Patent Publication Number: US-2021177207-A1

Title: A toaster

Description:
FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a toaster. 
     The invention has been developed primarily for use as a bread toaster and will be described hereinafter with reference to this application. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use. 
     BACKGROUND 
     During assembly of conventional toasters, a number of design features may be utilised to ensure that the various components of the toaster are securely assembled and to comply with safety requirements. Such design features may be practical from an assembly standpoint, but may not adequately reduce or prevent undesirable airflow through the toasting areas (i.e. the areas in which the foodstuff is cooked). The presence of airflow through the toasting areas impacts on toasting performance by varying the heat transfer to the foodstuff, which may result in uneven or insufficient toasting of the foodstuff. 
     The design features in conventional toasters may also affect the toaster&#39;s capacity to adequately and evenly distribute the heat from the heating elements to the foodstuff. Such design features are also susceptible to the retention of crumbs from the foodstuff, which is undesirable for aesthetic and hygiene reasons. 
     Toasters are also required to comply with strict safety standards. The design features of conventional toasters may not adequately comply with such safety standards whilst also maintaining the structural integrity and toasting performance of the toaster. 
     Toasters are also designed to brown slices of bread quickly and efficiently to a level that is desired by a user. 
     However, known toasting systems may not be able to efficiently and accurately cook all types of bread to the same desired level of the user, as the requirements for toasting different types of bread can vary due to the physical properties of the bread. 
     Further, known toasting systems may not be able to efficiently detect and counteract operation of a toaster where the bread has not been placed correctly within a slot of the toaster, or indeed not placed in the slot at all. 
     Also, known toasting systems may not be able to efficiently and accurately detect when a piece of bread has been toasted to a level desired by a user due to either holes or seeds in the bread interfering with toasting feedback signals. 
     OBJECT OF THE INVENTION 
     It is the object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate at least one of the above disadvantages. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     There is disclosed herein a toaster including: 
     a housing; 
     a pair of opposing food guards located within the housing and defining a toasting cavity for receiving foodstuff to be toasted; 
     a pair of heating elements located within the housing, each heating element being located on a respective side of the pair of food guards, wherein each food guard is spaced from the corresponding heating element by a clearance; and 
     wherein each food guard includes an upwardly-extending portion that extends upwardly to a portion that extends transversely from the upwardly-extending portion so as to extend above the corresponding heating element, the transversely-extending portion of each food guard projecting away from the opposing food guard. 
     The toaster preferably further includes a top cap forming an upper surface of the toaster and including a pair of slots adapted to receive the foodstuff to be toasted, the top cap including portions that each have a horizontal and a vertical direction of extension that converge towards the slots. 
     The top cap preferably has a non-stick and/or ceramic coating. 
     The coating is preferably a dark, non-tarnishing colour. 
     The dark, non-tarnishing colour of the coating preferably has an emissivity of about 0.75 for even heat distribution. 
     The top cap coating preferably has a surface texture to provide an emissivity of about 0.75 for even heat distribution. 
     Each food guard preferably has a ceramic coating adapted to evenly distribute the heat from the heating elements into the toasting area. 
     The food guard coating is preferably a dark, non-tarnishing colour. 
     The dark, non-tarnishing colour of the food guard coating preferably has an emissivity of about 0.75 for even heat distribution. 
     The food guard coating preferably has a surface texture to provide an emissivity of about 0.75 for even heat distribution. 
     The transversely-extending portion of each food guard is preferably curved to extend over the corresponding heating element. 
     A gap is preferably formed between the top cap and the upper portion of each food guard. 
     The gap is preferably less than 3.5 mm in width. 
     The housing preferably includes an outer wall and an inner wall, and the toaster further includes a sensor mounted to the inner wall, the inner wall including an opening to allow the sensor to detect the foodstuff in the toasting cavity. 
     The toaster preferably further includes a pair of heating element brackets mounted at an upper portion of the housing and supported at a lower portion of the housing, each heating element bracket including a downwardly-facing portion adapted to engage and support the corresponding heating element. 
     Each food guard is preferably formed from a thin gauge wire mesh having a mesh gap of less than 5.3 mm. 
     The toaster preferably further includes a pair of end panels, each end panel being located adjacent to a respective end of the food guards, the end panels having a ceramic coating adapted to evenly distribute the heat from the heating elements into the toasting cavity. 
     Each end panel preferably has a non-stick and/or ceramic coating. 
     The coating is preferably a dark, non-tarnishing colour. 
     The dark, non-tarnishing colour of the coating preferably has an emissivity of about 0.75 for even heat distribution. 
     The end panel coating preferably has a surface texture to provide an emissivity of about 0.75 for even heat distribution. 
     Each end panel preferably includes a pair of guide slots, and each food guard includes an upper guide pin to be mounted in the respective guide slots. 
     The guide slots are preferably located above the toasting cavity so as to limit the airflow travelling across the foodstuff. 
     The food guards preferably each include a lower portion providing a pivot point, and the food guards are pivotable about their pivot points between open and closed positions. 
     The food guards are preferably displaceable in a horizontal direction between an open position and a closed position. 
     The toaster of claim  1 , wherein the housing includes an inner wall surrounding the toasting cavity, the inner wall including an upper portion that is angled downwardly toward the slots. 
     There is also further disclosed herein including: 
     a housing; 
     a pair of opposing food guards located within the housing and defining a toasting cavity for receiving foodstuff to be toasted; 
     a pair of opposing heating elements located within the housing, each heating element being located on a respective side of the pair of food guards, wherein each heating element is spaced from the corresponding food guard by a clearance; and 
     a pair of spaced end panels between which the food guards extend; 
     wherein the heating elements are supported adjacent an upper portion of the cavity so as to extend downwardly. 
     Each end panel preferably has a non-stick and/or ceramic coating. 
     The coating is preferably a dark, non-tarnishing colour. 
     The dark, non-tarnishing colour of the coating preferably has an emissivity of about 0.75 for even heat distribution. 
     The end panel coating preferably has a surface texture to provide an emissivity of about 0.75 for even heat distribution. 
     Each food guard preferably has a ceramic coating adapted to evenly distribute the heat from the heating elements into the toasting area. 
     The food guard coating is preferably a dark, non-tarnishing colour. 
     The dark, non-tarnishing colour of the food guard coating preferably has an emissivity of about 0.75 for even heat distribution. 
     The food guard coating preferably has a surface texture to provide an emissivity of about 0.75 for even heat distribution. 
     The toaster preferably further includes a top cap forming an upper surface of the toaster and including a pair of slots adapted to receive the foodstuff to be toasted, the top cap including portions that each have a horizontal and a vertical direction of extension that converge towards the slots. 
     The top cap preferably has a non-stick and/or ceramic coating. 
     The coating is preferably a dark, non-tarnishing colour. 
     The dark, non-tarnishing colour of the coating preferably has an emissivity of about 0.75 for even heat distribution. 
     The top cap coating preferably has a surface texture to provide an emissivity of about 0.75 for even heat distribution. 
     Each end panel preferably includes a pair of guide slots, and each food guard includes an upper guide pin to be mounted in the respective guide slots. 
     The toaster preferably further includes a crumb tray that is removably engaged with a base member of the housing, the crumb tray including a raised portion to engage a recessed portion of the base member so as to correctly orient the crumb tray with respect to the base member. 
     The crumb tray preferably further includes an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface having portions that are angled with respect to the upper surface so as to reflect heat from the heating elements into the toasting cavity. 
     The base member preferably includes an actuation member, and wherein engagement of the crumb tray with the base member forces the actuation member into electrical contact with a switch in the base member, and disengagement of the crumb tray with the base member separates the base member from electrical contact with the switch. 
     Each food guard is preferably spaced from the corresponding heating element by a clearance; and each food guard has an upwardly-extending portion and a portion that extends transversely therefrom so as to extend above the corresponding heating element, the transversely-extending portion of each food guard projecting away from the opposing food guard. 
     The transversely-extending portion of each food guard is preferably curved to extend over the corresponding heating element. 
     The housing preferably includes an outer wall and an inner wall, and the toaster further includes a sensor mounted to the inner wall, the inner wall including an opening to allow the sensor to detect the foodstuff in the toasting cavity. 
     The toaster preferably further includes a pair of heating element brackets mounted at an upper portion of the housing and supported at a lower portion of the housing, each heating element bracket including a downwardly-facing portion adapted to engage and support the corresponding heating element. 
     Each food guard is preferably formed from a thin gauge wire mesh having a mesh gap of less than 5.3 mm. 
     There is further disclosed herein a toaster including: 
     a housing; 
     a pair of opposing food guards located within the housing and defining a toasting area for receiving foodstuff to be toasted; and 
     a pair of heating elements located within the housing, each heating element being located on a respective side of the pair of food guards, wherein each food guard is spaced from the corresponding heating element by a clearance, and each food guard is arranged to extend over the corresponding heating element. 
     There is further disclosed herein a toaster including: 
     a housing having an outer wall and an inner wall; 
     a toasting area within the housing for receiving foodstuff to be toasted; 
     a pair of heating elements, each heating element being located on a respective side of the toasting area; and 
     a sensor mounted to the inner wall, the inner wall including an opening to allow the sensor to detect the foodstuff in the toasting area, the inner wall further including a pair of reflector tabs located on opposing sides of the opening, wherein the reflector tabs are arranged at an angle to reflect heat generated by the heating elements into the toasting area. 
     There is further disclosed herein a toaster including: 
     a housing; 
     a toasting area within the housing for receiving foodstuff to be toasted; 
     a pair of heating element located within the housing, each heating element being located on a respective side of the toasting area; and 
     a pair of heating element brackets mounted at an upper portion of the housing and supported at a lower portion of the housing, each heating element bracket including a downwardly-facing portion adapted to engage and support the corresponding heating element. 
