Abstract: A roller grill assembly for cooking human food has a plurality of roller tubes rotatably mounted to a housing frame. A sealing assembly comprises a bearing member, and an annular sealing member. The bearing has a bore for receiving a roller tube. The bearing bore has a part with an annular recess for receiving the sealing member, so that the sealing member can be held against the outer surface of the tube. An idler sprocket is associated with the frame. A drive chain engages the idler sprocket and the sprockets on the tubes, to rotate them. The housing has a cavity that receives a sliding compartment assembly. The compartment assembly has a frame comprising track members and a cross strut, shaped to support a pan for holding food. A wall is spaced above the housing cavity and beneath the tubes. The tubes have heating elements with spiraled configuration, with the spacing at the ends more compact than in the central part of the heating element.

Abstract: Food preparation apparatus including a housing having a top wall and a front wall. Each wall having an aperture defined therein. A passageway for warming and storing pre-packaged food products extends from an entrance at the top wall aperture to an exit at the front wall aperture. A plurality of chutes are formed within the passageway for channeling the food products from the entrance to the exit. A plurality of electrical elements for warming the food products to preselected temperature surround each chute. The warming elements maintain the food products at a preselected temperature until they are removed from the housing.

Abstract: A food thermalization device is provided, which permits the food to be thermalized and held for extended periods of time without causing the food to deteriorate. The device includes an electrically-resistance-heated plate, which is controlled to equilibrate at a set temperature in the range of 160° F. to 185° F., with a fluctuation not exceeding plus or minus 5° F. The plate draws much less power than other food cooking devices and occupies much less space for the amount of food it can prepare. A browning oven is also provided for exposing unwrapped food to very high temperature radiation for a short period of time to brown the food.

Abstract: Apparatus for holding fried food product for a holding time, defined as the time between the completion of cooking and the time that the food product no longer has a desired warmth, crispness and interior moisture for serving to a customer. The fried food is disposed in a holder or bin and subjected to heat from an upper heater, a lower heater and forced hot air that is applied through and across the fried food. The hot air flow serves to evaporate moisture from the fried food surface and to remove water vapor from the region above the fried food, whereby the holding time is extended to about 20 minutes.

Abstract: A merchandiser for displaying food products and holding such food products at a controlled temperature has a well divided into three or more well sections, wherein each of the well sections receives a serving tray and wherein the serving trays collectively have a center line. A rear access door, a pair of side plates, and a transparent front plate, together with the well, define a food product holding cavity. A pair of supporting brackets position a merchandiser heating and control device above the well. The merchandiser heating and control device has a heating compartment, which positions three or more heating elements and three or more illuminating elements substantially above the center line of the serving trays, wherein the heating compartment includes three or more circulating fans for circulating heated air from the heating compartment into the holding cavity.

Abstract: A turntable cooking and serving appliance which utilizes a substantially planer base within which is centrally mounted a pan. The pan includes an electrically operated heating element. A cooking vessel is to be removably locatable within the pan. An annular compartment surrounds the pan. A ring is mounted within the annular compartment with a bearing assembly being located between the ring and the floor of the annular compartment. A plurality of trays are locatable within the annular compartment and are adapted to rest on the ring and to be rotatable therewith. Each tray is to contain food with food also to be cooked within the cooking vessel.

Abstract: An automated heat treatment controller consistently controls heat treating a metallic target in a furnace according to a heat treatment recipe including a cycle temperature and a cycle exposure time. The automated heat treatment controller includes an operator interface for prompting an operator to load or remove a heat treated target. The controller further provides for commanding furnace door locks and for monitoring system performance. An automated heat treatment furnace method includes the steps of pre-heating the furnace, prompting the user to load the material, reheating the furnace to heat treatment parameters, controlling the exposure time and temperature, and prompting the removal of the material.

