Abstract: The present invention is directed to a self-contained desoldering gun having a built-in vacuum pump. The vacuum pump is operated by a low voltage electric motor which is electrically connected in at least partial series with a heating tip. According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention a full wave bridge rectifier is used to supply power to the vacuum pump motor and a built-in vacuum pump while using a half-wave bridge rectifier to supply power to the heater. In exemplary embodiments, the vacuum pump is provided for drawing molten solder and when a trigger is activated the motor is subsequently energized and the output of the heating tip is increased.

Abstract: A method is provided for heating the surface of a tooling die. In the method, a heater element consisting of a fabric layer composed of conductive fibers is incorporated into the surface of a tooling die or mold. The heater element is attached to a power source, which energizes the element at prescribed intervals and temperatures to heat the surface of the tooling die.

Abstract: A device and method for removal of a tick from the skin of a host, such device having an open-ended casing for receiving the tick in a V-shaped slot defined in the casing, such tick to be trapped at the narrow end of the slot with means to apply heat in proximity to the tick to cause it to release its grip from the skin of the host after which it can be removed.

Abstract: A warming tray and removable heating cartridges of a glue gun system are provided. The warming tray has a base and a heating stand mounted to the base for holding the cartridges. The warming tray includes leads for connecting the cartridges to a source of electricity for heating the cartridges to operating temperatures. The glue gun system includes a gun having a barrel. A cartridge can be removably placed in the barrel. The cartridge has an open central passage to accept a glue stick and a tip to dispense the glue. Once received into the barrel the cartridge is heated, melting the glue therein. Additional cartridges can be placed in the warming tray such that they are electrically connected to a power supply and heated to a heated state. Thus, after one glue stick is used, a second can be immediately installed and used. An insulated tab allows for the easy handling of the cartridges.

Abstract: A snow melter, comprising a melting assembly and a handle assembly. The melting assembly comprises a melting plate which contains an electric heating element. The melting assembly also has a top plate which is made of an insulating material, and a bottom plate which is porous or has a grating for allowing snow to contact the melting plate but prevents the user from inadvertently contacting the melting plate. The handle assembly has a proximal end having upper and lower handgrips, and a distal end which attaches to the melting assembly. The distal end is preferably attached to the melting assembly at an operating angle which is substantially ten to twenty five degrees from a normal line to the point of attachment between the handle assembly and the melting assembly. An extension cord connects the melting plate to a power source, and is preferably mounted on a spring loaded spool which is located near the distal end of the handle.

Abstract: A device for removing a tick attached to a host, such device having a tweezer with first and second tweezer arms disposed on a slide member movable within an outer casing, such tweezer arms movable within first and second channels defined on the inside of the outer casing with the front tips of the tweezer arms extendible and retractable through an opening in the front of the outer casing, with the channels tapering inwardly to compress and force the tips of the tweezer arms together as they pass through the opening to grasp a tick. A power source is provided in the rear of the slide member which can be a battery disposed within a chamber in the slide member and interconnected through a manually controlled switch to a heat member.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for lengthening a person's own hair using artificial and/or genuine hair and for the permanent fastening of artificial and/or genuine hair. The invention is characterized in that a tube (12), which can be shrunk when energy is applied, is disposed above a thickened portion, secured in position, in particular a knot in a strand of a person's own hair (16) and above an extension piece of artificial and/or genuine hair. An energy-application device, in particular in the form of heating irons (20), transfers thermal energy in a deliberate manner to the shrinkable tube (12). The method in which the device is used is characterized by the following steps: knotting a strand of the person's own hair, sliding onto the knot in the hair strand a fastening element which can shrink when energy is applied; sliding an extension strand of artificial and/or genuine hair into the tube; and shrinking the shrinkable fastening element by the application of energy.

Abstract: A portable electric soldering tool includes a housing forming a handle and a power head. A heating rod extends from the power head, the rod having an axial bore with a stainless steel lining to prevent solder from building up in the heating rod. A heating coil heats the heating rod. The heating rod directs melted solder into an extraction tube in which a curved wafer is disposed to collect the solder. A diaphragm pump is mounted in the power head and has an oblong piston head, which is mounted with the long axis aligned on a longitudinal axis of the tool, which facilitates a more compact unit.

Abstract: A heated dental knife for trimming thermoplastic dental trays which has a heat sink temperature stabilizer and heating element designed to maintain a pre-selected blade temperature without adjustments under normal use in cutting such dental trays.

