Abstract: A heated apparatus, positioned in the X, Y, and Z directions, for forming fine lines of molten material on a substrate. The apparatus includes a pen having a refractory tip wetted with material in a molten state. The tip is attached to a V-shaped heater to form a heater assembly. The ends of the V-shaped heater are welded to the pins of a three lead TO-5 package base. The pen is then mounted on an apparatus adapted to direct writing. To that end, the pen is attached to a supporting device capable of moving in the X, Y, and Z directions. When the welding point of the tip/heater assembly reaches the melting point of the material to be deposited, it is dipped in a crucible containing the material in a molten state. The welding point nucleates a minute drop of the molten material, forming a reservoir. A thin film of material flows from the reservoir and wets the tip, which is then brought in contact with the substrate upon which the desired pattern is to be formed.

Abstract: In a wedge tool having a heating device, a metal rod having a heating line, a conductive wire or a thin film-type heating plate is disposed at a predetermined portion of the wedge tool, to which power is supplied through a power supply unit, respectively, in order to provide heat to the wedge tool in wire bonding process. By having such a construction, the wedge tool has the heating system for generating heat, so that a substantially preferable and remarkable bonding force can be obtained.

Abstract: More particularly, the invention relates to a hand soldering device including a heat insulating handle part, a soldering tip and a heating device, by means of which the soldering tip can be heated to particular soldering temperature, whereby in the handle part and/or in the region of the heating device at least two reception chambers are provided.

Abstract: An electric soldering iron includes a perforated metal barrel having a front end and a rear end, a soldering tip axially extended from the front end of the soldering tip, a handle having a front end and a rear end, a connector connected between the rear end of the perforated metal barrel and the front end of the handle, a power cord extended out of the rear end of the handle, an electric heater installed in the perforated barrel and connected between the soldering tip and the power cord, an integrated control circuit installed in the handle for heating energy regulating control, a multi-step control switch mounted on the handle and connected to the integrated control circuit, and a LCD provided at the handle to display values selected through the multi-step control switch.

Abstract: A high efficiency thermal interposer comprising a first hollow disk and second hollow disk, held together by thermally isolating fasteners. The fasteners keep the disks from touching one another. In an illustrative embodiment of the invention, the first disk is the low temperature disk portion and the second disk is the high temperature disk portion of the heat shield. Furthermore, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the space between the disks is filled with small thermally conductive particles (e.g., stainless steel spheres) which are in thermal contact with the high temperature disk; but which are not in contact with the low temperature disk. The thermal interposer/heat shield includes means for introducing cold jets of air into the cavity containing the particles, means for circulating the air therebetween, and means through which the air can exit from the cavity to carry away the heat picked up from the particles inside the cavity.

Abstract: A plastic fishing bait coupling tool for fusing plastic fishing baits together to form a unique fishing bait. The tool includes a base with a heating rod outwardly extending from a perimeter side wall of the base. The heating rod has an elongate inner portion extending into the base and an elongate outer portion outside of the base. A coiled heating element for providing heat is provided in the base and disposed around the inner portion of the heating rod. The heating rod has an outer end adjacent the outer portion of the heating rod. A heating head is coupled to the outer end of the heating rod. The heating head is generally triangular in configuration and has a bottom side and a pair of upper sides converging together at an upper vertex.

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 thermocouple sensor is fitted to an iron tip of an electric soldering iron provided with a temperature controller. The sensor can detect the temperature of the iron tip and supply it to the temperature controller, which then adjusts the temperature to a desired value. The thermocouple sensor is formed of a pair of non-covered sensor wires. A contact point part of the thermocouple sensor is secured to a nose of the iron tip. The wires are laid along the surface of the nose in the rearward direction and introduced into a hollow portion through a lead-in hole opened in the vicinity of the boundary between the nose and a columnar base of the iron tip. Then, the wires are inserted into and through a pair of guide holes, respectively, formed in a cylindrical insulating support of a heater. The distal ends of the wires are coupled to a socket, which is an end portion for receiving a signal representing the detected temperature of the iron tip to supply it to the temperature controller.

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: An electric soldering iron is made difficult to heat up at the front end of its grip. A metal pipe is inserted in the grip so that the pipe comes into close contact at least partially with the grip, with a gap formed between the outer peripheral surface of the pipe at its front end and the inner peripheral surface of the grip. The heat produced by the accumulator conducts through the pipe to the grip and disperses throughout the grip. Thus, the front end of the grip is less likely to heat up.