Abstract: A system is provided for manually manipulating a food pan in a food warming apparatus having an open front end communicating with an interior warming compartment. A wire form pan holder cradles the food pan and moves the pan into and out of the warming compartment through the open end of the warming apparatus. A wire form grate is provided in the warming compartment for guiding the pan holder into and out of the compartment. The pan holder has a handle projecting forwardly thereof. First complementary interengaging stops between the wire form grate and the wire form pan holder define an inner position of the pan holder. Second complementary interengaging stops between the grate and the pan holder define an outer position of the pan holder.

Abstract: A food warming device having a bin for holding food products. The bin has an air delivery port and an air intake port located at first and second end walls that are disposed at first and second opposite edges of the bottom portion. The regions above the bottom portion and along the third and fourth opposite edges between the first and second walls are substantially open whereby the food products are clearly visible to customers. The bottom portion has a heated surface for receiving food products to be warmed. An air circulating means forms a stream of circulating heated air that moves from the air delivery port over the heated surface to the air intake port. The food products are warmed by heat emanating from the heated surface and by warm air from the stream of circulating heated air. A balancing system maintains the circulating air in balance by diverting a portion of the return air to ambient atmosphere through a bleed exhaust port.

Abstract: A food warming oven for holding and warming food items includes a base, a frame extending upward from the base, and at least one generally transparent heating shelf disposed above the base by the frame. Each shelf is configured to support food items, and each shelf includes a transparent substrate and a transparent resistive coating deposited on the substrate. The food warming oven also includes a power feed electrically coupled to the resistive coating of each transparent heating shelf to heat that shelf and the food items supported by that shelf. Due to the generally transparent nature of each heating shelf, the food items disposed below the heating shelf are viewable from overhead the heating shelf.

Abstract: The present invention relates to drinks dispense equipment having an ice dispensing capability. A drip tray is secured to such a dispenser and the drip tray has an electrical heating element secured directly to a bottom surface thereof. The heating element consists of a specialized printed circuit having a flexible plastic base having a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) electrical heating element printed on one surface thereof. The PTC element's resistance to the flow of electrical current decreases as its temperature decreases. Thus, the cooler the circuit the more current is allowed to flow there through, whereas the warmer the circuit the less current flows through the heating element thereof. In operation, as ice accumulates on the drip tray, the heating element is cooled causing an increase in the heat output thereof, thereby melting the ice. Once the ice has melted the heating element will reduce the flow of current as the temperature thereof warms to ambient.

Abstract: A method and apparati for preparing and displaying a donut having a "fresh-baked" quality in a retail environment principally uses standard equipment available in a typical convenience store or quick-service restaurant. The method utilizes pre-frozen donuts manufactured at a centralized manufacturing facility and involves thawing, storing and heating the frozen donuts at the point-of-service. The donuts are thawed under refrigeration but in a generally humidity-constant environment. This on-site procedure allows a retailer to quickly and conveniently produce a moist, fresh-tasting donut with minimum equipment and effort. Furthermore, the present production method allows the retailer to control the number and type of donuts produced for sale, thereby substantially eliminating waste and allowing the retailer to immediately tailor donut production to local consumer demand. An improved applicator eases the glazing process to permit relatively inexperienced personnel to properly glaze the donuts.

Abstract: A dispenser for heating and dispensing, to a user through an outlet, a foaming liquid, such as shaving cream from a pressurized can of such cream. The foaming liquid, when initially heated in the dispenser's heat chamber may undesirably produce steam and or a runny liquid that would be dangerous or at least undesirable to a user. In accordance with the invention, a trap is placed near the outlet to capture the steam or runny liquid. Since shaving cream cans come in two lengths, in accordance with another aspect of the invention, a reversible end cap is disclosed which will retain either of two sizes of shaving cream in the dispenser.

Abstract: A vehicle (10) includes a windshield presenting an inner surface (14) including a test section (16) therein. A cooling device (24) is attached to the inner surface (14) for cooling the section (16) to a temperature a few degrees below the temperature of the inner surface (14) adjacent the test section (16). A sensor (26) is disposed adjacent the inner surface (14) for sensing condensation on the test section (16) and for providing a heating signal to a defogging control (28) in response to condensation on the test section (16) for initiating the heating of the surface surrounding the test section (16) by the vehicle heater (18) to prevent condensation from forming on the surface surrounding the test section (16).

Abstract: A cabinet and control system for maintaining a food product within a predetermined temperature range for a holding period of time not exceeding a predetermined maximum time. The cabinet comprises a housing having a front panel and a passageway opening at the front panel. The passageway is capable of receiving at least two containers of the food product. A temperature element positioned in said passageway maintains the passageway within the predetermined temperature range. A processing circuit tracks the amount of time each container of food product remains within the passageway. The processing circuit provides a signal output indicating which container has been within said passageway the longest and an alarm signal when either container remains within said passageway beyond said maximum time. A display positioned on said housing proximate to said passageway receives the said signal output and indicates which container has been within the passageway the longest.

Abstract: A conductive warmer for flexible plastic bags containing foam precursor chemicals includes a heat-conducting member of thermally conductive material having a plurality of fins which are parallel and spaced apart to define a plurality of spaced-apart bag-receiving compartments. The fins are connected to a back portion of the heat-conducting member, to which a heating element is attached in heat-exchanging relationship. Operation of the heating element conducts heat through the back portion and the fins of the heat-conducting member to the bags. The heat-conducting member is contained within a housing having an opening providing access to the open side of the compartments. The housing preferably is formed in two portions, a first portion containing the heat-conducting member and a second portion supporting the first portion, the first and second portions being pivotally interconnected to allow selective variation of the angular orientation of the first portion with respect to the second portion.

Abstract: A food warming apparatus includes a housing defining at least one warming cavity having a ceiling. A heater warms food products within the cavity. A grate is provided within the cavity spaced below the ceiling of the cavity. At least one food tray is provided for containing food products and is supportable on the grate beneath the ceiling of the cavity. A seal is operatively associated between the top of the tray and the ceiling of the cavity. The grate includes a biasing portion for biasing the tray upwardly toward the ceiling to assure operability of the seal.

Abstract: A yogurt cultivator includes a heat insulative pan, a heat-resisting carrier plate mounted within the heat insulative pan, the heat-resisting carrier plate defining a plurality of cells for holding respectively a fermentation container that holds cow's milk and milk solids and bacteria for fermenting into yogurt, each cell having an annular inside flange, a plurality of heat conductive top plates and a plurality of electrically insulative bottom plates respectively mounted in the cells and fixedly fastened to the respective annular inside flanges at top and bottom sides, a plurality of ceramic heating plates respectively mounted in the cells within the respective annular inside flanges between the heat conductive top plates and the electrically insulative bottom plates and controlled to produce heat, and a transparent covering covered on the carrier plate.

Abstract: The linear motor pump for a wave soldering apparatus comprises in accordance with the invention several pumping channels arranged substantially parallel to each other and separate from each other. It includes preferably a multiply segmented stator. Each stator segment has one pumping channel allocated to same. By means of this a homogeneous pumping performance i.e. homogeneous pumping pressure distribution over a practically arbitrary width is achieved, which leads to a homogeneous solder wave. By the arrangement of the pumping channels and the design of the stator in accordance with the invention a turbulent whirling of the solder is made practically impossible.

Abstract: A turntable assembly generally comprises a supporting base and an oven fixed to the top of the supporting base. A rotational disk can be rotationally and movably supported between the oven and the supporting base. The rotational disk is above the surface of the table without touching the dishes or bowls disposed on the table. By this arrangement, a plurality of courses can be simultaneously supported and the people may enjoy these food simultaneously.

