Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides a consumer appliance that uses RF energy to heat foods stored in a container that is suitable for RF heating.

Abstract: A portable warming device for dry heating a towel. The portable warming device includes a heating arrangement that heats one or more surface of the portable warming device so as to heat a towel that is in contact with the one or more heated surfaces. The heating arrangement includes a controller to at least partially control the heating of the towel.

Abstract: An adapter is provided for fluidly coupling a process chamber, such as a diffusion furnace or a process tube, and a fluid source, such as a torch chamber or combustion chamber, of a system for processing semiconductor material. The process tube and the torch chamber include joint segments that can engage directly together to fluidly couple the torch chamber to the process tube for introducing a fluid, such as an oxidizing gas or vapor, into the process tube. The process chamber and the torch chamber are formed of materials having different rates of thermal expansion. The adapter is configured to couple the joint segments of the torch chamber and the process tube while accommodating the differences in thermal expansion between the materials. The adapter may be formed of quartz to couple a quartz torch chamber with a silicon carbide process tube.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for treating elongate food products in a process space using a conditioned airflow, comprising: a housing bounding the process space, with a feed opening arranged in the housing and a discharge opening arranged in the housing for respectively carrying elongate food products into the process space and discharging thereof from the process space, transport means for displacing the elongate food products through the process space, blowing means for generating an airflow in the process space, and conditioning means for conditioning the airflow.

Abstract: Tunnel kilns serve for the thermal treatment of products in a continuous operation within a production process. The tunnel kilns are usually made up of a number of identical kiln segments, each segment having a blower, heating elements for heating up the fresh air and a common exhaust air line. For the treatment of the products, they are made to pass by either on the suction side or the pressure side of the blower. To reduce the overall volume of such kilns and to save energy, it is proposed to arrange the blower inside the kiln in such a way that it produces a circulatory flow transversely to the direction of continuous transport and to transport the products to be dried through the circulatory flow parallel to one another in the direction of continuous transport both on the pressure side and on the suction side of the blower.

Abstract: A device for heating a substrate with light from a flash lamp having a semiconductor switch connected in series to the flash lamp. After triggering of a trigger electrode of the flash lamp, a first drive signal and a second drive signal are output from a gate circuit. The time period when the semiconductor switch is on due to the second drive signal is longer than the time period that the semiconductor switch is on by the first drive signal. Then, the semiconductor switch is switched on and off by the first drive signal and the substrate temperature is increased to a temperature, which is lower than the desired temperature to be achieved, and is maintained a that temperature for a short time, after which the surface temperature of the substrate is increased to the desired target temperature.

Abstract: A crystalline film includes a first crystalline region having a first film thickness and a first crystalline grain structure; and a second crystalline region having a second film thickness and a second crystalline grain structure. The first film thickness is greater than the second film thickness and the first and second film thicknesses are selected to provide a crystalline region having the degree and orientation of crystallization that is desired for a device component.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided, by way of example, a heater for use in semiconductor processing equipment that includes a base functional layer having at least one functional zone. A substrate is secured to the base functional layer, and a tuning layer is secured to the substrate opposite the base functional layer. The tuning layer includes a plurality of zones that is greater in number than the zones of the base functional layer, and the tuning layer has lower power than the base functional layer. Further, a component, such as a chuck by way of example, is secured to the tuning layer opposite the substrate. The substrate defines a thermal conductivity to dissipate a requisite amount of power from the base functional layer.

Abstract: A towel warmer is provided that has a frame assembly and one or more heating fabric sleeves affixed to the frame assembly. The heating fabric sleeves have electric heating wires that when connected to an electrical power supply to produce a more uniform heat transfer to a contacting article such as a towel than a conventional towel warmer. A thermostat is optionally provided to moderate sleeve temperature. Additionally, a controller is optionally provided to adjust operating parameters of the thermostat. A kit is also provided that includes the towel warmer partially disassembled and instructions for assembly of the frame assembly and attaching the one or more heating fabric sleeves to the frame assembly.