Abstract: A surgical system including: (1) a thermoplastic, body absorbable, bodily tissue fixation plate having a plurality of through-bores and a plurality of formations having configurations adapted to substantially matingly cooperate with a heating tip of a heating wand; (2) body absorbable fasteners adapted for insertion into the through-bores to secure the plate to underlying bodily tissue; and (3) heating apparatus including a wand having a heating tip of a configuration adapted to substantially matingly cooperate with the formations to facilitate heating and bending of the plate into conformance with the underlying bodily tissue.

Abstract: A device for heating of the blades of scissors, knives and the like, with heating module comprising an electrical heating strip provided on the metallic blades, connecting conductors for providing current to the heating strip, and a cowling of a synthetic material. The heating module is capable of being fastened on the outer surface of the blade. The heating strip is in thermal conductive contact with the outer surface of the blade, extends over the length of the cutting edge of the blade, and is on its outer surface covered with a cowling of a synthetic material.

Abstract: A soldering tip is disclosed which fits loosely over a ceramic heater rod. The rear skirt of the tip is slotted into segments the rear edges of which are tapered rearwardly inwardly to be engaged by a forwardly opening conical surface on the front of a metallic sheath covering and supporting the rear portion of the ceramic rod. When the soldering tip is urged rearwardly in its assembly to the remainder of the soldering tool the segmented portions of the skirt are then pressed radially inwardly over the ceramic rod. The slots dividing the skirt into segments extend well forwardly thereof whereby the bending of the segments is forwardly of the tip of the ceramic rod where a thermocouple type temperature sensor may be disposed. Thus the skirt portions make good thermal contact with the rear and central portions of the ceramic rod but not with the temperature sensor front tip portion.

Abstract: A high efficiency thermal interposer comprising a first hollow disk and second hollow disk, held together by thermally isolating fasteners. The fasteners keep the disks from touching one another. In an illustrative embodiment of the invention, the first disk is the low temperature disk portion and the second disk is the high temperature disk portion of the heat shield. Furthermore, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the space between the disks is filled with small thermally conductive particles (e.g., stainless steel spheres) which are in thermal contact with the high temperature disk; but which are not in contact with the low temperature disk. The thermal interposer/heat shield includes means for introducing cold jets of air into the cavity containing the particles, means for circulating the air therebetween, and means through which the air can exit from the cavity to carry away the heat picked up from the particles inside the cavity.

Abstract: A thermode solder blade for soldering small components in industrial soldering equipment comprises a shaped body formed from an electrically-insulating and heat-conducting material having an electrically-conductive heating element formed thereon and spaced away from a solder contacting surface thereof. The electrically-conductive heating element has an electrical resistance greater than about 4 ohms and preferably greater than about 5 ohms.

Abstract: This invention provides a plate assembly to be used with a soldering device for changing screens of circuit boards by soldering.

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 solder gun or soldering iron contains a pair of electrical terminals that hold a solder tip containing a pair of straight parallel leads. Each lead has a substantially U-shaped cross-section that creates a circular cavity filled which is filled with an insulative material. The soldering tip is made from either a low impedance material such as copper or high impedance material such as a multi-layer material of steel, copper and nickel that automatically maintains the soldering tip at a constant temperature. The soldering device also comprises a universal connector that receives both a solid solder tip and a hollow soldering tip. A rack extending around the soldering device allows quick and easy exchange of various solder tips into the universal connector. In another embodiment of the invention, the soldering device includes a multiple position trigger that both initiates heating of a solder tip and activates a suction mechanism.

Abstract: A color variation inducing device is positioned in contact with or in the proximity of or effects action through air blowing means on a thermally color-varying article provided with a thermally color-varying layer, thereby inducing color variation in the thermally color-varying layer. The device comprises an electrothermal converter device provided with a heat absorbing portion and a heat generating portion based on Peltier effect, a radiator connected to the heat generating side of the electrothermal converter device, and a casing for housing and supporting the electrothermal converter device, wherein the electrothermal converter device is rendered functionable under the application of a DC voltage in such a manner that the heat absorbing side thereof exhibits a temperature reduction of at least 3.degree. C. with respect to the ambient temperature, within an ambient temperature range from 10.degree. to 35.degree. C.

Abstract: A microwaveable exercise putty includes a borosiloxane or stannosiloxane reaction product. The resulting reaction product is mixed with a second polysiloxane, an internal lubricant such a monounsaturated fatty acid, and a particulate material which creates heating upon subjection to microwave energy. Precipitated silica is a particularly preferred particulate material. The exercise putty may be manipulated by patients, and at the same time is capable of delivering heat to the body part undergoing the manipulation.

