AU2014100202A4 - Toaster - Google Patents

Abstract

A toaster (901) for toasting foodstuffs including: at least one elongated cavity (3) for receiving foodstuff to be toasted; at least one heating element (5) activatable to heat the elongated cavity (3); a user interface (307) to allow a user to select a toasting setting suitable for a type of foodstuff for toasting, the user interface enabling selection between a plurality of different types of foodstuff; a defrost button (307); and a cancel button (303) to end a toasting cycle, wherein the toasting setting for the type of foodstuff specifies a toasting time; and wherein selection of the defrost button (307) adjusts the toasting time a timer sets for the toasting cycle.

Description

1 Toaster Field of the invention The present disclosure relates to a toaster for toasting foodstuff and a method of toasting foodstuff. 5 Background of the invention Toasters are a common kitchen appliance for toasting foodstuff by heating. Foodstuff including slices of bread is heated until the surface has a yellow, golden or brown colour, which is commonly referred to as "toast". Various types of breads have corresponding different physical characteristics and 10 compositions. Accordingly, a toast setting that is suitable for one type of bread may not provide a satisfactory result for another type of bread. Reference to any prior art in the specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that this prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia or any other jurisdiction or that this prior art could reasonably be 15 expected to be ascertained, understood and regarded as relevant by a person skilled in the art. Summary of the invention According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a toaster for toasting foodstuffs including: at least one elongated cavity for receiving foodstuff to be toasted; at least one heating element activatable to heat the elongated cavity; a user interface to allow a user to select a 20 toasting setting suitable for a type of foodstuff for toasting, the user interface enabling selection between a plurality of different types of foodstuff; a defrost button; and a cancel button to end a toasting cycle, wherein the toasting setting for the type of foodstuff specifies a toasting time; and wherein selection of the defrost button adjusts the toasting time a timer sets for the toasting cycle. 25 In one form of the toaster, one of the plurality of types of foodstuff is fruit bread. In another form of the toaster, the at least one heating element includes heating elements activatable to heat the elongated cavity from opposing sides, and the user interface additionally 2 allows the user to select a crumpet setting for specifying an amount of heat provided on one side of the elongated cavity that is different to the opposing side. In yet another form, the toaster further includes: a browning setting user interface for adjusting a browning setting for the toaster, wherein adjustment of the browning setting adjusts 5 the specified toasting time the timer sets for the toasting cycle; a visual display for displaying the browning setting; and at least one light emitting diode for visual indication of the selected toasting setting for the respective type of foodstuff for toasting. In another aspect, the present invention provides a toaster for toasting foodstuffs including: a first elongated cavity having opposing first and second sides; and a second 10 elongated cavity, having opposing third and fourth sides, wherein the first and second cavities are adjacent one another and the second and third sides are adjacent one another; a first heating element comprising a first mica card with electrical windings to provide heat to the first side; a second heating element comprising a second mica card with electrical windings to provide heat to the fourth side; a central heating element located between the first and second elongated 15 cavities, wherein the central heating element comprises a third mica card with electrical windings on both sides of the third mica card to provide heat to the second and third sides; a user interface to allow a user to select a toasting setting suitable for a type of foodstuff for toasting, the user interface enabling selection between a plurality of different types of foodstuff, the type of foodstuff including fruit bread and crumpet; a defrost button; and a cancel button to end a 20 toasting cycle, wherein the first, second, and third heating elements are activated by provision of electrical current to the respective electrical windings of the heating elements, wherein the toasting setting for the type of foodstuff specifies a toasting time, wherein selection of the defrost button adjusts the toasting time a timer sets for the toasting cycle, and wherein selecting a crumpet button specifies an amount of heat provided on the first and fourth sides that is different 25 to the second and third sides. The toaster further includes: a browning setting user interface for adjusting a browning setting for the toaster, wherein adjustment of the browning setting adjusts the specified toasting time a timer sets for the toasting cycle; a visual display for displaying the browning setting; and at least one light emitting diode for visual indication of the selected toasting setting for the respective type of foodstuff for toasting. 30 In one form of the toaster, a user interface is provided to allow a user to select a toasting setting. This allows the user to select a setting suitable for crumpets, bagels, fruit breads, sweet 3 breads, white breads, brown breads etc. The toasting setting may specify toasting time, or the amount of heat provided by the heating elements. As used herein, except where the context requires otherwise, the term "comprise" and variations of the term, such as "comprising", "comprises" and "comprised", are not intended to 5 exclude further additives, components, integers or steps. Further aspects of the present invention and further embodiments of the aspects described in the preceding paragraphs will become apparent from the following description, given by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Brief description of the drawings 10 Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a toaster; Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the toaster in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the internal components of the toaster in Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of components of a carriage assembly, lever assembly, lift assembly and sensor assembly of a toaster; 15 Fig. 5 is a top view of the toaster in Fig. 1; Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the carriage assembly; Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the carriage assembly with a sensing element pivotally attached; Fig. 8 is a close up perspective view of the carriage assembly and sensing element, with 20 the carriage assembly in the raised position, and with the sensing element in a second position indicating an empty elongated cavity; Fig. 9 is a side cross-sectional view of the toaster in Fig. 8; Fig. 10 is a top view of the toaster with a piece of bread in the first elongated cavity when used in an economy mode; 4 Fig. 11 is a close up perspective view of the carriage assembly and sensing element, with the carriage assembly in the lowered position, and with the sensing element in a second position indicating an empty elongated cavity; Fig. 12 is a side cross-sectional view of the toaster in Fig. 11; 5 Fig. 13 is a top view of the toaster with bread in both the elongated cavities in a normal mode when two slices of bread are toasted; Fig. 14 is a close up perspective view of the carriage assembly and sensing element, with the carriage assembly in the lowered position, and with the sensing element in a first position indicating presence of foodstuff in the elongated cavity; 10 Fig. 15 is a side cross-sectional view of the toaster in Fig. 14; Fig. 16 is a logic diagram of an embodiment of the toaster having a sensor assembly in one of the two elongated cavities; Fig. 17 is a perspective view of a lever assembly; Fig. 18 is an alternative perspective view of the lever assembly in Fig. 17; 15 Fig. 19 is a perspective view of the carriage assembly interfaced with the lever assembly in a one configuration; Fig. 20 is a perspective view of the carriage assembly interfaced with the lever assembly in another configuration; Fig. 21 is a perspective view of part of the lift assembly; 20 Fig. 22 is a perspective view of part of the lift assembly interfaced with the lever assembly; Fig. 23 is a perspective view of the lift assembly in a rest position, and the carriage assembly in the raised position; Fig. 24 is an alternative view of Fig. 23; 5 Fig. 25 is a perspective view of the lift assembly in the energised position with the solenoid catch retaining the lift assembly, and the carriage assembly in the lowered position; Fig. 26 is an alternative view of Fig. 25; Fig. 27 is a perspective view of the lift assembly slightly displaced from the energised 5 position, with the solenoid catch released, and with the carriage assembly jammed in the lowered position; Fig. 28 is an alternative view of Fig. 27; Fig. 29 is a perspective view of the centring guides; Fig. 30 is a simplified perspective view of the centring guides mounted in the body of the 10 toaster; Fig. 31 is a top view of the toaster with the external housing removed, and showing the centring guides interacting with the enlarged bread support flanges; Fig. 32 is a close up perspective view of the centring guides interacting with the enlarged bread support flanges; 15 Fig. 33 is a simplified perspective view of the toaster with the body removed to illustrate the lift and look feature; Fig. 34 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the toaster; Fig. 35 is a schematic of the layout of the heating elements including mica cards; Fig. 36 is a schematic of an alternative layout of the mica cards; 20 Fig. 37 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of the toaster with two elongated cavities each with a respective sensor assembly; Fig. 38 is a logic diagram 16 the toaster in Fig. 37 having a sensor assembly in each of the two elongated cavities; Fig. 39 is a top view of yet another embodiment of the toaster with four elongated 25 cavities, with one sensor assembly; 6 Fig. 40 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of a toaster, illustrating a relay switch power interrupt; and Fig. 41 is a side view of another embodiment of the toaster with an electrically controlled actuator to move the carriage assembly. 5 Fig. 42 is a top view of another embodiment of the toaster with two elongated cavities aligned with each other with a common opening. Fig. 43a is a front view of another embodiment of a toaster with a bread selection function; Fig. 43b is a close up representation of the visual display of the toaster in Fig. 43a; 10 Fig. 44 is a schematic flow diagram of a method of selecting toasting parameters for the toaster of Fig. 43a; Fig. 45 is a flow diagram of the start logic of the method of Fig. 44; Fig. 46 is a flow diagram of the standby logic in the method of Fig. 44; Fig. 47 is a flow diagram of the toasting parameter selection logic in the method of Fig. 15 44; Fig. 48 is a flow diagram of the saving toasting parameter logic in the method of Fig. 44; and Fig. 49 is a flow diagram of the toasting logic in the method of Fig. 44. Detailed description of the embodiments 20 The major components of the toaster 1 will now be described. Referring to Figs. 1 to 3, there is provided a toaster 1 for toasting foodstuffs, having elongated cavities 3 for receiving foodstuff to be toasted. The elongated cavities 3, also known as slots, each have heating elements 5 that may be activated to heat the cavity 3 to toast the foodstuff. The toaster 1 has a body 7, with openings 9 to provide a passage for foodstuff to the 25 elongated cavities 3. Further components of the toaster include a base 23 to support the body 7, a crumb tray 25, and an external housing 27.

