Abstract: A box is provided with an opening in its top for receiving the blade-holding head of a safety razor with the end of the handle of the razor resting on the surface supporting the box. Means within the box directs heated air onto the head of the razor within the opening in the top of the box.

Abstract: A holder for electrically heated temperature controlled soldering instruments includes a hollow housing having a forward portion for sealingly engaging the handle shoulder of the soldering instrument. The forward end of the housing is so arranged that the handle end of the instrument is higher than the tip with the instrument held downwardly at an angle with respect to the central axis of the housing. A hollow cone having an inner heat-reflecting surface is disposed in the housing about the tip. The housing and cone may be evacuated to reduce heat losses. A locking element is pivoted to the forward end of the housing and biased into its closed position to lock the instrument in the holder. The locking element is so designed that the instrument pushes the element into its open position upon insertion. The locking element opens when the operator pulls the instrument out with his finger adjacent the forward end of the housing. The holder includes means on its top for securing thereto another tool.

Abstract: An electrically heated hair curler or roller suitable for use in, for example, a hair setter contains therein a self-regulating heater comprised of a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) thermistor material. The PTC is in the shape of a flat pill or disc. There are no holes in the PTC, thus enabling it to maintain its integrity under stress. There are two cup shaped heat sinks, the bottoms of which rest against the flat faces of the PTC in electrical and heat conducting contact therewith. The heat sinks are held firmly against the PTC element by electrically conductive rivets or other connectors through holes in the bottoms of the heat sinks and depressions in the circumference of the PTC. A male positive electrical contact pin extends down from the inside face of the bottom of the lower heat sink. A negative electrical contact ring is around the pin and separated therefrom by a plastic insulating sleeve.

Abstract: A dental instrument heater having a pair of contact blades connected to a battery. The contact blades have notches formed along their respective edges, and they are mounted in parallel, spaced-apart relationship to each other. Consequently, a dental instrument may be positioned between adjacent notches so that electric current from the battery flows through and heats the dental instrument. The heating device includes a self-contained charging circuit which connects an external charger to the battery when the battery voltage is below a predetermined value, and it disconnects the charger from the battery when the battery voltage reaches a predetermined level.

Abstract: A cordless flatiron includes a sole plate with an exposed bottom surface forming an ironing surface and a top surface including a number of projections extending upwardly therefrom. A protective hood attached to the periphery of the top surface of the sole plate forms an evacuated, sealed chamber thereabove and a heat storage element is positioned in the chamber so as to be movable toward and away from the projections of the sole plate. The heat storage element is heated by an electric heating rod extending therein. A temperature responsive regulator element positioned between the heat storage element and the top of the sole plate and responsive to the temperature of the sole plate is arranged by its configuration to position the heat storage with respect to the upper ends of the projections of the sole plate and thus determine whether or not heat is conducted from the heat storage element to the projections of the sole plate and to the ironing surface of the sole plate.

Abstract: A soldering iron holder includes a box-shaped housing having mounted thereon a support supporting an electric soldering iron while not in use. A manually actuated power switch on the housing applies electric power to a soldering iron supported by the support means to heat the iron to operating temperature. An indicator arrangement carried by the housing is controlled by a first timing circuit in the housing and activated concurrently with operation of the power switch. The indicator arrangement includes an "iron heating" LED which is extinguished and an "iron ready" LED which is illuminated and an audible alarm which is sounded by the first timing circuit after lapse of a preset, predetermined time duration, e.g., five minutes, sufficient for the soldering iron to reach operational temperature.

Abstract: An electrical heating device is disclosed for heating a plate which, for example, is used for heating the outside rear view mirror of a vehicle. The heating device includes a positive temperature coefficient resistor constructed as a resistive body in the form of a flat cylindrical ring. One flat surface of the ring is seated upon the plate to be heated which is used as one electrical terminal of the resistor. Another metal plate is seated against the other flat surface of the ring and serves as the second electrical terminal and also as a heat distributing plate for the resistive body. A two part fastening means comprising a headed shank and a press-on nut is provided, with the shank extending through the plates and the resistive body to press them against one another to obtain good electrical and thermal conduction.