     There is further disclosed herein a toaster including: 
     a housing; 
     a pair of opposing food guards located within the housing and defining a toasting area for receiving foodstuff to be toasted; and 
     a pair of heating elements located within the housing, each heating element being located on a respective side of the pair of food guards, wherein each food guard is formed from a thin gauge wire mesh having a mesh gap of less than 5.3 mm. 
     There is further disclosed herein a toaster including: 
     a housing; 
     a pair of opposing food guards located within the housing and defining a toasting area for receiving foodstuff to be toasted; 
     a pair of heating elements located within the housing, each heating element being located on a respective side of the food guard pair; and 
     a pair of end panels, each end panel being located adjacent to a respective end of the food guards, the end panels having a ceramic coating adapted to evenly distribute the heat from the heating elements into the toasting area. 
     The present disclosure also provides an improved toaster and toaster operations, and in particular, providing improved toasting system for determining a type of bread being toasted to vary the toasting parameters, providing an improved toasting system for detecting when bread is not within a toasting slot that is being heated, or an improved toasting system for determining a position at which to monitor the bread before/while toasting the bread. 
     According to one embodiment, there is provided a toaster comprising at least one optical sensor, at least one toasting slot, at least one heating element for emitting heat in the toasting slot and a processor, wherein the optical sensor is arranged to: emit an optical signal into the toasting slot; sense a reflected optical signal that reflects off a food item when the food item is placed in the toasting slot, and communicate the reflected optical signal to the processor, wherein the processor is arranged to: determine an active shade profile based on the reflected optical signal for the food item, compare the active shade profile with at least one stored shade profile associated with at least one food item type to determine if the active shade profile and the stored shade profile are within a defined threshold, and whereupon the processor determining that the active shade profile and the stored shade profile are within the defined threshold of each other, controlling a heating profile of the heating elements based on the food item type. 
     Preferably, the processor is further arranged to compare a first shade value in the active shade profile at a defined time point with a second shade value in the stored shade profile at the same defined time point to determine if the first shade value and the second shade value are within the defined threshold. 
     Preferably, the processor is further arranged to adjust one or both of the time for toasting the food item and the power being applied to the heating element based on the determination by the processor that the active shade profile and the stored shade profile are within the defined threshold of each other. 
     According to another embodiment, there is provided a method of controlling a toaster comprising the steps of: emitting an optical signal into a toasting slot of the toaster; sensing a reflected optical signal that reflects off a food item when the food item is placed in the toasting slot, and determining an active shade profile based on the reflected optical signal for the food item, comparing the active shade profile with at least one stored shade profile associated with at least one food item type to determine if the active shade profile and the stored shade profile are within a defined threshold, and upon determining that the active shade profile and the stored shade profile are within the defined threshold, controlling a heating profile of the heating elements based on the food item type. 
     Preferably, the method further includes the step of: comparing a first shade value in the active shade profile at a defined time point with a second shade value in the stored shade profile at the same defined time point to determine if the first shade value and the second shade value are within the defined threshold. 
     Preferably, the method further includes the step of adjusting one or both of the time for toasting the food item and the power being applied to the heating elements based on the determination that the active shade profile and the stored shade profile are within the defined threshold of each other. 
     According to another embodiment, there is provided a toaster comprising at least one optical sensor, at least one toasting slot, at least one toasting carriage for inserting a food item into the toasting slot and a processor, wherein the optical sensor is arranged to: emit an optical signal into the toasting slot; sense a reflected optical signal associated with a food item when the toasting carriage is moving the food item within the toasting slot, and communicate the reflected optical signal to the processor, wherein the processor is arranged to: determine an optical profile of the food item based on the reflected optical signal along a region of the food item as it was being inserted, determine an optimal sensing location along the region of the food item that corresponds to an optimal sensing region based on the determined optical profile, and cause the toasting carriage to move to a toasting position that corresponds with the determined optimal sensing location. 
     Preferably, the toaster has a carriage motor arranged to control movement of the toasting carriage, wherein the processor is further arranged to determine the carriage position of the toasting carriage when the toasting carriage is moved within the toasting slot based on operation of the carriage motor, wherein the processor is further arranged to control movement of the toasting carriage to the carriage position that corresponds with the toasting position after determining the optimal sensing location. 
     Preferably, the optical signal sensed by the optical sensor is a light signal generated by the optical sensor that is reflected off the food item. 
     Preferably, the optimal sensing location is determined by the processor by comparing the optical profile with a stored profile that is associated with at least one optimal sensing region. 
     According to another embodiment, there is provided a method of controlling a toaster, the method comprising the steps of: emitting an optical signal into a toasting slot of the toaster; sensing a reflected optical signal associated with a food item when a toasting carriage of the toaster is moving the food item within the toasting slot, determining an optical profile of the food item based on the reflected optical signal along a region of the food item as it was being inserted, determining an optimal sensing location along the region of the food item that corresponds to an optimal sensing region based on the determined optical profile, and causing the toasting carriage to move to a toasting position that corresponds with the determined optimal sensing location. 
     Preferably, the method further includes the steps of determining a carriage position of the toasting carriage when the toasting carriage is moved within the toasting slot based on operation of the carriage motor, and controlling movement of the toasting carriage to the carriage position that corresponds with the toasting position after determining the optimal sensing location. 
     Preferably, the method further includes the step of comparing the optical profile with a stored profile that is associated with at least one optimal sensing region. 
     According to another embodiment, there is provided a toaster comprising at least one optical sensor, at least one toasting slot for receiving a food item and a processor, wherein the optical sensor is arranged to: emit an optical signal into the toasting slot; sense a reflected optical signal associated with the toasting slot, and communicate the reflected optical signal to the processor, wherein the processor is arranged to: determine, based on the reflected optical signal, whether a food item has or has not been inserted in the toasting slot. 
     Preferably, upon a determination that the food item has not been inserted in the toasting slot, the processor is further arranged to execute one or more defined tasks comprising: turn off one or more heating elements associated with the toasting slot; cause a toasting carriage for the toasting slot to rise; output an alarm signal; and shutdown user control of the toaster. 
     According to another embodiment, there is provided a method of controlling a toaster, the method comprising the steps of: emitting an optical signal into a toasting slot of the toaster; sensing a reflected optical signal associated with the toasting slot, determining, based on the reflected optical signal, whether a food item has or has not been inserted within the toasting slot. 
     Preferably, upon a determination that the food item has not been inserted in the toasting slot, the method further includes the steps of executing one or more defined tasks comprising: turning off one or more heating elements associated with the toasting slot; causing a toasting carriage for the toasting slot to rise; outputting an alarm signal; and shutting down user control of the toaster. 
     Other embodiments are also disclosed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Preferred forms of the present invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic sectioned isometric view of a toaster; 
         FIG. 2  is a further schematic sectioned isometric view of the toaster of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic sectioned isometric view of the toaster of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a further schematic sectioned isometric view of the toaster of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged schematic sectioned isometric view of the toaster of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is an enlarged schematic sectioned top view of the toaster of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6A  is an enlarged schematic sectioned top view of the toaster of  FIG. 1  in an alternative configuration; 
         FIG. 7  is a further schematic sectioned isometric view of the toaster of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7A  is a further schematic sectioned isometric view of the toaster of  FIG. 1  in a alternative configuration; 
         FIG. 8  is an enlarged schematic isometric view of a heating element and heating element bracket of the toaster of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a further enlarged schematic isometric view of the heating element and heating element bracket of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic isometric view of the heating element bracket of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a schematic isometric view of an inner chassis assembly of the toaster of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a further schematic isometric view of the inner chassis assembly of  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 12A  is a further schematic isometric view of the inner chassis assembly of  FIG. 11  in an alternative configuration; 
         FIG. 13  is an enlarged schematic isometric view of a silicone curtain and an outer chassis reflector of the toaster of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a further schematic sectioned isometric view of the toaster of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a further schematic sectioned isometric view of the toaster of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 16  is a schematic isometric view of an upper portion of the toaster of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 17  is a further schematic isometric view of an upper portion of the toaster of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 18  is an enlarged schematic isometric view of the toaster of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 19  is an enlarged schematic side view of the toaster of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 20  is a schematic isometric view of a food guard of the toaster of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 21  is a schematic front view of a food guard of the toaster of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 22  is an enlarged schematic front view of the toaster of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 23  is a further enlarged schematic isometric view of the toaster of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 24  is a schematic side view of the toaster of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 25  is a further enlarged schematic isometric view of the toaster of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 26  is a schematic front view of a foodstuff; 
         FIG. 27  is a schematic isometric view of an inner chassis assembly of the toaster of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 28  is an enlarged schematic isometric view of a food carriage assembly of the toaster of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 29  is a further enlarged schematic isometric view of the food carriage assembly of  FIG. 28 ; 
         FIG. 30  is a further enlarged schematic isometric view of the food carriage assembly of  FIG. 28 ; 
         FIG. 31  is a further schematic sectioned isometric view of the toaster of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 32  is an enlarged schematic isometric view of a food guard spring of the toaster of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 33  is a further enlarged schematic isometric view of the food guard spring of  FIG. 32 ; 
         FIG. 34  is a further schematic sectioned isometric view of the toaster of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 35  is an enlarged schematic isometric view of a base member the toaster of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 36  is a further enlarged schematic side view of the toaster of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 37  is a further enlarged schematic side view of the toaster of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 38  is an enlarged schematic top view of an actuation member of the toaster of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 39  is a further enlarged schematic top view of the actuation member of  FIG. 38 ; 
         FIG. 40  is a schematic isometric view of a crumb tray of the toaster of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 41  is a further schematic isometric view of the crumb tray of the toaster of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 42  is a schematic isometric view of an underside of the toaster of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 43  is a further schematic isometric view of the underside of the toaster of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 44  is a schematic front view of a heating element of the toaster of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 45  is a schematic front view of a further heating element of the toaster of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 46  is an enlarged schematic isometric view of the heating element of the toaster of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 47  is a further enlarged schematic isometric view of the heating element of the toaster of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 48  is a further enlarged schematic isometric view of the heating element of the toaster of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 49  is a further enlarged schematic isometric view of the heating element of the toaster of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 50  is a schematic isometric view of the toaster of  FIG. 1  and a food warmer; 
         FIG. 51  is an enlarged schematic front view of the toaster of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 52  is a schematic isometric view of a cord compartment of the toaster of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 53  is a further enlarged schematic front view of the toaster of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 54  is a further schematic isometric view of the cord compartment of the toaster of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 55  is a schematic isometric view of a sensor sub-assembly of the toaster of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 55A  is a schematic isometric view of an alternative configuration of the sensor sub-assembly of  FIG. 55 ; 
         FIG. 56  is a further schematic isometric view of the toaster of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 56A  is a further schematic isometric view of the toaster of  FIG. 1  in an alternative configuration; 
         FIG. 57  is a schematic isometric view of a of the toaster of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 58  is a further enlarged schematic isometric view of the toaster of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 59  is a further enlarged schematic front view of the toaster of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 60 to 62  show various toasters according to other embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 63  shows a circuit block diagram according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 64  shows a cross section of a toaster according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 65  shows shade change profiles for different food types according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 66  shows a process flow diagram according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 67  shows a cross section of a toaster in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 68 to 71  show a toaster carriage lift mechanism in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 72  shows a process flow diagram in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 73  shows a cross section of a toaster in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 74  shows a process flow diagram according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     In  FIGS. 1 to 59  of the accompanying drawings, there is schematically depicted a toaster  10 . The toaster  10  includes a housing  12  having an upper portion  14  and a lower (i.e. base) portion  16 . The toaster  10  further includes a top cap  18  located at the upper portion  14  of the housing  12  and a removable crumb tray  20  located at the lower portion  16  of the housing  12 . The top cap  18  includes a pair of slots  19  through which the foodstuff to be toasted is inserted. The housing  12  includes an interior  22  which houses a number of components for receiving and toasting the foodstuff. For the purpose of this specification, it will be understood that a wide variety of foodstuffs may be cooked in a toaster. Such foodstuffs include sliced breads, bagels, crumpets, and pastries, as well as frozen versions of such foodstuffs. Throughout the specification, the term “foodstuff” will be used to designate all of these unless otherwise specified. 