Abstract: A human skin mask heating/warming device includes a case and an electrical heating device. The case includes an upper casing and a lower casing. One end of the upper casing is pivotally connected with one end of the lower casing. The upper and lower casings can be opened/closed to enclose a mask (pack) in the case. Alternatively, the case is integrally formed with the upper and lower casings or the upper and lower casings are integrally assembled with each other to form the case. One side of the case is formed with a slot or slit. The mask (pack) can be guided into the case through the slot or slit. The electrical heating device includes an electrical unit and a heating unit. The electrical unit provides a current to the heating unit for generating heat. The heating unit is disposed on the case for providing heat to the mask (pack).

Abstract: A jaw support and a sealing jaw for form, fill and seal machines are provided. In alternative embodiments, the form, fill and seal machines may include a fitment applicator station, a fitment applicator, a fitment heater assembly and a sealing jaw constructed and arranged to form a container and transfer and apply a fitment to the container.

Abstract: Scribing apparatus are disclosed. In one aspect, a dual-stage scribing apparatus has a first stage adapted to receive a first substrate, a second stage adapted to receive a second substrate, and one or more lasers adapted to emit a laser beam towards the first stage and the second stage and adapted to scribe the substrates. Scribing can be undertaken on the first stage while an orientation process may take place on the other. In another aspect, as dual-laser scribing apparatus is disclosed. Electronic device processing systems and methods including scribing apparatus are described, as are numerous other aspects.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally relate to RTP chambers. The chambers generally include a chamber body and chamber lid. The chamber body includes a substrate support having multiple zones of resistive heaters to heat substrates positioned on the substrate support. The chamber body also optionally includes a cooling channel to mitigate thermal stress and a thermally insulating liner disposed therein for containing heat generated during thermal processing. The chamber lid includes a lid body having an opening therethrough, and a reflective plate disposed within the opening. A plurality of pyrometers are positioned within the reflective plate to measure the temperature of a substrate at a plurality of locations across the substrate corresponding to the zones of the substrate support. The temperature of each zone is adjusted in response to the signals from the plurality of pyrometers.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method of processing a thin film including, while advancing a thin film in a first selected direction, irradiating a first region of the thin film with a first laser pulse and a second laser pulse, each laser pulse providing a shaped beam and having a fluence that is sufficient to partially melt the thin film and the first region re-solidifying and crystallizing to form a first crystallized region, and irradiating a second region of the thin film with a third laser pulse and a fourth laser pulse, each pulse providing a shaped beam and having a fluence that is sufficient to partially melt the thin film and the second region re-solidifying and crystallizing to form a second crystallized region, wherein the time interval between the first laser pulse and the second laser pulse is less than half the time interval between the first laser pulse and the third laser pulse.

Abstract: A substrate thermal processing system. The system has at least one substrate holding module having a housing configured for holding an isolated environment therein. A substrate heater is located in the housing and has a substrate heating surface. A substrate cooler is located in the housing and having a substrate cooling surface. A gas feed opening into the housing and feeding inert or reducing gas into the housing when the substrate is heated by the heating surface. A gas restrictor is within the housing restricting the fed gas between the substrate heating surface and a surrounding atmospheric region substantially surrounding the substrate heating surface in the housing and forming an aperture through which the fed gas communicates with the atmospheric region.

Abstract: An interactive cooking device is provided. A user selects a recipe from a list of available recipes. Preparation steps corresponding to the selected recipe are retrieved from a data store along with a set of ingredients. The retrieved preparation steps are sequentially displaying to the user on a display that is included in the interactive cooking preparation device. The user's preparation actions are monitored, using one or more sensors. Gestures that correspond to the current preparation step are retrieved from the data store along with thresholds that correspond to each of the gestures. The user's actions are compared to the retrieved gestures using the retrieved thresholds. If the user's actions vary from the gestures by more than the thresholds, an alert is generated. The user is then provided with a suggested course of correction.

