresses the interaction to prevent the supply of electric power to the heating elements.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for determining the thermal condition of a heat chamber of a toaster wherein extend grilling and/or heating means, said toaster having in particular means for triggering a grilling or heating cycle and means for adjusting the desired degree of grilling. The invention is characterised in that it consists in: measuring, at two different times (t1) and (t2) after triggering the grilling or heating cycle, respective values (A1) then (A2) of a thermally variable capacitor (C) or a quantity representative of said value, said capacitor (C) being subjected to the influence of the grilling and/or heating means; calculating the ratio (r) of the two measurements (A1, A2) produced so as to determine the thermal condition of the heat chamber at the triggering time of the grilling or heating cycle.

Abstract: A bread baking machine of the invention has a gasket for sealing and a magnetic metal fitting A constituting a locking means, both provided on a container cover which opens and closes an opening above a lid container placed in an outer cover for storing supplementary ingredient of bread and for entering it automatically. The bread baking machine can thus lock the lid container and the container cover while keeping the gasket depressed against a sealing surface. Since this structure ensures the gasket to seal a space between the lid container and the container cover, it can prevent dew condensation and thermal deformation of components due to leakage of hot steam.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for toasting of bread etc. comprising a housing (2) with a slot (3) which issues into a toasting space (4) into which products to be toasted can be introduced, while heater elements (5) are arranged on both sides of this space (4) which each cooperate with a reflector (7) for reflecting radiation in the direction of the toasting space (4), and the housing (2) is made at least partly of a transparent material. In order to obtain an evenly distributed browning and a good view of the products in the toasting space (4), the reflectors (7) cover the whole area of the toasting space (4) and are made of a transparent material.

Abstract: A combination toaster and breadbox includes an enclosure, a toaster having a heating area disposed within the enclosure, and a breadbox having a storage area also disposed within the enclosure. The combination may include a fan installed within a gap disposed between the toaster and breadbox within the enclosure that draws in cool air so as to prevent the transfer of heat from the toaster to the breadbox. The toaster may comprise a toaster oven.

Abstract: A bread maker including a main body forming an oven compartment; a pair of kneading drums inside the oven compartment, each kneading drum having a holding part holding opposite ends of a mixing bag filled with bread ingredients; a drum driving part rotating the kneading drums in clockwise and counterclockwise directions to knead dough contained in the mixing bag; and a controller controlling the drum driving part to separate the mixing bag from the holding part of a first one of the kneading drums and wind the mixing bag on a second one of the kneading drums after kneading the dough, and to rotate the second one of the kneading drums in a releasing direction opposite the winding direction after the mixing bag is wound on the second one of the kneading drums to unwind the mixing bag from the second one of the kneading drums.

Abstract: A bread maker including a casing forming an outer enclosure and a baking tray inside the casing to contain bread dough. An upper heater inside the casing faces an opening in the top of the baking tray to heat the baking tray. A lower heater inside the casing faces a lateral part of the baking tray to heat the baking tray. A water reservoir filled with water inside the casing adjacent to the lower heater generates steam while being heated by the lower heater.

Abstract: This toaster consists of a casing (1) that is essentially parallelepiped in shape and thermally insulated, and at least one electrical resistor (6) which constitutes a radiant heating element and is enclosed in the casing. The side walls (3, 4) of the casing (1) are transparent.

Abstract: The invention concerns a toaster comprising a housing (1) containing a bread-holder carriage (4) mobile between an ejecting position wherein it is returned by an elastic device (5) and a toasting position wherein it is retained by an electromagnetic device (14), the electromagnetic device (14) including a ferromagnetic component (15) secured to the bread-holder carriage (4) and an electromagnet (16) secured to the housing (1), and a control device acting on the circuit powering the coil (L) of the electromagnet.

Abstract: A control system for a toaster oven incorporating a conveyor driven by an inexpensive ac motor, where the control system allows the entire range of toasting demands to be met while also compensating for variations in the line voltage. The heart of the toasting control is the reliance on the total dwell time of the bread products within the toasting zone of the oven, rather than on the speed of the motor. The control system also provides for a convection fan of varying speed without the need to replace the inexpensive muffin fan with more elaborate devices. Among the advantages offered by the dwell time approach is on-the-fly adjustment upward or downward of the degree of toasting, there being no need to await for the toasting zone to heat up or cool down to achieve this.

