Abstract: A control for engagement with the external base of a liquid heating vessel comprises a carrier mounting two bimetallic actuators at opposite ends thereof. The actuators operate at the same temperature. Attached to the carrier is a moulding which provides a cordless electrical connector for the vessel, as well as mounting switch means operable by the actuators through push rods. The push rod acts on a leaf spring to open the contacts, and upon further movement engages an arm of a trip lever, so tripping the lever and causing a further arm of the lever to engage the leaf spring open the contacts fully.

Abstract: A method useful for thermally developing an image in an imaging material. The imaging material can be transported through a first heating zone within a thermal processor to heat the imaging material from an initial temperature to within a developing temperature range. The imaging material may then be transported through a second heating zone within the thermal processor to maintain the temperature of the imaging material within the developing temperature range.

Abstract: In general, the present invention provides a single thermal cycling module for baking and chilling a substrate, such as a wafer, that is in thermal contact with a foil heater, a heat exchanger, and a radiation heater. The radiation heater thermally heats a fluid contained by the heat exchanger, which in turn, thermally bakes the substrate at a desired temperature. When the radiation heater is deactivated, a fluid circulates through the heat exchanger to chill the substrate. The foil heater assists the baking and chilling phases by elevating the temperature of the substrate when necessary to prevent or regulate temperature fluctuations of the substrate temperature. Both the radiation heater and the foil heater can provide several zones for varying the heat applied across the substrate, and a single fluid temperature is provided to the heat exchanger for both baking and chilling cycles.

Abstract: A lightwave oven that includes an oven cavity housing enclosing a cooking chamber therein, and first and second pluralities of elongated high power lamps. The oven cavity housing includes a top wall with a first non-planar reflecting surface facing the cooking chamber, a bottom wall with a second non-planar reflecting surface facing the cooking chamber, and a sidewall with a third reflecting surface that surrounds and faces the cooking chamber. The sidewall has a cross-section that is either circular, elliptical, or polygonal having at least five planar sides. The first plurality of elongated high power lamps provide radiant energy in the visible, near-visible and infrared ranges of the electromagnetic spectrum and are disposed adjacent to and along the top wall. The second plurality of elongated high power lamps provide radiant energy in the visible, near-visible and infrared ranges of the electromagnetic spectrum and are disposed adjacent to and along the bottom wall.

Abstract: A conductive warmer for flexible plastic bags containing foam precursor chemicals includes a heat-conducting member of thermally conductive material having a plurality of fins which are parallel and spaced apart to define a plurality of spaced-apart bag-receiving compartments. The fins are connected to a back portion of the heat-conducting member, to which a heating element is attached in heat-exchanging relationship. Operation of the heating element conducts heat through the back portion and the fins of the heat-conducting member to the bags. The heat-conducting member is contained within a housing having an opening providing access to the open side of the compartments. The housing preferably is formed in two portions, a first portion containing the heat-conducting member and a second portion supporting the first portion, the first and second portions being pivotally interconnected to allow selective variation of the angular orientation of the first portion with respect to the second portion.

Abstract: A substrate support plate including a heating element for use in a process chamber is described. The heating element includes an outer sheath, a heating filament and a thermally-conductive and electrically insulative sealing material. The sealing material comprises a diamond powder.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for melting glycerine soap base in a kettle having a top opening, upright side walls, and a funnel-shaped bottom with a drain at its center. The kettle is surrounded with a thermally insulated jacket having a floor spaced below the bottom of the kettle to define a hollow, thermally insulated, air filled heating cavity beneath the bottom of the kettle. The kettle is supported completely externally relative to the heating cavity to hold the kettle above the floor of the jacket. Preferably, the supporting structure includes a cart or carriage by means of which the apparatus may be moved. A plurality of infrared lamps, preferably operated at 110 volts and consuming no more than two hundred fifty watts of power each, are mounted atop the floor of the jacket and directed upwardly toward the bottom of the kettle.

Abstract: A food warming and holding receptacle lowered by a source of electrical energy comprises a well supported on a planar surface , and at least one tray containing food disposed in the well. A sheath is fixed to the well and at one-piece, flattened, looped heating element is slidably mounted in the she the and connected with the source of electrical energy for conveying heat to the food in the tray. A temperature sensor is slidably mounted in the sheath for monitoring the temperature of the heating element.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and process for filtering light in a thermal processing chamber. In particular, the apparatus of the present invention includes a first spectral filter spaced apart from a second spectral filter. The first spectral filter is spaced apart from the second spectral filter so as to define a cooling fluid channel therebetween through which a cooling fluid can be circulated. In order to prevent thermal radiation being emitted by the light source from interfering with the operation of a radiation sensing device contained in the chamber, the first spectral filter absorbs most of the thermal radiation being emitted by the light source at the operating wavelength of the radiation sensing device. The second spectral filter, on the other hand, is substantially transparent to thermal radiation at the operating wavelength of the radiation sensing device.

Abstract: A domestic oven includes a housing defining a cooking chamber, at least one stationary first heating element in the chamber, a shelf movably disposed in the chamber, a second heating element mounted to the shelf, and a drive operatively connected to the shelf for translating the shelf, together with the second heating element, in the housing. The shelf is made of heat conductive metal. A temperature sensor in heat conductive contact with the shelf senses the temperature of the shelf and of a metal tray or pan placed on the shelf in heat conductive contact therewith. The temperature sensor is operatively connected to an energization circuit for the second heating element for de-energizing the second heating element upon detecting a sudden rise in temperature. The second heating element is mounted to the shelf via insulating spacers. The oven is used to perform a hybrid steaming and baking method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an insulated electrically heated pot which is provided with an insulated container and an electric heating apparatus disposed therewithin, into which insulated container a liquid such as water or the like is introduced and heated, and the temperature thereof is maintained, as well as to a manufacturing method therefor. In the insulated electrically heated pot in accordance with the present invention, at least one gas having a low conductivity selected from the group consisting of xenon, krypton, and argon is made to fill the insulating layer of the insulated container.

Abstract: An oven for heating a crystal for nonlinear frequency conversion of a laser beam. A grasping device resiliently grasps together the first and second sides of the crystal while allowing for generally unrestricted thermal expansion of the crystal. A heater element and a temperature sensor are each supported by the grasping device and are each in thermal contact with the crystal. A temperature controller is connected to the heater element and the temperature sensor.