7 A carriage assembly 11 is moveable between a raised position proximal to the openings 9 and a lowered position distal to the opening 9, towards the base 23. In the lowered position, the carriage assembly 11 permits foodstuff to be received in the elongated cavities 3, and in the raised position, the carriage assembly 11 pushes foodstuff towards the openings 9. A lever 5 assembly 13 is operable by a user for pushing the carriage assembly 11 to the lowered position. A lift assembly 15 is provided to operatively bias the carriage assembly 11 to the raised position. A power supply assembly 17 provides power to the heating elements 5 and electronics assembly 19, and is activated when engaged by the lift assembly 15. The electronics assembly 19 includes an electronic control circuit (not shown), components of the user interface 301, and 10 mountings for an optical sensor 47 of a sensor assembly 21, and a solenoid catch 73 of the lift assembly 19. The optical sensor 47 is mounted adjacent to the carriage assembly 11 when in the lowered position. This allows the sensor assembly 21 to detect foodstuff in the elongated cavity 3 when the carriage assembly 11 is in the lowered position. Centring guides 22 ensure foodstuff is centred in the elongated cavities 3. 15 The normal use of the toaster 1, without using an "economy mode" will now be described. To use the toaster 1, the user selects a toasting setting on the user interface 301 and places foodstuff into each of the elongated cavities 3 via the openings 9. In this initial state, the lift assembly 15 is biased to a rest position, and operatively supports the carriage assembly in the raised position, as best illustrated in Fig. 3. The lever assembly 13 is then operated to move the 20 carriage assembly 11 to the lowered position, against the bias of the lift assembly 15. As the carriage assembly 11 moves to the lowered position, it allows the foodstuff to be fully received in the elongated cavities 3. Concurrently with this motion, the centring guides 22 on opposing sides of each elongated cavity 3 move towards each other, thereby centring the foodstuff to the centre of the cavity 3. 25 As the carriage assembly reaches the lowered position, the lift assembly 15 interfaces with a power contactor 29 of the power supply assembly 17. In one embodiment, the power contactor 29 may be a double pole power contactor. This interaction mechanically closes two switches, causing the power supply assembly 17 to provide power to the heating elements 5, and power to the electronics assembly 19. When the electronics assembly 19 receives power, the 30 control circuit initiates a timer, and provides a solenoid control signal to the engage solenoid catch 73. Current flowing in the solenoid causes a latch to move engaging with a corresponding 8 boss 71 in the lifting assembly 15. This retains the lifting assembly 15 in the now energised position. The carriage assembly 11 remains at the lowered position by the weight of the carriage assembly and supported foodstuff. The timer counts down a specified time period, which is a function of the toasting setting 5 selected by the user through the user interface. Once a specified time period has elapsed, the controller provides a solenoid control signal to disengage the solenoid catch 73, and releases the lifting assembly 15 from the energised position. The bias of the lifting assembly urges the lever assembly 13, and in turn operatively urges the carriage assembly 11 towards the raised position. As the carriage assembly 11 is in a raised position, the toasted foodstuff is pushed towards the 10 opening 9 to be removed by the user. Concurrently, as the lift assembly 15 moves towards the rest position, the lift assembly 15 disengages with the power contactor 29, thereby disconnecting power from the power supply assembly 17 to the heating elements 5 and electronics assembly 19. "Economy mode" feature 15 The toaster 1 may be used in an "Economy mode", whereby a user can selectively activate the heating elements 5 of one elongated cavity 3 only, for circumstances where the user wishes to use toast foodstuff in a single elongated cavity 3. This will now be described with reference to a "two slot" toaster 1, having a first elongated cavity 4 and a second elongated cavity 6 as illustrated in Fig. 5. Referring to Figs. 6 and 7, the carriage assembly 11 includes of a 20 carriage body 32 which is connected to a pair of horizontal followers 31 moveable within respective elongated cavities 4 and 6. The followers 31 are provided with a plurality of bread support flanges 33, which assist in supporting the foodstuff inside the elongated cavities 5. The followers 31 are a first follower 35 in cavity 4 and a second follower 37 in cavity 6. An aperture 39 is provided on the carriage assembly 11 to enable a sensing element 41 of the 25 sensor assembly 21 to be pivotally mounted. Referring to Figs. 8 and 9 which illustrates the carriage assembly 11 in a raised position with an empty second elongated cavity 6, an upper portion 46 of the sensing element 41 overlies the second follower 37 to allow the sensing element 41, when in a first position, to project into the respective second elongated cavity 6 relative to the follower 37. As illustrated, the natural 30 state of the unencumbered sensing element 41 is the first position. This may be due to bias from 9 the weight of the sensing element 41 and the position of the pivotal mounting. Alternatively, a light spring may be used to bias the sensor element 41 to the first position when the second elongated cavity 6 is empty. A lower portion 45 of the sensing element 41 can abut with bread support flanges 33 to stop movement beyond the first position as illustrated in Figs. 7 and 9. The 5 sensing element 41 is provided with a sensor flange 43 for tripping the optical sensor 47 which will be described later. The purpose of the sensor assembly 21 is to detect whether foodstuff is present in the second elongated cavity 6. This will determine whether the respective heating elements 5 for the second elongated cavity 6 should be activated if foodstuff is present, or deactivated, if no 10 foodstuff is present. The "economy mode" is has the advantage of not activating some of the heating elements that may not be required, in particular if the respective elongated cavity has no food stuff present. In some embodiments, there may be an advantage of lower overall power consumption as one or more heating elements would not be activated. It is to be appreciated that sensor assembly 21 and any other components for operation of the economy mode may consume 15 power that will offset any power saving from not activating the one or more heating elements. Mode 1- Economy mode (no foodstuff detected in second slot) The toaster 1 operating in the economy mode will now be described with reference to Figs. 10 to [12]. As illustrated in Fig. 10, foodstuff 99 is placed in the first elongated cavity 4, which is marked with an indicium to designate the slot as the economy slot "eco slot" 49. In one 20 example the indicium is the "eco slot" printed on the outer housing 27 adjacent slot 4. The user then operates the lever assembly 13 to move the carriage to the lowered position to use the toaster 1 as previously described. Referring to Figs. 11 and 12, as the second elongated slot 6 is empty, the sensing element 41 remains in a first position. Therefore the sensor flange 43 is not detected by the optical sensor 25 47. The state of the sensing element in the first position, as detected by the optical control sensor 47 is passed onto the electronic control circuit, which interprets this as an empty elongated cavity. The electronic control circuit then ensures the toaster 1 operates in the "economy mode" by deactivating the heating element 5 associated with the second elongated cavity 6, and activating the heating element 5 associated with the first elongated cavity 4.

10 Deactivating the heating element 5 of the second elongated cavity 6 may be achieved by breaking the circuit that supplies power to the heating elements 5. For example, the electronic control circuit, may switch a relay switch to break the circuit from the power supply assembly 17 and the heating elements. Alternatively, deactivating the heating element 5 may be achieved by 5 simply not providing power to the power source assembly 17 in the first instance for example by not closing a switch. Other ways of preventing power to be supplied to the heating element 5 of the second elongated cavity 6 may be used. Activating the heating element 5 associated with the first elongated cavity 6 may be achieved by simply letting the power contactor 29 complete the circuit between the power source 10 assembly 17 and the heating elements of the first elongated cavity 4. Alternatively, the electronic control circuit may switch a relay switch to complete the circuit from the power supply assembly 17 and the heating elements. Any number of ways of supplying power to the heating elements 5 of the first elongated cavity 4 may be used. A visual indicator 51 may be provided to alert the user that the toaster is in the economy 15 mode. This may be an light emitting diode light, or through a digital display, such as an LCD display 309. Mode 2- Normal mode (foodstuff detected in second slot) The toaster 1 operating in the normal mode will now be described with reference to Figs. 13 to 15. As illustrated in Fig. 13, foodstuff 99 is placed in both the first and second elongated 20 cavities 4, 6. The user may then operate the lever assembly 13 to push the carriage to the lowered position to use the toaster 1 as previously described. Referring to Figs. 14 and 15, the second elongated slot 6 is occupied by foodstuff 99, and the sensing element 41 is displaced to a second position. In the second position, the sensing element 41 is substantially horizontal and the upper portion 46 abuts with the second follower 25 37, which is also substantially horizontal. The second follower stops the sensing element 41 from moving beyond the second position. Advantageously, the second follower 37 provides additional support to the sensing element 41 that is weighed down by foodstuff 99. This prevents undue flexing of the sensing element 41. As the second position is substantially horizontal, the sensing element also assists in smooth and uniform lifting of foodstuff 99 when the carriage assembly 30 returns to the raised position after toasting is complete.