Abstract: An automatic stir-fry machine to be placed on a commercial burner for cooking stir-fry dishes. The automatic stir-fry machine has a closed cooking chamber with only a rear exhaustion port, containing a cooking vessel formed primarily by two oppositely spaced apart vertical sidewalls and a generally cylindrical shaped bottom having a horizontal axis. A slice assembly is supported inside the cooking vessel and rotates about the horizontal axis of the cylindrical bottom of the cooking vessel, including a transverse scraping slice contacting the bottom of the cooking vessel with spring tension, and a pair of oppositely spaced apart and diagonally oriented stirring slices contacting opposite corners of the cooking vessel where the cylindrical bottom and the sidewalls join, for stirring, tossing and mixing food items inside the cooking vessel.

Abstract: The invention concerns a toaster comprising a frame arranged in a casing, at least a vertical grill chamber open at the top part of the casing, a peripheral roof at the opening of the grill chamber and integral with the toaster, having a top edge provided with openings for receiving rolls, heating elements located in the proximity of the grill chamber. The invention is characterized in that at least part of the edge of the rood is raised relative to the top part of the casing. Said integrated device for heating bread is associated with specially shaped grills for holding rolls, said grills comprising atop edge substantially perpendicular to said grills and oriented outwards of the chamber, so as to partially close the heating chamber, when they are brought closer to each other, thereby deflecting the ascending hot air flow generated by the heating elements.

Abstract: A vertical toaster comprising a housing, heating elements, a food support and a drive. The heating elements are connected to the housing and comprise at least one calrod. The calrod comprises an electric wire surrounded by heat conductive electrical insulation and a metal cover. The food support is movably mounted to the housing for up and down motion. The drive is for moving the food support relative to the housing. The drive comprises a motor and a linkage between the motor and the food support for moving the food support both down and up such that food on the food support passes by the calrod. The calrod prevents an electrical shock to a user if the user accidentally contacts the calrod with an electrically conductive member.

Abstract: A controllable electric toasting apparatus primarily for use in the home permits power to be safely disconnected when items become jammed inside. In addition, a carriage assembly inside the toasting apparatus can be raised during a toasting cycle so that the items can be viewed without interrupting the toasting cycle. Also, if an item is smaller than usual and placed in the toasting apparatus, the carriage assembly can be raised beyond its initial raised position to allow convenient removal of the small item.

Abstract: The invention concerns a toaster comprising a housing (1) containing a bread-holder carriage (4) mobile between an ejecting position wherein it is returned by elastic means (5) and a toasting position wherein it is retained by an electromagnetic device (14), said electromagnetic device (14) including a ferromagnetic component (15) secured to the bread-holder carriage (4) and an electromagnet (16) secured to the housing (1), and control means acting on the circuit powering the coil (L) of said electromagnet. The invention is characterised in that the control means are adapted to act on interrupting means (I1, I2) of the circuit powering the coil (L) so as to apply a positive voltage (UL) at the terminals of the coil during toasting, then a negative voltage of less absolute value when toasting is completed.

Abstract: The present invention includes a casing, a baking oven, a bread making chamber unit, an electrical heating tube, an alternating current motor unit with a reduction gear unit, a upper lid unit, a mixing rod and control unit. The alternating current motor unit is directly installed in the casing and the baking oven is disposed on the gear case of the alternating current motor unit. The bread making chamber unit is directly connected to the gear case and is disposed in the baking oven together with the electrical heating tube. The alternating current motor unit is constituted by an alternating current motor and the reduction gear unit which are connected by a shaft. A rotating fork connected to the reduction gear unit is connected to the mixing rod in the bread making chamber unit. According to the present invention, the security and reliability are improved, and the life of the components is increased, the configuration of the bread making machine is simplified and the cost of it is decreased.

Abstract: In an electric toaster, a power switch unit is switched by a actuator provided on a support seat, which is movable together with a carriage, from an OFF-mode, where power to an electric heating unit is cut-off, to an ON-mode, where power is supplied to the heating unit, when the carriage is moved from an upper limit position to a lower limit position. A control unit energizes an electromagnet when the switch unit is switched to the ON-mode to attract a magnetically-attracted plate on the seat so that, once a force to move the carriage to the lower limit position is relieved, a biasing device biases the carriage to move from the lower limit position to a toasting position, thereby holding the seat in a lower retaining position against biasing action of a biasing member and thereby holding the carriage in the toasting position.

Abstract: An electric baking oven includes an open mesh vertically oriented baking basket to hold food while the food is baked in air by a programmed combination of radiant and convective and conductive energy transfer. An electrical programming control controls the energy from vertically oriented toaster heating elements located juxtaposed to the large vertical faces of the basket and from at least one elongated heating member located below the vertical baking basket with the axis of the elongated heating member oriented nominally horizontal and parallel to the longer horizontal axis of the vertically oriented baking basket.

