Abstract: An externally heated deep fat fryer includes a tank defined by a plurality of side walls and at least one bottom wall for receiving and holding a volume of cooking oil. Heating elements are positioned adjacent to a substantial portion of the external surfaces of the walls of the tank for providing substantially uniform heating through the walls and to the cooking oil, while insulation material surrounding the heating elements minimizes heat losses.

Abstract: A printing apparatus may include a heating element with at least one of a contact fuser, a radiant fuser, a substrate preheater, an image bearing member heater, and a transfuser, the heating element including a lattice of filaments wherein the filaments are separated from each other by a spacing and the spacing is such that an energy input into the heating element is radiantly output in a specific frequency band. A method of using a printing apparatus may include providing a heating element that is part of the printing device and that includes a lattice of filaments wherein the filaments are separated from each other by a spacing and the spacing is such that an energy input into the lattice is radiantly output in a specific frequency band, and performing at least one printing operation.

Abstract: Indoor use rotisserie ovens which have construction features and scale which make the cleaning process easier. Shown are indoor use rotisserie ovens which also may rotate cooking foods about either a horizontal or vertical axis, which makes their applications more versatile. Construction features include: a scale appropriate for cleaning in a typical kitchen sink, use of removable electrical components, and single oven wall construction, all to allow easy cabinet cleaning. Also shown is a locking tab manufacturing detail which creates an inexpensive, light weight, oven cavity, which is easy to clean and also permits oven cavity washing and/or immersion in water. This manufacturing detail also is easy to handle by the end-user without projecting sharp edges. Self lubricated spit assembly axles are shown as well to help deaden sound.

Abstract: A food treating apparatus and method wherein a reducing DC electric current is provided by a DC electric circuit, the food treating apparatus including a vessel and a handle, and wherein at least part of the electric circuit is integral with the handle and is operative to provide electrons to food in the vessel. Further, the added electrons inhibit and/or reduce the formation of acrylamides in the food prepared in the food treating apparatus.

Abstract: A heater for wafer processing, such as thin film deposition, includes a first heating unit and a second heating unit. The first heating unit includes a substrate with a top surface for supporting a wafer thereon and a back surface. The second heating unit is disposed proximate the back surface of the substrate and is preferably disposed inside an inner space of a shaft supporting the first heating unit in a processing chamber. The first heating unit and the second heating unit are independently controlled. The second heating unit is designed based on the actual temperature profile and heat loss on the top surface. Therefore, the second heating unit can more effectively compensate the heat loss to achieve a more uniform temperature profile on the top surface.

Abstract: A control system for a cooking appliance enables a consumer to selectively program a cooking appliance through a control panel in a conventional mode based on established cooking times and temperatures, as well as in a simplified mode incorporating a minimal number of programming steps. In the simplified mode, the consumer selects a first, non-temperature related special features button and inputs a cook time. Immediately following input of the cook time, the control system starts a cooking operation. If the selected time is greater than a predetermined value, the control system automatically operates the cooking appliance in a cold start mode. An override is provided to disable the cold start mode if so desired. In addition, the control system allows a consumer to input both minimum and maximum cook times for the cooking operation.

Abstract: A method and safety control are provided for a free standing kitchen range which reduces the likelihood that the range will tip due to a child climbing onto the oven door. The safety control is configured to cause the oven door to be heated whenever a cooktop burner or element is on or is hot. The oven door heating can be achieved by turning on the oven burner or by energizing a door heating element that can be provided for that purpose. If the oven is in use or otherwise hot, any additional heating by the safety control is disabled. The safety control can be disabled manually for energy conservation when there are no children to protect. Electric and gas ranges can be provided with the feature.

Abstract: A self-supporting removable box-like liner for use in an electric oven that has a heating element supported in a plane and extending across a cooking chamber from one said side wall to the other. The liner has an open the front, a pair of liner side walls and a back wall, and an elongate aperture extending across the back wall and continuing along each liner side wall toward the front to pass over and receive the heating element such that the liner can be inserted into the chamber for use and completely removed for cleaning, without removal of the heating element from the oven.

Abstract: In one aspect, a food thawing cabinet includes at least one thawing chamber and one or more wall blowers and a heater for producing a controlled high volume of air flow over food product, with the heater controlled in a cyclic manner. In another aspect, various advanced control techniques for controlling heat input are provided in an effort to lower the time required to thaw frozen food products in a safe manner.

Abstract: A disposable insert or liner conformable to a slow cook cookware (such as, for example, a conventional crock pot or like slow cooking device) having a single interior cooking chamber. The liner is adapted to fit within the interior chamber of a crockpot so as to substantially be in adjacent contact with the crock pot interior chamber walls without interfering with the operation of the cooking device. The liner provides a single compartment which may be made of any material allowing heat conduction between the cookware and the liner. A suitable material may be a tear resistant aluminum foil to withstand typical food preparation in a crock pot. In one embodiment, the present invention includes a flange, notches, indentations or other formations which assist in the insertion and removal of the present invention in the cookware. The present invention advantageoiusly provides for a desirable cooking environment, allows easy removal of food from the crock pot and provides simplified cleaning of the crock pot.

