Abstract: An induction hob comprising a hotplate, beneath which at least one induction mechanism is situated in a housing. The housing comprises a base and lateral walls that project vertically and are connected to the hotplate. The walls delimit an inner chamber of their corresponding housing containing the induction mechanism. At least one sub-section of the housing base is configured as a one-piece plastic section.

Abstract: A fixation apparatus having a good fixability in its longitudinal direction and an image forming apparatus are provided. The fixation apparatus includes an electromagnetic induction heating member which is a hollow rotation member, and a magnetic flux generation member for causing the electromagnetic induction heating member to generate heat by generating magnetic flux in the electromagnetic induction heating member. The fixation apparatus fixes a toner image on a recording material by imparting heat energy by heat generation of the electromagnetic induction heating member to the recording material to be conveyed. The electromagnetic induction heating member has a different thickness in the longitudinal direction thereof and a uniform diameter at a surface facing the magnetic flux generation means in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: Toaster cum microwave oven having a heater for toasting bread, including a memory for storing a voltage level to a heater according to the function of the toaster the user selects, a temperature sensor for sensing an inside temperature of the toaster, and a microcomputer for controlling a toasting time period according to a kind and a toasting level of bread the user selects, and an inside temperature of the toaster, and controlling the microwave oven according to a command received through the first key input part, thereby permitting toasting bread to a desired degree of toasting regardless of the inside temperature and continued user of the toaster.

Abstract: A heating apparatus has an induction heat generation member for electromagnetic induction heat generation by the magnetic flux at a heating portion, wherein a material to be heated is introduced to the heating portion and is fed in direct contact with the induction heat generation member or in contact to a heat transfer material for receiving heat from the induction heat generation member; a magnetic flux adjusting unit for changing a distribution of a density of an effective magnetic flux actable on the induction heat generation member with respect to a widthwise direction perpendicular to a feeding direction of the material to be heated; wherein magnetic flux adjusting unit has a plurality of steps which extend in the feeding direction and are selectable to change the distribution of the magnetic flux density in response to a width of the material measured in the widthwise direction, wherein a step of the steps for a largest magnetic flux adjustment region measured in the widthwise direction is largest.

Abstract: An electromagnetic induction heating apparatus capable of uniformize a temperature distribution in a longitudinal direction of an induction heating member includes: an exciting coil (magnetic flux generation means); a fixation roller (induction heating member) for generating heat by electromagnetic induction heating by action of magnetic flux generated by the exciting coil the induction heating member heating a material to be heated through heat generation thereof by introducing the material to be heated into a heating portion and conveying the material to be heated in contact with the fixation roller; and magnetic flux shielding plate (magnetic flux adjusting means) for changing a distribution of a density of an effective magnetic flux which is the magnetic flux generated by the exciting coil and actable on the fixation roller, in a longitudinal direction of the heating portion perpendicular to a conveyance direction of the material to be heated.

Abstract: An induction foil cap sealer which includes a visual display device that shows power consumption in a bar graph format.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for forming bag edges in a layered plastic film. The apparatus includes a heated seal bar and a seal bar anvil. The seal bar anvil has a resilient tube configured to deform as the seal bar is driven into the tube to seal and sever a bag edge therebetween. According to one construction, the resilient tube is pressurized pneumatically from the inside so as to impart a specific, desired resilience to the tube as the tube and seal bar co-act on either side of the layered plastic film.

Abstract: Disclosed is a releasably sealable bag for low temperature cooking comprising a film material, wherein the film material does not deform at temperatures of up to about 125° C., and wherein the bag is air and liquid impermeable when sealed. Also disclosed are such bags wherein at least a portion of the film material is comprised of a composite film material provided with a pressure sensitive adhesive protected from inadvertent adherence. Further disclosed are methods for food preparation and cooking using any of the embodiments of the bag of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system for reducing condensation on the inner surface of a vehicle light cover, and preventing or deicing ice build up on the exterior of the cover. In an embodiment, a heater is mounted to a carrier and the heat produced by the heater prevents the occurrence of condensation on the inner surface of the light cover or build up of ice on the outer surface. In an embodiment, one or more vents may be provided in the carrier and one or more corresponding holes may be provided in the heater so as to increase the flow of air across the inner surface of the light cover. A controller may be provided to control activation of the heater.

Abstract: An electronic thermostat (20) has a mechanical switch (22) and a solid-state switch (24). The electronic thermostat (20) is suitable for use in a liquid heating apparatus, such as a coffee maker or any other apparatus that dispenses heated beverages. In an illustrative embodiment, the electronic thermostat (20) has a controller (36) and a temperature sensor (34).

