Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090003736 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EVACUATING AND SEALING CONTAINERS - An apparatus and method for creating a vacuum-sealed package comprising the placement of the item to be vacuum packed in a container; sealing the container, placing a portion of the container in contact with a sealable chamber; sealing the chamber, creating holes in the container, evacuating the desired amount of air from the container and creating a seal between the interior of the container and the holes. | 01-01-2009 |
20090007523 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EVACUATING AND SEALING CONTAINERS - An apparatus and method for creating a vacuum-sealed package comprising the placement of the item to be vacuum packed in a container; sealing the container, placing a portion of the container in contact with a sealable chamber; sealing the chamber, creating holes in the container, evacuating the desired amount of air from the container and creating a seal between the interior of the container and the holes. | 01-08-2009 |
20090173924 | HOIST WITH DETACHABLE POWER AND CONTROL UNIT - A hoist is powered by a separate power unit. The hoist unit includes: a motor, a mounting connector, a spool, webbing, auto cut-off and a first portion of a mating electrical connector. The control unit includes a hollow pole, a hook, a second portion of the mating electrical connector, a control switch, electrical circuitry and a battery pack. | 07-09-2009 |
20090249662 | AUTOMATIC STANDBY ELECTRIC CLOTHS IRON - An improved electric clothes iron comprises a water tank, chassis, handle, electrically heated soleplate, and steam chamber. The improvement, in one instance, includes heel and toe lifting pistons which are embedded in the soleplate and driven by an electric motor. A grip sensor in the handle triggers the lift piston motor to operate when the user is no longer gripping the handle. The lifting pistons are quickly retracted if the user grabs the handle again. The heated soleplate can be automatically turned off if the iron is left idle too long. | 10-08-2009 |
20100300919 | RESEALABLE VACUUM CONTAINERS AND SEALING TOOLS - In an aspect of the invention, a resealable vacuum bag is provided that is configured to stand upright when a storage compartment of the resealable vacuum bag is under vacuum. In preferable embodiments of the invention, the resealable vacuum bag includes a sealing member that is configured to seal (or close) the resealable bag prior to the application of vacuum. Vacuum is applied to the storage compartment through a vacuum member in fluid communication with the storage compartment at a vacuum application area of the resealable bag. A filtering member may be provided to prevent fine material (e.g., grains, powders) from entering the vacuum member during the application of vacuum to the storage compartment. In another aspect of the invention, a resealable vacuum bag having one or more filters is provided. In yet another aspect of the invention, a vacuum bag having a spout is provided. | 12-02-2010 |
20110014581 | KILNS FOR PROCESSING CERAMICS AND METHODS FOR USING SUCH KILNS - Kilns for processing ceramics and methods for using such kilns are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a kiln includes an inner body configured to hold one or more ceramic workpieces for processing. The kiln can also include an outer body at least partially surrounding the inner body and spaced apart from the inner body to define an airflow passageway therebetween. The airflow passageway includes an inlet proximate to an upper portion of the outer body and an outlet proximate to a lower portion of the outer body. The kiln can further include an air mover positioned to move air through the airflow passageway from the inlet toward the outlet. In several embodiments, the kiln can additionally include a lid assembly pivotably coupled to the outer body and configured to sealably close against at least the inner body. | 01-20-2011 |
20110220606 | CONTAINER STOPPERS - A stopper is provided for mounting a container and aiding in the application of vacuum to the container. The stopper comprises a visual indicator for indicating when a predetermined level of vacuum has been reached in the container. The bottle stopper comprises one or more ribs for mating with containers having openings of various sizes. | 09-15-2011 |
20110220608 | JAR ADAPTORS - Jar adaptors are provided for mounting jars and aiding in the application of vacuum to the jars. The jar adaptors are configured to mount jars having openings of various sizes. The jar adaptors are configured to mount jars, provide vacuum to the jars, and be subsequently removed from the jars after vacuum has been applied to the jars. Vacuum is maintained in the jars with the aid of a seal formed between the openings of the jars and lids disposed over the openings. | 09-15-2011 |
20120118779 | RETRACTABLE LABEL - A labeling system comprises a wall enclosing a space and a container for holding a retractable label, the container laterally disposed in relation to the space. The retractable label is configured to extend out of and retract into the container. In some embodiments, the wall at least partially defines a container cap. In other embodiments, the wall at least partially defines another container for holding material, such as, e.g., material of medicinal utility. | 05-17-2012 |
20120137898 | METHODS AND DEVICES FOR HEATING FOOD ITEMS - A cooking apparatus is provided comprising a liquid heating unit. The cooking apparatus further includes a top cover and a bottom cover disposed below the top cover, wherein one or both of the top cover and the bottom cover include one or more fluid passages for flowing heating fluid from the liquid heating unit. The cooking apparatus includes a vacuum member that is in fluid communication with a food tray disposed between the top cover and bottom cover. The cooking apparatus further includes a control system configured to direct the removal of one or more gases (e.g., air) from the food tray and circulate heating fluid through the fluid passages for a predetermined period of time. | 06-07-2012 |
20130193021 | RETRACTABLE LABEL - A labeling system comprises a wall enclosing a space and a container for holding retractable label, the container laterally disposed in relation to the space. The retractable label is configured to extend out of and retract into the container. In some embodiments, the wan at least partially defines a container cap. In other embodiments, the wall at least partially defines another container for holding material, such as e.g., material of medicinal utility. | 08-01-2013 |
20130240500 | Apparatus for Cooking Food in an Airtight Bag - A cooking apparatus includes a dual-chamber container with an inner container for holding a food item to be cooked and an outer container for maintaining contact between a temperature-controlled heat transfer liquid and the inner container while the food is being cooked. The dual-chamber container includes an inlet fluid port and outflow fluid port which may be coupled directly to corresponding fluid port connectors on a temperature control unit, or an intervening fluid coupling assembly may convey heat transfer liquid between the control unit and the dual-chamber container. Some control units are adapted to simultaneously control cooking temperature for more than one dual-chamber container. Some dual-chamber containers have a flexible inner container that is separable from an outer container which may be a rigid container or a flexible container. | 09-19-2013 |
20130264333 | Cooking Appliance - An example of a cooking apparatus includes a food vessel with a receptacle for holding food, a stored identity for selecting operating parameters related to the food vessel, for example safe operating limits, a program module adapted to transmit the stored identity, and a base unit adapted to detect the stored identity and control a thermal element according to parameters assigned to the stored identity. The program module may transmit the stored identity to the base unit by mechanical contact or by wired or wireless communication. Another embodiment of the invention comprises a food vessel with an outer housing and an inner receptacle separated from the outer housing by an air gap. A program module with a stored identity may be removably connected to the food vessel in the gap between the inner receptacle and outer housing. | 10-10-2013 |
20140251164 | Food Preparation Appliance - A food preparation apparatus includes a thermal fluid reservoir formed with an internal cavity for holding a thermal transfer fluid. A fluid transfer unit circulates the thermal transfer fluid through the reservoir and through a thermal transfer unit. The thermal fluid reservoir may be formed into a food receptacle with a thermal contact surface for the reservoir coincident with a food contact surface in the receptacle. Alternatively, a food receptacle may be formed separately from the reservoir and may either attach to the thermal contact surface or may be easily removable. Embodiments may selectively heat or cool food in the food receptacle by transferring thermal energy between the thermal transfer fluid and the thermal contact surface. A setpoint temperature is accurately maintained everywhere on the thermal transfer surface to avoid hot spots or cold spots in the food receptacle. | 09-11-2014 |