Abstract: A grill is provided that has an upper housing having a first heating plate removably connected thereto, a lower housing having a second heating plate removably connected thereto, and an arm FOR connecting to the upper housing at a first pivot point and connecting to the lower housing at a second pivot point.

Abstract: A fusing system for use in an image forming apparatus has a fusing temperature control unit having a controller which controls the surface temperature ‘T’ of the fusing roller by detecting the surface temperature ‘T’ in accordance with a predetermined temperature control period ‘t0’; comparing the surface temperature ‘T’ with a preset target temperature ‘Tt’; turning on and off the heater in accordance with a maximum power supply time ‘Max ON-time’ and a minimum power cutoff time ‘Min OFF-time’ when the surface temperature ‘T’ is lower than the target temperature ‘Tt’; and turning on and off the heater in accordance with a preset minimum power supply time ‘Min ON-time’ when the surface temperature ‘T’ is higher than the target temperature ‘Tt’.

Abstract: A combination toaster oven and toaster appliance for cooking and heating foodstuff including a housing defining a food cavity therein and a heating element mounted in the housing for heating the food cavity. The housing includes a top wall and a front wall. A slot is located in the top wall and a door is movably mounted to the front wall. A toaster oven opening is located in the front wall and provides access to the food cavity. The door is movable between a closed position wherein the door covers the toaster oven opening and an open position wherein the door exposes the toaster oven opening and food cavity. A slot cover is movable between an extended position covering the slot and a retracted position exposing the slot.

Abstract: A heater assembly heats media substrate in a printing system prior to imprinting a desired image on the substrate. A plate member engages the substrate and communicates thermal energy thereto for the heating. A laminar assembly is adhered to the plate member and includes a trace pattern for converting electrical energy to the thermal energy. A thermal storage member is interposed between the plate member and the trace pattern for distributing thermal energy throughout the thermal storage member. Two thermal fuses are serially connected, one at each end of the trace pattern and disposed relative to the thermal storage member for detecting an undesired temperature increase in the laminar assembly sufficient for opening the fuses and electrically isolating the heater assembly against a consequential thermal run-away causing insulation degradation and an electrical short between the trace pattern and the plate member.

Abstract: A banquet cart includes a heater received in an opening in the bottom panel of the banquet cart. Plates of food are loaded into the interior compartment of the banquet cart in the kitchen. The heater includes a central heater unit and two heat retention material heating panels. The central heater unit heats the interior compartment of the banquet cart for twenty minutes. The central heater unit is turned off, and smaller heaters are turned on to heat the heat retention material heating panels for forty minutes. The smaller heaters are turned off and the banquet cart is rolled from the kitchen to a hallway proximate to the dining area for serving the plates of food to guests. The heated heat retention material heating panels can maintain the temperature of the air in the interior compartment of the banquet cart warm for approximately two hours and forty minutes, keeping the food in the banquet cart warm.

Abstract: A kettle is described having a pair of heating elements each connected to a cable with a plug at its end. The two plugs can be inserted into two separate sockets of a wall plug so that each heating element separately receives power from the sockets.

Abstract: An apparatus for heating and cooling an article is provided. The apparatus comprises an enclosure having top, bottom, and side walls and an entrance and an exit. A first belt system comprising one or more belts extends from a loading position through a portion of the enclosure. The first belt system has a loading end and an unloading end. A second belt system comprising one or more belts extends from the unloading end of the first belt system to an unloading position. The second belt system has a loading end and an unloading end. The enclosure includes one or more heating sources positioned adjacent the first belt system for heating the first belt system.

Abstract: A portable apparatus for storing and warming a plurality of stacked flexible wipes includes a heater coil, electrical circuitry controlling operation of the heater coil and a cover closing the housing interior and having a cover opening selectively opened or closed by a closure to allow access to wipes even when the cover is in closed position. Projections in the housing interior support the wipes in elevated condition to promote even heat distribution.

Abstract: An electric thermos jug comprises generally from the top to the bottom a lid assembly, a spout assembly, a double-layer vacuum body, a heating element, an underbody, and a base. An insulating plate and an insulating material layer are provided under the heating element inside the underbody of the jug. The lid is two-layer structure comprising an upper lid and lower lid with an air plenum in between. The electric thermos is convenient for use and effective in heat insulation due to the excellent air tightness of the components. The temperature inside the jug can be maintained for a long time without the need of repetitive heating. As a result, it can maintain a good water quality and is energy efficient. A safety valve is also employed.

Abstract: An oven capable of preventing heat transfer from one cooking space having relatively high temperature to another cooking space having relatively low temperature along each side plate of a cooking chamber having a plurality of partitioned cooking spaces. The oven includes an insulating unit and a cooling unit mounted at each side plate to prevent heat transfer between first and second cooking spaces along each side plate. The insulating unit includes a slit formed right under the partition, an insulating member fitted in the slit, and a supporting member attached to the inside of each side plate. The cooling unit includes an air guide member attached to the outside of each side plate to cover the insulating member, and a blowing fan connected to the air guide member to forcibly blow outside air to the air guide member.