     The toaster  10  further includes two pairs of food guards located within the interior  22  of the housing  12 . Each pair of food guards includes a first food guard  24   a  and an opposing second food guard  24   b . The spaces between the pair of first and second food guards  24   a  and  24   b  defines the two toasting areas (cavities)  25   a  and  25   b  within which the foodstuff resides during operation of the toaster  10 . It will be understood that the width of each toasting area  25   a ,  25   b  may range from between 20 to 25 mm to accommodate the width of the foodstuff. The width of each toasting area  25   a ,  25   b  also defines the distance that each of the respective food guards  24   a ,  24   b  may displace or pivot between their open and closed positions, as will be described in further detail below. Located between each pair of food guards  24   a ,  24   b  and adjacent the lower portion  16  of the housing  12  is a respective food carriage  26   a ,  26   b . The foodstuff is inserted into the toaster  10  via one of the slots  19  in the top cap  18  and rested on the respective food carriage  26   a ,  26   b , whereby the associated first and second food guards  24   a  and  24   b  hold (and/or align) the foodstuff in place. Each of the food carriages  26   a ,  26   b  are moveable from a first position adjacent to the upper portion  14  of the housing  12  to receive the foodstuff, and a second position adjacent to the lower portion  16  of the housing  12  to toast the foodstuff. The first position of each of the food carriages  26   a  and  26   b  corresponds to the open position of the respective food guards  24   a  and  24   b  and conversely, the second position of each of the food carriages  26   a  and  26   b  correspond to the closed position of the respective food guards  24   a  and  24   b . The movement of each of the food carriages  26   a ,  26   b  between the first and second positions may be manually actuated (e.g. by a user pushing down or pulling up on a lever in the toaster  10 ), or automatically actuated (e.g. by detecting the presence of the foodstuff and enabling an associated motor-driven lift function, as will be described in further detail below). It is envisaged that the movement of each of the food carriages  26   a ,  26   b  may also be automatically actuated by way a user actuating an electronic/electrical button on the toaster  10 . It will be understood that the associated motor-driven lift function also allows the food carriages  26   a ,  26   b  to rest at any location between the first and second positions. The toaster  10  further includes a heating element assembly  28  adjacent to each of the food guards  24   a ,  24   b . Accordingly, in the embodiment as shown in the Figures, the toaster includes four heating element assemblies  28 . The toaster  10  also includes a light emitting diode (LED) assembly  30  located within the interior  22  of the housing  12  adjacent the upper portion  14 . 
     The structure and functionality of each individual component of the toaster  10  will now be described in further detail below. 
     Top Cap 
     As best shown in  FIGS. 3 to 5 , the top cap  18  forms the upper surface of the toaster  10  and is adapted to receive the foodstuff to be toasted via the pair of slots  19 . The pair of slots  19  have a generally rectangular cross-sectional shape with slightly rounded/curved corners. Referring to  FIG. 5 , the top cap  18  includes male features  32  located at a lower periphery of the top cap  18 . The male features  32  are generally downwardly-facing and adapted to sealingly engage corresponding female features  34  (e.g. slots) located at an upper periphery of the housing  12 . The corresponding arrangement of the male and female features  32  and  34  allow the top cap  18 , and in particular the slots  19 , to be securely aligned and attached to the housing  12  during assembly without the need for additional fixing tabs, as required during assembly of conventional toasters. The engagement of the male and female features  32  and  34  also creates a seal to reduce the presence of exposed openings between the top cap  18  and the housing  12 , so as to prevent undesirable airflow into the interior  22  of the housing  12  whilst the foodstuff is being toasted. The corresponding arrangement of the male and female features  32  and  34  may also reduce the number of surfaces in the toaster  10  that are susceptible to collection of crumbs from the foodstuff. 
     As best shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the top cap  18  has an upper surface  36  including curved portions  38  that curve inwardly and downwardly towards each of the slots  19 . The curved portions  38  each have a horizontal direction of extension and a vertical direction of extension that converge towards the slots. Referring to  FIGS. 19 and 19A , the curved portions  38  are formed as compound curves with boundaries defined by a height H in the range of between about 10 mm to 20 mm and a width W in the range of between about 30 mm to 45 mm. In a preferred form, the height H is about 15.2 mm and the width W is 37.5 mm so as to define a compound curve having a radius of curvature R of about 24.5 mm. Returning to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the arrangement of the curved portions  38  may at least reduce or eliminate horizontal portions on the upper surface  36  of the top cap  18  so as to prevent crumbs from the foodstuff being collected on the top cap  18 . The curved portions  38  direct the crumbs to fall or roll into the toasting areas  25   a ,  25   b  via the slots  19  and onto the crumb tray  20 . In preferred forms, the upper surface  36  of the top cap  18 , including the curved portions  38 , has a non-stick and/or ceramic coating to prevent crumbs from resting and sticking onto the upper surface  36  of the top cap  18 . The non-stick and/or ceramic coating is preferably a dark (e.g. black), non-tarnishing colour to reduce the appearance of imperfections on the top cap  18 . It will be appreciated that the dark (e.g. black) colour of the non-stick coating has a suitable emissivity range for even heat distribution. In a preferred form, the non-stick and/or ceramic coating is a dark colour having an emissivity of less than about 0.75. The surface texture of the coating may also be tuned, depending on the shade of the dark coating, so as to ensure that the emissivity does not drop below 0.75. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , the top cap  18  also has a lower surface  40  including an angled portion  42  to reflect light that shines upwardly from the LED assembly  30  (e.g. in the direction  43 ) and out of the toaster  10  through a gap or vent  44  between the top cap  18  and the housing  12 . It is envisaged that the angle of the angled portion  42  relative to the upper surface  36  of the top cap  18  is between about 30 to 70 degrees. In a preferred form, the angle is about 50 degrees. 
     Housing 
     As best shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the housing  12  forms the main body of the toaster  12  and includes an outer wall  46  forming the outer chassis of the housing  12  and an inner chassis assembly  47  having an inner wall  48  surrounding the toasting area  25   a ,  25   b . The inner wall  48  includes openings  50  to allow sensors  52  to detect the foodstuff. As will be discussed in further detail below, the sensors  52  are configured to detect the physical characteristics of the surface of the foodstuff to determine an optimal toasting area. When the optimal toasting area is found, the sensors  52  send a signal to an associated processor, which enables the associated motor to adjust the height of the food carriages  26   a ,  26   b  accordingly. Each sensor  52  is also configured to detect the presence or absence of the foodstuff in the toasting areas  25   a  and  25   b . If no foodstuff is detected, the sensor  52  send a signal to the associated processor, which enables the associated motor to return associated food carriage  26   a ,  26   b  to the first position. A pair of reflector tabs  54  is located on either side of each opening  50  and adapted to reflect heat from the heating element assembly  28  back in the toasting areas  25   a ,  25   b . The arrangement of the reflector tabs  54  may at least reduce the amount of heat lost through the openings  50  which may otherwise result in uneven toasting of the foodstuff. It is envisaged that the amount of heat reflected may be adjusted by modifying the length or angle of the tabs  54 , or by introducing perforations into the tabs  54 . In a preferred form, the angle of the tabs  54  relative to the surface of the inner wall  48  is between about 5 to 45 degrees. It is also envisaged that the maximum length of the tabs  54  may the width of the respective opening  50 . 
     In the alternative embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 6A and 7A , the reflector tabs  54  are removed. 
