Combined With Container, Enclosure, Or Support For Material To Be Heated Patents (Class 219/385)
  • Publication number: 20080083732
    Abstract: The present invention is a wafer holder including a heating plate 2 equipped with heating means such as a film-form/foil-form heat generating body 9 or the like, a cooling plate 3 equipped with cooling means such as a coolant passage 7 or the like, and temperature measurement means 4, wherein the heating plate 2 and cooling plate 3 are layered in a direction perpendicular to the wafer placement surface. The heating plate 2 is preferably disposed closer to the wafer placement surface than the cooling plate 3, and a heat conducting member 8 is disposed between the heating plate 2 and cooling plate 3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Publication date: April 10, 2008
    Applicant: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Shinma, Hirohiko Nakata, Masuhiro Natsuhara
  • Publication number: 20080083724
    Abstract: A substrate holder for supporting a substrate in a processing system includes a temperature controlled support base having a first temperature, a substrate support opposing the temperature controlled support base and configured to support the substrate, and one or more heating elements coupled to the substrate support and configured to heat the substrate support to a second temperature above the first temperature. An erosion resistant thermal insulator disposed between the temperature controlled support base and the substrate support, wherein the erosion resistant thermal insulator includes a material composition configured to resist halogen-containing gas corrosion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Publication date: April 10, 2008
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventor: Yuji Tsukamoto
  • Publication number: 20080083723
    Abstract: A substrate holder for supporting a substrate in a processing system includes a temperature controlled support base having a first temperature, and a substrate support opposing the temperature controlled support base and configured to support the substrate. Also included is one or more heating elements coupled to the substrate support and configured to heat the substrate support to a second temperature above the first temperature, and a thermal insulator disposed between the temperature controlled support base and the substrate support. The thermal insulator includes a non-uniform spatial variation of the heat transfer coefficient (W/m2-K) through the thermal insulator between the temperature controlled support base and the substrate support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Publication date: April 10, 2008
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Yuji Tsukamoto, Eric J. Strang
  • Publication number: 20080073334
    Abstract: A heat-processing furnace comprises: a processing vessel for housing an object to be processed to thermally heat the object to be processed; a cylindrical heat insulating member surrounding the processing vessel; a helical heating resistor disposed along an inner circumferential surface of the heat insulating member; and support members axially disposed on the inner circumferential surface of the heat insulating member, for supporting the heating resistor at predetermined pitches. A plurality of terminal plates are disposed outside the heating resistor at suitable intervals therebetween and attached to the heating resistor, the terminal plates radially passing through the heat insulating member to be extended outside. A plurality of fixing plates are disposed outside the heating resistor at suitable intervals therebetween and attached to the heating resistor, the fixing plates being fixed in the heat insulating member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Inventors: Ken Nakao, Kenichi Yamaga, Makoto Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7348519
    Abstract: A multi-zone griddle with an upper substantially continuous layer of metal adapted for cooking a food product thereon. The upper substantially continuous layer of metal is positioned adjacent to a first lower layer of metal and is displaced a predetermined distance relative to the upper substantially continuous layer of metal to form a space therebetween. A second lower layer of metal is displaced a predetermined distance relative to the upper substantially continuous layer of metal to form a space therebetween. At least one serpentine passageway is formed in the space between the first lower layer of metal and the upper substantially continuous layer of metal. The at least one serpentine passageway may be connected to a source of heated fluid for providing heat to a portion of the upper substantially continuous layer of metal that corresponds to the position adjacent to the at least one serpentine passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Thermodyne Foodservice Products, Inc.