11 As best illustrated in Fig. 14, when the sensing element is in the second position, the sensor flange 43 pivots about pivot point 39 and is consequently positioned to interrupt an optical beam of the optical sensor 47. Therefore the sensor flange 43 is detected by the optical sensor 47. The state of the sensing element in the second position, as detected by the optical 5 control sensor 47 is passed onto the electronic control circuit [x], which interprets this as foodstuff being present in the second elongated cavity 6. The electronic control circuit [x] then ensures the toaster 1 operates in the "normal mode" by activating the heating element 5 associated with the first and second elongated cavities 4, 6. A visual indicator such as an LED light or a display may be provided to alert the user that the toaster is in the normal mode. 10 Electronic controller logic The logic 200 of the electronic control circuit is illustrated in Fig. 16. Initially, the toaster 1 is in a standby mode 202, in which the electronics assembly 19 may receive power or be completely unpowered. In this standby mode 202, the user may wish to select a toasting setting, such as a "browning" or a "defrost" setting. The user then places foodstuff in the appropriate 15 elongated cavities 3 (i.e. first cavity 4 for one slice of toast, or first and second cavities 4, 6 for two slices), and operates the lever assembly 13 so that the carriages are down 204. This initiates optical sensor 47 to turn on and determine if foodstuff is in the second elongated cavity 206 by detecting the state of the sensing element 41. If no foodstuff is detected in the second elongated cavity 6, then it is assumed foodstuff is 20 only in the first elongated cavity 4 (i.e. once slice of bread in first slot only 208) and the elements of the first elongated cavity 6 are activated 210. Note that this mode 208, 210 may also occur if foodstuff is not present in either the first or second elongated cavities. However it is assumed that under ordinary use, the user will not activate the toaster 1 without foodstuff at all. If food stuff is detected in the second elongated cavity 6, then it is assumed foodstuff is 25 present in both the first and second cavity 4, 6 (i.e. bread in both slots 212) and the elements of both elongated cavities 4, 6 are activated 214. Note that this mode 212, 214 may also occur if foodstuff is present in the second elongated cavity 6 only, with the first elongated cavity 4 empty. However, it is assumed that in ordinary use, the user will follow instructions and if they only have one piece of foodstuff to toast, they will place the sole piece of foodstuff in the first 12 elongated slot 4 to take advantage of the economy mode. The indicium 49 is provided to indicate which slot should be used in the economy mode. Carriage assembly jam safety One problem with toasters is that a jammed carriage assembly may cause the toaster to 5 continue to supply power to the heating elements even if the desired toasting cycle has passed, which may be a fire hazard. Reasons for the carriage to stick include foodstuff jamming the carriage assembly in place. An arrangement of the carriage assembly, lever assembly and lifting assembly will now be described that will reduce this risk by cutting off power to the heating assembly even if the carriage assembly is stuck in a lowered position. 10 Figs. 17 and 18 illustrate the lever assembly 13 includes a lever assembly body 53, having apertures 55 for receiving a guide rod 63, and an operating lever 57 that extends laterally from the lever assembly body 53. The lever assembly body 53 has opposing upper 59 and lower 60 abutment surfaces for interfacing with the carriage assembly 11. The upper abutment surface 59, when interfaced with the carriage assembly 11, allows the user to operate the lever assembly 15 13 to urge the carriage assembly 11 from a raised position to a lowered position. The lower abutment surface 60 allows the user to operate the lever assembly 13 to urge the carriage assembly 11 from a lowered position to a raised position. A base abutment surface 61 of the lever assembly body 53 is provided to interface with the lift assembly 15 to allow the lift assembly 15 to urge the lever assembly 13 when required. 20 The carriage assembly 11 will now be further described with reference to Figs. 19 and 20. The carriage body 32 has an aperture 34 for receiving guide rod 63, and a top abutment surface 36 and a bottom abutment surface 38 on opposite sides of the carriage body 32 for interfacing with respective upper 59 and lower 60 abutment surfaces of the lever assembly 13. As illustrated in Figs. 19 and 20, the carriage body 32 is partially received between the opposed upper 59 and 25 lower 60 abutment surfaces of the lever assembly 13. The distance between the top and bottom abutment surfaces 36, 38 of the carriage assembly is less than the distance between the enveloping upper 59 and lower 60 abutment surfaces of the lever assembly. This allows some relative movement between the carriage assembly 11 and the lever assembly 13, as illustrated in Figs. 19 and 20. Fig. 19 shows the carriage body adjacent the lower abutment surface 60 and Fig. 30 20 shows the carriage body adjacent the upper abutment surface 59.

13 When assembled, the guide rod 63 passes through the apertures 55 in the lever assembly body 53 and the apertures 34 into the carriage body 32. The lever assembly body 53 and the carriage body 32 may then be moved up and down the guide rod 63. The lift assembly 15 will now be described with reference to Figs. 21 and 22. The lift 5 assembly 15 includes a lifting piece 65 having a lifting surface 67, apertures 69 for guide rods, and a boss 71. The boss 71 is engageable with the solenoid catch 73 which is also part of the lifting assembly, but which is mounted to the electronics assembly 19. An extension 74 is attached to the lifting piece 65, which can interface with the power contactor 29. A damper support arm 75 connects the damper rod 77 and damper piston 79 to the lifting piece 65. The lift 10 assembly 15 also includes a biasing means (not shown) to bias the lifting piece 65 from an energized position to a rest position. The biasing means may include a spring. The operation of the carriage jam safety will now be described with reference to Figs. 23 to 28. Figs. 23 and 24 illustrates the toaster 1 when the lifting assembly 15 is in a rest position due to the biasing mean. In this position, the lever assembly 13 is proximal to opening 9, and is 15 supported in this location by the lifting piece 65, via contact of the base abutment surface 61 and lifting surface 67. The lever assembly 13, in turn supports the carriage assembly 11 in the raised position. Thus Figs. 23 and 24 illustrate the configuration of the toaster 1 prior to operation of the lever assembly 13 to use the toaster, as well as the configuration after the toasting cycle has finished to allow foodstuff to be partially ejected and removed. As illustrated, the extension 74 is 20 clearly separated from the power contactor 29. Figs. 25 and 26 illustrate the toaster after the user operates the lever assembly 13 to commence toasting of the foodstuff. As the lever assembly 13 is pushed downwards, the upper abutment surface 59 of the lever assembly body 53 bears against the top abutment surface 36 of the carriage body, thereby urging the carriage assembly 11 to the lowered position as illustrated 25 in Figs. 25 and 26. When the carriage assembly 11 is in the lowered position, the bottom abutment surface 38 (see Fig. 20) of the carriage body 32 is spaced above the lower abutment surface 60 of the lever assembly 13. This space allows the lever assembly 13 to move a small distance towards the opening 9 even if the carriage body 32 remains fixed in place. This advantage will become apparent later on. To ensure the bottom abutment surface 38 of the 30 carriage body 32 when in the lowered position, is spaced above the lower abutment surface 60, a 14 stop (not shown) may be used to prevent the carriage body 32 from moving below the lowered position. During the operation of the lever assembly 13, the base abutment surface 61 of the lever assembly body 53 also bears against the lifting surface 67 of the lifting piece 65, thereby urging 5 the lifting assembly 15 to the energised position as illustrated in Figs. 25 and 26. In this configuration, extension 74 forces the 2 middle poles of the power contactor 29 outwards, closing the circuit and thereby allowing the power assembly 17 to provide power to the heating elements 5, and to the electronics assembly 19. As power is provided to the control circuit to initiate the timer, it also provides a solenoid control signal to the engage the solenoid catch 73 to 10 the extension 71, thereby retaining the lifting assembly in the energised position as best illustrated in Fig. 26. Figs. 27 and 28 illustrate the toaster when the carriage assembly 11 is stuck in the lowered position, and where the solenoid catch 73 has disengaged to release the lift assembly 15 from the energised position. Even though the carriage assembly 11 remains stationary (i.e. 15 stuck), the lifting piece 65 and lever assembly 13 is allowed to move slightly, due to the clearance space between the bottom abutment surface 38 and lower abutment surface 60 discussed above and shown in Fig. 26. Referring now to Fig. 28, the lever assembly body 53, urged by the lifting piece 65, abuts and is stopped by the jammed carriage body 32. However the slight movement of the lifting piece 65 is enough to allow the extension 74 to move away from 20 the power contactor 29 and for the power circuit between the power assembly 17 and the heating elements 5 to be cut, thereby deactivating the heating elements 5. Advantageously, the heating elements 5 are deactivated after the toasting cycle even though the carriage assembly 11 is stuck, thereby reducing the risk of burning or melting of the toaster and surrounding materials, and providing a safer toaster 1. 25 Self-centring guides The centring guides 22 for centring foodstuff in the elongated cavities 3 will now be described with reference to Figs. 29 to 32. The centring guides 22 include wire frames 81 that are located on opposing side walls of the elongated cavities 3. At one end of the centring guides 22 is a spigot 83 which in conjunction with an aperture 85 in the body 7, allows the centring guides 30 22 to pivot within the elongated cavities 3. Thus a pair of centring guides on opposing walls of 15 the elongated cavities 3 can pivot inwardly towards each other to centre foodstuff located therebetween. As illustrated in Fig. 30, the pivot is located at the bottom of the elongated cavities 3. The centring guides have projections 87 that extend through slots 88 in the body 7. 5 Sprung wires 89 are provided to engage the projections 87, and to bias the centring guides inwardly towards each other. To enable foodstuff to be inserted into the elongated cavities 3 without the centring guides 22 interfering with insertion, the guides are only allowed to move inwardly towards each other when the carriage assembly is lowered from the raised position. Referring to Fig. 29, a portion of the wire frame 81 is provided with a non-linear surface 10 that acts as a camming surface 91. The follower 31 is provided with an enlarged bread support flange 92. When the carriage assembly 11 is in the raised position, the enlarged bread support flange 91 contacts the wire frame 81 to prevent the centring guides 22 from moving inwardly as illustrated in Figs. 31 and 32. As the carriage assembly 11 is lowered, the enlarged bread support flange 92 rides against the camming surface 91, which is profiled to allow the sprung wires to 15 bias opposing centring guides 22 move inwardly, thereby centring the foodstuff. When the carriage assembly 11 is raised, the converse occurs and the centring guides 22 move outwardly to permit extraction of the foodstuff. Controlled lift damper The bias of the lifting assembly 15 may, depending on the selected biasing means, be too 20 strong. This may cause the toasted foodstuff to violently eject from the toaster 1, and/or cause an undesirably loud sound that may startle the user. To reduce the effects, a damping mechanism is provided, including a cylinder 78 fixed relative to the body 7, a piston 79 and damper rod 77 fixed to the lifting piece 65. The piston and cylinder 78 co-operatively dampen the movement of the lifting piece 65. This may be by friction 25 between the piston 79 and walls of the cylinder 78. In one embodiment, part of the piston 79 may be constructed of rubber to increase friction. In another embodiment, the damper may include pneumatic or hydraulic means to dampen the movement.

