Intercontrol Or Safety Control Patents (Class 99/337)
  • Patent number: 8259308
    Abstract: A system and method for diagnosing a misalignment condition during operation of a continuous oven, which includes a conveyor system conveying and positioning trays carrying panned baked goods within an oven bake chamber defined at least in part by two side panels extending parallel to one another. The system includes an optical sensor arrangement having a transmitter and a receiver disposed along a line of sight, the line of sight extending across a location of the oven bake chamber such that a misaligned tray or mis-positioned utensil moving on the conveyor system disposed within the oven cavity interrupts the line of sight, which in accordance with the method causes the optical sensor system to provide a signal indicative of the misalignment condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Baking Acquisition LLC
    Inventors: Blane Bishop, Greg Clark, Tim Hinterman
  • Patent number: 8210101
    Abstract: A safety device for a juice extractor includes a switch unit connected to an outside of the feed channel and electrically connected to a power source of the motor. A collar is movably mounted to the feed channel and includes an insertion which is inserted into an opening in a handle of the juice extractor so as to activate the switch unit to drive the motor and the blade disc. When the collar is moved away from the handle, the insertion is removed from the switch such that the motor and the blade disc are stopped to ensure the safety for the users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Lyu Jan Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Li-Chen Wu Chang
  • Patent number: 8205543
    Abstract: A pressure cooker equipped with a screen is disclosed, having a pan with a lid designed to be added to the pan, the lid having locking and release elements. The locking/release elements have a locking opening fitted through the wall of the pan and one pin with a mobile mounting on the lid, movable between a locked position with the pin engaged inside the locked opening and a released position where the pin is clear of the opening. The cooker includes a screen attached to the pan to mask the locking opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Seb S.A.
    Inventors: Eric Jacques Rhetat, Michel Pierre Cartigny
  • Publication number: 20120125206
    Abstract: A heating device including a heat chamber to accommodate an object to be heated, a heater, an exhaust port, an exhaust fan to eject air from inside the heat chamber through an exhaust port, and a filter to eliminate oily smoke from an exhaust gas, the heating device further including a first temperature detector to detect a temperature inside the heat chamber, a second temperature detector to detect the temperature of the air ejected through the exhaust port, and a controller to judge whether the filter is clogged or not based on a rotation number of the exhaust fan, and a difference between a temperature To in the heat chamber and a temperature Tex of the air ejected through the exhaust port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shinichi Yamane
  • Publication number: 20120031282
    Abstract: A cooking device has a cam mechanism (104) which moves in association with the pivoting of a door (103). The cam mechanism (104) includes a cam roller (131) rotatably mounted to a support base (130), an arm (132) having a front end pivotable connected to the door (103), having a cam surface (134) in sliding contact with the cam roller (131), and capable of moving in to-and-fro direction relative to a casing, and a coiled spring (133) stretched between the support base (130) and a rear end of the arm (132). The arm (132) has a recess (135) on a surface facing the door (103). When the door (103) is fully open, the recess (135) forms between the door (103) and the arm (132) a space (S) having sufficient size allowing a user's finger to be inserted in and removed from the space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventors: Hiroki Kitayama, Masahiro Nishijima
  • Patent number: 8096436
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pressure cooking appliance (1) having: a bowl (2) with a side wall (2B), a lid (3), a sealing gasket (4) interposed between the side wall (2B) and the lid (3), said appliance (1) being designed so that, when the pressure inside the chamber reaches a predetermined safety value, the gasket (4) moves up to reach a safety position, said appliance (1) being characterized in that the side wall (2B) comprises a geometrical irregularity (10) intended to interact with the gasket (4) when the latter is located at the predetermined safety position thereof so as to interrupt the contact between the gasket (4) and the side wall (2B).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: SEB S.A.
