Abstract: Atmospheric convection type steamer apparatus includes at least one oven chamber and a discrete atmospheric steam generator operative to provide steam to the oven chamber. A quiescent low fire power input to the steam generator maintains water in the steam generator at its boiling temperature during a non-cooking mode and provides a continuous steam flow into the oven chamber to maintain the chamber in a ready condition for substantially instantaneous steam heating when a cooking or high fire mode is initiated. In a stacked double oven embodiment, each oven chamber has a discrete atmospheric steam generator maintained at a quiescent low fire power input sufficient to maintain the water at its boiling temperature and effect a continuous ready condition within the corresponding oven chambers. Steam lines directly connect the oven chambers to their corresponding steam generators and enable introduction of cleaning and deliming agents directly into the steam generators from within the oven chambers.

Abstract: An oven comprises a housing and at least one heater and a conveyor belt which runs through the housing and on which food products to be heated can be accommodated. The belt runs in two helical paths about spaced parallel vertical axes, the direction of movement of the belt along one helical path, as seen from above, being opposite the direction of movement of the belt about the other helical path. The housing comprises two chambers separated by a partition, one of the helical paths of the conveyor being disposed in one chamber and the other helical path being disposed in the other chamber. The partition has an opening through which the belt runs between the chambers. In this way, different temperature levels can be maintained in the two chambers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a portable camp stove and barbecue grill which includes both a propane-fueled barbecue grill and a propane-fueled camp stove within the same unit. The unit stores compactly within its own case for ease of transportation and opens to cooking positions whereby both barbecue grill and camp stove sections can be used simultaneously. A metal smoker plate is substituted for lava rock in the barbecue section to facilitate compact storage, and a storable heat shield is provided which in its operating position underlies the barbecue section to keep the supporting surface cool.

Abstract: A fireplace enclosure comprising a plurality of glass panels and a plurality of screen panels, with the screen panels being positioned exteriorly of the glass panels. The glass panels are maintained within a frame which is integrally connected to the screen panels. At least one of the screen panels is pivotable to an open position, which permits access to the glass doors, and into the fireplace. The glass doors are also movable relative to the frame, to permit access to the fireplace. A latching mechanism maintains the screen panels in a closed position, which prevents ready access to the fireplace. A removable arch plate is releasably secured to the interior of the frame for the glass panels, and provides a decorative arch, which is seen through the glass panels.

Abstract: A multifunctional water boiling and steaming device wherein the steam produced when boiling the water in a heating room is guided by a resisting tube into a steaming chamber to heat the food contained therein and wherein the boiled water flows through a cooling tube and is cooled therein into warm water, the cooling tube being disposed in the steaming chamber to conduct the heat to the steaming chamber to warm the same, whereby the heat of the steam and the boiled water can be recovered and utilized.

Abstract: A housing apparatus is arranged for use in combination with a barbeque grill for mounting to a balcony structure of an existing dwelling. The structure includes mesh side walls and a floor to prevent air flow restriction directed to the medially positioned grill of the housing, with a housing hood pivotally mounted to the support housing to provide protection and prevent access to the grill structure by small children and the like.

Abstract: A shield attachable to a cooking stove to prevent small children from reaching surface burner units or hot cooking containers on the stove top surface. The shield includes an upstanding panel spaced forwardly from the stove and two horizontal plates extending from the lower edge of the panel into a door clearance space along the upper edge of an oven access opening. Screws can be extended through slots in these horizontal plates to rigidly mount the protective shield on the stove.

Abstract: A commerical, dual tier pizza cooking oven is formed from substantially similar but relatively inverted lower and upper modules. The lower module has a housing, with a cooking chamber therein, which is floor supported in an elevated position by suitable depending support legs and has a downwardly projecting fan and heating section used to create a recirculating flow of air, heated to a suitable food cooking temperature, through the housing. The upper module housing is stacked on top of the lower module housing, and its fan and heating section projects upwardly therefrom and also operates to create a recirculating flow of heated air through its cooking chamber. Perforated metal food support plates are horizontally disposed in each of the two cooking chambers for support the pizzas to be cooked.

