Abstract: A graphite furnace element, such as a heat shield or heating element, comprises a plurality of bent, rigid, solid and arcuate-shaped graphite sheets that have been joined together, usually by screws or bolts. The bent graphite sheets typically have a wall thickness between 0.05 and 0.5 inch.

Abstract: A sheet of high strength graphite material is bent into an arcuate shape, and the bent sheet is retained in that shape for use in a high temperature furnace. The bent sheet is rigid and can replace prior art machined blocks of lower strength graphite in a furnace. The bent sheet can also be further machined and/or further deformed into other shapes.

Abstract: A high strength graphite material is fabricated into a sheet, the sheet is bent into a tube, and the tube is retained in that shape for use in a high temperature furnace. The retained tube is rigid and can replace prior art machined blocks of lower strength graphite in a furnace. The tube can also be further machined and/or further deformed to achieve more complex shapes.

Abstract: An automatic mixed drink dispensing apparatus includes a housing including a secured liquor receiving zone which receives a plurality of liquor containers. The housing also receives syrup containers, a water container, and a carbon dioxide container. An ice chest is mounted in the upper portion of the housing and has a liquid chilling apparatus in the bottom thereof. A dispensing head is mounted on the housing and extends into a mixed drink preparation zone. Drains extend from a point in the mixed drink preparation zone beneath the dispensing head and from a point in the bottom of the ice chest to a drain pan slidably supported in the bottom of the housing. Liquor pumps function to withdraw liquor from the liquor containers and to discharge the liquor through the dispensing head. The syrup containers are pressurized with carbon dioxide from the carbon dioxide container, whereby syrup is caused to flow through the liquid chilling apparatus and through the dispensing head.