    Inventors: Eric Jacques Rhetat, Nathalie Bouye
  • Patent number: 8096440
    Abstract: Pressure cooker equipped with a gripping part attached to the pan. The invention relates to a domestic pressure cooker comprising: a pan (2) which itself comprises a wall. a lid designed to be attached to the pan (2) to form with the latter a cooking chamber that is substantially impervious. at least one gripping part (20), attached to the pan (2) by means of attachment means (20A), characterized in that the attachment means (20A) at least comprise: an attachment orifice (200A) passing through the wall of the pan (2), wherein said attachment orifice (200A) is positioned on the wall of the pan (2) so that it does not communicate with the inside of the cooking chamber, and an attachment part (201A), connected to the gripping part (20) and extending through the attachment orifice (200A). Cooking devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: SEB S.A.
    Inventors: Eric Jacques Rhetat, Michel Pierre Cartigny
  • Patent number: 8093533
    Abstract: A modular pizza oven kit, pizza oven finger assembly support, and a method of operating a pizza oven at different speeds and a control arrangement for performing the method. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Inventors: Michael French, Mark A. Bielstein
  • Patent number: 8051849
    Abstract: A gas cooking appliance having a plurality of spaced-apart taps situated in fixed and non-moveable locations within the gas cooking appliance, each of the taps having a rotatable operating shaft coupled to an associated control knob situated on a pivoting control panel. The pivoting control panel is connected to a pivot shaft and is pivotal between a first angular position and a second angular position. Each of the control knobs is coupled to its associated tap by a coupling, each of the couplings including a stationary transmission, a pivoting transmission shaft having a first end and a second end and a joint that couples the pivoting transmission shaft to the stationary transmission shaft. The pivot shaft, by means of which the control panel pivots, being situated proximate the coupling joints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Coprecitec, S.L.
    Inventor: Ińigo Albizuri
  • Patent number: 7980002
    Abstract: The invention relates to a rotary drum in which the hygienic status of pourable solids separated from liquid cattle manure is modified by aerobic heating in such a manner that said solids can be reused as bedding in cattle sheds. The object of the invention is to obtain a high loading factor amounting to 60-70% filling of the drum which is located horizontally for installation in an insulated container. In accordance with the invention, the loaded solid is kept in a chamber and is only transferred to the drum when there is no solid surrounding the chamber. The crucial element is a flap of the chamber which only opens and closes in this area. If there is any solid resting on the outside of the flap then opening of the flap is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Röhren-und Pumpenwerk Bauer Gesellschaft mbH
    Inventor: Dietrich Eichler
  • Patent number: 7910861
    Abstract: A cooking device including a cooking cavity, a fan located in the cooking device, the fan being configured to force air into the cooking cavity, and at least one optical heater to supply optical wave energy to heat the forced air provided by the fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hyeon Sik Nam, Wan Soo Kim, Dong Seong Kwag, Seong Ho Cho
  • Patent number: 7878110
    Abstract: An apparatus which serves as a single utensil allowing to gradually adjust vapor escape, liquid drainage speed, and particle drainage and filtering. A few of the apparatus applications are cooking utensils, pitchers, drinking cups, gardening watering and fertilizing cans, etc. The apparatus comprises a vessel having pouring regions and a lid having draining and solid regions. In use, the solid regions of the lid must be aligned with the vessel pouring regions, which is the non-straining or opened position with no vapor release. If the lid is rotated in either direction, it slides into a locking engagement with the vessel until the desired draining regions of the lid are aligned with the vessel pouring regions. This is the straining or locked position where a desirable degree of steam or liquid and particles can be released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Inventors: Alisa Michnik, Yefim Michnik
  • Publication number: 20110011274
    Abstract: A pressure vessel includes a pot-like receptacle and a lid for placing thereon, the two being detachably locked together and including a circumferential sealing ring made of elastically yielding material which is located in the region of a circular edge of the lid and a circular edge of the pot for the purpose of sealing the interior against a drop in pressure. Sealing lips of the sealing ring come into close contact with the edge of the lid and the edge of the receptacle, in which case, for producing an automatic pressure-control mechanism, the sealing ring is formed over at least one portion of its circumference in such a way that it is deformed, under a pressure inside the vessel which exceeds a given value (response pressure), so as to form a venting gap between the receptacle and the lid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: FISSLER GMBH
