Abstract: A method of controlling a cooking apparatus includes identifying an initial thickness of a food product on a lower heating plate of the cooking apparatus and calculating a difference between an initial gap value corresponding to the initial thickness of the food product and a predefined final gap value. The method includes controlling at least one of a pressure of at least one of an upper heating plate and a lower heating plate on the food product, a rate of descent of the upper heating plate toward the lower heating plate, and a rate of ascent of the lower heating plate toward the upper heating plate based on the calculated difference between the initial gap value and the predefined final gap value.

Abstract: Provided is a substrate holding unit that holds a pair of substrates that are aligned and layered, comprising a first holding member that holds one of the substrates; a plurality of members to be joined that are connected to the first holding member; a second holding member that holds the other of the substrates to face the one of the substrates; a plurality of joining members that exert an adhesion force on the members to be joined and are connected to the second holding member at positions corresponding to positions of the members to be joined; and an adhesion restricting section that restricts the adhesion force until the substrates are aligned.

Abstract: A composite part layup is cured using a set of tools adapted to hold the layup and which include at least one tool face contacting the layup. Means are provided for heating the tool face to cure the part layup, and for selectively cooling sections of the tool face.

Abstract: A process chamber is provided including a top, a bottom, and a sidewall coupled together to define a volume. A substrate support is disposed in the volume. The process chamber further includes one or more lampheads facing the substrate support, each lamphead comprising an arrangement of lamps disposed along a plane. The arrangement of lamps is defined by a center and a plurality of concentric ring-shaped zones. Each ring-shaped zone is defined by an inner edge and an outer edge and each ring-shaped zone includes three or more alignments of one or more lamps. Each alignment of one or more lamps has a first end extending linearly to a second end that are separated by at least 10 degrees around the center. The first end and the second end are both located within one ring-shaped zone. Each alignment located within a same ring-shaped zone is equidistant to the center.

Abstract: A method and system for extracting fluids from plant parts is provided. Plant parts are placed into a filter bag that is placed within a fluid impermeable holder, which is generally a non-stick holder such as wax paper or parchment. The fluid impermeable holder is placed into a press that is operable at an elevated temperature. The press applies pressure at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined time to the fluid impermeable holder and filter bag to compress the plant parts and squeeze or extrude the fluid from the plant parts. After a predetermined time, the press is opened and the fluid impermeable holder is removed. The filter bag, with residual plant parts, is removed from the fluid impermeable holder. The fluid impermeable holder is manipulated to collect the fluids, which manipulation may include freezing the fluids and peeling the fluids from the inner surface of the bag.

Abstract: Systems and methods for assembling different multi-element items with different specifications using a reconfigurable apparatus are provided. One embodiment includes a base plate, a back plate coupled to the base plate in a predetermined angle relationship. The exemplary back plate comprises a plurality of alignment pins adapted to engage with alignment locations of multiple element assembly items. The exemplary base plate and alignment mounting structures couple to end cap parts disposed on opposing ends of the multiple element assembly items holding the items together. A clamping mechanism maintains/releases pressure on the multiple element assembly items against the back plate. The back plate holds alignment pins in a first back plate location in a first orientation for one type of multiple element assembly items and hold the alignment pins in a second location when the back plate is in a second orientation for a different type of multiple element assembly items.

Abstract: A tool for machining a workpiece may comprise multiple parts that have different temperatures when the tool is being operated. To reduce or, in some cases, eliminate thermal radiation between the multiple parts, the tool may incorporate one or more devices that manipulate the thermal radiation. Such devices may be disposed along one or more of the multiple parts and, in some examples, between two or more parts of the tool. These devices may also help reduce and, at times, eliminate thermal radiation between the tool parts and the surrounding environment.

Abstract: A system for manufacturing a composite structure includes a tool with a surface for supporting component elements of the composite structure. The surface is divided into a multi-dimensional array of thermal zones for in-process control of the temperature of a component element (e.g. resin) of the composite structure. The sensors sense a characteristic of the component element and provide sensor data, which is applied to a machine-learning algorithm configured to generate control data to achieve a defined quality goal. A controller then independently controls the thermal zones to locally heat, cool or maintain the temperature of the component element according to the control data to advance the component element or composite structure to the defined quality goal. This may be performed over a plurality of instances during which the machine-learning algorithm learns to increase advancement of the component element or composite structure to the defined quality goal.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a vacuum reacting force soldering method, comprising the following steps: die-bonding a chip onto a substrate through soldering to form a semi-finished product; placing the semi-finished product into a vacuum eutectic cavity (6) of a vacuum eutectic stove; vacuum-pumping the vacuum eutectic cavity; preheating the vacuum eutectic cavity to slowly increase the temperature; heating the vacuum eutectic cavity quickly to melt the solder; applying an acting force to the vacuum eutectic cavity to accelerate a rise of the vacuum eutectic cavity after the vacuum eutectic cavity descends; performing forced refrigeration to the exterior of the vacuum eutectic cavity, while introducing a protective gas to the interior thereof; releasing the vacuum state of the vacuum eutectic cavity after the solder is solidified. This invention also discloses a soldering device using the vacuum reacting force eutectic soldering method described herein.

