Abstract: A microwave energy interactive structure includes a first susceptor film including a first layer of microwave energy interactive material supported on a first polymer film, a moisture-containing layer joined to the first layer of microwave energy interactive material, an adjoining layer joined to the moisture-containing layer such that the moisture-containing layer is disposed between the susceptor film and the adjoining layer, and a second layer of microwave energy interactive material on a side of the adjoining layer opposite the moisture-containing layer. The adjoining layer may be joined to the moisture-containing layer by a discontinuous adhesive layer.

Abstract: A flexible, self-supporting, anti-adhesive, and cellular membrane defining a mold or a cavity plate for preparing food products, particularly bakery, viennoiserie, pastry, and biscuit products, and in particular for molding, fermenting, and baking bread dough, and which includes a composite structure including a silicone rubber mold (10) consisting of at least one elastomer or at least one silicon resin, and reinforced by a textile-structure framework (11) made of a mixture of inorganic and organic threads (12, 13) and/or fibers. The membrane is characterized in that the inorganic and organic threads (12, 13) and/or fibers represent more than 50 wt % of the textile structure of the framework (11).

Abstract: A robotic cooking apparatus that can cook dishes using a computer recipe provided by a user and ingredients stored in it. Able to adjust the recipe based on user preference data. Cooking apparatus comprises of ingredient input section, cooking stations, pre-processing and post-processing station. Input section has trays and can be at room temperature or refrigerated for storing perishable ingredients. Robot head assembly is able to transfer ingredients, identify and measure as well as take inventory periodically. Cooking apparatus is connected to a network and can be operated remotely by a fixed or handheld device and monitor its operation remotely.

Abstract: An accessible work cell is provided. In one embodiment, the accessible work cell a plurality of walls defining at least one work zone and at least one pair of sliding doors that provides access to the work zone. The pair of sliding doors includes an upper sliding door and a lower sliding door. The first upper sliding door is operatively connected to the lower sliding door such that movement of the upper sliding door in a first direction will cause the lower sliding door to move in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

Abstract: Provided is a conductive film, which is suitably used in a heating element of a transparent property (a transparent heating element) excellent in visibility and a heating power. The conductive portion of a first conductive film includes mesh patterns having multiple intersecting points (intersecting portions), which are constituted of a plurality of first metal filaments and a plurality of second metal filaments, and the conductive portion between the intersecting portions is formed into an undulating shape having at least one curve. The first conductive film is shaped such that the curves are arcuate and two arcs are formed continuously between the intersecting portions, wherein the protrusion-recess directions of the arcs are opposite to each other. Each arc has a center angle of about 90 degrees. Moreover, the conductive portion has a crossing angle of about 90 degrees.

Abstract: A wire electric discharge machine has a function for controlling the machining liquid temperature. When it is predicted that the machining liquid temperature rises linearly, the machining liquid begins to be warmed at time t5b to reach machining liquid control temperature T2 at human operation beginning time t2. If the temperature rise at predetermined later time t8 is greater than predicted, temperature rising suspended from time t8 to a later time t9. Temperature rising resumed at time t9. This allows the machining liquid temperature to reach the machining liquid control temperature T2 without wasting electric power.

Abstract: Broccoli heads are placed individually, with the stem down or laying horizontal, in a receiving cup in a loading position. A gripping mechanism engages the stem portion to secure the head in place. A positioning and cutting assembly adjusts the position of the receiving cup to a cutting position with the head down and stem up and rotates the receiving cup. The assembly includes a cutting mechanism having a blade that engages the rotating head to cut the florets. The blade cuts off the florets which fall to a first location where they are collected in a first collecting bin or by a first collection conveyor. The assembly next adjusts the receiving cup to a releasing position, whereupon the clamping mechanism disengages to release the stem, which falls to a second location where it is collected on a second collecting conveyor or in a second collecting bin. The assembly then returns the receiving cup to the loading position.

Abstract: Technologies related to electroslag welding are generally disclosed.

Abstract: A heating apparatus for heating a subcompartment in a compartment of an appliance is disclosed. The heating apparatus includes an electromagnetic member disposed in the compartment, and a metal member thermally coupled to the subcompartment. The metal member is magnetically coupled to the electromagnetic member to generate an eddy current in the metal member in response to a magnetic field generated by the electromagnetic member for heating the subcompartment. A related heating method and a refrigerator incorporating such a heating apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: Induction heating systems and methods for combinatorial heating of a substrate are disclosed. The induction heating system includes a susceptor segmented into multiple regions (e.g., two to 20 regions) that are separated from one another by a reflective channel that is purged with a liquid (e.g., gas or liquid). The induction heating system includes multiple induction coils, each induction coil corresponding to one of the susceptor regions or segments. The distance between each induction coil and the susceptor region can be varied using an independent lift for each region. The relative distance between the coils and the corresponding susceptor regions is used to vary the temperature of a substrate so that different regions of the substrate can be independently heated to different temperatures.

Abstract: A flexible drill with a shaft having a nitinol portion (or nitinol region) provided between a stainless steel driver end and a stainless steel drill tip. The flexible drill with nitinol shaft is provided with a bearing surface to allow centering within a drill guide, low friction bearing and flexibility to drill around a curve. The bearing surface may be formed of a fluoropolymer such as LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene). The flexible drill shaft may be used through a drill guide, such as a curved drill sleeve.