    Inventors: Arnold Thelen, Joachim Neef
  • Patent number: 7856923
    Abstract: A fryer is provided where an oil fire caused by overheating is accurately and rapidly extinguished and the oil can then be reused after extinguishing the fire. A housing includes a slide cover capable of sliding between a housing position and a shielding position, wherein the housing position is to open an upper face of an oil vat and the slide cover is housed on the side of the housing, and the shielding position is to close the upper face of the oil vat. When oil catches fire due to overheating, the fire can be extinguished by closing the upper face of the oil vat with the slide cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Paloma Industries, Limited
    Inventors: Tsuneyasu Hayakawa, Hideki Kijimoto
  • Publication number: 20100300303
    Abstract: The invention herein refers to a warning device (1) that has a fixation base (2), substantially cylindrical and located at the surface of a console (6) of the food preparation appliance, which also has a light source compartment (5) that has a source of light (4). A flow control button (3) is associated to this fixation base (2) which is capable of moving angularly around its geometric axis from a maximum heat position to a rest/off position, and which, through the angular movement of the flow control button (3), the light source (4) changes the color of light emitted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2008
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: Whirlpool S.A.
    Inventors: Diego Santos Greff, Alvaro Simöes da Paiva Neto, Luciano Piccini Nothen, Eduardo Kazumi Yamakawa, Itamar Jose Bassanezi Loss
  • Publication number: 20100302556
    Abstract: A system and method for diagnosing a misalignment condition during operation of a continuous oven, which includes a conveyor system conveying and positioning trays carrying panned baked goods within an oven bake chamber defined at least in part by two side panels extending parallel to one another. The system includes an optical sensor arrangement having a transmitter and a receiver disposed along a line of sight, the line of sight extending across a location of the oven bake chamber such that a misaligned tray or mis-positioned utensil moving on the conveyor system disposed within the oven cavity interrupts the line of sight, which in accordance with the method causes the optical sensor system to provide a signal indicative of the misalignment condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: TURKINGTON USA, LLC
    Inventors: BLANE BISHOP, GREG CLARK, TIM HINTERMAN
  • Patent number: 7800022
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cooking device comprising a coupling housing having a detachable vessel with a detachable pulverizing blade, a screen formed on its lateral surface, a handle grip with a coupling point of contact, a sensor and a plate type of a heater on which a plurality of heat bands are installed to adjust the caloric value; a base coupled to the lower part of the coupling housing with a motor and a controller; a coupling part coupled to the handle grip with the coupling groove which has an electric point of contact to be connected the coupling point of contact; and a sensor control circuit having an input circuit to receive electric signals generated from two electrodes, a control circuit to control the operation of electric devices connected to an output circuit with the electric signals from the input circuit, and a safety circuit to check the operation of the control circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Inventor: Hong-Bae Kim
  • Patent number: 7786410
    Abstract: A method of controlling an electric kettle for “dry” burn prevention during heating process, including the steps of: providing a temperature sensor, a microprocessor, and a control circuit; detecting the water temperature; determining the temperature rate change and comparing the temperature rate change with the rate change threshold; and when the temperature rate change is larger than the preset rate change threshold, sending a control signal to the control circuit. The microprocessor determines the temperature rate change and the acceleration rate change that when the temperature rate change and acceleration rate change are larger than the corresponding thresholds respectively, the microprocessor sends the control signal to the control circuit to stop the heating process. Therefore, the present invention accurately determines the increasing temperature of the water and simultaneously cuts off the heating power to prevent the electric kettle from being burnt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Inventors: Mohan Zhang, Yaolun Wang
  • Patent number: 7765918
    Abstract: An oven for heating a product is provided. The oven includes a partially enclosed housing with an inlet opening and an outlet opening and a conveyor to move a product through the housing. The oven additionally includes a steam system for boiling liquid with an associated steam pipe and a heating element provided within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Nu-Vu Food Service Systems
