An interrupting circuit (44) is configured to monitor for and detect a fault in a device (10) for generating a field of electromagnetic radiation (e-field) (34) from a radio frequency (RF) generator (24) configured to convert low voltage direct current (DC) into the e-field (34) for application to an article in the e-field (34). If a fault is detected, the interrupting circuit (44) interrupts low voltage DC between an energy reserve (46, 48) and the RF generator (24) within a predetermined time less than the time to dissipate energy stored in the energy reserve (46, 48).

Several embodiments include a cooking appliance/instrument (e.g., oven). The cooking appliance/instrument can include a cooking chamber, a support tray adapted to hold food in the cooking chamber; and a heating system comprised of at least a heating element. The heating system is adapted to emit waves according to a particular configuration such that the emitted waves is substantially transparent or substantially opaque to the support tray and thus enabling the cooking instrument to select what to heat.

A two-step door opening mechanism for an oven is provided. A mechanical button and an electronic button are provided, the oven defining an oven cavity openable and closable by an oven door. A controller is provided. A digital valve, comprising a shaft configured to slide laterally between a first, unlocked position in which the shaft allows inward movement of the mechanical button and a second, locked position in which the shaft blocks the inward movement of the mechanical button. The electronic button, once actuated, is operable to cause the controller to direct the digital valve to move the shaft from the second, locked position into the first, unlocked position to unlock the mechanical button, and the mechanical button, once actuated, is operable to open the door when the shaft is in the first, unlocked position.

An appliance includes a hinge module between a main body and a pull-down door. The hinge module includes a housing, a rotational axis member disposed in the housing serving as a center of rotation between the pull-down door and the main body, an inner link housing movably disposed in the housing that moves with the opening of the pull-down door in a direction of the rotational axis member, and a damper installed in the inner link housing, the damper including a piston and a cylinder and providing damping force according to a relative movement of the piston and the cylinder. Any one of the piston and the cylinder of the damper moves with the inner link housing and the other of the piston and the cylinder of the damper moves by a predetermined distance as the inner link housing moves and then is interfered by the housing so as not to move further, and the piston and the cylinder of the damper starts damping, wherein the predetermined distance corresponds to an opening angle of the pull-down door in which the damping is started.

An interrupting circuit is configured to monitor for and detect a fault in a device for generating a field of electromagnetic radiation (e-field) from a radio frequency (RF) generator configured to convert low voltage direct current (DC) into the e-field for application to an article in the e-field. If a fault is detected, the interrupting circuit interrupts low voltage DC between an energy reserve and the RF generator within a predetermined time less than the time to dissipate energy stored in the energy reserve.

A commercial microwave oven includes a main body, a door panel, a door closing sensing device, a scanning device, and a processor. The main body includes an opening. The door panel is pivotally disposed on the main body and capable of selectively moving away from or covering the opening. The door closing sensing device is disposed between the door panel and the main body, and transmits a door closing signal when the door panel covers the opening. The scanning device obtains a heating power parameter and a heating time parameter through scanning. The processor is electrically connected to the door closing sensing device and the scanning device, and controls, upon receipt of the door closing signal, the main body to operate according to the heating power parameter and the heating time parameter. The microwave oven can be operated rapidly and used flexibly, thereby saving time by simplifying an operation procedure.

A heating apparatus for multiple modes of heating including microwave heating in combination with other traditional modes of heating is disclosed, having a base; a grill configured with the base and adapted to support a container from a rim of the container holding the container in suspended position; a lid pivotally held with the base for movement between a raised open position and a lowered closed position over the container. At least one microwave generating device is coupled with the lid such that in closed position of the lid, microwave heating using the at least one microwave generating device can be done. A sensing mechanism comprising a plurality of plungers on periphery of the lid is provided such that when the lid is closed over the container, the plungers come in contact with top surface of the rim of the container to detect if the lid is properly closed over the container.

Several embodiments include a cooking appliance/instrument (e.g., oven). The cooking appliance/instrument can include a cooking chamber, a support tray adapted to hold food in the cooking chamber; and a heating system comprised of at least a heating element. The heating system is adapted to emit waves according to a particular configuration such that the emitted waves is substantially transparent or substantially opaque to the support tray and thus enabling the cooking instrument to select what to heat.

A vending machine is adapted for dispensing a pre-packaged food product provided in a refrigerated enclosure housed in the vending machine. The vending machine includes an oven including a housing defining a cavity for receiving the pre-packaged food product. The housing has a sidewall with a sidewall opening providing access to the cavity. A side door is mounted to the sidewall for closing and opening the sidewall opening. A drive mechanism is connected to the side door and adapted to mechanically move the side door of the oven between a closed position and an opened position. The drive mechanism includes a sensing device adapted to determine whether the side door is in one of the closed position and the opened position. A door frame is mounted to the sidewall and has a guide track. The side door is movably received in the guide track.

An electronic door opening system for an appliance is provided. The door opening system includes a resilient member having a pin that moves in a linear direction to urge an appliance door open. The door opening system further includes a toothed gear member configured to engage with the resilient member. The gear member may be driven by a motor to move the resilient member to urge the door from a closed position to an open position. Accordingly, upon receipt of a door opening command received from a user interface, the motor drives the gear to engage with the resilient member and open the door. The door opening mechanism includes components that are free from contact with other systems of the appliance. For example, in a microwave oven, the door opening system components may be free from contact with a door latch and an interlock switch system.