Abstract: An electric heating apparatus for softening and molding fillet wax strips used in foundry molds and castings includes a housing supporting a plurality of electric radiant heaters, such as lamps, above a platform for holding strips of fillet wax during preheating. An electronic control circuit is provided in the housing for varying the heat output of the radiant heaters and includes a thermostat located between the heater and the platform for limiting the temperature to prevent melting of the wax strips. Electrically heat fillet-forming tools, supported in holder on the housing during non-use periods, are provided for forming the preheated wax strips after application thereof to a mold. The tools are provided with ball-shaped tips and the housing is provided with a separate adjustable electronic control circuits for each tool so that the heat output of each tool can be adjusted to a temperature appropriate to the particular wax being worked and the size of the ball-shaped tip.

Abstract: A stand for an electric iron incorporates an automatic time delay safety switch arrangement which reduces the chances of fires being started by an unattended iron and serves to save a substantial amount of electric energy by cutting off the current to the iron when it is left turned-on but unattended. The stand includes a hinged, spring biased platform of insulating material for supporting an electric iron during non-use periods. Placement of the iron on the platform causes the platform to pivot closing a normally open switch. Closure of the switch energizes a standard electrically energized time delay relay mounted on the platform. After lapse of a predetermined time period, the time delay relay actuates a manually resettable electric relay from a first condition allowing the electric iron to be energized from a power supply socket on the platform to a second latched condition whereby the iron is deenergized.

Abstract: An electric soldering iron includes an electric heating element mounted on an elongated stem rigidly secured in cantilever fashion at one end to a casing having a pistol grip handle. A soldering bit surrounds the heating element in spaced relation thereto for receiving heat essentially by radiation therefrom and is supported on one end of a protective tube resiliently mounted at its other end to the casing independently of the stem. A vibrator elastically mounted in the casing is coupled to the protective tube for vibrating the soldering bit at a frequency of 10-100 Hz without effecting vibration of the heating element. The handle is provided with a magnet for maintaining the soldering iron in an upright position on a stand comprising an iron plate adapted to be secured to a surface by vacuum cups. The soldering iron is provided with an adjustable light for illuminating the work area and an electronic heater control for regulating the soldering bit temperature.

Abstract: An electrically heated hair curling iron includes a sheet-shaped heater with electrodes affixed to an electrically resistive layer, wrapped around an elongated cylindrical support, and capable of being rapidly heated and maintained hot by electric current available from a rechargeable storage battery. The resistive layer has a positive temperature coefficient of resistance so that its temperature is self limiting. The storage battery is contained in a handle attached to the cylindrical support, and a battery charger is disclosed which comes into electrical contact with the battery when the handle is inserted in a cavity located in the battery charger. An elongated longitudinal clip is used to retain the hair in contact with the heater; a removable cap protects the heater and clip when the iron is not in use, and also engages a switch which ensures that the iron does not remain on.

Abstract: An electrically heated hair curling instrument, such as a curling iron, includes heating element having an outer tube enclosing a thermistor located between a pair of longitudinally spaced electric heating coils and arranged in contact with the tube interior surface. The heating element is detachably connected to the end of a handle assembly by mating electrical connectors. An electric cord connects the heating coils and thermistor through the mating connectors and a rotatable mandrel and slip rings in the handle assembly to a temperature control box mounted in a stand having means for supporting the curling instrument when not in use. A manually-adjustable temperature control circuit located in the control box and responsive to the temperature of the heating element as measured by the thermistor controls energization of the curling instrument, depending on the type of hair being curled. The stand and control box can be arranged to accomodate and control two curling instruments of different size.

Abstract: An electronic temperature control circuit for regulating the soleplate temperature of an electrically heated pressing iron is located in the handle and supporting structure of the iron. The electronic circuit includes a thyristor controlling energization of the soleplate heater and tending to emit heat. The thyristor is mounted to a heat dissipating cooling plate located within a leakproof cavity in the supporting structure remotely from the other electronic components of the control circuit tending to be adversely affected by heat. The cooling plate and thyristor are mounted on a detachable wall closing the cavity and shaped to provide a resting stand which allows the iron to be rested flatly on a horizontal surface without the soleplate contacting the surface.

