Foods and beverages: apparatus – Cooking – Automatic control
Reexamination Certificate
2000-09-28
2001-05-15
Simone, Timothy F. (Department: 1761)
Foods and beverages: apparatus
Cooking
Automatic control
C099S3290RT, C099S3290RT, C099S337000, C099S385000, C099S389000, C219S521000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06230611
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the general field of electric toasters for domestic use in toasting bread-based foods.
More particularly, the present invention relates to an electric toaster comprising a main frame including:
a toasting compartment associated with one or more electrical resistances;
a bread-carrier carriage mounted to move in the toasting compartment between a high position for bread insertion, and a low position for toasting bread enabling the power circuit for the electrical resistance(s) to be closed, the carriage being held in this position by interaction with an electromagnet; and
electrical safety means for interrupting the electrical power supply to the electrical resistance(s) at the end of the toasting cycle independently of the position of the bread-carrier carriage.
It is known to make an electric toaster with a bread-carrier carriage that is mounted to move in the toasting compartment of the appliance so that when the bread-carrier carriage is in its low, toasting position, it is capable of engaging electrical contact blades either directly or indirectly for the purpose of closing the circuit that powers the electrical resistances of the appliance. In this position, the electromagnet which is usually located at the bottom of the toasting compartment is activated and holds the bread-carrier carriage in its toasting position by means of an armature. Such systems are in widespread use and are generally satisfactory. However, they suffer from a drawback associated with the possibility of the bread-carrier carriage becoming jammed in its low, toasting position, for example because a bread-based article has been inserted that is of dimensions that are much too large compared with the insertion slot of the toaster. In such a situation, at the end of the toasting period, the electromagnet is indeed deactivated, but since the bread-carrier carriage remains blocked and cannot rise, the electrical contacts remain closed so that the electrical resistances continue to be powered. This runs the risk of the bread-based article burning up completely which, after a while, can lead to greater damage.
That is why electrical safety devices have already been envisaged for interrupting the electrical power supply to the electrical toasting resistances at the end of the toasting cycle independently of the position of the bread-carrier carriage, i.e. even when the bread-carrier carriage is jammed in its low, toasting position.
Toasters are thus known which use a piece that is movably mounted on the bread-carrier carriage itself, with such a piece serving as an interface with the electromagnet and enabling the power supply circuit to the electrical resistances to be opened at the end of the toasting cycle by releasing that piece. The interface piece is mounted to move under drive from a spring, and it enables the electrical resistance circuit to be opened even when the bread-carrier carriage remains jammed in the toasting position. Such a system is generally satisfactory, but it does suffer from various drawbacks associated with manufacture and with the displacement accuracy required for the piece in order for it to open the electrical contacts.
Consequently, one of the objects of the invention is to seek to remedy the drawbacks of devices known in the prior art, and to propose a novel electric toaster provided with electric safety means that are particularly simple and low cost to manufacture and assemble, while also being particularly reliable.
Another object of the present invention is to propose a novel electric toaster in which the safety means are particularly reliable, and to make it possible in particular to avoid any possibility of the safety means locking or malfunctioning.
Another object of the present invention is to propose a novel electric toaster in which the safety means are particularly simple to assemble.
Another object of the present invention is to propose a novel electric toaster fitted with safety means that maintain their electrical connection/disconnection properties well over time.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, these and other objects have now been realized by the invention of a toaster comprising a main frame including a toasting compartment including at least one electrical resistance member, a carriage mounted for reciprocation within the toasting compartment between an upper position and a lower position, whereby a product to be toasted can be loaded therein when the carriage is in the upper position and the product can be toasted when the carriage is in the lower position, an electromagnet disposed adjacent to the carriage when the carriage is in the lower position for holding the carriage in the lower position, safety means for interrupting the supply of electricity to the at least one electrical resistance member at the end of a predetermined toasting cycle independent of the position of the carriage, the safety means comprising an assembly independent of the carriage, the assembly movable between an active position and an inactive position, and comprising a lock for locking the carriage in the lower position when the assembly is in the active position and for releasing the carriage from the lower position when the assembly is in the active position, an armature for carrying the lock, the armature mounted adjacent to the electromagnet for engagement with the electromagnet when the assembly is in the active position and for disengagement from the electromagnet when the assembly is in the inactive position, and at least one resilient contact member for establishing electrical contact with the at least one electrical resistance member when the assembly is in the active position and for eliminating the electrical contact with the at least one electrical resistance member when the assembly is in the inactive position. In a preferred embodiment, the assembly includes a protective plate for covering the electromagnet when said assembly is in the active position.
In accordance with one embodiment of the toaster of the present invention, the assembly is mounted at a location with respect to the electromagnet.
In accordance with another embodiment of the toaster of the present invention, the assembly is mounted at a location with respect to the main frame.
In accordance with another embodiment of the toaster of the present invention, the toaster includes an electrical circuit for controlling the at least one electrical resistance member, and a support for the electrical circuit, and the assembly is mounted at a location with respect to the support.
In accordance with another embodiment of the toaster of the present invention, the assembly includes a plate carrying the armature, and the toaster includes an arm projecting from the plate, the arm including the lock, and the plate being pivotable about an axis, the at least one resilient contact member comprising at least one side branch extending from the plate. Preferably, the at least one resilient contact member comprises a pair of resilient contact members comprising a pair of the side branches.
In accordance with another embodiment of the toaster of the present invention, the toaster includes spring blade means mounted on the main frame in juxtaposition with the at least one resilient contact member for providing an electrical connection with the at least one electrical resistance member when engaged by the resilient contact member.
In accordance with another embodiment of the toaster of the present invention, the assembly includes a contact surface facing the electromagnet and the electromagnet includes a contact surface facing the assembly, and the assembly and the electromagnet are mounted at a location with respect to the main frame so that the contact surfaces of the assembly and the electromagnet are substantially horizontal.
In accordance with another embodiment of the toaster of the present invention, the assembly includes a contact surface and the electromagnet includes a contact surface facing the assembly, the assembly and the
Lerner David Littenberg Krumholz & Mentlik LLP
Seb S.A.
Simone Timothy F.
LandOfFree
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