Abstract: A hot glue dispenser (10) is disclosed having a dispenser section (12) and a removable heater section (14). The dispenser section (12) includes a feeder handle (16) having a main body portion (30) which extends to a provide a hand grip (35). A feeder mechanism (18) is mounted to the feeder handle (16). The feeder mechanism (18) is operable to feed glue sticks (15) from the dispenser section (12) into the heater section (14). The heater section (14) is removably secured to the feeder handle (16) of the dispenser section (12) by a releasable latch (24). The heater section (14) includes a heating cartridge (22) and a protective housing (26). The protective housing (26) includes an interior cavity (160) within which the heating cartridge (22) is mounted, with a gap (170) extending substantially fully between the heating cartridge (22) and the protective housing (26) to provide a thermal barrier.

Abstract: A removable cartridge barrel (20) of a hot glue dispenser (10) is removably secured to a feeder handle (16) by a releasable latch (24). The cartridge barrel (20) includes a protective housing (26) which includes an interior cavity (160) within which a heating cartridge (22) is mounted, with an air gap (170) extending substantially fully between the heating cartridge (22) and the protective housing (26) to provide a thermal barrier. Air ports (169) extend through a forward end of the cartridge barrel (20) to vent the air gap (170) exteriorly of the cartridge barrel (20). A feed passage (150) extends interiorly through the heating cartridge (22) for passing a glue stick (15) from the feeder handle (16) to a dispensing end of the heating cartridge (22). A nozzle (145) is provided on the discharge end of the heating cartridge (22) to provide a dispensing tip (147) for dispensing a melted end of the glue stick (15). A thermally protective shroud (172) is mounted to the exterior of the nozzle (145).

Abstract: A feeder handle (16) for a hot glue dispenser (10) has a main body portion (30) which defines a hand grip (35), and a forward end portion (32) which extends forward of the main body portion (30) for releasibly engaging a cartridge barrel (20) having a heating cartridge (22) for heating a stick of glue (15) and dispensing a melted end of the stick of glue (15) therefrom. The forward end portion (32) of the feeder handle (16) includes a protruding portion (34) which slidably engages within a mounting channel (28) formed into the cartridge barrel (20) to align the main body portion (30) of the feeder handle (16) and the cartridge barrel (20) when the cartridge barrel (20) is mounted to the feeder handle (16). A feeder mechanism (18) is mounted to the feeder handle (16), and includes a feed member (90) which is selectably moveable to advance the stick of glue (15) toward a dispensing end of the cartridge barrel (20).

Abstract: A braid singeing clamp for singeing the end of a braid to prevent said braid from coming undone. The braid singeing clamp comprises a pair of pivotally connected clamping surfaces having grips on one end and heating elements on the opposite end. The heating surfaces are attached to each clamping element by a set of rings which are situated on the top portion of each surface. The rings slide over a tube portion of each clamping element, and secure the heating surfaces to the clamp. Alternatively, the heating surfaces may snap into sockets positioned on the tube portion of each clamping element. The heating elements are shaped to envelope the lower portion of the braid and provide heat only to the braid end.

Abstract: A hand-held electric heat sealing apparatus including a casing, a heat sealing unit and a press handle, wherein a safety switch is mounted in the casing and shifted to stop metal contact plates of the heat sealing unit from contacting the two terminals of a power supply circuit in the casing; the heat sealing unit includes a heat insulative base having a projecting block, an electric heating wire fastened to the projecting block and connected to two opposite metal contact plates of the heat sealing unit, a cover shell covered on the casing over the heat insulative base and having a center opening through which the projecting block of the heat insulative base projects out of the cover shell, a heat insulative sheet covered over the electric heating wire, and a cover frame fastened to the cover shell to hold the heat insulative sheet in place; the casing has a rear chamber, an electric socket in the rear chamber for receiving an electric plug, and an upright stop rod disposed in the rear chamber adapted for hol

Abstract: A hair curling device is made up of one or more heating units which may be plugged into a handle and into each other to make up a heating surface of a selected length. A set of electrodes in the heating units are configured so that a voltage provided by the handle is impressed across a heating resistance within the heating units. Each additional heating unit, when plugged into the handle or a previously installed heating unit, changes the electrode configuration so that the heating current is routed into each new heating unit. A current limiting device is provided so that the temperature of the device is selectable. Heating units of various diameter are provided so that loose or tight curling is made possible by the simple expedient of snapping a different set of heating units into the handle.

