Abstract: A deicing system configured to heat fluid within a fluid receptacle to prevent ice from forming includes a sensing unit and a heating element. The sensing unit is configured to detect a change in at least one of capacitance and resistivity. The heating element is configured to heat the fluid. The sensing unit operates to deactivate the heating element when the sensing unit detects the change in at least one of capacitance and resistivity.

Abstract: A control method for a microwave oven equipped with a tray installed in a cooking chamber to rotate a popcorn bag while having a popcorn cooking mode to cook popcorn. During cooking, rotation of the tray is temporarily stopped near the point of time when the popcorn bag is increased in size to a maximum size. Accordingly, problems caused by the fact that the popcorn bag comes into contact with the inner wall surface of the cooking chamber so that it cannot rotate are solved. The popcorn cooking mode is an operation mode to cook a popcorn product with corn grains packed in the popcorn bag in a state in which it is folded at least one time. The rotation of the tray is temporarily stopped near the point of time when the popcorn bag is estimated to achieve its maximum length as a folded portion of the popcorn bag is unfolded.

Abstract: Resistive igniter systems are provided that comprise a metal substrate with an associated resistive igniter element in electrical connection through braze applied to the metal substrate. Igniter systems of the invention can enable significantly simplified manufacturing as well as notably higher yield production of more robust igniters. In preferred systems, the braze material is applied to the metal substrate prior to adjoining the igniter and metal substrate, which can enable application of a relatively precise amount of braze in a defined area of the metal substrate.

Abstract: An image heating apparatus includes a heating rotatable member for heating an image on a recording material in a heating nip; a magnetic flux generator for generating a magnetic flux for induction heat generation in the heating rotatable member; a magnetic flux confining device for confining the magnetic flux directed toward a predetermined region of the heating rotatable member from the magnetic flux generator; and a moving device for repeatedly moving the magnetic flux confining device during a heating operation between the operating position and a retracted position retracted from the operation position, when the recording material which has a predetermined width overlapping with a part of the predetermined region is continuously heated by the apparatus.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bonding method, comprising disposing on a first body a second body with a bump interposed therebetween; and electrically and mechanically bonding the first body and the second body with the bump by passing a heating element between the first body and the second body to melt the bump by the heating element, the heating element being heated to a melting point or more of a material configuring the bump.

Abstract: A mouse pad includes a body with planar top and bottom surfaces and a cavity intercalated therebetween that extends between opposed body ends. A rotatable flange has a dome shape for fitting within a user's palm. The flange is offset from a center of the body, has a bottom section conjoined to the body top surface, and is seated adjacent to a proximal body edge. The flange has a top section rotatably conjoined to the bottom section. The bottom section has a greater diameter than the top section for effectively. A mechanism is included for heating the flange that is connected to the flange top section and includes a controller conjoined to the body. A mechanism is included for oscillating the flange so that the flange tilts side-to-side and against a bottom surface of an operator wrist. The heating mechanism and the oscillating mechanism are independently and simultaneously operable.

Abstract: A microwave oven liner 11 is an injection moulding having a roof 12, a floor 14, a back 15 and two sides 16. The moulding is of food grade polypropylene, such that the liner can be washed in a commercial dishwasher. The liner is sized to be a sliding fit in a microwave oven. The roof is shorter 17 at the front than the floor to allow air circulation. Further, the roof is apertured, also for air circulation, with a series of small c. 4 mm bores 18 registering with the roof aperture 8. A lip 19 is provided across the front of the floor to retain split liquid. The external corners 20 are chamfered to clear the silicone seal 9 for instance. The floor has regularly pitched, 2 mm high ridges 21 running front to back. The ridges allow circulation of air beneath a container of food being heated in the oven having the liner.

Abstract: A golf ball heating appliance for heating 4 or more golf balls to an average temperature of between 40° C. and 55° C. during an active heating period of 30 minutes or less has a lower thermally conductive and an upper non-thermally conductive receptacle for receiving a plurality of golf balls and includes an electrical heating element capable of delivering at least 4 watts of power per ball during the active heating period.

Abstract: An oscillation control signal generated by an inverter power source control circuit (12) includes a reference voltage setting signal for approximating the current waveform of the AC output form the AC power source (1) to a sinusoidal wave by making both sides of the waveform generate current according to the fluctuation of the PWM control signal, and a waveform shaping signal consisting of a peak adjustment signal of a sinusoidal waveform for approximating the waveform peak portion of the current waveform to a sinusoidal wave by subtraction. Accordingly, even if the PWM control signal fluctuates, it is possible to automatically improve the power factor of the power source circuit to a value higher than a predetermined value by approximating the current waveform of the AC output from the AC power source to the sinusoidal wave, thereby improving the efficiency of the power source.

