Abstract: A switch actuator for an electric iron comprises a one-piece member with a first end stationarily connected to the housing of an iron and a second end adapted to be depressed by a user. The second end extends through an aperture in the housing. The second end is located in front of a control switch of the iron inside the housing. The second end has a transparent section to transmit light from a signal light inside of the housing to outside of the housing. The first end of the member is interlockingly captured by a receiving area of the housing without use of additional fasteners.

Abstract: A modular igniter system which preferably provides either direct electrical connection between the metallized ends of the hot surface igniter and the socket contact, or indirect electrical connection by a short lead wire held in place on the hot surface element by an active metal braze.

Abstract: A connector for connecting an end of a first elongate electrical heating cable to an end of a first elongate electrical component such as another heating cable or a power cable. The connector includes first and second shell members which can be in a mated or demated configuration and which, when mated, form a shell having a first inlet port for the first heating cable and a second inlet port for the first electrical component. In addition, the connector includes an element for connecting electrodes of the first heating cable to elongate members of the first electrical component and a sealing assembly for holding the first heating cable in position in the first inlet port. The sealing assembly includes a hollow cylindrical ring from which gripping elements in the form of fingers extend perpendicular to the plane of the ring, a nut for making connection to the first inlet port, and a grommet which is held by the fingers and which grips the first heating cable.

Abstract: A flat-iron (5) comprises a fixed soleplate (10) against which a movable soleplate (14) is engageable in order to guarantee a safe use both for the user and for the fabric to be ironed. The soleplate (14) can be brought into contact with the fixed soleplate (10) with the aid of an electromagnet (12), which is controlled by a state-of-use detector (11) and/or a nature-of-fabric detector (27) coupled to the thermostat.

Abstract: An electric cooker includes a unitary cast metal cooking vessel and a generally cylindrical base ring sized to mate with a perimeter flange of the cooking vessel. The base ring includes a number of support legs integrally molded therein for support of the cooker as well as a receptacle opening into a first side opening in the base ring for accommodating a pair of power terminal pins via a removable pin attachment block. A base plate, preferably made of metal, includes a center hole positioned to mate with a center boss formed in the cooking vessel bottom and a number of slots are formed in the periphery of the plate to accommodate the molded legs of the base ring.

Abstract: A transparent heating plate and transparent heating device for examination of specimens under a microscope can heat the entire transparent conductive film between electrodes of the transparent heating plate with a small difference in temperature. The transparent heating plate can also heat the vicinity of the center of the transparent heating plate used for examination at substantially a uniform temperature regardless of the shape of the transparent heating plate or the structure of the transparent heating plate. The transparent heating plate may also prevent electromagnetic waves generated from the transparent heating plate from flowing into objects put on the outer side of the transparent heating plate. A further embodiment of a transparent heating plate prevents scattering of broken pieces of glass should the transparent heating plate break.

Abstract: The flexible insulated heater includes a heater mat surrounded by an insulation jacket. The heater mat is preferably made of two layers of fiberglass reinforced rubber sheets laminated together with resistive heater wires sandwiched between the laminated sheets. The heater mat is formed with a curvature and size to fit snugly around the peripheral surface of the pipe that is to be heated. A jacket of thermally insulative material, such as a polymer foam, is molded over the external surface of the heater mat. The insulated jacket holds the heat generated by the heater mat from escaping radially outward, and it protects against burns to persons who might touch the heater.

Abstract: An insulated electrically heated pot is provided with an insulated container and an electric heating apparatus disposed within the container. A liquid such as water is introduced and heated in the insulated container, and the temperature of the liquid is maintained. At least one gas having a low conductivity selected from the group consisting of xenon, krypton and argon fills the insulating layer of the insulated container. A method of manufacturing the heated pot is also disclosed.

Abstract: A deodorizing cigarette lighter is disclosed for use in a motor vehicle. A cigarette igniting unit having a standard conventional structure is used to store a heat responsive, nonflammable deodorizing agent that emits a fragrant vapor into the vehicle interior upon energization of an electric heating element associated with the lighter. The cigarette lighter includes a tubular plug body having a chamber formed therein that is used to retain the deodorizing agent. A slotted cap is attached to one end of the plug body, and a knob is attached to the cap. The lighter also includes a contact cup at the other end of the plug body that houses the heating coil. One end of the heating element is maintained in thermal communication with the contact cup, and the other end of the heating element is connected to a thermally conductive rivet. The rivet is maintained in a heat transfer relationship with the plug body. The deodorizing agent emits a fragrant vapor upon energization of the heating element.

Abstract: A prepared meals system has at least one food container and cooking unit. The food container has at least two compartments for different foods to be heated at different temperatures and/or times. The cooking unit has at least one cooking station having two or more heating zones on a lower surface and at least one grilling element above the heating zones. The user selects one of several preprogrammed cooking procedures according to the indicia on a selected container having the desired food. A heat controller operates to control the times and temperatures of the heating zones and grilling element to appropriately cook the food in the container.

Abstract: A device for heating a gel used in physical examinations or on the instruments therefor, e.g. a pelvic examination, comprises a heat reservoir in communication with a flue which receivably receives the gel container therein. The container presents a valve operable by the physician's elbow to preclude the need to manipulate the device in order to dispense the gel. Rotation of the container in the flue is precluded by a ridge array restraining movement between the container and flue. The flue/reservoir combination design prevents toppling of the device during use. Hygienical dispensing of a warmed gel onto the user's hands is provided without user manipulation required.