16 Lift and look feature During the toasting, it may be desirable to check the progress of toasting of the foodstuff, without prematurely stopping the toaster 1. The toaster 1 disclosed herein allows inspection of the foodstuff by moving the carriage assembly 11 to the raised position whilst the toaster 1 has 5 the heating elements 5 active and the lifting piece 65 is retained in the energised position. Referring to Fig. 33, the lever assembly 13 has been operated to move the carriage assembly 11 to the raised position. Since the interface between the lever assembly 13 and lifting piece 65 is by abutment surfaces 61 and 67, the lever assembly 13 can be separated from the lifting piece 65, which remains in place in the energised position. 10 Therefore, the user can inspect the progress of the foodstuff during the toasting cycle without terminating the toasting cycle and resetting the timer. Extra lift feature The raised position of the carriage assembly 11 in a toaster 1, although approaching the opening 9, is usually spaced so that there is sufficient room for foodstuff to be partially received 15 within the elongated cavity 3. If the carriage assembly 11 is too close or at the opening 9, the foodstuff may topple over and fall out of the elongated cavities 3 before the user has a chance to operate the lever assembly 13. On the other hand, if the carriage assembly 11 in the raised position is too far from the opening 9, it may be difficult for the user to extract the foodstuff from the toaster after the foodstuff has been toasted. 20 The toaster 1, is provided with an extra lift feature, which allows the carriage assembly 11 in the raised position to be moved even closer to the opening 9. As illustrated in Figs. 23 and 24, when the lifting piece 65 is in the rest position, the vertical slots 93 in the body 7 in which the carriage assembly 11 rides through, extend well above the carriage assembly 11. Therefore, the user may operate the lever assembly 13 upwards towards the opening, to lift the carriage 25 assembly 11 further toward the opening 9 for extra lift. This feature is advantageous for smaller foodstuff that may be difficult to extract. User interface features The toaster 1 is provided with a number of user interfaces to provide control input to the toaster 1, as well as feedback to the user. In one embodiment, the user interface may be 17 illuminated, such as by light emitting diodes to indicate the setting selected by the user. A dial 301 is provided to allow the user to select a "browning setting" for the toaster 1. This input, amongst others, may adjust the specified time the timer sets for the toasting cycle. A cancel button 303 is provided to end the toasting cycle, which will end the timer, deactivate the heating 5 elements, and raise the carriage assembly 11. The toaster 1 is also provided with buttons 307, to allow the user to further select that the toaster 1 is to be used for reheating or defrosting, whereby the control circuit will suitably adjust the toaster 1, such as the timer or heating elements 5. The buttons 307 may also include a "crumpet" button used for toasting a crumpet. When "crumpet" is selected, the power to the heating elements 5 on the sides of the elongated cavities 10 3 may be asymmetric. That is, the heating on one side of the elongated cavity 3 is different to the opposing side. This is advantageous for crumpets where different levels of toasting are required for opposite surfaces, and generally it is desirable to brown the bottom surface. The toaster 1 may be marked with an indicium to indicate the correct side to insert the crumpet into the elongated cavity 3, so that the bottom surface of the crumpet faces the heating elements 5 15 supplied with higher power for browning. The toaster 11 may also be provided with a visual display 309, such as an LCD display for feedback to the user. The visual display 309 may display such information as timer information which will countdown the time to complete toasting, time of day, browning settings, economy mode, and settings selected by the user. 20 Heating! element mica cards The heating elements 5 may each heat a single elongated cavity 3 only, or may be used to heat two adjacent elongated cavities 3. Referring to Fig. 35 the toaster 351 has two heating elements 5 for each elongated cavity 3. The heating elements 5, may be formed of mica cards 355, with electrical windings 356 on one side to provide electrical resistance that produces heat 25 when electrical current is applied. Fig. 36 illustrates an alternative arrangement for the toaster 361, whereby a central mica card 365 is provided between adjacent elongated cavities. The central mica card 365 has electrical windings 366 on opposite sides of the card. Advantageously, a central mica card 365 with windings on both sides allows the toaster 361 to be produced with fewer mica cards.