Abstract: A safety barrier for the corners and sharp edges, and roughened surface, of a common fireplace hearth in the form of one or more padded sections which overlie the normally exposed edge regions of the hearth. The safety barrier is defined by a framework, covered by padding and overlaid by vinyl or like material. The primary purpose of the safety barrier is to prevent injury, as to children, when the latter are proximate the hearth.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a fireback without the need for additional support from a wall or other structure. The apparatus consists of two support bases, each with a flat upper surface including two buttresses separated by a gap, arising perpendicularly therefrom. The fireback is placed in the gap between the buttresses and held ajar in a generally upright position. The invention includes insertable wedges which permit the varying of the gap, and therefore the angle of incidence of the fireback relative to the vertical plane. The invention maximizes the full depth of the fireplace, as well as the light reflection, heat radiation, and ornamental qualities of the fireback.

Abstract: A protective guard for an oil burner is disclosed which is capable of compactly packing and storing an oil burner while having the protective guard attached thereto. The protective guard comprises a lower guard body fixedly mounted on the oil burner, an upper guard body fitted on the lower guard body and vertically moved with respect to the lower guard body, and a fixing means for releasably fixing the upper guard body to the lower guard body and allowing the upper guard body to be vertically moved with respect to the lower guard body and put on the lower guard body when the fixing means is released.

Abstract: An elongated food holding cabinet adapted to be mounted on a wall, the cabinet having a plurality of drawer-containing modules arranged in side-by-side relation, each module having a heating element and an integral water reservoir. The drawers may be provided with vents to control humidity or provided with dispensers for sauces and gravies contained in receptacles in the drawers.

Abstract: An apparatus for the rapid and essentially uniform heating of a food product, including a heating oven utilizing a novel heat generating system for the generating of a heated gaseous fluid medium, such as steam, for the rapid heating or cooking of food, and wherein the apparatus is adapted for home and/or commercial utilizations. Moreover, also disclosed is a method for the rapid and uniform heating or cooking of a food product through the intermediary of heated steam employing the inventive apparatus.

Abstract: A spacer structure for a heating appliance is disclosed which is capable of allowing the package of the heating appliance to be significantly simplified and small-sized to reduce the cost and is simple in construction. The spacer structure includes a spacer formed into a substantially U-shape and having a pair of inward bent ends and projections provided at the inward bent ends which are fitted in through-holes of a mushroom shape to rotatably securely connect the spacer to the heating appliance.

Abstract: A safety shield for isolating a heated appliance, such as a stove or an oven, from the reach of children includes a flexible sheet of material having securing portions along opposite vertical edges for securing the sheet adjacent the sides of the front face of the appliance and an arched shielding portion extending horizontally between the securing portions and spanning the front face of the appliance, the arched shielding portion being bowed outwardly away from the front face of the appliance to shield the appliance from the reach of children.

Abstract: A safety apparatus for portable, fuel-burning heaters is provided which comprises a foraminate container for enclosing the heater. The container includes a tray- or pan-like base having a rectangular back wall and obliquely-shaped side walls, a vaulted or domed lid comprising foraminous front and side wall portions which conform to and complement the walls of the base to yield an enclosable receptacle, and hinging means connecting the two along their mating front edges.

Abstract: A reflection-type oil stove comprises a burner assembly mounted in a generally boxlike stove body, and a concave reflector behind the burner assembly for converging the heat produced thereby. In order to hold the stove body safely distanced from any external object that may be burnt by the converged heat, a safety spacer is attached to the front edge of a drip pan, forming the bottom of the stove body, for pivotal motion between a recumbent working position and an upstanding retracted position. Generally in the shape of a flat plate, the safety spacer lies flat against the floor when in the working position under the bias of a spring. When in the retracted position, on the other hand, the safety spacer conceals a heat control knob on the stove body, making it impossible for the user to operate the stove unless the safety spacer is in the working position.

Abstract: A mounting kit for stove boards includes ceramic spacers separating the board from a wall so that cool air can circulate behind the board and spacing cradles supporting the board off the floor so air can additionally flow beneath the board. Mounting brackets touch only ceramic surfaces of the spacers so that there is no metallic conduction of heat into the wall.