Abstract: An electric toaster includes a power switch unit driven by an electromagnet, for holding a spring-loaded carriage mounted in a toasting compartment when the carriage is moved from an upper position to a lower position, so as to switch from an OFF-mode, where the electromagnet is disposed in a deactivated position, to an ON-mode, where the electromagnet is disposed in an activated position. A control unit enables the electromagnet to be excited when the carriage is moved from the upper position to the lower position so as to attract the carriage such that the electromagnet subsequently moves with the carriage from the deactivated position to the activated position.

Abstract: A bread toaster comprising a housing and at least one slot opening for receiving an article to be toasted. The bread is progressively traversed by a linear heat source in a pair of passes. A first pass is at a rate which is sufficient to drive moisture from at least the surface of the bread, but which is insufficient to significantly darken the bread. A second pass is at a rate which is sufficient to darken and toast the surface to a desired degree.

Abstract: Vertical toaster including a housing having a front open face, at least one pair of rails parallelly disposed in the housing, several heaters arranged in the housing and spaced from the rails by a certain distance and at least one grill bridged between the rails and reciprocally movable between a first and a second positions. A predetermined section of the rail gradually inward and upward extends. At least one locating member is disposed in the housing corresponding to the grill, whereby a slice of toast can be horizontally placed on the grip to be heated by the heater. The locating member serves to fix the grill in the second position. After the toast is toasted, the locating member releases the grill and makes the grill slide to the first position for a user to take out the toast.

Abstract: A tortilla warming appliance for warming one or more tortillas in a manner similar to a toaster. The tortilla warming appliance comprises a collapsible tortilla cage for each tortilla and a push-down, pop-up, arc-shaped cradle assembly slidably coupled in a respective tortilla cage. The cradle assembly has a concave center section, which defines an arc that approximates a curved perimeter edge of the tortilla. Furthermore, the width of the front and back tortilla cage wall is greater than the diameter of a commercially available tortilla.

Abstract: The present invention relates to toasting devices for toasting food which automatically control the degree browning of food toasted within them. The present invention particularly relates to such toasters that use a sensor to sense some quality of the food being toasted.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mixing kneader for kneading and providing thermal regulation of pasty products. The kneader includes a vessel, temperature regulators for selectively cooling and heating the vessel, a rotating tool for agitating products in the vessel and for exchanging heat with the products, a non-rotating tool for diffusing gas to the products and a controller with display. The invention enables precise regulation of temperature of the products in a scalable production process. In one instance, the invention may be extended to function as a sourdough fermenter for the production and preservation of sourdough.

Abstract: A combined refrigerator-oven (20) includes an enclosed chamber (28) having a top wall (22), a bottom wall (24), and vertical side walls (26). The refrigerator-oven (20) further includes a heating unit (50) and a refrigeration unit (70). A controller (118) is in communication with the heating unit (50) and the refrigeration unit (70). When a cooling mode is selected, the controller (118) activates the refrigeration unit (70) to deliver cool air (62) into the enclosed chamber (28). When a heating mode is selected, the controller (118) activates the heating unit (50) to produce heat (66) in the enclosed chamber (28).

Abstract: An electric toaster with a safety shut-off mechanism includes a carriage bracket with a user-manipulated knob that is movable between an upper rest position and a lower actuation position. A food support member is supported by the carriage bracket between the upper rest position and a lower toasting position. An electromagnet is connected to one of the chassis and the carriage bracket for holding the carriage bracket in the actuation position when the electromagnet is energized. A switch is movable to a closed position upon downward movement of the carriage bracket to the actuation position to energize the electromagnet and heating elements associated with the toaster. The carriage bracket is upwardly movable upon deenergization of the electromagnet to open the switch between the actuation position and the lower toasting position to deenergize the heating elements.

Abstract: A toaster mechanism includes a base, a carriage movable relative to the base and including a hook and a switch bar, a first switch associated with heating elements of the toaster and supported by the base and being activated by the switch bar, a timer-deactivated electromagnet supported by the base, a catch block movably supported by the base and including a bearing surface against which the hook can bear to move the block, a catch surface to catch the hook, a ferrous part interacting with the electromagnet, and an activating surface. A second switch is associated with the electromagnet and is in series electrically with the first switch. The first switch receives electric current only when the second switch is closed by the activating surface of the catch block. This ensures that toast does not burn if it is jammed in the toaster after a specified toasting time.

Abstract: Apparatus for cooking foods by heating with heat transmitted from outside to a product to be cooked by a current of hot air, wherein, substantially, a hot-air circuit is formed in an enclosed space and the product to be cooked rests on a receiving element (10) for the product to be cooked forming a receiving base (11), wherein air is flowable through the receiving base (11) of the receiving element (10) for the product to be cooked and the hot air is guided so that it flows through the product to be cooked substantially at right angles to the receiving base (11) of the receiving element (10) for the product to be cooked.

