Fluid warmer with switch assembly
First Claim
1. A fluid warmer comprising:
- a support surface;
a heating element configured to selectively heat the support surface; and
a switch assembly extending through the support surface, the switch assembly including a switch having at least two states, one of the at least two states indicating a presence of an item on the support surface and further including a movable switch plate operably linked to the switch to move the switch between the at least two states, the movable switch plate including a contact surface that contacts an item placed on the support surface; and
a temperature sensor attached to and in thermal communication with the movable switch plate;
wherein the movable switch plate comprises a material having a thermal conductivity that permits the temperature sensor embedded in the switch plate to measure a temperature of an item placed on the support surface within a predetermined period of time.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A fluid warmer is disclosed. The fluid warmer includes a support surface, a heating element configured to selectively heat the support surface, and a switch assembly extending through the support surface. The switch assembly includes a switch, a movable switch plate, and a thermocouple. The switch has at least two states, one of which indicates the presence of an item on the support surface. The movable switch plate operably links to the switch to move the switch between the states and further includes a contact surface that contacts an item placed on the support surface. One or more thermocouples are embedded in the movable switch plate below the contact surface. The movable switch plate comprises a material having a thermal conductivity that permits the thermocouple(s) embedded in the switch plate to measure a temperature of an item placed on the support surface within a predetermined period of time.
54 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A fluid warmer comprising:
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a support surface; a heating element configured to selectively heat the support surface; and a switch assembly extending through the support surface, the switch assembly including a switch having at least two states, one of the at least two states indicating a presence of an item on the support surface and further including a movable switch plate operably linked to the switch to move the switch between the at least two states, the movable switch plate including a contact surface that contacts an item placed on the support surface; and a temperature sensor attached to and in thermal communication with the movable switch plate; wherein the movable switch plate comprises a material having a thermal conductivity that permits the temperature sensor embedded in the switch plate to measure a temperature of an item placed on the support surface within a predetermined period of time. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification