Abstract: Disclosed is an electric rice cooker including an adiabatic vacuum device having an adiabatic function of repressing an outside loss of a heat generated by a hot plate at a minimum and a keeping warm function of continuously maintaining a heat warmly therein. In the electric rice cooker, an outer case has an inner case disposed therein. A cooking kettle disposed inside the inner case for containing water and rice to be cooked. An hot plate mounted adjacent an outside surface of the cooking kettle for heating the cooking kettle. A lid removably covers a top of said cooking kettle. An adiabatic vacuum member mounted between the outer case and the cooking kettle for preventing a heat from being emitting from the cooking kettle to an outside. The electric rice cooker can repress a loss of an internal heat in a cooking kettle at a minimum by means of an adiabatic vacuum member so that a thermal efficiency can increase, and can continuously maintain the internal heat warmly at a keeping warm process.

Abstract: A device for heating a gel used in physical examinations or on the instruments therefor, e.g. a pelvic examination, comprises a heat reservoir in communication with a flue which receivably receives the gel container therein. The container presents a valve operable by the physician's elbow to preclude the need to manipulate the device in order to dispense the gel. Rotation of the container in the flue is precluded by a ridge array restraining movement between the container and flue. The flue/reservoir combination design prevents toppling of the device during use. Hygienical dispensing of a warmed gel onto the user's hands is provided without user manipulation required.

Abstract: The energy conserving automatic insulated thermal cooker comprises an inner pot having a cover, and an outer insulated container having an insulated cover. The outer container also houses an electric heater, a thermal sensor, a microprocessor control and timer unit, an electric power plug, and a front control panel. Operation of the cooking apparatus is fully automatic with clear display of boiling time, cooking time and the active heating and adiabatic cooking modes.

Abstract: A heater which accommodates microwell plates having a variety of bottom and peripheral geometries. The heater consists of a thermally conductive compliant material layer disposed on a planar heated platen. The compliant layer is dimensioned such that it contacts the microplate along the bottoms of the wells only, and not along the peripheral portions thereof. A temperature sensor may be disposed within the compliant layer to provide an indication of the well temperature for accurate control.

Abstract: A portable heating assembly for use in a portable food warmer/server is provided including an electrical heating element supported on a protective rack. Mounting means are provided for detachably mounting the heating assembly to a support member. The heating assembly is adapted to be vertically movable between an upper limit and a lower limit and includes a biasing means for resiliently biasing the heating element in the upper limit.

Abstract: The warming device of the present invention includes a food tray or pan formed from metal so as to promote the conduction of heat to the food contained in the pan. The pan is held within a sump vessel adapted to contain a heat transfer fluid such as water. The sump vessel is a unitary bowl-shaped container having side and bottom walls and an upper open wide mouth for receiving the food pan whereby the food pan, when inserted, is located within the sump vessel so that the bottom portion of the food pan is spaced from the wall of the sump vessel to define a chamber suited for containing water and steam between the sump vessel and the food pan. The sump vessel has heat-insulating qualities that reduce heat loss and promote the transmission of heat to the food pan. A heat dissipator plate formed from a metal or other conductor of heat is connected to a wall of the sump vessel with an air space between the heat dissipator plate and the sump vessel.

Abstract: An apparatus for heating the contents of a container having a base with a planar heat conducting surface of predetermined shape. The apparatus includes a planar heat radiating surface of the same predetermined shape and a planar support surface for supporting the container in a stable position such that the heat conducting surface overlies the heat radiating surface. The support surface has a vertical projection in the plane of the heat radiating surface which is not coextensive with the heat radiating surface at any point. A mechanism is provided for adjusting the position of the support surface relative to the heat radiating surface in a direction perpendicular to the latter. The adjustment mechanism includes at least three rows of recesses, the recesses of each row being arranged in an ascending pattern and the rows being circumferentially distributed at equal angular intervals, and at least three projections circumferentially distributed at the same equal angular intervals.

Abstract: Acid digestion of liquid specimens which are to be subsequently analyzed by spectroscopy to identify recoverable or dissolved metals is effected in an open digestion operation in apparatus which includes inclined, vertically spaced saddles on which specimen containing glass jars are supported in corresponding inclined orientation so that a surface of the specimens in the jars is overlaid by the wall of the jar and the jar opening is remote from the specimen, this arrangement allowing that the vessel wall facing the specimen surface, during digestion, will serve as a condensing surface for specimen vapors evolved incident digestion.

Abstract: A rotary stove for warming food items being served at a table has a tray mounted on a base for rotation about a vertical axis and includes a central protrusion supporting a hot plate surrounded by a plurality of peripheral vessels removably seated in the tray. The tray has a first electric heater in contact with the hot plate and a plurality of second electric heaters each contacting respective ones of the removable vessels. The heaters are connected to a power supply by cooperating slip rings and brushes on the tray and base. A pot may be placed on the hot plate to be heated and different foods placed in the vessels for warming may be conveniently chosen by rotation of the tray. Alternatively, the plurality of removable vessels may be replaced by a single annular vessel in contact with the second heaters.

Abstract: A portable food warming apparatus has a base container removably receiving a tray insert having a tray floor spaced from the base container floor to define a chamber therebetween filled with a heat exchange liquid. An electric resistance heating element coil is mounted on the container floor to effect warming of the liquid and thereby the tray insert. A vehicular cigarette lighter adapter plug permits energization of the heating element coil at remote locations. The base container includes a rotatable locking member for releasable locking the tray insert to the base container. A light source on the base container coupled to a fiber-optic cable surrounding the periphery of the tray insert may be provided for illuminating the tray insert contents during conditions of limited light. A removable lid covers the tray insert.

Abstract: A food warmer is provided which includes a metal food tray having side and bottom walls and a mouth at the top opening upwardly. A hollow well or sump vessel is provided around the food tray. The sump vessel is formed from a highly filled thermosetting plastic resin to provide a rigid monolithic body comprising at least about 15% and preferably about 30% to 80% by weight of an inert mineral filler, e.g. calcium carbonate (CaCO.sub.3) and fiberglass, and about 20% to 50% by weight of a thermosetting plastic resin so that the thermal conductivity of the food tray is at least about 50 times greater than that of the sump vessel. The sump vessel has bottom and side walls that enclose the sides and bottom of the food tray and is adapted to hold liquid, specifically water, as a heat transfer medium. An electric heating element is supported from a wall of the sump vessel between the walls of the sump vessel and the food tray for heating the food when energized.

Abstract: A heating device for warming the contents of bottles and other containers. The device has a casing in which a radiant heater is mounted and a container-receiving cylindrical insert in the casing in heat transfer relationship to the radiant heater. The insert is removable from the casing through an opening in the casing top to facilitate cleaning. The insert has an imperforate lower portion capable of intercepting and trapping any product which may drip or run down the container side and openings in an upper portion allowing air to circulate into convective heat transfer with the container. The closed base of the insert has a raised seat which spaces the bottom of the container above the insert base to allow air to circulate across the bottom of the insert and to prevent any product collected in the insert from soiling the container.

Abstract: A food warmer is provided which includes a food containment vessel or pan having side and bottom walls and a mouth at the top opening upwardly. A hollow well or sump vessel is provided around the food containment vessel. The sump vessel has bottom and side walls that enclose the sides and bottom of the food containment vessel, and is adapted to hold liquid, specifically water, as a heat transfer medium. An electric heating element is provided in the sump vessel between the walls of the sump vessel and the containment vessel for heating the food when energized. The sump vessel is preferably spaced from the food containment vessel to define a chamber between them. The electric heating element is positioned in the chamber, preferably at a location spaced apart from the food containment vessel to heat the food containment vessel by means of radiant and convection heating and by conduction when the sump vessel is filled with water.

Abstract: An apparatus arranged in combination with a coffee pot structure to provide for a spacer disc to space a coffee pot relative to an associated burner unit to minimize undue heating and moderate associated over-heating of a coffee pot structure. Further, the spacer unit is arranged with various lifting and adjustment structure, as well as an alarm apparatus to signal the relative quantity of fluid contained within an associated coffee pot structure.

Abstract: The coffee brewing machine can be used to prepare alternatively normal coffee or espresso coffee and comprises a boiler having a temperature control. The cold water is fed to the boiler by a water pump with adjustable feed rate. Two different brewing members are used for the preparation of the two kind of coffees, namely a sieve holder and a filter support which are connectable via a mounting and supporting flange to the boiler. A mode switch is assigned to the mounting and supporting flange which automatically changes the mode of operation of the coffee brewing machine upon exchanging the brewing member. Thereby, the feed rate of the water pump and the temperature of the hot water are adapted to optimize the conditions for preparing either normal coffee or espresso coffee.

Abstract: A heat reduction volume compensator for use with a drip coffee maker in which the temperature applied by a hot plate to a coffee pot is reduced as the amount of liquid in the pot decreases by means of resilient segments that lift the pot away from the hot plate as the weight of the liquid in the coffee pot decreases.

Abstract: The invention concerns a utensil for cooking food. There is a container provided with an opening for insertion and removal of the foodstuffs to be cooked. The container is mounted on a stand and may be used at an angle of about 90 degrees or about 45 degrees. A speed control to permit stirring of the ingredients is provided. Any suitable heating source may be used.

Abstract: Domestic food cooking apparatus including a container for holding a food product to be prepared and defining a heating surface and electrical resistance heating apparatus fixedly associated with the container in electrically insulated touching relationship with the heating surface.

Abstract: A unitary housing mounts a container upon a thermostatically controlled heating grid to provide low-level heat to potpourri components positioned within the container. An overlying reservoir integrally mounted to the base includes a drip feed organization to provide constant and metered flow of fluid to the container to maintain a desired moisture level within the container in use. The container is formed with rib structure to maintain convection curves within the container to enhance thorough heating of the potpourri components contained therewithin.

Abstract: A warming unit for warming a vessel for containing food or beverages, such as a coffee pot for an automatic drip coffee maker, reduces scorching and burning resulting from non-uniform heating of the vessel. The warming device has a support plate with an upper surface dimensioned to support the vessel and a perimeter skirt extending downwardly from a perimeter of the support plate to surround a heating element beneath the support plate. The upper surface includes raised support structures formed as dome-shaped structures thereon. The cooking vessel rests on and is supported by the top surfaces of the support structures in spaced relation to the plate thus creating a convection space which reduces thermal conductive heating and allows both convection heating and infrared heating. The support plate also comprises a thermal mass sufficient to dampen fluxuations of temperature at the upper surface.

Abstract: Domestic food cooking apparatus including a container for holding a food product to be prepared and defining a heating surface and electrical resistance heating apparatus fixedly associated with the container in electrically insulated touching relationship with the heating surface.

Abstract: An electric chafing pot having two heating coils positioned to heat different parts of a pan for containing food. A base unit providing the heating coils is configured with a roughly cylindrical convex structure in the center of the base unit, having one heating coil mounted at the top of the convex structure and another heating coil provided around the bottom of the convex structure. The pan is concavely shaped to closely fit over the convex structure and to contact the heating coils at two different surfaces. The result is an efficiently heated dual function electric chafing pot.

Abstract: A temperature attenuator (32, 42 or 64) is provided for spacing a container, such as a coffee container (24), from a warming hot plate (14 or 14'). The temperature attenuator has a thermally insulating spacer (34, 66 or 66') which may be secured to the container or to the hot plate by an adhesive (70), by a harness (44) or any other suitable retainer. The spacer (34, 66 or 66') is of closed peripheral configuration, for example, it may be an O-ring or gasket ring, so that heated air is trapped in an enclosed space(s) sealed between the container bottom and the hot plate. Hot spots which otherwise would result from direct contact of the container (24) with the hot plate (14) are thus avoided and beverages such as coffee may be heated for protracted periods without developing an acrid taste. A method of heating the container contents includes spacing the container by means of the spacer about 1/32nd to 1/8th of an inch (about 0.8 to 3.

Abstract: A food stirring apparatus is set forth wherein a pivotally mounted mixing head has releasably secured thereto a single rotatable axially aligned post having integrally secured thereto a plurality of mixing blades. An upper set of mixing blades comprises three equally spaced blades wherein each blade includes a plurality of openings. The openings comprise non-circular through-extending openings wherein each blade includes plural rows of openings and wherein the rows of openings are vertically offset with respect to adjacent blades. Further, the upper openings are axially offset relative to the lower openings to effect varying flow rates and flow directions of the mixing fluid passing therethrough to effect efficient mixing of a fluid mixture. A lower set of blades includes non-circular openings of equal pattern arrangement to the upper set of blades, but wherein the lower set of blades are rotatably offset sixty degrees relative to the upper set of blades.

Abstract: A base (or similar article) composed of a flexible material having a high melting point, which base is mounted on the lower surface of a plastic coffee pot (or other container) to appropriately regulate the increase in the temperature of the coffee pot in an ideal manner when the pot is placed on a standard heating plate.

