Patent Application
20050274712
The present disclosure relates to a warming appliance, and more particularly a warming appliance having a factory preset temperature mode wherein an object contained in the appliance is maintained at a predetermined temperature.
Present warmer drawers use multiple/infinite function mechanical controls to control and maintain the food temperatures. These mechanical controls provide many options for setting temperatures for holding and warming food. Temperatures can range from ambient (temperature outside the appliance) to 230 degrees Fahrenheit (F.) and any temperature in between. These multiple/infinite function mechanical controls are inaccurate and have a tendency to dry food out, overheat, have large swings in temperature ranges from set point, which results in over and undershoots. This is partly due to the fact that users set the wrong temperature for holding or warming. These mechanical controls when placed in a warmer drawer do not show the precise temperature number or set point. The interface graphics merely show proof, low, medium or high. Other units may show a number at a location when in fact the user does not know what the inside temperature is without using some other means.
The sensors used to detect the present temperature in the chamber are mostly capillary tubes using expanding gases, liquids, and force transferring to a mechanical snap action switch, causing the switch to close or open. Thus supplying current to, or turning off, current to a heater, such as a cal rod. The response time for these types of controls is slow with the results of the heating of the chamber having overshoots and undershoots in temperature. With the user having the ability to set an infinite number of temperature set points, setting the right temperature can be a problem for the user. If the user sets the temperature too low for the food, the inside cavity chamber cools the food down. The user makes corrections to the temperature setting by increasing the setting to a new set point to which the resulting controller change results in a long lag for the cavity chamber to reach and become stable. This lag in time to reach temperature may result in the user setting to a higher set point. The user may continually change set points because of not being able to reach proper temperature. Such procedure can result in frustration and dislike for the warmer drawer as a result of dried out food, overheated or under heated food.
Present warmer drawers and the sensors used within the standard design of operation causes slow response for temperature corrections, thus causing temperatures to greatly overshoot and undershoot. The resulting temperature ranges and swings with multiple function controls, from the on to off cycling, have a greater tendency to drive moisture out of foods, hold more moisture in the chamber, and overcook food(s). Set points for proofing temperatures are typically provided but most users do not make bread in warmer drawers and do not use this feature. The ability of the user to go to lower temperature and higher temperature points and points in between is rarely used. For the most part user can benefit from a factory preset that is between 160 and 200 degrees F.
Present designs for the heating elements are located on the inside of the drawer enclosure. Located at the bottom of the chamber, with a cal rod used in varying patterns, the rod provides radiant heat. The heat produced rises slowly warming from the bottom to the top. Present designs provide varying temperature levels within the chamber. These differing temperatures cause problems for controlling and maintaining the food temperatures. Start up times to get warm temperatures in the cavity can be long due in part to the cal rod design. These long start(s) up times prevent a user from just turning on and placing food in. Present warmer drawers must have pre-heat up times in order to stabilize the temperature inside the cavity. Also as the temperature and heat are cycled you get large overshoots and undershoots of temperature causing food to dry out faster and with the loss of temperature control for longer periods, poor food holding capability results.
Present designs use mechanical switches for setting the desired temperature. These mechanical switches are inaccurate in their setting and repeatability. They have problems maintaining a set point showing swings in temperature partly due to the design of the warmer drawer and method of heating, but also due to the inaccuracy of the mechanical switches itself. Mechanical control switches have a known issue suffering from hysteresis, which contributes to their inaccuracies in the controllability to obtain and hold a set temperature point or repeat a function. This can be seen if you turn the control switch to the right and stop at a setpoint or turning the same mechanical switch going past the set point and then turning the control to the left stopping at the set point. The result will be a difference in temperature at the same set point. This issue results in a user not being able to obtain the same setpoint every time. If accurate, repeatable temperature(s) control is needed then the use of mechanical control does not deliver. The inaccuracy of the mechanical switch contributes to the large temperature swings inside the chamber of the warmer drawer. This inaccuracy contributes greatly to the radiant temperature problems found in most present warmer drawers with the chamber having overshoot and undershoot problems. Present design mechanical switches thus do not provide the user the ability to come back to present location or temperature(s) when setting up the operation for one operation to the next. The user cannot one day set the proper temperature and then the next day return to that same set point if the controls were moved. Temperature swings as much as 30 degrees or more have been seen.
Present designs are for built-in (used in a cabinet by itself) or built in a cabinet under or over a product such as a cook top, oven, or some other appliance. The warmer drawer can be used in a location all by itself, but in all cases are built into a cabinet or some structural frame, which is not moveable. This limits the warmer drawer from being placed in other areas. This also limits the warmer drawer(s) from being used as a freestanding unit, as in a mobile unit, used under a cabinet, or in areas that do not have a structural frame.
Therefore, there exists a need for a single preset temperature warmer drawer in which accurate heating control of food is accomplished. There exists the need for a fixed method of controlling the operation and setting of temperature in a warmer drawer. There is a further need to accurately apply and control heat to the warmer drawer. There also is a need for a factory preset temperature warning appliance that is portable and can be used outdoors.
There is provided a warming appliance having preset temperature modes. The warming appliance comprises an enclosure having a wall. The enclosure defines an interior space having an opening. A drawer is configured to be reciprocally moved within the interior space. The drawer having a member (wall) configured to close the opening. The heating apparatus is configured to change the temperature inside the drawer. The user interface is associated with the drawer and configured to control the heating apparatus. The temperature control apparatus is coupled to the heating apparatus and user interface. The temperature control apparatus is associated with the enclosure, wherein food stuff and objects contained in the drawer are maintained at a predetermined temperature. Another embodiment of the warming appliance provides the temperature control apparatus including a detector configured to sense the temperature in the drawer. A power circuit electrically connected to the detector, heating element, user interface and energy source. An electronic control device is coupled to the detector and power circuit to control the temperature in the drawer within a predetermined range. The heating apparatus can be mounted in the interior space proximate the drawer or the heating apparatus can be mounted external to the drawer and be in communication with the interior space.
There is also provided a warming drawer associated with a cooking appliance. The cooking appliance is one of a freestanding unit and a built in unit. The warming drawer comprises an enclosure having a wall. The enclosure defines an interior space and having an opening. A drawer is configured to be reciprocally moved within the interior space. The drawer has a member (wall) configured to close the opening. The heating apparatus is configured to change the temperature inside the drawer. The user interface associated with the drawer and configured to control the heating apparatus is provided. A temperature control apparatus is coupled to the heating element and user interface and associated with the enclosure, wherein food stuff and objects contained in the drawer are maintained at a predetermined temperature. Another embodiment provides a temperature control apparatus including a detector configured to sense the temperature in the drawer. A power circuit electrically connected to the detector, heating element, user interface and an energy source. An electronic control device coupled to the detector and power circuit to control the temperature in the drawer within a predetermined range.
Referring to the
A warmer drawer 12 includes a heating apparatus 34, for example a heating element. A cal rod typically is used presently in all warmer drawers. There are alternative heating apparatus 34 or elements that can replace or be added to the standard, single cal rod style. Heating elements 34 for replacement or addition are: cross flow blower with an integrated heating element; convection heater(s); axial fan heaters (having a heating element and a fan); wire heating element(s) may be sheathed; heat plate(s); thermal ceramic heater(s); flexible heater(s) which are also called thin film heating elements. Flexible heaters can be configured into any desired shape. Other types of heating elements 34 are: light(s); inductive heater; heat pump type which can provide heating and cooling; microwave, infrared heaters (IR); electromagnetic; radio frequency; warming liquids; sonic; heat exchanger, gas, and solid fuel products. These heating elements can be placed not only on the bottom of the cavity but also on the walls, on the top, at the front, and in the back of a warmer drawer. The heating element 34 can also be mounted remote from the warming appliance 12 but in communication, for example, a duct 88, with the warming appliance 12. (See
The ability to regulate the electric current to the heating elements 34 such that the power output can be increased or reduced, increasing or decreasing the heat output to the cavity 21 chamber is an advantage. Conventional warming appliance heaters are cycled on and off with the resulting supplied current also being cycled on and off to the heating element with the element delivering full heat when powered on and complete heat off. With the improved method described herein one can determine the needed heat load for the cavity 21 chamber and only supply a given amount of heat. This also can prevent temperature overshoots by quick warm-ups and when almost reaching the fixed set point limiting the amount of energy heat (current) when reaching the fixed set point. This can be done with electronics 66, for example an electronic printed circuit (PC) control board equipped with micro/electronic/electric technology (for example a microprocessor) and in communication with a positive temperature coefficient of resistance (PTC) current/voltage controller. PTC Thermistors (thermally sensitive resistors) are solid state, electronic devices, which detect thermal environmental changes for use in temperature measurement, control and compensation circuitry. Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) thermistors exhibit an increase in electrical resistance when subjected to an increase in body temperature. PTC devices remain in their low resistance state at all temperatures below the switch temperature. When the switch temperature is reached or exceeded, PTC's increase in resistance rapidly thereby limiting current to the heating element circuitry eliminating the overshoot. Once the temperature decreases to a normal operating level, the device resets to its low resistance state providing full load current to the heating element. The dramatic rise in resistance of a PTC Thermistor at the transition temperature makes it an ideal candidate for current limiting applications. For currents below the limiting current, the power being generated in the unit is not sufficient to heat the PTC to its transition temperatures. However, when abnormally high fault currents flow, the resistance of the PTC increases at such a rapid rate that any increase in power dissipation results in a reduction in current. These devices have a resistance temperature characteristic that exhibits a very small negative temperature coefficient until the device reaches a critical temperature for the upper limit or set point of the warmer drawer, which is referred to as the “curie,” switch, or transition temperature. As this critical temperature is approached, the PTC device begins to exhibit a rising positive temperature coefficient of resistance as well as a large increase in resistance. This resistance change can be as much as several orders of magnitude within a temperature span of a few degrees. Thus as the cavity chamber temperature increases from an ambient temperature, the PTC electronic device increases in surface temperature reducing the ability to dissipate heat which results in an increase in resistance resulting in reducing the current to the heating element. This increase in resistance and reducing current also slows down the heat up when coming to the set point. These devices also do not completely stop the flow of current to the heating element, but limit the current. Thus providing and maintaining a steady temperature eliminating on/off swings that other styles provide. This design also provides users with cost savings. You do not have the on/off cycling as present designs, with the overshoots and undershoots, and the full current draw of the heating element, but with this design you only are providing the required current for heating and maintaining.
Such embodiment as described above is an improvement over prior art cycling power on and off in an attempt to control the heat. With the improved method one can determine the needed heat load for the cavity 21 chamber and only supply that amount of power/heat. This also can prevent temperature over shoots by quick warm ups and when almost reaching the fixed set point, limit the amount of energy heat (current) when reaching the fixed set point. The ability to better regulate the electrical current to the heating elements 34 such that the power output can be regulated will improve accuracy, and similarly increase or decrease the heat output to the cavity 21 chamber with greater accuracy. This innovation reduces the user's cost to operate this product. The electronics 66 and sensors 70 can determine the needed heat load for the cavity 21 chamber and only supply that amount of heat to the chamber 20.
The interfacing of the operations and controls with the user is limited to an on/off switch 48. The ability to not display to the user the operations, functions, temperatures and times using electronics and/or mechanical control simplifies the user involvement with the appliance. The factory preset temperature configuration provides accurate control for these operations without excessive user action thereby advancing the ability to cook and hold food.
The user interface 40 can be, for example, membrane switches, piezo electric, padless touch soft switch technology, padless touch digital encoder, infrared frequency dependent, magnetic switches, field effect, charge transfer, hall effect transistor, micro encoder, capacitance, resistance devices any of which can be fitted with decorative overlays, labels, trim as the interface with the user, for providing the on/off function. Such switch or switches can be installed on the warmer drawer 12 flush, recessed or raised and coupled to the electronics 66. The switch 48 can be installed in any plane with the use of electronics controls 66, electromechanical, or mechanical device(s). Electronic controls 66 or mechanical device(s) can be placed on any surface. This can be done to accommodate any design for matching other products. On/off device(s) can be placed on the front of a drawer door providing the user with the fixed operations and functions without having to open up the drawer. The device(s) can be rotated for viewing, fixed in place, or covered to protect the device, but can be viewed without being part of the drawer front or having to open the drawer for viewing. The use of electronics/micro-technology 68 for example a micro-controller, microprocessor, integrated circuits and drivers, PC Board(s), processor, and power circuits, and other electronics can be used in the control of functions, operations, and temperature(s), but are factory preset, having the user limited to just turning the unit on and off, or inputting a set code.