Abstract: A method and device for quickly, easily, efficiently and safely dispensing hot melt from a container includes a dumper for receiving a container of hot melt. The dumper has removable smooth inner sheeting for receiving and holding canisters of different materials. The dumper has a heater heated by overlapping conducting coils for heating the hot melt in the container. The dumper receives the hot melt container at floor level and thereafter is actuated to move the dumper over and about a hopper to invert the container above the hopper. Additionally, the dumper forms a hermetic seal about the container and the hopper for firmly holding the container within the dumper to allow the hopper and the bottom of the container to be subjected to a controlled atmosphere.

Abstract: A device for heating a gel used in physical examinations or on the instruments therefor, e.g. a pelvic examination, comprises a heat reservoir in communication with a flue which receivably receives the gel container therein. The container presents a valve operable by the physician's elbow to preclude the need to manipulate the device in order to dispense the gel. Rotation of the container in the flue is precluded by a ridge array restraining movement between the container and flue. The flue/reservoir combination design prevents toppling of the device during use. Hygienical dispensing of a warmed gel onto the user's hands is provided without user manipulation required.

Abstract: A kitchen layout is provided which includes a plurality of work areas and devices arranged to promote efficient cooking and handling. The kitchen includes a food cooking area for cooking food items which require further processing and assembly into a finished product. The food cooking area contains various food cooking devices, such as a grill, an oven or a fryer. A cooked-food assembly area containing an assembly area is spaced apart from the food cooking area. The cooked food items are assembled into finished products within the cooked-food assembly area in response to customer orders. A cooked-food buffer area is provided intermediate the food cooking area and the cooked-food assembly area and proximally located to both the food cooking area and the cooked-food assembly area.

Abstract: A roaster includes a seating shoe, a chassis, an electrical heater, a sidboard, a fascia, a tie strap and a frying tray, wherein the chassis is fixed on the seating shoe, and the chassis has three slots along the periphery. The electrical heater has a vertical segment with a plug-in member and a circular segment bent in level state on the top portion. The sideboard, shaped like a wave board, has a plurality of plug-in strips formed along the bottom edge and a plurality of angled straps extending along the top edge thereof. Each angle strap of said sideboard has an aperture at center portion. The fascia includes a plurality of high-rised ribs, low-rised ribs, holes, a longitudinal hole and a slot thereon. The tie strap includes two side straps at respect ends adapted to be inserted into the slots of the chassis and the fascia, respectively, to secure thereto.

Abstract: A new and improved hot oven countertop display station is provided in a hot oven countertop display unit having a reclosable front door panel opening and an integral upper sign and menu board structure. A dispenser display rack is provided in the oven compartment for supporting flanged food packages in gravity feed arrays of columns and rows terminating at the front door opening. The rack has been designed to reduce or eliminate the presence of any heated rack surfaces at the front opening of the oven. An optional refrigerated condiment dispensing display may be located adjacent the hot oven display to complete the self-service food station. The hot oven countertop food station provides a clean and safe arrangement for displaying and storing pre-cooked pre-heated ready-to-eat foods for extended periods of up to four hours until purchased by the self-service customer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a circulative catering bar equipped with warming system and cold air circulation system which comprises a warming system in which a heater (26) is incorporated in a plate mounted on the crescent chain, a cold air circulation system having cold air paths formed beneath the refrigerating conveyor and circulating cold air onto the refrigerating conveyor, and a setting board (56), disposed above said warming system, and it is possible to cyclically convey ordinary goods, warmed goods and refrigerated goods at the same time by cyclically conveying ordinary goods and warmed goods on a crescent chain of the warming system and cyclically conveying refrigerated goods on the refrigerating conveyor.

Abstract: A rotisserie oven includes an air plenum having three sections surrounding a cooking chamber. Two sections extend along opposing lateral walls while a third section extends along the top wall of the cooking chamber. Exhaust vents in the air plenum provide forced, heated air into the cooking chamber from three sides. The inlet and exhaust vents have hooded louvers to reduce the amount of grease entering the air plenum. A grease collection device includes a drawer having two handles for easier manipulation thereof. A control system, disposed at the bottom of the oven near the grease drawer, is isolated from the relatively hot cooking chamber by a stream of cool ambient air. A temperature sensor is disposed on the suction chamber side of a blower and near the oven door so that changes in the cooking chamber temperature are rapidly sensed.