    Inventors: William Federspiel, Timothy Tippmann
  • Publication number: 20080067162
    Abstract: There are provided a heater unit and a battery structure with heater, which are capable of heating the battery structure appropriately and preventing a heater (part or whole of the heater) itself from excessively increasing in temperature. A first heater unit is provided with a first sheet heater, a first holding member holding it, and a first sheet placed between a lower surface of a first heater and the first holding member in such a manner as to be deformable in at least a direction of thickness of the first heater. The first heater is deformed when the first heater unit is fixed to the battery pack 50, thereby pressing the lower surface of the first heater to bring an upper surface of the first heater into close contact with an outer surface (a surface to be heated) of a spaced part of the battery pack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2007
    Publication date: March 20, 2008
    Applicant: PANASONIC EV ENERGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masahiko Suzuki, Naoki Fukusako, Jun Okuda, Yukie Uemura, Kunio Kanamaru
  • Publication number: 20080053983
    Abstract: A cook and hold system having an oven, a food warmer and a metallic food tray. The metallic food tray is used in the oven to hold the food products during cooking and then is rapidly transferred to the food warmer for holding. The food warmer has doors that cover the food warmer inlets so as to retain moisture and heat so that the food products are moist and warm when removed from the food warmer. The food tray has a bottom with parallel ribs that provide grill markings on the food products and a trapping of cook byproducts, such as moisture, grease and particles in the bottom spaces along side the ribs. These byproducts help to preserve heat and moisture when the food tray is transferred from the quick cook oven to the food warmer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Inventor: Keith A. Stanger
  • Patent number: 7339136
    Abstract: The present invention features a cooking utensil for creating an elongated cavity in a bread item, wherein a meat item may be inserted. The cooking utensil comprises a bread-impaling spike supported by and extending from a base member, wherein the bread-impaling spike comprises an elongated body portion and a piercing end portion, each of which are configured to pierce the bread item and form a cavity therein, and wherein the elongated body portion has a shape configured to form at least two condiment receiving channels within the cavity of the bread item upon inserting the meat item. The condiment receiving channels are defined by at least one wall of the cavity and the inserted meat item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Hole-e-Cow Corp.
    Inventor: Donald W. Schmanski
  • Patent number: 7339140
    Abstract: A roaster oven for the heating of foodstuffs includes an outer housing with an opening and a heating element disposed proximate an interior surface for heating thereof. A lid, removably positioned on the outer housing to at least partially cover the opening, has a stationary portion and a hinged portion pivotably mounted thereto. The hinged portion is pivotable with respect to the stationary portion about at least one hinge. The hinged portion has an open position in which at least a portion of the interior surface is accessible and a closed position in which the lid substantially covers the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott Tidey
  • Publication number: 20080047172
    Abstract: A method and device for forming steam with high pressure and a cleaner or iron comprising the device are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Inventor: Tuming You
  • Publication number: 20080047956
    Abstract: A warming system includes a thermal battery for storing energy and warming an item. The thermal battery includes a porous, electrically-conductive material and a phase-change substance. The phase change substance is interspersed in a plurality of pores in the porous, electrically conductive materially. The warming system includes a first and second compartment. The first compartment is for receiving an item to be warmed, and the second compartment is for retaining the thermal battery therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Inventor: Richard Dudman
  • Patent number: 7328654
    Abstract: In general, one embodiment of the invention is directed to apparatus for warming pre-cooked sandwich buns and the like to a desired holding temperature and then holding the buns at such holding temperature. The apparatus comprises a cabinet having at least one compartment with a bottom wall, a top wall and opposite side walls. Adjacent the bottom of the compartment is at least one heat source for delivering heat to buns in the compartment. A control mechanism controls the heat source to deliver heat to the buns to warm the buns to the desired holding temperature and then to vary the amount of heat delivered to the buns to hold the buns at the desired holding temperature. A related method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Duke Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Steven M. Shei
  • Patent number: 7317175