Abstract: A hand held power tool, particularly of the type of a dental handpiece or the like is provided with power shut-off means disposed directly within the handle. The shut-off means is mechanically connected with a suspension means for suspending the hand piece or the like power tool such that the weight of the tool shuts off power supply to the tool. In a particularly preferred embodiment, a dental handpiece is disclosed wherein the suspension means is a magnet, whereby the handpiece can be suspended on any ferromagnetic surface without having to reach to a suspension fork which, in the known devices, is itself associated with a shut-off valve. The basic idea of the invention has broad application in many different fields of technology.

Abstract: A curling iron holder formed of molded plastic and defining a central cavity sized to receive the heated portion of a conventional curling iron. The diameter of the cavity is greater than that of the heated portion of the curling iron so that there is an annular space between the outer surface of the curling iron and the inner surface of the cavity. Extending into the cavity at longitudinally limited sites is a plurality of centering guides which hold the curling iron centrally of the cavity to maintain such annular space. There are openings at opposite ends of the annular space to afford air circulation therethrough. At one end of the cavity is an enlarged mouth which facilitates entry of the curling iron and which assures that the heated parts thereof are entirely surrounded by the holder. An external linear rib adjacent the mouth prevents the holder from rolling on a flat surface. On the external surface of the holder is a pair of cord cleats which afford compact storage of the curling iron cord.

Abstract: There is provided a compact apparatus for heating and setting hair, including a housing, a central wall in the housing defined by two spaced-apart panels, a plurality of elongated members passing through the central wall perpendicularly and extending to both sides thereof within the housing, and a flexible rope-like heating element between the two spaced-apart panels and wound around each of the elongated members, in order to provide heat thereto. The apparatus includes a number of hair-curling cylinders of conventional construction adapted to fit over the ends of the elongated members. By providing this construction, a single elongated member serves as two heating posts for two of the hair-curling cylinders, and the overall construction is relatively compact compared to prior devices. A reservoir for water is situated in the central wall, and heat from the heating element vaporizes the water to provide steam within the housing around the curling cylinders on the elongated members.

Abstract: An apparatus and uniformly heating a plurality of hair curlers by passing a current of hot air longitudinally through the hair curler body includes a hollow case having an upper wall forming a support surface in which is formed a central air inlet opening into which the hot air discharge nozzle of a portable electric air heating device is inserted. A plurality of hot air discharge ports are radially centered around the inlet opening and each port is provided with a holding member for supporting a hair curler in the path of hot air discharged from the port. The curler body is provided with an inner element able to accumulate and conserve heat. When the curlers are mounted at the ports on the holding members, hot air blown into the case will pass into the curlers and heat them. Each curler may include a cover for receiving hot air from within the curler and deflecting the hot air to flow in the reverse direction along the outer wall of the curler.

Abstract: A materials heating device includes rod-shaped electrical heating element which serves both to heat a thermoconductive receptacle containing the material to be heated as well as tools and instruments for working with the material. The heating element is mounted in spaced relationship to the receptacle by a thermoconductive bracket through which heat is conducted to the receptacle to heat the contents thereof. The end of the heating element protrudes from the bracket, whereby tools and instruments to be heated can be held in direct contact with the exposed end portion of the heating element until sufficient heat is transferred thereto. An adjustable heat dissipator can be provided on the receptacle to regulate the temperature of the receptacle.

Abstract: A hair curler comprising an elongated substantially hollow hair bobbin includes a PTC heating element having a temperature self-controlling function housed within the hair bobbin. A pair of opposed cup-shaped generally cylindrical members are housed within the bobbin with each cylindrical member including a bottom and a side wall. The heating element is held between the opposed bottoms of the cup-shaped members. Each of the bottoms of the cup-shaped members defines an electrode plate arranged in contact with a respective side of the heating element for transmitting electricity to the heating element and conducting heat from the heating element to the side wall of the respective member. The side wall of each member defines conductors for transmitting the heat to the ends of the hair bobbin. A power supplying pin includes first and second power supplying terminals which are connected to a respective one of the electrode plates.