     As best shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , each heating element assembly  28  of the toaster  10  is mounted in the housing  12  by way of a heating element bracket  56  located in the inner chassis assembly  47  and adjacent to the upper portion  14  of the housing  12 . Each heating element bracket  56  includes a downwardly facing portion  57  adapted to clamp and support the heating element assembly  28 . As discussed above, it will be understood that the toaster  10  includes a pair of heating element assemblies  28  located on either side of each toasting area  25   a  and  25   b , such that the toaster  10  includes a total of four heating element assemblies  28 . The heating element bracket  56  includes tabs  58  to engage corresponding apertures in the inner chassis assembly  47  to aid in the assembly of the inner chassis assembly  47  and increase the structural integrity of the inner chassis assembly  47 . The arrangement of the heating element bracket  56  may at least remove the need to use a bottom plate to secure the heating element assembly  28  in the inner chassis assembly  47  as with conventional toasters, thereby reducing upward-facing surfaces from the bottom of the inner chassis assembly  47  that may be susceptible to crumb collection. 
     As best shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the two element card brackets  56  located at the centre of the toaster  10  includes a pair of cutouts  60 . The cutouts  60  on the two element card brackets  56  have an overlapping configuration such that the thermal mass of the toaster  10  may be reduced. It will be understood by a person skilled in the art that thermal mass affects the overall toasting time and as such, the higher the thermal mass, the slower the toasting time. 
     It will be understood that guide slots  66   a ,  66   b  in the inner chassis assembly  47  are required for the movement of the food carriages  26   a ,  26   b  between the first and second positions. As best shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13 , the toaster  10  includes an outer chassis reflector  62  upon which a silicone curtain  64  is attached. The silicone curtain  64  is adapted to provide a seal for airflow travelling through the guide slots  66   a ,  66   b . The arrangement of the silicone curtain  64  may therefore reduce the amount of undesirable airflow through the toasting areas  25   a ,  25   b . As best shown in  FIG. 13 , the outer chassis reflector  62  and the attached silicone curtain  64  are offset by a distance  68  away from the toasting area  25   a ,  25   b  so as to reduce the amount of heat being transferred to the silicone curtain  64 . 
     In the alternative embodiment as shown in  FIG. 12A , the inner wall  48  of the inner chassis assembly  47  includes a dogbone-shaped structure  69  upon which the sensor  52  may be mounted. 
     As best shown in  FIG. 14 , the inner wall  48  of the inner chassis assembly  47  includes angled portions  70  which encourage crumbs to fall or roll onto the crumb tray  20 . The arrangement of the angled portions  70  may at least reduce the number of horizontal surfaces in the inner chassis assembly  47  which may be susceptible to crumb collection. It will be appreciated that the angle of the angled portions  70  relative to the major surfaces of the inner wall  48  may at least provide a sufficient decline for the crumbs top fall or roll onto the crumb tray  20 . In preferred forms, the angle of the angled portions  70  ranges from between about 1.0 to 89.0 degrees. 
     It will be understood by a person skilled in the art that conventional toaster chassis end panels are typically made from steel (e.g. stainless steel, galvanised or aluminium coated), which is good at reflecting heat. The high heat that is reflected from the conventional toaster chassis end panels may result in uneven toasting of the foodstuff. If too much heat is reflected onto the foodstuff, the periphery of the foodstuff (which tends to be slightly dryer) will toast faster than the inner areas of the foodstuff, thereby resulting in uneven toasting. As best shown in FIG.  15 , the inner wall  48  of the inner chassis assembly  47  includes a pair of end panels  72  adjacent to a respective end of the food guards  24   a ,  24   b . The pair of end panels  72  secures the heating element brackets  56  in place within the inner chassis assembly  47 , whereby the heating element brackets  56  are located at an upper portion of the end panels  72 . The tabs  58  of the heating element brackets  56  engage corresponding apertures in the respective end panel  72 . In preferred forms, each of the end panels  72  has a ceramic coating to reduce the amount of heat reflected onto the periphery of the foodstuff. An example of a suitable ceramic coating includes Cerasol, which has high temperature resistance, food grade rating and suitable colour range. The ceramic coating is preferably a dark (e.g. black) colour having a suitable emissivity range for even heat radiation. It would therefore be appreciated that the ceramic coating on each of the end panels  72  may at least provide an even heating environment (i.e. by distributing heat evenly) to at least maintain an appropriate level of heating performance of the toaster  10 . In a preferred form, the non-stick and/or ceramic coating is a dark colour having an emissivity of less than about 0.75. The surface texture of the coating may also be tuned, depending on the shade of the dark coating, so as to ensure that the emissivity does not drop below 0.75. 
     Food Guards 
       FIG. 16  shows the pair of food guards in an open position, in which there is a sufficient gap between each of the opposing food guards  24   a  and  24   b  to receive the foodstuff.  FIG. 17  shows the pair of food guards in a closed position, whereby each of the opposing food guards  24   a  and  24   b  are moved towards each other in an inward direction along the respective opposing guide slots  74   a  and  74   b . As best shown in  FIG. 18 , the food guards  24   a  and  24   b  have respective upper portions  75   a  and  75   b  which are supported by respective upper guard pins  76   a  and  76   b . Referring to  FIGS. 19 and 20 , for example, each food guard  24   a  and  24   b  also includes a respective upwardly-extending portion  75   c  and  75   d , whereby the respective upper portions  75   a  and  75   b  each extend transversely therefrom so as to extend above the corresponding heating element assembly  28 . In the depicted embodiment, the guide slots  74   a  and  74   b  are located in a horizontal orientation on each end panel  72 , and are adapted to hold and guide the respective upper guard pins  76   a  and  76   b . It is envisaged that the guide slots  74   a  and  74   b  may alternatively have a slightly curved/arched orientation to accommodate the movement of the food guards  24   a  and  24  in a lower pivoting mode, as described in further detail below. The movement of the upper guard pins  76   a  and  76   b  in the respective directions  77   a  and  77   b  facilitates the movement of the food guards  24   a ,  24   b  between the open and closed positions. 
       FIG. 19  shows the direction of movement  78   a  and  78   b  of the respective food guards  24   a  and  24   b  between the open and closed positions.  FIG. 19  also shows that the upper portions  75   a  and  75   b  of the respective food guards  24   a  and  24   b  are arranged to curve over the top of the heating element assemblies  28  so as to limit access to the heating element assemblies  28  by a user&#39;s finger. It will be appreciated that in the closed position, a gap  80  between the upper portions  75   a  and  75   b  of the respective food guard  24   a  and  24   b  and the lower surface  40  of the top cap  18  is within a safe limit in accordance with safety compliance requirements. In the preferred form, the gap  80  is no more than about 3.5 mm in width. In the closed position, the food guards  24   a  and  24   b  are also horizontally overlapping with the top cap  18 . Also shown in  FIG. 19  is a test probe  82  (which simulates access to hazardous parts, e.g. to the heating element assemblies  28 , by children of more than 36 months and less than 14 years old) which has a larger end diameter than the gap  80 . It will be appreciated that the size of the gap  80  is maintained at least by the arrangement (e.g. length and direction) of the horizontally-oriented guide slots  74   a  and  74   b  which guide the movement of the respective upper guide pins  76   a  and  76   b . It will also be appreciated that each of the food guards  24   a  and  24   b  are spaced apart from the heating element assemblies  28  to form a gap or clearance  81  to reduce the likelihood of a user&#39;s finger contacting the heating element assemblies  28 . 
       FIGS. 20 and 21  show the food guard  24   a ,  24   b  in isolation. It will be appreciated that the food guard  24   a ,  24   b  is formed from a thin gauge wire mesh having a mesh gap  84  (e.g. the space between the horizontally-oriented wires or the vertically-oriented wires) of no more than about 12.1 mm to prevent access by a user&#39;s finger. In a preferred form, the space between the horizontally-oriented wires or the vertically-oriented wires is no more than about 5.3 mm. It will be understood that the end diameter of the test probe  82  described above is larger than the mesh gap  84 . It will be appreciated that the thin gauge wires forming the mesh of the food guard  24   a ,  24   b  have sufficient stiffness to resist deformation when a force is applied to the food guard  24   a ,  24   b , e.g. by a user&#39;s finger. It will also be appreciated that the use of thin gauge wire to form the food guards  24   a ,  24   b  may at least spread out the thermal mass of the food guards  24   a ,  24   b  and allow the heat to be distributed evenly to the foodstuff. 
     As best shown in  FIGS. 22 and 23 , it will be understood that the opposing guide slots  74   a  and  74   b  are located above the respective toasting areas  25   a  and  25   b  so as to limit the amount of airflow traveling across the foodstuff  86 . As discussed above, airflow through the toasting areas  24   a  and  25   b  is undesirable as it impacts on toasting performance by varying the heat transfer to the foodstuff  86 , which may result in uneven or insufficient toasting. 
       FIG. 24  shows an embodiment in which the food guards  24   a  and  24   b  are configured to move in one of two modes: a lower pivoting mode  88  or a horizontal displacement mode  90 . The movement of the food guards  24   a  and  24   b  is caused by the manual or automatic actuation of the food carriages  26   a ,  26   b  between the first and second positions. The mechanism which allows the movement of the food guards  24   a ,  24   b  will be explained in further detail below (see ‘Food Guard Springs and Earth Spring’ section). In both modes  88  and  90 , the food guards  24   a  and  24   b  are adapted to centre the foodstuff  86  in a vertical orientation in the toasting area  25   a ,  25   b . In the lower pivoting mode  88 , the upper portions  75   a  and  75   b  of the respective opposing food guards  24   a  and  24   b  move towards and away from each other in respective pivoting directions  92   a  and  92   b , whereby the pivot point of the food guards  24   a  and  24   b  is located at the respective lower guard pins  94   a  and  94   b . Accordingly, it will be understood that in this lower pivoting mode  88 , the food guards  24   a  and  24   b  are pivoted between the open and closed positions, whereby in the closed position, the food guards  24   a  and  24   b  contact an upper region of the foodstuff  86  such that the foodstuff  86  is held and/or aligned at the centre of the toasting area  25   a . In the horizontal displacement mode  90 , the food guards  24   a  and  24   b  move towards and away from each other in respective horizontal directions  96   a  and  96   b . Accordingly, in this horizontal displacement mode  90 , the food guards  24   a  and  24   b  are horizontally displaced between the open and closed positions, whereby in the closed position, the vertical face of each food guard  24   a  and  24   b  is in contact with the foodstuff  86 , and the foodstuff  86  is centred in a vertical orientation in the toasting area  25   b . In this horizontal displacement mode  90 , the vertical face of each food guard  24   a  and  24   b  is also substantially parallel with the vertical face of the inner wall  48 . In this horizontal displacement mode  90 , the food guards  24   a  and  24   b  have respective lower portions  98   a  and  98   b  which are supported by the respective lower guard pins  94   a  and  94   b . In this horizontal displacement mode  90 , the lower guard pins  94   a  and  94   b  are located in respective horizontal guide slots  99   a  and  99   b  in each end panel  72 . 