Abstract: A vertical toaster comprising a housing, heating elements, a food support and a drive. The heating elements are connected to the housing and comprise at least one calrod. The calrod comprises an electric wire surrounded by heat conductive electrical insulation and a metal cover. The food support is movably mounted to the housing for up and down motion. The drive is for moving the food support relative to the housing. The drive comprises a motor and a linkage between the motor and the food support for moving the food support both down and up such that food on the food support passes by the calrod. The calrod prevents an electrical shock to a user if the user accidentally contacts the calrod with an electrically conductive member.

Abstract: An automatic bread making machine having a baking chamber and a container for receiving bread making ingredients is provided with a backing rack assembly that is selectively placed into and removed from the baking chamber. The baking rack assembly is provided with a frame and a plurality of trays coupled to the frame, in vertically spaced relation to each other. Each of the frames provides a substantially horizontal support surface for a quantity of dough that can be proofed or baked on the tray when the rack assembly is positioned within the baking chamber. A user may therefore bake a plurality of portions of dough within a unitary chamber of an automatic bread making machine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for toasting of bread etc. comprising a housing (2) with a slot (3) which issues into a toasting space (4) into which products to be toasted can be introduced, while heater elements (5) are arranged on both sides of this space (4) which each cooperate with a reflector (7) for reflecting radiation in the direction of the toasting space (4), and the housing (2) is made at least partly of a transparent material. In order to obtain an evenly distributed browning and a good view of the products in the toasting space (4), the reflectors (7) cover the whole area of the toasting space (4) and are made of a transparent material.

Abstract: A barbecuing cooker uses infrared rays to cook the food contained therein to provide excellent taste and nutrition and to permit easy cleaning of the cooking chamber as well as handy mounting or dismounting of spits. The barbecuing cooker comprises a main body with side and rear reflecting plates as the inner walls of a cooking chamber, an upper and lower door for opening or closing the inlet opening of the cooking chamber, a ceramic heater, spits provided rotatably through gear wheels, a motor for operating the gear wheels, a control panel for controlling the ceramic heater and motor, an oil receiver and a parching cage.

Abstract: A controllable electric toasting apparatus primarily for use in the home permits power to be safely disconnected when items become jammed inside. In addition, a carriage assembly inside the toasting apparatus can be raised during a toasting cycle so that the items can be viewed without interrupting the toasting cycle. Also, if an item is smaller than usual and placed in the toasting apparatus, the carriage assembly can be raised beyond its initial raised position to allow convenient removal of the small item.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatic bread maker for home use, and particularly relates to methods of displaying during the bread making cycle. The automatic bread maker of the present invention comprises: a baking chamber with a heater, a baking pan disposed inside the baking chamber, a kneading blade disposed in the baking pan, a motor which drives the kneading blade, a controller which controls the heater and the motor, an input means for inputting cooking conditions, and a display which displays a time remaining before the time to add additional ingredients and the actual time to add the ingredients. The display shows the remaining time or the actual time to add the ingredients. Therefore, the user can clearly confirm when to add additional ingredients, and can prepare the ingredients accordingly.

Abstract: In an otherwise well-known electric pop-up toaster, an auxiliary power switch is provided and is arranged to be opened by a timer after each toasting cycle. This ensures, in contrast to the well-known toaster arrangements, that power is interrupted to heating elements even if a carriage supporting slices of toast fails to move up at the end of a toasting cycle.

Abstract: A safety shut-off device for an electric toaster having a food support member includes at least one switch that is movable between a closed position to thereby energize one or more heating elements associated with the toaster and an open position for deenergizing the at least one heating element. A rotatable support beam is pivotally connected to the chassis. An armature is connected to one end of the beam and a first locking member is connected to an opposite end of the beam. A second locking member associated with the food support member engages the first locking member during a toasting operation. During a toasting operation, the beam is rotated to close the at least one switch and an electromagnet is energized to hold the beam, and thus the food support member, in a toasting position. At the end of the toasting operation, the electromagnet is deenergized, causing the beam to rotate and open the switch to deenergize the at least one heating element and release the food support member.

Abstract: A safety shut-off device for an electric toaster having a food support member includes at least one switch that is movable between a closed position to thereby energize one or more heating elements associated with the toaster and an open position for deenergizing the at least one heating element. A rotatable support beam is pivotally connected to the chassis. An armature is connected to one end of the beam and a first locking member is connected to an opposite end of the beam. A second locking member associated with the food support member engages the first locking member during a toasting operation. During a toasting operation, the beam is rotated to close the at least one switch and an electromagnet is energized to hold the beam, and thus the food support member, in a toasting position. At the end of the toasting operation, the electromagnet is deenergized, causing the beam to rotate and open the switch to deenergize the at least one heating element and release the food support member.