18 VARIATIONS Variation - Economy mode with a sensor assembly for each slot In another embodiment, there is provided a toaster 401 having a sensor element 41, 42 and corresponding sensor assemblies for each elongated cavity 4, 6 as illustrated in Fig. 37. 5 Advantageously, this allows the economy mode feature to operate without the user having to use a specific elongated cavity 3. That is, the user can use either the first or second elongated cavity 4, 6 to achieve the advantage of the economy mode. The logic 400 of the electronic control circuit is illustrated in Fig. 38. Initially, the toaster 1 is in a standby mode 402. The user then places foodstuff in either or both elongated cavities 4, 10 6, and operates the lever assembly 13 so that the carriages is down 404. This initiates optical sensors 47 to turn on to determine whether foodstuff is in the elongated cavities 4, 6. The optical sensors 47 detect 406, 407 if foodstuff is in the first elongated cavity 4, and/or the second elongated cavity 6. If the optical sensors 47 only detect foodstuff in the first elongated cavity 408, then only the heating elements 5 of the first elongated cavity are activated 410. If the optical 15 sensors 47 detect foodstuff in both the first and second elongated cavities 412, then the heating elements of both cavities are activated 414. If the optical sensors 47 detect foodstuff in only the second elongated cavity 416, then only the heating elements 5 of the second elongated cavity are activated 418. If the optical sensor does not detect foodstuff in either the first or second cavities 4, 6, then it is determined that no foodstuff is in either slots 20, and none of the elements are 20 activated. It would be appreciated that including sensing means and sensing assemblies for each elongated cavity can be applied to a toaster with any number of elongated cavities, such as a "four slot" toaster, with sensing elements for each slot. The user may insert foodstuff into the four elongated cavities in any combination, and the toaster, on detection of foodstuff in each 25 individual elongated cavity activate elements in the cavities where foodstuff is present. Variation - Economy mode for a "four slot" toaster havin- one sensor assembly Providing sensing elements and corresponding sensor assemblies for each elongated cavity may lead to higher costs of manufacture. This would be of concern, for say, a four slot toaster which would require four sensor assemblies. However, it is possible to achieve the 19 advantage of an economy mode of selectively using one, two or three elongated cavities by incorporating one sensor assembly 21 only. Referring to Fig. 39 there is provided a four slot toaster 501, having four elongated cavities. The first elongated cavity 504 and second elongated cavity 506 share a common first 5 carriage assembly and first lever assembly 513. The third elongated cavity 508 and fourth elongated cavity 510 share a common second carriage assembly and second lever assembly 514. The first carriage assembly can operate independently of the second carriage assembly. In effect, the toaster 501 is similar to combining a couple of "two slot" toasters together. The second elongated cavity 506 is provided with a sensing element and respective 10 sensor assembly 21, and the first elongated cavity 504 does not have a sensing element. The first carriage assembly and corresponding elongated cavities 504, 506 operates in a similar principle as the toaster 1 described in the first embodiment of the economy feature. The third and fourth elongated cavities 508 and 510 do not have sensing elements. Thus the second carriage assembly and corresponding elongated cavities 508 and 510 cannot detect 15 whether foodstuff is present in those cavities. The operation of the toaster 501 for different combinations of foodstuff will now be described. If the user wishes to toast foodstuff in a single elongated cavity, the foodstuff is to be inserted in the first elongated cavity 504, and then the first lever assembly 513 is operated. The 20 heating elements of the first elongated cavity 504 will be activated, but the heating elements of the second elongated cavity 506 will not be activated as sensing element 541 would not detect foodstuff in the second elongated cavity 506. If the user wishes to toast foodstuff in two elongated cavities, the user has two options. Firstly, the user may place foodstuff in the third and fourth elongated cavities 508, 510 and 25 operate the second lever assembly 514, whereby the heating elements of both cavities 508, 510 will be activated. Alternatively, the user may place foodstuff in the first and second elongated cavities 504, 506 and operate the first lever assembly 513. As the sensing element 541 detects foodstuff in the second elongated cavity, the heating elements of both the first and second elongated cavities 504, 506 will be activated.

20 If the user wishes to toast foodstuff in three elongated cavities, foodstuff is to be inserted in the first elongated cavity 504, and the third and fourth elongated cavities 508, 510. Both the first and second lever assemblies 513 and 514 are then operated. As the sensing element 541 would not detect foodstuff in the second elongated assembly 506, the second elongated assembly 5 will not be activated. Finally, if the user wishes to toast foodstuff in four elongated cavities, the user places foodstuff in all four elongated cavities 504, 506, 508 and 510, and operates the first and second lever assemblies 513, 514. Variation - Economy mode for a "sinle opening" toaster havin- one sensor assembly 10 In another embodiment illustrated in Fig. 42, there is provided a toaster 801 having first 804 and second 806 elongated cavities arranged in tandem, and sharing a common opening 809. The elongated cavities 804, 806 may be connected to each other at a respective end, providing effectively a single slot with two regions of operation. Each elongated cavity 804, 806 has a respective pair of heating elements 805. The second elongated cavity 806 has a sensor assembly 15 821 for detecting whether foodstuff is present in the second elongated cavity. When in use in an economy mode where only one elongated cavity is required, foodstuff is placed in the first elongated cavity 804. As no foodstuff is detected in the second elongated cavity 806 by the sensor assembly 821, when the toaster is operated to toast the foodstuff, only the heating elements 805 for the elongated first cavity are activated. Alternatively, if foodstuff is placed in 20 both elongated cavities 804 806, the sensor assembly 821 detects foodstuff in the second cavity 806, and the heating elements 805 corresponding to both elongated cavities 804, 806 will be activated when the toaster 801 is operated to toast the foodstuff. Relay switch power interrupt A problem with known toasters is that if the lever assembly 13 is stuck or jammed in the 25 lowermost position, such as the position of the lever assembly 13 in Figs. 25 and 26, it may prevent the lifting piece 15 moving at all when the solenoid catch 73 is disengaged. This is problematic, as the extension 73 will remain interfaced with the power contactor 29, which leads to the heating elements 5 to remaining active. Such a problem may occur if an object inadvertently falls or rests onto the lever assembly 13.

21 Referring to Fig. 40, there is disclosed an electrical schematic of an improved toaster 601 that will ameliorate the above problem. The toaster 601 has a lever assembly 613 operable to move the carriage assembly 11 down to the lowered position to commence toasting. The toaster 601 may have the features described in the toaster 1 described in the first embodiment, with the 5 exception of those discussed below. A control input 612 is provided which has a first control position and a second control position, whereby the control position is monitored by a control input sensor in the form of micro-switch 620. In the second control position, the control input 612 does not activate the micro-switch 620. When in the first control position, the control input 612 activates the micro-switch 620. The control input 612 may be part of the lever assembly 613 10 or the carriage assembly 11, so that when the carriage assembly 11 is lowered to the lowered position, the control input 612 is in a first control position to activate the micro-switch 620. A solenoid catch 673 is provided to releasably retain the lever assembly or carriage assembly 11 in the lowered position. The carriage assembly 11 or the lever assembly 613 may be biased, so that when the solenoid catch 673 is released, the carriage assembly 11 is operatively biased or urged 15 to the raised position, and thereby moving the control input 612 to the second control position. The carriage assembly 11 may be biased directly, or indirectly, such as through the lever assembly 13 and lifting piece 65 as described earlier. Elongated cavities 3 are provided to receive foodstuff, which is heated by activating heating elements 605. The heating elements 605 may receive power from power supply 617, and 20 relay switches 622 and 624 are provided therebetween that may operatively interrupt power from the power supply 617 to the heating elements 605. A control circuit 626, which may be in the form of a printed circuit board with micro controllers, receives information from the micro-switch 620, and controls the solenoid catch 673 and relay switches 622 and 624. The control circuit 626 also includes a timer to allow toasting 25 for a specified period. The operation of the toaster 601 will now be described with reference to Fig. 40. The toaster 601 initially has the carriage assembly 11 in the raised position, and the control input 612 is at a second control position. Foodstuff is provided into the elongated cavities, and the lever assembly 613 is operated so that the carriage assembly 613 is at the lowered position. At this 30 location, the control input 612 is at the first control position, and the micro-switch 620 is activated, and the control circuit 620 responds by sending a solenoid control signal for the 22 solenoid catch 673 to retain the carriage assembly in the lowered position. The control circuit 626 also initiates a timer to count for a specified time period suitable for toasting the foodstuff. In addition, the control circuit 626 couples the heating elements 605 to the power supply 617 by switching the relay switches 622 and 624 to complete the circuit and activate heating of the 5 elongated cavity. When the specified time has transpired, the control circuit 626 sends a solenoid control signal to the solenoid catch 673 to release the carriage assembly 11 which then moves the control input 612 to the second control position. The carriage 11 is then urged or biased to the raised position. Furthermore, the control circuit 626 switches to relay switches 622, 624 to decouple the 10 power supply 617 from the heating elements 605. If the carriage 11 or lever assembly 613 is jammed or stuck, the control input 612 would remain in the first control position, where the micro-switch 620 will remain activated. In this case, after the specified time has transpired the control switch 626 will switch the relay switches 622, 624 to decouple to power supply 617 from the heating elements 605. Thus the power supply 15 17 to the heating elements 605 is interrupted, even though the control input 612 is in a first control position. Advantageously, even though the lever assembly 613 is stuck in the down position, with the control input 612 in a first control position to activate the heating element 605, the power supply 617 to the heating element is interrupted. This reduces the chance of damage caused by a 20 jammed toaster continuing to operate after the specified time has transpired. Motorised carriage assembly In one variation of the toaster described in the above embodiments, the lever assembly 13, 513, 514, 613, and/or the lifting assembly 15 may be supplemented or substituted with an electrically controlled actuator 750 for lifting and the carriage assembly 711. Referring to Fig. 25 41, the toaster 701 has a motorised carriage assembly 711, which is actuated by an electrically controlled actuator 750, such as a rotary electric motor or linear motor, by the electronic control circuit. A sensing element 741 is provided on the carriage assembly 747. An optical sensor 747 is mounted adjacent to the carriage assembly 711 when in the raised position. Thus the optical sensor 747 can detect the state of the sensing element 741 before the carriage assembly 711 is 30 lowered to the lowered position.