Abstract: An arrangement (1) is provided for the frying or warming of articles of food (24) which mainly comprise loose parts with respect to each other. The arrangement (1) comprises a recipient (3) wherein the articles of food (24) may be introduced. This recipient (3) comprises a bottom (4) which may be subjected to a rotation around a central, oblique axis (6). The bottom (4) comprises separate segments (41-46) which are separated from each other, at least a part of the bottom (4) of each segment (41-46) being jointable to empty the fried of warmed articles of food. The arrangement (1) may receive, fry or warm, and deliver separate portions of articles of food (24).

Abstract: A new and improved hot oven countertop display station is provided in a hot oven countertop display unit having a reclosable front door panel opening and an integral upper sign and menu board structure. A dispenser display rack is provided in the oven compartment for supporting flanged food packages in gravity feed arrays of columns and rows terminating at the front door opening. The rack has been designed to reduce or eliminate the presence of any heated rack surfaces at the front opening of the oven. An optional refrigerated condiment dispensing display may be located adjacent the hot oven display to complete the self-service food station. The hot oven countertop food station provides a clean and safe arrangement for displaying and storing pre-cooked pre-heated ready-to-eat foods for extended periods of up to four hours until purchased by the self-service customer.

Abstract: A food shelving and cycling system for wrapped food items includes an elongated shelf for storing wrapped food items and unwrapping apparatus for separating each food item from its wrapping. Sensors mounted within the floor of the shelf and a controller monitor the time that a wrapped food item is positioned within the shelf and initiates its removal from the shelf if the food item is positioned within the shelf in excess of a desired period of time. The system includes heating components for heating the food items until removed from the shelf, and the unwrapping apparatus facilitates the division of a food item and its wrapping into edible and non-edible refuse.

Abstract: This invention is an apparatus for controlling food temperatures in a food warming cabinet having at least one food holding zone. The apparatus includes a first sensor for sensing a temperature representative of the temperature of the food, a heater, a second sensor for sensing a temperature representative of an operating condition of the apparatus, and a control circuit connected to receive sensed input signals from the first and second sensors, and being constructed and arranged for controlling the operation of the heater in response to the sensed input signals and for selecting a set point value forming an ideal temperature condition for the food.

Abstract: A towel heating and moistening apparatus sets forth a cabinet structure including an upper and lower reciprocatably mounted drawer. The upper drawer includes an enclosed support tray provided with a matrix of apertures therethrough for support of towels thereon. The lower drawer includes a lined reservoir heated by use of a heating loop provided with a thermostat, wherein the thermostat prevents overheating of the element upon dissipation of the fluid contained within the reservoir. A pump is provided and mounted to an exterior face of the cabinet to pump water from the reservoir through a flexible hose to a spray manifold to direct heated spray upon the towels positioned upon the support tray.

Abstract: In a dispenser, spout heating structure is provided for maintaining the product in the spout in a flowable and uncongealed state. The heating structure includes a base which supports a heat conductive elongate block, the block having opposite side surfaces and a top surface that engages the underside of the spout in heat transfer relationship therewith. Heat from the elongate block is directly transferred to the spout, and a heat conductive sheath engages the upper portion of the spout and the side surfaces of the block to enhance heating of the spout to thereby maintain the product in a flowable condition.

Abstract: A combination for heating and dispensing hot melt materials in which the hot melt material is contained in a tube having a cylindrical outer surface portion over a majority of its length, and the hot melt material in the tube is heated by a heater assembly through a heat transfer member having a cylindrical inner surface adapted to closely receive the cylindrical outer surface portion of the tube.