Abstract: Plural induction heating coils for inductively heating to-be-heated object are provided under a top plate on which to-be-heated object is placed, and plural inverter circuits for supplying high-frequency currents to the plural induction heating coils, respectively, are adapted to be cooled by cooling air flows from cooling portions, and placed in a longitudinal row along the cooling air flows, in air-flow blowing path spaces through which cooling air flows from the cooling portions are blown, so as to facilitate cooling designing for an induction heating device and to improve the cooling performance of the induction heating device.

Abstract: When spot-welding a workpiece including a thin plate, a first thick plate, and a second thick plate, the workpiece is clamped by a fixed electrode in contact with the second thick plate, a movable electrode in contact with the thin plate, and control-pressure applying unit set adjacent to the movable electrode and in contact with the thin plate. Pressure is applied to the second thick plate by the fixed electrode, and pressure and control pressure are respectively applied by the movable electrode and the control-pressure applying unit to the thin plate. The pressure from the fixed electrode is controlled to be smaller than the pressure from the movable electrode. The current density between the thin plate and the first thick plate increases.

Abstract: A device for preparing a thermoplastic material, with dry heat, for use in patient fixation. The device generates circulated heat to a threshold temperature. Once the thermoplastic material has become pliable, it is molded into a cast for fixation purposes. The circulated heat may be generated by a device having a housing and a support member movably attached to the housing. The device also includes a heating element and an array of circulation elements to push air centrally at the central region and drawing air from a periphery region concurrently.

Abstract: A radiator for domestic heating with a heat-transfer fluid operating in two-phase form includes a reservoir of the heat-transfer fluid; a hot source, intended to raise the temperature of the heat-transfer fluid to a temperature such that it causes said fluid to undergo a change of phase; and a heater, at which the heat transfer with ambient air takes place, having n channels, communicating in a lower zone with the reservoir, it being possible for n to be equal to 1. The heat-transfer fluid is a mixture of at least two different heat-transfer liquids, the heat-transfer liquids having between them boiling points differing by at least ten degrees Celsius, and the liquid with the lowest boiling point representing 70% to 95% of the volume of the mixture for a mixture temperature of about 20° C.

Abstract: An electric spot welding gun (10) includes: a servo motor (40); a push rod (50) that advances and retracts in response to rotation of a rotor (43) of the servo motor; a drive-side electrode tip (71) that is mounted to a drive-side arm (70) fixed to a leading end of the push rod; and an encoder (60) that detects the rotation angle of the rotor of the servo motor, the position of the electrode tip being offset relative to the push rod, in which the rotor and the encoder are disposed in parallel to each other in an offset plane on which the electrode tip is offset relative to the push rod, at an attitude in which a trailing end (44) of the rotor on a side opposite to a push rod side thereof and an input end (64) of the encoder are facing in the same direction.

Abstract: A heat pad assembly for installation and/or removal of a bracket from a structure comprises a heating element. The heat pad assembly may have at least one and, more preferably, a plurality of perforations formed therein. The heating element may be configured to generate heat upon the application of electrical current passing therethrough. The heat pad assembly may be used for temporary installation of a bracket to a mounting surface through the use of an adhesive which is installable between the bracket and the structure.

Abstract: A food cooking apparatus with an integral basting pump system comprises a common countertop roasting oven, typically used to prepare turkeys and other large foodstuffs further performing the additional duty of automatically basting the foodstuffs. The apparatus collects basting liquid and juices from the foodstuffs at the bottom of the roasting pan area, where an electrically-powered recirculating pump transfers the liquid to the top of the oven for spraying or dripping down upon the foodstuffs being cooked. In such a manner the foodstuffs are kept moist and tender while reducing cooking time since the oven is not opened to perform a manual basting process. The basting application is controlled using a plurality of dials on the oven that govern application time, and application intervals.

Abstract: A voltage switching microswitch is provided for supplying power to a hot surface igniter in a gas burning system. The microswitch is configured to operate concurrently with manual operation of a gas control valve such that rotation of an operating stem of the gas control valve produces rotation of a cam within the microswitch. The cam is configured to operate a pair of reed switches so that a relatively high voltage from a power supply is applied to the hot surface igniter following a first predetermined amount of rotation of the cam and a relatively lower voltage is applied to the hot surface igniter following a second predetermined amount of rotation of the cam to maintain the temperature of the igniter.

Abstract: A beverage maker for making single serving customized beverages is provided herein. The beverage maker provides on-demand, single dose sparkling or non-sparkling flavored waters, juices or sodas. An example beverage maker includes a reservoir in fluid communication with a carbonation chamber for mixing a selected volume of fluid with carbon dioxide. The beverage maker also includes a pressurized carbon dioxide source in fluid communication with the carbonation chamber. The beverage maker is configured to receive an individually packed, single use disposable flavor cup containing a flavor and having a sealed cover that covers and seals the flavor cup. Additionally, the beverage maker includes a piercing mechanism for piercing the flavor cup and mixing the selected volume of fluid therein, and for discharging a blended fluid. The carbonation chamber comprises a pressure vessel assembly of a fixed volume such that carbon dioxide absorption can be performed and controlled.