US4577550A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Toaster
Assignee: HICKORY INDUSTRIES Inc
•
Filing: 1984-12-24
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Granted: 1986-03-25
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Expires: 2004-12-24
Abstract
Abstract A gravity fed toaster, particularly for restaurant or other commercial use, is described where bread slices to be toasted are fed by gravity and means are provided to simultaneously release a toasted slice of bread, while preventing feed of a subsequent slice from a gravity magazine.
Inventors
- 👤 Steven Maroti
- 👤 Daniel Formosa
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 02:22
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47J; A47J37/00; A47J37/06; A47J37/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
165 words
A toaster apparatus including: a. at least two toaster elements defining a chamber in which a slice of bread is held to be toasted; b. gravity means for feeding additional slices of bread to said chamber above said slice of bread being toasted; c. a holding means adapted to be pivoted about an axis, said holding means being provided, on one side of said axis, with a portion to retain said bread in said chamber, between said toaster elements, during a toasting operation, and a portion on the opposite side of said axis to restrain a piece of bread above said bread held within said chamber from dropping, by gravity, through a slot into said toasting chamber; d. pivot means for said holding means; and e. means to rotate said holding means about said pivot means upon completion of a toasting operation to release said piece of bread being toasted and to restrain a piece of bread above that from dropping into said toasting chamber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
165 words
A toaster apparatus including: a. at least two toaster elements defining a chamber in which a slice of bread is held to be toasted; b. gravity means for feeding additional slices of bread to said chamber above said slice of bread being toasted; c. a holding means adapted to be pivoted about an axis, said holding means being provided, on one side of said axis, with a portion to retain said bread in said chamber, between said toaster elements, during a toasting operation, and a portion on the opposite side of said axis to restrain a piece of bread above said bread held within said chamber from dropping, by gravity, through a slot into said toasting chamber; d. pivot means for said holding means; and e. means to rotate said holding means about said pivot means upon completion of a toasting operation to release said piece of bread being toasted and to restrain a piece of bread above that from dropping into said toasting chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 1 having, in addition, means to sense the termination of a toasting operation, said means actuating said means for rotating said holding means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for gravity feed of said bread to be toasted is a rectangular enclosure placed above said apparatus.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein at least two rectangular enclosures are provided for parallel feed of two slices of bread.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
US2414139A
Cited
US2644392A
Cited
US3670642A
Cited
US4098178A
Cited
US4454803A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-03-24 | 1989-09-23 | 1990-03-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-03-24 | 1993-09-23 | 1994-03-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-03-24 | 1997-09-23 | 1998-03-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |