초록 ▼

A food warming device (21) in which a plate (22, 22a) has an electrical resistance heating element (26, 26a) mounted to a bottom wall (24, 24a) thereof and an electrical switch (23) is mounted in a support surface (31) below the plate (22). The switch (23) includes a movable element (41) which is mo

A food warming device (21) in which a plate (22, 22a) has an electrical resistance heating element (26, 26a) mounted to a bottom wall (24, 24a) thereof and an electrical switch (23) is mounted in a support surface (31) below the plate (22). The switch (23) includes a movable element (41) which is mounted for movement between a first position electrically coupling the switch (23) to terminal assembly (32, 32a) on the plate (22) and closing the switch (23) and a second position electrically uncoupling the switch (23) from the terminal (32) on the plate (22) and opening switch (23). The movable element (41) is preferably gravity biased toward the open position, and a magnet (44) is mounted to one of the plate (22) and the movable element (41) to displace the movable element (41) against gravity biasing from the second position to the first position when the plate (22 ) is placed on the support surface (31) proximate the switch (23). The terminal (32) on the plate (22) preferably includes a bimetallic strip (54) which acts as a contact member and current control device for regulation of the heat generated by the resistance heating element (26, 26a). A serving counter (81) incorporates the food warming device (21).

대표청구항 ▼

A food warming device comprising: plate means having an electrical resistance heating element mounted thereto, said heating element being coupled to terminal means carried by said plate means, and an electrical switch means coupled to a source of electricity and mounted proximate a support surface f

A food warming device comprising: plate means having an electrical resistance heating element mounted thereto, said heating element being coupled to terminal means carried by said plate means, and an electrical switch means coupled to a source of electricity and mounted proximate a support surface for communication of electricity to said heating element when said plate means is positioned on said support surface proximate said switch means; said switch means including a movable element mounted for movement between: (i) a first position electrically coupling said switch means to said terminal means and substantially simultaneously closing said switch means for the flow of electricity to said heating element, and (ii) a second position electrically uncoupling said switch means from said terminal means and substantially simultaneously opening said switch means to prevent the flow of electricity therethrough, said movable element being biased toward said second position; and magnet means including a magnet and an armature with one of said magnet and said armature mounted to said plate means and a remainder of said magnet and said armature mounted to said movable element, said magnet means displacing said movable element against the biasing force from said second position to said first position when said plate means is placed on said support surface proximate said switch means.