Abstract: A user selects a recipe from a list of recipes. Preparation steps corresponding to the selected recipe are retrieved from a data store, such as a database. Each of the retrieved preparation steps is displayed sequentially to the user on a horizontal surface display that is included in an interactive cooking preparation device. During at least one preparation step, a selected kitchen appliance is identified, such as a configurable burner surface. The identified preparation step also includes one or more appliance parameters that correspond to the selected kitchen appliance. The selected kitchen appliance is controlled by sending one or more signals from the interactive cooking preparation device to the selected kitchen appliance. At least one of the signals sent to the appliance includes one of the appliance parameters.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for applying EM energy to a load. The apparatuses and methods may include at least one processor configured to receive information indicative of energy dissipated by the load for each of a plurality of modulation space elements. The processor may also be configured to associate each of the plurality of modulation space elements with a corresponding time duration of power application, based on the received information. The processor may be further configured to regulate energy applied to the load such that for each of the plurality of modulation space elements, power is applied to the load at the corresponding time duration of power application.

Abstract: Embodiments of substrate supports with temperature control are provided herein. In some embodiments, a substrate support includes a first member to distribute heat to a substrate when present above a first surface of the first member; a heater coupled to the first member and having one or more heating zones to provide heat to the first member; a second member disposed beneath the first member in a spaced apart relation to the first member to at least partially define a gap between the first member and the second member, the second member fixed relative to the first member; and a plate movably disposed in the gap such that a distance between the plate and the first and second members can be selectively controlled. In some embodiments, the position of plate in the gap controls the rate of heat transfer from the first member to the plate.

Abstract: A portable heater with ovoid receptacle is disclosed. The portable heater comprises a top member comprising a semi-ovoid cavity, a bottom member comprising a semi-ovoid cavity, a hinge operatively connected to the top and bottom members, and a heating mechanism.

Abstract: The described embodiment relates generally to the polishing of a device housing. The device housing can be formed of a thermoplastic, or a metal such as aluminum or stainless steel. More particularly, a method and an apparatus are described for accurately measuring the amount of material removed during a polishing process. Accurate measurement of such a polishing process can be especially helpful in measuring material removal on curved surfaces and edges where material removal rates tend to be less predictable.

Abstract: The present invention includes a cooking appliance with an enamel composition. The enamel composition includes a heat resistance, chemical resistance, wear resistance, and pollution resistance, such that the cooking appliance withstands high temperature, acid or alkali and is readily cleaned.

Abstract: A food warming apparatus includes a heating compartment that can hold one or more trays containing previously cooked food portions. A cover for a tray has a horizontal section and a vertical section extending downwardly from one side of the horizontal section. A rack in the heating compartment includes a channel and a stop that blocks the front end of the channel. The vertical section of the cover fits securely in the channel behind the stop such that the rack supports the cover substantially only through the vertical section. When a tray is inserted into the receiving space cooperatively defined by the cover and rack, the cover is lifted up so that the horizontal section rests on the tray and at least partially blocks the open top of the tray, thereby restricting evaporation of liquids from the previously cooked food portions contained in the tray.

Abstract: In a toaster, a toasting carriage is latched during toasting by an electromagnet actuated by a timer control circuit, and released when toasting time has elapsed. One of two rectifying circuits is always live and supplies a DC current to the timer control circuit and another, separate rectifying circuit supplies a DC current to energise the electromagnet when the toasting cycle is initiated. A first switching module switches a current flow through the heating element, while a second switching module isolates the always live rectifying circuit from the heating element. Switches of the first and second switching modules are disposed in an array and are closed by movement of the toasting carriage to the toasting position. More responsive and stable electromagnetic latching contributes to reducing risks associated with a fire that could occur during use of the toaster.

Abstract: A device for heating a biological sample, the device having a heating source comprising a semiconductor chip. A sample chamber, or other medium to be heated, is positioned adjacent the heating source, wherein the sample chamber is configured to house a biological sample at a predetermined temperature. A microcontroller is electrically coupled to the semiconductor chip and a sensor positioned inside, at, or near the sample chamber. The microcontroller supplies a load current to the heating source to generate heat from the heating source, and the sensor is coupled to the microcontroller to provide feedback for controlling the heat generated by the heating source. The device may also support different heating profiles that are software and/or hardware selectable.