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: A soldering tip overcomes the gravitational effects on molten solder and supplies a large molten solder sphere for contact with a surface to which solder is to be applied. A conical or cylindrical spiral or helix of solder-wettable material, preferably in the form of a compressional spring is attached to the soldering tip with the central axis of the helix aligned with the axis of the soldering tip, preferably by welding. Solder supplied to the soldering tip flows between the coils of the helix and forms a meniscus at the lower end of the helix so that only the molten solder meniscus touches the surface during application of solder. The increased surface tension acts to overcome gravitational effects and assures a more even flow of solder to the surface.

Abstract: A soldering iron includes a handle, a power source such as a rechargeable battery in the handle, and two electrical terminals connected to the battery through a switch; a soldering iron tip is secured to the terminals and includes a pair of electrical leads, and a wire heating element connected to the leads and encapsulated in a ceramic filled shell, wherein the tip has relatively low mass and a relatively high resistance heating element, and in battery operated irons can produce about 520 solder joints per battery charge.

Abstract: An instrument for cutting, ablating and coagulating tissue has a rod of ferromagnetic material fusion welded to the base of a conical tip of copper with the rod adjacent the base of the conic being of lesser diameter than the base to provide a region to accept a potted coil of wire about the rod whereby when the coil is connected to a constant current high frequency source the rod and tip are heated to a temperature approaching the Curie temperature of the ferromagnetic rod. As Curie temperature is approached the rod becomes essentially non-magnetic heating decreases to produce a temperature below Curie temperature and the cycle repeats. As a result of the excellent heat exchange interfaces produced by fusion welding the energy delivered to the tissue or other load which may be non-biological is closely controlled by temperature which is self regulated. A ferromagnetic sleeve is placed about the coil to concentrate magnetic flux in the rod.

Abstract: A heated probe and sensor tip incorporating a thermocouple located near the distal end of the probe. Improved temperature monitoring and control are achieved through placement of a thermocouple at or near the heating surface. In one embodiment of the device, the heating tip surface forms one half of a thermocouple junction. In another embodiment, a spiral resistive ribbon is formed integrally with the tip and comprises a resistive heating element. In an alternative embodiment of the device, a replaceable tip is described. A method for producing the device is also described. The thermocouple is preferably formed by the junction between the heating tip and a heating wire that surrounds the tip. The tip is preferably mounted in an insulative body which is, in turn, mounted at the distal end of a conductive support tube. Power is then delivered to the heating wire through the support tube and a lead connected to the heating tip.

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: In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a concavity of an elliptical shape is formed in a chisel-shaped soldering tip to create a reservoir in which a quantity of molten solder is retained by surface tension. In a preferred method of use, the leads of an electronic component and the lands of a circuit board to which they are to be electrically connected are pretreated with flux. The tip, with a blob of solder in its concavity, is drawn along the lead/land region with the blob of molten solder making contact therewith, so that molten solder is wicked into the region, and joints are formed between the leads the lands.

Abstract: A Curie point heater primarily for use in a soldering iron and initially designed to operate with currents in the megahertz range is restructured to operate in the kilohertz range. Further in one embodiment of the heater, the coil exciting the heater is mounted in the handle of the iron.

Abstract: An artwork assemblage is created by the providing of a base plate, with initially directing a writing instrument about a top surface of the base plate to effect creation of a picture outline imparting outline lines upon the base plate top surface. A woodburning tool is subsequently utilized to impart heated, inscribed lines tracing the picture outline. A paint brush is utilized to impart paint and a covering surface such as varnish and the like to the top surface. A lace framework is secured to a continuous side wall of the base plate, wherein subsequently illumination bulbs are mounted within through-extending bores directed from the top surface to a bottom surface of the base plate, with electrical lines and a battery supply mounted to the bottom surface of the base plate.

Abstract: A surgical system including: (1) a thermoplastic, body absorbable, bodily tissue fixation plate having a plurality of formations and a plurality of through-bores arranged in alternating relation along with plate; (2) body absorbable fasteners adapted for insertion into the through-bores to secure the plate to underlying bodily tissue; and (3) heating apparatus including a wand having a heating tip of a configuration adapted to substantially matingly cooperate with the formations to facilitate heating and bending of the plate into conformance with the underlying bodily tissue.