Abstract: A device which will form a point at the end of a hair braid having a heating element with a v-shaped or a conically shaped void in the heating element. A hair braid is inserted into the void, and held until the hair is burned by the heating element to form a point in the end of the braid.

Abstract: An applicator system for thermofusible material comprises an electric power supply block (1) and an applicator (3). An electric heater (8) for the applicator comprising a wire wrapped around a diagonally disposed support is placed directly inside a reservoir (4). The electric connection elements (11) of the electric heater (8) link the pins (13, 14) to the power supply block (1). The electric power supply is disconnected during the application of the material.

Abstract: A hand-operated polymerizer for the polymerization of synthetic materials, such as dental plastics. The polymerizer has a housing in which a light source and a fan are disposed, and which includes a light-emitting opening for emitting the light generated by the light source. The housing contains openings for permitting cooling air to enter the housing and for allowing heated air to exit the housing. In order to prevent the operator of the polymerizer from being impaired by heated air when operating the polymerizer, at least one air-conducting member is provided, wherein the position of the air-conducting member is changeable relative to the housing.

Abstract: A soldering tip and heat accumulator therefor are disclosed in which the heat accumulator is essentially a hollow cylinder which is disposed over both a cylindrical heater and a major portion of the metal soldering tip. The accumulator is deeply slotted both from its rear and front ends whereby although before assembly it has radial clearance over both, when compressed during assembly by an outer retaining sleeve, the accumulator snugly engages both and provides a very high degree of thermal coupling between the heater and the soldering tip.

Abstract: A hair braiding tool for fusing the end of a braid of synthetic fibers includes a first elongated member having at least one substantially semi-cylindrical transverse groove formed in a surface thereof with the groove having an open end and a closed end and a second elongated member pivotally connected to the first elongated member and having at least one substantially semi-cylindrical transverse groove formed in a surface thereof with the groove having an open end and a closed end. Upon bringing the first and second members into engagement with each other, the semi-cylindrical grooves therein mate with each other to define a cylindrical passage having an open end and a closed end for receiving a braid end therein. An electrical heating element is disposed in contact with the closed end of the cylindrical passage for trimming and fusing the braid end.

Abstract: The glue gun system includes a gun having a barrel. A cartridge can be removably placed in the barrel. The cartridge has an open central passage to accept a glue stick and a tip to dispense the glue. Once received into the barrel the cartridge is heated, melting the glue therein. Additional cartridges can be maintained in a heated state by a heating stand. Thus, after one glue stick is used, a second can be immediately installed and used. An insulated tab allows for the easy handling of the cartridges.

Abstract: The glue gun system includes a gun having a barrel. A cartridge can be removably placed in the barrel. The cartridge has an open central passage to accept a glue stick and a tip to dispense the glue. Once received into the barrel the cartridge is heated, melting the glue therein. Additional cartridges can be maintained in a heated state by a heating stand. Thus, after one glue stick is used, a second can be immediately installed and used. An insulated tab allows for the easy handling of the cartridges.

Abstract: The glue gun system includes a gun having a barrel. A cartridge can be removably placed in the barrel. The cartridge has an open central passage to accept a glue slick and a tip to dispense the glue. Once received into the barrel the cartridge is heated, melting the glue therein. Additional cartridges can be maintained in a heated state by a heating stand. Thus, after one glue stick is used, a second can be immediately installed and used. An insulated tab allows for the easy handling of the cartridges.

Abstract: A pen base electric heat sealer including a power supply unit attached with a taper socket at one end to hold dry battery cells and a electric heat seal unit, the electric heat seal unit being separated from the bottom wall of the battery chamber of the power supply unit, and a cap with a clip covered on the taper socket for fastening, whereby the electric heat seal unit is electrically connected to the power supply unit to produce heat for sealing as it is pressed on the workpiece to be sealed; the electric heat seal unit is electrically disconnectted from the power supply unit to stop from producing heat as it is released from the pressure.

Abstract: A suture cutter which is adapted to clamp, sever and cauterize a thermoplastic suture includes a housing having an electrical power source located in the housing and a trigger attached to the housing having open and closed positions. A suture clamp is attached to the housing and includes a stationary jaw and a pivotal jaw. A radiant heating element is adjacent to the suture clamp. An actuator connects the trigger to the pivotal jaw and electrical circuitry joins the power source to the radiant heating element. Closing of the trigger first closes the pivotal jaw against the stationary jaw to hold a suture, and then completes the circuitry to sever and cauterize the suture with radiant heat.