23 The operation of the motorised carriage assembly 711 will now be described. Initially, the carriage assembly 711 is in a raised position, with the sensing element 741 in a first position. When foodstuff 99 is inserted into the elongated cavity, the sensing element 741 is displaced to the second position, as illustrated in Fig. 41. In turn, the optical sensor 747 detects the movement 5 of the sensing element 741 in the second position, indicating foodstuff has been received in the elongated cavities. The electronic control circuit responds by instructing the actuator 750 to lower the carriage assembly 711 to the lowered position to commence toasting. After toasting for a specified time is complete, the electronic control circuit, instructs the actuator 750 to raise the carriage assembly 711 to the raised position. 10 In one embodiment the sensing elements 741 detect the presence of foodstuff in the elongated slots to determine if the toaster 701 should activate respective heating elements in the elongated cavities. That is, the sensors can be used to assist in operation of the toaster 701 in an economy mode as described in any one of the embodiments above. Toaster with "Bread Select" Function 15 An embodiment of the toaster 901 having a "bread select" function will now be described with reference to Figs. 43a to 49. The toaster 901 includes multiple user interfaces for selecting toasting parameters and operating the toaster 901, including a lever assembly 13 for operating the carriage assembly, a dial interface 902 for selecting a "browning setting", a multi-function select button 903, a cancel button 906, a reheat button 908, and a defrost button 910. There is 20 also provided a visual display 909 to provide information, such as toasting parameters(including type of bread and "browning setting"), and optionally other information such as those discussed above in relation to visual display 309. The user interfaces and display are linked to a microcontroller and control circuit similar to that discussed in the above mentioned embodiments. 25 The dial interface 902 allows quick selection by the user of an appropriate "browning setting" and includes a rotary encoder to sense angular displacement in the dial. A rotary encoder allows the dial interface 902 to rotate infinitely without rotational limits. The selected "browning setting", which is a toasting parameter, is displayed in the visual display 909 discussed in further detail below.

24 The multi-function select button 903 is located at the centre of the surrounding dial interface 902. The multi-function select button 903 allows three inputs, based on the time the button is depressed. The three inputs are: o "select" input - This input is made by a short depression of the multi 5 function select button 903. For example, this may include depressing the button 903 for less than two seconds. o "save" input - This input is made by a "push and hold" depression of the multi-function select button 903. For example, the user may depress the button 903 continuously for between two and five seconds. 10 o "delete" input - This input is made by an extended depression of the multi-function select button 903. For example, the user may depress the button 903 continuously for more than five seconds. To assist the user, audio outputs may be provided, such as a beep or a series of beeps to indicate the input made by the user. 15 The lever assembly 13 operates the carriage assembly, and initiates toasting similar to the embodiments discussed above. The cancel button 906, reheat button 908 and defrost button 910 each have LED backlights which may individually switch on or off. In one embodiment, the LED backlight is red in colour. The LED backlight provides visual indicia for each of the respective buttons, and 20 may represent a particular parameter of operation of the toaster 901. For example, the backlight corresponding to the reheat button 908 may represent the parameter for "reheating" operation. Furthermore, the backlight corresponding to the defrost button 910 may represent the parameter for "defrost", which would be appropriate for frozen bread. The backlight may also represent that the corresponding button may be depressed for a specific function. For example, the 25 backlight for the cancel button 906 may be illuminated only when depressing the button would cancel a parameter or an operation. The visual display 909 will now be described with reference to Fig. 43b, which shows an LCD display with all pixels in the display shown "on" for illustrative purposes for this 25 description. During actually use, only a subset of these pixels will be displayed at any one time to visually convey information, such as toasting parameters and other information. At the bread type region 950 of the visual display 909, the display can indicate white bread 951, sourdough bread 953, brown / mixed grain bread 955, sweet bread 957, and crumpet 5 959. Generally only one of the types of bread, which corresponds to the bread that is selected will be displayed at any one time. Below the bread type region 950, there are pixel displays for "My Bread 1" 961 and "My Bread 2" 963. These indicate the toaster 901 is using one of the two pre-saved user defined settings. The pre-saved settings may include parameters such as defrost, bread type, and 10 browning settings, and the operation of saving and recalling these pre-saved settings will be discussed below. The visual display 909 also includes a browning setting display 965. The browning setting display provides a "browning setting" value between the range of 0.5 to 6.0 in 0.1 increments, with 0.5 for the least amount of browning and 6.0 for the maximum amount. It is to 15 be appreciated the value range can be of any other scale and with other incremental values. In normal use, there is a direct correlation between the angular displacement of the dial interface 902 and changes in the "browning setting" value. That is, the user can manipulate the dial interface 902, and view the browning setting display 965 to confirm the correct browning setting has been selected. 20 At the lower right of the visual display 967 there is a time display 967. The time display 967 displays the toasting time estimated for the toasting parameters set for the toaster. Once the toasting cycle has commenced, the time display 967 may provide a countdown of the time remaining for the toasting cycle. Operating Parameters 25 The toaster 901 has a number of operating parameters to allow the user to adjust the toaster for specific types of bread, condition of the bread, user's preferences and condition of the toaster.

26 "Bread type" parameter As noted above, toaster 901 allows the user to specify different types of bread by operation of the user interface, in particular the multi-function select button 903. Generally for white bread 951, sourdough bread 953, brown / mixed grain bread 955 and sweet bread 957, 5 selection of these categories of bread will vary the toasting time. Through experimentation, the optimum toasting times for each type of bread and at various "browning settings" are determined. With this data, the toaster 901 can be pre-programmed during manufacture to provide these optimum toasting times. An advantage of allowing the user to select the bread as an operating parameter that is distinctly separate to the "browning setting" is that it assists in 10 providing consistency for a particular browning setting across different bread types. This is particularly useful for users who do not have regular experience in toasting different types of bread. For example, if a user normally likes lightly toasted white bread, they can set the "browning setting" to 0.5, and select the type of bread as "white". If the user requires lightly toasted brown bread, but does not have experience with toasting brown bread, the user merely 15 needs to change the type of bread to "brown/grain", and leave the "browning setting" at 0.5. The toaster will then toast the bread for a time period to achieve light toasting. This is in contrast with known toasters, where user experience is required to adjust the "browning setting" to get the desired result for different types of bread. Alternatively, or in conjunction, the selection of a "bread type" parameter may alter the 20 power to, and consequently the temperature of, the heating elements discussed in further detail below. The crumpet setting may vary not only the toasting time, but also provide different power to the heating elements on the different sides of the crumpet. The asymmetric heating of crumpets was discussed above. 25 "Browning settings" parameter This parameter alters the "browning" of the toast. Typically, this is reflected in the colour of the toasted product, where for example, lightly toasted white bread is light in colour, whereas heavily toasted white bread is dark brown. In between these extremes include bread that may be toasted to a "golden" colour. Generally, the level of browning is determined by the period of 30 time the bread is toasted, with the longer the period, the more "brown" the toast. Of course, the 27 temperature is also a factor, whereby the more heat radiated by the heating elements, the faster and more brown the resultant toast will become. For reasons of power efficiency, cost efficiency and technology, it is generally easier to achieve particular "browning" of toast by varying the toasting time whilst keeping the heating 5 elements at specific power or temperature values. This is opposed to finely adjusting the temperature of the heating elements to achieve a particular browning of the toast. Therefore in one embodiment the "browning settings" is a parameter which adjusts the toasting time for the selected bread. However, it is to be appreciated in other embodiments that the "browning setting" 10 parameter may provide a parameter that alter the power to, and consequently the temperature of, the heating elements. Residual temperature compensation parameter This parameter is detected by the toaster 901 and does not require a separate input from the user. The toaster 901 is provided with a temperature sensor to measure the residual 15 temperature of the toaster. The toasting time is adjusted to compensate for the residual temperature of the toaster to enable more consistent and repeatable results for the particular browning setting. This may be advantageous in situations where multiple toasting cycles are performed on the toaster 901 in a short period of time, which causes the toaster 901 to increase in temperature. The required adjustment of toasting time may be determined by prior 20 experimentation, and with the adjustments pre-programmed in the toaster during manufacture. Defrost parameter The "defrost" parameter allows the user to specify that the bread is frozen. To compensate for the condition of the bread, the toaster 901 increases the toasting time, so that the toasted bread achieves the browning as specified in the "browning setting". Advantageously, this 25 assists in providing toast at the desired browning setting without relying on the user increasing the "browning setting" to compensate for the frozen bread, or requiring the user to initiate another toasting cycle to achieve the desired browning result. When selecting the "defrost" parameter, the additional time for toasting may be dependent on the "bread type" parameter. This is to take into account that different breads may 28 require different times to defrost. Therefore selection of the "defrost" parameter may increase the toasting time differently for different types of bread. Reheat parameter When the "reheat" parameter is selected, the toaster is set for a shortened toasting cycle, 5 such as a 30 second toasting cycle. This parameter is for situations where the bread has previously been toasted, but has cooled down. In this shortened toasting cycle, the toast has already achieved the desired browning, and the toasting is to simply reheat the toast to a desired temperature for consumption. Control logic for "Bread Select" function 10 The operation of the toaster 901 will now be described with reference to flow diagrams Figs. 44 to 49. Control logic overview Firstly the toaster 901 is turned on at starting step 1010. In this step, the parameters are initialised depending on the default parameters or the saved parameters. The toaster then enters a 15 standby mode at step 1020 to await further input from the user. From the standby mode, the user may select toasting parameters at step 1030. Optionally, during selection of toasting parameters at step 1030, the user may elect to save the toasting parameters for later use in optional step 1060. When the user is satisfied with the toasting parameters, which may be defined during the starting step 1010, or defined by selection of parameters during step 1030, the user can activate 20 the toasting cycle at step 1080. Once the toasting cycle has completed at toasting step 1080, the toaster 901 enters standby mode at step 1020, or alternatively the toaster can be switched off at step 1090. At any time before activation of the toasting cycle at step 1080, the user can place bread in the elongated cavities of the toaster 901. 25 Start logic The steps will now be described in detail. Referring to Fig. 45 which shows the start step 1010 in detail, after powering on 1011, the microcontroller determines if any pre-saved user settings (such as "My Bread 1" or "My Bread 2") have been saved at step 1012.