    Inventors: Russell Garniss, Matthew Deming, Najib H. Maalouf
  • Patent number: 7758904
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for slicing of foodstuffs is provided that has a rotatable disc with a radial slot, a knife blade projecting above the rotatable disc, an angled chute for conveying foodstuffs, and an orifice between the chute and the rotatable disc. The orifice has a shape that decreases in width in the direction of rotation of the rotatable disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Chippery, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher A. Smith, Raymond Kenneth Woodey
  • Patent number: 7703385
    Abstract: A pressure cooking appliance arranged to form a cooking chamber and comprising an adjustment device (7) of the pressure inside the chamber, which comprises a steam leakage pipe, said pipe defining a steam inlet section (8) and a flow section (9), wherein the adjustment device (7) comprises setting means (11) of the inlet section (8) and flow section (9), which is mobile between an open position, wherein it sets the inlet section (8) and flow section (9) so as to prevent the pressure applied inside the chamber from rising above a safety pressure and a decompression position, wherein it sets the inlet section (8) and flow section (9) to enable the decompression of the chamber to the safety pressure, without food projection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: SEB S.A.
    Inventors: Marie-Aurore Claire Seurat Guiochet, Jean-Marie Daniel Anota, Eric Chameroy
  • Patent number: 7681655
    Abstract: A fire suppression system for a fryer is provided. The fire suppression system for the fryer may include a reservoir of fire suppression agent, piping connected to the reservoir, and one or more nozzles connected to the piping and configured to direct fire suppression agent into the fry vat when the lid is not in the fully open position (such as when the lid is in the closed/unlocked position). For example, when the lid is closed, a headspace may be created between the fry vat and an interior portion of the lid. When the lid is in the closed and unlocked position (creating an opening into the headspace for venting of the fry vat), the nozzle may be configured external to both the lid and the fry vat so that fire suppression agent is directed through the opening and into headspace of the fry vat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Tyco Fire Products LP
    Inventor: Richard J. Biehl
  • Patent number: 7677164
    Abstract: The subject of this invention is a reactor for food processing in a composite geometrical shape, and a cover screwed in to the upper section, which principle of operation to generate high levels of temperature and pressure will be to utilize hot air supplied by a compressor in series with a heat exchanger, which conducted through 3 inputs designed in position and angle to, in combination with the helicoidally design of the interior and a relief exit, generate a hurricane like effect that maintains the food in constant movement during all the process cycle time. The reactor is equipped with entrance and exit fast action butterfly like valves activated by mechanical actuators and temperature and pressure sensors, all connected in a network and managed by a Programmable Logic Control that monitors the parameters and executes the actions by software.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Inventor: Abel Luis Paredes Urzua
  • Patent number: 7669521
    Abstract: Appliances for cooking food under pressure are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an appliance comprises a vessel and a lid fitted and locked on the vessel in order to form a leaktight cooking enclosure. The appliance further comprises at least one jaw for locking the lid relative to the vessel and a device for driving the at least one jaw between a locking position and an unlocking position. The appliance also includes a module for fitting on and releasably securing to the lid. The module includes at least a device for controlling locking and unlocking of the lid relative to the vessel. Also disclosed are other alternatives applicable to domestic appliances for cooking food under pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: SEB S.A.
    Inventors: Michel Pierre Cartigny, Eric Chameroy
  • Publication number: 20100037782
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a food fryer for frying a food in oil, comprising a heating element, a housing, an oil section, a conveyor section, a food basket, a spinning section with a spinner for spinning said food basket, and wherein the oil section, the conveyor system, and the spinning section are disposed within the housing, and wherein the heating element, the housing, the oil section, the conveyor system, and the spinning section are interoperable to maintain a C of less than 50° C. per minute.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2008
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Applicant: SPINFRY, INC.