Abstract: A device for removing a tick attached to an animal or person having a tweezer with first and second tweezer arms disposed within a casing, such tweezer arms movable within first and second channels defined on the inside of the casing with the front tips of the tweezer arms extendible and retractable through an opening in the front of the casing, the channels tapering inwardly to direct the tips of the tweezer arms together as they pass through the opening. A power source is provided which can be a battery disposed within the casing and interconnected to the first and second tweezer arms. An electrical circuit is completed when the tweezer arms are in their forward advanced position extending out the opening of the casing to heat the tweezer arms and the tick grasped therebetween.

Abstract: A manually operable device that is used to cut a synthetic material and also singe the end of this newly cut material to prevent it from unravelling. This tool incorporates a separate crimping assembly, cutting assembly, and burning assembly for each of these steps. The crimping assembly holds the material in place during the cutting and burning stages and also aids in fusing the melted ends of the material into a uniform mass. The cutting assembly cuts the material where desired, trims any stray fibers from the cut and/or fused end, and also removes any excess burn from this fused end. The burning assembly, connected to a reservoir, burns a flammable fluid so as to burn or singe the material placed thereover.

Abstract: A heating device including a wand having a heating tip of a configuration adapted to substantially matingly cooperate with formations provided on a thermoplastic, body absorbable, bodily tissue fixation plate. The substantially mating cooperation between the heating tip and the plate formations serves to facilitate in situ heating and bending of the plate into conformance with underlying bodily tissue during a surgical operation.

Abstract: An electric stud gun positioning apparatus is attachable to a collar of a stud gun and has making parts for aligning and orienting the stud relative to a part on which the stud is to be welded.

Abstract: A soldering iron including an insulator, a dissipator, and a hollow, cylindrical handle through which the electrical cable travels, and in which the wires, extending from the electrical cable and connected to the heater unit by individual plug and socket connectors, are able to move freely for making it easier to exchange the heating element but prevent the wires from being accidentally disconnected by pulling on the electrical cord during use. More specifically, a single electrical insulator body, which fits inside the dissipator, receives all of the electrical connectors. Furthermore, the insulator provides unidirectional strain relief by trapping the wires against an inside tapered portion of the dissipator when mounted within the dissipator and releases the wires in the opposite direction simply by the act of being removed from the dissipator.

Abstract: An electrothermal color-varying instrument for inducing color change in a color-varying layer includes a heat generating element composed of a sintered barium titanate thermistor in face-to face contact with a heat transmitting member having a heating end portion for transmitting heat to the thermal color-varying layer. The thermistor has:(i) a positive temperature coefficient on the electrical resistance within a temperature range from 25.degree. C. to 70.degree. C.;(ii) a volume resistivity at 25.degree. C. (.rho..sub.25) within a range of 9.8.times.10.sup.-3 to 2.97.times.10.sup.5 .OMEGA..multidot.cm; and(iii) a ratio (.rho..sub.70 /.rho..sub.25) of the volume resistivity at 70.degree. C. to that at 25.degree. C. within a range of 5.ltoreq.(.rho..sub.70 /.rho..sub.25).ltoreq.400.The electrothermal heat generating element generates heat under the application of a voltage in the range of 0.8 to 40 volts and maintains a saturated heating temperature within a range of 30 to 100 degrees C.

Abstract: An electric heat sealer comprises a pen-shaped housing including a power supply unit and an end portion, preferably in the form of a tapered socket, containing an electric heat seal unit. The heat seal unit includes a heat sealing tip projecting from an opening in the end portion of the housing. The heat seal unit is movable axially within the housing end portion and includes an electric contact connected to the electric heating element and arranged to engage an electric terminal on the housing to complete an electrical circuit between the power supply unit and the electric heating element. A spring disposed between the one end of the housing and the heat seal unit axially biases the heat seal unit toward the opening in the end portion of the housing sufficiently to separate the contact on the heat seal unit from the terminal on the housing.

Abstract: A hand-held mixing device comprising an electric motor, an elongated shaft extending from the motor, a housing enclosing the motor and a major portion of the shaft, a blade at the free end of the shaft, a heating element extending from the housing, the heating element formed to have at least one coil surrounding the blade, the coil being dimensioned to be spaced from the outer edge of the blade and to form a generally annular gap thereabout. The motor and heating element are electrically connectable to an electrical power source wherein the electrical power to the motor and to the heating element are independently controllable.