Abstract: A heating unit and a film-forming apparatus comprising of a film-forming chamber, a heating unit for heating a substrate placed in the film-forming chamber, wherein the heating unit comprises of a heat source with a plane surfaced top, an electrode contacting electrically with the heat source, wherein the heat source has a ring-shape or a disk-shape that is formed by an individual, or plurality of heat source members. Wherein the heat source is comprised of a material selected from a group consisting of a carbon (C) material, a carbon material or a silicon carbide (SiC) material coated with silicon carbide (SiC), and a silicon carbide (SiC) material, and wherein the heat source has a ratio of the width (a) of the top portion direction to the thickness (X) of the side part (a/X) is 3 to 10.

Abstract: A hermetically-sealed, ohmic heating packet for storing, heating and sterilizing food and beverage items. The packet is formed of a multilayer laminate material having interior and exterior polymer layers and an intermediate metallic foil layer. Conductive tags on the exterior of the packet are electrically connected to electrodes on the interior of the packet through reverse-patched regions of the packet's sidewalls. The configuration of the electrical connection prevents current from leaking into the metallic foil layer of the packet during heating, thereby mitigating the risk of a short circuit condition in the packet. The rectangular prism geometry of the packet and the parallel configuration of the electrodes within the packet facilitate uniform heating of the packet's contents.

Abstract: An apparatus (30) for conditioning a food substance, such as milk or a milk-containing substance, comprises: —a food conditioning module (31) that has a structure (32) for holding such food substance and that has an electric device (35) comprising a conditioner (36) for imparting as a conditioning effect to such food substance and a conditioner control unit (37) for controlling the conditioner; and —a user-interface device (40) in data-communication with the conditioner control unit to transmit user-data from the user-interface device to the control unit for controlling the conditioner accordingly. The user-interface device (40) is external to the food conditioning module (31) and disconnectably connected thereto.

Abstract: This invention is about a method and a device for equalizing warming processes in dielectric loads using electric/electromagnetic fields at frequencies below 900 MHz. Characteristic for the invention is that the load is surrounded by a field equalizing material and that the load and the electric/electromagnetic field is moved relative to each other.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods are provided for heating and sensing the temperature of a chemical reaction chamber without direct physical contact between a heating device and the reaction chamber, or between a temperature sensor and the reaction chamber. A plurality of chemical reaction chambers can simultaneously or sequentially be heated independently and monitored separately.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a grill pan, which comprises a main body, an electrothermal tube disposed on the lower surface of the main body; wherein the electrothermal tube comprises an normal-temperature area for grilling food and an high-temperature area for burning smoking materials to generate smokes; the normal-temperature area and the high-temperature area are connected integrative, and the two ends of the electrothermal tube have an adapter connected to exterior power supply; there is a smoking box for containing smoking materials disposed on the main body corresponding with the high-temperature area. The present invention achieves the functions of roasting and smoking by only one heating source. That can reduce the cost of production and is convenient for use.

Abstract: A heater for piping includes a plurality of shells connected via hinges. The shells are adapted to be mounted on an outer circumferential wall of piping having a circular cross section to enclose the piping and form a polyhedron along the piping. Thermal insulators are disposed over entire surfaces of inner walls of the shells. A plurality of molds are disposed at the inner walls and are adapted to abut on the outer circumferential wall of the piping in the mounted state. A plurality of heating elements are disposed at the inner walls of the shells so that the heating elements are positioned in a space formed between corners of the polyhedron and the outer circumferential wall of the piping and extend in the longitudinal direction of the piping in the mounted state.

Abstract: Embodiments of substrate supports with a heater are provided herein. In some embodiments, a substrate support may include a first member to distribute heat to a substrate when present above a first surface of the first member; a heater coupled to the first member and having one or more heating zones to provide heat to the first member; a second member disposed beneath the first member; a tubular body disposed between the first and second members, wherein the tubular body forms a gap between the first and second members; and a plurality of substrate support pins disposed a first distance above the first surface of the first member, the plurality of substrate support pins to support a backside surface of a substrate when present on the substrate support.