     As best shown in  FIG. 25 , the two element card brackets  56  at the centre of the inner chassis assembly  47  form a dividing portion  100  between the toasting areas  25   a  and  25   b . The dividing portion  100  therefore acts as a barrier to reduce or prevent airflow traveling between the toasting areas  25   a  and  25   b , thereby limiting the amount of airflow through the toasting areas  25   a  and  25   b . In embodiments where only one of the toasting areas  25   a  or  25   b  is in use (e.g. to toast a single slice of bread at one time), the dividing portion  100  may at least maintain an appropriate level of toasting by reducing or preventing airflow traveling across the foodstuff  86  which would otherwise result in uneven toasting, under-toasting or over-toasting. Referring to  FIG. 19B , the curved portions  38  of the upper surface  36  of the top cap  18  are formed as compound curves with boundaries defined by a height H 1  in the range of between 5 mm to 15 mm and a width W 1  in the range of between 7 mm to 18 mm. In a preferred form, the height H 1  is about 9.9 mm and the width W 1  is about 12.9 mm so as to define a compound curve having a radius of curvature R 1  of between about 20 mm to 35 mm. In a preferred form, the height H 2  from the uppermost region of the curved portion  38  to the upper surface  36  of the top cap is about 5 mm. 
     In preferred forms, the food guards  24   a  and  24   b  have a ceramic coating to reduce the amount of heat reflected onto the foodstuff  86  and to reduce the amount of shadowing or grill marks  102  on the foodstuff  86  (e.g. as shown in  FIG. 26 ). An example of a suitable ceramic coating includes Cerasol, which has high temperature resistance, food grade rating and suitable colour range. It will be understood that the ceramic coating on the food guards  24   a  and  24   b  may also function to spread the amount of heat reflected onto the foodstuff  86  to provide even toasting. The ceramic coating is preferably a dark (e.g. black) colour having a suitable emissivity range for even heat radiation. It would therefore be appreciated that the ceramic coating on food guards  24   a  and  24   b  may at least provide an even heating environment (i.e. by distributing heat evenly) to at least maintain an appropriate level of heating performance of the toaster  10 . In a preferred form, the non-stick and/or ceramic coating is a dark colour having an emissivity of less than about 0.75. The surface texture of the coating may also be tuned, depending on the shade of the dark coating, so as to ensure that the emissivity does not drop below 0.75. 
     Food Carriage 
       FIGS. 27 to 30  shows the interaction between the inner chassis assembly  47  and a food carriage assembly  106  of the toaster  10 . The inner chassis assembly  47  is located in the interior  22  of the housing  12  and includes the inner walls  48  having the end panels  72  as described above. The vertically-oriented guide slots  66   a ,  66   b  are located on the end panels  72 . The food carriage assembly  106  includes a pair of the food carriages  26   a  and  26   b  for supporting the foodstuff  86  in the respective toasting areas  25   a  and  25   b . The food carriage assembly  106  further includes a food carriage bracket  107  to hold the food carriages  26   a  and  26   b  in place. 
     As best shown in  FIG. 28 , the food carriages  26   a ,  26   b  include a respective support portion  108   a ,  108   b  and a respective arm portion  110   a , 110   b . Each support portion  108   a ,  108   b  has a generally zig-zag shaped profile extending in a first direction  109  defined by a first axis  112   a ,  112   b  and the respective arm portion  110   a ,  110   b  has a generally linear profile extending in a second direction  111  along a second axis  114   a ,  114   b  which is perpendicular to the respective first axis  112   a ,  112   b . It will be understood that in the depicted embodiment, the zig-zag profile of each support portion  108   a ,  108   b  extends in a third direction  113  along a third axis  115   a ,  115   b.    
     In  FIGS. 27 and 28 , the food carriages  26   a ,  26   b  are in their assembly orientations, whereby the support portions  108   a ,  108   b  are oriented in a vertical direction to facilitate the insertion of the food carriages  26   a ,  26   b  into their respective vertically-oriented guide slots  66   a ,  66   b  on the end panel  72  during assembly. The food carriages  26   a ,  26   b  are inserted into the respective guide slots  66   a ,  66   b  along a direction  117 . In this assembly orientation, the arm portions  110   a ,  110   b  are conversely oriented in a horizontal direction and disengaged from the respective retention members  120   a ,  120   b  on the food carriage bracket  107 . In  FIG. 29 , the food carriages  26   a ,  26   b  are in their operational orientations, whereby the food carriages  26   a ,  26   b  are rotated from their assembly orientations in a clockwise direction  118  (or an opposing counter-clockwise direction, not shown) about the first axis  112   a ,  112   b  such that the support portions  108   a , 108   b  are oriented in a horizontal direction. The food carriages  26   a ,  26   b  are rotated in the direction  118  until the arm portions  110   a ,  110   b  are oriented in a vertical direction so as to align with the respective vertically-oriented retention members  120   a ,  120   b  on the plate  107 . The food carriages  26   a ,  26   b  are then moved further along the direction  117  towards the end panel  72  until the respective arm portions  110   a ,  110   b  engage the respective retention members  120   a ,  120   b . The food carriages  26   a ,  26   b  are secured to the food carriage bracket  107  in the operational orientation following engagement of the arm portions  110   a ,  110   b  with the respective retention members  120   a ,  120   b . It will be appreciated that the arrangement of the food carriage assembly  106 , in particular the rotation of the food carriages  26   a  and  26   b  between the assembly and operation orientations, may at least reduce or avoid the need to have additional apertures in the internal chassis assembly  47  for assembly of toaster  10 , thereby reducing or avoiding airflow through the toasting areas  25   a ,  25   b.    
     In other embodiments (not shown), it is envisaged that the generally linear profile of the arm portions  110   a ,  110   b  of the respective food carriages  26   a ,  26   b  may alternatively extend in the direction  113  along the third axis  115   a ,  115   b . Accordingly, in this arrangement, the zig-zag profile of the support portions  108   a ,  108   b  and the linear profile of the respective arm portions  111   a ,  110   b  are parallel and on the same plane. In this arrangement, the retention members  120   a ,  120   b  are horizontally-oriented to align with the respective arm portions  110   a ,  110   b . Alternatively, the arm portions  110   a ,  110   b  may have a larger diameter than the diameter of the respective support portions  108   a ,  108   b  to secure the food carriage  26   a ,  26   b  to the food carriage bracket  107  (e.g. by way of a tolerance clip or the like disposed on the food carriage bracket  107 ). It is also envisaged that the generally linear profile of the arm portions  110   a ,  110   b  may alternatively extend in any direction other than the second or third directions  111  or  113 , and the respective retention members  120   a ,  120   b  are reconfigured accordingly to facilitate the engagement of the arm portions  110   a ,  1110   b.    
       FIG. 30  shows the alignment and attachment of a plate  122  to the food carriage bracket  107  following assembly of the food carriages  26   a  and  26   b . It will be understood that the plate  122  further secures the food carriages  26   a  and  26   b  to the food carriage bracket  107 . A motor arm retention feature  123  on the food carriage bracket  107  is adapted to receive an arm of the associated motor that drives the movement of the food carriages  26   a  and  26   b.    
     Returning to  FIG. 27 , it will be understood that the food carriage bracket  107  is moveable along guide rails  124   a  and  124   b  in the vertical direction so as to move the food carriages  26   a ,  26   b  from the first position adjacent the upper portion  14  of the housing  12  (corresponding to an upper portion  125   a  of the inner chassis assembly  47 ) to receive the foodstuff, and a second position adjacent the lower portion  16  of the housing  12  (corresponding to a lower portion  125   b  of the inner chassis assembly  47 ) to toast the foodstuff. As discussed above, the movement of the food carriage bracket  107  (and the associated food carriages  26   a ,  26   b ) between the first and second positions may be manually actuated (e.g. by a user pushing down on a lever), or automatically actuated (e.g. by detecting the presence of the foodstuff and/or by actuating an electronic/electrical button, thus enabling an associated motor-driven lift function). 
     Food Guard Springs and Earth Spring 
     As best shown in  FIGS. 31 to 33 , the toaster  10  includes a pair of food guard springs  126   a  and  126   b  coupled to the upper guard pins  76   a ,  76   b  supporting the food guards  24   a ,  24   b . The food guard springs  126   a ,  126   b  include a respective conical loop  128   a ,  128   b  for coupling to the respective upper guard pins  76   a ,  76   b . The food guard springs  126   a ,  126   b  are also coupled to the inner chassis assembly  47  by way of retention tabs  130 . The food guards  24   a ,  24   b  are thus provided with a secured earth connection through the connection from the food guards  24   a ,  24   b  to the upper guard pins  76   a ,  76   b  to the food guard springs  126   a ,  126   b , and through to the inner chassis assembly  47 . 
