Lawrence O Lile

6753510, Jun 22, 2004

Apr 19, 2002

10/126108

Lawrence Lile - Columbia MO
Peter Huggler - Columbia MO

Salton, Inc. - Lake Forest IL

H05B 102

219492, 219398, 219413, 99328

A device that heats food quickly by using more than one power level during a heating cycle, and a method of toasting including the step of heating a food item at more than one power level during a toasting cycle.

6759635, Jul 6, 2004

Jan 10, 2002

10/044619

Lawrence Lile - Columbia MO

Salton, Inc. - Lake Forest IL

H05B 102

219497, 219506, 219494

A system for determining the status of a food item using time-temperature data. The system includes a method comprising, sensing a number of temperatures associated with a food item, comparing data related to the sensed temperatures with predetermined temperature data, determining the status of the food item based on the comparison, and causing a predetermined action based on the status of the food item. The method may further involve inputting user information corresponding to the food item, which may include type of food, or the desired level of doneness. The system also includes an apparatus for determining the status of a food item. This apparatus may include a sensor for sensing a plurality of temperatures, a means for determining the status of the food item based on the plurality of temperatures, and an indicator for indicating the status of the food item. The determining means may include a microprocessor. The apparatus may further, include a control sensor.

6789463, Sep 14, 2004

Apr 19, 2002

10/126871

Lawrence Lile - Columbia MO

Salton, Inc. - Lake Forest IL

A47J 3708

99343, 99344, 99385, 99389

The present invention relates to an indicator on a household appliance to alert a user to clean the appliance. For example, the indicator alerts the user when to clean a crumb tray in a toaster.

20030198001, Oct 23, 2003

Apr 19, 2002

10/126262

Lawrence Lile - Columbia MO, US

H01H047/00

361/157000

The present invention relates to a safety switch on a circuit connecting a power supply to a load. The safety switch includes a diode in series between the power supply and the load where the diode is also in series between the power supply and the latching coil.

20040027248, Feb 12, 2004

Aug 6, 2002

10/213874

Lawrence Lile - Columbia MO, US

G08B017/10

340/628000

A method and apparatus for a cooking appliance having a built-in smoke detector is disclosed. The disclosed apparatus includes a housing with a heating cavity, a door, a heating element, a controller, and a detection module. The detection module includes an energy source directing energy toward a first direction, and in communication with the controller, a detector unit receiving energy from a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction, and in communication with the controller, and an aperture for allowing entrance of air into the detection module from the cooking appliance, wherein the detector unit detects a level of smoke in the air from the cavity of the cooking appliance based on an amount of energy scattered from the first direction toward the second direction, and an alarm condition is identified based on the level of smoke. The disclosed method includes the steps of obtaining detection readings at predetermined intervals of time corresponding to an amount of scattered light in a detection module, comparing the obtained detection reading to a first smoke detection threshold and a second smoke detection threshold, determining whether an alarm condition exists based on said comparisons, and decreasing said intervals of time if an obtained detection reading is between said first and said second smoke detection thresholds.

20040216618, Nov 4, 2004

Apr 20, 2004

10/829069

Lawrence Lile - Columbia MO, US

A23L001/00

099/343000

The present invention relates to an indicator on a household appliance to alert a user to clean the appliance. For example, the indicator alerts the user when to clean a crumb tray in a toaster.

61980773, Mar 6, 2001

May 7, 1999

9/307074

Lawrence Lile - Columbia MO

Salton, Inc. - Columbia MO

H05B 102

219492

The present invention relates to a temperature compensated timer for a heating appliance that heats a food item during a heating cycle. The timer includes a coil having first and second terminals and presenting a resistance between the terminals that is a function of temperature changes of the coil. A timing circuit is coupled to the first and second terminals of the coil. The timing circuit operates to drive a current through the coil to maintain a heating cycle and to generate a delay signal a delay time after the heating cycle is initiated. The delay time has a value that is a function of the resistance of the coil. The delay signal is operable to remove the current from the coil to terminate the heating cycle.

63071827, Oct 23, 2001

Apr 25, 1997

8/845702

Lawrence O. Lile - Columbia MO

Toastmaster, Inc. - Columbia MO

D06F 7526

219257

An electric iron having a microprocessor-controlled relay which automatically connects an iron to and disconnects an iron from a source of electrical power based upon whether a user is grasping the handle of the iron and the position of the iron. The microprocessor is coupled to a proximity sensor comprised of a conductive sheet disposed within the iron handle, as well as a conventional orientation sensor. To determine whether a user is grasping the iron handle, the microprocessor detects the amount of time required to charge the proximity sensor to a predetermined voltage level, and compares the charge time to predetermined setpoints. The charge time will be greater than the setpoints when a user is grasping the iron handle due to the effective capacitance created by the conductive sheet, the iron handle, and the user's hand. To determine the position of the iron, the microprocessor detects whether the orientation sensor circuit is open or closed.