Salton, Inc.

Lawrence Lile

Peter E Huggler

The present invention relates to an indicator on a household appliance to alert a user to clean the appliance. For example, the indicator alerts the user when to clean a crumb tray in a toaster.

Methods and systems for alerting a user to clean appliance

A system for determining the status of a food item using time-temperature data. The system includes a method comprising, sensing a number of temperatures associated with a food item, comparing data related to the sensed temperatures with predetermined temperature data, determining the status of the food item based on the comparison, and causing a predetermined action based on the status of the food item. The method may further involve inputting user information corresponding to the food item, which may include type of food, or the desired level of doneness. The system also includes an apparatus for determining the status of a food item. This apparatus may include a sensor for sensing a plurality of temperatures, a means for determining the status of the food item based on the plurality of temperatures, and an indicator for indicating the status of the food item. The determining means may include a microprocessor. The apparatus may further, include a control sensor.

Cooking system for sensing the status of a food item

A device that heats food quickly by using more than one power level during a heating cycle, and a method of toasting including the step of heating a food item at more than one power level during a toasting cycle.

Methods and systems for quickly heating items

The present invention relates to a temperature compensated timer for a heating appliance that heats a food item during a heating cycle. The timer includes a coil having first and second terminals and presenting a resistance between the terminals that is a function of temperature changes of the coil. A timing circuit is coupled to the first and second terminals of the coil. The timing circuit operates to drive a current through the coil to maintain a heating cycle and to generate a delay signal a delay time after the heating cycle is initiated. The delay time has a value that is a function of the resistance of the coil. The delay signal is operable to remove the current from the coil to terminate the heating cycle.

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Columbia, MO, United States of America

Lawrence Lile