GB2425462A - Toaster with extra lift position - Google Patents

Abstract

A toaster 101 comprising a food carriage 302 configured to receive food, said food carriage 302 being configured to move between a lowered position, a food loading position, and a raised position. The toaster 101 further comprises a carriage handle 107 operatively connected to said food carriage 302, wherein a movement of said carriage handle 107 is configured to provide a corresponding movement of said food carriage 302 between said lowered position and said food loading position, a lever 108 disposed adjacent to said carriage handle 107, and actuating means 110 configured to co-operate with said lever 108. The actuating means 110 is configured to move in response to a movement of said lever 108; and said food carriage 302 is configured to move from said food loading position to said raised position in response to said movement of said actuating means 110.

Description

TOASTER

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to toasters, and in particular toasters that have a high-lift mechanism that allows a food carriage to be raised.

Background to the Invention

Toasters are used in domestic and commercial kitchens to cook food stuffs such as bread slices, crumpets, muffins, waffles and so on. A toaster typically comprises a casing having one or more food slots. A food slot is provided to allow a food product to be passed through the slot and onto a food carriage when the food carriage is in a food loading position. The food carriage can then be lowered to a depressed position by a user, and heating elements contained in the casing either side of the food product are activated. The heating elements reach a temperature suitable to toast the food product. Typically, the food carriage is held in its depressed position during the toasting by mechanical or magnetic means.

When the food product has been sufficiently toasted, the food carriage is released from its depressed position. Biasing means such as a spring are provided to return the food carriage to the food loading position. Power to the heating elements is removed when the food carriage is returned to the food loading position. When the food carriage is returned to the food loading position, the user can remove the toasted food product from the food carriage, as the food product will be raised above the casing and protrude from the food slot. The above described food toaster works well under most circumstances, for example, when toasting slices of bread. However, some products such as crumpets, waffles and muffins may be of smaller dimensions than an average slice of toast, and not protrude above the casing sufficiently to allow a user to easily remove them from the food slot. This can be dangerous as a user may burn themselves trying to reach into the food slot to retrieve the toasted product, or may use a metal implement such as a knife to try and remove the toasted food product. It is therefore desirable to provide a toaster that allows a user to remove smaller toasted products than an average bread slice without having to risk injuring themselves.

One way to achieve this is to increase the range of movement of the food carriage such that the food loading position is higher. This has two disadvantages: the first is that the biasing means is under more tension when the food carriage is in the lowered position, which can shorten the life of biasing means. The second disadvantage is that when food is being located on a food carriage whilst the food carriage is in the food loading position, there is insufficient height of side walls around the food to prevent the food from falling sideways relative to the slots.

Another way to allow a user to remove smaller toasted products than an average bread slice without having to risk injuring themselves is to increase the range of movement of the food carriage and use an electric motor rather than biasing means to return the food carriage from the lowered position to the food loading position. However, the addition of an electric motor increases the overall cost and power consumption of the toaster.

Another way to achieve a food toaster that allows a user to remove smaller toasted products than an average bread slice without having to risk injuring themselves is to provide a mechanism that raises the food carriage higher than the normal food loading position after the toasting operation. US 2,667,117 discloses a pop-up toaster having an extra lift mechanism in the carriage handle.

In this instance, the extra lift mechanism comprises manually lifting the carriage handle to a position higher than the normal starting position of the carriage handle. US 6,250,212 discloses a similar toaster having a carriage lift mechanism allowing a bread carriage to be raised from the food loading position to a raised position. Again, the carriage handle is manually raised by the user.

FR 2263733, and US 5,072,662 disclose similar toasters wherein the carriage handle is manually raised by a user.

A disadvantages of this type of extra lift mechanism is that it requires two hands to operate; one hand raises the carriage handle, and hence the food carriage, higher than the food loading position, and the other hand holds the top of the toaster to prevent the whole toaster from being lifted up. This can make it awkward for a user to remove the toasted food product, as both their hands are occupied. Furthermore, the top of the casing can be very hot after the toasting operation. There is therefore a risk that a user will burn the hand that is holding down the toaster whilst the other hand is raising the food carriage.

US 5,095,814 discloses a toaster with an extra lift mechanism comprising a lever located above the carriage handle. By pressing the lever towards the carriage handle, the extra lift mechanism is activated and the toast rack is raised higher. In this instance, a separate carriage and toast rack are provided and the toast rack is raised relative to the carriage. The embodiments described in US 5,095,814 require complicated engineering and additional materials in providing a separate toast carriage and toast rack.

Summary of the Invention

The inventors have realised the problems associated with the prior art and have devised a toaster with a mechanism for raising the food carriage higher than the normal food loading position. The mechanism allows the food carriage to a raised higher than the normal food loading position using only one hand, leaving a user's other hand free to remove the food from the toaster. This reduces the risk of injury to the user. The mechanism also includes actuating means configured to co-operate with a lever.

According to a first aspect there is provided a toaster comprising: a food carriage configured to receive food, the food carriage being configured between a lowered position, a food loading position, and a raised position; a carriage handle operatively connected to the food carriage, wherein a movement of the carriage handle is configured to provide a corresponding movement of the food carriage between the lowered position and the food loading position; a lever disposed adjacent to the carriage handle; actuating means configured to co-operate with the lever; wherein the actuating means is configured to move in response to a movement of the lever; and the food carriage is configured to move from the food loading position to the raised position in response to the movement of the actuating means.

Preferably, the actuating means is configured to amplify a movement of the lever, wherein a range of movement of the lever gives rise to a larger corresponding range of movement of the food carriage.

Preferably, the toaster comprises: a recessed portion in a surface of the handle; the recessed portion being profiled to accommodate a portion of the lever.

Preferably, the food carriage is configured to move from the food loading position to the raised position when the lever is urged towards the carriage handle.

Preferably, the lever is disposed above the carriage handle.

Preferably, the actuating means comprises a cam Preferably,the lever comprises an arm; and the arm comprises a curved portion; wherein the curved portion is configured to be in contact with the cam.

Preferably, the cam comprises a surface profile; and the surface profile is configured to amplify a movement of the lever, wherein a range of movement of the lever gives rise to a larger corresponding range of movement of the food carriage Preferably, the toaster comprises: a shaft, the cam being attached to the shaft; and a lifting arm extending in a direction substantially transverse to a main axis of the shaft, the lifting arm having a first end and a second end; and the lifting arm first end being connected to the shaft; and; the lifting arm second end being connected to the food carriage; wherein the shaft is configured to rotate when the cam moves; and the lifting arm second end is configured to move the food carriage between the food loading position and the raised position in response to a movement of the shaft.

Preferably, the toaster comprises: a second lifting arm extending in a direction substantially transverse to a main axis of the shaft, the second lifting arm having a first end and a second end; and the second lifting arm first end being connected to the shaft; and; the second lifting arm second end being connected to a second food carriage; wherein the shaft is configured to rotate when the cam moves; and the second lifting arm second end is configured to move the second food carriage between the food loading position and the raised position in response to a movement of the shaft.

Preferably, the toaster comprises: a carriage support; and a case; heating elements; wherein the heating elements are disposed in a cavity formed by the case; and the carriage support is disposed adjacent to and outside of the case.

Preferably, the carriage handle is mounted to the carriage support; and the actuating means is moveably affixed to the carriage support; and the lever is moveably affixed to the carriage support.

Brief Description of the Drawings

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, there will now be described by way of example only, specific embodiments, methods and processes according to the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 illustrates schematically a perspective view of a toaster according to the first specific embodiment wherein a food carriage is located in a first raised food loading position.

Figure 2 illustrates schematically a perspective view of a toaster according to the first specific embodiment wherein a food carriage is located in a raised position.

Figure 3 illustrates schematically a side elevation view of a carriage support, a lifting arm and a food carriage.

Figure 4 illustrates schematically a side elevation view of a relative movement between a lifting lever and a cam.

Figure 5 illustrates schematically a perspective view of a carriage support, a lifting arm and a food carriage.

Figure 6 illustrates schematically a perspective view of a food carriage and a food carriage end plate.