Abstract: A thermoshield primarily intended to be used for protecting a wall from the heat that may develop by a free-standing heating appliance or space heater that may be situated in proximity to the wall. However, certain structure of the device may be adapted to be used for restingly supporting thereon the heating appliance, thus protecting a floor from the heat developed thereby. The thermoshield features a sub-assembly of particular construction which serves as a heat barrier in either of the above mentioned dispositions, and peculiar support structure for supporting the sub-assembly in place between the heating appliance and the wall to be protected. A significant feature of the support structure is that the sub-assembly remains absolutely unaltered by the implementation of the support structure.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a linear element having openings in the upper surface, and which is closed at one end by a cap and at the other end by a fan unit which draws air from the room and projects it upwardly through the openings in the linear unit. The device is placed between the free-standing heating unit and the adjacent vertical surfaces to prevent the vertical surfaces from becoming too hot, as well as to prevent the subsequent drying out of wood framing behind the vertical surfaces, and also preventing or substantially reducing any chances of spontaneous combustion behind the vertical surfaces.

Abstract: A warming device in which a mixture of iron powders and metal salts of acids are contained in an inner pouch having gas-permeability and water-permeability, and the inner pouch and a water-carrying member containing water are put in an outer covering body having thermo-regulating holes. The device provides heat by the exothermic reaction caused by oxidizing the iron powder.

Abstract: A safety guard for free-standing stoves characterized by an array of bowed, open, hollow tubes secured in a tubular array by horizontal support bars. The array is attachable to the stove. A hinged front section allows for access to the stove.

Abstract: Fire preventing shielding and air circulation apparatus for use with a box-type stove includes means for forming a chamber bounded at its top by the bottom of the firebox of the stove using a flat panel and upwardly extending apertured sides. A preferred embodiment also includes a stack formed on and bounded by the rear side of the stove and connected to communicate with the chamber.

Abstract: An andiron system, for use in a fireplace comprising a floor, a front wall defining an opening, a rear wall, a pair of oppositely disposed side walls and a chimney, includes ledge means fixedly secured between the side walls at a location adjacent the rear wall. The ledge includes an upper surface spaced above the floor to which a pair of spaced apart elongated channel means are fixedly secured. The system also includes a pair of andirons, each comprising a forward leg member resting upon the floor and an elongated generally horizontal member, including a first end and a second end. The first end of the horizontal member is attached to the leg member and the second end is nonpivotally received in the channel means to restrain the andirons from moving laterally relative to one another and the fireplace.

Abstract: A thermal shield device is provided for association with a flue extending from a combustion chamber and which shield device comprises a substantially U-shaped member comprising radially spaced inner and outer walls and with the shield being positioned parallel to the vertically extending flue and covering approximately 180.degree. of the periphery thereof, normally between the flue and an adjacent wall, the flue being open ended and having a deflector collar or neck positioned at its upper end connecting to the open or hollow interior thereof for deflection of hot air rising through the shield out into the room, and with other deflector members being positioned intermediate the inner wall of the shield and the adjacent flue to deflect hot air rising along the flue periphery out into the room.

Abstract: An andiron system is provided for use within a fireplace comprising a floor, a pair of oppositely disposed side walls, a front wall defining an opening and a rear wall disposed opposite said front wall. The andiron system comprises a pair of spaced apart andirons, and a guard. Each andiron comprises an elevated, generally horizontal log supporting member spaced vertically above and apart from the floor and extending from a location adjacent the front opening toward the rear wall and a post member extending generally uprightly from the supporting member adjacent the front opening of the fireplace. The guard comprises an elongated rigid rod having a length greater than the distance between the andiron post member and a pair of spaced apart cuff means fixedly secured to the rod. Each cuff defines an opening adapted to nonpivotably receive one of the post members. The rigid rod extends between the andirons in a position generally parallel to the front wall and the floor and above the log supporting members.

Abstract: For finish cooking spaghetti, a steam cabinet includes a plurality of individual cooking compartments substantially closed except for an access opening in a front wall just large enough to receive a loaded cooking vessel. Steam nozzle means are disposed in the cooking compartments in a plane adjacent to the upper edge of the access opening for directing steam directly onto and through the food. In the use of this apparatus, partially precooked spaghetti is divided into serving portions, placed in cooking vessels, and inserted in cooking compartments in a selected compartment sequence. After finish cooking, which requires only a few seconds, the compartments are unloaded in the same sequence first removing the cooking vessel from the compartment and immediately transferring it to a preheated serving plate for delivery to the customer in the most palatable condition.