Abstract: A utensil body (1) and a lid (2) are made of a metallic magnetic material which generates heat when eddy currents are induced therein in order to cook food with heat which is applicable to any of boiling, steaming, sauteing, frying, casseroling, and baking or roasting, which utilizes the utensil body (1) applicable to both gas combustion heating and eddy-current heating, and which allows cooking to be performed using water, oil or air as a cooking medium.

Abstract: A cooking utensil with improved heat retention includes an inner pot received within an outer pot and separated in a closely spaced-apart relationship to form a volume or chamber therebetween. The chamber is evacuated and sealed with foil leaves at the upper edges of the inner and outer pot. The vacuum created between the inner and outer pot, along with the minimum of thermal contact between the inner and outer pot, and the reduced radiative heat transfer due to low emissivity coatings on the inner and outer pot, provide for a highly insulated cooking utensil. Any combination of a plurality of mechanisms for selectively disabling and re-enabling the insulating properties of the pot are provided within the chamber.

Abstract: A heat retentive server adapted to be inductively heated comprises a central portion comprising a heat storage member comprising a material which is susceptible to being heated by induction; and an outer peripheral member connected to the central portion so that said outer peripheral member and the central portion are substantially thermally insulated from each other. Preferably, the server is provided with heat insulation constructed and arranged with respect to the heat storage member so that heat is caused to primarily flow upwardly from the heat storage member. Also preferably, the outer peripheral member and the central portion are substantially insulated from each other by means of a thermal break.

Abstract: An electromagnetic cooking container includes a non-magnetic titanium alloy plate having a specific resistivity not less than 80.times.10.sup.-6 .OMEGA..multidot.cm and not more than 200.times.10.sup.-6 .OMEGA..multidot.cm. The titanium alloy plate includes a titanium alloy layer, a plurality of laminated titanium alloy layers, or a plurality of kinds of titanium alloy layers. The titanium alloy plate is formed into the desired shape by a superplastic blow forming method in which the titanium alloy plate is forced on a surface of a mold or die by a gas pressure at a forming temperature not less than 500.degree. C. The container may further include a titanium oxide film formed on an inner cooking surface of the formed titanium alloy plate. Heat generation by electromagnetic induction is enabled and there are no problems of deformation, rust, or weight addition.

Abstract: A cooking and/or boiling utensil for bottom thermal energy application through thermal conduction or through electromagnetic induction. The container has a round horizontal section of austenitic steel, a thermal distribution plate of suitable thickness flush against the container base of a metal with a good thermal conductivity, and a ferromagnetic plate cover against the thermal distribution plate. The ferromagnetic metal plate cover has cover recesses mainly formed as radial slots. The radial slots start at the center and end inwardly of the cover collar. The sandwich unit consisting of the container base, the thermal distribution plate and the plate cover is substantially deformation-proof due to adjustment of the container thickness of the container base and the container thickness of the plate cover on one hand and the length and width of the slots and the diameter of the center on the other, during thermal energy application through thermal expansion.

Abstract: A dual plate heater provides two parallel temperature self-regulating heater plates or wire mesh comprising ferromagnetic material with one or more electrically energized coils parallel to and located between the heater plates which coil(s) when energized by a constant current or by an otherwise controlled current heat the plates to their Curie temperature or temperatures. The coil may be a flat spiral of thin conductive (copper) wire embedded in a thin layer of a heat conductive, electrically non-conductive material between said plates whereby heat energy generated in the coil is supplied to the heater plates. The dual plate heater may be employed to heat plastic pipes to their butt welding temperatures after which the heater is removed to the ends of the pipes to be joined are brought into contact under pressure. The dual plate heaters may also be employed in other arrangements such as shelves in a dispensing machine.

Abstract: A tray transport cart which accommodates trays for holding dishes for containing meals has a movable cart body with a plurality of tray carriers installed therein. Induction coils are inserted into the tray carriers for generating a local electromagnetic field. The trays hold the dishes which are provided with a current-conducting layer. An HF generator positioned on the cart body cooperates with the induction coils to produce the total inductance of the coils to generate a desired induction current in the current-conducting layer of the dishes, in the range between 32 .mu.H and 76 .mu.H, to maintain the meals contained in the dishes at warm temperatures.

Abstract: A domestic cooking system including a base defining one or more cooking locations, electromagnetic induction apparatus for heating a food at the cooking location and apparatus for automatic stirring of the food at the cooking location.

Abstract: A cooker in which a receptacle with a pot for holding ingredients and a heater for induction heating the pot is supported by a main unit so that it can be inclined freely, consists of an angle control unit which provides driving force for inclining the receptacle to the receptacle, a controller for controlling the angle control unit, and shall be capable of automatically inclining the receptacle and uniformly sauteing the ingredients.