Abstract: A process for producing a PTC device comprising the steps of forming a laminate comprising a PTC composition and at least two electrode plates having the PTC composition sandwiched therebetween, opposing the surface of a lead plate to be electrically connected to each of the electrodes, to the surface of each of the electrode plates of the laminate while contacting at a narrow area, and then passing a current between the electrode and the lead via the narrow contact surface to weld them. By this process, there is obtained a PTC device having, at a portion of the joining interface between each electrode plate and each lead plate, a nugget formed by melting both the plates. This PTC device has a low contact resistance between the PTC composition and the electrode plates.

Abstract: A redeemable coupon disbursement control and reporting system especially for modified and improved automated teller machines including either a bar code scanner attachment used with preprinted continuous roll or single sheet automated teller machine receipt paper or a printer responsive to signals from the user of the automated teller machine. In either form, first recording means are communicably attached to the disbursing or printing means and remote optical scanning means are employed at the point of coupon redemption, such scanning means being attached to either such first or a second recording means reconcilable with information recorded on such first recording means.

Abstract: An apparatus for heating a sample within a vacuum chamber according to the present invention includes a preliminary exhaust chamber connected with a vacuum chamber of an analyzer and the like through a gate valve. A sample stage is disposed within the vacuum chamber, and a sample holder is detachably disposed on this stage. The preliminary exhaust chamber is provided with a transfer device for transferring the sample holder between the preliminary exhaust chamber and the vacuum chamber to mount the sample holder on the stage and detach the sample holder from the stage. The sample holder is provided with a heater and a temperature-measuring element mounted thereon, the heater and temperature-measuring element being connected with the respective connectors mounted on the sample holder. A fixed connector is connected with the connectors when the sample holder is mounted on the stage by means of the transfer device.

Abstract: A heater is disclosed herein taking the form of an elongated length of flexible cable having an insulative base carrying a plurality of spaced-apart conductive strips as a unitary construction. The heater is used as an insert received into an article of clothing, such as a boot, shoe or glove, and includes a power source, control switch and stress relief strip configurations to protect the heater structure during flexure of the circuitry.

Abstract: A cleaning device comprises a cleaning member having a cleaning surface adapted to abut against a recording surface of an information recording medium, apparatus for holding the cleaning member, apparatus for moving the cleaning surface of the cleaning member, and apparatus for moving the hold means relative to the recording surface.

Abstract: An electrofusion marker which fuses two pipe sections together and acts as a passive electronic marker. The electrofusion marker includes a tubular thermoplastic fitting having a coil therein, which is temporarily energized by a power supply. This heats the fitting, causing it to fuse with the pipe sections. The coil doubles as an inductor, and a capacitor connected in parallel with the coil creates a resonant LC circuit. After the pipe sections have been fused together and buried the joint may be thereafter located by emitting a signal into the ground, which is picked up by the resonant circuit and re-radiated. The radiated signal is detected by a receiver, indicating location of the electrofusion marker and joint.

Abstract: A heating device for a mirror includes a substrate having an electrical buss system deposited on one surface thereof including a plurality of interdigitated electrodes and two buss bars. There is provided a plurality of heater-lets formed of an electrically resistive layer of material having a positive temperature coefficient. The plurality of heater-lets have varying sizes and shapes and are deposited over the electrical buss system between the adjacent electrodes of the interdigitated electrodes. Each of the plurality of heater-lets are separated from its neighbor by spaces of varying sizes and shapes so as to form a plurality of individual heating areas of variable intensity. A first adhesive layer is deposited over the resistive layer and adheres to the exposed areas of the substrate. An electrical barrier layer is secured to the first adhesive layer, and a second adhesive layer is disposed on the electrical insulated barrier layer. A removable protective covering is secured to the second adhesive layer.

Abstract: A device for shielding an electrically powered resistive heating means so as to block and contain the electromagnetic radiation emitted thereby is disclosed. The device includes a cover constructed and arranged to enclose the heating means, the cover having a layer of electrically conductive material and a ground connection for electrically grounding the electrically conductive layer to either system ground or earth potential.

Abstract: Apparatus for fusion joining first and second axially abutted thermo-plastic piping system component connection ends that are in axial and circumferential alignment including apparatus for enabling the heating of a melt region in the proximity of the interface of the first and second piping system component connection ends at least to the material softening point of the thermo-plastic material of the melt region, and further including vacuummetric apparatus for vacuummetrically inducing outward translation of the melted material of the melt region.

Abstract: A food package for a microwave oven is disclosed which has a grid in combination with a susceptor means. The combination of the grid and susceptor means provides a heater element which substantially maintains its reflectance, absorbance and transmittance during microwave heating. Substantial uniformity of heating is also achieved. The reflectance, transmittance and absorbance can be adjusted by changing certain design factors, including hole size, susceptor impedance, grid geometry, spacing between the grid and susceptor, and the spacing between adjacent holes.