Abstract: An incubation apparatus containing a rack or block with openings capable of receiving containers containing reagents. The rack or block is attached to a heating element for heating containers in the block. The block is driven by a motor actuated by a timer such that at the end of a predetermined time period the block is pivoted whereby containers will fall out of the block and onto a sloping surface on the housing of the incubator. This apparatus provides for the carrying out of reactions for a predetermined amount of time without the necessity of close monitoring of the incubation by laboratory personnel.

Abstract: An electrically heated fish tank unit includes a fish tank having a bottom standing on a frame having an upper surface with a central opening. A one piece flat electric heater disposed between the bottom of the tank and the frame includes a thermostatically controlled central resistance heating element abutting the bottom of the tank from below and surrounded by a peripheral portion devoid of the heating element and clamped between the bottom of the tank and the frame. The surface of the heater abutting the tank may be decorative so as to be visible through the tank wall, while the opposite surface is covered by thermal insulation to prevent heat dissipation away from the tank. An indicator light and thermometer may be provided to indicate the operation of the heater and temperature of the tank.

Abstract: A plastic decanter and method of use having inward sloping side walls and a broad base construction which interfits with a concave-shaped warmer plate mounted in the warming deck of a conventional coffee brewing machine, the decanter receiving freshly brewed coffee from a brewing assembly with the decanter containing over half of the coffee mass below the horizontal midpoint permitting a reduction in the required heat to be generated by the warmer plate heating element for avoiding burning the coffee, while the sloping sidewalls, a closure lid and the tight interfit between the decanter and the warmer plate contribute to a reduction in the air convection heat losses for maintaining the coffee fresh for at least four hours, the plastic decanter being relatively unbreakable for eliminating a potential hazard while being utilized as a lightweight serving container.

Abstract: A thermal interface device is inserted between a heating element and a cooking vessel, such as a coffee pot for an automatic drip coffee maker, to reduce scorching and burning from non-uniform heating. The interface device has a main flat plate dimensioned correspondingly to the heating element and includes raised support structures formed as dome-shaped structures thereon. The cooking vessel rests on and is supported by the top surface of the support structures in spaced relation to the plate thus creating a convection space which reduces thermal conductive heating and allows both convection heating and infrared heating. An adhesive layer may be used to secure the interface device to the heating element, and vent holes either through the flat plate or through the dome-shaped structures vent stream and vapors from underneath the interface device when positioned on the heating element.

Abstract: A brewing apparatus for brewing coffee or the like having a warmer plate includes a warmer plate cover of heat resistant plastic material. The warmer plate includes a top surface and a bottom surface. The top surface is patterned to produce uniform heat distribution for removing any hot spots in the warmer plate to reduce substantially any further brewing action of the brew thereby prolonging the desired freshness taste of the brew. The bottom surface is patterned to correspond to the exterior surface shape of the warmer plate. Thus, in one embodiment the surface is flat; in a second embodiment the bottom surface is grooved to correspond to a vessel retaining flange of the warmer plate and includes a depending flange for warmer plate cover retention on the warmer plate. The warmer plate cover being of plastic soft enough to reduce substantially the breaking of fragile brew vessels.

Abstract: A heater assembly includes a heater with an electrical resistance wire element bonded between first and second layers of silicone rubber insulation. First and second conductor plates each having inner and outer surfaces are clamped together with the heater between their inner surfaces. A resettable, thermostatic switch is mounted on the outer surface of one of the conductor plates and opens when the conductor plate reaches a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A fixedly positioned hot plate, particularly for use with a coffee maker, has an upper surface for receiving a container of liquid to be maintained at a constant temperature. An electric heating device arranged underneath the hot plate includes a plate member movable between a first position in biased engagement with the underside of the hot plate and a second position spaced therefrom to vary the heat exchange rate therebetween. Secured to the underside of the plate member is a metallic sheathed heating having a water heating pipe soldered to the periphery thereof. A temperature sensitive element, e.g. U-shaped bimetal, thermally coupled to the heating device has a first portion connected to a downwardly dependent stud secured to the underside of the hot plate and extending freely through a bore in the plate member an a second portion secured to the plate member.

Abstract: An insecticide dispenser capable of initiating the volatilization of a charge of insecticide to fumigate a room and then automatically shutting itself off during, or at the completion of the dispensing of the insecticide, whereby the dispenser can be safely left unattended during the fumigation of a room. The dispenser includes a container for the insecticide disposed upon a PTC heater, the elements being arranged adjacent a bimetal switching device that opens upon sensing a predetermined temperature, and can hold itself in the open position until intentionally reset. When the electrical circuit is open, the power supply to the PTC heater is broken and the heating will be discontinued.

