Patent ID: 6298772
Filing Date: 2001-10-09
Classification: A47J

Abstract:
A toaster for heating consumable products, the toaster comprising:a housing defining at least one slot;a heating element for heating products in the slot;a solenoid;a switch for connection to a power source, the switch being electrically connected to the heating element and the solenoid for energizing and de-energizing the heating element and for energizing and de-energizing the solenoid;a ferromagnetic armature moveable between an engaged position adjacent to the solenoid and closing the switch and a disengaged position away from the solenoid and opening the switch, the armature having a lateral catch extending therefrom and an inclined surface;a biasing member biasing the armature toward the disengaged position;a displacement assembly including a product lifter configured to support a consumable product within the slot for heating by the heating element, the displacement assembly being movable from an up position through an intermediate, heating position to a down position and including a lateral catch receiver for receiving the lateral catch when the armature is in the engaged position to thereby retain the displacement assembly in the intermediate, heating position when the displacement assembly moves from the down position toward the up position, the displacement assembly also including an armature actuator which engages the inclined surface of the armature as the displacement assembly moves from the up position to the down position, the interaction of the armature actuator and the inclined surface causing displacement of the armature from the disengaged position to the engaged position to close the switch and energize the heating element and the solenoid for retaining the armature in the engaged position;a resilient member for biasing the displacement assembly toward the up position; anda timer for de-energizing the solenoid upon completion of heating of the consumable product, the de-energization of the solenoid releasing the armature to return the armature to the disengaged position, thus opening the switch and causing de-energization of the heating element independently of the displacement assembly returning to the up position.