Abstract: A dental mirror warmer to prevent fogging when the mirror is placed in a patient's mouth includes a housing with a cover having an opening. Below the opening is a heating well to receive the reflective end of the mirror. The well has a stainless steel wall connected to a transformer which supplies high current at low voltage to heat the wall. The supply to the transformer is controlled by a photoresponsive device responsive to insertion of the mirror and a timing circuit which permits current supply for a short heating interval. A temperature sensor shortens the interval when heating cycles are initiated frequently. The photoresponsive device is mounted in the housing in juxtaposition with a light transmissive opening in a wall of the heating well. The photoresponsive device includes a source of light arranged to direct light into the heating well through the opening and a photoresponsive element arranged to receive light reflected from the reflective surface of a mirror inserted into the heating well.

Abstract: A dual-voltage electric hair curling apparatus includes a having a handle and a heated barrel. A pair of positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heating elements are located in the barrel and are operable, respectively, at a low automotive vehicle voltage and a high domestic voltage. A switch in the handle permits energization of either heating element dependent upon the voltage of the available power supply and an overload fuse prevents damage to the low voltage heater should it be accidently energized from a high voltage supply. The curler is provided with a power cord terminating in a two-pronged plug receivable into a corresponding receptable on a portable vanity case adapted to be mounted by clips to the visor of an automotive vehicle. The vanity case has a mirror illuminated by electric luminaires on its front surface and a cord set terminating in a plug receivable in an automobile cigar lighter is connected to the receptable and luminaires.

Abstract: A hair roller holder comprises an elongated hollow handle defining a chamber for successively accommodating a plurality of hair rollers. Associated with the chamber is an arrangement for electrically heating the rollers therein. The chamber has an inlet opening at one end for insertion of the rollers in unheated condition and an outlet opening at the other end for discharge of the rollers in heated condition. Adjacent such outlet opening and externally of the chamber is a support for receiving a heated roller in a manner so that hair can be wrapped onto the roller and the roller can be manipulated by the handle. Provision is made in the chamber for guiding movement of the successive rollers therethrough onto the support. The movement guiding means may comprise guide pins in the chamber upon which the rollers are slidable and which are provided with electric heating elements for heating the rollers.

Abstract: The shaver warmer of this invention includes a heat transfer portion which almost closely fits the shaver head of the electric shaver to be warmed. A heat supply portion is directly connected to the heat transfer portion and a temperature control portion controls the heating temperature by detecting the temperature of the heat transfer portion. The shaving head of the electric shaver can thereby be heated to a predetermined temperature in a relatively short time so that advantage may be taken of the relatively large thermal capacity of the shaving head of an electric shaver.

Abstract: An electrical heater device for heating a clinical mirror. The device comprises a housing having a top, bottom and side walls to define a hollow enclosure. Two spiral coiled electric heating elements are secured in the housing with their heat radiating surface spaced apart and facing each other in juxtaposition to provide concentrated heat in a mirror locating space therebetween. An opening is provided in the top wall in alignment with the mirror locating space through which the mirror can be inserted into the mirror locating space. A switch is positioned in alignment with the mirror locating space below the heating elements. The switch has an activating contact on an upper face thereof located in alignment with the opening in the top wall and the mirror locating space for activation by a clinical mirrow when the mirror element of such is inserted into the mirror locating space.

Abstract: A hair curling device having an oven with a plurality of downwardly tapered heating chambers for receiving one or more hair curling irons. A clamp is pivotally mounted on the insulated handle of the curling iron so that the forward end of the clamp can be moved from an open position displaced from the forward heat conductive end of a forwardly tapered cone to a closed position abutting the cone throughout its length. A stop member on the forward end of the cone facilitates the retention of the hair during the curling process. The heating chamber has an open ended bore to enable the stop member to pass therethrough.

Abstract: A stand for holding one or more heatable hair curlers or curling irons has a well or receptacle for each curling iron, each well having two contact poles connecting through normally open switches to a source of power to the stand. Each curling iron has a heating element thermally connected to a hair mandrel and electrically connected to separated electrical contact zones on the iron beyond a thermal insulating handle. The handle terminates remote from the mandrel in a reduced actuating tip that passes a restriction in a receptacle and moves a switch actuator to close the switches and supply current to the curling iron heating element, through the contact poles and contact zones. Removal of the iron from the stand closes the switches and no current flows.

Abstract: A device for use in installing wax foundations in bee frames having side members fabricated from substantially dielectric materials and characterized by a plurality of electrically conductive foundation wires extended in substantial parallelism between the opposite side members. The device includes a table having a planar surface for supporting a bee frame. A pair of elongated electrical contacts of substantially inverted U-shaped configuration are mounted in spaced parallelism on the table for engagement of the mid-portions of the contacts with the opposite ends of the foundation wires whereby a DC voltage can be applied to the wires to heat the wires prior to the wires being embedded in a foundation sheet. The mid-portions of each contact is resilient and compression springs are arranged on the planar surface in supporting relationship with the mid-portions of the contacts to prevent sagging of the mid-portions thereby assuring proper electrical contact between the mid-portions and the foundation wires.

Abstract: A soldering iron holder system for a soldering station is disclosed which includes a protective, insulated chamber into which the working shaft and heated tip of the soldering tool may be inserted. A self locking cradle supports the tool from its handle portion and prevents its undesired removal from the holder system. For additional security, the system includes hold-down for fastening the entire system to the bench top. The holder also includes means for dispensing wire solder on demand. A built in reservoir and pump are also provided to supply cleansing fluid as for cleaning the soldering tip. To assist in the latter, a sponge is affixed to the body of the holder and is wetted from the reservoir by operation of the pump.

Abstract: A disposable cauterizing (electro-surgical) instrument (pencil) is packaged in sterile condition in a sealed envelope. The instrument has a reversible electrode having a narrow needle at one end and a broad flat blade at the other. The handle has an electrical connector consisting of two flat leaves which will accept either end of the electrode and establish electrical contact therewith, the opposite end extending out of the handle in working position. The holder has a sheath which receives the electrode and handle and has a flange which has two slits for attachment of the instrument cord to the holder, a hole to hang, clamp or pin the tab to a drape or other available support and electrode cleaners of two types. One type cleaner is an upstanding boss formed with a V-shaped notch. The other cleaner is a broad tab surface hinged to the flange formed with serrations or abrasive surface.

Abstract: A warming and storage unit for quickly thawing frozen artificial insemination materials and in which such materials and insemination guns used in such operations may be stored at desirable temperatures while awaiting use. The unit includes a metal block provided with a thermostatically controlled electric heater means. The block has an elongated vertically extending central well for receiving semen capsules for thawing and a horizontally extending compartment spaced from the well and being of such size as to accommodate and store at least one artificial insemination gun. The metal block is enclosed in a heat insulating housing provided with openings for access to the well and compartment.

Abstract: A heated hair curler has a fast warm-up time and a slow cool down time due to a heater element having a steeply sloped positive temperature coefficient (PTC) of resistivity. The heater is composed of a ceramic like material such as doped barium titanate or a polymer loaded with conductive particles such as polyethylene loaded with carbon black. In one embodiment the heater is shaped in the form of an elongated annulus to fit closely inside a hollow plastic curler shell. Conductive coatings located on the inner and outer peripheral surfaces mate with ring shaped conductors supported in a base. In a second embodiment the PTC heating element which may be in the form of a parallelopiped is located within a sealed cylindrical container, also containing a fusible wax, which in turn fits within the hollow plastic curler shell. The PTC element has conductive coatings on two opposite faces for electrical connection thereto.

Abstract: A hair curling appliance includes two hair curling wands and a base assembly for heating the wands to a desired temperature. The base assembly includes two overlapping plate-like retention members having trough-like end portions which coact to form sockets for receiving the wands, and center portions which coact to form a cavity for holding an electrical heating element. The wands include hair retaining clamps operable from the handles of the wands, and heat insulating end caps which reduce the possibility of a user coming into accidental contact with the heat transfer portions of the wands.