Figure 7 illustrates schematically a side elevation view of the relative movement between a carriage handle and a lifting lever.

Figure 8 illustrates schematically the steps of using an extra lift mechanism.

Detailed Description

There will now be described by way of example a specific mode contemplated by the inventors. In the following description numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding. It will be apparent however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without limitation to these specific details. In other instances, well known methods and structures have not been described in detail so as not to

unnecessarily obscure the description.

Referring to Figure 1 herein, there is illustrated schematically a perspective view of a toaster according to the first specific embodiment wherein a food carriage is located in a food loading position. The toaster 101 comprises a case 102, the case having a first slot 103 and a second slot 104 on an upper surface of the case, the case also being mounted on a base 105 and having an end wall 106.

Adjacent to the end wall 106 of the case, there is a carriage handle 107, a lifting lever 108, a lifting lever pivot 109, a cam 110, a cam pivot 111, a shaft 112, a first end 113 of the shaft 112, a second end 114 of the shaft 112, a first lifting arm 115 extending from the first end 113 of the shaft 112 in a direction transverse to the shaft 112, and a second lifting arm (not shown) similarly disposed at the second end 114 of the shaft 112.

The end wall 106 further comprises a first slot 116 and a second slot 117, a carriage support 118, a first carriage return spring 119, and a second carriage return spring 120.

There is also provided a carriage support guide rod 121 positioned adjacent to the end wall 106 of the case 102.

Heating elements (not shown) are disposed within the case 102. The heating elements are used for toasting food products. The slots 103, 104 located in the upper surface of the case 102 are configured to allow passage of products to be toasted. Food products can be inserted into the slots 103, 104. In this way, food products can be introduced into the interior of the case 102 for toasting by the heating elements. The food is also be removed via the slots 103, 104 after the toasting operation. Note that whilst the invention is described for a toaster having two slots 103, 104 the invention can work equally well with toasters having one slot or more than two slots.

The case 102 is mounted on a base 105. The base 105 is provided to house some of the controls, and to provide a secure mounting of the case 102, and to prevent damage from the heat of toasting or from protruding parts of the case 102 to the surface on which the toaster is placed.

The carriage handle 107 is operatively connected to the food carriages within the case, and is provided to allow a user to move the food carriage from a bread loading position to a lowered position. When a user depresses the carriage handle 107, the food carriages are lowered from the food loading position to the lowered position. Once the toasting operation is complete, and the food carriages returned to the bread loading position, the carriage handle 107 moves with the food carriages. The carriage handle 107 typically comprises a material of low thermal conductivity, such that it does not significantly heat up during the toasting operation to a temperature that might injury a user.

The lifting lever 108 comprises a pressing portion that allows a user to press the lifting lever 108 towards the carriage handle 107, and an "S" shaped arm extending from the pressing portion towards the end wall 106 of the case 102.

The pressing portion is disposed at one end of the "S" shaped arm, and at the opposite end there is provided a lifting lever pivot about 109 disposed towards the end wall 106 of the case 102 about which the lifting lever 108 can pivot. The cam comprises a profiled member disposed below and in contact with the "S" shaped arm of the lifting lever 108. The cam 110 pivots about a cam pivot point 111. The cam pivot point has a shaft 112 threaded through it. The shaft comprises a cylindrical member connected to the cam 110, such that when the cam 110 rotates about its pivot point 111, the shaft 112 also rotates.

Theshaftll2hasafirstendll3andasecondend 114. Aliftingarm 115 is disposed at the first end 113 of the shaft 112, and a second lifting arm (not shown) is disposed at the second end 115 of the shaft 112. Each lifting arm is operatively connected to a food carriage. Therefore if only one food carriage is present, then only one lifting carriage is required. If two food carriages are present, then two lifting arms are required. The lifting arm 115 extends at a direction transverse to the main axis of the shaft 112. To reduce material costs, it is preferred to form the shaft and the lifting arms from one metal member that can be bent into the required shape.