Abstract: A brazing oven includes an arrangement employing a gas curtain or barrier to cover the port or opening of the oven whenever the door is opened. The curtain or barrier is formed by a region of flowing conditioned air directed across the opening. The flowing air curtain or barrier prevents gas from exiting the oven interior when the door is opened, and it also serves to replace or replenish any conditioned air which happens to escape from the oven interior. The air curtain or barrier is generated by a ported manifold and supply located either on the oven housing exterior adjacent the opening or inside the oven housing adjacent the opening.

Abstract: An apparatus for warming pre-moistened towellettes in a variety of pre-packaged dispensers as presented. The apparatus accommodates both rectangular and cylindrical towellette dispensers and additionally serves as a night light utilizing an incandescent light bulb heating source and translucent body. The apparatus provides a hygienic way to warm pre-moistened towellettes in their pre-packaged dispensers since no part of the apparatus interferes with the access or removal of towellettes from the towellette dispenser opening.

Abstract: A spinner assembly for a cotton candy machine. The spinner assembly includes a tubular wall member having an upright wall provided with slots. A tubular heater element is supported by the heater element in close proximity with the slots. The wall member is of aluminum material. A dielectric anodized coating on the wall member insulates the wall member from the heater element.

Abstract: A food storage and warming apparatus comprising a first compartment for holding an amount of bulk food at a predetermined temperature above room temperature; a second compartment for holding a plurality of individualized food portions; an air heating device for warming the first compartment; a heat transfer plate having apertures which allow heated air to flow from the first compartment to the second compartment for warming thereof; and means for returning heated air from the second compartment to the first compartment to recycle the heated air, thus conserving energy.

Abstract: A method for unwinding an elastic strip material from a package that has a propensity to stick to itself. The method includes heating the surface of the package to reduce the sticking propensity of the material. Allows unwinding at controlled elongation.

Abstract: A self-regulating warmer device which is especially suited for the food service industry. Such devices are suitable, for example, for keeping wrapped or unwrapped food products at a desired holding temperature between the time the food is prepared and the time it is delivered to the customer. The warmer device includes a plate on which the food is held and a self-regulating warmer element beneath the plate to keep the plate at a uniform temperature. The plate is preferably used with spaced apart infra-red convection heaters such as those commonly used in fast food restaurants, and provides even food heating regardless of the changes in ambient conditions, the number of food products located between the infrared heater and the plate and provides dramatic reductions in power usage. Moreover, heat losses which occur at the edges of the plates now used for these applications are reduced and localized hot or cold spots are eliminated.

Abstract: Equipment for holding or staging a bicompartmented sandwich package is disclosed. The equipment comprises supporting structure for supporting several packages, and heating elements for applying heat to only a part of the package. The support includes an uninterrupted floor supporting the warmed or hot compartment of the package, and shelving structure for supporting the unwarmed or cool package compartment. Heaters are disposed above and below the hot compartment. The support structure is arranged to retain the heat around the warmed or hot compartment. One embodiment, the floor structure is inclined so as to urge packages in the structure to slide downwardly to a pre-determined pick-up point.

Abstract: The invention relates to the distribution of a plastic of the butyl rubber type, and more particularly to its preparation and its routing from a tank where it is hard, viscous and at a relatively low temperature, to an extrusion nozzle where it must have a viscosity and a hardness much lower than those that it had initially. The invention proposes a preparation in several stages combining heating and pressurizing so as to feed, at the desired delivery and with the desired quality of plastic, an optionally mobile nozzle. The invention applies to the production of a bead that is used as a seal and as an interlayer in multiple glazings.

Abstract: An attachment for a towelette container provides a path through which the towelettes pass as they are removed from the container and a heater warms the towelettes as they are in and move through the path. The attachment is detachably secured to the container so that it can be used on new containers as the original containers become depleted of their contents. The heater can be an incandescent bulb and the outer wall of the attachment can be at least partially light-transmissive, so that the attachment can also function as a lamp or night light.

