Connectionless food steamer with automatic electric steam trap
US6453802B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 25, 2002 |
| Grant date | Sep 24, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 25, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA47J2027/043
- WIPO fieldFurniture, games
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A connectionless steam cooker has an insulated housing that surrounds an internal cooking compartment accessible through a door. A supply of water is held in the compartment and immerses a plate-like heating element mounted at the floor, preferably of the electrical resistance type. A steam outlet located above the maximum water level is in fluid communication with and adjacent an electrically-operated solenoid valve that is normally open to atmosphere. A temperature sensor in close physical proximity to the steam outlet and the solenoid valve closes the solenoid wherein the sensed steam temperature is at or above a set level. The outlet steam is also connected to a pair of water column pressure-responsive microswitches. One microswitch controls power to the heating element. It is set closely, e.g. to cycle between ON and OFF in response to a sensed pressure range of 1 and 3 inches of water W.C.) The second microswitch responds to a higher set pressure (e.g. 9 inches W.C.) indicative of an unsafe over-pressure to open the solenoid valve to vent the steam to atmosphere. The heating element is mounted with a tilt with respect to the horizontal water level. Two heat-sensing elements a…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.