The food carriages are disposed within the casing, and the lifting arms 115 are disposed outside the casing 102. The case 102 is provided with one slot on the end wall 106 of the case 102 for each lifting arm. In the example shown, the first slot 116 is configured to allow passage of the first lifting arm 115, and the second slot 117 is configured to allow passage of the second lifting arm (not shown). In this way, the lifting arms that are disposed outside the case 102 can be operatively connected to the food carriages that are disposed within the case.

A carriage support 118 is provided. The carriage support 118 provides a structure on which other components can be mounted. The carriage support 118 is operatively connected to the carriage handle 102 such that when a user moves the carriage handle 107 the carriage support 118 has a corresponding movement. Furthermore, the shaft 112 and the lifting lever 108 are also mounted to the carriage support 118. The carriage support is disposed outside the case 102 and is operatively connected to biasing means to return the food carriages from the lowered position to the bread loading position. The biasing means in this example comprise a first carriage return spring 119 and a second carriage return spring 120. The carriage return springs 119, 120 are connected to an upper portion of the end wall 106 of the case 102. At there opposite end, they are connected to the carriage support 118. When the carriage handle 107 is depressed such that the food carriage moves to the lowered position, the carriage support 118 also moves downwards. This puts tension on the carriage return springs 119, 120. Once the toasting operation is complete, the carriage support 118 is released and the carriage return springs 119, 120 contract thereby moving the carriage support 118, the food carriages and the carriage handle 107 back to the food loading position.

To ensure that the carriage support 118 only moves in a direction in the plane of the end wall 106 of the case 102, a carriage support guide log 121 is provided that is operatively connected to the carriage support 118. The carriage support 118 comprises a hole that is threaded through the carriage support guide rod 121. In this way the carriage support can only move in a direction given by the main axis of the carriage support guide rod 121.

Referring to Figure 2 herein, there is illustrated schematically a perspective view of a toaster according to the first specific embodiment wherein a food carriage is located in a raised position.

Referring to Figure 3 herein, there is illustrated schematically a side elevation view of a relative movement between the lifting lever and the cam.

The toaster further comprises a food carriage end plate 301, and a food carriage 302. The food carriage 302 comprises a support onto which food stuffs, for example food 303 can be placed and held at a desired height. The food carriage 302 can be moved between a lowered position, a food loading position, and a raised position.

The food carriage end plate 301 is provided as a connected point between the lifting arm 115 and the food carriages. More than one food carriage can be attached to a food carriage end plate. The food carriage 302 shown in Figure 3 is a single food carriage that comprises an elongated portion onto which a food product can be placed. The food carriage 302 provides a base to sit the food product on.

Where the food carriage 302 is in the food loading position, it is in a position is configured for loading the food carriage 302 with food stuff 303 to be toasted.

For toasters with more than one slot, additional food carriages are provided.

Each food carriage is associated with its own slot. In this example, a food product 303 is loaded onto food carriage 302 by inserting it through slot 104.

The food carriage 302 is maintained in the food loading position when the toaster 101 is not in use. It is this position that allows a user to load the food carriage 302 with a food product 303. Once the food product is in place, the user depresses the carriage handle 107 such that the food carriage 302 moves to the lowered position. When the food carriage 302 is moved to the lowered position, it is held in place either by, mechanical or electro mechanical means and the heating elements are activated. Once the heating elements have been activated for a pre-determined length of time, or some other parameter has been measured such as the colour of the food product, then the food carriage 302 is released from the lowered position and returned, along with the carriage handle 107 and the carriage support 118 to the food loading position. If the toasted food product does not protrude from the slot 104 sufficiently high to allow a user to safely remove it from the toaster 101, then the user may activate the extra lift mechanism. The extra lift mechanism comprises the lifting lever 108, the cam 110, the cam pivot 111, the shaft 112, the first lifting arm 115 and the second lifting arm (not shown).

A user urges the lifting lever 108 towards the carriage handle 107. By urging the lifting lever 108 towards the carriage handle 107, the cam 110 rotates about the cam pivot Ill. This in turn rotates the shaft 112. The two lifting arms also rotate. Referring to a single lifting arm 115, the lifting arm has one end that is connected to the shaft 112, and the opposite end operatively connected to the food carriage 302. By rotating the lifting arm 115, the food carriage 302 is also lifted from the food loading position to a raised position. The raised position is higher than the food loading position, thereby raising the toasted food product to a higher level. This allows the toasted food product to be more easily removed from the toaster by the user. The food carriage connected to the second lifting arm moves similarly.