The warming appliance 12 can be provided with an information output device 90. The information output device 90 can be associated with the user interface 40, for example a visual and audio signal or otherwise coupled to the warming appliance 12 to provide user feedback concerning conditions related to the appliance 12 and items inside the cavity 21. The information output device 90 may include a digital display 92 of text, symbols, numbers or the like and may further include an electronic control panel having at least one of: membrane switch, piezo electric, padless touch soft technology, padless touch digital encoder, infrared frequency dependent, magnetic switch, field effect, charge transfer, hall effect transistor, micro encoder, capacitance, resistance devices which can be fitted with decorative overlay, label, or trim as the interface with the user. The information out put device 90 can also be configured with an output display, a rotating display, an LED display, an LCD display, a sliding panel, a retractable display, a removable display, a fixed display, an illuminated display that can be adjusted in color and intensity, a plasma display, a dot matrix display, a vacuum fluorescent display, and a pop up display.
Any size from a small to a large warmer drawer/multi-use drawer 12 can be fitted for use with a fixed operation and an on/off device 48. The overall size, design, look, and feel of a warmer drawer/multi-use drawer 12 can be matched to the size, design, look and feel of any appliance(s) 10 associated with the warmer drawer.
The user interface 40 for on/off 48 can be remotely controlled having the device(s) located not on the product, but in a different location. Remote control can be by wire or by wireless, for example infrared signal, sound and radio frequency controlling the function(s)/operation(s) of a warmer drawer. The use of electronic(s) 66 provides for better control and offers more operations than can be had in a mechanical control but the user only has to turn the appliance on and off. With the flexibility of the electronics, the user can receive better control but the warmer drawer 12 is factory preset and cannot be modified for the function(s)/operation(s) and temperature(s) of the warmer drawer 12.
A warmer drawer 12 configured with factory preset operations, functions, and temperatures, using a blower or fan 84, with or without a heating element attached to the fan 84, secured to the inside of the cavity 21 or remotely but in fluid communication with the appliance 12, to circulate heated air will provide better heat control and response time. With circulating air, hot spots within the cavity 21 are eliminated. Slow moving heated air will not degrade the food hold quality, but will improve on it because you will eliminate the over and undershoots of the temperatures. Improvements on the cavity temperature eliminate the temperature swing differences inside the cavity chamber thus providing better control and not requiring the user to regulate it.
Providing air movement inside the cavity 21 also controls the humidity build-up in the cavity 21. A venting apparatus 80 can also be provided. The venting apparatus 80 is configured to control the temperature and humidity of the cavity 21. A humidity sensor coupled to a PC board or located remotely, used to detect the level of humidity inside the cavity, permitting electronics on a factory preset or the user, to set the amount of humidity that is required to be in the cavity. The electronics coupled with the humidity sensor can provide control for the venting by opening or closing vents and/or turning on or off a fan/blower. An actuator 82 can be coupled to the venting apparatus 80 to selectively open and close the venting apparatus 80. The actuator 82 is selected from a group including a motor, cylinder, biasing member and a bi-metal device. The actuator 80 can also be a screw drive 81, a gear device 83, and a solenoid device 85 coupled to an appropriate controller on the user interface 40. (See
A factory preset warmer drawer 12 can serve, for example, as a multi-use warmer drawer/mini oven, warmer drawer/broiling cavity, mini warmer drawer/oven, multi-use warmer drawer/microwave oven, multi-use warmer drawer/baking oven, and multi-use warmer drawer/steam drawer. Combining the warmer drawer with the other heating or cooking products can reduce appliance space used in a kitchen. The warmer drawer 12, with the electronic control device 66, can be configured to function in a mode selected from a mode group including boiling, broiling, oven, microwave oven, and a combination of at least any two of such modes. Using these dual use/multi-use drawers can save energy due to their small size. A large part of cooking is done with small amounts of food. Having to heat up a large oven takes time and costs more than using a mini warmer drawer oven. This oven/warmer drawer could take the place of a toaster oven saving counter space. When combined with a broiling element you could cook and provide holding capabilities not presently found in any other product. It is contemplated that combining the warming appliance with other types of food cooking products can be of a great benefit to a home kitchen or other location. A factory preset warmer drawer 12 or multi-use drawer can be configured as an independent modular unit having the ability to be placed or integrated into a range or other appliance(s) 10 without being built in. A modular warmer drawer 12 or multi-use drawer can be operated independently from the other appliance 10 it is placed into. One could remove the lower conventional drawer of a free standing range below the oven and install the factory preset warmer drawer 12 modular unit thereby providing added cooking space and food holding capability. This warmer drawer 12 or multi-use drawer would operate independently of the freestanding range 10 having replaced the pull-out drawer below.