Abstract: A storage fluid heater for heating a fluid, employs a heat storage unit, a heating element thermally coupled to the heat storage unit, and a heat recovery tube thermally coupled to the heat storage unit. The recovery tube is made from a material having a coefficient of thermal expansion so that as the average temperature of the heat storage unit near the heat recovery tube increases, the surface area of gaps between the heat recovery tube and the storage unit increases, causing the contact resistance between the heat storage unit and the heat recovery tube to increase. The temperature of the fluid flowing within the heat recovery tube is thereby limited to a predetermined maximum. A structure that relieves excess pressure when the flow of fluid through the tube is stopped has an expansion tank connected to the fluid inlet of the tube.

Abstract: Apparatus (1a, 1b) for heating liquids has a receptacle (10)for receiving liquid to be heated, a heating element (30) in the form of a support (31) having an electrically insulating surface (32b) carrying a resistive track (33) for heating liquid within the receptacle (10) and a control arrangement (40) for controlling the supply of power to the heating element (30). The control arrangement (40) includes a detector (41) for detecting deflection of the heating element (30). during operation of the apparatus and for reducing the power supply to the heating element (30) when the deflection of the heating element (30) exceeds a predetermined amount so providing a simple, efficient way of switching off the apparatus if the heating element (30) overhears due to, for example, the apparatus being boiled dry or the vessel (2a, 2b) being tilted to expose the heating element out of the liquid being heated.

Abstract: A tweezer-like heater structure includes a pair of arms that can be pivoted towards one another and a pair of legs having ferromagnetic temperature self regulating Curie point heaters at the ends of the legs, the legs being removably connectable to electrical connectors located in the arms whereby current is supplied to coils that energize the heaters. Heaters of different temperatures are provided by choosing heaters with ferromagnetic materials having different Curie temperatures. The structure is used as a soldering iron by inserting a heater with a proper shape in one arm and short circuitry the connector in the other arm.

Abstract: A low wattage device for heat-liquefying material is described which employs a low volume mass electrical heat exchanger structure to generate a high power density within a dispensing tip; and simultaneously by actuation of an operator controlled momentary on/off switch for energizing the heat exchanger structure heater, the heat-liquefiable material is pressed into effective contact with the heat exchanger structure. The heat exchanger structure is formed by positioning a resistive heating element in contiguous relation to the outer wall of a low volume thermal conducting mass formed into a heat-liquefying material conductor and generates sufficiently high heat at a relatively low wattage to effectively achieve the desired melting within a few seconds. In a further feature, an insulating shield partially envelopes the heat exchanger structure to prevent contact with the resistive heating element and to minimize heat loss.

Abstract: A computer pad is heated for reducing repetitive motion stress and increasing comfort for a user and for providing potential therapeutic treatment by warming the hand(s) and/or wrist(s) of the user while operating a computer input device such as a mouse or a keyboard. The pad includes an electrical heating device such as a resistance-type heating element embedded in it. If a mouse is used as the input device, it can be either a stationary mouse or a conventional movably positioned mouse that is operated on the level section of the top surface of the pad's upper layer. If a stationary mouse or a keyboard is utilized, the user's hand(s) and/or wrist(s) can be supported by a suitably shaped area within an elevated section of the working surface of the pad. The lower layer of the pad may conveniently include a non-skid bottom surface.

Abstract: A new deicing technology is described which utilizes the actuating properties of shape memory alloys (SMAs) to debond ice accretion formed on a surface. A thin sheet of SMA material is mounted to the icing prone surface to perform the force and displacement combination that can debond the ice. The SMA sheet is activated to expand or contract causing shearing and peeling of the ice. An SMA actuator portion located aft of the icing area can be used to pull the sheet over a ribbed underlay and grooved bands which generates a strain field that severs the ice's adhesive bond. Two-way shape memory action and natural ice latent heat powering are used in different modes of operation to reduce the power requirements and the structural complexity of the deicing system.

Abstract: A soldering tip is disclosed which fits loosely over a ceramic heater rod. The rear skirt of the tip is slotted into segments the rear edges of which are tapered rearwardly inwardly to be engaged by a forwardly opening conical surface on the front of a metallic sheath covering and supporting the rear portion of the ceramic rod. When the soldering tip is urged rearwardly in its assembly to the remainder of the soldering tool the segmented portions of the skirt are then pressed radially inwardly over the ceramic rod. The slots dividing the skirt into segments extend well forwardly thereof whereby the bending of the segments is forwardly of the tip of the ceramic rod where a thermocouple type temperature sensor may be disposed. Thus the skirt portions make good thermal contact with the rear and central portions of the ceramic rod but not with the temperature sensor front tip portion.

Abstract: A heating element has a flat, flexible strip of electrically insulating material around which is wound a conductor wire. A layer of fixing varnish covers the turns of the conductor wire and the flat strip. Two clips attached to the ends of the strip provide electrical contact with the conductor wire and serve to attach two electricity connection cables. The heating element can be bent without this affecting its ohm value since the fixing varnish prevents the turns of the conductor wire from moving when the strip is being bent.

Abstract: A heating windshield wiper shroud system which is designed to be installed in combination with a conventional motorized vehicle windshield wiper assembly having an electrically activated windshield wiper rocker arm and a windshield wiper blade and supporting frame. The wiper shroud system utilizes a shroud housing with a roof portion along a longitudinal axis having a middle section with a first vertically and transversely designed upper width portion and a second vertically and transversely designed lower width portion which has a differentially wider transverse width dimension than the first upper width portion. The second lower width has a shelf portion which has a perimeter generally between and coextensive with the outside vertical edge of the first upper width and the outer edge of the second lower width portion.