    Abstract: An oven control system and user interface are provided for setting a target temperature for different zones within an oven. A thermocouple is provided in each zone within the oven to monitor the realized temperature within the specific zone of the oven. A plurality of different heater elements are also provided within each zone of the oven. The control system enables a user to easily and efficiently select a target setpoint temperature for each zone within the oven, or for the chair rail, or the sag rails. For the case of the oven, the setpoint provides a virtual heat setpoint for the complete oven section which is then realized by controllably regulating operation of the various unique heating elements within that zone of the oven to realize the desired setpoint temperature within that specific zone of the oven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Inventors: Jere F. Irwin, Marian J. Fisk
  • Publication number: 20070298362
    Abstract: A pump liner is used to direct a laminar flow of purge gas across a workpiece to remove contaminants or species outgassed or otherwise produced by the workpiece during processing. The pump liner can take the form of a ring having a plurality of injection ports, such as slits of a variety of shapes and/or sizes, opposite a plurality of receiving ports in order to provide the laminar flow. The flow of purge gas is sufficient to carry a contaminant or outgassed species from the processing chamber in order to prevent the collection of the contaminants on components of the chamber. The pump liner can be heated, via conduction and irradiation from a radiation source, for example, in order to prevent the condensation of species on the liner. The pump liner also can be anodized or otherwise processed in order to increase the emissivity of the liner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Juan Carlos Rocha-Alvarez, Thomas Nowak, Sanjeev Baluja, Andrzej Kaszuba, Ndanka O. Mukuti
  • Patent number: 7307245
    Abstract: Various present invention devices enable adherence to requirements for medical items. A medical item of the present invention includes a monitoring or data recording device to monitor and/or record medical solution conditions. The device may further include indicators to indicate compliance of the medical solution with prescribed requirements (e.g., manufacturer, medical standard or regulation, etc.). The medical item may alternatively include a barcode or transponder to uniquely identify the medical item to a thermal treatment system measuring and storing conditions in a central database. The present invention further includes various thermal treatment systems that monitor medical items for prescribed requirements and display the monitored parameters to medical personnel. In addition, the present invention may place time stamp information on medical items to enable determination by medical personnel of compliance with prescribed requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Patented Medical Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Durward I. Faries, Jr., Bruce R. Heymann, Calvin Blankenship, David Hendrix
  • Publication number: 20070262067
    Abstract: A sealing tool for a sealing machine has a heat-conductive and normally heated support plate having an inner face and a heat-conductive seal plate having an outer face bearing in surface contact on the support-plate inner face. A central attachment extends between the plates across the faces at a point location and substantially prevents relative movement of the plates parallel to the faces at this point location. Outer attachments spaced outward from the central attachment press the faces together with a limited force such that the faces can slide parallel to each other at the outer attachments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2007
    Publication date: November 15, 2007
    Inventors: Gunther Felk, Wolfgang Krahl
  • Patent number: 7285750
    Abstract: In a pressure stamp device for the sealing of films with a slidable stamp element with a stamping surface for applying pressure to a first foil to bond it to a supported second foil, a substantially homogeneous internal temperature distribution is reached by contributing the stamping element with multiple layers so that it includes basically three layers with a heated central layer of a first material with a thermal conductivity and two peripheral layers of a second material flanking it, the surface being formed by one of the peripheral layers to constitute the stamping surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Inventor: Josef Bentele
  • Patent number: 7285752
    Abstract: A merchandiser for elongate loaves of bread includes at least one rack having a rear wall, a front wall spaced apart from the rear wall, a pair of sidewalls disposed between the rear wall and the front wall along opposite sides thereof, and a bottom wall disposed between the rear wall, the sidewalls and the front wall along lower portions thereof. The walls support the bread loaves in a generally vertical, freestanding, side-by-side relationship. At least one heater is disposed along at least one of the rear wall or the front wall of the rack with the heater selectively heating the air disposed therein, such that air heated in the interior of the rack heats the vertically stacked bread loaves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Inventor: Rick A. Barker
  • Patent number: 7285753