Abstract: A microwave or radio frequency device including an applicator for receiving an object to be processed, and a plurality of generators supplying power to the applicator via propagation guides. According to the invention, three propagation guides propagating the microwaves or radio frequencies generated by three respective generators are mounted on three respective plates defining a three-dimensional rectangular axis system, and symmetrical relative to a ternary axis of symmetry of the axis system, whereby the generators supplying power to the applicator are mutually decoupled. The three propagation guides have a rectangular cross-section and are mounted on respective plates in such a way that the short sides of the rectangular cross-section of said guides are orthogonal in pairs, or are coaxial cables extending in a longitudinal propagation direction perpendicular to the plates with one exposed end thereof extending into the applicator.

Abstract: A method for controlling microwave output depending upon food weight and food position so as to implement optimized cooking performance in a microwave oven and an apparatus for performing the same. According to the control method for cooking food placed on a turntable in a microwave oven, the control method includes detecting a plurality of sensing values generated based on the food weight during the rotation of the turntable, detecting a food position by comparing the detected sensing values, and controlling the microwave output based on the detected food position.

Abstract: A microwave burning furnace including a housing constituted by a metal on which a microwave is to be irradiated, a metallic door provided in the housing, a burning chamber provided in the housing and surrounded by a material having a low microwave absorption characteristic and a high heat insulating property, and microwave generating means, wherein the burning chamber includes a heater element constituted by at least two types of heating materials having a heating material for a high temperature region which automatically generates a heat mainly in the high temperature region to have a burning temperature by an irradiation of a microwave and a heating material for a low temperature region which automatically generates a heat mainly in the low temperature region including an ordinary temperature.

Abstract: An RF welder is disclosed that has circuitry that automatically affects system impedance so that, throughout the welding or embossing cycle, a generator is capable of sending energy through die and fabric at a predetermined frequency and cabling is capable of dissipating a load that is less than a preselected amount.

Abstract: A removable filter/pod compartment is filled with coffee grounds, tea, or other espresso particulate brewing substance and mounted within a water reservoir. Water is placed in the water reservoir. A bottom cover is connected to upper cup assembly to hold the filter/pod compartment in place. A resilient gasket or valve is positioned between the filter/pod compartment and a filtrate passage. A filtrate splash cover may be attached to the upper edges of the filtrate reservoir. The assembled beverage maker is placed into a microwave oven. As water in the water reservoir begins to heat up, steam is generated, and hot water is displaced upwards through the filter/pod compartment and particulate brewing substance. The heated beverage is automatically emptied into the filtrate reservoir, which is designed to function as a drinking cup for individually-sized portions.

Abstract: A method of operating a microwave oven to determine the correct cooking time for a food item placed within the oven. A food package having a thermochromic element which changes color over a predetermined temperature range is placed in the microwave oven. Microwave energy is supplied into the oven. The food package is rotated within the oven cavity and the color of the thermochromic element is monitored as it rotates past an opto-electronic device or detector capable of detecting the color changes of the thermochromic element such that a plurality of signal pulses are generated having a value corresponding to the color of the element. The supply of microwave energy into the oven is terminated when the rate of change between successive pulses decrease to a predetermined value.

Abstract: A microwave oven includes a door. The door includes a door unit for selectively opening/closing a cooking chamber and a control unit, for controlling an operation of the microwave oven, is arranged at a predetermined part of the door unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating uniform heating of an microwave absorptive target. A circularly polarized waveguide mode is created that promotes uniform heating of the microwave absorptive target by rotating a propagated non-uniform field pattern around a central axis of a cylindrical cavity or waveguide. In the process of rotating the field pattern, hot and cold spots in the field pattern are averaged out over time.

Abstract: An image heating apparatus for heating an image on a recording material by heat generation of a heating member includes a coil configured to generate a magnetic flux by energization a heat generation member having an electroconductive layer that generates heat by magnetic flux for heating an image on a recording material and, a frequency switching device for switching a frequency of a current supplied to the coil. The electroconductive layer includes a first electroconductive member at a central portion thereof and a second electroconductive member at an end portion thereof. The first electroconductive member has a resistence characteristic, with respect to the frequency of the current supplied to the coil, different from that of the second electroconductive member.

Abstract: An image heating apparatus has a magnetic flux generator for generating a magnetic flux; a heat generation member for generating heat by the magnetic flux generator; a magnetic flux adjustor for adjusting an effective magnetic flux region toward the heat generation member with respect to a widthwise direction which is perpendicular to a feeding direction of a material to be heated, wherein the material to be heated is heated by heat generation of the heat generation means; wherein the magnetic flux adjustor includes a magnetic flux adjusting member and moving member for moving the magnetic flux adjusting member, and wherein a temperature distribution in theat generation member with respect to the widthwise direction is adjusted by moving the flux adjusting member to a predetermined magnetic flux adjusting position by the moving member; and a discriminator for discriminating whether the effective magnetic flux region corresponds to a size of the material to be heated or not when the magnetic flux adjusting mem

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus according to the present invention, a shield plate 202 which is made of a specific material and has a specific thickness is provided between an exciting coil and at least one of a first and a second magnetic field intensity measuring point P1, P2, which prevents a magnetic field of a specific magnetic field intensity or higher from leaking to the outside of the image forming apparatus or alleviates the effect of the magnetic field on the circuits in the apparatus or optionally installed devices.