Abstract: A device for warming and illuminating pre-packaged, pre-wetted disposable towels is provided. The unit also secures a plastic canister of disposable towels so that the towels may be dispensed with one hand. A cup sized to enclose the canister in an upper sector has a supporting dish, upon the upper surface of which is provided a series of lips to engage various diameter plastic canisters containing the towels. The dish has a recessed bowl at its center in which one or more small incandescent light bulbs are mounted to warm the fluid pool within the canister and to provide illumination through a translucent window portion of the cup. The top of the dispenser is capped to retain the container from above, while the dish is spring mounted within the cup to assure a snug vertical fit of the container within the cup. A dispenser opening is provided in the cap of the unit, through which the towels from the container are pulled out.

Abstract: A food vending machine comprising a store cabinet for a plurality of cooled or non-cooled dishes and a cuboid oven (40). One wall (42) of the oven (40) is provided with an inlet door (46) and another wall (43) is provided with an outlet door (47) for introducing and withdrawing a food dish (28). A first conveying means (49) serves to transfer the dish (28) from the store cabinet through the inlet door (46) into the oven (40). A second conveying means (50) serves to transfer the dish (28) through the outlet door (47) to a dispensing position. Doors (46, 47) adjoin each other over a corner of the oven (40) in order to achieve a simple sequence of motion of the different moving elements, while keeping the construction as compact as possible.

Abstract: A compact appliance for rapidly electrically heating small quantities of water and dispensing the heated water into vessel includes a housing enclosing a water heating reservoir provided with an electric heating element and connected to a manually actuated water dispensing valve. The housing is provided with a single manually operable lever which is movable in a first direction to close a normally open, manually closed, thermostatic switch is series with the heating element and responsive to the temperature of the reservoir to initiate the water heating operation. After the water is heated, the lever is movable in the opposite direction to actuate the valve to dispense heated water. The valve is integrated with the wall of the housing to minimize the number of parts and simplify the design.

Abstract: A hand wrapper for plastic film that thermally cuts a length of plastic wrapping film withdrawn from a supply roll includes an improved heat cutter that uses film resistors instead of a metal blade or a single heater wire for the cutting because the film resistors are not likely to break and they have low heat capacity which permits instantaneous cutting of the plastic film without requiring preheating which causes large power losses.

Abstract: Heating apparatus for prepackaged foodstuffs, like nut meats in transparent packages, in which the package is dropped into a support for presenting the sides of the package to infrared radiant heat which is delivered along with cooling air to prevent damaging the film material of the package. The apparatus includes controls for limiting the time of package exposure to the heat and mechanism to lock the package support against dumping the package until it has been heated, and to unlock the support when the heated package is ready to be dispensed.

Abstract: A portable electrically heated warming container arrangement for transporting infusions or the like in rescue vehicles includes a thermally insulated case having a flat bottom and an electric heater for heating a plurality of infusion containers carried in the case. A electrical connector plug for detachably connecting the electric heater to the rescue vehicle power supply is provided in the flat bottom of the case and is recessed so as to the flush with the flat bottom. During transport, the case is positioned within a transport casing secured to a wall of the rescue vehicle. The casing has a flat bottom and low side walls defining an upwardly open receiving space snugly surrounding the lower portion of the case for securing the case against sliding and tipping.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for heating stackable dishes. The apparatus includes a shaft-like heatable housing with an open top which can be closed off with a cover. A support for a stack of dishes is disposed within the interior of the housing. The support moves translationally in the vertical direction on guide rails and is linked to endless chains which are driven by an electric motor. By operating the electric motor, the support with the stack of dishes is moved to a vertical position which is convenient for removing or inserting dishes. This movement may be executed following an automatic opening of the cover. The operator does not need to bend over or to stretch to reach the dishes. An automatic control further serves to lower the stack of dishes into the housing and to close the cover after the passage of a predetermined time interval at the desired vertical position.