    Abstract: For use on board a mobile means of transport (eg. aircraft, bus, ship), a heating system and method are described which lead to a reduction of peak demand in the on-board kitchen energy supply system relating to the integrated heating appliances for the warming or heating of food. For this, latent or thermochemical heat storage units are used which are fully integrated into the structural elements of the heating appliance in question and heats the product in such a way that there is sufficient heat output, while at the same time, the absolute temperature is limited by means of an appropriate choice of heat storage material for product enhancement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Airbus Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Merle Hoehne, Joachim Hoehne, Hans-Juergen Heinrich
  • Publication number: 20070235436
    Abstract: An improved heating system for providing a faster and more efficient method of cooking or heating the contents of a container such as cookware where the container or cookware is placed on a heating surface such as a burner or stove, which includes a skirt for surrounding the exterior of a container for defining a heat capture and insulating region between the skirt and the exterior of the container for trapping heat from the heating surface in the insulating region and for reducing heat transference from the exterior walls of the container to the atmosphere. In another embodiment, the present system includes a container having an integrated skirt for defining an insulating region between the skirt and the exterior of the container for trapping heat from the heating surface in the insulating region and for reducing heat transference from the exterior walls of the container to the atmosphere.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Publication date: October 11, 2007
    Inventor: John Clay Purdy
  • Patent number: 7279659
    Abstract: A non-food warmer apparatus includes an enclosure having sides, a top, and a bottom defining a chamber. A drawer structure has a support member to support objects. The drawer structure is coupled to the enclosure for movement between a retracted position to warm the objects within the chamber and an extended position external to the chamber to permit access to the objects by a user. A heating system heats the chamber and a ventilation system moves air through the chamber. A user interface includes inputs to control a temperature and a humidity within the chamber. A detection system includes sensors to detect a condition within the chamber and provide a signal. An electronic control system is coupled to the enclosure and interfaces with the heating system, the ventilation system, the user interface, and the detection system so the objects in the chamber can be maintained at a desired temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Western Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Gagas, Daniel E. Stair, II, David J. Zeier
  • Patent number: 7276675
    Abstract: Various present invention devices enable adherence to requirements for medical items. A medical item of the present invention includes a monitoring or data recording device to monitor and/or record medical solution conditions. The device may further include indicators to indicate compliance of the medical solution with prescribed requirements (e.g., manufacturer, medical standard or regulation, etc.). The medical item may alternatively include a barcode or transponder to uniquely identify the medical item to a thermal treatment system measuring and storing conditions in a central database. The present invention further includes various thermal treatment systems that monitor medical items for prescribed requirements and display the monitored parameters to medical personnel. In addition, the present invention may place time stamp information on medical items to enable determination by medical personnel of compliance with prescribed requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Patented Medical Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Durward I. Faries, Jr., Bruce R. Heymann, Calvin Blankenship, David Hendrix
  • Publication number: 20070221649
    Abstract: A heating device includes an insulating ceramic base having a heating surface for heating a heating object. A high frequency electrode is embedded in the insulating ceramic base in the vicinity of the heating surface, and a heating body is embedded in the base more apart from the heating surface than the high frequency electrode is. A low resistance ceramic member is provided so as to be exposed to a part of the heating surface of the insulating ceramic base and to be connected to a conductive member in an inside of the insulating ceramic base. A main component of the low resistance ceramic member is common to that of the insulating ceramic base, and thermal expansion coefficients of both thereof are equivalent to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Publication date: September 27, 2007
    Applicant: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuru OHTA, Masao Nishioka
  • Publication number: 20070221648
    Abstract: A heating device includes a substantially cylindrical shaft joined to a joint surface of a plate-shaped ceramic substrate opposite to a heating surface, the ceramic substrate including a resistance heating element embedded in the ceramic substrate. The shaft includes a flange portion formed in the end joined to the ceramic substrate and a first cylindrical portion connecting to the flange portion, and a ratio D3/D1 of an inner diameter D3 of a joint area in the flange portion and an outer diameter D1 of the first cylindrical portion is not less than 92%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Publication date: September 27, 2007