Abstract: This combined cooking machine or range, notably for professional use in communities or the like comprises a container in the form of a tilting-vat hingedly mounted in a frame structure, for use as a saucepan, a frying-pan or a deep-fryer, as required by the particular kind of food to be prepared, this container overlying means for indirectly heating the contents, notably by forced-circulation hot-air produced in a lagged heating chamber encompassing a blade turbine, cooperating baffle means being provided on the bottom of the vat and in the upper portion of the heating chamber for concentrating the heat towards the bottom.

Abstract: A drip-type coffee maker with efficient heat transfer and minimal heat loss keeps coffee at the optimum temperature for proper flavor over an extended period of time. A closed-top decanter formed entirely of plastic heat insulating material fits into a well which contains a recessed aluminum warming plate. The warming plate is heated to a temperature only slightly above the desired temperature of the coffee. A warming plate adapter is provided for converting existing coffee makers.

Abstract: A device for warming and illuminating pre-packaged, pre-wetted disposable towels is provided. The unit also secures a plastic canister of disposable towels so that the towels may be dispensed with one hand. A cup sized to enclose the canister in an upper sector has a supporting dish, upon the upper surface of which is provided a series of lips to engage various diameter plastic canisters containing the towels. The dish has a recessed bowl at its center in which one or more small incandescent light bulbs are mounted to warm the fluid pool within the canister and to provide illumination through a translucent window portion of the cup. The top of the dispenser is capped to retain the container from above, while the dish is spring mounted within the cup to assure a snug vertical fit of the container within the cup. A dispenser opening is provided in the cap of the unit, through which the towels from the container are pulled out.

Abstract: A device for cooking fatty foods such as meat balls or other foods which are characterized by the production of liquid fat during the cooking process is disclosed. A pan having a bottom and upstanding side walls is provided. A removable heat-conductive tray is adapted to be supported in spaced relationship above the bottom of the pan. The tray includes a plurality of food supporting cavities and the bottom of each cavity is provided with a drain for permitting liquids removed from the food during cooking to drain into the bottom of the pan. Removable electric resistance heating means is adapted to be supported beneath the tray in heat conductive relation therewith for conducting heat to and throughout the tray sufficient to cook the food in the cavities, the heating means underlying the tray and positioned above the level of the drains so as to provide unrestricted passage of liquids emanating from food being cooked in the cavities for the drains to the bottom of the pan.

Abstract: An oven is provided which has varying temperature zones. The oven is prepared from a pair of opposed elongate metal members, each heated at adjacent ends and a cavity defining a thermally insulating member between the metal bar.

Abstract: Disclosed is a high temperature magnetic stirrer including a permanent magnet positioned underneath a frame supported platform. The magnet is positioned to be rotatable in a plane parallel to the platform. A spiral shaped heating element mounted to the frame is positioned above the platform and centered above the rotatable magnet. The spiral has a diameter sufficient to enclose a portion of a crucible. Means are provided to supply the heating element with electricity, and additional means are secured to the frame to rotate the magnet.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for oscillating and vibrating a deep pan so that the contents in the pan are thoroughly and evenly cooked without the chef's continual attention. The device is moved back-and-forth via a lever arm connected to a rotating disc. The lever arm is connected to the disc by a lost-motion connection, in the first embodiment of the invention. In the second embodiment, the plate supporting the frying pan is moved back-and-forth via a crank arm pivotally connected to the disc, while the other end of the crank arm is pivotally connected to a connecting link, which is attached to the underside of the support plate. Rollers mount the support plate for movement, and may allow for compound movement of the support plate when casters are used. The compound motion is generated by mounting the rotating disc in a plane offset from the horizontal and allowing sufficient play to the rollers mounting the support plate.

Abstract: A beverage warmer assembly comprising a support unit having an electrically heated surface on which a beverage-container unit such as a cup may rest, the container unit and the support unit having magnetically coacting elements so mounted to the respective units that a switch is (a) connected for electrical heating of the surface for one orientational relation of container-unit seating on the surface and (b) is inoperative for a different orientational relation of container-unit seating on the surface.

