Abstract: A modular fluid heating apparatus may be assembled from a plurality of modular heating components. Each modular heating component includes a first molded section defining a first opening therethrough and a second molded section defining a second opening therethrough. The molded sections are mated and define an enclosed area between the molded sections. The first and second openings are aligned to form a fluid tight passage through the modular heating component. A resistance heating element is secured between the first and second molded sections in the enclosed area. The resistance heating element includes a supporting substrate having a first surface thereon and an electrical resistance heating material fastened to the first surface of the supporting substrate. The resistance heating material forms a predetermined circuit path having a pair of terminal end portions fixed to a pair of electrical connectors.

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.

Abstract: Heating elements suitable for heating a printing media of a ink-jet printer are provided. The heating element includes an electrical resistance heating member for generating resistance heating and a polymeric supporting layer for substantially encapsulating the electrical resistance heating member. The heating elements of this invention can include a fibrous support layer disposed over the electrical resistance heating member for assisting in the application of the polymeric layer. Additionally, the provided heating elements can be formed into a portion of a media pathway for an ink-jet printer.