    Applicant: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yutaka UNNO, Yoshinobu Goto
  • Patent number: 7274003
    Abstract: A grill for use especially in commercial kitchens includes at least one electric heating element and, directly above said heating element, at least one food-product holder these components jointly forming a grill platform and said food-product holder featuring nozzles through which steam and/or hot water and/or seasoning can be sprayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Electrolux Professional GmbH
    Inventor: Udo Baumann
  • Publication number: 20070210054
    Abstract: A waste bin assembly for the collection and storage of waste material. The waste bin assembly includes a bin with a floor and one or more walls extending from the floor to at least partially define a cavity. One or more of the floor and the walls includes one or more heating elements, for heating the waste material in the cavity. The waste bin assembly also includes a frame subassembly for supporting the bin. The frame subassembly includes two or more posts and one or more transverse members connecting the posts. The transverse member and the posts define one or more apertures in which one or more panels are positionable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Publication date: September 13, 2007
    Inventors: David Hallman, Shawn Davidson
  • Patent number: 7264961
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for carrying out a thermal cycling reaction, wherein a succession of samples is conveyed through a series of sequentially arranged temperature control sites, each of the sites comprising means for supplying an electric current to, or inducing an electric current in, sample-containing vessels passing through it so as to induce temperature changes in the samples. Also provided is a sample support and its production, the support comprising a succession of sample vessels arranged sequentially one behind the next, preferably in the form of a linked chain, the support comprising an electrically conducting, preferably plastics, material which beats when an electric current passes through it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: The Secretary of State for Defence in Her Britannic Majesty's Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
    Inventors: David James Squirrell, Martin Alan Lee
  • Patent number: 7244913
    Abstract: A temperature regulator regulates a temperature of a microchemical chip that has chemical reaction sections. The temperature regulator includes a temperature measuring unit and a thermoelectric element corresponding to each chemical reaction section. The temperature regulator further includes a heat conductor, a heat exchanging unit, and a temperature controlling unit that controls electric current to be applied to the thermoelectric element based on a temperature measured by the temperature measuring unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Citizen Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Murakami, Shigeru Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7235762
    Abstract: A warming appliance having factory preset temperature modes. The warming appliance comprises an enclosure having a wall. The enclosure defines an interior space having an opening. A drawer is configured to be reciprocally moved within the interior space. The drawer having a wall configured to close the opening. The heating apparatus is configured to change the temperature inside the drawer. The user interface is associated with the drawer and configured to control the heating apparatus. The temperature control apparatus is coupled to the heating apparatus and user interface. The temperature control apparatus is associated with the enclosure, wherein food stuff and objects contained in the drawer are maintained at a predetermined temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Western Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Gagas, Scott A. Jonovic, Daniel E. Stair, II
  • Patent number: 7230212
    Abstract: A golf ball heating appliance for heating 4 or more golf balls to an average temperature of between 40° C. and 55° C. during an active heating period of 30 minutes or less has a lower thermally conductive and an upper non-thermally conductive receptacle for receiving a plurality of golf balls and includes an electrical heating element capable of delivering at least 4 watts of power per ball during the active heating period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Rocky Research
    Inventors: Paul Sarkisian, Uwe Rockenfeller
  • Patent number: 7227100
    Abstract: A warmer includes: a main casing adapted for storing a wiper box therein; a drawer casing slidably engaged in the main casing and operatively withdrawn outwardly for storing a fluid container including nursing bottle or beverage cup in the drawer casing; and a heating device provided in the casing for warming a wet tissue or wiper in the wiper box stored in the main casing and for warming the fluid container in the drawer casing; whereby when the warming of the fluid container is unnecessary, the drawer casing may be pushed inwardly into the main casing just for warming the wiper box only and also for saving the volume of the complete warmer device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Inventor: Tsang-Hung Hsu