Abstract: A packaging device, particularly for packaging trays containing food products or technical materials in a controlled atmosphere and by means of a film of plastic material, comprising an upper chamber and a lower chamber, which can be fastened by mutually superimposing them and are each provided internally with a plurality of heat-sealing and/or cutting and/or die-cutting elements arranged concentrically, the lower chamber being provided centrally with a plurality of supporting elements for a tray.

Abstract: An apparatus that couples a first substrate and a second substrate of an electrowetting display panel, the apparatus comprising a first chuck provided with a first support surface and a second chuck provided with a second support surface opposite to the first support surface and positioned beneath the first chuck. The second support surface is smaller than the first support surface and is positioned in a plane parallel to a plane that includes the first support surface.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a power-transfer unit for a sealing unit of a packaging machine comprising a support, intended to be attached to a sealing unit, a power bar comprising a contact-initiation section, a contact-termination section, and an intermediate section therebetween, the power bar being resiliently suspended in the support and being movable along a first direction being normal to a contact surface of the intermediate section. The power bar is suspended in the support by a first leaf spring.

Abstract: A pressing device for assembling a liquid crystal display panel is provided. The pressing device includes a base plate, a pressing plate, a first cushion and a second cushion. The pressing plate is disposed opposite to the base plate and adapted to move toward or away from the base plate. The first cushion is disposed between the base plate and the pressing plate. The second cushion is disposed between the pressing plate and the first cushion, wherein one of the first cushion and the second cushion has a hollow zone corresponding to a display area of the liquid crystal display panel. A method for assembling a liquid crystal display panel is further provided.

Abstract: A pair of laminated panels are simultaneously manufactured in a single panel press. A thermal band is stacked between two panel sets and then the two panel sets are simultaneously heated and compressed together in a common stack with the band, with the band being separately heated.

Abstract: The invention provides, with a simple technique, a jig for reliably stemming one or a plurality of flow paths and/or a portion of reaction fields continuously provided in a reaction chip, and for making the flow paths and/or reaction fields independent, and a reaction ship processing apparatus.

Abstract: A moving belt conveyor dough press is provided with a pair of vertically opposing platens, at least one of which is movable toward and away from the other. A continuous belt is arranged to pass between the pair of platens, and to carry on an upper surface thereof, a supply of dough masses to be pressed by the platens. At least one of the platens is formed of a cast metal material, and an electrical resistance heating element is cast in place within the at least one platen.

Abstract: A composite fabrication apparatus which may include a first tooling die and a second tooling die movable with respect to each other; a thermal control system having induction coils disposed in thermal contact with the first tooling die and the second tooling die; a first die susceptor provided on the first tooling die and a second die susceptor provided on the second tooling die and connected to the induction coils; and a cooling system disposed in thermal contact with the first tooling die and the second tooling die. A composite fabrication method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A composite fabrication apparatus which may include a first tooling die and a second tooling die movable with respect to each other; a temperature control system having induction coils disposed in thermal contact with the first tooling die and the second tooling die; a first die susceptor provided on the first tooling die and a second die susceptor provided on the second tooling die and connected to the induction coils; and a cooling system disposed in thermal contact with the first tooling die and the second tooling die. A resin transfer system delivers resin from a resin source to the tooling dies to allow resin transfer molding. A composite fabrication method is also disclosed.

Abstract: An ice-carving machine comprises a framework, an ice block positioning system, at least one feeding system, and at least one heating mold. The ice block positioning system is fixed on the workbench of the framework for positioning the ice block to be processed. The feeding system drives the heating mold to heat and press the ice block in a mold cavity with a predetermined shape. By the pressure and heat of the heating mold, the ice block is made into the shape identical to the shape of the mold cavity, thus simplifying the process of carving ice blocks, and also saving carving time and cost, being especially suitable for a mass production of ice sculptures.