A factory preset warmer drawer 12 can be configured to be a mobile pedestal heated chamber with drawers, slides, or doors for cooking and holding food and non-food applications. A heated chamber appliance that is not built into a wall, cabinetry 14, a structural member, or into an immovable island can rest on the floor or on other surfaces and be free standing on its own. The appliance (warmer drawer/multi-use drawer) or its containment can rest upon its own structure 18 by: footpads 15, foot pegs, wheels 13, or casters 16. The structure attachment 18 can be coupled directly to the warmer drawer/multi-use drawer 12 or to a mobile frame. The structure attachment 18 can be removed when not in use or it can be permanently attached. The warmer drawer 12 can be removed and placed on a surface for use and returned to the structure attachment 18 carrier. The structure attachment 18 can be made of wood, metal, or plastic. The attachment structure 18 can couple to the warmer drawer with fasteners, such as clips or bolts, or the like. A mobile heated warmer drawer 12/multi-use drawer can be configured to be portable for indoor or outdoor use/applications or both.
Another embodiment of a factory preset and/or detection warmer drawer 12/multi-use drawer can be configured to be controlled by electronic(s) 66 and equipped with an A/C or D/C electronic temperature sensor(s)/scanner detection(s) 70 located inside the cavity or a chamber 21. The temperature of the cavity or item, for example food stuff FS or a plate, pan or dish, placed into the cavity can be detected accurately and only an on/off switch(s) 48 is required for user interface 40. Any electric, electromechanical, or mechanical sensor(s)/scanner detection(s) 70 can be used for detecting a temperature, resistance (current), or power for the control of the cavity temperature. A warmer drawer 12 having factory presets can be controlled by a fixed temperature thermostat, thermal-disk, thermal protector, infrared sensor, thermal cutoff, or electronics, electromechanical, or mechanical temperature controller/sensor detector 70. A warming drawer 12 can be configured to detect items placed inside the cavity, sense the temperature of the item, and then set temperature(s) for maintaining a required temperature based on the sensed reading of item temperature with the electronics correlating temperature to a factory preset electronic logic table, as part of the PC board electronics, as to what the proper temperature set point should be set inside the cavity and controlling/maintaining to this set point. This ability to detect and control temperature can be done by electronic 66 or electro-mechanical, or by mechanical controls. The heating element(s) 34 is electronically, electro-mechanically or mechanically connected to a temperature-sensing device 70 and is A/C or D/C powered 64 in accordance with requirements for the unit. With factory selected settings, preset settings of the electronic, electromechanical, or mechanical control(s) are needed to maintain the desired temperature(s) within the chamber as sensed by the temperature-sensing/detecting device(s) within a predetermined desired range of operating temperature(s) or set point(s). A user interface 40 may include a plurality of food type designators 42, with each designator assigned a predetermined temperature stored in the electronic control device 66. The electronic control device 66 can be a PC board having electronics mounted on it, for example a microprocessor 68 which receives signals from the various sensors 70 and sends signals to the power circuit 62 of the heating element 34 and related equipment, such as a fan 84.
The sensor 70 can be mounted on an electronic board or it can be attached directly to any wall or location in which detection of the item and cavity temperature can be made. Electronic sensing is far more accurate and faster in sensing temperatures than the mechanical types. It is also apparent that other electronic, electromechanical, or mechanical sensor(s) such as a disc thermostat can be used with electronic control(s) at different locations to provide better response and result in better food holding capabilities.