    Inventors: Paul Lincoln Foster, Del Moffat Thornack
  • Patent number: 7637206
    Abstract: An appliance for cooking under pressure comprises a lid and a bowl having a side wall, said lid and side wall defining an interstitial space presenting an initial cross section of predetermined initial radial dimension for receiving an annular sealing gasket. The bowl, the lid, and the gasket are designed so that when the pressure inside the vessel reaches a predetermined critical value, the interstitial space presents a predetermined critical radial dimension such that the difference between the initial dimension and the critical dimension is great enough to cause leaktight contact between the gasket and the side wall to be broken. The invention is particularly applicable to domestic pressure cookers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: SEB S.A.
    Inventors: Claire Marie-Aurore Seurat Guiochet, Daniel Jean-Marie Anota
  • Publication number: 20090301311
    Abstract: Appliances for cooking food under pressure are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an appliance comprises a vessel and a lid fitted and locked on the vessel in order to form a leaktight cooking enclosure. The appliance further comprises at least one jaw for locking the lid relative to the vessel and a device for driving the at least one jaw between a locking position and an unlocking position. The appliance also includes a module for fitting on and releasably securing to the lid. The module includes at least a device for controlling locking and unlocking of the lid relative to the vessel. Also disclosed are other alternatives applicable to domestic appliances for cooking food under pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Applicant: SEB S.A.
    Inventors: Michel Pierre Cartigny, Eric Chameroy
  • Patent number: 7624674
    Abstract: A household appliance for cooking under pressure, the appliance being provided with bistable calibrated leakage means suitable for taking up an open position in which the pressure inside the appliance is allowed to increase continuously to above a determined pressure P0, while also allowing air to be bled from the appliance, and a closed position corresponding to an absence of leakage of air to the outside, the open position being sustained until a predetermined pressure value P1 is reached. Rather than being sustained until the predetermined pressure P1 is reached, the open position is sustained for one of a predetermined time interval ?t after P0 is reached, and until a predetermined temperature value T1 is reached. The appliance is provided with at least one closure/opening safety means whose position is sensitive to pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: SEB S.A.
    Inventors: Eric Chameroy, Pascal Roland Clément Murat
  • Publication number: 20090274802
    Abstract: A method for managing cooking programs first comprises selecting, at a point in time (t0), a type of item to be cooked (i), items (j) of the type of item to be cooked (i), and various treatment planes (k) of a cooking compartment that are to be filled at a point in time (t2) with the items (j). Then, each treatment plane (k) is filled at point in time (t2) with the items (j). Then, in dependence on at least the filling of the cooking compartment with items to be cooked at point in time (t2), a first cooking temperature is set at a point in time (t3). Then, a signal for removing the cooked items (j) from the cooking compartment is emitted at a point in time (t4ki) for each treatment plane (k).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2007
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Applicant: LechMetall Landsberg GmbH
    Inventors: Judith Kling, Michael Greiner, Jurgen Klasmeier, Bernhard Schuehler
  • Publication number: 20090229475
    Abstract: A cooking appliance comprising at least one muffle which delimits a cooking chamber and whose muffle aperture is surrounded by a muffle frame, a door for closing the muffle aperture, said door being movable by means of a driving device, and a control circuit for triggering the driving device. The door can be moved only when at least one clearing safety signal is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Ingo Bally, Kerstin Feldmann, Wolfgang Fuchs, Martin Keller, Edmund Kuttalek, Maximilian Neuhauser, Klemens Roch, Wolfgang Schnell, Günter Zschau
  • Publication number: 20090230135
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a round rotating cooking pot. More particularly, the present invention relates to a round rotating cooking pot which enables the user to cook food while moving so that the food that is cooking is separated in the cooking process occasionally from the sidewalls of the pot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Inventor: DAN GHITZA
  • Patent number: 7571675
    Abstract: A knob assembly for a cooking pan lid that includes an improved visual and/or audible indicator of temperature conditions within the pan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Carico International, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Robert Cappadona, Jeffrey Rohrer
  • Patent number: 7569241
    Abstract: A magnetically aligned scraped-surface heat exchanger and method are provided. A stator includes electromagnetic elements, such as solenoids. A rotor, attached to a shaft of the heat exchanger, rotates within the stator. Sensors detect the position of the rotor, such as a radial or an axial position. The position data is provided to the control circuit. When the position of the rotor is to be re-aligned or adjusted, the control circuit activates or de-activates one or more of the solenoids of the stator to alter or complete a magnetic field through the rotor to re-align the rotor and the shaft attached thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: ConAgra Foods RDM, Inc.
    Inventor: Constantine Sandu
  • Patent number: 7565862
    Abstract: Appliances for cooking food under pressure are disclosed herein. According to one embodiment, a cooking appliance comprises a vessel (1), a lid (2), at least one jaw (4) mounted to be moved by a driving device (5), and an opening/closing control device (6, 7, 8). The opening/closing control device (6, 7, 8) includes an intermediate part (7), which comprises a maneuvering device (7A, 7B) and a clutch device (7C, 19). The intermediate part (7) is mounted to turn freely so that the maneuvering device (7A, 7B) co-operates with the driving device (5). The opening/closing control device also includes a main control member (6) comprising a transmission device (6C), the main control member (6) being positioned so that the transmission device (6C) co-operates with the clutch device (7C). The main control member (6) is mounted to move in translation. Other embodiments disclosed herein are also applicable to domestic appliances for cooking food under pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: SEB S.A.
    Inventors: Michel Pierre Cartigny, Eric Chameroy
  • Publication number: 20090120424
    Abstract: A cooking appliance, particularly an elevated-mounted cooking appliance, comprising: at least one muffle, which delimits a cooking compartment and whose muffle opening is surrounded by a muffle frame; a door for closing the muffle opening; a drive device, which is controlled by a control circuit and which serves to displace the door, and; a pinching protection device for identifying a pinching instance. Once a pinching instance has been identified by the pinching protection device, the drive device can be controlled by the control circuit so that a force applied to the door does not exceed a specified force time profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmgH
    Inventors: Ingo Bally, Kerstin Feldmann, Wolfgang Fuchs, Martin Keller, Edmund Kuttalek, Maximilian Neuhauser, Klemens Roch, Wolfgang Schnell, Guenter Zschau
  • Patent number: 7523696
    Abstract: The invention relates to an appliance for cooking under pressure, the appliance comprising: a bowl and a lid; and opening safety means suitable for going between a neutral position, in which they allow the lid to be unlocked, and a blocking position, in which they prevent the lid from being unlocked, said safety means being designed to find themselves in the blocking position when the pressure prevailing inside the vessel is greater than or equal to a predetermined value or “rise pressure”, and/or when the temperature prevailing inside the vessel is greater than or equal to a predetermined value or “rise temperature”; said appliance being further comprising actuating means for actuating the safety means, which actuating means are arranged to make it possible to place the safety means in the blocking position. The invention is applicable to household appliances for cooking under pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: SEB S.A.
    Inventors: Claire Marie-Aurore Seurat Guiochet, Daniel Jean-Marie Anota, Eric Chameroy
  • Patent number: 7516692
    Abstract: Slow cooking over solid fuel in an enclosed barbeque pit is carried out by the use of an electronically controlled impeller which directs a flow of air toward the fuel. The duty cycle of the impeller is controlled by an electronic controller which is responsive to the internal temperature of the food and to the temperature of the pit atmosphere. As the internal temperature of the food increases, the temperature of the pit atmosphere gradually decreases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Therm-Omega-Tech, Inc.