Referring to Figure 4 herein, there is illustrated schematically a side elevation view of a relative movement between the lifting lever and the cam.

Figure 4A shows the position of the lifting lever 108 when the food carriage is in the food loading position. The lifting lever 108 comprises an arm having an "S- bend" along its length. A lower portion of the "S-bend" 401 rests upon an upper surface food loading position 402 of the cam 110.

The upper surface 402 of the cam 110 has a curved profile. When the lifting lever 108 is depressed it rotates in the direction shown 403. The contact between the lower surface of the arm 401 and the profiled surface 402 of the cam 110 causes the cam 110 to rotate in the direction shown 404. As the cam is mounted upon the shaft 112, the rotation of the cam 110 causes the lifting arm to rotate in the direction shown 405. Thus, by depressing the lifting lever 108, the lifting arm 115 is rotated, causing the food carriage 302 to raise.

The curved profile of the surface 402 of the cam 110 is configured to amplify the movement 403 of the lifting lever 108, such that the movement 405 of the lifting arm 115 is grater than the movement of the lifting lever 108. In this way, a small movement of the lifting arm 108 can lead to a large movement of the food carriage 302.

Referring to Figure 4B herein, there is illustrated the lifting lever 108 in its fully depressed state. A portion of the lifting arm is profiled to fit with the surface profile 402 of the cam. When the lifting lever 108 is fully depressed, the lifting arms 115 are fully raised, thereby raising the food carriage 302 to its raised position.

Referring to Figure 5 herein, there is illustrated schematically a perspective view of a carriage support, a lifting arm and a food carriage. The carriage support 118 is operatively connected to the carriage support guide rod 121, such that the carriage support 118 can move in the same axial direction as the carriage support guide rod 121. When the carriage handle 107 is depressed or raised, the carriage support 118 is moved accordingly along the carriage support guide rod 121. The food carriage 302 is operatively connected to the carriage support 118 via the lifting arms 115, such that the food carriage 302 moves up and down as the carriage support 118 moves up and down along the carriage support guide rod 121.

Referring to Figure 6 herein, there is illustrated schematically a perspective view of a food carriage and a food carriage end plate. The food carriage end plate 301 in this example is operatively attached to a first food carriage 302, and a second food carriage 601. However, it would be apparent that the food carriage end plate 301 could be attached to any required number of food carriages.

The food carriage end plate 301 further comprises means to connect the food carriage to the lifting arm. In this instance, the means to connect the food carriage end plate 301 to the lifting arms comprise a first hole 602 and a second hole 603. The first lifting arm 115 passes through the first hole 602, and the second lifting arm (not shown) passes through the 603. The food carriage end plate 301 further comprises means 604 to connect the food carriage end plate 301 to the carriage support guide rod 121. In this instance, the means 604 to connect the food carriage end plate 301 to the carriage support guide rod 121 comprises a portion of the food carriage end plate disposed transverse to the main plane of the food carriage end plate 301. This connecting portion comprises a hole 604 through which the carriage support guide rod 121 passes.

In this way, movement of the food carriage is restricted to a movement substantially along the main axis of the carriage support guide rod 121.

Referring to Figure 7 herein, there is illustrated schematically a side elevation view of the relative movement between a carriage handle and lifting lever. It has been found that by providing a recessed portion 701 in the surface of the carriage handle 17, the movement of the lifting lever 108 can be increased, thereby giving an increase in the movement of the lifting arms 115. This is because the lifting lever 108 can move into the space that would otherwise be occupied by the carriage handle 107, and can therefore rotate further than if the carriage handle 107 did not comprise a recessed portion 701.

Referring to Figure 8 herein, there is illustrated schematically the steps of using an extra lift mechanism. Initially, the food carriage 302 is in the food loading position, and the carriage handle 107 is also in the associated food loading position.