Abstract: An apparatus for thermally processing a plurality of substrates including a process chamber into which a boat having a plurality of substrates stacked thereon is loaded, and a heater chamber separate from the process chamber and having a plurality of heaters to apply heat to the process chamber. Here, the heaters are installed to correspond to all sides of the plurality of substrates. Therefore, it is possible to minimize a temperature distribution in the process chamber and uniformly supply heat to the entire region of the plurality of substrates.

Abstract: A temperature adjustment method is provided to improve operating efficiency and reduce costs. Control of a heating unit in a thermal processing system including a heating control section is performed based on a first output control pattern obtained by subjecting a detection temperature provided by a first temperature detecting unit to an integral operation, a differential operation, and a proportional operation under a condition of a first set of temperature-setting conditions, a second output control pattern obtained by determining a first heat quantity in a period from the start of an increase in temperature detected by a second temperature detecting unit until the temperature inside the processing chamber reaches a maximum temperature, and using a second heat quantity obtained by subtracting the part of the output provided by the proportional operation from the first heat quantity.

Abstract: A system of heating a sample on a microchip includes the steps of providing a microchannel flow channel in the microchip; positioning the sample within the microchannel flow channel, providing a laser that directs a laser beam onto the sample for heating the sample; providing the microchannel flow channel with a wall section that receives the laser beam and enables the laser beam to pass through wall section of the microchannel flow channel without being appreciably heated by the laser beam; and providing a carrier fluid in the microchannel flow channel that moves the sample in the microchannel flow channel wherein the carrier fluid is not appreciably heated by the laser beam.

Abstract: A laser dicing method includes: placing a workpiece substrate on a stage; generating a clock signal; emitting a pulse laser beam synchronous with the clock signal; switching irradiation and non-irradiation of the workpiece substrate with the pulse laser beam in a unit of light pulse in synchronization with the clock signal to perform first irradiation of the pulse laser beam on a first straight line by controlling the pulse laser beam using a pulse picker; performing second irradiation of the pulse laser beam on a second straight line, which is adjacent to the first straight line in a substantially parallel fashion, after the first irradiation; and forming a crack reaching a workpiece substrate surface on the workpiece substrate by the first irradiation and the second irradiation.

Abstract: An image heating apparatus includes an endless belt; first, second, third and fourth resistors having resistances R1, R2, R3 and R4, arranged in this order from an upstream side in a feeding direction of the recording material, and R1=R2 and R3=R4. The connection state of the resistors is switchable between a first state in which the first and second resistors are connected in parallel, the third and fourth resistors are connected in parallel, and a set of the first and second resistors and a set of the third and fourth resistors are connected in parallel, and a second state in which the first resistor second resistors are connected in series, the third and fourth resistors are connected in series, and a set of the first and second resistors and a set of the third and fourth resistors are connected in parallel.

Abstract: Provided is a laser dicing method, including: loading a substrate on a stage; generating a clock signal; emitting a pulse laser beam synchronized to the clock signal; relatively shifting the substrate and the pulse laser beam; switching by the unit of an optical pulse irradiation and non-irradiation of the pulse laser beam to the substrate by controlling passage and interruption of the pulse laser beam by using a pulse picker in synchronization with the clock signal; and forming a crack reaching the surface of the substrate on the substrate, wherein the crack is formed to be continuous on the surface of the substrate by controlling irradiation energy of the pulse laser beam, a processing point depth of the pulse laser beam, and the lengths of an irradiation region and a non-irradiation region of the pulse laser beam.

Abstract: A scent pod for scenting the air and methods of use. A scent pod comprises a container having a base and at least one sidewall, wherein a majority of the base and the at least one sidewall is formed of plastic having a thickness of at least 0.1 millimeters. A scented wax inside the container comprises a fragrance and a first temperature at which the scented wax liquefies and evaporates fragrance. The scent pod warmer generates heat at a second temperature hot enough to completely liquefy the scented wax in less than three hours, and the plastic for the container comprising a plastic having a heat deflection temperature high enough to withstand the heat generated by the scent pod warmer without deforming.