Abstract: An electrically-heated spoon including a flat heating device made of a plate-like positive temperature coefficient (PTC) resistor having a periphery side wall of the spoon mounted to the periphery and a handle of the spoon extending from the side wall. A pair of conductive wires in electrical connection with the heating device are embedded in the handle and extend out of a remote end of the handle to define an external connector for connection to an external power source. The plate-like positive temperature coefficient resistor is sandwiched between two insulating plates and then encased by two opposite metal casing members with the conductive wires, which are connected to the resistor, extending through openings formed on the casing members for connection to a power source.

Abstract: Scissors for cutting hair while simultaneously cauterizing the cut hair ends having an electrically heated blade. Heating resistance is set in a recess of a blade-holder portion for each knife of the scissors. A heat sensor is also included in at least one of the knives.

Abstract: A device for removing deer ticks and similar insects from a person's skin is disclosed. The device includes a heatable pointed needle and a spoon member located in spaced relationship alongside the needle with the bowl of the spoon facing the needle. The needle is used for poking the tick in order to cause it to retract its stinger and back off of the skin, at which point the tick may be removed in its entirety by scooping it with a spoon member located next to the hot needle. In a first embodiment of the invention, the needle and spoon member are carried on a body unit or base member in the form of a hand held gun, and the needle may be heated by an internal, self-electrical power source and heating element, or by a secondary heat source. In a second embodiment, the needle and spoon are mounted on a base member which may be attached to a flame-type cigarette lighter to heat the needle.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing a modular ball head from a prosthesis stem by heat expanding the modular ball head and subjecting it to an impact force in a direction such that it is removed from the prosthesis stem. A housing receives the modular ball head therein while the prosthesis stem is still within a patient's femur. A heater within the housing heats the modular ball head. An impact hammer comprised of a mass slideably mounted on a rod is attached to the housing and has an anvil stop at one end. The housing is thermally insulated to retain heat while protecting an operator and the patient from burns. The heat generated is controlled as to amount and duration.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing material from a collapsible tube includes a housing and a cover connected to the housing by pins that enable movement of the cover in an arc toward and away from the housing in clamshell-like fashion. An inflatable bladder is received in a recess of the housing and, when inflated, bears against the tube for collapsing the tube and directing material in the tube toward an application site.

Abstract: A battery-powered dispenser for hot melt adhesive includes an elongated housing supporting a battery power source therein. A heat exchanger is supported within the housing interior and includes an elongated heat exchanger and a resilient support guide sleeve for receiving a to-be-melted low temperature stick. The heat exchanger includes a discharge nozzle and a recess for receiving and supporting an escott heating element which is operatively coupled to the battery power source.

Abstract: An component or connector lead (12) is soldered to a bare copper metallized area (14) on a circuit board (16) using core solder (26) by manually applying heat from a heated tip (24) to a separate one of the lead and metallized area. As the heat is being applied, a vacuum is drawn in the region where the solder is applied to the lead and/or metallized area to draw off any flux vapors created upon heating of the solder. At the same time, hot air is also directed into the region where the solder is being applied to maintain the flux vapors, created upon heating of the solder, in their vaporous state to facilitate such vapors being drawn off, thereby reducing the amount of flux residues resulting from the soldering operation.

Abstract: An electrical lock thawing device includes a housing formed from a water-proof rubber material and enclosing a rechargeable battery and an electrical heating element. A switch on the housing is operative to selectively connect the battery to the heating element and a removable elongated blade extends through a slot in an end wall of the housing. The blade is heated by the heating element and is insertable into a key slot of a frozen lock. An electrical plug on a rotatable cylindrical member is mounted for movement between extended and retracted positions with respect to the housing and serves to connect the rechargeable battery to a conventional AC outlet. A resilient detent member selectively actuated by a spring-biased push button is operative to secure the rotatable plug in a selected position. The removable thawing blade may be formed in a variety of different key configurations for use in various different locks. A spring ball detent is utilized to removably retain the blade within the housing.