Abstract: A heating apparatus, for heating a material P to be heated by heat from a heat generation member which has a predetermined curie temperature characteristic and generates heat by magnetic flux produced by a magnetic flux generation device. The apparatus includes a discrimination device for discriminating whether or not the curie temperature characteristic of the heat generation member is a predetermined characteristic and a control device for terminating the supply of electric power to the magnetic flux generation device when the discrimination device determines that the curie temperature characteristic is not the predetermined characteristic.

Abstract: An automated glass cooler entrance door assembly for an opening in a walk-in cooler comprising at least one fixed, stationary side door that defines a walkway about the opening for ingress and egress into the cooler, at least one opposing sliding door operatively suspended from a concealed drive mechanism above the opening to slide sideways from a closed position across the opening to close-off the cooler to and from an opened position overlapping the fixed stationary side door to allow customer ingress and egress to the cooler via the walkway through the opening and each of the doors comprising heated glass that is electrically connected to electrical power to heat the same.

Abstract: An apparatus (30) and method for forming of a vehicle's driveshaft (32) is provided which makes use of a PMF process. The coil device used in the PMF apparatus is assembled around the shaft from two or more coil sections (40, 41, 43; 42, 44, 45) firmly attached to one another, and which may be disassembled from one another to allow to remove the formed driveshaft (32).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) and method for preheating welds uses a centered induction plate (12) having preferably a plurality of induction coils (30, 32) to impart the generation of heat in the materials to be welded (14), being interactively controlled by at least a temperature sensor (90, 92) and power supply control loop (16) so that even preheating can be obtained for a selected length of time given the parameters of the weld desired.

Abstract: A container (10) for preparing a comestible article in a microwave oven includes a storage chamber (18) into which a comestible article (c) cooked by exposure to microwave energy is displaced, the storage chamber (18) being characterized by the presence of a microwave shielding material (28) disposed therearound.

Abstract: A disposable utensil for cooking, warming, and heating articles. More particularly, in the preferred mode, the invention is a disposable utensil which comprises a liner surrounding a permeable armature, which comprises a plurality of vertical members configured in a predetermined framework. The armature functions to elevate an article such as any type of food, in such a manner as to prevent the article from becoming soggy from contact with effluent drippings produced during the cooking, warming, or heating process. The invention may also utilize an optional support element for heavier or larger articles, as well as an optional layer of absorbent material, such as ovenproof paper, felt, wadding or fibrous material for enhanced absorption of effluent drippings. The utensil is suitable for usage in connection with cooking appliances of all types and all sizes.

Abstract: A heating apparatus includes a heating roller that is heated by heating units, a main power supply that supplies power from an external power supply to the main heating unit, and an auxiliary power supply that supplies power to the auxiliary heating unit. The auxiliary power supply further includes a mass capacitor of multiple capacitor cells, which are charged by the external power supply. The connection mode of the capacitor cells is changed at least at the time of electric discharge.

Abstract: A defrost vessel for a microwave oven includes a body having a certain space therein for receiving a refrigerating load, and an antenna connected to the body for oscillating a microwave into the space of the body. When microwave is supplied into a cavity of the microwave oven, the microwave is oscillated into the space of the body by the antenna and thus the microwave is deeply penetrated up to inside of the refrigerating load. Also, the microwave is secondly emitted into the space of the body from an edge of the slot, thereby completely defrosting the refrigerating load.

Abstract: A sheet heater structured so that heating wire is fixed to air-passing base material by sewing. This structure can provide a sheet heater that has improved durability of heating wire 2 against the load imposed on the seat during sitting, comfortable feeling of sitting in the seat, and high air-passing capability.

Abstract: A device for covering food (306) during microwave heating includes a microwavable flexible sheet (100) having a substantially smooth, food-facing surface (102) that is free of openings. The sheet (100) has a configuration including size, shape, and weight distribution for flexibly draping the sheet (100) over the food (306) on a rigid structure (304) such that the flexibly draped sheet (100) overhangs and folds loosely over an outer perimeter of the rigid structure thereby forming at least a partial enclosure around the food (306) when the sheet contacts at least a portion of an outer perimeter of the food-containing rigid structure (304). During microwave heating, the at least a partial enclosure around the food (306) substantially contains food-splattering (308) inside while allowing steam (312) to escape through an opening (310) formed between the flexibly draped sheet (100) and the outer perimeter of the rigid structure (304).