29 If yes at step 1010, the pre-saved user settings will be loaded at step 1013. In step 1013, if there are two sets of pre-saved settings, the microcontroller will load the first set, "My Bread 1". If only one set of pre-saved settings are available, then the available set will be loaded. The pre saved settings to be loaded may include parameters such as the "Bread type", the "Browning 5 setting" and "defrost" setting. If no at step 1010, the microcontroller will load the toaster's default parameters at step 1014. These parameters would be set at the factory. Once the parameters have been loaded, the toaster proceeds to the standby mode at step 1020. 10 Standby mode logic The standby mode step 1020 is shown in detail in Fig. 46. At step 1021, the microcontroller determines if there has been any activity in the last twenty minutes (or other suitable time period). Activity may include the user manipulating one of the user interfaces, or the toaster toasting bread in a cycle. 15 If no at step 1021, the toaster 901 enters a "sleep mode" 1022 whereby one or more parts of the toaster may reduce power usage by shutting off. This may include, for example shutting off indicator lights or the visual display. After entering the sleep mode, the microcontroller determines if any of the user interfaces have been activated (i.e. manipulated) at step 1023. If not, the toaster 901 continues in the sleep mode. Alternatively, if yes, the toaster 901 wakes from 20 the sleep mode at step 1024 by turning on the parts of the toaster that were shut off during the sleep mode. After waking form the sleep mode 1024, the toaster proceeds to the next step of toasting parameter selection 1030. If yes at step 1021, the toaster proceeds to the step of toasting parameter selection 1030. Toasting parameter selection logic 25 The flow logic continues to the next step of toasting parameter selection 1030 as shown in Fig. 47. The microcontroller determines if a select input (described above as a short depression of multi-function select button 903) is received at step 1031.

30 If yes at step 1031, it is determined whether there are any pre-saved settings at step 1032. If no at step 1032, the microcontroller cycles through a group comprising of the "bread type" parameters by one from the previous value at step 1033. For example, the microcontroller may cycle through the group consisting of: 5 - white bread; - sourdough; - brown / mixed grain; - sweet bread; and - crumpet. 10 When the microcontroller cycles the group to the next "bread type" parameter, the parameter is displayed at the bread type region 950 of the visual display 909. After step 1033, the logic returns to the step of monitoring the select input at step 1031. If yes at step 1032, the microcontroller will cycle through an alternative group comprising of the "bread type" and the "pre-saved settings", by one value at step 1034. For 15 example, the microcontroller may cycle through the group consisting of: - white bread; - sourdough; - brown / mixed grain; - sweet bread; 20 - crumpet; - My Bread 1; and - My Bread 2.

31 After cycling through one value at step 1034, it is determined at step 1035 whether the present value after cycling is one of the pre-saved parameters (i.e. "My Bread 1" or "My Bread 2"). If no at step 1035, the logic returns to the step of monitoring the select input at step 1031. If yes at step 1035, the parameters that were saved in the pre-saved settings are loaded as 5 the present settings for the toaster at step 1036. These parameters will be displayed on the visual display 909. For example, if the first pre-saved setting is for frozen white bread with a preferred browning of "3", the display after loading at step 1036 will include display of "WHITE" at pixel 951, "MY BREAD 1" at pixel 961, the number "3" at the browning setting display 965. The LED corresponding to defrost button 910 will also be illuminated. After step 1036, the logic 10 returns to the step of monitoring the select input at step 1031. If no at step 1031, the microcontroller determines if the dial interface 902 has been adjusted at step 1037. If yes, the value for the "browning setting" parameter will be adjusted at step 1038 depending on the angular displacement of the dial interface 902. After adjusting the "browning setting", the logic returns to monitoring the dial interface at step 1037. 15 If no adjustment of the dial is detected at step 1037, the microcontroller determines if the defrost button 910 has been depressed at step 1039. If yes, then the defrost parameter will be toggled "on" or "off' depending on the previous parameter value at step 1040. After toggling the parameter, the logic returns to monitoring the defrost button 910 at step 1039. If no at step 1039, the microcontroller will determine if a "save input" has been received 20 at step 1041. If yes at step 1039, the microcontroller will proceed with the logic for the "Saving toasting parameters" steps in 1060 which will be discussed in further detail below. If no save input is received at 1041, the microcontroller determines if the reheat button 908 is depressed at step 1042. If yes, the reheat mode is toggled on at step 1043. The user has a few options to turn off the reheat mode at step 1047. 25 Firstly, after the reheat mode is toggled on, the microcontroller monitors if the cancel button 906 is depressed at step 1044. If the yes at step 1044, the reheat mode is turned off at step 1047, whereby after toggling off the reheat mode the logic returns to monitoring the reheat button at step 1042.

32 Secondly, if no at step 1044, the microcontroller determines if the reheat button 908 has been pushed again at step 1045. If yes at 1045, the logic is directed to turning the reheat mode off at step 1047. Thirdly, if no at step 1045 and it has been longer than 30 seconds since the reheat button 5 was pressed and the reheat toasting cycle has not been activated, the reheat mode is toggled off at step 1047. This is shown at step 1046 where if more than 30 seconds has passed since the reheat button was depressed, the logic is directed to step 1047. If it has been 30 seconds or lessat step 1046, the logic proceeds to step 1050 where the microcontroller determines if the lever assembly has been operated. If no at step 1050, the logic is returned to step 1044 to determine if 10 the cancel button has been pressed. If yes at step 1050, then the logic is directed to the toasting step 1080. If no at step 1042, the microcontroller determines if the cancel button 906 has been depressed at step 1048. If yes, the logic is directed back to the standby step at 1020. If no, the microcontroller determines if the lever assembly has been operated at step 15 1049. If no, the logic is directed back to the standby step at 1020. If yes, at step 1049, the logic is directed to the toasting step 1080. Although activation of the toasting step 1080 is determined by operation of the lever assembly 13 at steps 1049 and 1050 in this embodiment, it is to be appreciated other user interfaces may be used to in substitute to determine the user's intent to activate the toasting cycle 20 in steps 1049 and 1050. For example, an electrical switch or electronic button may be used, which may be appropriate for toasters with motorised carriage assemblies as described above. Toasting logic The toasting step will now be described with reference to Fig. 49. At step 1081, the toaster starts the toasting cycle based on the selected parameters. This includes applying power 25 to the heating elements as appropriate for the bread (such as asymmetrical power to heating elements on different sides for crumpets and symmetrical power for other breads), and initiating count down of the timer for the toasting cycle. The power applied to the heating elements and the time for the toasting cycle may be calculated by the microcontroller based on the above mentioned operating parameters in 33 conjunction with the pre-programmed data on the optimum toasting time for the bread type. Alternatively, the required power applied to the heating elements and the required time for the toasting cycle may be obtained by reference to a pre-programmed library that provides the appropriate power and toasting time based on the combination of operating parameters. 5 Once the toasting cycle has commenced at step 1081, the microcontroller monitors for two significant interruptions to the toasting cycle, being depression of the cancel button, and end of the toasting cycle time. This is shown in Fig. 49 where after step 1081, the microcontroller determines if the cancel button 906 has been depressed at step 1082. If yes, then the logic proceeds to step 1083 where power to the heating element is turned off, the carriage assembly 10 raised, and the logic subsequently directed to the standby step 1020. If no at step 1082, the microcontroller then determines if the countdown timer has finished counting to zero (i.e. the toasting time for the toasting cycle is complete). If no, the logic returns to step 1082 to monitor the cancel button. If yes at step 1084, the power to the heating element is turned off at step 1085, the carriage assembly raised and optionally an audio signal 15 sounded to signify the end of the toasting cycle. The logic is then directed back to the standby step 1020, ready for the next toasting cycle. Saving toasting parameters logic The steps for saving toasting parameters 1060 will now be described in detail with reference to Fig. 48. Firstly, the microcontroller determines at step 1061 whether the memory 20 slot allocated for "My Bread 1" setting is occupied with operating parameters. If not, the memory slot for "My Bread 1" is selected at step 1063. At step 1063, this selection is indicated by flashing the pixel display for "My Bread 1" 961, in cycles of 0.5 seconds on and 0.5 seconds off. If yes at step 1061, the microcontroller then determines at step 1062 whether the memory 25 slot allocated for "My Bread 2" setting is occupied with operating parameters. If not, the memory slot "My Bread 2" is selected at step 1064. At step 1064, the selection is indicated by flashing the pixel display for "My Bread 2" 963. If yes at step 1062, which means both memory slots are occupied with parameters, the first memory slot for "My Bread 1" is selected at step 1063.