Abstract: A weight measuring arrangement for a cooking appliance in which a surface heating unit also functions as a scale platform. A three arm cantilever beam supports the heating unit. A set of four strain gages measures the strain of the three support arms, with one gage each being attached to each of two identical support arms and the remaining two gages being attached to the third arm, which arms are constructed such that the strain measured by each of the gages secured to the third arm is one-half that measured by each of the gages secured to the two identical arms when the ends of all three arms are equally deflected by a utensil placed on the surface unit for heating. The gages are electrically connected in a Wheatstone bridge network such that the output voltage from the bridge network is proportional to the weight of the load carried on the surface unit. This arrangement can be used to monitor the weight of the items being heated, throughout the heating period.

Abstract: An insulated drinking cup for a heated beverage, and a warmer for maintaining the cup and beverage at an elevated temperature suitable for drinking. The cup includes a heat-conductive inner liner having a base portion and a wall portion, surrounded by a thermally nonconducting insulating sleeve. The warmer includes a heating element for direct contact with the bottom portion of the inner liner. The sleeve of the cup includes an inner shell and an outer shell, and an open annular region therebetween which insulates the interior of the cup, and which also receives heat from the warmer when supported thereon.

Abstract: An electric rice cooker is disclosed which has a cooking pot or kettle for containing rice and water, an electrical cooking heater provided adjacent to the outside surface of the kettle for heating the kettle and its contents, a thermal insulating frame structure including a removable lid member, and a kettle temperature measuring device including a thermally sensitive resistor. A connection failure of the thermally sensitive resistor is detected after a specified time interval has lapsed after starting the cooking operation. The detection is carried out in accordance with a decrease in level of the output from the kettle temperature measuring device, thereby stopping the supply of power to the heater and at the same time informing the operator of the connection failure.

Abstract: There is disclosed an electric heating apparatus comprising a pre-formed body of thermally insulating material defining a cavity for receiving a vessel whose contents are to be heated, the body being provided with an electric heating element in or adjacent the cavity for heating such a vessel in use of the apparatus. The apparatus further comprises a housing in which the body is disposed with an air space between the body and the housing, the latter having openings so that convection air currents can flow through the air space in use of the apparatus for extracting heat via the air space.

Abstract: An electrically heated cooking utensil consisting of a base incorporating an electrically heated heating plate (13) having a flat upper surface and a utensil such as a frying pan (10) dutch oven or wok having a handle (11) the bottom (12) of the utensil being flat and in use lying in close contact with the heating plate (13) the utensil and the base having on them interengaging elements (23), (16) such that when the bottom of the utensil is placed on the base movement of one of said interengaging elements (23), (16) causes the elements to interlock so that the base and the utensil are interconnected in such a manner that the utensil and base can be lifted together by use of the handle and so that the utensil can be detached from the base while the base is resting on a supporting surface. Preferably interengaging elements (23) on the base are moveable by means of a lever (19) projecting beyond the base.

Abstract: A device for concentrating heat from a flame of a gas stove in combination with a cooking utensil includes a first collar rigidly attached to the cooking utensil and mating with a second collar attached to a grid of the stove. The collars may have several peripherally disposed vents. The second collar can be rotated to align the vents and control the venting of the flame of the stove.

Abstract: A heater for cups and fluids therein having an adjustable heat selector, heating circuitry and temperature stabilization circuitry, comprising a base support, an electrical circuit enclosing housing, an opening in an upper substantially horizontal surface of the housing for a heating element plate and heat sensor, and an upright section of the housing enclosing additional circuitry having a vertical, substantially cylindrical surface facing the heating element plate, substantially rectangular vertical surfaces for the remaining three sides of the upright section, the vertical substantially cylindrical surface and the substantially rectangular vertical surfaces forming an open-topped receptacle having inner partitions and a closed bottom for receiving assorted personal articles.

Abstract: An electro-heater container comprising a cup having a bottom and including a stem type support pedestal formed as a unit with the cup, the bottom having a center aperture therein extending through said support pedestal, and an electric heater unit is secured to the bottom by a member extending through the stem and a base disc of the support pedestal for heating contents of the container.

Abstract: An automatic cooking apparatus wherein a rotating wide-mouthed vessel closed with a lid is supported in a stationary, handle-equipped basket frame by the frame and the lid which engages driving means. Heating means are provided along a portion of the vessel circumference and are controlled to maintain food contained within the vessel at a predetermined temperature for a preset time. Means are provided to sense the temperature of the cooking food and to generate a signal to which both temperature controlling and timing means are responsive. In one embodiment of the apparatus microprocessing control means are used to achieve a desired cooking protocol.