Abstract: Method and apparatus for removing radon decay products wherein a fan directs air through a conductive cylinder that is grounded. Positioned axially within the cylinder is one or more cylindrical brushes, each having a shaft and radially extending conductive bristles with distal ends spaced from the cylinder. The shaft is connected to the fan so that the bristles rotate. Also, a static electric potential is applied to the bristles. The relative motion of the air and bristles is particularly effective at enhancing molecular diffusion to cause small unattached radon decay products to plate out on the bristles. In contrast, the electrostatic charging of the bristles and the resulting diffusion charging is particularly effective at exerting a force on larger particles to which radon decay products are attached thus causing the particles to migrate and plate out on the cylinder.

Abstract: A microwave oven having microwave absorbing material disposed in a top portion of the microwave oven cooking cavity above a grease shield. By absorbing reflected microwave radiation, this feature reduces the tendency of overcooked edges, particularly in low profile foods such as pizza. An additional feature includes a cylindrical member disposed around the microwave antenna to provide a directive pattern of microwave energy in the cooking cavity. The microwave oven provides improved cooking uniformity for foods such as pizzas or pies.

Abstract: A microwave oven having griddle and convection cooking capabilities. A microwave oven cooking cavity has an aluminum bottom with a Calrod heating element coupled thereto. Convection heating is provided by routing air, introduced into the oven to cool electronics including the magnetron, between the cooking cavity and the outer housing of the oven. In this way, such air flow cools the outer housing of the oven. The air flows under the griddle and through a plenum adjacent to the heating element in order to further heat the air. The heated air is then directed into the cooking cavity to provide convection cooking. From the cavity, the air is exhausted from the oven through apertures disposed in the door adjacent to a choke seal.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for popping high yield popcorn using a bag having a substantially rectangular cross section as manufactured using a conventional bag machine. A base supports the bag on edge with at least one joining panel being inclined such as, for example, at 45.degree.. Whether the bag is initially unfolded or unfolds as a result of internal pressure caused by some kernels popping, a horizontal elongated V-shaped trough is formed as the lower-most region of the bag due to the supporting orientation of the base. Kernels form in a clump in the nadir of the trough thereby enhancing the yield of the popping, and kernels disturbed from the clump by popping kernels are directed back to the clump by the inclined walls of the bag.

Abstract: A water filter system for use in refrigerators having water dispenser and/or icemaker features. The filter system includes a commercially available filter cartridge which removes common water contaminants. A shut off valve temporarily stops the flow of water to the filter to permit replacement of the cartridge. The filter is disposed within the refrigerator for easy access and may be further disposed in a recess in one of the refrigerator walls or the refrigerator door to avoid reducing the useable food storage volume. The shut off valve may be closed by activating a conveniently located switch, by opening the refrigerator door, by opening a cover over the recess, or alternatively may be normally closed and opened only in response to activation of the icemaker or water dispenser features.

Abstract: A method for repairing voids such as potholes in asphalt pavement by mixing a lossy microwave material in the tack used for the tack layer. The asphalt patch used to fill the pothole is relatively non-lossy so that a substantial portion of microwave energy applied to the upper surface penetrates through the asphalt patch and is absorbed in the tack layer. The heating of the tack layer is enhanced to improve the interface bond between the asphalt patch and the surface of the pothole.

Abstract: A microwave heating susceptor for browning or searing packaged foods in a microwave oven. The susceptor is constructed from a thin metal mesh, and a microwave absorbing material applied to the metal mesh. To sear food, the suspceptor is placed in proximity to food in a microwave oven cavity. When the microwave oven is turned on, the susceptor heats to a high temperature, thereby browning and cooking the food.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for chemically fixating a plurality of tissue specimens in a multimode microwave oven. The tissue specimens are loaded in respective cassettes and then placed in radial alignment in a circular container that is filled with a fixation solution. Selective microwave shields such as metal disks with central apertures are located above and below the container which is then rotated on a turntable while being exposed to microwave energy in the microwave oven cavity. The shields are selected to provide a substantially uniform microwave field within the region occupied by the cassettes so that all of the tissue specimens are consistently and uniformly fixated.

Abstract: A disposable container for heating seeds, kernels, nuts, grains, popcorn or the like items, using microwave radiation. The container comprises a can-shaped package having a floor where the items are placed and held in a clump. As the items are heated with microwave radiation, the items pop, the cover panel and/or container walls expand to form a new shape wherein the walls are inclined toward the floor. As the items pop, the unpopped items continue to be directed into a clump. Alternatively, a ferrite and metal material may be placed on the floor to enhance the heating process.

Abstract: A shelf track lighting for improving illumination of devices such as refrigerators or freezers. Coupled to the shelf is a lamp and a supporting brackets. The brackets engage with vertically positioned standards which are mounted to the rear wall of the device. Power is provided to the lamp through the standards and the brackets so that the lamp may be illuminated when the shelf and lamp levels are adjusted.

Abstract: An independently powered safety device for use in a cooking device having a heating element and a cooking surface. The safety device includes a pair of lamps, one of which is disposed below the heating element and another which is disposed adjacent the cooking surface. The safety device also includes a temperature probe that is coupled above the heating element. When the cooking device is turned on, the heating element becomes hot and the lamp disposed below the heating element instantly illuminates. The temperature probe senses the heating element's temperature. In response to the heating element reaching a predetermined temperature, the probe enables the lamp adjacent the heating surface to illuminate. That lamp remains illuminated until the cooking device is turned off and the heating element cools. The lamp adjacent the heating surface is independently powered and remains illuminated regardless of whether or not power is provided to the heating element.

Abstract: An air filter and particle removal system for eliminating impurities from air. The system is constructed with an upper electrode plate facing a lower electrode plate. A flypaper-like material is placed close to the lower plate with the sticky side of the material facing the upper plate. The plates have different voltage polarities so that when air is passed through the duct, charged particles within the air will move toward the lower plate and are caught by the flypaper-like material. Further, the upper plate is shaped to create turbulences in the air to cause other impurities to flow over and be caught by the flypaper-like material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for ultrafast microwave tissue fixation using a single mode resonant waveguide constructed with an aperture near one end. The waveguide is also constructed to provide a uniform E field and maximum power field below the aperture. Tissue is placed into a vial filled with fixation solution. The vial and tissue are then inserted through the aperture into the waveguide. Microwave energy is then applied to the tissue which becomes fixated within a short period of time.