Abstract: A heated element assembly and method of manufacturing heated element assemblies is provided. The heated element assembly including a first and second molded sections shaped to mate with each other is provided. A resistance heating element is secured between the first and second molded sections by an interference fit. The resistance heating element includes a piercable supporting substrate and a resistance wire sewn thereon. The resistance wire is disposed in a predetermined circuit path which is substantially encompassed by the first and second molded sections. The resistance heating element is easily fixed in a position between the first and second molded sections and is capable of providing heat on vertical, horizontal and contoured surfaces.

Abstract: A semi-rigid heated element assembly and method of manufacturing semi-rigid heated element assemblies is provided. A heated element assembly includes a first thermoplastic sheet, a second thermoplastic sheet, and a resistance heating element laminated between the first and second thermoplastic sheets. The resistance heating element includes a supporting substrate having a first surface thereon and an electrical resistance heating material forming a predetermined circuit path having a pair of terminal end portions. The circuit path continues onto at least one flap portion that is capable of rotating about a first axis of rotation. The reformable continuous element structure may be formed into a final element assembly configuration whereby at least the flap portion is rotated along its axis of rotation to provide resistance heating in at least two planes. Semi-rigid heating elements may be formed into heated containers, heated bags, and other objects with complex heat planes.

Abstract: A heated container is formed from a substantially continuous element structure. The substantially continuous element structure includes an electrically insulative first and second polymeric layers and a resistance heating layer laminated between the first and second polymeric layers. An interior surface of the container includes the first polymeric layer, and the first polymeric layer is thermally conductive. The resistance heating layer has a pair of terminal end portions that may be coupled to a pair of external power leads to energize the resistance heating layer.

Abstract: A semi-rigid heated element assembly and method of manufacturing semi-rigid heated element assemblies is provided. A heated element assembly includes a first thermoplastic sheet, a second thermoplastic sheet, and a resistance heating element laminated between the first and second thermoplastic sheets. The resistance heating element includes a supporting substrate having a first surface thereon and an electrical resistance heating material forming a predetermined circuit path having a pair of terminal end portions. The circuit path continues onto at least one flap portion that is capable of rotating about a first axis of rotation. The reformable continuous element structure may be formed into a final element assembly configuration whereby at least the flap portion is rotated along its axis of rotation to provide resistance heating in at least two planes. Semi-rigid heating elements may be formed into heated containers, heated bags, and other objects with complex heat planes.

Abstract: The heater includes a resistance heating element comprising a resistance heating wire having a pair of terminal ends connected to a pair of electrical connectors and encapsulated with a thin electrically insulating polymeric layer. The resistance heating wire is capable of maintaining a fluid initially heated by a primary heat source substantially at the desired use temperature. A first connecting body is configured to couple to the section of piping containing the fluid. The connecting body includes a fluid inlet port, a fluid outlet port, a fluid passageway defined between the fluid inlet and outlet ports, and an electrical connection port. The resistance heating element is disposed at least partially within the fluid passageway and at least a first one of the terminal ends is coupled to a respective one of the pair of electrical connectors through the electrical connection port.

Abstract: A heated element assembly and method of manufacturing heated element assemblies is provided. The heated element assembly including a first and second molded sections shaped to mate with each other is provided. A resistance heating element is secured between the first and second molded sections by an interference fit. The resistance heating element includes a piercable supporting substrate and a resistance wire sewn thereon. The resistance wire is disposed in a predetermined circuit path which is substantially encompassed by the first and second molded sections. The resistance heating element is easily fixed in a position between the first and second molded sections and is capable of providing heat on vertical, horizontal and contoured surfaces.

Abstract: The heater includes a resistance heating element comprising a resistance heating wire having a pair of terminal ends connected to a pair of electrical connectors and encapsulated with a thin electrically insulating polymeric layer. The resistance heating wire is capable of maintaining a fluid initially heated by a primary heat source substantially at the desired use temperature. A first connecting body is configured to couple to the section of piping containing the fluid. The connecting body includes a fluid inlet port, a fluid outlet port, a fluid passageway defined between the fluid inlet and outlet ports, and an electrical connection port. The resistance heating element is disposed at least partially within the fluid passageway and at least a first one of the terminal ends is coupled to a respective one of the pair of electrical connectors through the electrical connection port.

Abstract: A heated element assembly and method of manufacturing heated element assemblies is provided. The heated element assembly including a first and second molded sections shaped to mate with each other is provided. A resistance heating element is secured between the first and second molded sections by an interference fit. The resistance heating element includes a piercable supporting substrate and a resistance wire sewn thereon. The resistance wire is disposed in a predetermined circuit path which is substantially encompassed by the first and second molded sections. The resistance heating element is easily fixed in a position between the first and second molded sections and is capable of providing heat on vertical, horizontal and contoured surfaces.