     It will be understood that the food guard springs  126   a ,  126   b  facilitate the movement of the food guards  24   a ,  24   b  between the open and closed positions. The food guard springs  126   a ,  126   b  are biased in the open positions (in which there is a sufficient gap or space between each of the opposing food guards  24   a  and  24   b  to receive the foodstuff). Upon manual or automatic actuation of the food carriages  26   a ,  26   b  from the first position (adjacent to the upper portion  14  of the housing  12 ) and the second position (adjacent to the lower portion  16  of the housing  12 ), the food carriages  26   a ,  26   b  contact the respective intersecting portions  127   a ,  127   b  of the respective food guard springs  126   a ,  126   b  to force the intersecting portions  127   a ,  127   b  downwards, thereby drawing the upper guard pins  76   a ,  76   b  towards each other along the respective guide slots  74   a ,  74   b . This causes a corresponding movement of the food guards  24   a ,  24   b  towards each other into the closed position, and the toasting operation is commenced. Once the toasting operation is finished, the food guard springs  126   a ,  126   b  return to their open positions so as to allow the foodstuff to be removed. 
     Crumb Tray 
     As best shown in  FIG. 34 , the removable crumb tray  20 , which is located at the lower portion  16  of the housing  12 , includes an upper surface  131  facing the toasting areas  25   a ,  25   b . The upper surface  131  includes angled portions  132  to reflect heat from the heating element assemblies  28  into the toasting areas  25   a  and  25   b  (e.g. in the directions  134  and  136 ). In preferred forms, the upper surface  131  of the crumb tray  20 , including the angled portions  132 , is formed from a reflective material. The arrangement of the angled portions  132  as part of the crumb tray  20  may at least reduce or avoid the need for separate reflective panels at the bottom of the toaster. In conventional toasters, these separate reflective panels are generally horizontally oriented and are therefore susceptible to collecting and retaining crumbs, thus reducing the reflective ability as the crumbs build up and cover the surfaces of the reflective panels. The arrangement of the angled portions  132  as part of the removable crumb tray  20  may at least provide an efficient way to remove the collected crumbs from the toaster  10  whilst maintaining the ability to reflect heat back into the toasting areas  25   a  and  25   b.    
     In preferred forms, the upper surface  131  of the removable crumb tray  20  has a ceramic coating to reduce the amount of heat reflected onto the periphery of the foodstuff  86 . An example of a suitable ceramic coating includes Cerasol, which has high temperature resistance, food grade rating and suitable colour range. The ceramic coating is preferably a dark (e.g. black) colour having a suitable emissivity range for even heat radiation. It would therefore be appreciated that the ceramic coating on the upper surface  131  may at least provide an even heating environment (i.e. by distributing heat evenly) to at least maintain an appropriate level of heating performance of the toaster  10 . 
     As best shown in  FIG. 35 , the toaster  10  includes a base member  138  disposed at the lower (i.e. base) portion  16  of the housing  12 . The base member  138  is adapted to support the toaster  10  (e.g. on a kitchen benchtop). The toaster  10  further includes an intermediate member  140  located in the interior  22  of the housing  12  between the base member  138  and the inner chassis assembly  47 . The intermediate member  140  includes a plurality of protrusions  142 . The removable crumb tray  20  engages the base member  138  and the intermediate member  140  by way of an interlocking profile, which, in conjunction with the protrusions  142 , creates a torturous flow path  144  to reduce the amount of airflow traveling through the toaster  10  and into the toasting areas  25   a ,  25   b . It will be appreciated that the engagement of the removable crumb tray  20  and the base member  138  also provides a seal between the removable crumb tray  20  and the inner chassis assembly  47  to reduce the amount of airflow traveling into the toasting areas  25   a ,  25   b.    
       FIGS. 36 and 38  show the removable crumb tray  20  in engagement with the base member  138 , whilst  FIGS. 37 and 39  show the removable crumb  20  disengaged from the base member  138 . As best shown in  FIG. 38 , when the removable crumb tray  20  is inserted and engaged with the base member  138  in the direction  146 , the removable crumb tray  20  abuts an actuation member  148  in the base member  138  to force the actuation member  148  in the direction  150 . This movement causes the actuation member  148  to be moved into electrical contact with a switch member  152  in the base member  138  in the direction  154 . The switch member  152  is electrically associated with the heating element assemblies  28  of the toaster  10 . Accordingly, the electrical contact between the actuation member  148  and the switch member  152  allows the heating element assemblies  28  to be powered on. As best shown in  FIG. 39 , when the removable crumb tray  20  is removed and disengaged from the base member  138  in the direction  156 , the actuation member  148  (which is biased in the direction  158 ) moves into the gap  160  vacated by the crumb tray  20 . The movement of the actuation member  148  in the direction  158  removes the actuation member  148  from electrical contact with the switch member  152 , thereby powering off the heating element assemblies  28 . The arrangement and functionality of the actuation member  148  and switch member  152  may at least ensure that the heating element assembly  28  are powered off when the crumb tray  20  is removed from the base member  138 , such that, if or when the heating element assemblies  28  are exposed to a user, the heating element assembly  28  may at least be electrically safe to touch. 
     It is envisaged that the base member  138  may also include a protrusion (not shown) to limit the movement of the removable crumb tray  20  if the removable crumb tray  20  is inserted at an angle (instead of in the direction  146 ). This arrangement may at least prevent the actuation member  148  from coming into electrical contact with the switch member  152  if the removable crumb tray  20  is inserted at an incorrect angle or orientation, thereby preventing exposure of the heating element assembly  28  to the user. 
       FIGS. 40 to 43  show the appearance of the removable crumb tray  20 , which includes a recessed portion  162  to allow the user to grip and pull the crumb tray  20  away from the base member  138  to remove the crumb tray  20  from the base member  138 . The crumb tray  20  further includes the upper face  131  for collecting crumbs from the foodstuff  86  and the angled portions  132  for reflecting heat back into the toasting areas  25   a  and  25   b  as described above. The crumb tray also includes a lower surface  164  which is opposite to the upper face  131 . As best shown in  FIGS. 41 and 43 , the lower surface  164  of the crumb tray  20  includes a raised portion  166  having protrusions  168 , and the base member  138  includes corresponding recesses  170  adapted to receive the protrusions  168 . The arrangement of the raised portion  166 , the protrusions  168  and the corresponding recesses  170  may at least ensure that the crumb tray  20  is in the correct orientation when being inserted into the base member  138 . In conjunction with the arrangement and functionality of the actuation member  148  and switch member  152  as described above, this arrangement may at least prevent the heating element assemblies  28  from being powered on if the crumb tray  20  is inserted incorrectly. 
     Heating Element Assembly 
       FIG. 44  shows an embodiment of the heating element assembly  28 , which includes a first heating element portion  172  and a second heating element portion  174 . In preferred forms, each of the first and second heating element portions  172  and  174  is formed from mica. The heating element assembly  28  further includes a central intersection portion  176  extending along a longitudinal axis  178  located between the first and second heating element portions  172  and  174 . The first and second heating element portions  172  and  174  each include a series of lateral element wires  180 . In this embodiment, the series of lateral element wires  180  are oriented at a series of angles towards the general direction of a lateral axis  182 . This arrangement of the central intersection portion  176  and the angled lateral element wires  180  creates a concentration of element wires at the centre of the heating element assembly  28 , thereby creating a region with a larger heat output at the centre of the heating element assembly  28 . As foodstuffs tend to have a higher moisture level in the central areas than at the periphery, it is understood that the periphery of the foodstuffs tend to cook faster because less time is required to heat and evaporate the moisture at the periphery than at the central areas. It will therefore be appreciated that the above arrangement of the central intersection portion  176  and the angled lateral element wires  180  may at least allow heat from the heating element assembly  28  to be concentrated at the central areas of the foodstuff. It is envisaged that, depending on the type of foodstuff, the central intersection portion  176  and the lateral element wires  180  may be positioned at any desired location on the heating element assembly  28  to concentrate the heat output from the heating element assembly  28  accordingly. 
       FIG. 45  shows another embodiment of the heating element assembly  28 , which includes a series of lateral element wires  184  having a generally curved configuration. In this embodiment, the series of lateral element wires  184  is held in the curved configuration by a pair of spaced-apart longitudinally-extending support brackets  186 . This arrangement of the curved lateral element wires  184  may at least allow the heat from the heating element assembly  28  to be concentrated at the central areas of the foodstuff. Additionally, depending on the type of foodstuff, the lateral element wires  184  may be positioned at any desired location on the heating element assembly  28  to concentrate the heat output from the heating element assembly  28  accordingly. 
     In the embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 46 to 49 , the heating element assembly  28  also includes a pair of openings  188  that are generally in alignment with the openings  50  in the inner wall  48  which allow the sensors  52  to detect the foodstuff. It is envisaged that the heating element assembly  28  may alternatively include a single opening or more than two openings. As shown in  FIG. 46 , there is a possibility that the pair of element wires  190  may distort and shift towards the openings  188  such that the signal from the sensors  52  may be interrupted. This may impact on the performance of the sensors  52 . Accordingly, as shown in  FIG. 47 , a pair of primary brackets  192  located at the periphery of the pair of openings  188  may be introduced locate and guide the element wires  190  away from the opening  188 . As best shown in  FIGS. 48 and 49 , a pair of secondary brackets  194  may be utilised to secure the pair of primary brackets  192  to the heating element  28 . Each of the secondary brackets  194  includes a plurality of tabs  196  that extend through the associated opening  188  and is folded over on an opposing surface heating element  28  to secure the associated primary bracket  192  to the heating element  28 . 
     Bun Warmer 
     As best shown in  FIG. 50 , the toaster  10  has an associated food warmer  200  which is adapted to rest on the upper surface  36  of the top cap  18 . The food warmer  200  includes a flat portion  202  to receive the foodstuff to be warmed (e.g. bread, bagels, buns and pastries such as muffins and croissants) and a pair of upwardly-extending portions  204  to hold the foodstuff in place. The food warmer  200  also includes a pair of handles  206  that are insulted to allow a user to safely handle the food warmer  200 . It will be appreciated that the food warmer  200  is formed from a thin gauge wire mesh. It will also be appreciated that the use of thin gauge wire to form the food warmer  200  may at least spread out the thermal mass of the food warmer  200  and allow the heat to be distributed evenly to the foodstuff. 