Abstract: A fluid warmer is disclosed. The fluid warmer includes a support surface, a heating element configured to selectively heat the support surface, and a switch assembly extending through the support surface. The switch assembly includes a switch, a movable switch plate, and a thermocouple. The switch has at least two states, one of which indicates the presence of an item on the support surface. The movable switch plate operably links to the switch to move the switch between the states and further includes a contact surface that contacts an item placed on the support surface. One or more thermocouples are embedded in the movable switch plate below the contact surface. The movable switch plate comprises a material having a thermal conductivity that permits the thermocouple(s) embedded in the switch plate to measure a temperature of an item placed on the support surface within a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: Example embodiments provide micro-heaters including a heating section, a plurality of connecting sections, and a plurality of support structures. The heating section is on the substrate, separated from the substrate and extended in a longitudinal direction. The plurality of connecting sections are arranged at a distance from each other in the longitudinal direction of the heating section, and extended from two sides of the heating section in a perpendicular direction with respect to the longitudinal direction of the heating section. The plurality of support structures are formed between the substrate and the plurality of connecting sections, so as to support the heating section and the plurality of connecting sections from underneath the plurality of connecting sections.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved process for producing silicon, preferably solar silicon, using novel high-purity graphite mouldings, especially graphite electrodes, and to an industrial process for production of the novel graphite mouldings.

Abstract: A disk processing system with a load chamber having a stationary heater and a movable heater.

Abstract: A heating device for single cylindrical laboratory vessels (e.g., laboratory test tubes), the heating device including a clamp-like element using a force-fit to encompass at least a part of each cylindrical laboratory vessel, one or more electrical resistance heating circuits located at the interior of the clamp-like element, and grab handles to open and close the clamp-like element, thereby to insert or release the cylindrical laboratory vessel from the heating device.

Abstract: Apparatus for processing a substrate are provided herein. In some embodiments, a substrate support includes a substrate support surface and a shaft; an RF electrode disposed in the substrate support proximate the substrate support surface to receive RF current from an RF source; a heater disposed proximate the substrate support surface to provide heat to a substrate when disposed on the substrate support surface, the heater having one or more conductive lines to provide power to the heater; a thermocouple to measure the temperature of a substrate when disposed on the substrate support surface; and a conductive element having an interior volume with the one or more conductive lines and the thermocouple disposed through the interior volume, the conductive element coupled to the RF electrode and having an electric field of about zero in the interior volume when RF current is flowed through the conductive element.

Abstract: A cooking appliance has a cooktop including a plurality of separately controlled cooking areas. A first heating element and a second heating element are positioned below one of the separately controlled cooking areas. A control switch is electrically coupled to the first heating element and the second heating element and is operable to selectively energize the first heating element with single-phase AC power and selectively energize the second heating element with two-phase AC power.

Abstract: Provided is a substrate supporting unit, which includes a support plate on which a substrate is placed, and a heating member disposed within the support plate to heat the support plate. The heating member includes a plurality of first heating wires disposed in a first region of the support plate, and a plurality of second heating wires disposed in a second region of the support plate, which is different from the first region. The first heating wires are connected to each other through one of a series connection and a parallel connection, and the second heating wires are connected to each other through the other of the series connection and the parallel connection.

Abstract: A way of delivering recipe preparation instruction to disabled individuals is provided using an interactive cooking preparation device. The device retrieves an instruction delivery preference that corresponds to a user with a disability, such as a hearing or sight disability. The user then selects a recipe from list of recipes. Preparation steps that correspond to the selected recipe are retrieved from a data store, such as a database. The retrieved preparation steps are provided to the user using the interactive cooking preparation device that provides the preparation steps in an alternative delivery mode based on the user's delivery preference.

Abstract: A heater unit according to an embodiment includes: a flat heater including a linear heating element arranged in a planar pattern; a first mesh body formed in a mesh pattern using a material with high heat conductivity and placed at least on one side of the flat heater facing the flat heater; and a second mesh body formed in a mesh pattern using a material with lower heat conductivity than that of the first mesh body and placed to face a surface of the first mesh body opposite to the surface of the first mesh body facing the flat heater.