Abstract: Portable apparatus is provided for terminating a plastic fiber optic cable mounted in a terminal connector by melting the fiber ends to form a smooth, flat end surface on each. The apparatus comprises a housing having a pistol grip, a holder for positioning a connector with the fiber ends protruding therefrom, and a heater. A polished plate is mounted on a trigger-operated holder for movement between a biased position normally engaging the heater and a position engaging the fiber ends. A heater switch energizes the heater; a temperature detector senses when the heater has reached a predetermined high temperature and illuminates an L.E.D. The operator then actuates the trigger to move the plate into engagement with the fiber ends to melt them. When the plate has cooled to a predetermined low temperature, indicating that the fiber ends are solidified, the L.E.D. extinguishes and the trigger can be released. A spring then moves the plate back into contact with the heater and the connector can be removed.

Abstract: A heating element is held in position by a rigid holder constructed to surround an ultrasonic bonding tool and is itself fastened in a fixed position relative to the bonding tool, such that the rigid holder and the heating element are held in close proximity to the bonding tool without physically contacting the bonding tool. This serves to heat the bonding tool, facilitating adequate bonding without overly heating the integrated circuit assembly and without interfering with the critical ultrasonic properties of the bonding tool and ultrasonic transducer horn.

Abstract: An electrically heated branding device for marking articles has an elongated type block with a base end removably secured in a cavity of a holder and a branding indicia on a forward end face which projects from the holder. The type block includes a metallic heat receiving portion having an elongated cavity open at the base end of the type block and in which as fitted a heat generating portion in the form of a ceramic rod. An electric resistance heat generating member having a positive temperature coefficient of resistance is embedded in the forward end portion of the rod and extends transversely of the longitudinal axis thereof for heating the indicia. Lead wires from heat generating member are connected to electrodes removably received in a socket in the cavity.

Abstract: A fiber cutting tool is disclosed which comprises a heated element cartridge and a body. The heated element cartridge comprises (a) a blade formed from a fast heating resistance heating element encased in a thermal shock resistant and electrical resistant material, such blade having a distal end and a proximate end; (b) an element cover having a distal end and a proximate end which encloses the proximate end of the blade; and (c) a cartridge housing that encloses a portion of the proximate end of the element cover. In preferred embodiments, the blade is formed from a tungsten resistance heating element encased in a silicon nitride composite material.

Abstract: A modular soldering station is disclosed which includes a base unit containing a soldering instrument power supply and having a plurality of holding fixtures to which may be attached novel modular desoldering tools, component pick up tools, vacuum fume removal apparatus, and cradling means for each. Different combinations of such implements may be used to make up a particularly desired soldering station for a given soldering/desoldering task or set of tasks.

Abstract: An auxiliary soldering device for electric solder iron includes a sleeve member fitted to a handle of the iron, a connecting seat disposed on the sleeve member, a first guide pipe located adjacent to a rear end of a connecting seat and a second guide pipe located adjacent to a front end thereof. The second guide pipe extends forward to the tip portion of the electric solder iron permitting a soldering wire to be fed through the guide pipes to the tip portion of the iron. A pressing plate engaging the soldering wire and a vane member are pivoted to the connecting seat with the vane member located above the pressing plate. The vane member has an elastic pushing plate downward extending to abut against the soldering wire, whereby pressing downward the front end of the vane member, the wire is advanced by the pushing plate through a certain distance for soldering use.

Abstract: A tool for removing mirror brackets and tabs therefor from windshields of automobiles and the like. The tool includes an electrical heating apparatus which permits single-handed operation. The tool operates quickly and efficiently without damaging windshields or other glass components.

Abstract: A branding device for marking articles which includes a holder having a socket cavity and an elongated ceramic type block having one end removably attached to the holder cavity and a branding indicia on a forward end face which projects from the cavity. A ceramic plate is embedded in the forward end of the type block and a heat generating member is printed as an electrically resistive pattern on a surface of the ceramic plate facing the forward, branding indicia end of the type block to heat the branding indicia. The heat generating member is provided as an electric resistance element having a positive temperature coefficient. Lead wires extend from the resistance element and are connected to electrodes received in plug portions of the socket cavity.

Abstract: A heater assembly for a hot melt applicator includes a heating block having a melting chamber and two compartments receiving a pair of elongated heating elements along opposite sides of the chamber. The heating elements have respective longitudinal axes that lie in a common plane which extends toward an outlet of the melting chamber at an angle relative to a central axis of the melting chamber. In preferred forms, the longitudinal axes of the heating elements converge toward each other as the outlet of the melting chamber is approached.