     Cord Stuff 
       FIG. 51  shows an internal cavity  208  which is part of the interior  22  of the housing  12  and adapted to hold a cord compartment  210 . It will be understood that the cord compartment  210  is adapted to house at least a portion of an electrical power cord  212  (as shown in  FIG. 53 ) of the toaster  10 , which is to be connected to a mains power switch. The interior of the cord compartment  210  in which the electrical cord  212  is housed is required to remain within a specific temperature range to comply with safety requirements for electrical power cords. Accordingly, cord compartments in conventional toasters are typically located very close to the toaster chassis where there is a lot of radiant heat from the heating elements. It is envisaged that a heat reflector panel  214  may be introduced at a location between the cord compartment  210  and the inner chassis assembly  47  so as to reflect heat from the heating element assemblies  28  away from the cord compartment  210  (e.g. in the direction  216  as shown in  FIG. 51 ). The arrangement of the heat reflector panel  214  may therefore at least ensure that the interior of the cord compartment  210  may be maintained within a safe temperature range. 
     It will be appreciated that the cord compartment  210  is a vertically-extending compartment to capitalise on the limited space available within the interior  22  of the housing  12  to store the electrical power cord  212 . As best shown in  FIG. 53 , the base member  138  also includes a cavity  218  connected to the cord compartment  210 , and through which the electrical cord power  212  extends. The cavity  218  is adapted to allow a user to push and pull the electrical power cord  212  in and out of the toaster  10  (e.g. to modify the extended length of the electrical power cord  212 ) without having to pick up the toaster  10 . 
     As best shown in  FIG. 54 , it will be appreciated that a printed circuit board (PCB)  220  that supports the electronic components of the toaster  10  is mounted in close relation to the cord compartment  220  to capitalise on the limited space available within the interior  22  of the housing  12 . It will also be appreciated that by having the PCB  220  mounted in close relation to the cord compartment  210 , the cord compartment  210  may act as a heat sink to draw heat away from the PCB  220 , thereby providing protection for the PCB  220  from heat radiating from the heating elements  28 . 
     Sensor Sub-Assembly 
       FIG. 55  shows a sensor sub-assembly  230  including the pair of sensors  52  for detecting the foodstuff. The sensor sub-assembly  230  is mounted to the inner wall  48  of the inner chassis assembly  47  and includes a sensor sub-assembly bracket  232  and sensor sub-assembly components  234 ,  236 ,  238 ,  240 ,  242 ,  244 ,  246  and  248  mounted to the sensor sub-assembly bracket  232 . It is envisaged that the simple construction and assembly of the sensor sub-assembly bracket  232  and the components  234 ,  236 ,  238 ,  240 ,  242 ,  244 ,  246  and  248  may at least allow for mass production of the sensor sub-assembly  230 . 
       FIG. 55A  shows an alternative arrangement whereby a first sensor sub-assembly  230   a  is mounted to a first inner wall  48   a  and a second sensor sub-assembly  230   b  is mounted to a second inner wall  48   b . The first sensor sub-assembly  230   a  includes the sensor sub-assembly bracket  232  and the sensor sub-assembly component  234 , whilst the second sensor sub-assembly  230   b  includes one or more of the sensor sub-assembly components  236 ,  238 ,  240 ,  242 ,  244 ,  246  and  248  described above. 
     As shown in  FIG. 56 , the toaster  10  includes a high voltage cable  260  and a low voltage cable  262  electrically connected to the electrical components of the PCT  220 . It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that for safety compliance, high voltage and low voltage cables typically should not be contained in the same area within the toaster. Additionally, the presence of high voltage cables near a sensor may result in signal noise from the high voltage cable interfering with the sensor data. The sensor sub-assembly bracket  232  includes routing portions  264  and  266  to route the high voltage cable  260  in spaced relation away from the low voltage cable  262 . This may at least reduce or eliminate the signal noise from the high voltage cable  260  from interfering with the data from the sensors  52 . 
       FIG. 56A  shows an alternative embodiment having the inner wall  48  construction described above including the dogbone-shaped structure  49 , with the sensor sub-assembly bracket  232  and sensor sub-component  234  mounted thereon. 
     LED Assembly 
       FIG. 57  shows an exploded view of the LED assembly  30  which includes a first LED bracket  270 , and second LED bracket  272 , and a set of LEDs  274 . The first and second LED brackets  270  and  272  are mounted to the housing  12  and are adapted to hold the set of LEDs  274  in place. It will be appreciated that the first and second LED brackets  270  and  272  include supporting features  276  that contact the housing  12  and allow the potential load to spread out across the first and second LED brackets  270  and  272 . The arrangement of the LED assembly  30  may also at least enhance the structural integrity of the upper portion  14  of the housing  12  by providing additional structural support to the housing  12 . 
     As best shown in  FIG. 58 , the LED assembly  30  includes a heat shield  278  located between the LED assembly  30  and the heating element assemblies  28 . The heat shield  278  is formed from an insulative or reflective material and is adapted to reflect radiant heat from the heating element assemblies  28  away from the LED assembly  30 . The heat shield  278  may therefore at least ensure that the electronics of the LED assembly  30  may be maintained within a safe temperature range. It will be appreciated that the supporting features  276  of the first and second LED brackets  270  and  272  may similarly be formed from an insulative or reflective material and also adapted to reflect radiant heat from the heating element assembly  28  away from the LED assembly  30 . 
     As discussed above, the gap or vent  44  located at the upper portion  14  of the housing  12  between the top cap  18  and the housing  12  allows light emitted from LED assembly  30  to shine out of the housing  12 . With reference to  FIG. 59 , the LED assembly  30  is located directly in an air flow path  280  of the toaster  10 . The air flow path  280  travels from a second gap or vent  282  located at the lower portion  16  of the housing  12 , through the internal cavity  208 , and out through the gap or vent  44 . It will be appreciated that the construction of the LED assembly  30  (e.g. openings  284  in the first and second LED brackets  270  and  272 ) may at least allow sufficient gaps to maintain the air flow path  280  in and out of the toaster  10 . 
     In  FIGS. 60 to 74 , there is schematically depicted another embodiment of a toaster  1001 . It will be appreciated that the various components and functionalities thereof of the toaster  1001  operate in a similar manner as the components and functionality of the toaster  10  described above. The various components and functionalities of the toaster  10  and toaster  1001  may also be interchanged, depending on the specific requirements. The electrical functionalities of the toaster  1001  will now be described. 
       FIG. 60  shows a cutaway view of the toaster  1001  with a first toasting slot  1003 A and a second toasting slot  1003 B. The toasting slots are arranged to receive food items for toasting. The food items are placed on toasting carriages ( 1005 A and  1005 B), shown in a lowered position, and lowered into the toasting slots. An optical sensor  1007  placed on an optical board  1009  is positioned to emit an optical signal into the toasting slot through a side aperture  1011  in the front wall of the toasting slot and detect (i.e. sense) a reflected optical signal that either reflects off a food item when the food item is placed in the toasting slot or reflects of the facing wall of the toasting slot. It will be understood that there may be more than one sensor in more than one toasting slot of the toaster. 
     Inside the toasting slots are heating elements  1013 . For example, there may be two opposing heating elements in the first slot  1003 A and two opposing heating elements in the second slot  1003 B. It will be understood however that there may be one or more heating elements in one or more slots of a toaster. 
       FIG. 61  shows the toaster of  FIG. 1A  without an outer covering. On one end of the toaster is positioned a control board  1015  that includes a processor (or controller) for controlling various operations of the toaster. 
       FIG. 62  shows two different embodiments of a toaster ( 1001 A and  1001 B) each with one or two user interfaces  1017 , which are connected to the processor for controlling operation of the toaster. A first toaster  1001 A has two toasting slots whereas a second toaster  1001 B has four toasting slots. The user interface may be used to set a desired “shade” of toasting level between light and dark. Further, the user interface may set a type of food item that is to be toasted such as a snack, crumpet or any other type of food item, including a type of bread, such as sourdough, fruit bread etc. 
       FIG. 63  shows a circuit block diagram according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     A controller  2001  in the form of a microprocessor or microcontroller is connected to a power supply system  2003  that regulates the mains power to which the toaster is connected. Power to the elements  1013  is fed from a controller board (not shown), the power supply supplies power that is used to switch the elements power feed. The power supply  2003  provides power to the optical sensor  1007  as well as the user interface  1017  and a carriage motor  2007 . The controller is in communication with each of the user interface  1017 , heating elements  1013 , sensor  1007 , carriage motor  2007  and carriage position sensors  2009  to send control signals and receive feedback signals. 
     The controller may operate using an algorithm stored inside internal memory, or may access an algorithm from an external memory. Alternatively, the controller may operate based on hard wired instructions such as with a FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). 
       FIG. 64  shows a cross section of a toaster according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     An item of food  3001  has been placed in the first toasting slot  1003 A. The optical sensor  1007  emits  3003  an optical signal into the toasting slot. This optical signal is then reflected  3004  off the food item back to the sensor  1007 . The sensor  1007  communicates the reflected optical signal to the processor  2001  (see  FIG. 2 ), wherein the processor makes a determination of the type of food item being toasted. In this example, the processor determines an active shade profile based on the reflected optical signal for the food item when the heating element is active, It will be understood that the active shade profile may also be obtained prior to and/or after the heating element is active, i.e. when the heating element is inactive. The processor then compares the active shade profile that has been determined from the reflected optical signal with at least one stored shade profile. Each stored shade profile may be associated with a food item type, such as a type of food, or a type of bread, e.g. sourdough, fruit bread, white bread, whole grain, brown bread, crumpet etc. The processor  2001  is then able to determine if the active shade profile and the stored shade profile are within a defined threshold of each other to obtain a match. If a match is obtained the processor  2001  may then control a heating profile of the heating elements  1013  based on the food item type that has been detected due to the active shade profile. 