Abstract: Heating elements, electrical devices and processes for manufacturing these components are provided. The heating elements and electrical components employ a resistance heating material, such as Ni-Cr wire, sewn with a thread to a supporting substrate, such as a non-woven glass mat. The sewn thread supports the relatively thin cross-section of the resistance material when a fusible layer is applied, such as by molding a polymer under pressure.

Abstract: A heating element assembly in the form of a heating tray and a method of manufacturing heating tray assemblies. The heating tray may be used for defrosting and heating pans such as so-called “half-pans” of frozen food products. The preferred heating tray is configured to fit precisely around a standard thin foil half-pan container, thus optimizing heat transfer between the heating tray and the food product. The varied surface watt density of the heating tray allows for accurate heat placement such that the food product can be evenly warmed while avoiding over warming or burning, particularly at the corners and edges. A preferred embodiment of the heating tray includes two resistance heating elements. The first heating element is a temperature booster used for defrosting and heating, while the second heating element is a maintenance heater to maintain heated food at a serving temperature.

Abstract: A heating element for heating a flexible intravenous tube includes a resistance heating wire having a pair of terminal ends encapsulated within an electrically insulating polymeric layer. The polymeric layer and the resistance heating wire are formed into a plurality of turns defining a coil having a central axis. Each turn of the coil is independently elastically expandable to surround a portion of the flexible intravenous tube when the intravenous tube is disposed axially through the coil such that the coil conforms to the shape of the flexible intravenous tube.

Abstract: A heated container is formed from a substantially continuous element structure. The substantially continuous element structure includes an electrically insulative first and second polymeric layers and a resistance heating layer laminated between the first and second polymeric layers. An interior surface of the container includes the first polymeric layer, and the first polymeric layer is thermally conductive. The resistance heating layer has a pair of terminal end portions that may be coupled to a pair of external power leads to energize the resistance heating layer.

Abstract: A heating element assembly in the form of a heating shelf and a method of manufacturing heating shelf assemblies. The heating shelf may be used in display cabinets to heat ready made foods such as cookies, muffins, donuts, pizza, sandwiches and the like. The preferred heating shelf includes thermochromic materials, or an LED indicator, which provide a visual indica of shelf temperature. The preferred heating shelf provides intimate contact with the heated food products, thus optimizing heat transfer between the heating shelf and the food products. Optionally provided, varied surface watt density in the heating shelf allows for accurate heat placement such that the food products can be evenly warmed while avoiding over warming. In another embodiment, the heating shelf includes two resistance heating elements. The first heating element is a temperature booster used for defrosting and heating, while the second heating element is a maintenance heater to maintain heated food at a serving temperature.

Abstract: A heating element assembly and a method of manufacturing heating assemblies. The heating assembly may be used for heating food products, including polypropylene bags containing cheese sauce or hot fudge, for example. The preferred heating assembly is configured to fit precisely around a standard cheese sauce bag, thus optimizing heat transfer between the heating assembly and the food product. The varied surface watt density of the heating assembly allows for accurate heat placement such that the food product can be efficiently and evenly warmed. A preferred embodiment of the heating element assembly includes two resistance heating elements. The first heating element is a temperature booster, while the second heating element is a maintenance heater to maintain heated food at a serving temperature.

Abstract: A heating element assembly in the form of a heating tray and a method of manufacturing heating tray assemblies. The heating tray may be used for defrosting and heating pans such as so-called “half-pans” of frozen food products. The preferred heating tray is configured to fit precisely around a standard thin foil half-pan container, thus optimizing heat transfer between the heating tray and the food product. The varied surface watt density of the heating tray allows for accurate heat placement such that the food product can be evenly warmed while avoiding over warming or burning, particularly at the corners and edges. A preferred embodiment of the heating tray includes two resistance heating elements. The first heating element is a temperature booster used for defrosting and heating, while the second heating element is a maintenance heater to maintain heated food at a serving temperature.

Abstract: A heating element assembly and a method of manufacturing heating assemblies. The heating assembly may be used for heating food products, including polypropylene bags containing cheese sauce or hot fudge, for example. The preferred heating assembly is configured to fit precisely around a standard cheese sauce bag, thus optimizing heat transfer between the heating assembly and the food product. The varied surface watt density of the heating assembly allows for accurate heat placement such that the food product can be efficiently and evenly warmed. A preferred embodiment of the heating element assembly includes two resistance heating elements. The first heating element is a temperature booster, while the second heating element is a maintenance heater to maintain heated food at a serving temperature.

Abstract: A toilet seat comprises a resistive wire sewn to a support material such as a fibrous mat. The wire is preferably sewn in an annular pattern or a sinuated pattern disposed throughout the seat. The heating element can be contained within a toilet seat core, which can have a shell molded thereon to form a toilet seat.