  • Patent number: 7217392
    Abstract: An automated slide stainer with slides mounted in a horizontal position on a rotary carousel. Reagents and rinse liquids are automatically dispensed onto tissue sections or cells mounted on slides for the purpose of performing chemical or immunohistochemical stains. The rinse liquids are removed by an aspiration head connected to a source of vacuum. Individual slides or groups of slides are supported on flat heating stations for heating to individual temperatures. Temperature control electronics on the carousel are controlled by a user interface off of the carousel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: CytoLogix Corporation
    Inventors: Steven A. Bogen, Herbert H. Loeffler, John A. Purbrick
  • Patent number: 7211772
    Abstract: A patterned foil sheet heating element has a first discrete region patterned with a first plurality of holes forming multiple conductive ribbons and having a first sheet resistivity. It also has a second discrete region patterned with a second plurality of holes forming multiple conductive ribbons and having a second sheet resistivity. At least some of the multiple conductive ribbons in the first discrete region are in electrical continuity with at least some of the multiple conductive ribbons in the second discrete region, and the first discrete region and the second discrete region both adjoin a first junction strip of the foil heating element. An electrothermal heating assembly may be formed using such a patterned foil sheet sandwiched between two layers of material which may be thermally conductive and electrical insulative.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventors: Richard J. Carpino, II, James A. Mullen
  • Patent number: 7205508
    Abstract: A showcase including an electric heater in a rack. The rack can be inexpensively constituted to be light in weight, and processing of an electric heater leader line can be facilitated. The showcase includes the electric heater in the rack for displaying commercial goods. The rack includes a metal main body and edge members made of resins. The edge members are mounted to front and rear parts of the main body. An insertion hole for mounting a partition member to partition the rack is formed in the edge member. An insertion hole for mounting a guard to prevent falling of the commercial goods is formed in the edge member mounted to a front edge of the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Sakanoue, Kouji Hayase, Kazuo Tetsukawa
  • Patent number: 7199334
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for heating and transferring a workpiece to a forming press for superplastic forming. The apparatus includes a heater assembly, having upper and lower heated platens, mounted to a frame. The heater assembly heats the workpiece to a predetermined temperature. A shuttle assembly operates to remove the heated workpiece from the heater assembly and transfer it to the forming press for forming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC.
    Inventors: Peter Friedman, Richard Allor, George Luckey, Jr., Warren Copple
  • Patent number: 7188618
    Abstract: An oven includes a baking space lighting system switched off automatically after a predetermined period of operation but automatically switched on again upon actuation of a manually actuated oven element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Eduard Anschütz, Sylvia Peter, Frank Rödelsperger, Bernd Strolz, Dieter Weiss
  • Patent number: 7176416
    Abstract: A switching device for controlling an industrial cooking apparatus having a cooking chamber that can be closed by means of a door having a movable door handle with a movable door latch attached to it, with a switch fixed to the housing and with a magnet for actuating the switch, the magnets being arranged in the movable door latch at a position that is positioned adjacent to the switch in a latched state of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Convotherm Elektrogeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Lammerskitten, Hannes Wild
  • Patent number: 7169355
    Abstract: The invention includes a heating apparatus for biological samples. The heating apparatus of the present invention includes a cover, a sample block having a plurality of openings in a top portion thereof for receiving a sample well tray having a plurality of sample wells, and an urging mechanism. The urging mechanism is positionable between the sample block and the sample well tray to urge the sample well tray away from the sample block when the cover is moved from a closed position toward an open position. The cover imparts a downward force on the top of the sample well tray to press the sample wells into the openings of the sample block when the heated cover is moved toward a closed position. The urging mechanism imparts an upward force on the sample well tray. The downward force imparted by the heated cover is sufficient to retain the sample well tray against the sample block when the cover is in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Applera Corporation
    Inventors: Hon Siu Shin, Jew Kwee Ngui, Adrian Fawcett, Kenneth P. Chao, Gary L. Bordenkircher, Jessica E. Barzilai, Donald R. Sandell
