Robert F Contri

US Patent:

43261531, Apr 20, 1982

Filed:

Jul 11, 1980

Appl. No.:

6/167627

Inventors:

Robert F. Contri - Villa Park IL

Assignee:

Sunbeam Corporation - Chicago IL

International Classification:

H02D 516

US Classification:

318327

Abstract:

A magnetic tachometer sensor for a motor control circuit having a motor driven interrupter wheel in proximity thereto supplies a motor speed signal to a frequency to voltage converter. The frequency to voltage converter produces a DC signal proportional to the speed of the interrupter wheel. The DC signal is compared to a user selected reference voltage in an error amplifier, thereby producing an error signal. The error signal is supplied to an output comparator which also receives a sawtooth timing reference signal in synchronism with power supply alternating current. The output comparator switches to trigger a triac into conduction when the sawtooth signal voltage exceeds the error voltage, thereby providing highly accurate timing of the switching point of the triac. The triac is arranged to provide a phase angle speed control for an electric motor used in a household appliance.

US Patent:

46616853, Apr 28, 1987

Filed:

Sep 6, 1985

Appl. No.:

6/773383

Inventors:

Robert F. Contri - Westmont IL

Assignee:

John Zink Company - Tulsa OK

International Classification:

D06F 7526

US Classification:

219250

Abstract:

An electronic pressing iron having a soleplate and a housing connected to the soleplate is disclosed herein. An electric resistance heating element is mounted in the soleplate for receipt of an alternating current from a suitable source. A temperature control thermostat is connected in series with the electric heating element and is mounted in good heat conduction relationship with the soleplate to control the temperature thereof. A motion and attitude sensing switch is mounted in a handle of the housing and provides a motion signal to a programmable timer also mounted in the handle. A thermal relay mounted in the handle is connected to the programmable timer to receive a time out signal therefrom. When the electronic pressing iron is switched on and is stationary with its soleplate oriented horizontally, for a period of thirty seconds, the programmable timer signals the thermal relay which interrupts the electric current flowing through the heating element. When the electronic pressing iron is resting on its heel rest and is not moved for a period of sixteen minutes, the programmable timer also signals the thermal relay to interrupt electric current flowing through the electric heating element.

US Patent:

46737987, Jun 16, 1987

Filed:

Apr 2, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/847360

Inventors:

Robert F. Contri - Westmont IL
William R. Hemrich - Glen Ellyn IL

Assignee:

John Zink Company - Tulsa OK

International Classification:

H05B 102
A45D 104

US Classification:

219225

Abstract:

A dual temperature curling iron has a plastic handle and a metal barrel connected thereto. An electric heater positioned within the metal barrel and is arranged to rapidly heat the barrel and is selectively controlled by either a low temperature thermostat or a high temperature thermostat located within the barrel to provide heat to the metal barrel. A hair clamp is pivotally mounted on the metal barrel, and when opened, causes a switch to generate an in-use signal which is fed to a safety timing circuit. The timing circuit is reset each time it receives the in-use signal. In the event that no further in-use signals are received, the timing circuit, after a preselected interval, provides a signal to a silicon controlled rectifier which is connected to the electric heater causing the silicon controlled rectifier to interrupt electric power to the electric heater. The curling iron is provided with a visual signal for indicating that has reached the selected temperature and is ready for use.

US Patent:

45681937, Feb 4, 1986

Filed:

Jul 9, 1984

Appl. No.:

6/629033

Inventors:

Robert F. Contri - Westmont IL
Donald A. Sadecki - Westchester IL

Assignee:

John Zink Company - Tulsa OK

International Classification:

B01F 1300

US Classification:

366206

Abstract:

A food preparation appliance including a housing, an electric motor supported in said housing and adapted to receive alternating current. A tachometer senses rotation of said electric motor and feeds a tachometer signal to a frequency to voltage converter. A conversion ratio between said tachometer input signal and an output signal of said frequency to voltage converter is alterable by actuating a timer which causes a speed of the electric motor to decrease. The output signal of the frequency to voltage converter is supplied to an error amplifier where it is compared with a setpoint signal to generate an error signal supplied to a triac which controls a flow of electric power through the electric motor.