To activate the extra lift mechanism, the user urges 802 the lifting lever 108 towards the carriage handle 107. An advantage of the disposition of the lifting lever 108 and the carriage handle 107 is that the user can comfortably urge the lever 108 towards the carriage handle 107 using only one hand. This leaves a user's other hand free to remove the food from the toaster 101. Typically, a user will grip an underside of the carriage handle 107 with a forefinger, and urge the lifting lever 108 towards the carriage handle 107 using a thumb, in a pinching action. The pinching action prevents the whole toaster 101 from lifting up when the food carriage is lifted.

By urging the lifting lever 108 towards the carriage handle 107, the cam 110 is rotated 803. Rotation of the cam 110 causes the lifting arms 115 to raise 804.

Each lifting arm 115 is operatively connected to a food carriage 302. The rotation of the lifting arms 115 causes the food carriage 302 to move 805 to the raised position.

Once the food carriage 302 is at the raised position, the toasted food will be protruding above the slot 103, 104 to a height sufficient to allow a user to easily remove the toasted food product 806. Once the food product has been removed, the user releases 807 the lifting lever 108. The weight of the food carriage 302 biases the lifting lever 108 such that it returns 808 to the food loading position.

Claims (12)

1. Claims: 1. A toaster comprising: a food carriage configured to receive

   food, said food carriage being configured between a lowered position, a food loading position, and a raised position; a carriage handle operatively connected to said food carriage, wherein a movement of said carriage handle is configured to provide a corresponding movement of said food carriage between said lowered position and said food loading position; a lever disposed adjacent to said carriage handle; actuating means configured to co-operate with said lever; wherein said actuating means is configured to move in response to a movement of said lever; and said food carriage is configured to move from said food loading position to said raised position in response to said movement of said actuating means.
2. 2. A toaster as claimed in claim I wherein said actuating means is configured to amplify a movement of said lever, wherein a range of movement of said lever gives rise to a larger corresponding range of movement of said food carriage.
3. 3. A toaster as claimed in any preceding claim comprising: a recessed portion in a surface of said handle; said recessed portion being profiled to accommodate a portion of said lever.
4. 4. A toaster as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said food carriage is configured to move from said food loading position to said raised position when said lever is urged towards said carriage handle.
5. 5. A toaster as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said lever is disposed above said carriage handle.
6. 6. A toaster as claimed in claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said actuating means comprises a cam
7. 7. A toaster as claimed in claim 6 wherein: said lever comprises an arm; and said arm comprises a curved portion; wherein said curved portion is configured to be in contact with said cam.
8. 8. A toaster as claimed in any of claims 6 or 7 wherein said cam comprises a surface profile; and said surface profile is configured to amplify a movement of said lever, wherein a range of movement of said lever gives rise to a larger corresponding range of movement of said food carriage
9. 9. A toaster as claimed in any of claims 6 to 8 comprising: a shaft, said cam being attached to said shaft; and a lifting arm extending in a direction substantially transverse to a main axis of said shaft, said lifting arm having a first end and a second end; and said lifting arm first end being connected to said shaft; and; said lifting arm second end being connected to said food carriage; wherein said shaft is configured to rotate when said cam moves; and said lifting arm second end is configured to move said food carriage between said food loading position and said raised position in response to a movement of said shaft.
10. 10. A toaster as claimed in claim 9 comprising: a second lifting arm extending in a direction substantially transverse to a main axis of said shaft, said second lifting arm having a first end and a second end; and said second lifting arm first end being connected to said shaft; and; said second lifting arm second end being connected to a second food carriage; wherein said shaft is configured to rotate when said cam moves; and said second lifting arm second end is configured to move said second food carriage between said food loading position and said raised position in response to a movement of said shaft.
11. 11. A toaster as claimed in any preceding claim comprising: a carriage support; and a case; heating elements; wherein said heating elements are disposed in a cavity formed by said case; and said carriage support is disposed adjacent to and outside of said case.
12. 12. A toaster as claimed in claim 11 wherein said carriage handle is mounted to said carriage support; and said actuating means is moveably affixed to said carriage support; and said lever is moveably affixed to said carriage support.