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: A soldering tool comprises a handle (10) and a rod-shaped or tubular heating element fastened to the front end of the handle. A soldering tip (4) can be placed on the free end of the heating element. The soldering tip (4) has a borehole for receiving the free end of the heating element and can be fixed to the handle (10) or heating element by means of a fastening sleeve (1). The end of the fastening sleeve (1) nearer the soldering tip has first rotary catches (2, 3) which can be locked by second rotary catches (5) arranged at the rear end of the soldering tip (4) by turning the fastening sleeve (1) relative to the soldering tip (4).

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: A hand-held heated scraper with steaming capabilities for use in removing paint, wallpaper, and adhesively glued down materials (such as linoleum or tile). The apparatus includes a housing accommodating a heating unit and steam generator, an electric water pump, and two alternative base units for attaching a scraper blade, communicating steam to a work surface, or both.

Abstract: A fingertip soldering tool has been designed which is made up of a small fingertip soldering body that is secured above the human finger (preferably the index finger) via a finger strap. Within the fingertip soldering body is a soldering tip for electrical and electronic soldering. The present fingertip soldering tool has essential advantages: a) The same hand which the soldering tool is attached to is freed up for other use; and (b) the small soldering tip provides electrical efficiency, allows wide access into small areas and gives rise to structural lightness which enhances its maneuverability further. A protective shield around the soldering tip provides safety from the surrounding environment and human flesh.

Abstract: A specialized desoldering iron utilizes a blade which takes the form of a quadrilateral enclosure having a pair of heating elements mounted to two opposite walls of the enclosure. The enclosure is shaped and dimensioned to fit over a quad flat pack integrated circuit such that the lower edges of the walls of the enclosure come down onto the soldered leads of the integrated circuit. The two heating elements provide enough heat to simultaneously desolder all of the leads of a large quad flat pack, and the enclosure is open-topped so that the large heat sinks which are mounted atop IC's that consume a high level of power do not interfere with the desoldering process.

Abstract: An electrical impulse hot hole punch apparatus is presented herein for making a tear-resistant hole in a sheet of thermoplastic film. The apparatus includes an electric heating element which is supported for selective reciprocal movement transverse to a sheet of film between a first position, remote from the film, and a film melt position at which the heating element is positioned proximate to the film. An impulse generating circuit is operative in response to the heating element being moved to its film melt position for purposes of supplying an electric current pulse to the heating element. The current pulse has a time duration on the order of one half cycle of an AC voltage pulse and is of a magnitude sufficient to heat the heating element to a temperature in excess of the melting point of the film.

Abstract: A temperature controlled soldering iron includes an elongated heater assembly with a hollow soldering tip at one end, containing a heating element and a temperature sensing element, which is responsive to the temperature of the tip. The heater assembly includes an outer conductive sheath concentrically disposed around an inner conductive sheath, both of which are attached to a steel bushing. A constantan rod is disposed within the inner sheath and connected to the bushing to form a thermocouple junction therewith. The heating element is connected at one end to the bushing and at the other end to a tubular conductor disposed around and insulated from the constantan wire. A temperature controller surveys the temperature sensed at the thermocouple junction by connection to the constantan wire and the outer sheath. The voltage applied between the tubular conductor and the inner sheath is automatically varied to control the temperature of the heater assembly.

Abstract: Liquid dye deposited on the pile of a carpet tile can be fixed by inserting an array of heated pins into the pile. The pins, mounted on a block, penetrate the tufts of the pile which have liquid dye thereon but do not penetrate the backing of the carpet tile. A heating element to raise the pins to the fixation temperature of from 90.degree. C. to 100.degree. C. is clamped to or located within the block. Preferably, both the block and the pins are made of metal (not necessarily the same metal).

Abstract: A soldering gun is provided including an elongated tubular body of quartz having first and second ends. The first end of the body is telescoped into an outwardly opening recess provided therefore in a soldering iron tip mounted from the first end and a second shorter and smaller diameter quartz tubular member is telescoped into the end of the larger diameter tubular member from which the tip is supported. A coil of 6 to 12 turns of Ni Chrome wire is disposed about the second quartz tubular member within the first quartz tubular member and the end of the coil adjacent the tip is reversely turned and directed back through the second quartz tubular member to a point adjacent the other end thereof.

Abstract: A tool for shaping wax and wax-like substances has a handpiece containing an electrical connector for connection to a source of electrical power and an opening in which an electrically heated tool tip is removably mounted for the convenient interchange of tips. The tool tip is held in a fixed predetermined position in the opening by ridges in the opening interlocked with complementary notches on the tip and is removably mounted within the opening in electrical connection with the connector. A cooling air gap is formed between the outer surface of said tip and the inner surface of said opening by the interlocked ridges and notches to prevent overheating of the handpiece. The tip comprises two spaced apart electrically conductive parallel wires which are connected at one end to form a continuous tip which defines a confined air gap of a defined configuration which is suitable for holding and shaping wax.

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 method and arrangement for the positioning and bonding of a solid body (2) in which one part of the solid body (2) together with the bonding agent (6) is to be attached to a further element (7) and bonded to a base (4) is to be capable of positioning the solid body (2), at the point attained after positioning, with both high precision and high long term stability. The solid body (2) is immersed in the bonding agent (6) and this bonding agent is in turn located in a groove of a further electrically conducting body (7). The further body (7) is heated by current flow to a temperature at which the solid body (2) is movable within the bonding agent. Upon attaining the desired positioning of the solid body (2), the bonding agent is allowed to cool through controlled reduction of the heating current until solidification occurs.

Abstract: A technique is provided for desoldering circuit components employing a desoldering aid that fits like a cap on a standard size rectangular circuit component. The aid has a rectangular top of high thermal conductivity metal substantially the same size as the circuit component. At least a pair of integral sides along opposite edes of the top are bent normal to the top and are not further apart than the outside of the electrical leads on the opposite sides of the circuit component for good thermal contact therewith. The depth of the inside of the box is greater than the height of the top of the component so that there is no contact between the top of the box and the top of the component. The top of the box over the component is heated sufficiently to melt solder on the electrical leads. The box and component can then be lifted together from the printed circuit board.

Abstract: The invention provides for placing a material to be scribed in a gaseous atmosphere and contacting the surface of the material with a non-cutting heated tip. The heated tip is rounded to prevent cutting and is moved relative to the material. The tip is heated during the scribing operation, either continuously at a prescribed level, or discontinuously in order to maintain the average temperature at a prescribed level.

Abstract: A desoldering system utilizes a hot air soldering instrument which includes a hollow elongated cylindrical heating element capable of generating a high temperature. The cold input air is forced to move about the outer surface of the heating element. It is then directed to move between the inner surface of the heating element and the outer surface of an inner tube, whereby a primary and a secondary heating chamber are provided. In each heating chamber an open coil form or spring may be disposed to further increase the tortuous path of the air, and the heated air exits from the inner tube into a soldering tip from it is discharged, thus to provide a very hot air jet for soldering or desoldering purposes. Various modified instruments are disclosed for permitting either a hot air jet tip or a conventional soldering tip to be used. Also, a permanent air connection is featured in another modification to obviate the necessity of disassembling the air hose and other connections.

Abstract: Apparatus for supplying light and heat of variable intensity to a photocurable dental material. The apparatus includes a source of light, a reflector, a filter assembly, a light guide and an electrical fan. The heat is generated from the light source and is controllably directed by an arrangement of louvers with a manually adjustable lever through a passageway surrounding the light guide to the operatory site.

Abstract: A plastic welder that can be held and operated with only one hand. The supply rod or filler rod can be advanced into and through the heating tip of the welder by a trigger that can be actuated by the user with the same hand in which the grip of the plastic welder is held. No air assist is required, as a device is provided for reliably avoiding overheating of the plastic welder by intermittently interrupting the electrical current feeding the heating element at times automatically determined by a temperature setting selected by the user. The heating tip is formed of a major portion of steel infiltrated with a minor portion of copper. The temperature of the heating element with the welder in inoperative condition is maintained at a predetermined level above the temperature of the heating tip when the welder is operative and in use.

Abstract: The tool is electrically heated and has a flat working surface, essentially horseshoe shaped. The working surface is heated to between 500.degree. F. and 900.degree. F. and pressed for from 3 to 10 seconds against the ground contact surface of a horse's hoof prepared for shoeing. The contact sears the insensitive part of the hoof, the horn, to dry out the horn, seal off the capillary tubes in the tubular of the hoof and flatten any irregularities left on the surface during the preparation for shoeing. This treatment reduces the potential for hoof damage caused by moisture. The working surface is on the horseshoe shaped part which encloses an electrical heating element. The heating element is attached to a handle for the tool. In the steady state heated condition the heat radiated by the tool equals the heat produced by the heating element and no thermostatic temperature control is required.