    Inventors: Fred L. Pirkle, Damian Coccio
  • Publication number: 20090084274
    Abstract: A kitchen appliance includes a circuit closer and, a safety lock system which unlocks the circuit closer and permits operation of the kitchen appliance only if the kitchen appliance is properly assembled. The safety lock system includes switches having sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2006
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicant: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgerate GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Kovacic, Marjan Mak, Jurij Pesec, Darko Rudez
  • Patent number: 7506578
    Abstract: A device for slicing the tip from an elongated food product having an elongated housing with a longitudinally extending channel open at one end and closed at its second end. The channel is dimensioned to receive the food product through the first open end of the housing. A plunger assembly is slidably mounted to the housing adjacent the second end of the housing and in the direction transverse to the channel axis. The plunger assembly includes a blade moveable between a retracted position in which the blade is retracted from the channel and an extended position in which the blade extends across the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Inventor: Jimmy Georgopoulos
  • Publication number: 20090071345
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for filling a steam chamber. In one exemplary embodiment, a steam chamber is placed in selective communication with a vacuum pump and a heat transfer medium, such as a source of deaerated water. The steam chamber is then placed in communication with the vacuum pump, which draws a vacuum on the steam chamber and begins removing air from the interior thereof. Once a sufficient vacuum has been drawn on the steam chamber and substantially all of the air removed therefrom, the steam chamber may be placed in communication with the heat transfer medium. In one exemplary embodiment, the heat transfer medium is deaerated water. A predetermined amount of heat transfer medium is then allowed to fill the steam chamber. Once the predetermined amount of deaerated water has been received within the steam chamber, a steam chamber may be sealed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2007
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: ACCUTEMP PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventor: Larry R. Wolf
  • Publication number: 20090064867
    Abstract: A stir cooker (100). Stir cooker (100) comprises a container (102) having an open top and an open bottom for holding food, a lid (104) for closing the open top of container (102), a heated bottom (106) sealingly engaged with the lower end of container (102) for forming a cooking chamber (103), stir means (114) installed inside cooking chamber (103) for stirring food, a heating tube (116) fixedly installed on the bottom of heated bottom (106) for heating food, a stir base (112) disposed underneath cooking chamber (103) for supporting cooking chamber (103), a motor (124) installed inside stir base (112) and removably coupled with stir means (114) for driving stir means (114) to stir food, and an adapting member (110) engaged with the lower portion of container (102) by means of threading for adapting cooking chamber (103) to stand on stir base (112).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2007
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Inventor: Zheng Peng
  • Publication number: 20090064868
    Abstract: The pressure cooker lid (10; 10A), comprises: a support element (12) which, in the manner of a lid, fits onto the outwardly extending upper edge of a cooking receptacle; a plurality of jaws (16) to engage the outwardly extending edge of the receptacle; a mechanism (20; 20A) comprising a coaxial rotatable element (22; 22A), the mechanism enabling the jaws (16) to be controlled by rotating the rotatable element (22; 22A); a handgrip connected directly or indirectly to the support element (12), for manipulating the lid (10; 10A); an operating means (30; 30A) for rotating the rotatable element (22; 22A), comprising a knob (35; 35A) for operation by the user. The movement of the rotatable element (22; 22A) by the action of the operating means (30; 30A) is independent of the handgrip (34), the rotatable element (22; 22A) being free to move relative to the handgrip (34).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2005
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: INOXIA S.R.L.
    Inventor: Andrea Cartossi
  • Patent number: 7487715
    Abstract: The invention concerns a utensil for slow-cook cycles, comprising an annular wall (14) enclosing a cooking vessel (15), and a lid (30), the annular wall and the lid being designed to be arranged on another annular wall (12) pertaining to the steam-cooker. The invention is characterized in that the lid (30) forms with the cooking vessel (15) a sealed cooking chamber (13), the lid (30) comprising at least a vent (31) provided outside the cooking chamber (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: SEB S.A.