       FIG. 65  shows shade change profiles for different food types according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     In profile  1  of  FIG. 65  a profile is shown of shade change (i.e. reflected optical signal) versus time the heating elements  1013  have been switched on for a standard benchmark food type, such as white bread. In profile  2  of  FIG. 3B  a profile is shown of shade change (i.e. reflected optical signal) versus time the heating elements  1013  have been switched on for a different food type, such as a fruit bread. It can be seen that, at time point A of profile  1 , a different shade change value is evident when compared with time point A of profile  2 . 
     As seen in  FIG. 65 , the processor  2001  may compare a first shade value of a first food type in an active shade profile at a defined time point (e.g. time point A) with a second shade value of a second food type in a stored shade profile at the same defined time point (time point A) to determine if the first shade value and the second shade value are within the defined threshold, indicating that the first and second food types are the same food type. For example, if the value at the defined time point is within a defined percentage threshold or a defined value, the processor  2001  makes the determination that the food item type being toasted is the one associated with the stored shade profile. 
     Upon the processor  2001  determining that the active shade profile and the stored shade profile are within the defined threshold of each other, it may adjust one or both of the time for toasting the food stuff and the power being applied to the heating elements  1013  in order to better toast the food item. 
       FIG. 66  shows a process flow diagram according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     The process starts, and at step S 4001 , the process emits an optical signal into a toasting slot of the toaster. At step S 4003 , the process senses a reflected optical signal that reflects off a food item when the food item is placed in the toasting slot. In this example, at step S 4005 , the process determines an active shade profile based on the reflected optical signal for the food item when heating elements of the toaster are active. Alternatively, the heating elements can also be inactive when performing this step. At step S 4007 , the process compares the active shade profile with at least one stored shade profile associated with at least one food item types to determine if the active shade profile and the stored shade profile are within a defined threshold of each other. At step S 4009 , the process determines if the active shade profile and the stored shade profile are within the defined threshold of each other, and if so, at step S 4011 , controls a heating profile of the heating elements  1013  based on the food item type or, if not, returns to step S 4001 . 
     Further, the process may compare a first shade value in the active shade profile at a defined time point with a second shade value in the stored shade profile at the same defined time point to determine if the first shade value and the second shade value are within the defined threshold. 
     Further, the process may adjust one or both of the time for toasting the food stuff and the power being applied to the heating elements based on the determination that the active shade profile and the stored shade profile are within the defined threshold of each other. 
     Therefore, for example, by sensing the rate of shade change on the bread surface, the system can detect bread types with high moisture content and adjust heating conditions/toast settings accordingly. This detection method may also be used to identify unique bread types such as breads with high sugar content (raisin) where toasting has a faster rate of change. 
     The following describes an embodiment of a toaster and an associated toaster control method for detecting an optimal position for toasting a food item in a toasting slot of a toaster. 
       FIG. 67  shows a cross section of a toaster in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     An item of food  3001  has been placed in the first toasting slot  1003 A on the toasting carriage  1005 A.  FIG. 67  indicates the movement of the item of food  3001  as it is lowered into the first toasting slot  1003 A. The food item is automatically lowered using a toaster lift carriage mechanism which is described in more detail below. The optical sensor  1007  emits an optical signal  3003  into the toasting slot against the food item. This optical signal is then reflected off the food item back to the sensor  1007 . The sensor  1007  communicates the reflected optical signal to the processor  2001 . 
     The processor  2001  then determines an optical profile of the food item  3001  based on the reflected optical signal along a region of the food item as it is being moved within the slot. For example, the processor may determine the optical profile as the lift carriage mechanism lowers the food item into the slot, or as it raises the food item from the bottom of the slot, or at any other desired position. 
     The processor  2001  then, based on the determined optical profile, determines an optimal sensing location along the region of the food item that corresponds to an optimal sensing region. For example, the optical profile may indicate where holes appear in the bread, or the location of seeds in the bread due to increased or lowered reflectivity of the optical signal. These regions would not be preferable for directing the optical signal when monitoring the toasting of the bread. An optimal sensing location would be one that generally identifies the bread surface that is to be optimally toasted. Therefore, the processor controls the toasting carriage so that it moves to a toasting position that corresponds with the determined optimal sensing location. 
     Alternatively, the optimal sensing location may be determined by the processor by comparing the optical profile with a stored profile that is associated with at least one optimal sensing region for the food item. 
       FIGS. 68 to 71  show a toaster carriage lift mechanism in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
     A shown in  FIG. 68 , the toaster carriage lift mechanism has a motor  2007  (e.g. a step motor) controlled by the processor  2001  which feeds back its position to the processor  2001 . The motor position may be synchronised with the toasting carriages ( 1005 A,  1005 B) when they are in a raised position and when they are in a lowered position. 
     Connected to the motor  2007  is a curved arm  6003  that rotates in an arc (see arrow A in  FIG. 68 ) with the spin of the motor drive. A spindle  6005  at the end of the arm is located in a slot  6007  of a carriage piece  6009  that is connected to the top and bottom positions of the toasting carriages ( 1005 A,  1005 B). As motor  2007  turns, the curved arm  6003  rotates and causes the spindle  6005  to move in an arc and slide along the slot  6007  in the direction of arrow B, forcing the carriage piece  6009  down along the guide posts ( 6011 A &amp;  6011 B) in the direction of arrow C. 
       FIG. 69  shows the toasting carriages ( 1005 A &amp;  1005 B) at a lowered position. 
       FIG. 70  shows the top and bottom positions of toasting carriages ( 1005 A &amp;  1005 B) at a raised position corresponding to the image in  FIG. 6A . Also shown are microswitches ( 7001 ,  7003 ) which feedback the upper and lower position limits based on the rotation of the motor to the controller  2001  to stop the motor  2007  form rotating to a point that would cause damage. The micro-switches may also identify a third position between the upper and lower position. 
       FIG. 71  shows the toasting carriages ( 1005 A &amp;  1005 B) at a lowered position corresponding to the image in  FIG. 6B . 
     Therefore, the carriage motor  2007  is arranged to control movement of the toasting carriage under operation of the processor  2001 . The processor  2001  may determine the carriage position of the toasting carriage when the toasting carriage is moved within the toasting slot based on operation of the carriage motor, for example, by receiving feedback from a stepper motor as to the rotating position of the step motor. Alternative type motors may also be used to provide positional feedback. Other motors may include DC motors, synchronous motors etc. The processor  2001  can then control movement of the toasting carriage to the carriage position that corresponds with the toasting position after determining the optimal sensing location as discussed above. 
     It will be understood that other positional feedback devices may be used to provide an indication of the position of the toasting carriage. For example, feedback devices may include, for example, optical devices, Hall effect sensors, magnetic devices, and transducers. 
       FIG. 72  shows a process flow diagram in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
     The process starts and at step S 8001 , the process emits an optical signal into a toasting slot of the toaster. At step S 8003 , the process senses a reflected optical signal associated with a food item when a toasting carriage of the toaster is inserting the food item into the toasting slot. At step S 8005 , the process determines an optical profile of the food item based on the reflected optical signal along a region of the food item as it was being inserted. At step S 8007 , the process determines an optimal sensing location along the region of the food item that corresponds to an optimal sensing region based on the determined optical profile. At step S 8009 , the process causes the toasting carriage to move to a toasting position that corresponds with the determined optimal sensing location. 
     Further, the process may determine a carriage position of the toasting carriage when the toasting carriage is moved within the toasting slot based on operation of the carriage motor, and control movement of the toasting carriage to the carriage position that corresponds with the toasting position after determining the optimal sensing location. 
     Further, the process may compare the optical profile with a stored profile that is associated with at least one optimal sensing region. 
     The following describes an embodiment of a toaster and an associated toaster control method for detecting whether a food item to be toasted has been correctly placed in a toasting slot of the toaster or placed in a correct toasting slot of the toaster, and controlling one or more heater elements in the toaster based on the detected food item. 
       FIG. 73  shows a cross section of a toaster in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
     An item of food  3001  has been placed in a toasting slot  1003 B on the toasting carriage  1005 B. The optical sensor  1007  emits an optical signal and senses the reflected signals of the back wall of the toasting slot  1003 A. The reflected signal is communicated back to the processor  2001 . 
     The processor  2001  determines, based on the reflected optical signal, whether a food item  3001  has or has not been inserted in the toasting slot  1003 A. In this particular example, the food item  3001  has been placed in the incorrect slot  1003 B. The reflected signal from an item of food is significantly different to that of a reflected signal from the back of the slot. 
     It will be understood that slot  1003 B may also have an optical sensor, which may detect that the food item has been placed in the slot  1003 B associated with that optical sensor. Subsequently, if the user activates the heating element(s) of a different slot  1003 A, the processor may determine this and carry out corrective action or output an appropriate signal. 
     It will be understood that the system may work equally as well in a toaster having a single slot, where the optical signal is used to determine if the food item has been correctly placed in the slot. 
     When the processor  2001  has made a determination that the food item  3001  has not been inserted in the toasting slot being operated, the processor executes one or more defined tasks that may include, for example, turning off one or more heating elements associated with the toasting slot, causing a toasting carriage for the toasting slot to rise, outputting an alarm signal and shutting down user control of the toaster. 
     Although this example is described with reference to a toaster with a motorised toasting carriage, it will be understood that this example may be applied to a toaster with a manually operated toasting carriage. 
       FIG. 74  shows a process flow diagram according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     The process starts and at step S 1001 , the process emits an optical signal into a toasting slot of the toaster. At step S 1003 , the process senses a reflected optical signal associated with the toasting slot. At step S 1005 , the process determines, based on the reflected optical signal, whether a food item  3001  has or has not been inserted within the toasting slot. At step S 1007 , the process provides an output based on the determination in step S 1005 . 
     For example, the process may, upon a determination that the food item  3001  has not been inserted in the toasting slot, execute one or more defined tasks including, for example, turning off one or more heating elements  1013  associated with the toasting slot, causing a toasting carriage for the toasting slot to rise, outputting an alarm signal and shutting down user control of the toaster. Any suitable indication may be provided on a user interface of the toaster. 
     Although the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be appreciated by those persons skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.