Abstract: Valve and separator unit is mounted to a housing of a compressor. The unit includes a check valve for preventing the reverse flow of refrigerant, and an oil separator for separating a mist of lubricating oil contained in the refrigerant from the refrigerant. Separated lubricating oil is introduced into a crank chamber via an oil passage, and the separated refrigerant is directed to the check valve, which prevents of the reverse flow of the refrigerant from the external refrigerant circuit to the discharge chamber.

Abstract: A heating device for food and other products is provided. The device includes a unit containing a rechargeable phase change material which is capable of being charged with heat energy by a heat source such as a conduction, convection, radiant heat, electrical resistance, electrical inductance, microwave, or radio frequency. The phase change material may be provided in a variety of forms and may comprise linear alkyl crystalline alkyl hydrocarbons, alkyl hydrocarbon waxes, crystalline fatty acids, linear crystalline primary alcohols, ethylene copolymers, polyethylene, polyethylene glycol, polyethylene oxide, and acetamide.