Abstract: A lightweight, portable lateral heat press machine that allows an operator to quickly and economically transfer graphic characters or images using an ink transfer paper process or a sublimation process, or vinyl onto the surface of a garment or an object. The device includes a vertical aligned sliding arm assembly perpendicularly aligned to a horizontally aligned chassis assembly. Attached to the chassis assembly is at least one workstation assembly and a console. The workstation assembly includes a pedestal with an exchangeable, horizontally aligned lower platen that may be selectively rotated and locked in portrait or landscape orientation and a height and pressure adjustment feature. The sliding arm assembly extends upward and forward and includes a heated, upper platen attached to a manually operated plunger. The console contains the controls for operating the heating element inside the upper platen and a timer.

Abstract: A media binding device is operable to apply pressure on a plurality of media sheets, while applying heat to melt adhesive provided between the sheets of media. The media binding device may be implemented in conjunction with an image forming device, e.g., printer, facsimile machine, photocopier, etc. More specifically, the media binding device may be implemented in a position generally at an output end of the image forming device, following a collating or stacking of the printed media. The media binding device applies a predetermined amount of pressure on the plurality of media sheets. In this respect, the media binding device operates to apply a gradually increasing amount of pressure onto the media sheets until a predetermined amount of pressure is reached. The predetermined pressure is applied on the media sheets by shutting off the current flowing into a motor operating the media binding device when a predetermined current level is reached.

Abstract: An improved plastic bag sealing apparatus comprised of an improved resilient planar heater formed of a heating wire embedded in a resilient silicon rubber material. The heater is shaped to conform to the flat planar surface of a T-bar shaped heating element, and clamped in place with insulators to provide maximum transfer of heat to a heating edge formed by the web portion of the T-bar. In an optional configuration the heater is in the form of a tubular rod seated in a channel in the T-bar directly above the heating edge for transferring maximum heat to the heating edge. In another optional embodiment, the tubular rod heater is a brass rod covered with intermediate insulating sleeves and spirally wound heating wire. In the latter embodiment the tubular rod heater is inserted in a passageway through T-bar shaped heating element and sealed with a potting compound.

Abstract: An improved plastic bag sealing apparatus comprised of an improved resilient planar heater formed of a heating wire embedded in a resilient silicon rubber material. The heater is shaped to conform to the flat planar surface of a T-bar shaped heating element, and clamped in place with insulators to provide maximum transfer of heat to a heating edge formed by the web portion of the T-bar. In an optional configuration the heater is in the form of a tubular rod seated in a channel in the T-bar directly above the heating edge for transferring maximum heat to the heating edge. The containment of heat and transfer of maximum heat to the T-bar permits a substantial improvement in thermal efficiency and a substantial reduction of power consumption. The heating edge of the T-bar is covered with an easily replaceable heating channel coated with a non-stick, heat resistant material such as polytetraflouroethylene (TEFLON).

Abstract: A press is provided for applying heat transfers to rigid or flexible substrates such as plaques, tiles, plates, clothing and the like. The press includes a frame (10) presenting a lower platen (12), and an upper platen (58) supported on an arm (50) for movement toward and away from the lower platen. The upper platen (58) presents a mounting bracket (78) by which it is connected to the support arm, and a pressure adjustment assembly (54) is supported between the upper platen and the support arm for adjusting the position of the upper platen. The pressure adjustment assembly (54) includes a pin (80) supported in apertures of the support arm (50) and the upper platen (58) and a lever (88) protruding generally radially from the pin for permitting the rotational position of the pin to be adjusted.

Abstract: An apparatus for joining flat electrical components uses a flexible foil with electrical conductor tracks and an electrically conductive adhesive. A workpiece receptacle receives workpieces to be joined, and a heatable die is pressed against the workpiece receptacle and in so doing adhesively bonds the workpieces under the influence of heat and pressure and electrically conductively joins them to one another. Resiliently supported metal peripheral elements which are disposed on both sides next to the workpiece receptacle, are adapted in terms of their spacing to the width of the respective workpiece. In particular, LCD components and printed circuit boards are joined together, for example for on-board computers for motor vehicles, for telephones and for other devices equipped with liquid crystal displays.

Abstract: A self-contained pizza crust factory for creating a docked, formed pizza crust from a raw dough ball and positioning the crust on a crust container. The pizza crust factory includes an infeed conveyor belt that transports the ball of raw dough from an infeed end of the apparatus to a press assembly. The press assembly includes an upper platen and a lower platen positioned on opposite sides of the infeed conveyor belt. The upper platen of the press assembly is heated and in close contact with a crust die plate that is removably secured within a die holder assembly. The die holder assembly includes a pair of side supports that are pivotally movable between a locking position and a release position, such that the crust die plate can be easily removed and replaced from within the die holder assembly. A docking station is positioned downstream from the press assembly and receives the formed crust from the press assembly.