  • Patent number: 7148450
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a portable blackbody furnace comprising a metallic body, a cylindrical cavity with a tapered end in the metallic body, a shielding plate positioned at an open end of the cylindrical cavity, at least a first heaters positioned in the shielding plate, a plurality of second heaters positioned around the metallic body, and a plurality of thermometers positioned in the metallic body. Preferably, the heat capacity of the metallic body is larger than 200 Joules/K, and has radial thickness larger than 5 mm. There are grooves formed on the outer wall of the metallic body, and the second heaters are heating wires embedded inside the grooves. In addition, the flow direction of the current between two adjacent heating wires is opposite to eliminate the magnetic field generated from the current flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: John Lin, Chau Min Chen, Chun Miing Hsu, Hui Mei Tai, Hsin Yi Ko, Chun Jen Lin, Chuen Yuann Liou
  • Patent number: 7138613
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a golf ball heater comprising a rectangular container, the interior of which is outfitted with at least one heating element and rails for holding golf balls. One end of the container includes a sliding door for retrieving a heated golf ball. On one side of the container, a control box is outfitted with circuitry to cooperatively work with sensors in the container for purposes of selectively activating the heating element(s) according to whether or not the sliding door is open or shut and whether or not the temperature inside the container is within the optimal temperature range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Inventors: Scott Michael Walsh, George Matthew White, James Joshua Nichols
  • Patent number: 7119306
    Abstract: In one aspect, a food thawing cabinet includes at least one thawing chamber and one or more wall blowers and a heater for producing a controlled high volume of air flow over food product, with the heater controlled in a cyclic manner. In another aspect, various advanced control techniques for controlling heat input are provided in an effort to lower the time required to thaw frozen food products in a safe manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Premark FEG L.L.C.
    Inventors: Walter J. Boryca, Jackson M. Miles, Jr., Thomas Rands
  • Patent number: 7104706
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a heating device having at least a first heating element 102 for heating at least one protective sleeve 105, 602 arranged around at least a first uncoated optical fiber section 501, 603. Said sleeve 105, 602 being arranged to shrink when exposed to heat to form a protecting member tightly enclosing said uncoated optical fiber section 501, 603. The at least first heating element is flexible, and arranged to take at least a first open state and a second substantially closed state. Said first open state is suitable for inserting and removing said protecting sleeve and fiber into and out off said heating device. Said heating element, in said second state, substantially surrounds said sleeve to form an enclosure around said sleeve, so that said heating element radiates heat around substantially the complete circumference of said sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ)
    Inventors: Dag Bergstrsöm, Hans Johansson, Moshen Janbakhsh, Torsten Lund
  • Patent number: 7102354
    Abstract: The present invention relates to devices and method for melting solid polarised sample while retaining a high level of polarisation. In an embodiment of the present invention a sample is polarised in a sample-retaining cup 9 in a strong magnetic field in a polarising means 3a, 3b, 3c in a cryostat 2 and then melted inside the cryostat 2 by melting means such as a laser 8 connected by an optical fibre 4 to the interior of the cryostat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Amersham Health AS
    Inventors: Jan Henrik Ardenkjaer-Larsen, Oskar H. E. Axelsson, Klaes Koppel Golman, Jan Wolber, Mark Howard
  • Patent number: 7102106
    Abstract: A kettle is described having a pair of heating elements each connected to a cable with a plug at its end. The two plugs can be inserted into two separate sockets of a wall plug so that each heating element separately receives power from the sockets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Inventor: Edward Joseph Khoury
  • Patent number: 7094991
    Abstract: A device is disclosed for warming tortillas and other foods. The device operates with a standard electric alternating current ranging from 110 to 120 volts in the US and 220v–240v in other countries. This appliance is to be used in homes or in businesses for the purpose of warming either corn or flour tortillas in quantities ranging from one up to six at a time. The electric current provides energy to heater elements located within the unit and thus provide the heat necessary to warm the tortillas placed on a plurality of circular loading trays. The loading trays are specially designed to lock-in-place in the open and closed positions and are designed to work with a vertical pivot tube which allows the loading trays a pivot-swivel action for efficiency in the loading and unloading of tortillas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: IJN International, Inc.
