Warming apparatus
First Claim
1. A warmer drawer, comprising:
- an enclosure defining a chamber and having an opening;
a movable portion configured to be reciprocally moved within the chamber;
a heating element configured to provide heat to the chamber;
a user interface configured to receive input from a user for controlling operation of the warmer drawer;
an IR scanning sensor to provide a signal representative of a temperature of an object in the chamber;
and an electronic control system interfacing with the heating element, and the user interface and the sensor and operable to control a supply of electrical power in a continuous and regulated manner to the heating element during operation of the warmer drawer;
wherein the IR scanning sensor collects energy radiated from the object and generates an electrical signal, and wherein the electronic control system receives the signal from the IR scanning sensor and adjusts the heat from the heating element, and wherein the electronic control system receives the signal from the IR scanning sensor and compensates for the ambient temperature and emissivity within a fraction of a second after a user places the object into the chamber.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An electronically controlled warmer drawer includes an enclosure having sides and a top and a bottom defining a chamber. A movable holder is coupled to the enclosure for movement between a retracted position to support objects within the chamber and an extended position external to the chamber to permit access to the objects by a user. A heating system operates to heat the chamber and a ventilation system operates to move air through the chamber. A user interface with multiple inputs controls a temperature within the chamber. A detection system detects a condition within the chamber and provide a signal representative of the condition. A display device displays information for perception by a user, and an electronic control system interfaces with the heating system and the ventilation system and the user interface and the detection system and the display device so the objects can be maintained at a desired temperature.
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Citations
50 Claims
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1. A warmer drawer, comprising:
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an enclosure defining a chamber and having an opening; a movable portion configured to be reciprocally moved within the chamber; a heating element configured to provide heat to the chamber; a user interface configured to receive input from a user for controlling operation of the warmer drawer; an IR scanning sensor to provide a signal representative of a temperature of an object in the chamber; and an electronic control system interfacing with the heating element, and the user interface and the sensor and operable to control a supply of electrical power in a continuous and regulated manner to the heating element during operation of the warmer drawer; wherein the IR scanning sensor collects energy radiated from the object and generates an electrical signal, and wherein the electronic control system receives the signal from the IR scanning sensor and adjusts the heat from the heating element, and wherein the electronic control system receives the signal from the IR scanning sensor and compensates for the ambient temperature and emissivity within a fraction of a second after a user places the object into the chamber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A warming apparatus, comprising:
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an enclosure defining a chamber configured to receive one or more objects therein; a heating device communicating with the chamber; a detection system having at least one active IR scanning sensor operable to detect a temperature within the chamber; a user interface configured for interaction with a user and operable to establish a preferred temperature for the chamber; an electronic control system configured to receive a signal from the at least one sensor and the user interface to control the operation of the heating device to actively adjust and maintain the preferred temperature within the chamber; and wherein the IR scanning sensor collects a small amount of energy radiated from the object and generates an electrical signal that is amplified by a precision amplifier, and wherein the electronic control system converts the amplified electrical signal into voltage output by an Analog-to-Digital Converter to compensate for the ambient temperature and emissivity all within a fraction of a second after a user places the object into the chamber. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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43. an electronically controlled multi-use warming appliance, comprising:
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an enclosure defining a chamber configured to receive one or more objects therein; a first heating device communicating with the chamber and a second heating device communicating with the chamber; a detection system having a temperature sensing device communicating with the chamber; a user interface configured for interaction with a user and operable to establish a desired temperature within the chamber; an electronic control system configured to receive a signal from the temperature sensing device and the user interface to control operation of the first heating device and the second heating device; wherein the electronic control system includes at least one of a current regulator and voltage regulators connected to the heating element, and at least one shielding means to shield an integrated circuit, a PC board, a processor, and other electronics; and
wherein the detection system detects the presence and temperature of an object in the chamber within a fraction of a second after a user places the object into the chamber and signals the control system to adjust the temperature via the first and second heating devices. - View Dependent Claims (44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49)
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50. An electronically controlled multi-use warming appliance, comprising:
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an enclosure defining a chamber configured to receive one or more objects therein; a first heating device communicating with the chamber and a second heating device communicating with the chamber; a detection system having a temperature sensing device communicating with the chamber; a user interface configured for interaction with a user and operable to establish a desired temperature within the chamber; an electronic control system that receives a signal from the temperature sensing device and the user interface and that controls operation of the first heating device and the second heating device; wherein the detection system detects the presence and temperature of an object in the chamber within a fraction of a second after a user places the object into the chamber and signals the control system to adjust the temperature via the first and second heating devices.
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Specification