Abstract: A tortilla making device for flattening dough into tortillas. A base is included that has a lower pressing surface and a first heat source for heating the lower pressing surface. A pressing plate is pivotally coupled to the base; the pressing plate has an upper pressing surface and a second heat source for heating the upper pressing surface. A thermally insulated handle is coupled to the pressing plate for manually pivoting the pressing plate both toward and away from the base between a raised and lowered position. A lever arm is pivotally coupled to the base for engaging the pressing plate when the pressing plate is in the lowered position and for advancing the pressing plate from the lowered position to a pressed position. In another embodiment, the invention takes the form of a method for making tortillas using a single device that flattens dough into tortillas. The method includes the steps placing a portion of tortilla dough upon a lower pressing surface between the base and the pressing plate.

Abstract: An improved plastic bag sealing apparatus comprised of an improved heater formed of a heating wire embedded in a silicon rubber material. The heater is shaped to conform to the flat planar surface of a T-bar shaped heating element, and clamped in place with insulators to provide maximum transfer of heat to a heating edge formed by the web portion of the T-bar. In an optional configuration the heater is in the form of a tubular rod seated in a channel in the T-bar directly above the heating edge for transferring maximum heat to the heating edge. The containment of heat and transfer of maximum heat to the T-bar permits a substantial improvement in thermal efficiency and a substantial reduction of power consumption. The heating edge of the T-bar is covered with an easily replaceable heating channel coated with a non-stick, heat resistant material such as polytetraflouroethylene (TEFLON).

Abstract: A continuous, multiple-stage process for thermally treating the surface of friction linings by pressing them against heated units and cooled units. The total length of the transport and pressing phases of each stage taken together corresponds to the continuous production cycle of the linings. The scorching press for carrying out the process is made of modules, so that heated and cooled units may be easily exchanged for each other. A heat insulation reduces energy tosses and keeps constant the surface temperature of the heated units.

Abstract: A plastic bottle heating element compressor for compressing plastic bottles to reduce storage area required for plastic recyclables. The inventive device includes a cylindrical housing having an open upper end, a closed lower end and a cylindrical side wall therebetween. The open upper end has a lid removably secured thereover. A plurality of heating coils are disposed within the cylindrical side wall of the cylindrical housing. A power switch is disposed within the cylindrical side wall of the cylindrical housing upwardly of the closed lower end thereof. The power switch is in communication with the plurality of heating coils. The power switch has an electrical cord extending outwardly therefrom for coupling with a standard electrical outlet. A crushing mechanism is positioned interiorly of the cylindrical side wall of the cylindrical housing.

Abstract: An improved plastic bag sealing apparatus comprised of an improved heater formed of a heating wire embedded in a silicon rubber material. The heater is shaped to conform to the flat planar surface of a T-bar shaped heating element, and clamped in place with insulators to provide maximum transfer of heat to the heating edge formed by the web portion of the T-bar. The containment of heat and transfer of maximum heat to the T-bar permits a substantial improvement in thermal efficiency and a substantial reduction of power consumption. The heating edge of the T-bar is covered with an easily replaceable heating channel coated with a non-stick, heat resistant material such as polytetraflouroethylene (TEFLON).

Abstract: The method for the organoleptic and surface modification of ready-made items of clothing consists of: a first step for preparing a mix of coloring material, a second step for applying the coloring mix on the item by spraying or spreading, a third step for drying the item, a fourth step for covering with a material which provides waterproofing and/or fixes the applied coloring mix, a fifth step for pressing, with heat and in successive stages, the portions constituting the item of clothing, the pressing being adapted to make the fabric fibers and the coloring mix interact stably with each other.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward an apparatus utilizing a plurality of stacked roll bonded heat transfer plates having a heat transfer fluid circulating therein for transferring heat to food articles for cooking or staging ensuring bacteriological safety in the fast food production of hamburgers and other protein or farinaceous food articles. The apparatus utilizes floating hinges to support the spaced apart heat transfer plates in alignment and provides a means to initially cook frozen food articles sealed in heat conducting containers, such as a flexible pouch to cook raw food articles or previously cooked food articles, and to stage same for prolonged time periods at optimum product quality at a selected low temperature, thereby assuring precision, time and temperature-related, pathogenic risk management and food safety for public consumption.