    Inventor: Fabrice Rossi
  • Publication number: 20090025567
    Abstract: A cooking appliance having a removable storable lid and having legs which are foldable into at least two positions, one position being an operable position in which legs depend from the appliance and support the appliance above and on a support surface, and the other being a storage position in which the legs fold into a more compact configuration and simultaneously retain the lid to the appliance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2007
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Inventors: Joshua Greenberg, Nicholas Seager, Anatoly Ratsimor
  • Patent number: 7481154
    Abstract: The invention provides a food-cooking basket for pressure cooking in a pressure cooker, the basket being formed by a sheet of rigid material defining a bottom and side walls of the basket. The sheet is provided with perforations that are made through the bottom and through the side walls. The basket is provided with a structure for adjusting the flow rate of steam passing through the basket via the perforations, the structure being associated with the bottom in such a manner as to enable the flow rate of steam through the perforations at least in the bottom to be adjusted. The invention is applicable to appliances for pressure cooking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: SEB S.A.
    Inventors: Marie-Pierre Murat, Ines Birlouez-Aragon, Pascal Roland Clement Murat, Eric Christian Jacques Rhetat
  • Publication number: 20090020020
    Abstract: The invention relates to a domestic pressure cooker (1) at least comprising: a pan (2), a lid (3) designed to be added to the pan, locking/release means of the lid (3), wherein said pressure cooker (1) is characterised in that the locking/release means comprise at least one locking opening fitted through the wall of the pan (2) and one pin with a mobile mounting on the lid (3) between a locked position of the lid (3) where the pin is engaged inside the locking opening and a released position of the lid (3) where the pin is clear of the locking opening, wherein said pressure cooker (1) further comprises a screen (100) attached to the pan (2) to mask said locking opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Applicant: SEB S.A.
    Inventors: Eric Jacques Rhetat, Michel Pierre Cartigny
  • Patent number: 7478585
    Abstract: A cooking device includes: a base unit; a cooking unit including a griddle member having opposite first and second portions and a pivot portion that is disposed between the first and second portions and that is pivoted to the base unit; and an adjusting unit including a rotatable spindle mounted rotatably on the base unit and having a bent end that is connected to the second portion of the griddle member in such a manner that rotation of the spindle relative to the base unit results in pivoting movement of the griddle member relative to the base unit so as to selectively lift and lower the second portion of the griddle member relative to the base unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Tsann Kuen Enterprise Co., Ltd,
    Inventor: Hsin Tsung Wang
  • Patent number: 7475630
    Abstract: A cooking appliance is provided. The cooking appliance has a heating plate with at least one cooking surface, a heater for heating the heating plate, a support structure for supporting the heating plate, and an interface mechanism that, in response to the heating plate being positioned on the support structure in a predetermined position, is actuated to permit heating of the heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Conair Corporation
    Inventors: Howard I. Steinberg, Michelle Carillo, Jill Kreutzer Orent, David J. Wanat
  • Publication number: 20080307976
    Abstract: An electric grill with skewer holders has a first grill plate and a second grill plate for roasting various foods. Each of the first and second grill plates has at least one side wall formed with a plurality of concave portions so that a plurality of skewers skewered with foodstuffs can be positioned in a plurality of holes defined by the concave portions and holding ends of the skewers can be exposed out of the electric grill for preventing the holding ends from being heated by the high temperature in the electric grill and stained with oil leaked from the foodstuffs sandwiched between the grill plates so that the skewers can be conveniently held by hand without burning and staining hands with oil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Inventor: Yu-Yuan Lin
  • Publication number: 20080290092
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cooking vessel (1), particularly a steam pressure cooker, comprising a pot-like container and a lid (3) provided for pressure-tight sealing of the container. The container displays a circumferential, outwardly bent or flanged pot edge. Clamping jaws (6) are provided on the lid (3), which serve as locking segments and can be moved into an open or locked position parallel to the plane of the pot edge (5), where the clamping jaws (6) reach under the pot edge in locked position. The invention is characterised by the fact that the clamping jaws (6) each extend over almost half the circumference of the lid (3) and that the clamping jaws (6) are mounted in a manner permitting pivoting movement about a pivot (12) extending parallel to, and at a distance from, the longitudinal centre line of the container (FIG. 5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Inventors: Mario de Bastos Reis Portugal, Peter Rommerskirchen