    Inventors: Ivan J. Naranjo, Pedro M. Ojeda
  • Patent number: 7091459
    Abstract: A cooking apparatus, in which lamps are conveniently and quickly replaced, including a lamp assembly having a lamp casing accommodating lamps and covering an irradiation hole formed in a front panel, and a transparent plate completely covering the irradiation hole. The lamp casing is screwed to the front panel, or is hinged to the front panel to allow rotation of the lamp casing. An open bottom of the lamp casing is covered with a lamp cover screwed or hooked to the lamp casing. A front cover is screwed to the front panel to cover the lamp assembly, or is hinged to the front panel to allow rotation thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hyung Min Kim
  • Patent number: 7081600
    Abstract: A flexible heating cover assembly for an apparatus for heating samples of biological material with substantial temperature uniformity includes a housing having a plurality of engageable enclosure components; a resistive heater having a plurality of heater element areas; a heater backing plate providing stability to the resistive heater; a force distribution system that distributes a force over the heater backing plate; and a support plate providing stiffness for the force distribution system, wherein the arrangement of the resistive heater, the heater backing plate, the force distribution system and the support plate provide substantial temperature uniformity among a plurality of sample tubes for receiving samples of biological material. The flexible heating cover assembly improves the uniformity, efficiency, quality, reliability and controllability of the thermal response during thermal cycling of the biological material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: Stragene California
    Inventors: Larry R. Brown, William D. Brumley, Kenneth J. Zajac
  • Patent number: 7064297
    Abstract: A roaster oven for the heating of foodstuffs includes an outer housing with an opening and a heating element disposed proximate an interior surface for heating thereof. A lid, removably positioned on the outer housing to at least partially cover the opening, has a stationary portion and a hinged portion pivotably mounted thereto. The hinged portion is pivotable with respect to the stationary portion about at least one hinge. The hinged portion has an open position in which at least a portion of the interior surface is accessible and a closed position in which the lid substantially covers the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Hamilton Beach/Proctor-Silex, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott Tidey
  • Patent number: 7049548
    Abstract: A system and method for processing a preform in a vacuum vessel to produce a structural assembly are provided. The system includes a heated die set defining a cavity in which the preform can be formed, bonded, or otherwise processed. The die set is disposed in a cavity of the vacuum vessel from which gas can be evacuated. Thus, a pressurized fluid can be provided to the preform, e.g., to an interior space of the preform to form or constrain the preform in the die cavity, and the vacuum vessel can be evacuated so that the die set, and typically the preform, are exposed to a pressure that is reduced relative to the ambient pressure. Further, the vacuum vessel can constrain the die set in the closed position during processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: John F. Sjogren, Theodore J. Eilert, Henry D. Harkins
  • Patent number: RE39566
    Abstract: Some of the blind holes (6) between indentations (4) of a heating surface (3) contain lifting elements (7) which, after opening of a cover, release a microtitre plate (13) from the heating surface (3) and raise said microtitre plate about 2 to 3 mm, so that it can be removed without application of force. Each lifting element (7) consists of a coil spring (8) and a contact pin (9) made of, for example, PEEK which is inserted into said coil spring and presses with a round flat abutting surface (12) against the lower surface of the microtitre plate (13). The spring constant of the lifting element (7) is about 6 N/mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Applera Corporation
    Inventors: Donat Elsener, Werner Ryser, Daniel Ryser