Abstract: A forced hot air appliance comprises a main handle housing assemble that is generally tubular, a heater which is mounted within the main handle housing for heating air which flows therepast, a ventilator for forcing air to flow through the main handle housing, a bearing assembly which includes a generally tubular bearing sleeve, a swivel handle assembly including a head portion and a body portion, the head portion having a rear end which defines an air inlet screen and a front end which defines a circular opening through which the rear portion of the bearing sleeve extends for enabling the bearing sleeve and the main handle housing to be rotatably supported, and a submersible switch which is mounted within the swivel handle housing including a switch box and two spaced apart metallic contact which contact metallic contact rings on the bearing sleeve of the bearing assembly regardless of the rotational position of the bearing sleeve and the main handle housing relative to the head portion of the swivel handle

Abstract: Current injection electrostatic discharge equipment that includes a discharge capacitor connected to the input terminal of a sulfur-hexafluoride filled relay for selectively applying a current discharge to a test tip, the wave shape of the current discharge being highly repeatable.

Abstract: An end piece (1) for a tubular heater (2) has an insulator (10) traversed from the end portion (8) by its connecting member (6) in a passage (16) and substantially completely closing the associated end portion (7) of tube casing (3) and on whose end face (19) remote from the tubular heater (2) is provided a separate metal connecting piece (20) welded to the associated end face of connecting member (6) by a welding head (33). Connecting piece (20) forms one or more freely projecting elements (25) for direct connection to electrical leads. Thus, end piece (1) is positively secured with respect to the tubular heater (2) and is suitable for an easy electrical connection, which can be released at any time.

Abstract: Apparatus for supplying light and heat of variable intensity to a photocurable dental material. The apparatus includes a source of light, a reflector, a filter assembly, a light guide and an electrical fan. The heat is generated from the light source and is controllably directed by an arrangement of louvers with a manually adjustable lever through a passageway surrounding the light guide to the operatory site.

Abstract: The present invention is a symbol 10 that includes a square array 12 of data cells 14 surrounded by a border 30 of orientation and timing data cells. The border 30 can be surrounded by an external data field 18 also including information data cells 20. The orientation and timing for sampling each data cell can be determined from the border 30 or from additional orientation and timing cells in the internal data field 12 or external data field 18. A system 40 and 42 is also included that captures an image of the symbol, determines symbol orientation, decodes the contents of the symbol and outputs the decoded contents to a display or other device. The present invention also includes a device 48 that can produce symbols on a substrate such as a label.

Abstract: An indirect heating apparatus placement under floor or wall surfaces in which the heat is generated in one direction into the room to be heated and includes simplified insulation elements having clamping type connections which are removably attached to the heating coils, and can be adapted for unlimited varieties of room shapes and sizes. The heating coil is surrounded by high insulating material except for the surface facing the room to be heated. Consequently, indirect radiant heat can be projected in essentially one direction.

Abstract: The invention concerns a security-marking procedure, an apparatus to sense a security marking, fiduciary documents provided with security markings, by resorting to rare-earth chelates consisting of at least two rare-earths and of which the fluorescence wavelengths vary as functions of temperature, and fiduciary document containing such chelate(s).

Abstract: An ohmically or electrothermally controlled valve gate for injection molding apparatus comprises three concentrically located tubes in intimate contact with each other. The innermost tube is an electrode and also serves as the passage for flowing molding material. The outermost of the three tubes is also an electrode. The intermediate tube is a resistive heating element comprising a mixture of at least two highly compacted powders. One powder is an electrical conductor, while the other powder, which serves as a binder for the first powder, is an electrical insulator but a good thermal conductor. Current flow between the electrodes occurs at points of contact between adjacent particles of the conductive powder. Thus, the electrical resistance and therefore the generation of heat is controlled by the composition and quantity of binder in the heating element. The generated heat is conducted through the inner electrode tube to the flowing plastic to melt the plastic and "open" the gate.

Abstract: A laminated window is prepared by applying an ultraviolet curable acrylate resin to a transparent rigid outer layer. The acrylate is carried in a solvent that swells a plastic surface of the outer layer to promote adhesion. After evaporating substantially all of the solvent the base coat is exposed to ultraviolet radiation to polymerize the acrylate. An electrically conductive metal layer is deposited on a portion of the base coat. When this is completed the window may be laminated with a conventional interlayer and rigid transparent inner layer.

Abstract: The invention is directred to an electric heating in a bread toaster, comprising an insulating body (11) and heat conductor portions (14, 14') which may be arranged on both the front part and the back of the insulating body (11) and are pressed thereagainst by mounting strips (21). To compensate for uneven browning of the article to be toasted--which is caused by the bread toaster being cooled by an air current entering at its bottom and subsequently flowing mainly in the area of the center axis (X) of the insulating body (11)--, it is suggested to provide the mounting strips (21) on the insulating body (11) spaced from one center aixs (X) and thus substantially outside the range of action of the air current.