34 After the microcontroller selects either one of the memory slots at step 1063 and 1065, the user is provided an opportunity to change the selected memory slot. This is provided at step 1065 where it is determined if a select input is received. If yes at 1065, the microcontroller proceeds to toggle between the "My Bread 1" and "My Bread 2" memory setting slots at step 5 1066. After toggling at step 1066, the logic returns to step 1065. If no at step 1065, the microcontroller determines if the dial interface 902 has been adjusted at step 1067. If yes, the browning setting parameter will be adjusted at step 1068, after which the logic returns to step 1067. This is similar to steps 1037 and 1038 described above. If no at step 1067, the microcontroller determines if the defrost button 910 has been 10 depressed at step 1069. If yes, the defrost parameter will be toggled at step 1070, similar to step 1040 described above. If no at step 1069, the microcontroller determines if a save input is received at step 1071. If yes, the microcontroller proceeds to save the present parameters to the presently selected "My Bread" setting memory slot (i.e. "My Bread 1" or "My Bread 2") at step 1072. The parameters 15 saved include the "bread type", "browning setting" and "defrost" parameters. After the parameters are saved at step 1072, the logic returns to toasting parameter selection 1030 to await further input from the user, such as initiation of the toasting step by operating the lever assembly 13. In no at step 1071, the microcontroller determines at step 1073 whether a delete input is 20 received. If yes, the microcontroller determines if there are any parameters saved in the selected memory slot at step 1074. If there is no parameters saved in the memory slot at step 1074, the logic returns to toasting parameter selection step 1030. If yes at step 1074, the microcontroller proceeds to delete the data in the selected "My Bread" setting memory slot at step 1075. After deleting the data at step 1075, or if no delete input data is received at step 1073, the 25 microcontroller determines if the cancel button 906 is depressed at step 1076. If yes, that is the user wishes to cancel the "delete input", the logic returns to the toasting parameter step 1030. If no at step 1076, the logic returns to step 1065 to await further input from the user for changing parameters and or saving the parameters.

35 Although the steps are illustrated and described above as steps following a flow diagram in sequential steps, it is to be appreciated some of the steps may be performed in different orders, and alternatively the steps may be performed in response to interrupts. For example, if defrost button 910 is depressed this may trigger an interrupt (equivalent to step 1039) for the 5 microcontroller to execute step 1040. Examples Tests were conducted on various types of bread to determine the suitable minimum and maximum toasting times for various bread types. The tests were conducted on a 1200W, 2 slice toaster. The toasted bread were graded by colour from BO to B6. The colour grade is obtained by 10 using white bread, where at the lower end BO represents no colour, and B 1 represents very slight "browning" on a least part of the main surfaces of the bread, and at the upper end B6 represent dark browning on substantially the whole of the main surfaces of the bread. The results for various types of bread are shown in Table 1. Tip Top Helga's Tip Top Tip Top Sunbles Helga's Helga's Burge Tip To Sunblest Traditional Sunblest Sandwich Mixed Grain Light Rye Raisin Sandwich White Sandwich Multigrain Rye Toast White Wholemeal "Bread type" White White - Brown/Grain Brown/Grain Rye Rye Sweet group Suitable 1:55 5:05 1:55 2:00 2:00 1:50 2:50 1:26 minimum toasting time Average grade B0+ BO+ BO+ BO+ BO+ BO+ B+ BO+ for min time Suitable 3:20 3:55 3:20 3:40 4:00 3:35 5:00 2:45 maximum toasting time 36 Average grade B5- B5- B5 B5 B5- B5 B5 B5 for max time Table 1 From the results shown in Table 1, and from other tests a suitable set of time for "bread type" groups are provided below in Table 2. White Rye Brown/Grain Sweet Crumpet Minimum time 1:55 2:00 2:00 1:26 1:55 Maximum time 3:40 4:00 3:50 2:45 7:40 Table 2 5 In Table 2, these times are suitable times for a 1200W, 2 slice toaster for white, rye, brown/grain and sweet breads. For crumpet breads, there is 50% less power applied to the heating elements corresponding to the top side of the crumpet, which equates to an overall power of 900W for a 2 slice toaster. It is to be appreciated that in other embodiments, it is possible to adjust the input power 10 to the heating element instead of adjusting the toasting times to achieve a similar result for different types of bread. In another example, a 1200W toaster that toasts "rye" bread to a golden brown colour (typically at a medium browning setting) in 3 minutes, may be operated at 75% power (i.e. 900W) to toast "sweet" bread to a golden brown colour in 3 minutes. This gives a constant toasting time for the browning setting (i.e. Selection of "golden brown" colour), but 15 with variable heating element power to compensate for different bread types. It is to be appreciated other operating parameters may similarly adjust the variable heating element power to compensate for the selected parameters. In yet further embodiments, the operating parameters may adjust a combination of toasting time and heating element power to achieve a desired toasting result in accordance with 20 the selected operating parameters. It will be understood that the invention disclosed and defined in this specification extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident 37 from the text or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the invention. This application claims priority from Australian provisional patent application no. 2011904930, and the specification including the drawings accompanying that provisional patent 5 application is hereby incorporated into the present application by cross reference.

Claims (5)

1. A toaster for toasting foodstuffs comprising: - at least one elongated cavity for receiving foodstuff to be toasted; 5 - at least one heating element activatable to heat the elongated cavity; - a user interface to allow a user to select a toasting setting suitable for a type of foodstuff for toasting, the user interface enabling selection between a plurality of different types of foodstuff; - a defrost button; and 10 - a cancel button to end a toasting cycle, wherein the toasting setting for the type of foodstuff specifies a toasting time; and wherein selection of the defrost button adjusts the toasting time a timer sets for the toasting cycle. 15

2. A toaster according to claim 1, wherein one of the plurality of types of foodstuff is fruit bread.

3. A toaster according to either claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one heating element includes heating elements activatable to heat the elongated cavity from opposing sides, and the 20 user interface additionally allows the user to select a crumpet setting for specifying an amount of heat provided on one side of the elongated cavity that is different to the opposing side.

4. A toaster according to any one of the preceding claims further comprising: - a browning setting user interface for adjusting a browning setting for the toaster, 25 wherein adjustment of the browning setting adjusts the specified toasting time the timer sets for the toasting cycle; - a visual display for displaying the browning setting; and - at least one light emitting diode for visual indication of the selected toasting setting for the respective type of foodstuff for toasting. 30 39

5. A toaster for toasting foodstuffs comprising: - a first elongated cavity having opposing first and second sides; and - a second elongated cavity, having opposing third and fourth sides, wherein the first and second cavities are adjacent one another and the second and third sides are adjacent one another; 5 - a first heating element comprising a first mica card with electrical windings to provide heat to the first side; - a second heating element comprising a second mica card with electrical windings to provide heat to the fourth side; - a central heating element located between the first and second elongated cavities, 10 wherein the central heating element comprises a third mica card with electrical windings on both sides of the third mica card to provide heat to the second and third sides; - a user interface to allow a user to select a toasting setting suitable for a type of foodstuff for toasting, the user interface enabling selection between a plurality of different types of foodstuff, the type of foodstuff including fruit bread and crumpet; 15 - a defrost button; and - a cancel button to end a toasting cycle, wherein the first, second, and third heating elements are activated by provision of electrical current to the respective electrical windings of the heating elements, wherein the toasting setting for the type of foodstuff specifies a toasting time; 20 wherein selection of the defrost button adjusts the toasting time a timer sets for the toasting cycle; and wherein selecting a crumpet button specifies an amount of heat provided on the first and fourth sides that is different to the second and third sides, wherein the toaster further comprises: 25 - a browning setting user interface for adjusting a browning setting for the toaster, wherein adjustment of the browning setting adjusts the specified toasting time a timer sets for the toasting cycle; - a visual display for displaying the browning setting; and - at least one light emitting diode for visual indication of the selected toasting setting for 30 the respective type of foodstuff for toasting.