Another embodiment of a factory preset and/or detection warmer drawer 12/multi-use drawer as configured for outdoor locations. The warmer drawer 12/multi-use drawer having only an on/off switch 48 for control of drawer 12 minimizes problems of exposure. With the use of a remote control unit 75, for example infrared and radio frequency, electronic controls can be used and provide remote operations when used outdoors thus reducing the effects for some of the environment on the controls. Enclosed electronic(s), mechanical switch(s) and control(s) will not be subject to environmental conditions as are exposed mechanical controls and switches. Having factory preset functions and controls located inside or adjacent to the cavity chamber 21 of the warmer 12 drawer will improve appearance and minimize maintenance. This will also provide better extreme temperature and weather resistance and prevent mechanical moving parts from failure as well as electronic(s). The remote control unit 75 can be configured to removably couple to the warming appliance 12, for example using a pin 76 and clip 77 mechanism. (See
Another embodiment of the warmer drawer 12/multi-use drawer includes a light 50 to illuminate the drawer cavity 21 when the drawer 12 is opened or when a switch 46 is activated. The switch 46 can be mechanical (See
Another embodiment of a warmer drawer 12/multi-use drawer provides a drawer actuator 33 coupled to the drawer 12 that can move the drawer 12 from one position to another position, for example, to move the drawer in and out of the interior space of the enclosures 20. The drawer actuator 33 can be mechanically or electronically controlled, for example by an electronic motor or a fluid cylinder. The drawer actuator 33 can be controlled by a signal device, for example, a voice activated switch or by an electromagnetic signal, for example, a radio frequency or infrared frequency signal from a hand-held controller. The drawer 12 can also be activated by touching the drawer door, braking a beam, interrupting a signal, or having a feedback signal to a sensor/detect with no hand held control or having contact with the drawer. The drawer 12 can also be configured to be non-moving but access to the drawer 12 is provided by moving the member (wall) 32 configured to close the opening 22 in the enclosure 20 containing the drawer 30. The member (wall) 32 can be coupled to the drawer actuator 33 to move the member (wall) 32 as described for the drawer 12 immediately above.
Another embodiment of a warmer drawer 12/multi-use drawer is configured for use with factory preset: Programmed set point(s), Programmed set time(s), and Programmed set operation(s) as well as preset of time(s) both on and off for users. Timed off control can be provided if the user requires the ability to control the off time of the drawer 12. Off time(s) can be preset by the factory for the end user. The advantage of using factory preset(s) is to have the warmer drawer/multi-use drawer 12 control these functions rather than a user, thereby minimizing user error in not setting to the proper settings or knowing what the proper setting should be. Factory preset can have one, two or more functions, operations, set point(s) with limitless programming for control of these items without user interface. Factory preset can have different functions or operations and having more than one entered into the electronic(s), electromechanical(s), mechanical control without user interface.
Another embodiment of a warming appliance 12 includes a timing device 44 on the electronic(s) display 40. This can be changed to permit other programmable information to be displayed. Another embodiment of a warming appliance 12 includes a depository 86 for fragrant gases/liquid/solid substances in gaseous communication with the drawer 30.
A microprocessor is a computer processor on a microchip. It is sometimes called a logic chip or CPU (central processing unit). A microprocessor is designed to perform arithmetic and logic operations that make use of small number holding areas called registers. Typical microprocessor operations include adding, subtracting, comparing two numbers, and fetching numbers from one area to another. These operations are the result of a set of instructions that are part of the microprocessor design. When a warmer drawer is turned on, the microprocessor is designed to get the first instruction from basic input/output system. The control unit of a microprocessor directs the operation of the other units by providing timing and control signals. It is the function of the microprocessor to execute programs, which are stored in memory in the form of instructions and data. The words fetch and execute are used to describe the actions of the control unit. It fetches an instruction by sending an address and a read command at a memory unit. The instruction at the memory address is transferred to the control unit for decoding. It then generates the necessary signals to execute the instruction. In order to function, a microprocessor requires a power supply, clock and memory. Microprocessors are responsible for interpreting instructions gathered from input devices and transmitting the results to output devices. The prime use of a microprocessor is to read data, perform extensive calculations on that data and store those calculations in a mass storage device or displays the results for human eye with the use of support electronics. The motherboard or main board stands for the card or PC board in the warmer drawer that controls almost all the other peripherals. Thus Microprocessor or CPU (central processing unit) can either mean the physical chip mounted on a motherboard, or it can mean the core within the chip. The microprocessor is a functional component, which provided instructions for executing (add, subtract, shift, fetch, etc.) as part of a complete electronic circuit that consists of other parts.
For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” means the joining of two components (electrical, electromechanical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two components or the two components and any additional member being attached to one another. Such joining may be permanent in nature or alternatively may be removable or releasable in nature.
Thus, there is provided several exemplary embodiments of a factory preset warming appliance/warming drawer/multi-use drawer 12 having preset temperature modes.
This application is an application claiming the benefit under 35 USC 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application 60/579,469, filed Jun. 14, 2004, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60579469 | Jun 2004 | US |
