Abstract: A multi-tier rack assembly for use in an oven including a cooking chamber, a convective heating system configured to provide heated air into the cooking chamber, and a radio frequency (RF) heating system configured to provide RF energy into the cooking chamber may include a bottom tier rack and a top tier rack. The bottom tier rack may be removable/insertable relative to the cooking chamber to be supported at a bottom wall of the cooking chamber. The bottom tier rack may include a first frame including a plurality of first frame members that surround a first grate structure. The top tier rack may be removable/insertable to be supported by the bottom tier rack. The top tier rack may include a second frame including a plurality of second frame members that surround a second grate structure.

Abstract: An oven may include a cooking chamber configured to receive a first food product, a convective heating system configured to provide heated air into the cooking chamber, a radio frequency (RF) heating system configured to provide RF energy into the cooking chamber, and processing circuitry configured to execute a recipe defining cooking parameters for cooking the first food product. The cooking parameters may define operational settings for the convective heating system and the RF heating system and a nominal cooking time for a first batch including the first food product. The processing circuitry may be operably coupled to a mass adjustment module configured to determine, based on an indication of an addition of a second batch comprising a second food product to the cooking chamber, an overlap period during which the first and second food products are simultaneously cooked and a completion time for cooking the second food product after the overlap period.

Abstract: A composite cooking structure adapted for use as a griddle top, presenting a plurality of thermally autonomous cooking zones when engaged by at least one heat source, and having a multi-layered configuration, including an uppermost hard planar member for presenting a cooking surface, a unitary thermally conductive planar member defining at least one thermal break for improving heat distribution within a zone and reducing thermal bleeding among adjacent zones, and preferably a lowermost hard planar member for improving the structural capacity of the structure, wherein the members are preferably metallurgically bonded and the thermal breaks cooperatively define the zones.

Abstract: A fastener assembly is configured for use in an associated fastener driving tool for driving a fastener from the assembly into an associated substrate. The assembly includes a row of fasteners, each having a shank, arranged substantially parallel to each other. A collation system is formed from a plastic material that is molded onto and adhered to the fasteners. The plastic material is molded to define a collar portion substantially encircling the fastener shank and a connecting portion extending between and connecting adjacent collar potions. The plastic material is formulated from an adhesive polymer. When the fastener is driven from the driving tool, the collar portion remains adhered to the fastener such that the collar portion penetrates the substrate with the fastener.

Abstract: The heating device includes a conductive layer which is positioned on an electrically insulative substrate. Preferably, the conductive layer is screen printed onto the substrate. The substrate is designed to limit elongation of the conductive layer, thereby improving the durability of the conductor and enabling the heating device to be used in flexible applications, such as automobile seats. The substrate can include at least one aperture passing therethough to further improve flexibility, fatigue resistance, and breathability of the heater. The conductive layer is configured to include a buss structure with a first buss ground inwardly adjacent from the periphery of the heating device and a first buss with serpentine paths extending from one edge of the heating device to another edge. The buss structure further includes a second buss with L-shaped portions positioned between the serpentine paths and the first buss ground. The second buss ground is located in a central location between the serpentine paths.